Thrill of Fear (Elect-Rowe Mix) preview

Preview of the Thrill of Fear (Elect-Rowe mix) based off the original acoustic song, that will accompany the forthcoming single 'Techno-Samadhi'! FOTLM or Fellowservant's of the Last Millennium can be heard on both YouTube and Facebook.

See You Again preview

Been working on alot of acoustic writing lately, venturing into contemporary/jazz chord progressions and expanding alot like never before! Here's a little preview of one of those songs that's still in the works. Hope you enjoy. :)

C27 SeeYouAgain_rough1ms.mp3 by ::Naasson::

The Art of Nicoletta Ceccoli

Nicoletta Ceccoli is an Italian Artist who has illustrated many books including children's books, and is known for her dreamy and surreal as well as fairytale themes. She has won many awards for her amazing work, including the Andersen prize as best Italian illustrator of the year in 2001. She's been in several galleries such as Roq la Rue in Seattle and Dorothy Circus in Rome. She lives and works in San Marino, Italy.

Take a look at some of her art below and let your imagination flow! :)

Lori Earley on CultureCatch

Interview with Lori Earley, an artist who paints very unique portraits of women in a surreal and strange kind of way using oils. Because much of her focus is on portraits, she's become very good at what she does as you will see when you watch! :)

Tim Gagnon painting tips on painting horse hair

I came across this video from Tim Gagnon, a very talented artist who shares alot of info on his technique, on tips for painting hair on horses. Some great tips on how anyone, with the basic use of a liner brush, can apply hairs, albeit with much patience! I especially love the background! So take a look and hope you learn something valuable! :)

Hummingbird Gift

My lastest painting, which was also a gift for my mom for Mother's Day. She's always been fond of hummingbirds and even has a feeder hanging on the patio. This painting was, in fact, based on a picture I took awhile back ago with my own camera. It sure came in handy as a nice reference for this painting. This posed a new challenge for me with a small bird and a solid object (the feeder), which I needed to be more precise with. I was fairly pleased with the background, although I could have toned down the white lights a bit. Also, because the frame didn't come with a glass cover, I put a few layers of varnish medium on top to finish it off. But overall I was pleased and my mom loved it! And that's all that counted for this occassion! :)

Mother's Day Surprise...

My next painting is actually going to be a little surprise for mommo, which is the perfect gift in my case where finances are tight right now. All I will say is it involves a little bird that she loves, so this will be a new challenge for me. After all is said and done on Sunday, I may go ahead and post it for all to see!

Until then, hope all you mom's of the world have a very wonderful Mother's Day! Thank you to all moms who bore us and took care of us, supported us and we're there to comfort us! Thank you for making the decision to keep us, and to keep me! Otherwise I would have nothing to share, nothing to be thankful for, nothing to contribute to this life. So THANK YOU!!! :)

Chrissy & Missy painting

I just finished one of the most challenging paintings to date - a commissioned work of two pug dogs named Chrissy and Missy! It was a bit intimidating yes, but remembering all the tips and techniques thus far, I put them to the test in this painting, built on it with values and layers, gave it a real painterly kind of look and it actually came out alot nicer than I expected, especially the colors. I realize commission work is going to be a bit outside the guidelines one would normally work with when doing a painting, e.g., using an odd number of elements, using elements in different sizes, using one element to focus on and so on. I didn't wrestle with this, however, and just approached it with the client's request in mind, who was actually a friend of mine.

This probably took me about 3 days to complete, putting in around 2-4 hours a day or so. The hardest part was putting the detail in around their 'mugs' which had alot of folds and curves, but paying close attention to detail and just keeping things simple made all the difference here. I started with a value layer, then built on top of that with a few more to bring out the darks and lights. The background was the funnest I'd say, again keeping it simple with large brushstrokes and little detail so as not to compete with the main subjects.

Doing this piece definitely tested what I've learned so far regarding the underpainting, base layer, values and layering among other things. But I'm glad I got a chance to really test them to see what was possible. And now on to the next one that ties right in with the next lesson on using acrylics as watercolors, which will be a piece I'm doing as a gift for someone special. :)

Value Study - Pink Rose

This is actually my second value study (my first one was done with apples) but this one was more refined and finished than the last, which was simpler. This was definitely a challenge because of the intricate shape the rose possesses! It was definitely a learning experience that I'm glad I went forward with.

So basically, looking left to write, I started with a simple pencil drawing using a real rose as my subject. This was definitely more of a challenge than the apples! Once I finished the drawing, I started blocking in values using a sepia tone, which was basically using Bronze Yellow - lights, mediums and darks - in both the rose and leaves. That alone was a study in values, but for this exercise I wanted to take it a step further and go full color.

