INSIDE THE ARTIST'S STUDIO

A New Painting

2011-12-27T22:02:00.000-08:00

Casey Childs, Hayden, oil, gold leaf on canvas, 32x14" Frame by Rett Ashby.

Here's a new painting commission I finished just before Christmas. I haven't done any gold leaf in my work in quite some time, but the client really liked the look of it in the portraits of my boys and wanted me to add it. So I decide to reflect the swirls of her beautiful red hair with the pattern of gold in the background. I think it turned out alright.

Process to Create "Greater Love Hath No Man"

2011-11-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

Casey Childs, Greater Love Hath No Man, Oil on Linen, 60x48″

I'm happy to announce that my new painting, Greater Love Hath No Man, received the Charles & Ruth Whiting Award during the 26th Annual Spiritual and Religious Art of Utah Exhibition at the Springville Museum in Springville, UT! Here are a couple news articles for the show:

Spiritual snapshots: Popular religious exhibit makes annual appearance at Springville Museum of Art

26th annual Spiritual and Religious Art Exhibit offers inspiration & variety

I've been wanting to show the process I took to create my recent painting, Greater Love Hath No Man, and my research to make it historically accurate, so here goes... The entire painting is not yet finished--the finished painting will be a diptych, so this is detailing the process and research behind the first completed panel.

The Idea
The painting has been a personal project of mine beginning in 2009 when I had the impression to capture the moment right before Hyrum Smith was shot in Carthage Jail at Carthage, IL in 1844. A painting of that moment had never been painted, which made me more excited to do it. I wanted to paint a diptych, a two-panel painting, portraying what was happening on both sides of the door. And the more I thought about this projec,t the more I want to make sure the painting was as accurate as possible, so I began researching this event.

Casey Childs at Carthage Jail in Carthage, IL

The Research
I decided I needed to travel to Illinois to see for myself the room where this took place. So in August 2009, with my friend and photographer, Michael VaughAn, I spent 3 days photographing and documenting the room in Carthage where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were assassinated. We were there at approx. 5pm each day to make sure the light in the room was similar to that day in 1844 when they were shot. Here's a short video of our time in Carthage:

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part I from Casey Childs on Vimeo.

I studied the witness accounts from both survivors of this event, John Taylor and Willard Richards. I tried to stay as close to their accounts as I possibly could even though they varied slightly. I consulted Dr. Joseph L. Lyon who has done extensive research on the scene at Cartage Jail to help me fill in the gaps. He and David W. Lyon wrote a wonderful article, Physical Evidence at Carthage Jail and What It Reveals about the Assassination of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. In this article they go into great detail about the crime scene at Carthage Jail, analyzing everything from the type of musket balls the mob members were using down to the angle that the ball was traveling that killed Hyrum. This research and discussion with Dr. Lyon helped me greatly determine how to pose each person in my painting. I then did some quick sketches to figure out the composition of the painting, enlisting the help of a neighbor to get some poses:

Initial Sketch for Painting

Clothing and Props
The next step was to get accurate clothing made for proper reference for my painting as well as to research the props needed. I enlisted the help of costume historian Carma deJong Anderson as well as my mentor, William Whitaker, who has done a TON of research on early 1800s clothing to get accurate clothing from that era. Eldred G. Smith currently owns the clothes Hyrum was wearing at the time of his assassination. Below is an image of Hyrum's clothes:

Images of Hyrum Smith's Clothes

Carma and my mother, Linda, worked diligently to sew the clothing my models would be wearing, including a replica of Hyrum's clothes.

Working on Costumes

I also researched the walking sticks Willard Richards and John Taylor were using.

As well as the pistols Joseph and Hyrum were carrying (images courtesy of the Church History Museum in SLC, UT).

To stage this scene properly and accurately pose my models, I felt it necessary to build a set that included the two walls with the door in Carthage Jail.

Once I had the clothing and set built, I was ready for the photo shoot. Here's another short video of our photo shoot in my studio:

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part II from Casey Childs on Vimeo.

Image from the photo shoot for the first panel of the painting

Creating the Painting
I began with some drawing and painting studies to figure out the expression of Joseph Smith and John Taylor since their expressions are a very important part of the story and composition.

Sketch of Joseph Smith by Casey Childs

Sketch of John Taylor by Casey Childs

Oil study of John Taylor by Casey Childs

I then enlarged and transferred my drawing to the final canvas. I did a simple under painting before laying down opaque paint. You can see some of the burnt sienna (orange-brown) coming through in this photo:

Painting in progress

And here's a shot of me working on the painting in my studio (image courtesy of Gwendolyn Soper):

Casey Childs working in the studio

"Influential Figures" gallery

2011-11-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

We now have a page set up where you can purchase any of the original drawings from the "Influential Figures" series. I will be updating the page with new drawings as they're being completed, so please check back often. Each drawings includes a custom frame and is 14x8.5" in size. Go here to see the gallery page.

Kickstarter Project

2011-10-24T09:16:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, I've started a project on kickstarter to help fund the production of a collection of prints from the Influential Figures series I'm working on. Here's how kickstarter works:

ALL OR NOTHING--Kickstarter is powered by a unique all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. So if I don't get the minimum amount I'm asking to produce my project, nothing happens. It's less risk for everyone that way.

REWARDS--Each pledge receives an award, and the more you pledge the better the reward. You can pre-order the print collection for a minimum pledge of $200.

So check it out and hit the "like" button under the video to spread the word!

Greater Love Hath No Man

2011-10-22T21:19:00.000-07:00

Casey Childs, Greater Love Hath No Man, Oil on Linen, 60x48″

After nearly a year of work and research on this painting, it is half finished. My goal is to paint a dipytch, but this half of the painting is done.

I finished this in time to enter into the Spiritual & Religious show at the Springville Museum in Springville UT. I hope you'll go check it out!

Influential Figures - Mahatma Gandhi

2011-10-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

Casey Childs, Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948), Charcoal, 14x8.5″

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - Political & Ideological Leader

Born: 2 October 1869(1869-10-02)
Birthplace: British India
Died: 30 January 1948 New Delhi, India(1948-01-30) (assassination by shooting)
Best Known For: prominent figure for Indian independence movement

Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. A pioneer of satyagraha, or resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience — a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa, or total nonviolence — Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, but above all for achieving Swaraj — the independence of India from foreign domination. Gandhi famously led Indians in protesting the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi) Dandi Salt March in 1930, and later in calling for the British to Quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned for many years, on many occasions, in both South Africa and India.

Gandhi strove to practice non-violence and truth in all situations, and advocated that others do the same. He lived modestly in a self-sufficient residential community and wore the traditional Indian dhoti and shawl, woven with yarn he had hand spun on a charkha. He ate simple vegetarian food, and also undertook long fasts as means of both self-purification and social protest.

Influential Figures - George A Custer

2011-09-19T09:30:00.001-07:00

Casey Childs, George Armstrong Custer (1839 - 1876), Charcoal, 14x8.5″

George Armstrong Custer - US Army Officer & Cavalry Commander

Born: December 5, 1839
Birthplace: New Rumley, Ohio
Died: June 25, 1876 at Little Bighorn, Montana (battle)
Best Known For: Battle of Little Bighorn, Custer's Last Stand

George Armstrong Custer was a United States army officer and cavalry commander in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Today he is most remembered for a disastrous military engagement known as the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Raised in Michigan and Ohio, Custer was admitted to West Point in 1858, where he graduated last in his class. However, with the outbreak of the Civil War, all potential officers were needed, and Custer was called to serve with the Union Army.

