Out of Allen's Mind

Grimoire Boy in colour

2012-02-08T22:42:00.005-05:00

Here is the completed image in colour. It is sort of a tribute to H.P. Lovecraft with a steampunk twist.

I plan to make copies and sell them as a limited numbered edition

Here is a closeup of the boy just so you can see how much work went into the illustration. It is my most complicated yet. I am learning lots of shortcuts, but it still takes some time to complete.

Steampunk Surfer

2012-02-08T00:11:00.003-05:00

Another coffee shop brainchild from my Lady, on the Hawaii theme still. My steampunk surfer. When finished it will be captioned " I say, Kowabunga dude." A British gentleman on a steam powered surfboard. Britannia rules the sea.

Steampowered Flyer

2012-02-08T00:06:00.002-05:00

Here's another sketch from my sketchbook. A small flying steampowered balloon.
A small fighter-craft with a female pilot. Dedicated to my Lady, this is the Sparkie Flyer.

Grimoire Boy

2012-01-26T01:58:00.006-05:00

The original sketch was done in April, 2011 and previously posted online as a scan from my sketchbook. The original drawing was about 2 by 3 inches in size. It was scanned and cleaned up inside the computer using illustrator 8 and the mouse. Eventually it will be in colour. It is sort of a tribute to H.P. Lovecraft with a steampunk twist.

I plan to make copies and sell them as a limited numbered edition, in a larger size with print on the front stating: "Children should not be allowed to take the grimoire out of the library."

Steampunk Ladies in Colour

2012-01-25T02:02:00.004-05:00

Well the Steampunk Lady is finally done. She will be available soon. The first place she will be available is at the Pearl Co. in Hamilton, ON. I hope you like it.
I am also working on the boy with the grimoire, the rough was posted earlier. I hope to have the cleaned up B&W image posted tomorrow.

Steampunk Lady Robot Rough

2012-01-10T16:30:00.005-05:00

People have been asking me for a steampunk lady for a long time. Here is the final rough, its going to be done the same way as the steampunk gentleman so they will be a set. Hope to have it completed soon. Haven't decided on the final colours yet. Will have to see what develops.

At the Pearl Co.

2012-01-03T22:03:00.003-05:00

A small display of some of my work at the Pearl Co. 16 Stephen Street, Hamilton, On. The Pearl Co. is a multiuse space for performance of music and plays and an art gallery.

Steampunk Tiki Final

2011-10-25T02:28:00.003-04:00

This is the final computer image of the Steampunk Tiki figure. I did it all in the same tone because I am thinking it might make a good t-shirt. Hope it brings a smile to your face.

Steampunk Tiki

2011-10-25T02:21:00.005-04:00

While we were sitting in the coffee shop and flipping through my sketchbook, Connie saw some of my stone heads and asked "When are you going to do a Steampunk Tiki?"
So the idea stuck and this was the rough I drew after I quit laughing.

Steampunk air corps.

2011-10-11T00:02:00.005-04:00

This is a finished illustration, could be used for t-shirt design or the usual prints.

The Royal Steam Corps. Rules The Skies!

Steampunk airship

2011-10-10T23:56:00.005-04:00

This is the template of an airship that I did in the illustrator program based on a one of my drawings from the 1980's. Eyeball perspective in the computer using illustrator. Going to use for painting and other images I am working on. You will see one in the next post.

Rough Gent. with 2 eyes

2011-09-13T00:26:00.005-04:00

This robot model has 2 eyes, to be more human like in appearance. Progress moves on at the Swerling Robot Factory. Female companions will soon be available.

Another Gentleman

2011-09-13T00:19:00.005-04:00

Another Gentleman in the series. this one is without the words, but is also available with the words, like the previous gentlemen in the series. More to come.

Airships

2011-09-13T00:11:00.006-04:00

Did some old airships back in '81, decided to update them and turn them into steampunk paintings.

Steam powered airships will rule the sky!

Steampunk Gentleman Final

2011-08-31T22:07:00.004-04:00

First in a series, It will be available at the Pearl Co. and at the Supercrawl. More in the series to come but this is the first completed image. One will be available with type to look like an old advertisement and the other will be the plain image inside the frame. The robot image was watercolour/mixed media and scanned into the computer and the frame is computer generated.