Looking at the middle drawing, I decided to paint a 'mottled background' which is actually reminiscient of what the Masters used in their paintings to make the subject pop-out better. This is my second try on this and it could work out better if I had used a Slow Drying Medium, perhaps next time. I actually learned this from a YouTube video rather than the book! Then I started blocking in color for the stem and leaves, and the yellow areas of the rose. I basically followed the values I had already established.

The last painting, of course, is the finished one. Here I finished blocking in all the color on the rose, first going over the values, then coming back and blending colors. In this particular exercise, I used two brushes: one for lighter color, one for darker color, and it really helped with the blending! One thing I've learned about colors is to avoid using white or black when creating shades and tints, since it can look washed-out. For example, for shades, or the darker values, I used Ultramarine Blue instead of black. It gives it a more natural feel and looks richer. And lastly, I went over the background once more to darken and refine it, especially the bottom part around the stem and leaves. Then to go one step further, I added drops on one of the petals (which I had planned from the beginning actually). I also learned this on YouTube as well. There's not a whole lot of videos on technique on YouTube but there are some that helped with this particular study!

And that's that! I was pretty pleased with the outcome, especially the highlight area on the leaves, which surprisingly came out fairly realistic. It's interesting how while you're painting, it doesn't look 'real' because you're so focused on technique, texture, layering, etc. But, if you've done the job correctly and got the lighting or shading correct, it definitely shows in your work once you step away for a bit and look at it with fresh eyes!

There Is Still Hope - Phase 2

Here is 'phase 2' so to speak of my current painting, which again, is more for practice than an official piece, but still, will be an official one for me. In this phase I've blocked in all the base color in the mushroom and his arms and added a few UFO's on the left side. Using a technique in the book, I gave the appearance of a 'trail fuselage' behind them, which came out better than excepted. I will be going over the eyelashes again so the trail is behind them. From here I'll continue to layer color on all the elements until the colors are deeper and fuller, and probably block in more color to the underpainting (background) as well. Phase 3 may be the final painting, well see!

In the meantime, I've been working on my blending in various ways to get a good grasp at that. The book gives some great lessons to start, then I've just been doing projects from there on my own. I realized that there are very few really good videos about blending online, e.g., YouTube. BUT I did find some other great techniques, like how to paint a mottled background, which is great for still life paintings, reminiscient of the Old master paintings. If you're interested in learning how, you can view it here. Basically, it's just practice and being very patient while doing it! :)

There Is Still Hope - phase 1

This is my current painting I'm working on, still a part of my training however and even when finished, won't really constitute a professional level, not yet anyways. I'm thinking after 4-5 'unofficial' paintings that I'll be more ready for official work. So basically, this is acrylic on flat canvas...I've completed more or less the underpainting and base coat of the characters, as well as some detail on the butterfly and scroll already. It's funny cause every time I meant to stop for a coffee break at some point I just kept going and didn't want to stop! I guess that's a good thing. :)

Adventures into Surreal Begin

So for the last month or so, for the first time I've been doing some serious studying in painting techniques and application more than I ever have before. I've painted for assignments in the past but never had a good foundation or understanding in it, hence the lack of confidence in working in it. But finally for the first time I've felt confident working in it and am learning more day by day as I'm going through through a book I recently purchased. Most of you, especially family, already knew I had drawing talent growing up. But now I'm ready to take it to the next level after all these years and hone-in on it so I'm pretty proficient. Where exactly it takes me, whether doing commission work or gallery work, I'm not sure. I just know I want to have the confidence to bring my pencil drawings to life, and so far it's going very well!

Here are just a few paintings I've done as both assignments and practice I wanted to share with you guys. I find myself venturing into Surrealism and feel quite comfortable with this genre...it's very much symbolic of a variety of things in life. The first picture (of the mushroom) is a picture of 'uncertainty' especially in the times we live in. This mushroom believe it or not is becoming quite popular in my drawings & paintings and you will no doubt see more of them! The following 2 painting were mainly for practice.

I'm currently working on a new, full size painting that I still consider practice but is coming along very nicely. I wasn't planning on going forward with a real piece until I was proficient enough, but who knows...I might surprise myself. Thanks for allowing me to share this with you guys! In the meantime, I may post pics of my progress with this next painting. :)

Gatekeeper Cover by FOTLM

After much writing, tweaking, adjusting and fine tuning, FOTLM has finally finished a cover song that brings a whole new dimension to this originally quiet voice-and-guitar melody called Gatekeeper by Feist. Leslie Feist, that is, who is the singer behind the original music, the writer of the song being Chilly Gonzales. This song was done in the usual Fellowservant-styled structure, chalk-full of the usual electronictry that FOTLM has become known for, along with some extras, including a lighty distorted guitar track, piano melodies throughout the length of the song and some interesting breakdowns. At the moment, the song is not available for download or distribution but only as a cover and tribute to Feist, and only available for listening on YouTube and Soundcloud for the time being.