Custer developed a strong reputation during the Civil War. He fought in the first major engagement, the First Battle of Bull Run. His association with several important officers helped his career, as did his success as a highly effective Cavalry commander. Before war's end, Custer was promoted to the temporary rank (brevet) of major general. (At war's end, this was reduced to his permanent rank of captain.) At the conclusion of the Appomattox Campaign, in which he and his troops played a decisive role, Custer was on hand at General Robert E Lee's surrender.

After the Civil War, Custer was dispatched to the West to fight in the Indian Wars. The overwhelming defeat in his final battle overshadowed his achievements in the Civil War. Custer was defeated and killed at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, fighting against a coalition of Native American tribes in a battle that has come to be popularly known in American history as "Custer's Last Stand". After his death, Custer achieved the lasting fame that he had sought on the battlefield. The public saw him as a tragic military hero and exemplary gentleman who sacrificed his life for his country.

Influential Figures - Edgar Allan Poe

2011-09-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Casey Childs, Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), Charcoal, 14x8.5″

Edgar Allan Poe - American novelist

Born: January 19, 1809
Birthplace: Boston, Massachusetts
Died: October 7, 1849 in Baltimore, Maryland (cause unknown)
Best Known Work: The Raven, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell-tale Heart...

Edgar Allan Poe, an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. He is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.

Poe and his works influenced literature in the United States and around the world, as well as in specialized fields, such as cosmology and cryptography. Poe and his work appear throughout popular culture in literature, music, films, and television. A number of his homes are dedicated museums today.

And here's the list of "Influential Figures" we've come up with so far:

Dr Seuss, Baden Powell, Frank Lloyd Wright, Howard Hughes, Alexander Graham Bell, Hitler, Walt Whitman, Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, William F. Cody, Theodore Roosevelt, JFK, Walt Disney, Robert Frost, Babe Ruth, Helen Keller, Annie Sullivan, Amelia Earhart, Alice Paul, Coco Chanel, Edith Wharton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, William Wilberforce, Karl Marx, Mary Wollstonecraft, Harriet Tubman, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mahatma Ghandi, Sojourner Truth, Custer, Billy the Kid, Old Tom Morris, Bobby Jones, John Singer Sargent, Nicholai Fechin, Thomas Edison, Tesla, Einstein

A New Series and a Question

2011-09-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

I'm a big history buff and love to watch pretty much anything on the history channel. And I'm always eager to learn about those people who affected history and have influenced or changed the way our world is today. So with that in mind, I'm beginning a new series of drawings and paintings titled "Influential Figures." And I want your help. I would like to pose this question to all that read this--

Who do you consider to be the most influential people of our time?

Leave a comment and tell me who you feel that person is, or more than one. And I will capture them in a drawing or painting.

But here's the RULE--they have to be deceased more than 50 years. (that way there's no copyright issues of me using a person's image or photo)

Casey Childs, Charles Dickens (1812-1870), Charcoal, 14x8.5″

I've begun by drawing Charles Dickens - English Victorian novelist

Born: February 7, 1812
Birthplace: Portsmouth, England
Died: June 9, 1870 in Kent, England (stroke)
Best Known Work: Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, Great Expectations, Bleak House...

Charles Dickens, one of the most popular, productive, and skilled English novelist, was acclaimed for his rich storytelling and unforgettable characters. His moving, critical and sentimental stories are characterized by attacks on social injustices and hypocrisy, and offer an excellent insight into Victorian culture.

Dickens achieved massive worldwide popularity in his lifetime and is regarded as one of the giants of English literature.

Today his works are still widely read and regularly adapted for cinema and television. Over 75 feature films have been made based on his novels.

So leave a comment and give me some suggestions!

Self-Portrait

2011-08-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

Casey Childs, Self-Portrait, Oil, 10x8″

Featured in Poets/Artists Magazine

2011-08-18T09:11:00.000-07:00

I'm honored to be included in the Summer Extravaganza Issue (July 2011) of Poets/Artists Magazine. Poets/Artists is a digital magazine that also offers a print-on-demand option for those who wish to have a hard copy. Four of my paintings are featured in the magazine which can be found on pages 73-77. Click here to view or download the magazine.

Quick Painting

2011-07-30T11:37:00.000-07:00

Casey Childs, The Aspiring Artist, Oil, 9x6″

This is a quick painting of my first student, Natalie Soper. (I only recently began some teaching in my studio.) I felt like I needed a break from my large painting to work on something smaller so I could remember what it was like to finish a painting! :) Natalie is an amazingly talented young artist and I expect to one day be asking her to teach me...

Sneak Peek of New Painting

2011-06-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

Today marks 167 years since the prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were murdered in Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844. In remembrance of that day, I'm posting a detail of the project I'm currently working on depicting the moments before Hyrum and Joseph were killed in Carthage. To learn more about this moment in history, go here.

This painting will be a diptych and this image is a detail (work in progress) from the first panel:

Casey Childs, Greater Love Hath No Man Than This (Detail), Oil, 60 x 96″

Throughout this project, I've begun documenting the process of creating the painting in a series of short videos. Check them out here.

2011 Art Slam at Springville Museum of Art

2011-06-04T15:26:00.000-07:00

This past week I had the opportunity to participate in the Springville Museum on Art (Springville, UT) 2011 Art Slam. The event was created to kick off Member month for the museum. There were many activities going on that day including artists creating a piece of art in the museum. Myself along with a handful of other artists were asked to create a work of art to exhibit that evening and we had from 10am - 5pm to create it. I decided to paint from a live model, so many thanks to the beautiful Kate for doing such a wonderful job sitting for me all day! And thanks to all who came out to see me paint that day. Here are a few photos:

(thanks to Lisa Bringhurst for these photos)

Below is a video created by the Daily Herald reporting about the event:

"Sir, you're standing too close to the painting."

2011-05-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

Norman Rockwell, Art Critic, Oil, 39 1/2 x 36 1/4", 1955

It seems like you can always spot an artist among the many patrons visiting an art museum. The artist is the one, myself included, with their nose only mere inches away from a painting--studying every brushstroke and mark on the canvas trying to figure out exactly how it was created. I'm frequently being told by the security guards that I'm too close to the paintings and that I need to stand back because I'm tripping some silent alarms or something. I think to myself, "This is dumb, I'm not going to touch the artwork. Everybody knows that!" But I was recently talking with my sister where she told me about the time she was in a museum in Europe looking at a painting by Caravaggio. When someone came up beside her and poked the painting with their finger! Not just a light tap but a poke to the point where the painting was shaking on the wall. She immediately gasped out of sheer shock to what this person had just done, and they calmly turned to her and said, "Am I not supposed to do that?" Unbelievable.

I guess everyone doesn't know you're not supposed to touch original artwork, that by doing so you could damage the painting. Which bring me to the point of this post. I was recently made aware of this article by Corinne Reidy that list 10 Famous Works of Art That Are Forever Damaged. Granted, most of these painting were maliciously attacked, but when I read this article I thought of all the times I've been told to stand back from paintings. It's a very interesting read and I appreciated Corinne for bringing it to my attention.

