Third Time's the Charm

Gorbachev (prelim sketch), 12x15", graphite/charcoal/acrylic, 2011

This is the 3rd and winning sketch of old Gorbachev. Stay tuned for a nice Communist painting, my comrades:) - Jared

Politicians Wanted: Small Egos Need not Apply!

Jack Kemp (prelim sketch), graphite/charcoal/acrylic, 12x15", 2011

It's smug attitudes like this one that make me want to beat every politician and sentence them to a life of hauling manure on a pig farm. What happened to politicians being "servants" of the people, having careers built outside of politics and only "serving" for a limited time like our founding fathers? Now we have overpaid, inside trading, career politicians, who carry on deviant lifestyles and believe that they are superhuman. I guess I'll have to bite my tongue to get through this painting:) - Jared

Hail the King!

Don King (prelim sketch), charcoal/graphite/acrylic, 12x15", 2011

Another sketch for my current commission. Smoke 'em if you gottem - It's the King of Boxing. This should be a fun painting!

Roy Jones Jr. - Olympic Gold Medalist!

Roy Jones Jr.(prelim sketch), graphite/charcoal/acrylic, 14x28½", 2011

Here's another prelim sketch that I did for my current client in Pensacola. My client used to be part of Jones' management team and was able to see this fighter's raw talents front row. As is usual for me, I dug up some research on Jones since I am NOT BOXING LITERATE! In fact I knew nothing about Jones apart from the vague familiarity of his namesake, which I probably was exposed to from a 3AM Sportscenter reel while I was half asleep.

Through my exhaustive research (i.e. Wikipedia) I discovered that Jones was the first person in over 100 years to win belts in every category from lightweight to heavyweight. Even more impressive is that in 1988, at the age of only 19, Jones went to Seoul, South Korea to represent the USA in boxing. I even got to see some of the actual video footage on YouTube. It was clear to everyone watching here in states, sportscasters included, that Jones was the undeniable dominant force in the ring. He was mopping the floor with his Korean opponent in the Gold Medal bout! Yet after the 3rd round ended with Jones looking like he just walked out of a spa and his opponent looking like a bruised Russet potato, the Korean officiator declared Jones' competitor the winner. The reaction was shear disbelief stateside. I was so infuriated at the Korean's clear, brazen theft of a gold medal that I decided to make it a focal point in this sketch. At least in Florida, Jones will live forever as a Gold Medalist!!! - Jared

UpperDeck releases Sneak Peek of my Artwork!

UpperDeck sent me the link to this video Sneak Peek of the 2011 Goodwin Masterpiece sets, which will hit shelves this summer. Very cool to see the President cards I spent so long on featured on the video. I knew the Gold Leaf cards would be a hit with the collectors. Although the video mentions that the Gold Leaf cards are the 1st card painted in each set, the truth is that they are MY FAVORITE portrait of each set, many of which were probably nearer to the last card painted. But it was my hope that UD would label them as 1/10 and I am glad that they went that route. Good luck collectors - I have seen commentary already from card enthusiasts that expect the Gold Leaf cards to pull upwards of $1000 a card! Crazy  - Jared

Artwork Featured in Boom Magazine

My painting of Hershey, beloved pet of Montgomery's Talk Radio host Greg Budell, was unexpectedly featured in the June 2011 issue of Boom Magazine. I tend to keep the radio on a talk station while I work in the studio and was surprised to hear my name come up in a conversation about the Boom article on Greg. I did this painting for him as an out-side-the-box method of conjuring up business. Greg has a huge local listening group, to the surprise of some (like his liberal sidekick cougar, Susan) and even has listening devotees from Florida to Chicago. Greg brought a lot of attention to me and my artwork.

In doing this portrait of Hershey, I wanted to illustrate Greg's immense patriotic sentiments by adding a healthy portion of red, white & blue. With a little scratching, distressing and glazing, this piece turned out to be a great piece of Americana. Thanks again to Greg for finding way to include this piece in his media appearances. Hail the Hershey! - Jared

Bono

Bono sketch, graphite&charcoal, 12x15", 2011

Another prelim for my current project. I photoshopped the old world map in the background to illustrate the direction I'd like to take this portrait. Bono's philanthropic efforts will be represented by Africa visible in the back. 

Football in the Veins

Emmitt Smith sketch, graphite&charcoal, 14x26½", 2011

Here's another sketch for my current client, Fred Levin, who had the privilege of meeting Emmitt Smith. Smith went to high school in Florida and had the same English teacher that I had in high school. Small world..... This sketch is more like a finished piece of art.... I'm gonna have to tame it down a notch on these prelims. I love this piece though and can't wait to see it painted!

President Bubba

Bill Clinton sketch, graphite&charcoal, 12x15", 2011

I never voted for Clinton and frankly I don't think his character comes close to the standard of what an American President should be, but nonetheless I continue to find clients who crave a Clinton portrait. As you've seen in the past, I've had to do more Clinton portraits for people than any other person (here, here, and here). Is the universe trying to tell me something??? I can't wait to see the American flag painted in this one - nothing beats the old Red, White, and Blue color combo!

Gorbachev Sketches

Mikhail Gorbachev sketches, graphite&charcoal, 12x15", 2011

This painting will display the prominent red Soviet Flag in the background, however my client hasn't completely embraced either sketch here..... you may see a younger Gorbachev sketch soon. Maybe that will be the winner?

More Bob Hope

Bob Hope sketch #2, graphite&charcoal, 12x15", 2011

Here's a younger Bob Hope. The sketch is nice but if this one makes the cut for the painted portrait, the microphone will have to be moved to the left for balance in the composition. I think a little gold-leafing on the microphone will be nice in the painted.