Steampunk robot in colour

2011-08-23T00:36:00.005-04:00

This is the first one in a series. Tried a little mixed media and watercolour. I think it worked out pretty good. What do you think? It will be available soon. I will be putting a border around the picture and some words making it look like a period advertisement.

Another Steampunk Robot

2011-08-08T00:52:00.009-04:00

Another rough for a steampunk robot series. Still deciding which medium to use. Enjoy.
Hope to have them done soon.

Steampunk Gentleman

2011-08-02T01:29:00.008-04:00

A new rough for a potential painting or computer piece. Still trying to decide what medium I want to do him in. I may even do both. I am planning on doing a series. I have sketches for another three robots and more to come.

Hamilton Art Market

2011-06-19T15:11:00.003-04:00

I will be here every Saturday this summer. Come down and see the variety at the Ferguson Train Station here in Hamilton. Different artists each week.

Steampunk pins

2011-06-11T01:29:00.006-04:00

This is my take on steampunk. More images to come. I have designed twelve separate images to be worn as pins. I will be selling these at the Hamilton Art Market formerly Sabawoon on Saturdays at Ferguson and King in Hamilton starting June 25, 11:00 to 4:00 until the end of August. Come on down, I will be there with lots of other artists and craftspersons.

Bubble Headed Robot

2011-05-11T01:19:00.005-04:00

Here is the newest robot for the collection.
Done in ye olde illustrator 8, I think I got carried away a bit.
It will be for sale soon from my portable art stand (when you find me) and at the Pearl Co. gallery in Hamilton.

Flying Fox

2011-04-22T00:04:00.004-04:00

Flying Fox

http://www.headinthesand.ca/flyingfoxandthehuntergatherers/

Band 's Website

Inspired by the title of the band The Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers
Became a fan after I heard their music on the website.
Lucky enough to see them live in Hamilton at The Pearl.

Finished Finally.

2011-04-22T00:01:00.006-04:00

Rampaging Robot Retro Movie Poster

Prints are now available for sale.
Yay. I finally finished the poster.

Grimoire

2011-04-21T23:57:00.004-04:00

Children should not be allowed to take Grimoires out of the library.

Drawing from my old sketchbook that I plan to turn into either a watercolour painting or computer illustration. I haven't decided yet.

Rampaging Robot

2011-02-23T00:17:00.007-05:00

Hello Everyone

I haven't posted for a while, been busy with personal stuff. Here is a piece I have been working on for a bit. Have to add the type. It will look like an old time movie poster from the 1950's. Stay tuned for the finished poster.

Supercrawl this Saturday Sept 25 2010

2010-09-22T02:28:00.005-04:00

Hello to all my supporters. Weather permitting I will be selling my art on the James St. North Supercrawl. Originals and prints of my work. Come out and support the arts. Check out the website. Music, fun and art OH BOY!

http://www.supercrawl.ca/news/

Illustration Friday -- Breakfast

2010-07-20T23:39:00.003-04:00

I didn't have time to do a full illustration this week so I did a rough. The inspiration is from all the old diners along the highways that my dad and I used to drive by on vacation. Memories of traveling breakfasts.

Illustration Friday -- Giant rough

2010-07-07T15:43:00.004-04:00

Here is the rough for the Giant Cyclops. I drew it then scanned it, converted it to a computer file and used illustrator to clean up and colour the image. The finished image is below.

Illustration Friday -- Giant

2010-07-07T15:36:00.009-04:00

The Hero challenges the giant Cyclops to battle.

Did the sketch while watching tv in the extreme heat. Had to work at night to keep the computer cool. What do you think? Check out the rough on the blog page to see the thought process.

Illustration Friday -- satellite

2010-06-30T23:08:00.003-04:00

Got inspiration from the word as soon as I read it. Was looking at some old travel posters and this is what I came up with, sort of a 50's retro/sci-fi done on a very old mac using illustrator 8.

Illustration Friday -- Paisley

2010-06-22T22:33:00.004-04:00

Should demons wear paisley?

This was the ultimate question that popped into my head when I saw the word of the week was PAISLEY. Mixed media. Watercolour and borrowed paisley print.

Another slightly twisted piece from the mind of Allen Swerling. Please feel free to tell me what you think. Secretary is still missing but I think she might show up in the next millennium or so.

Illustration Friday -- TRAIL

2010-06-09T23:04:00.007-04:00

Tom and Sam trailed their science project into the woods and found it!