2011 Art of the Portrait Conference

2011-05-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity for the second time to attend the Portrait Society of America's Art of the Portrait Conference held this year in Atlanta, GA. If you've seen my blog you know that this year I was selected as a finalist which is a HUGE honor. All the finalists works were amazing. And I'm pleased to announce my painting was awarded First Honors!! (5th place overall)

It's was a great weekend and I enjoyed meeting so many wonderful people and artists. Here are a few pictures:

Some of the finalists paintings on display during the conference.

My painting alongside a painting by the nicest guy and a wonderful artist, Will Nathans.

View from my hotel room. The weather was great!

A demo by David Laffel kicked off the conference.

Jeremy Lipking's painting demo.

The list of the artists who participated in the 6x9 Mystery Art Sale.

My painting sold! Whew...

The amount of people packed into that room was crazy! Lots of fun.

The awards banquet, I was sitting across from David Laffel and Sherrie McGraw. Very cool.

My painting during the video presentation.

The finalists.

I'm sure I'm saying something clever or funny, but probably not.

Jeremy's beautiful face-off painting--amazing brushwork!

Accepting my "First Honors" award.

Building a Crate to Ship Artwork

2011-04-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

As part of having my painting selected as a finalist for the Portrait Society of America's International Portrait Competition, it needs to be on display in Atlanta for the final judging. So that means I need to build a crate to ship my painting out there.

Just one problem--I've never built a crate before.

So after getting some very good tips and advice from Bill Whitaker, here's how I put one together:

I used 3/4" plywood since this is a large painting and I wanted extra sturdy sides to protect a painting of this size. Normally, 1/2 plywood will work just fine and would, obviously, weigh less thus saving on shipping costs. In the picture above, Natalie is taping cut squares of underlayment (bought at Home Depot) in the corners of the box. The corners of the painting will receive most of the stress during shipping so theses pieces will give them a little added protection.

Here I've added the remaining sides to make the crate box. I used 1 1/4" wood screws to secure the pieces together. I drilled pilot holes for the screws--which is very important because the plywood will split if you don't pre-drill. I used a special countersinking drill bit which is designed to pre-drill screw holes as well as cut an indention in the wood to allow the screw to sit flush with the surface of the wood. Not necessary, but looks nicer that way.

To protect from dust and such, we first wrapped the painting with a layer of clear plastic wrap. Then we wrapped the painting with a generous amount of bubble wrap.

One thing that Bill told me was to be sure to keep the measurements very precise so there is little to no room for the painting to move in the box. This makes sense since the less the painting can moving inside the box, the less chance it has of getting damaged during shipping.

After attaching the top panel with more screws, the crate is finished. Final touches were to add handles on the sides to help with moving and carrying the heavy thing as well as spray painting my logo on the top and sides. It should get there safe and sound, but it wouldn't hurt to cross our fingers... :)

Finalist in the PSoA's 2011 International Competition!

2011-03-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

Casey Childs, Biangle (Portrait of Lauren and Everett), Oil, 55 x 42″

I got a call from Gordon Wetmore, Chairman of the Portrait Society of America, that my painting, Biangle (Portrait of Lauren and Everett), has been selected as a finalist for the Portrait Society of America's 2011 International Portrait Competition!! Quite an honor since it was chosen to be in the top 20 from 1,800 international entries! I will be taking the painting to the PSoA's Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA on April 28th were it will be on display with the other finalists. The finalists will then be judged in person by the distinguished panel of judges for the top awards and prizes.
Quoting from PSoA's website, "Reflecting a unique combination of skill and talent, the International Portrait Competition showcases the finest in portraiture and figurative art, and has become one of the most prestigious events in the field of fine art portraiture.Top award winners will be eligible for over $50,000 in cash and prizes. The William Draper Grand Prize includes a feature article in International Artist Magazine and a cash prize of $5,000 sponsored by Jack Richeson & Co. Finalist also receive recognition in the Art of the Portrait® Journal and on the Portrait Society's website. Top 20 finalists receive complementary tuition to The Art of the Portrait® Conference 2012, as well as other cash and prizes."

New and Improved Taboret

2011-03-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

We recently finish and deliver this brand new and improved taboret table. See more about A better taboret here. It's built with oak and stained in a red oak finish. This custom table was purchased by a very nice man and talented comic strip artist Jerry Scott. He wrote a wonderful article about the table on his blog. You can see his blog post here.

This new taboret table has a couple of great new features:

1) Opening in table top for trash w/slide out cover
2) Trash cupboard with built-in pull out trash can
3) Larger compartment to hold two brush cleaning tanks
4) More efficient layout for customizable paint drawers

Head Painting Demo at BYU

2011-03-06T11:46:00.000-08:00

In conjunction with my show at BYU last month, I was asked to give a painting demo for some of the students. It was fun (for me at least) to be able to paint for a few hours, and I hope amongst all my ramblings I was able to offered a bit of guidance for those who were there. And since this was my first attempt at painting in front of a group of people, I was happy that my painting wasn't a total disaster. :)

Oil Sketch from Life

2011-02-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

I talked my little brother into sitting for me while I painted a quick portrait, just under 2 hours. He stayed still for the most part. :) I would have liked more to time to work in some details(and refine the drawing), but I was happy with what I was able to describe in that amount of time.

Casey Childs, Alan, Oil, 10 x 5″

Al enjoying his soda in the studio.

Photos from BYU Exhibit

2011-02-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a few images from my recent show at BYU (courtesy of Michael VaughAn)

Casey Childs | Recent + Works

2011-02-16T08:33:00.001-08:00

Casey Childs, Biangle, Oil, 53" x 40″

February 2 - February 28, 2011

BYU Harris Fine Arts Center - BF Larsen Main Gallery

I'm honored to be exhibiting some of my recent work on the main floor of the Harris Fine Arts Center on BYU campus. The HFAC is the building due south of the BYU Museum of Art. The show will be up through the month of February.

For those of you who live in the Provo area: An opening reception will be held tomorrow night, February 17, 2011 from 7-9pm.

Refreshments/reception will be in room A410. This is the room directly between the north doors in the HFAC. Hope to see you there!

More study

2011-02-12T19:37:00.000-08:00

This is my oil study based on the sketch I previously posted for my Carthage Jail painting. I've been working up some studies to help me work out expressions, color, values and tones before I start on the final piece. This study is of John Taylor and I'm currently working on another of Joseph Smith...

4th PLACE in Portrait Society of America’s ‘Member’s Only Competition’

2011-02-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

I’m honored to have received a 4th place award for my painting Action Fingers, along with honorable mentions for "Spud" Jones and Mademoiselle K in the PSoA's Members Only Portrait Competition! The Portrait Society of America introduced several new categories to the annual competition this year, including the category I was awarded 4th place in – “Outside the Box.” Being the first time I have entered this competition, I’m pleased to have my work awarded with such a great group of artists! Click here to view all the winning work from the “Members Only Competition.”

Here is a breakdown of the categories in this competition:

Landscape (figure is optional)

Still-Life (figure is optional)

Commissioned Portrait

Non-Commissioned Portrait

Outside the Box – an innovative composition that stretches boundaries and presents a unique perspective using traditional techniques and aesthetics

4th Place Award (Outside the Box) Casey Childs, Action Fingers, Oil, gold leaf, 32 x 15″

Honorable Mention (Commissioned Portrait) Casey Childs, "Spud" Jones, Charcoal, 14 x 11″

Honorable Mention (Non-Commissioned Portrait) Casey Childs, Mademoiselle K, Oil, 48 x 36″

Head Study

2011-02-05T12:56:00.000-08:00

Head study in charcoal/white chalk...

