35 Seconds of Creepy

The Art Critic Contemplates the Artist

Acrylic on canvas, 12" x 30"

I loved 1930's horror movies as a kid--some I love even now. The wonders of modern video technology allowed me to film this painting in '30s style :)

This piece is another in a long line of skeleton/death images I seem compelled to create right now.

This particular piece--like all art--is open to interpretation by you, the viewer. I guess the title is a clue to what I was thinking though.

You can see the preliminary sketch idea here:

Art Critic prelim

Thanks for your interest in my artwork! If you'd like, 

follow me on Instagram

@tomsarmo_art

These are Happening

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It's been awhile, but

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I'm working on a bunch of

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new little guys; this mouse is only one of many!

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It'll be awhile before they are actually

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cast in porcelain and finished individually, but I hope you'll check back

in a week :)

Saint Francis of Assisi and the Common Good

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St. Francis of Assisi 

Acrylic on wood panel. 8.5" x 12" in handmade frame.

This was painted for Creator Mundi's 30th Year Celebration. I have admired--and tried to emulate-- Saint Francis of Assisi because of his joyful work for the Common Good, and his message of peace; peace not only between people, but peace between man and the environment.

Recently viewed the Wim Wenders film, "Pope Francis - A Man of His Word", and loved it for that very emphasis. Pope Francis, and the message of Saint Francis of Assisi, are antidotes to the destructive and divisive actions of the current resident of the White House, of many in Congress, and the propaganda of hate media--antidotes to the poison of all those who refuse to work for the Common Good because of their thirst for money, power, and chaos.

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This painting began as a direct drawing on a reddish-painted wood panel. I used a brush and black acrylic paint, correcting the errant lines with the red gesso ground.

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Then gray paint was used to establish the values.

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The completed "grisaille" painting prior to the addition of colored glazes shown in the first image above.

From the Creator Mundi site:

"Francis encountered God in all of God’s creation and is for this reason now honored as the patron saint of animals, ecology and the environment (as well as the state of Colorado, the Archdiocese of Denver, the city of San Francisco and innumerable other causes). The fact that Cardinal Bergoglio has taken the name “Francis” as his papal name seems to augur his intent to carry out a program of radical reform of the Church. For Christ spoke from the crucifix of San Damiano in 1204 to Saint Francis in a mystical vision and commanded him to “rebuild my church.”

Not only will Pope Francis rebuild the badly damaged Catholic Church, but it's my hope that his message will re-build and fire the passion in me and in others to work for the Common Good and soundly reject the hatred and greed that threaten all people everywhere.

Check out the film--it's message is universal. No matter your faith, if you believe in the power of love and hope over hatred and despair, it will energize you.

Thanks for reading!

Box o' Drawings and other WIPs

Every once in awhile a backlog of works that need finishing happens. Even though I try to complete each work before getting too far along on another, now's one of those times things got pretty much out of hand.

Sorry if my (lack of) video skills got you car-sick--but thanks for staying with my ol' blog :)

Btw, my original art is available for purchase here: 

Tom Sarmo at Helikon Gallery

and some originals and miscellaneous products here:

Tom Sarmo Online Store

Your purchase from either helps a lot and is much appreciated!

Art Critic--Another Death Image

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Art Critic (detail crop). Mixed media (Colored pencil, India ink, white gouache) on toned paper.

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Art Critic

What can I say--I like drawing skeletons  :D

Thanks for the visit!

Mischievous Death

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Skeletons and skulls have been an intermittent subject for me. The idea of "memento mori" appeals for certain, but many death-images have been swirling up from my unconscious mind since last September for some reason.

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While death is a serious subject, and I sometimes treat it as such (see previous post ), the idea of a mischievous personification intrigues me. Hence this work-in-progress.

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The first two photos above are drawings done on slightly textured, brown toned paper. I began this one on 300 lb. watercolor paper (because watercolor was to be the main media). I like to sketch out the picture using red pencil.

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I fixed up the red sketch with a fine brush dipped in india ink...

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...then toned the paper using Quinacridone Gold watercolor. Next, highlights with white acrylic paint. All the cross-hatching followed with a crow-quill pen and ink, and blue-green inks accented the skeleton's eyes and pin.

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Sometimes but not always, I sketch out little ideas first.

So much for death--I'm not one to delve into much philosophy in this blog; save that for quiet conversation over a beer :)

Thanks for checking out my art!

Something a Bit Different

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Timekeeper (detail). Mixed media (pen and ink, red pencil, white ink).

I worked on many art pieces this past year, some colorful, some storybook-like, and some humorous. But last September some darker images were stirring inside me.

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Timekeeper

When I was invited to participate in an un-traditional landscape show--Otherworlds--at Helikon Gallery, I worked on  Timekeeper and its companion piece...

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...Musician. Mixed media (pen and ink, red pencil, white ink).

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Musician (detail)

The original work, Timekeeper, has sold, but quality prints are available.

Musician is available as an original 8" x 10", framed as shown above, and also as a quality print. 

For information, please contact

  Helikon Gallery

Email: info@helikongallery.com

Phone: 720-502-5635

 Thank you in advance for your support of the arts, artists, and wonderful galleries like Helikon.

Illustrative Art?

Listening for Elves. 

Mixed media (India ink and colored acrylic ink on panel).

My art has been described as whimsical, storytelling, and eclectic.

But I'm most proud to have it called "Illustrative Art", because illustration is my background, my passion, and my occupation. I love all types of illustration, and believe deeply that illustration belongs in galleries and on the walls of homes--not just in books or magazines.

Dusk. 

Acrylic on panel.

And I'm very proud to have my work showing and available at Helikon Gallery in Denver. Helikon is full of illustrative art, and because I have an upstairs studio there, I get to see and be inspired by their ever-changing exhibitions, and by the works of the other illustrators who have studios there.

Grumpy Dwarf. 

Mixed media (India ink, white ink, and colored acrylic inks.)

The three pieces above--and more-- are at Helikon Gallery. Here's the link to all my available works:

Tom Sarmo's Art

In the coming weeks I'll be posting more about this famous gallery in Denver, and I hope the posts will inspire you to find your way there--to be inspired by all the illustrative artwork Helikon has to offer!

Thanks in advance :)

Another Goblin and a Creature-in-Progress

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Working on lots of new characters--and many of them turning into wood cut-outs--for a new, long-term project. Here's one!

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And here's another--a work-in-progress.

I'll keep you posted, as more are on the way :)

Thanks for the visit!

Goofy Goblins in Pen and Ink

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I'm working with pen and ink lately, and pretty much exclusively. Always have loved it, and am enjoying every minute of my studio time.

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Much of the works are goofy goblins, but I've done a few creepier pieces recently too, which I'll post next time.

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Many of these are pieces for larger, more complicated works-in-progress, and I'm excited each time a new one flows out onto the paper.

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They are all done on the same brown paper with the same colored pencil, brushpen, and pen and ink. They just look different depending on the light under which they're photographed.

Thanks for reading--hope you'll check back as the works progress!