This was what popped into my head for the word of the week. It is a watercolour painting. Any comments are appreciated. If I don't say anything back, don't worry, I am checking, but the typist has the century off. Hope you like it.

Call Before You Dig -- In colour

2010-05-28T23:59:00.006-04:00

Here it is, all in colour, finally. I put a lot of work in this one. Tried some new things. What do you think? Let me know. I will be selling prints of this one this summer at the Sabawoon art sale. Looking forward to seeing what it prints like. This image is only 100 dpi so the print will be much sharper and more vibrant.

Call Before You Dig!

2010-05-23T19:45:00.004-04:00

Originally inspired by Illustration Friday's word of the week SUBTERRANEAN, I finally got to it. Here is the line drawing on the computer in Illustrator. I will colour it in Illustrator as the next step. The rough sketch is further down the page if you wish to see the progression.

Detective -- inspired by illustration Friday

2010-05-04T17:04:00.005-04:00

I liked the idea of detective from Illustration Friday but did not have the time to finish the drawing during the time allotted due to other commitments. The illustration is now finished. I combined the ideas of Robots and Detective and Comics to make this imaginary cover for a crime comic. Hope you enjoy.

Illustration Friday -- AHEAD

2010-04-26T17:23:00.003-04:00

Billy-Bob will never butt ahead of me in line again. AHEAD

I know its a little twisted but its my kind of humour. Any comments are appreciated. Very busy at this time so if I don't respond don't be offended, just a tad busy.

Poster for Circus Art Show

2010-03-30T00:25:00.004-04:00

I am part of another group art show at the Loose Canon Gallery in Hamilton.
I was lucky enough to do the poster for the show and I will have several other pieces for sale there as well. If you are able to come out and see the show, please do. Buying some art would be nice, even nicer if it was mine but that is not a prerequisite for showing up :)

P.S. All the rips, tears and scratches are done in Illustrator 8. It was not ripped or torn in any way and just thought I would let everyone know.

Subterranean

2010-03-18T23:28:00.002-04:00

Illustration Friday subject Subterranean. "CALL BEFORE YOU DIG"

Just a rough that I could not finish due to a family emergency. Didn't want to miss the submission but will have to finish at a later date. Check the blog for the finished product later.

Brave is Making Friends

2010-03-11T12:25:00.002-05:00

A second drawing I did for Illustration Friday's "Brave". I had lots of inspiration so I had to make two drawings.

Brave

2010-03-11T12:16:00.002-05:00

Brave is meeting the neighborhood cat. A submission for Illustration Friday.

Circus Elephant

2010-01-22T03:14:00.002-05:00

I took an old drawing out of the 'trunk' ;o)
and updated it for a group circus show in April. I hope to have a nice series of drawings/paintings for the show.

Final Nutcracker

2009-12-11T00:18:00.002-05:00

Final nutcracker.
Selling lots of prints. I added the Seasons Greetings to all my friends and fans.

The Nutcracker

2009-11-30T22:40:00.003-05:00

A piece I am working on for the holiday. My version of a Nutcracker. Hope to be well enough to work on it this week, I have been under the weather. Stay tuned for further developments.

Wonder Boy

2009-11-03T17:03:00.005-05:00

WARNING CONTAINS SOME ADULT CONTENT AND CARTOON NUDITY

I hope this works. I haven't done this before so here goes.
I hope this doesn't offend anyone. An extremely rough piece of animation, just for fun. Any resemblance to any known girl is completely accidental. No audio yet.

Classic Vampire

2009-10-15T00:22:00.002-04:00

Another one for the Halloween series. Vampire done in Illustrator 8 on a very old Mac. Spent a lot of time on this one but I like the end result. Hope you do to.

Halloween Monsters

2009-10-08T00:32:00.003-04:00

My take on one of the classic monsters from universal, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Last year I did The Werewolf. I am finally getting around to doing the monsters I had planned a while back. Here's hoping inspiration keeps coming and I don't stall out again. I have The Vampire planned next. Who knows what comes after... Care to guess or suggest?

LOUIE

2009-09-23T18:22:00.002-04:00

I made this happy little accordion player for a raffle at a fund-raiser. It was an accordion themed evening and I thought the little guy would be appropriate. He's just a small little watercolour, I hope whoever won him enjoys him.