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part 1

2011-02-04T22:01:00.000-08:00

With this new project, I've begun documenting through video the process of creating this painting in series of short videos. Here's the first...

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part I from Casey Childs on Vimeo.

This video shows our travels to Carthage, IL to begin researching the painting.

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part 2

2011-02-04T21:47:00.000-08:00

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part II from Casey Childs on Vimeo.

This is the second in a series of videos I'm putting together to document the process of creating my new painting. This short video shows the behind the scenes of the photo shoot.

Many thanks to all involved in this HUGE project! Seriously...thank you.

Photoshoot for New Painting

2011-01-29T22:25:00.000-08:00

I'm currently working on a new painting depicting Joseph and Hyrum Smith in Carthage Jail. My goal when I began researching this painting was to portray as accurately as possible the moments before Hyrum and Joseph were killed in Carthage Jail. I've gathered information from reading eye witness accounts as well as taking a trip to Carthage, IL to see the jail for myself. I was able to enlist the help of Dr. Joseph Lyon with his extensive forensic research to piece together what really happened in those final moments in Carthage Jail. I've had accurate period clothing made for this scene, including replicas of the actual clothing Hyrum was wearing.

So today was the photo shoot and we built two walls of the bedroom in my studio to scale including the door to accurately put together this scene. Here's a couple images...

Two walls of the Carthage Jail bedroom we built in my studio

The "Joseph" actor for the shoot

Getting hair done

Working on hair for John Taylor

Hyrum Smith

Hyrum on the set

the Sketches

2010-12-14T14:29:00.000-08:00

I just updated the limited Sketch blog with photos of some of the sketches I've finished. This has been a great project to work on, thanks to all those who commissioned sketches!

Check it out HERE.

New Taboret Table

2010-12-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

Here's the new taboret which I designed and had built for me. I'm very happy with how it turned out and it's so nice I'm kinda afraid to use it! :)

I'm currently working on a new site showcasing this taboret table as well as allowing other artists to purchase their own custom table if they'd like. We'd like to be able to offer 2 types of taborets--this studio taboret and a more cost effective model where we supply the materials and the buyer will assemble the table themselves...

Here's a sneek peek of the site: http://artisttaboret.wordpress.com/

A better kind of Taboret layout

2010-11-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Now that the prototype for this taboret table is done, we've been working on the final piece. Which is almost done. A few finishing touches followed by stained and coated with urethane and it'll be finished.

I want to discuss the features on the top of this taboret which, I feel, make it better than anything out there--(See the photo below)

1. Area for an old phone book. I learned from my mentor, William Whitaker, how to use an old phone book to clean the paint out of my brush. You dip your brush in your mineral spirits ONCE then wipe your brush on the top page of the phone book until the page is entirely soiled then tear it out and throw it away! You've got a fresh page ready to go underneath it. This saves on gunking up the tank as quickly, plus everybody's got an old phone book laying around.

2. Boxes for quartered shop towels. This is also something I learned from Whitaker--I use paper shop towels to wipe/clean out my brushes when painting. And by quartering them you can get more out of a roll of towels. Thus saving money! I wanted boxes to hold them since sometimes when I'm painting with my hand palette and I've got a small stack of towels on my taboret, they slide around everywhere when I'm trying to wiping out my brush. The boxes will keep them from doing that--same with the phone book!

3. Box for brush cleaning tank. I wanted somewhere to keep my brush cleaning tank since I use it constantly. Now I've got a place for it!

4. Areas for cups/canisters. These are similar to most artist taboret tables with hole cut-outs for canisters and cups to hold mediums and such. Very useful.

5. Hinged cover. This cover makes this taboret table very unique! The hinged cover closes to hide these items on your taboret table that are sometimes an eye sore. And more importantly, blocks the air to keep the mineral spirits, mediums, etc from evaporating. The cover is also notched on the underside for an additional area to rest paintbrushes during painting sessions.

6. Paintbrush rests. The entire back edge of the taboret is notched to hold many wet brushes. When I'm painting, I'm always looking for places to put my brushes down without making a mess. Now I've got plenty.

7. Large glass palette. Of course this taboret needed a large area for mixing paint. A 2' x 3' area on top is reserved for a 1/4" glass palette.

The image below shows the items just listed:

Leave a comment and tell me what you think! Is this something you would use? Would you add/subtract anything?

limited Sketch

2010-10-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

I’ve often spoken with people who would like to commission a portrait but cannot afford one. This left me with a question: how can I create high quality, original artwork for people at a price most can afford?

Here is my answer--it is called “limited Sketch.” From now until November 20, I’ve decided to accept the first 100 commissions for an 11×14 portrait charcoal sketch for only 200.00, including frame and shipping. The normal cost of an 11×14 portrait sketch is 650.00, which means that you can receive the same high quality, original sketch you would expect from me at a fraction of the usual price. These commissions will be shipped by December 10.

After I receive the first 100 commissions, the cost of an 11×14 portrait charcoal sketch will return to 650.00. The limited sketch is now the opportunity to purchase my artwork at a reduced price.

You can see more details about the project here: www.limitedsketch.wordpress.com

A Better Kind of Taboret Drawer

2010-10-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

*DISCLAIMER* This is only the prototype for the taboret drawer layout, the actual drawers will be constructed of stain grade wood with different drawer fronts and hardware.

In designing this taboret table I felt it very necessary to have drawers specifically designed to store individual tubes of paint. Thus making it easier to find the color I'm looking for. Right now I've got a few trays where I store my paint tubes, but the tubes seem to always get mixed up and get unorganized very quickly when I'm busy. So here's what I've come up with:

Individual compartments for each tube of paint.

This layout will hold 30+ 40 ml. tubes of paint. The table will have 3 of these types of drawers.

FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE!! The dividers in the drawers will be removable to be able to customize the layout for different sizes of tubes.

The bottom drawer shows how the compartments can be customized to hold large tubes, 175 ml, as well as small tubes in the same drawer.

I should get some kind of kick back from Vasari for showing off their paint so nicely! :)

A better kind of taboret table

2010-09-09T15:09:00.000-07:00

I've been frustrated for quite some time with my painting setup--well, actually just my painting table. The kind of table or rolling cabinet I'm talking about is generally referred to as a taboret. A taboret is a small portable stand or cabinet, with drawers and shelves for storage. It is used to help organize a work area and is very useful to an artist.

The table I'm using now was given to me by little bro years ago which has worked ok over the years but it's missing a few things I would like. First of all, I need a bigger area on top to mix paints. Most artist taborets have a sheet of glass on top to use as a palette for mixing paint, which my currently doesn't have. And since I use an old phonebook along with paper towel squares to clean the paint off my brushes, I need compartments to hold them. And that's just to name a few things I want my taboret to have. I researched a few places online that sell taborets, but none are setup the way I'd like. In fact, none seem to work that great for an artist except that they have drawers and shelves for storage.

So I decide to design my own. With the help of my friend Jared, we are in the process of building a prototype of what I think is a better kind of taboret table. One that is setup for a working professional artist. I'll discuss more in future posts about what makes this table unique, but for now here's some photos of the prototype in progress...

