CARSON
Everyone can create
Personal Portfolio
My personal work has covered a wide range of disciplines. Years ago, in school, I encountered the idea that you can only be good at one thing as an artist.
Nope.
Throughout my life and career, I have encountered so many talented people with expertise in multiple fields and disciplines. There is so much to learn and do. Often the only thing that stops you from being great at something is you.
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Digital Sketches
Digital sketching is a nice daily activity to keep the drawing skills up. I use a 22" Cintiq and Adobe Photoshop with custom brushes created by a number of my favorite artists.
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3D Modeling
3D modeling was the foundation of my early career and has been a staple throughout it. I have used many 3D modeling applications and have witnessed its evolution and influence on the visual arts and entertainment industries. I learned Video Toaster as a kid and Crystal Topaz in college. I have worked professionally with Animation Master, Strata, Lightwave, Softimage, 3D Studio Max, Maya, and Zbrush.
I use the Unity and Unreal engines for game development and Mental Ray, Marmoset, V-ray, Blender, and Arnold for rendering.
SCULPTURE
Sculpting is such a satisfying process! I love all the steps in the complex and challenging process of creating a bronze sculpture. Modeling in clay or wax. Foundry work. Patina work - it's all awesome!!!
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PAINTING
Painting is a lifetime pursuit. I learned from some of the best in college. Ralph Barksdale, Glen Edwards, Richard Hull, Bob Berret, Doug Fryer, and Carl Purcell, were my heroes and teachers. All of them had a huge impact on how I saw the world of light, color, value, and composition. I will forever be grateful for their lessons in creativity and life.
SKETCH BOOK
Sketchbooks are the heart of most creative professionals. I still have a lot to learn and practice, but I love to just sit down and doodle out a bunch of drawings when I need a creative release.
Textiles
I watched my mom sew all my life, making clothes, high-end pillows, home furnishings, and quilts. Recently I visited her at a fabric store, where she worked, and I commented that I would love to make a quilt and regretted never learning how to sew. She encouraged me to give it a try and said to pick out some fabric. When I got home, I looked for patterns and found Jacks' Rings. I had never used a sewing machine but had one I bought for my daughter. I looked up videos on YouTube to figure out how to use it. Within a year, I had my first quilt. I gave it to my mom.
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Photography
Photography is a staple for most artists. It is hard to show off your work without it.
I began shooting with film and watched the evolution of digital technology revolutionize the field. Equipment, software, and training are more accessible than ever for enthusiasts to create and share their work.
Some of the subjects I enjoy shooting are industrial, floral, environmental, the arts, and culinary.
The Sloss Furnaces of Birmingham Alabama are a unique venue for shotting unusual and captivating subject matter.
Woodturning
(custome Pens)
Woodturning is a hobby that I enjoy especially making pens for family and friends. I often find different wood pieces like cedar, oak, and birch to use. There are times that I have ordered unique wood blanks in ebony, rosewood, blackwood, and lacewood. Many of these woods are so hard it is like grinding stone. I find it fascinating the differences in how soft or hard this material can be.
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I learned how to use a lathe from a good friend, Reed Carpenter who operates the Carpenter Carpentry woodshop and makes a variety of pens and other wood products.
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I would love to try doing larger items like bowls and vases and even possibly turning copper for large platters and birdbaths (of all things)
Wood turning for custome pens is such a fun and challenging activity. I have made many as gifts for family and friends.
This first pen was made out of purple cedar from a fallen tree on a friend's property.
On The White Board
( Just for fun )
Years ago I shared an office with another artist and we had friendly competitions drawing on the whiteboard each week. We had a blast doing it. Lots of people would come in and add to the drawings or do their own.
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Drawing on a whiteboard can be a fun exercise because it is so temporary. It creates natural discussions for storytelling, drama, composition, proportions, style, etc.