If you like what you hear, check out other works by FOTLM at Soundcloud.com. :)

The Return of Vinyl & Cassettes?

According to Under the Radar magazine's February edition (#34), "sales of the vinyl LP have increased nearly 300% since 2006, with most vinyl LPs being sold at independent record stores" (such as Rhino Records in Claremont, CA). "According to Nielsen SoundScan ratings, 2.1 million units of vinyl were sold between January and mid-October 2010, and though this only represents about one percent of overall music sales, it is still a noteworthy chuck of product!" And what artists, you might ask, are actually selling vinyl these days? "After The Beatles' Abbey Road at #1, you have Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, The Black Keys, and Beach House, with the last band mentioned accounting for 22% of vinyl sales alone." A large part of it seems to be credited through Record Store Day, which started three years ago. Says Eric Levin, one of the founders of RSD: "We never stopped carrying vinyl, and it's always done well. Around 2004/2005, it really started to ramp up, and then obviously last year was huge, with RSD in particular."

So what accounts for the renewed interested in the once bygone format? Is it s hipster audience who delights in something nostaligic? Is it the yearning for a physical product in the age of the ever-persent computer click? Is it that old mainstay argument, the sound? Dan Auerbach, singer/guitarist of The Black Keys, says his preferred medium is actually vinyl. "I like the 33 1/3 on a good turntable with a good stylus and good speakers. I don't think there's anything really better. It sounds better, flat out. I don't listen to it for nostalgia. I listen to it because I want to hear the crackles and pops."

"Less resurgent but still on the move is the cassette, which sells significantly less than vinyl (16,000 units vs vinyl's 2.1 million, year to date, mid-Oct.) but still makes up a niche market of indie releases. Even Goldfrapp released their new album Head First on tape, an exclusive to Record Store Day in 2010. Though the market remains small, cassettes have proven a viable way to release music in a limited-edition fashion..."

"Whether due to better sound quality, a desired listening experience, or the urge for a limited-release product, vinyl and cassettes are back. Who knows how far the trend will continue, but for now people are interested and numbers remain strong."

You can read the full article in the recent Feb. issue of Under The Radar magazine at your local bookstore.(website requires subscription) :)

Revisiting an oldie from Coldplay

Have you ever found an amazing song at one point, forgot about it for a time, then suddently come upon it again to realize "Hey, it's that song!" Well, that happened to me just the other day while browsing through Coldplay's music and wondering which of their past CD's to buy. I love reading the biography and history of bands, and while reading about their beginnings and listening to their first EP, I stumbled upon that song, a very moving song called Easy To Please, a song I found in the past and forgot about...til a few days ago! It certainly brought back a few memories, which songs tend to do, especially if you're going through some tough times.

Here is a fan-made video of Easy To Please from Coldplay off their first EP Brothers & Sisters from 1999. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, the first time and for all time! :)

Untitled promo EP from FOTLM finished!

I'm happy to say that all 3 songs are finally finished and ready for hard copies for the Untitled promo EP that I will be sending out in limited numbers starting this week! That's it...I need to let them be done, be happy and move along with this cause I can't keep going back and correcting every single little nuance or this will never get out! Perhaps you artists can relate to that. I will be handing these out at certain venues this week locally and perhaps until mid-year, however things play out. In the meantime I've already moved forward with one solid new song, one or two on the verge of being finished and many that need working on. You can always check to see what's new by clicking the link on the right for FOTLM Music. But for the time being, enjoy these tracks that are finally finished for 2010...that is, if you enjoy synthpop/electronic music. :)

Untitled EP by fotlm

Time for some...Pomplamoose! Wha???

As strange as it's name is, Pomplamoose actually has some very interesting music, as I've taken the time to browse it's many cover songs (one of their most popular being Beat It from Michael Jackson, heard on a Hundai commercial) as well as original songs. I've included my own favorite cover song here...Nat King Cole's Nature Boy. I think they do a wonderful job here! Along with all their songs, they create some interesting videos as well, which is sure to entertain you from beginning to end. Because I'm a huge fan of watching 'In-studio work' and the creative process, I pretty much fell in love with their videos, but even if you're not, I think you will too.

If you're not familiar with them, start with this nice, mellow cover song, but don't stop here...check out their other songs - they are definitely worth the listen for all you lovers of contemporary/jazz/experimental music. If this song is a little too mellow for you're liking and you're looking for something with a bit of fun, then check out If You Think You Need Some Lovin' then! It's sure to entertain you both musically and videolly! (Is that even a word? lol) Then, if you'd like to dig deeper, both Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn have their own sites and music as well! I think that will give you enough music to digest for the week! :)