Show at Communal

2010-08-23T14:44:00.000-07:00

My show is now up at Communal Restaurant in Provo. Here's some photos thanks to my friend Michael VaughAn (www.mgvaughan.com):

The work will be on display until mid-September...so go see it!

Upcoming Show...

2010-07-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce my first solo show! The guys at the new Communal Restaurant in downtown Provo were nice enough to let me exhibit my work in their restaurant. Communal is unique in the sense that they also function as a gallery for local artists. The artwork on their walls is constantly changing as it is being sold or swapped out with new exhibitions. Every month, in conjunction with their dinner club, new works are exhibited. You can find out more information on the dinner club by calling 801-373-8000 or on Communal’s website at communalrestaurant.blogspot.com. My work will be exhibited during the month of August beginning the night of August 10. (Make sure to get your reservation!) I will be showing new works, some are not even finished yet, which won't be seen until that night--so don't miss it.

New App for the iPhone

2010-07-21T15:06:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my awesome brother and his development team, Rogue Team, I've now got my very own app for the iPhone! It's totally FREE, so if you've got an iPhone go download it now...

itunes.apple.com/us/app/artwork-of-casey-childs/

Review of Mademoiselle K

2010-06-24T18:32:00.000-07:00

I saw this wonderful review of my painting, "Mademoiselle K", as part of the critical review of the Spring Salon and had to share it--

Casey Childs, Mademoiselle K (2009), Oil on canvas

"It is a shame this painting does not stir any controversy. Its great-great
grandmother, Madame X (1884), was considered so indecent that John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) had to move his career from Paris to London.
I hope that Casey Childs never leaves us. But, I long for the time when so much is at stake in art that we want to drive an artist out or carry him on our shoulders. One hundred and twenty years ago, Childs would have been a great deal of trouble. First, this Mademoiselle suffers from the same indecency that Madame X did, namely, the strap of her clothing has fallen off the shoulder. To nineteenth century Parisians, this was akin to pornography, suggesting to the mind a woman being undressed. Today, it is merely casual, even emo. Unknown to contemporary audiences, the cat only accentuates her immorality. Édouard Manet (1832-1883) famously used a black cat in his work Olympia (1863) to indicate that his model was a prostitute.
I am not suggesting that Mademoiselle K is indecent. (For all I know, she is an upstanding young woman: a straight-A Sterling Scholar and president of the local Virgin Lips chapter.) But, I am suggesting that art has not only a tradition of techniques and materials–of which Childs has a masterful command–but art also has a rich tradition of an educated audience who understood imagery and symbolism.
Obviously, Childs knows these things; but, how many members of his audience will? How much more do we, as lovers of art, need to understand in order to really love art? This is, for me, one of the great works of this Salon; a reminder that both artists and the audience stand on the shoulders of giants, who we must acknowledge and study in order to appreciate what we have and to demand more of it.

---M. C."

This is an excerpt from a special critical review written by two art historians, Micah Christensen (also a juror of the Spring Salon) and Philipp Malzl, PhD. They reviewed a selection of pieces from the Salon, which can be read at http://smofa.org/files/exhibitions/3lmnpho1.pdf . They are also posting a couple of entries per day onto a website, open for comments and discussion. Their website is: http://goncourtbrothers.com/?p=1. Many thanks to Mr. Christensen for his thoughtful and insightful review of my painting.

The 86th annual Spring Salon ends July 3, so hurry and see it!

2010 Miss Orem Portrait Sketch Demonstration

2010-06-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

2010 Miss Orem Portrait Sketch Demonstration from Casey Childs on Vimeo.

I put this video together from the footage we shot during my live drawing demonstration with 2010 Miss Orem, Bridget Kreis, as the model. The portrait demo was during this last weekend's Orem Arts in the Park event, although we got rained out so the event ended up taking place inside. It was a fun experience sketching Bridget, we started out in the hallway but halfway through they asked us to move so more people could see us.

Thanks to Michael VaughAn, www.mgvaughan.com, for getting all the video footage. And, of course, to Bridget for sitting so still. Thank you to everyone else who was involved in this little shindig.

Enjoy.

LIVE Drawing of Big Budah

2010-06-09T19:47:00.000-07:00

For you morning news followers, I will be drawing Big Budah from FOX 13's Good Day Utah TOMORROW morning at 8:27AM MST as part of their coverage of the Orem Arts in the Park event. Go here to watch: http://www.fox13now.com/live/

Provo Orem Word magazine cover

2010-06-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

I have a painting featured on the cover of the June 2010 issues of The Provo Orem Word, a great online magazine featuring the art and artists of this area. Click the link to see it (see also p. 4 and p. 9).

The Provo Orem Word
www.provooremword.org

Jennifer Thomas McDougall

2010-05-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

I found out last week that the sister of a good friend of mine that I grew up with was killed tragically. I felt terrible for her family, so I offered to create this drawing of her. She left behind 3 young children. Sad. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Thomas family...

Jennifer Thomas McDougall. charcoal on paper. 17" x 14".

New Design to caseychilds.com

2010-04-19T10:36:00.001-07:00

My website, caseychilds.com, has a new look! Along with the new design, we've added some exciting new features:

Mailing List: You can now enter your email address to receive periodic notifications about new works and news. NOTE: I will never sell or share your email information with anyone.

"Find me on..." Links: There are now icons on the left hand navigation to be able to connect with the me on various popular social networking sites.

Image Galleries: The galleries on the site have a new look and are now powered by Adobe Flash. Flash Player 8 or greater is required to view images.

Commission Inquiry Form: The Inquiry form on the Commissions page has been updated. It's now even easier to fill out the form to request information about commissioning a portrait or painting.

If you have any problems with displaying images, functionality or you have any feedback in general on making the new site even better please let me know. Thanks for checking out the new site!

"Beta" Auction

2010-04-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

I am working with The Brigham Galleries www.TheBrighamGalleries.com, a new Fine Art Auction House, and their first "Beta" auction just went live. Art Lots are original, tightly edited, and of many genres.

My painting that is up for auction is Lot Item #1167. You can find it here: https://thebrighamgalleries.auctionserver.net:443/view-auctions/catalog/id/6/lot/470/

The advantage of a ‘Beta’ auction is that you are participating in a semi-private, trial auction and will not encounter much competition. You can find high-quality, original Fine Art at extraordinary prices. Kinks are expected in a Beta auction, so make sure to report them to Administrator@TheBrighamGalleries.com.

Thanks for taking a look, enjoy all the wonderful art work!

"Our Precious Juel" process

2010-03-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

Here's the process I went through to complete my latest project titled, "Our Precious Juel." This project was commissioned by a wonderful lady who wanted a special and unique portrait of her daughter who passed away in 2008. I went to work right away on some sketches for the layout because I wanted the entire piece, including the frame, to have an other than traditional shape. So here's what I came up with:

Because of the circumstances I needed to work from some challenging photos--so I felt it necessary to do quite a few studies including this sketch...

I also did some oil sketches to figure out the colors and values of the face in the main panel...

I then completed a half-size oil study of the complete piece...

I put together a jig for the panels to get the proper spacing between the panels and then drew in the top and bottom arches.

after that I started work on the final piece...

the linen panels I'm using are from New Traditions in Ogden, UT...

and roughly six months later....the final piece. 40" x 37".

The frame makes the entire piece, Rett Ashby built this frame and he did an amazing job! It becomes part of the artwork...

