The Burial of Mr. Sweeney Todd

Today, this 16th day of December, Two-thousand nine, we remember the life of a very beloved Crown-tailed Betta fish, Mr. Sweeney Todd. He was the most daring and fierce Betta fish that I've had the privilege of owning, thus far, and lived a good life in a spacious 2-gallon tank. He'd swam around great reefs, plant life, and even a sunken Man 'o War battleship, during his lifetime and blew great joyful bubble nests when he wasn't flaring up his gills at his fellow Betta. In attendance of his funeral was his beloved owner Christopher Manzanares, his friends Kristiana Miller, Mr. Tobias (Toby), and Mr. Poe. Also witnessing the burial of Mr. Todd was Pete the neighboring Black Labrador.

This is the last resting place of Mr. Sweeney Todd. Buried next to his dear friend, Archimedes, who passed away earlier this year from natural causes.

Mr. Sweeney Todd
Brought home early in the year 2008
Passed Away the early in the morning of December 16, 2009
He is estimated to have lived 3-4 years.

I woke up this morning to find Mr. Todd lying fin up in his recovery bowl. He'd been battling with a fierce Swim Bladder Disorder for nearly 2-weeks, and it seems as though his treatment and medication just weren't enough to get him back to health. Unable to swim to the top, except for air, he hadn't eaten anything since his sickness started.


Filled with sorrow, the other Betta couldn't bring themselves to say goodbye to their dearly departed friend.

Toby turned his back to the scene,
and Poe simply hid amongst his plants.



Named after the infamous Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Mr. Sweeney Todd was bold, fiery, and spirited. His colors were fitting to his daring personality, red with black-tipped fins.

We say this to you, Mr. Todd, you shall forever be missed, and though your tank may be occupied by another in the future, you are truly irreplaceable. We love you.

"Life is eternal, and love is immortal,
and death is only a horizon;
and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight."
~Rossiter Worthington Raymond

Pinc Tacos - Board Bunny #1 Final

I just now realized that I hadn't posted the final draft of the Snowboarder. Pinc Tacos told me that there was something that they didn't like about her face, originally, so I had to go back and redo everything from the neck up.

"Board Bunny #1"
5" x 12" x 300ppi Digital Painting
Adobe Photoshop CS4 w/ Wacom Intuos 3 tablet

Pinc Tacos - Spray the White Poster!

I've finished the ski bunny. So I wanted to share the image that we all agreed upon. we had some issues with the font, initially, but we came to a satisfying compromise.
Christopher Manzanares
"Spray the White"
9"x12"x300ppi Digital Painting
Adobe Photoshop w/ Wacom Intuos 3 Tablet

One Hot Burnout! Pinc Tacos Poster.

Ok, so now that we've settled on the image, we're throwing in the neon sign and a little bit of flavor text. The text may change or we may throw it out entirely, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm a huge fan of all things classic, so naturally I chose this very attractive Art Deco font for the flavor text.

Skier Update!

Just wanted to post this quick update on the Pinc Tacos skier. A friend of mine from RMCAD suggested that I try doing a high-key pinup, so that the flesh doesn't look so "Hard." I'm not sure if I've quite achieved it, yet, but it's certainly starting to pop.

Pinc Tacos - Skier Spraying the White!

So you saw the snowboarder, now here's the skier that I'm working on. This is second draft that I've sent to Pinc Tacos of this pose. Once again, the catch-phrase for this winter series will be "It just feels right to spray the white!"

RMCAD Art Bash 2009

Come just to look or you can also bid on unique pieces of original artwork created by Yours Truly, selected professional artists, RMCAD faculty, alumni, and students. Proceeds will benefit the Foundation’s student scholarship fund.

More than 140 works of art will be on the block for this annual event and fundraiser. View and bid on the canvases here starting November 23, or see them in-person—they’ll be on display in the Rotunda Pavilion from November 30 - December 5. The event will be capped off with a wine and cheese reception and final live silent auction December 5, from 6 - 9 pm (bidding ends at 8).

WHEN:
Saturday, Dec 5, 2009, 6 - 9:00 PM

WHERE:
Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (Rotunda Building)
1600 Pierce St
Lakewood, CO 80214

For more info, visit:
http://www.rmcad.edu/student-life/art-bash-2009-2009-12-05
or
Philip J. Steele Arts Education Foundation


RSVP on Facebook:
CLICK HERE!

This is the piece that I did for the Art Bash. Go and see it Live, it looks much better. It's kind of blown out in this poor photograph.

Christopher Manzanares
"Romancing The Stone"
8"x8" Oil on Canvas

Pinc Tacos - One HOT Burnout! Final (maybe)

Ok, after blood, sweat, tears, and probably the loss of 8 or so pounds, I believe that I'm finished with "One Hot Burnout!" Everything's been polished, contoured, and Turned on, I think I'm ready to stamp my final seal on this one. Of course it's all up to the clients to tell me if there's anything else that they want to see, but I'm guessing that this one's good to go!