Completed Robot Goddess

2009-09-12T22:48:00.001-04:00

If anyone is interested I will be selling prints of it. This is a low rez on the blog. Let me know what you think.

Everybody loves Robots!

2009-08-24T23:35:00.001-04:00

Here's another rough for a computer drawing. There will probably be more than one robot because it is supposed to be "Rampaging Robots". I have had requests for more robots. I hope to do some paintings too.

Robot Goddess

2009-08-24T23:25:00.001-04:00

This is a rough for an illustration that I am doing in the computer. It will probably change slightly but I am keeping it really close to the sketch, because everybody likes robots.

Jazz

2009-06-12T22:38:00.000-04:00

Watercolour for a jazz themed art show at the Pearl Company starting June 20.

new page for portfolo

2009-05-04T23:55:00.000-04:00

Some of these images have been used for designs and some haven't but its a new page for my portfolio. I am updating half my portfolio, reworking and editing the designs.

Dancing Man

2009-04-30T17:07:00.001-04:00

Here is a sample of animation I have been working on. It is rough and no sound yet. Hope you like it.

Swimming with the fishes

2009-04-30T16:49:00.001-04:00

LOUIS WILL SOON EXPIRE

Illustration Friday--EXPIRED. I Thought this piece that I did last year was appropriate for the topic. Hope you enjoy.
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Another picture from the gangster show at the Loose Cannon Gallery.

St. Valentines Day Massacre 3

2009-04-02T02:07:00.000-04:00

Here is the final watercolour, Gangster cupids! My version of the St. Valentines Day Massacre.

St Valentines Massacre 2

2009-04-02T02:05:00.001-04:00

This is the final pencil sketch for the Gangsters

St. Valentines Day Massacre

2009-04-02T02:01:00.000-04:00

Rough sketch for gangster cupids for gangster themed group show at the Loose Cannon Gallery in Hamilton Ontario.

Special Delivery

2009-01-16T00:52:00.000-05:00

Had fun doing this one. Want to do it as a large piece. Be free to comment. What do you think?

Happy New Year

2009-01-09T00:59:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
Starting the year off strong. Here are some drawings I am working on for my sky/mind series.

BIG ROUND HEAD
INFINITY

OUT OF THE POOL

Now that these are out of my system I am feeling much better now.

joyride

2008-12-04T00:49:00.000-05:00

A small watercolour that belongs to my sky series. Thought I would give it a try
I finally put up a links list. The sites that I recommend are great for information and good designs so check them out. They also have a great series of links themselves. More coming.

Aliens and Robots

2008-09-04T22:50:00.001-04:00

Here is a low-res sample of some posters I am working on for my new sci-fi retro line.
I will also be turning them into other products, fridge magnets etc.
I will be making more different styles along the same line, bright colours and toy type images
that I remember from childhood.

It is really neat that the images seem to work the way I drew them and flipped as well.

Welcome to Hell

2008-06-24T23:39:00.000-04:00

Long time between postings, but I have been productive. Took a break from the painting to work on my animated film, based on the old saying "Welcome to Hell, Here's your Accordion."
Limited animated piece mostly on fours, using illustrator to clean it up and colour.
Here is a colour test frame of the animation. Using illustrator for animation is a learning process, I hope it turns out well.

Mobius strip

2008-03-14T12:42:00.001-04:00

Here is another piece planned for the cloud series.
This should get people looking for hidden meanings much more to think about.

Death walking

2008-03-14T12:37:00.000-04:00

Long time no posting.
New year, Its been a rough few months, but I am finally starting to feel better.
Here is a couple of new pieces I intend to animate.
Just some short cycles with some smoke and flowing robes.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-19T02:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the first of the series of classic monster illustrations that I am working on.

It is acrylic on canvas. 8 x10 inches.

Try to find the faces in the fog.

Hey I can do still Life

2007-10-19T01:53:00.000-04:00

Just thought I would show everyone that I can paint still life, not just cartooning and fantasy. I try to make them look as real as possible. These were done rather quickly taking about a day or less for each painting. They are acrylic on canvas.