New Painting

2010-03-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I've been quite busy the past few months--thus no blogging. But here I am once again. I recently finished a big project I've been working on and once I've got the frame (it makes the painting) I'll get it out here for all to see. The painting that took all my time involved a lot of gold leafing. So to figure out how to work with the stuff I gold leafed the background of the painting below. Originally, I had planned to paint over the gold leaf but once I painted the portrait I liked it so much I kept it.

It has inspired a new series of paintings I'm working on so watch for them to come...

Apprehension. oil, gold leaf on canvas. 32" x 15".

detail. This is my little boy, btw, and if you didn't notice--he's cute.

Lincoln - Prints Now Available

2009-12-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce my very first run of limited edition prints! We've printed a set of 250 limited edition, signed and numbered (by myself), of my drawing--"Lincoln"--which are now available for purchase on my website. They are listed at a special introductory price of $99 unframed and $199 framed. So buy now! :) All prints are 14"x 11" in size. Go to this link for more info:

Casey Childs Fine Art Store

This portrait of Lincoln was drawn from a daguerreotype (which is an early form of photograph) taken in 1859. I saw this image and noticed how Lincoln's face was so interesting with so many shapes and planes that I really wanted to draw him. I drew it on a toned paper (Canson is the manufacturer) with charcoal (varying softnesses) and white chalk.

Detailed Image of "Lincoln". GO HERE TO BUY A PRINT.

Image of the frame available for this print.

GO HERE TO BUY THE FRAMED PRINT.

Recent Drawings

2009-12-07T09:30:00.000-08:00

It's so important to work from life, I know I've already mentioned that in a previous post--but growth as an artist happens so much quicker when working from life instead of a photo. You can SEE so much more in a live model that the camera can't. I think there are some artists out there that shy away from it for one reason or another, but I feel it's really the best way to improve the quality of one's work. Now I'm not saying I don't work from photos because I do, but I'm learning that by working from life I've improved the quality of my work. Especially when I've needed to use photographs.

Here's a few live sketches I've done recently:

Katers. charcoal on paper. 10" x 8". 2009.

$300 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

Nicole. charcoal on paper. 10" x 10". 2009.

Jill. charcoal on paper. 10" x 8". 2009.

$300 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

So....I'm always looking for willing victims to come sit for me--so if you're interested (and live in the area), write me an email or give me a call!

Vivian

2009-12-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

This a recent painting I painted while at Ryan Brown's studio last month or so. Ryan was nice enough to invite me to paint with him for an afternoon. Vivian was a great model, here's my sketch:

Vivian. oil on panel. 10" x 8". 2009.

$350 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

You can see this piece on display at Pizzeria 712.

Life Portrait - My Grandma Sketch

2009-12-01T16:43:00.000-08:00

A quick post to show the finished sketch of my Grandma, she came back to the studio for a second sitting. She was a good sport--I'll be working on a painting of her starting sometime in January.

"Grandma Lois". 10" x 8.5". Charcoal on Paper. 2009

Life Portrait - My Grandma

2009-09-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

I've realized for some time the importance of working from life but until recently didn't have the space to properly do it. But now with the new studio I do. So in between my many other projects, I've been trying to fit in a portrait of my Grandma entirely from life. She was kind enough to agree to my crazy request and came by today for the first sitting. This photo shows the rough-in for my initial drawing. Once I've completed this drawing, I then plan on creating a painting of her entirely from life. There's nothing better than painting/drawing from life.

(At this stage, I'm only focusing on large shapes and overall proportion)

Drawing Video

2009-08-29T14:56:00.000-07:00

I created this video to show my drawing process. It was really boring in real time so I had to speed it up. It's still pretty boring, but not as much now. This drawing I'm creating here is after Nicolai Fechin (1881-1955), his drawings are having an amazing blend of draftsmanship (structure/form) and energetic line work. His drawings are definitely worth checking out. Here's my finished drawing:

Painting on Display

2009-08-12T10:26:00.001-07:00

For the few who don't already know--seems like I've told everyone whether they want to know or not--I have a painting on display at the conference center in Salt Lake.

Well, I finally made it up there to see it and thought the show was very good. Tons of great art including a beautiful portrait from Bill Whitaker. Plus, they gave me a good spot, that's always a bonus. So if you're in Salt Lake between now and November, I encourage you to go check it out.

Here's a link for info: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/museum/competition/1,16118,4091-1-,00.html

River Plein Air

2009-08-04T17:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a recent plein air I painted while up in American Fork Canyon--look for more to come...

oil on linen panel. 10" x 8". 2009.

$200 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

A Cup O' Drawings...

2009-07-29T15:12:00.000-07:00

This first image is a drawing of our two little boys that I made for my wife as an anniversary gift a few months ago. I've been playing around with lost and found areas (meaning leaving some areas w/o detail) to create visual interest and lead the eye around the image. You can let me know if it worked...

charcoal, white chalk. 13" x 11". 2009.

This is a drawing I created in the studio from a still-life. My sister was in town and wanted to draw with me, so we set this up and drew for about an hour. It was lots of fun, she needs to move closer so we can do this more often--I would post her drawing as well but she'd probably kill me. :)

charcoal, white chalk. 10" x 10". 2009.

Night Painting @ Fish Lake

2009-06-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

We took a family trip to Fish Lake this past weekend and while there I did this painting,

Fish Lake Nocturne. oil on linen panel. 5" x 7". 2009.

$100 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

It was fun to paint a painting in the dark since I've never tried it before. It was freezing and windy at the time, so I had to paint this as fast as I could. I used a headlamp to see and have my hands free--it was interesting trying to see color in what appeared to be almost entirely black. I'd like to try painting at night again, but preferably on a warm night.

Tips for Survival as an Artist

2009-05-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

I came across these 10 tips for success by Micheal Shane Neal that I thought I'd share here. Although these hints are written for portrait artists, his advice applies to all working artists.

You can find the original text here.

1. Set goals and write them down!
List things you would like to accomplish both in the short term and in the long term. You might consider committing yourself to a weekly class, list teachers you would like to study with, techniques you would like to improve on, subject and compositions you would like to tackle, galleries you would like to show with, competitions you would like to enter, etc. Setting goals is the first step to accomplishing them. Hang them near your easel as a constant reminder of what you will achieve.

2. Work hard.
Whether you have the opportunity to devote your entire day, or just a portion of the day to your art, work hard! I have worked 12-18 hours a day for more than 15 years. It is important to devote as much time as possible to your growth as an artist, but you must work smart as well. An hour of painting free from distraction is worth 3 when the phone is ringing and the kids are home from school.

3. Study.
Set aside a portion of each day for study. Read about a favorite artist, visit a museum either in person or via the internet, browse through a favorite art book, sketch from life, etc. Spend quality time developing your skills by reading and studying each day.

4. Tenacity!
Don’t take “NO” for an answer! This can be no truer in the life of an artist. You will constantly face defeat and rejection. Galleries, agents, clients, friends, and even family may at times dampen your resolve. Put your passion to work. Remind yourself constantly that you can and will succeed. Pick yourself up after a bad painting, a rejection notice from a competition, or a negative review from a client. Turn each of these situations into learning opportunities. Ask yourself “what can I do better or differently next time?” Commit yourself to growth from every experience. Remind yourself constantly that you will succeed, that you will grow as an artist, and your decision to follow your dreams to become and artist will become or remain a reality.

