J.Bird Cremeans

Check it out!

I finally got a commssion from my ad in Modern Dog magazine! It's looking great and I can't wait to see the finished caricature! Here is a rough draft:

I had a wonderful time at this year's Art in the Park in Ritter Park, Huntington WV. I did mostly color caricatures and also 3 dogs! Click on the pic below to see more:

http://jbirdistheword.smugmug.com/gallery/8474292_A7MNc#557193604_B5jnZ

check out the link here to see pictures of classic cars i photographed this past friday. they are free for the next couple of days! you can or course order prints from the site if you want.

http://www.layersmagazine.com/why-does-hdr-bring-out-the-bestworst-in-you-as-a-photographer.html

The above link talks about HDR photography and it's intended purposes. I have been medling in the artform since last year and found it to useful when deciding how far to push the tonal range of an image. I have however seen the tonal range of an image pushed wildly. I'm not into that kind of style and like for it to be more subtle or pushed just a tiny bit. Also, I don't plan on turning ALL of my photos into HDR works. I pick and choose based on what I think will benefit from the process. If the image already has good tonal range then I might apply the process and see what comes of it.

"Pretty soon, HDR becomes your “Hail Mary” pass when you take a horrible photo, rather than just deleting it, and working the image again.. Don’t be that person. Look at the technology as a way to realize your Vision rather than the workflow that’s going to replace it. A cool HDR of a junky picture is still a junky picture."

 A lot of photographers use this same ideal with Photoshop. I believe you should learn to get it right the first time. If Ansel Adams's work can't be replicated today without the aid of Photoshop then we suck as photographers.

Here are 2 of my HDR photographs:

These are both HDR images but I applied different techniques to both of them. The graveyard was created with multiple exposures taken with a tripod. Selective dodgeing and burning was then applied. The truck hood was one single exposure but I applied the dodge and burn tools achieve better tonal range. I don't believe either is taken too far. I agree the graveyard has an "effect" look but I did that on purpose.

Here is link where you can purchase prints:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7018491§ion_id=5975535

My caricatures are doing great these days. I'm booking up months ahead and taking in commissions from customers who find me over the internet. My etsy stores are doing well too. I don't have to advertise much since I'm the only caricature artist in the Tri-State area. For that I am thankful.

However I love to take pictures and would like to take up photography full-time. The area here is saturated with photographers wanting the same things that I do. Many of them are great and creative. But with the good come the bad who think that the most expensive camera they can afford makes them photographers instead of just camera owners.

But I don't complain about it. I just try and think outside of the box. There is an awesome photographer in WV named Joe McNeemar. I've looked at his work and now know what I want to strive for and he has given me some ideas I'd like to try.

Here is a project I'm starting this month:

2010 High School Seniors

I am looking for models and reps for the 2010 school year.

Needing to build up my portfolio with quality and creativity I am in need of high school seniors to model for me at locations that I choose and times and dates that I choose. All I ask is that you trust me and let me do what I want to do: take awesome pictures of you to show around.

What you get:

Free sitting fee in exchange for your use of your images

Free proofs

Web quality images to share on social sites

Affordable prints if you choose to order

Senior cards to pass out to your friends

Check out these samples here to see my work:

I only ask you to give me complete artistic control.

If you are interested please send a pictures of yourself to my email address:

jbirdistheword@yahoo.com

The seniors that I pick will be contaced by me so please leave a phone number so I can call you.

Finished up some senior pictures of Drew yesterday. Click on the picture below to see more:

Here is a sneak peak of some new senior pictures:

Hello!

Once again, I'm late! Sorry! But I have some new artwork and classes to tell you about!

In this month's newsletter you will find:

a. Face painting and caricatures

b. New commissioned caricature

c. Sneak peak at some senior pictures

d. Class info

Face painting and caricatures:

Last month I rented a kiosk at the Ashland Town Center Mall in Ashland KY on the weekends. I had some pictures in time for the last newsletter but these are some that I did towards the end of the month.

There are at least 3 here that you didn't see last week. The boy with Spongebob on his face is my nephew! You can scroll through the pictures over on the left under "face painting set". :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbirdistheword/3484182502/in/set-72157616606673427/

Here is my brother:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbirdistheword/3483370529/in/set-72157605778726958/

Here are my 2 friends from Ashland who we love to play video games with especially ones with zombies:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbirdistheword/3484182962/in/set-72157605778726958/

New commissioned Caricature

I did a commissioned caricature that wouldn't have gotten had I not had a kiosk at the Ashland mall last month. It was for an anniversary present. You have to admit that when you're married for that long you would probably have everything but a cute caricature. Check it out here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbirdistheword/3471840133/in/set-72157605778726958/

If you are interested in getting a caricature done check out my website here: http://www.jbirdistheword.com/caricatures.htm

You can purchase one over the internet here: http://www.jbirdistheword.etsy.com

Sneak Peak:

I just took some senior pictures last weekend in Oak Hill Ohio. The surrounding area is small but allowed for some creative oppurtunities. Here is a picture of Drew:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbirdistheword/3527083068/

I did his brother's senior pictures last year. You can view them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbirdistheword/sets/72157603736050618/

If you are interested in having pictures taken visit my website here:

http://www.jbirdistheword.com/photographyservices.htm

Class info:

Summer is getting here real quick and unfortunatley I won't be teaching any Photography or Photoshop classes until the fall. I will add info in my newsletters as soon as I know what the fall dates are. In the mean time I am teaching a class for kids this summer and here is the description for that:

Comics and Cartoons:

I am offering this class for tweens and teens this summer at MCTC in Huntington WV in June.Please call Christi New – Continuing Education Assistant/Registration at

304-399-1281 to sign up. Below is the course description:

Course Description:

Students will be given comprehensive lessons in the art of illustration with an emphasis on cartoon characters and comic books. Intense drawing lessons and homework throughout the course will be offered. Students will be expected to bring with them their sketchbook and supplies to every class with completed homework.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Understand the basics of character design

Apply various animation techniques to their storytelling

Basic human and animal anatomy

Illustrate a short story

Use references in their artwork

Create storyboards and comic book layouts

Learning outcomes measurement:

The successful completion of a short illustrated story or concept

Course length: 6 weeks

Class time and dates: Wednesdays June 17th - July 22nd 5:30-7:30

Course materials: 8x10 or bigger sketchbook, pencils, erasers, rulers, hand mirror, pencil sharpener, folders for storing handouts provided by instructor.

Course Enrollment: Maximum 10 students

Course Location: Cabel Hall

Course Instructor: J.Bird Cremeans

hey!

got some new artwork uploaded to my flickr page here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jbirdistheword