Guinea Diptych

Guinea Diptych, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

My guinea pigs, Pierre and Chewie, commissioned me to do a portrait of them for my girlfriend Lisa. Since we recently moved to Texas, they wanted to be in western outfits. Pierre chose to be a bandito while Chewie went for the classic cowboy.

Each portrait 4" x 6" Ink on illustration board

p.s.- Our guinea pigs didn't really commission me to do their portraits. That would be crazy. Guinea pigs don't carry that kind of cash around.

p.p.s.- Lisa loved it. :)

p.p.p.s.- Pierre thought the 'stache looked sweet and is now bugging me to buy him one for "the ladies".

Smaug

Smaug, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

"... and up he soared blazing into the air and settled on the mountain-top..."
The Hobbit, Chapter XII- Inside Information

A christmas gift for a dragon loving member of my family.

12" x 9" Ink on illustration board.

Star Wars Christmas

Star Wars Christmas, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

1977*. Quite possibly the best Christmas ever.

I was going through old photos last week and ran across this little gem. Just thought I'd share. Happy Holidays!
(I still have the blaster and action figures)

*Oops! It was 1978!

Durwood Chalker 1923-2009

Durwood Chalker 1923-2009, originally uploaded by manlyartjpc.

Durwood Chalker passed away at the age of 86 shortly after 9:00pm on Monday, December 14, 2009 at Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. Durwood is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Vada Ray (83) and his three sons: Daniel (Cherry), David (Julia) and Jason. He was a proud grandfather to six grandchildren: Jessica, Daniel II, Hannah, Noah, Caleb and Phoebe. Durwood was preceded in death by his parents, Robert N. and Leona Cook Chalker, a sister and three brothers. His surviving siblings are Merle Wilcox (sister) of Cisco and Sam Chalker (brother) of Bastrop.

Durwood was born on August 22, 1923 in Eolian, TX. He answered his country’s call and enlisted in the Navy in February of 1943 in the submarine service. During his service in World War II, he achieved the rank of Radioman, 2nd Class and was stationed on Guam for the bulk of his service. Durwood was honorably discharged in January of 1946.

After the war, Durwood attended Texas A&M and graduated with an electrical engineering degree in 1950. Shortly thereafter he began work as a junior engineer at West Texas Utilities in Abilene, Texas. A friend introduced him to Vada Ray McAdams in 1953. Durwood and Vada hit it off, and were wed in December of that year.

Durwood continued working hard at West Texas Utilities and became president in 1975. He was very active in the Abilene community until he was transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas to be president of Central Power and Light in 1979. He was quickly promoted again to CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the holding company, Central and Southwest Corporation based in Dallas, Texas in 1980. He continued on in that position until his retirement in 1988. During his retirement he continued to enjoy playing golf, jogging and reading. He was especially happy to have more time to be a doting grandfather.

Throughout his life, Durwood always made time for his family, many charities and worthwhile causes. He served as a director or trustee for many organizations, such as the Communities Foundation of Texas, the Boy Scouts Circle Ten Council (for which he was awarded the Silver Beaver), the Sammons Foundation, the Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation, the Texas A&M Chancellor’s Century Council and others.

Durwood was a “die hard” Aggie, loved to laugh and was never one to simply watch life go by. Even with all of his success in the business world and his many awards and achievements, Durwood remained a humble, honest West Texas country boy at heart. Durwood Chalker was a wonderful man who led an amazing life. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Beer drinking Bumble

I just finished up the art for this years Huns X-mas pub crawl.

This is the original art for the Pub Crawl shirt. I've recently started inking with a brush and sumi ink. I'm really enjoying it. Let me know what you think.

Rumors of my demise...

... have been greatly exaggerated. Sorry I've been gone for so long. I just finished a rather large move from Chicago to Dallas after buying my first house. The last couple of months have been a bit hectic!

So, to (hopefully) make up for my extended absence, here is a Molotov Cocktease and a Naughty Leia. I did these for a couple of buddies that went above and beyond the call of duty helping me move. I also spruced up my blog a bit to get in the holiday spirit. Let me know what you think!