5. Thrift.
For nearly the first 10 years of my life as a full time artist I painted every painting on a $2 easel bought second hand, mostly held together by duct tape and a prayer! I rented a small studio that was prone to flooding and had less than ideal lighting conditions. It was important that I kept my overhead low and focused on living off of less than I made. Survival is your main goal. Living frugally whether by choice or not, is important. Getting to the next painting is your ultimate goal.

6. Identify your market.
Who are you painting for? How can you best connect with the clientele that can become your patrons? Recognize “who” can purchase your work. Contribute to auctions that you know are supported by influential people. Contribute work to elite private school auctions, hang a portrait in an expensive children’s clothing shop, propose your work to a successful and well placed gallery, speak and share you work with local business clubs. Offer to paint a portrait for FREE for a highly respected local figure, and request an unveiling event. These are just a few of many ways to help identify your clientele.

7. Fair pricing.
Your goal is to have your work seen and to earn enough money to cover your expenses. Price your work fairly and reasonably. When starting the life of an artist, the more work you are completing (even for a modest sum of money) can create excitement and motivation by you and your client.

8. Diversification.
Don’t just become a portrait painter! If I had not painted fruit and landscapes along with portraits when I began, I would not still be a full time artist today. Not only does this diversification help you grow as an artist, but it provides other opportunities for you to show your work and advertise your name. Not to mention, providing alternative income! Teaching can also be a profitable experience for you and your students. Not only as an additions source of revenue, but it can also connect you to other artists and potential clientele.

9. Dependability.
You are a business as an artist. Go the extra mile and remain dependable at all costs. Be responsive and provide the best customer service possible. Unfortunately artists are not known for seeping schedules, arriving on time for appointments, or generally running their affairs in an orderly and responsive manner. Show your clientele that you respect them, appreciate the opportunity to work for them, and take your work seriously. Always do more than what is expected of you!

10. Develop a support system.
Develop relationships with other artists and friends you can trust. Share your work in progress with them. Share problems you are facing or new ideas...get their feedback. These relationships will help you in your life as an artist, making the experience richer and more rewarding.

Abe

2009-05-12T08:38:00.001-07:00

I drew this portrait a few months ago from an image of a daguerreotype taken in 1859. Lincoln's face is so interesting with so many shapes and planes that make up his features-makes him very fun to draw.

This was drawn with charcoal (varying softnesses) and white chalk on a toned paper.

Mademoiselle K

2009-05-08T13:10:00.000-07:00

I haven't figured out the title for this piece yet, but here is a recent painting I'm working on....

and here's a slideshow of the progression

California Paintings

2009-04-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

We just returned from vacationing in California where I was able to do a little outdoor painting. I'm finding how plein air painting really helps me work on seeing color and using it to create depth. It also helps me work on controlling values. Very useful stuff that I want to carry over to my studio work.

**If you are interested in purchasing any of these works please click on the "email me for purchase information" link below the painting.

Orange Tree #1. oil on linen panel. 8"x10". 2009.

$150 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

Afternoon Patio. oil on linen panel. 7" x 5". 2009.

$100 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

Day in the Park. oil on linen panel. 7" x 5". 2009.

$100 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

Orange Tree #2. oil on linen panel. 5" x 7". 2009.

SOLD

email me for purchase information

Snow Day

2009-04-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

It snowed yesterday so Evan and I built a snowman...Evan insisted I help a little. We didn't title it since Evan was mainly interested in knocking down it after we(I) were/was done.

"Untitled". snow. 2009.

Winter Landscape

2009-03-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share this painting on the blog---it's one of my first attempts at plein air painting.

Winter. oil on linen panel. 8"x10". 2008.

$300 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

We spent the Christmas holiday with Mandy's parents in Wyoming, and while there I painted this painting. It was a balmy 10 degrees out at the time. (Which was the warmest it got the entire week we were there.) The paint actually started to freeze and became a little difficult to push around. Here's me braving the elements:

International Art Competition

2009-02-24T16:05:00.000-08:00

I found out today that my painting, "Call Unto Your God", was selected to be exhibited for the Eighth International Art Competition: Remembering the Great Things of God exhibition to be held at its new venue in the Conference Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

It was selected out of thousands of on-line entries to be delivered to the Church History Museum where it was judged once again to determine whether or not it would hang in the exhibition. The painting was chosen, during this second round of judging, from among 1149 entries of Latter-day Saint artists around the world. The painting will be on display at the Conference Center from March 20 through October 11.

The exhibit opens Friday evening March 20 with an announcement of award winners at 6:00 pm in the Conference Center Theater followed by a reception in the Grand Atrium Foyer through 9:00 pm. You can also view the artworks and prize winners at the Church web site--www.lds.org/museum beginning March 21.

A list of exhibited works and winners will be distributed the evening of the opening and will be available during the period of the exhibition.

studio550 Opening

2009-02-02T12:42:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to come out and see my new studio. A special thanks to Mandy and her sisters, Kate and Emily, for tirelessly preparing the delicious food for the evening. And thanks to Mark for helping me get everything together (and finished) for the open house. And also to Jared, without whom the studio could not have been built.

We had a great turnout Friday night and I hope everyone had a good time. Be sure to be watching for more studio550 gatherings to come....

studio550 Open House

2009-01-13T12:46:00.001-08:00

Well, after a year and a half of construction the studio is finally finished.

To celebrate studio550 we're having an open house on Friday, January 30th. So spread the word, it will be from 6-9pm. We're going to have artwork on display by some very talented artists around this area, you won't want to miss it. So please come by, check out some fabulous art and see the place that I've been talking so much about. We hope you'll come.

Although all are welcome, we'd prefer to have adults only please. MAP TO STUDIO

New Studio Photos

2008-12-18T15:11:00.001-08:00

We're approaching completion on the studio.

Here's some photos that my friend, Michael VaughAn, was kind enough to take for me--

I'm in!!

2008-12-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

My painting, "Call Unto Your God," just made it past the first round of judging for the LDS international art competition.

It's kind of a big deal. Not like getting your Ph.D. big, but close.

Creating Concrete Countertops

2008-11-25T11:22:00.000-08:00

One of the last big project for this studio is the counter tops. I decide I wanted to go with concrete. And I was told I could make them myself. Since I never attempted it before, I consulted my buddy Shane to guide me through the process of creating them.

There a few reasons I decided to go with concrete--

1) Cost. Since my budget for this project has gone out the roof, cost is very important. The actual material costs are quite low, I only spent around $200 total for all the counter tops in my studio. But, if you had someone do the concrete counter tops you would pay the same price as you would for granite. Making the forms along with mixing and pouring the concrete is very labor intensive which is the reason why having someone make them costs so much.

2) Appearance. Concrete has an industrial look that you can't get with other types of counter tops. Plus you can do anything you want with it--add designs, I put some small glass tiles in the ones I made, but you can do whatever you want.

Materials list (This is not a comprehensive list--but will get you started):

-Melamine

-Crack resistant concrete (I used 80lbs bags)

-re bar or wire mess or both

-sheet of galvanized steel (for hole openings)

-BLACK silicone

-screws & drill

-level

-concrete trowel & edge trowel

Here's the steps I took to make the counter tops:

1. Make a template for the forms.

I laid out some pieces of cardboard on the top of the cabinets to make a template that I would base the form from.

