Tender Loving Window Installation

Sorry about the long blogging hiatus folks, but with the opening of my last show, out of town guests, summer fun, bbq's, bike rides, day jobs, my birthday, vacation planning, and an upcoming window installation at Tender Loving Empire I've been pretty busy!

I don't want to divulge the whole thing just yet, but here's a concept sketch I did a while ago for some elements of the window installation. I'm installing this Saturday and then two days later it's vacation time. Awwwwwww Yeaaaaaaaah.

Michael Jackson is a Dead Man

Here's another sketch I did for the Michael Jackson inspired group show at the Emerson Space Case. Why is it that I always end up liking my preliminary sketches more than my final pieces?

Spider-man Unmasked!

Here's a warm up I did for the Michael Jackson inspired group show we're having at the Emerson Space Case. (Opening Tonight)

Family Portraits art show is UP

Well, a lot of work went into the art show last weekend, but it was all well worth it. Thanks to everyone who came out and made the opening what it was.











And if you weren't able to make it the show will be up till the end of July, so get your butt down there and buy a mango.

Cherry Sprout is located at 722 N. Sumner St. Portland, OR 97217
(Directly off Albina between N. Alberta and N. Killingsworth )

Art show at Cherry Sprout!

"J. Titus Bloemkamp and his trusty sidekick Mr. Marvelous first met on the transoceanic ship, the "Bellerophon," where they spent a choppy winter stowing away below decks beneath sacks of potatoes . . ."

Come out to Cherry Sprout to see the opening of my new show "Family Portraits" featuring work from the last year as well as stories by myself and Aaron Greyson of San Diego.

This event is in conjunction with Cherry Sprout's "Celebration of Love" in the park next door featuring the musical stylings of

The J.E. Love Company
The Original Duke of Hominy
Alan Singley
Pillow Fight
Larry Yes and the Tangled Mess
and Blake the Singing Sensation.

Music, art, sun, fruit, drinks, and anthropomorphized characters. What more could you want?

Cherry Sprout is located at 722 N. Sumner St., Portland, OR 97217. Right off Albina between N. Killingsworth and N. Alberta St.

Cafe Amor

These two gentlemen were actually sitting on opposite sides of the coffee shop I was at, but I thought they should meet in a drawing. Now they're in love.

Askewed Likenesses

And another one from last week's session. I wish this pose had lasted longer because I really would have liked to render it further. Sometimes 25 minutes can really race by. This model had a really interesting face so I focused more attention on trying to get her features right, but I don't think I quite got it. It definitely looks like somebody, but who? Suggestions are welcome in the comments section.

Foreshortened

Last week I finally made it back to PNCA for the last Wednesday night figure drawing session. I was about an hour late, so I didn't get to warm up with the short poses, but I eventually got into a groove. Here's one of the ones that I don't mind showing to you.



I realized that I love doing drawings of people in foreshortened angles and contorted poses. It just makes for a much more interesting composition and even hints of a narrative.

Dangerous Art Show

I helped Stephanie put together this flyer for a group art show we're putting on at the Emerson Space Case. We're looking for all kinds of art so please submit if you can! If you live in a different city there's still plenty of time to mail your art to us. Inquire for address via email please.

For more information as to WHY? we're putting a Michael Jackson inspired art show check out the Emerson Space Case blog.

ALSO there's a few new things to share with you. A Sketch A Day is now more technologically friendly! It has been optimized for maximum viewing on the mobile device of your choice, and it now has it's very own facebook page. Search for "A Sketch A Day: Art by Ilan Schraer" on facebook or click the LIKE button in the column to the right of the screen! I'll be posting updates, photos, and links to all the projects I'm working on right now, as well as links to other cool art blogs and things of interest.

Ezra Part Deux

I was so bummed about losing my original drawing of this in my last sketch book that I decided to do a new one. Again, this is my late grandfather Ezra Masliah, now in technicolor!