"Country Road" — 27

You probably know the rest of the words:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

As you might notice I'm experimenting with different brushes in Corel Painter 11. The one I used in this piece is called "coarse camel" under "liquid ink." Very interesting look.

"The Meatball Ball" — 26

They savored the night of dance:

(Digital, Anime Studio Pro 7)

These are indeed the places my imagination goes.

"Father Son Pizza" — 25

It all started with the concept of using a stereotype image:

(Digital, Anime Studio Pro 7)

...and adding a twist to it. Hence, the young son with a mustache.

"Not On My Watch" — 24

Shoo, fly:

(Digital, Anime Studio Pro 7)

I haven't created a vector-based piece for a while, so it was refreshing coming up with this punny image.

"The Rescue" — 23

Boy meets puppy:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"Assertive Otter" — 20

Assertive otter is assertive:

(Digital, 4th gen iPod Touch)

If you took notice of the number of this piece, it's that I made the sketch several days ago, but I needed to wait until I could get it on a PC to add my signature. Drawing on a tiny 2" x 3" screen ain't easy, and my new, updated signature would be next to impossible to complete on my iPod Touch.

Also, there's something especially special about this little otter guy, but I'm not allowing myself to say much...yet. I'm hoping to make that announcement soon, but you'll just have to wait—sorry!

"Life Is Precious" — 22

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the infamous court ruling in Roe v Wade:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

Since that time, 55 million men and women never received the chance to experience a beautiful life outside the womb. But there's good news. If you notice in my piece, I placed a question mark after the initial year, because the end of legal abortion in America is in sight. The pro-life movement is growing, and my generation is the strongest yet.

Every life is precious. Everyone deserves a chance at living life to the fullest. Let's pray that day arrives soon.

"Martin Luther King, Jr" — 21

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"On Top Of His World" — 19

So often in childhood, we consider our personal lives to be the pinnacle of all life:

(Pencil & pen on 70-lb. light cream paper)

[If you're wondering about the shading in the top right corner, that's due to the fold in the book during the scan.]

"Crocodile Tears" — 18

Even crocodiles cry once in a while, especially little ones:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"The Great Lion Tamer" — 17

No fiercer animal has been tamed in the history of little girls:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"A Bad Altitude Illustrated" — 16

When a bad altitude needs to change, pronto:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

I made a punny.

"The Long Green Journey" — 15

The scale of the world is all based on perspective:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"In Memory of My Grandmother" — 14

My grandmother passed into eternity one month ago today:

(Watercolor, pen on 90 CP paper)

And she has left quite the legacy. One very simple yet vivid memory I have of my grandmother is pink lemonade. I never knew the stuff existed until she served it to us, her grandkids, and it is one of the greatest things I ever tasted. To this day I can really remember only my grandmother being the one who served pink lemonade, and I'm sure that when I have it in the future...I'll be thinking of sitting on her deck, receiving her gentle kindness.

"Him In 10 Years" — 13

Later on in life he'll be asked the infamous question, "Where do you see yourself in 10 years?" His answer is standing next to him:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"A Different Kind of Mountain — 12

When the young'uns seem to have all the energy:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"A Unique Idea" — 11

When you get that idea that's a little unusual:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"Tired Hills and Quiet Lakes" — 10

Every soul needs rest once in a while:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"The Friend On Errands" — 9

Sometimes you need a little friend while running errands:

(Pencil, pen & paper)

"Pushing Each Other's Buttons" — 8

When robots battle, it's usually because they started pushing each other's buttons:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"The Shy One" — 7

Sometimes being shy is natural:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"What's Up" — 6

Is a fly a friend or foe?:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"Furry Fury" — 5

With a dog in the house, I've seen a lot of this lately:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"The Party Frog" — 4

He might not look like it, but he's the life of the party:

(Pencil, pen & paper)

"In A Hole In The Ground There Lived A Hobbit" — 3

In honor of J.R.R. Tolkien's birthday:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"Awake Before Long" — 2

Bad dreams of wolves again:

(Digital, Corel Painter with Wacom Cintiq)

"A New Year: A New Adventure" — 1

Embracing the unknown of a new year, the adventure begins:

(Pencil, pen & paper)

A New Year, A New Challenge

First of all:

Happy 2013, everyone!

I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything on here, much less kept up with the Art 365+1 2012 challenge. However, I'm giving it another shot. A new year is symbolic of a new start, and now that I know a little more of what to expect from creating an original piece of art every day, I expect to fare better this year.

It is my hope that you will feel inspired by the work I complete in 2013, and that above all, it would lead us closer to God.

May you have a year filled with rich blessings from the Creator!