Classic Monster series

2007-08-10T02:33:00.001-04:00

For Halloween I will be doing some classic monsters. I haven't decided if I will do them as computer images or as paintings. Any Suggestions?

zippy

2007-08-10T02:05:00.000-04:00

Here is a better look at Zippy's construction
Now that the show is over I can post some more detailed images

Here is a closeup of Zippy. I think I overcorrected on the colour because the flash was way too close and washed out the whole image.

If you are interested in any pieces from the show they are available for purchase.

Great Review!

2007-07-18T02:42:00.001-04:00

In the 'VIEW' there was this wonderful review of my show. Click on the image to get a larger readable copy

If you still want to catch the show, its still on until August 3, 2007. Gallery Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 12pm to 6pm For special appointments outside regular hours call Dane at 905-515-4346 Hope you can catch it before its gone.

Display

2007-07-18T02:38:00.000-04:00

I even sold cards for $5.00 and 8.5" x 11" laser prints for $10.00 so everyone could afford something. Everyone left the gallery with a smile on their face. I also had a display of the rough sketches against the black wall at the back to show how the works developed.

Last Painting

2007-07-18T02:34:00.000-04:00

This was the final painting for the show. It was too large to scan on my home scanner in one shot. So now you get to see it all together.

Zippy's Holiday

2007-07-18T02:32:00.001-04:00

I even did a sculpture for the window.

Wow! What an Opening!

2007-07-18T02:27:00.000-04:00

I had at least 200 people come through Opening Night of my art show
SKY IN MY MIND. Here are some pics of the event.

2007-05-23T01:23:00.001-04:00

Here is the invitation to my upcoming art show. I used the image in a previous show on robots and got such a good response from it that I decided to use it as the invitation to the art show.
If you are interested in attending the art show opens at 7:00 with a reception on Friday, July 13, 2007 and will run for the month of July and beginning of August.

2007-05-23T01:07:00.001-04:00

Here are some new images I have been working on for the art show I have coming up in July.

Balloon Man carries a feeling of aloneness, this is just a close up of part of the piece. You can almost feel the wind running through his hair.

Where is My Sock?

This is the place that all lost single socks end up. So if you ever need to find a sock, you now know where to look.

I can see my house from here!
A small corner of a larger piece, which I have just started painting this week. It continues in the same themes as the others with the iconic stone totem figures, which you can't see in this image, and incorporates the sharks and flying saucers from other pictures.

More robots

2007-04-04T23:37:00.000-04:00

100 Miles to the Gallon--another image for the upcoming show at Loose Cannon.
Hand coloured print (watercolour)

A digital print that will be in an upcoming group show at the Loose Cannon Gallery in Hamilton On. opening April 13, 2007.

robot retro

2007-03-21T23:40:00.000-04:00

Retro robots for the robot show in April
Done in Illustrator on the Mac

Robot in my sky

2007-02-11T22:05:00.000-05:00

A combination of the two things I have been working on lately, the sky theme and the robots.

Another Robot

2007-01-30T00:11:00.000-05:00

This is another robot for the art show coming in April.

Fun isn't it. Send me some comments if you have any.

Robots and duckies and sharks, OH MY!

2007-01-21T23:49:00.000-05:00

Sky Duckies!

This is another small portion that fits on the scanner. Rubber duckie flying squadron reporting for duty!

This is another part of the Shark painting that I posted previously. Just the other half. Too big to fit on the scanner in one go at home.

First robot painting for a group art show coming in April 2007. Titled--Angry Robot.

Next Robot painting I am working on .
A rough pencil sketch that I hope to paint in acrylic and to do a different take on it, by putting into the computer and do a digitial illustration. This robot is called Robot Brain.

Other robot concepts that I was doodling around with. Fun eh?

November

2006-11-29T23:15:00.000-05:00

Small portion of a larger painting that is titled
Sky Sharks.

Roughs from my sketchbook
for the sky series

The balloons are going to be red
Ha Ha

Another stone head

A crystal pyramid.

Sky paintings preview

2006-10-08T23:13:00.000-04:00

These are small portions of larger paintings that I am working on for a future show. This was all that would fit on the scanner. Just a small tease.

Hooray I blogged

2006-10-08T23:09:00.000-04:00

Here is the finished mousie.
Tell me what you think

Just learning bear with me

2006-10-08T23:05:00.000-04:00

Fun little space mouse that I decided to do over in illustrator, this is just the rough.

First posting

2006-10-08T15:11:00.000-04:00

Just to see how it looks, will add mor info later.