2. Creating the forms.

I created these counter tops top down--so the bottom of the form is the top of the counter top. I used 3/4 in melamine to make all the forms. I used melamine because it's has a smooth surface which will in turn make the top of the counter top smooth. I bought a couple 4'x8' sheets from HomeDepot. (Warning: These babies are heavy. You might want to get someone to help you move this stuff.) I placed the template on the sheet of melamine and traced it. I then used a circular saw to cutout the bottom of the form to the exact width and length I wanted my counter tops to be. I decided I wanted the counter tops to be 2" thick so I made the sides of the forms 2 3/4" and screwed the sides to the outside of the bottom piece which left me a 2" depth for the inside of the form. Make sure to pre-drill the holes for the screws.

this is the form I created for the bathroom

3. Cutout sink hole.

On the forms where I needed to have round holes for the sinks(like the one above) I cut the size of hole I wanted out from the bottom piece of the form with a jigsaw. I then used a piece of galvanized steel(from the HVAC section in Home Depot) cut to 2 3/4" and wrapped it around the hole opening and secured it with screws. It might be a good idea to double up a couple pieces to reinforce the wall in some cases.

Here's an image of the galvanized steel screwed into the inside of the opening to create the sides of the sink hole opening.

4. Caulk all the edges.

I used Black 100% silicone sealant around all the edges and seams. This will give the top of the counter top a nice rounded edge. Although you can use any color of silicone you want, I used black because you can see it easily. Concrete will show everything. So it's very important to remove any excess, or anything for that matter, that you don't want to see because concrete will show it.

5. Add Extras.

I decide to put in these tiles for a more decorative/creative look to the counter tops. I put a dab of silicone on the front of the tile to make it stay in place.

I then placed them in form face down(since the top of the counter top is the bottom of the form) I made sure to squish it down flat with the surface so the tile would be flush with the top of top edge.

Here's the tiles placed in the bathroom form in the pattern I decide to do. The concrete will surround the tiles and when you pull out the finished concrete from the form they'll stay in the concrete.

Here's tiles in one of my other forms...

I decided in the form for the desks I needed some holes for computer cables and such, so I used some conduit pipe to make a half circle and placed it into the form.

6. Level the form.

I made sure the form was level before I poured. I placed a level across the top of the form to check and put shims under the bottom of the form where necessary.

7. Pour the concrete.

I mixed and poured enough concrete into the form so it was 1/2 full. I then used an electric sander around the outside of the form to vibrate out all the air bubbles. I paid specific attention to the corners to make sure the concrete filled them. After I got all the air bubbles out I place the rebar and mesh into the wet concrete and fill the remainder of the form up with mud. I screeted the top and then vibrated the edges once more. I only vibrated the concrete briefly when it was full because the rebar and mesh will actually rise to the top if you vibrate it too much. I know it doesn't make sense but it will. I then smooth out the top with a trowel for an even surface.

The freshly poured desk countertop.

And here's the finished bathroom countertop.

I used a razorblade to scrape off the excess silicone that was left on the front of the tiles.

More work on the new studio

2008-11-03T13:07:00.000-08:00

Work continues on the new studio. Lots of work has been done since my last post about the studio--some very noticeable, some not so much. I'll try to list them below....

Cabinets are in and set. These cabinets were custom made according to a layout I gave the cabinet makers. This is the utility cabinet which has a cutout for the mini frig. A necessity for those late night munchies.

These cabinets are to the left of the cabinets in the previous picture. In between them will be a space for a desk. Towards the far end will be the utility sink.

North side with the siding and soffit finished.

The newly finished bathroom (including a working toilet)

The floor boxes are installed and ready for electrical and data to be hooked up.

This is the carpet for the loft. It should be installed sometime next week.

A close-up of the moulding I used to finish off the flooring around the garage door. I installed a "Tsunami Seal" under garage door to block out any moisture. Along with using silicone to seal everything to make sure no water can get under the laminate.

a better look at the seal and floor edge

The completed front side.

Check out the eave lights. Cool.

One of the six speakers painted and installed into the ceiling. It's my opinion that every studio should have a good sound system.

The bathroom is about completed, just need the sink and countertop.

And the new tile. This design evolved from just being all straight white tiles to what you see here.

Bread w/Knife

2008-10-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

Untitled. oil on linen panel. 9"x12". 2008.

$300 USD (frame included)

email me for purchase information

This painting was the result of a recent demo I gave. I had some fun with the brushwork and was happy with how it turned out...

Look for more to come--along with a studio construction update. I promise.

Sketch Commission - Concept to Completion

2008-09-23T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a few images of a recent commission I've been working with a very nice gentleman from NY. He wanted to surprise his wife with a drawing of her and their two kids. I thought I'd post here the intial concepts I drew up for him, then the final piece.

What he was looking for was a family together scene with his wife and kids. So I drew up some ideas based on a few photos he sent me....

He liked the blowing bubble ideas and set out to get some photos of his daughter. He came back with a fun idea with his daughter hoola hooping instead, so I drew this up....

He liked the concept so I set to create the final piece and here it is....

Studio Flooring

2008-09-15T14:36:00.000-07:00

For the flooring of the studio we went with a laminate flooring that I ordered from builddirect.com. The nice thing about Build Direct is that you get quality flooring for cheap. The one drawback is that you have to buy it by the palette (which is why it's inexpensive), but since I had a lot of space to cover--it worked out great. We had to install it plank by plank which seemed to take forever and, not to mention was murder on the knees, but Jared and I (along with help from my parents and Brad) were able to get it all installed in a weekend. The cabinets are next.....

The Latest Studio Progress

2008-08-29T10:36:00.000-07:00

The new studio is getting closer and closer to being finished but there's still a lot to do. Currently we're working on getting the flooring in so the cabinets can be installed next week. Here's some photos and details...

This is the new installed garage door. Although I don't have plans to use the garage door very much, we figured if we ever end up selling our house someone could use the studio as a really nice place to park their car. I made sure this is a double steel, insulated door for obvious insulating purposes but also to keep out noise as well. We also had weatherstripping installing around the door to block any drafts or moisture coming through.

The lights are working in the loft and a/c is going as well.

Another look at the loft and also the bathroom down below.
This wall will have all the cabinets that are currently being built. There will be a deep sink on the left hand side next to the door. And on the right will be a desk where the 1/2 wall is lower.

Ceiling fan and lights.

Another look.

this is the west wall and my sweet ride...

To get the flooring to lay properly without any squeaks or creaks, the floor needs to be almost perfectly level. The area in front of the north wall, seen below, was significantly lower than everything else. So I've bought a bunch of floor patch and I'm now working to bring this whole area back up to level so I can get the flooring down.

A Blog Offering

2008-08-22T10:44:00.001-07:00

from my sketchbook....

Studio Paint Color

2008-08-13T10:44:00.000-07:00

So I'm ready to finally paint the wall of my studio, but what is the perfect paint color for a studio?
And how does one find it?

Some time ago, long before I had plans to build a studio, I read this post on the Portrait Artist Forum:
http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=6468&highlight=studio+wall+color

So at that point I had an idea of what color I should paint my studio, a gray green color. And now, since I've been studying with Bill Whitaker, Bill has told me that there's a color already out there from Benjamin Moore called "Mohegan Sage" that is very close to the color he was writing about in his tread but even better. And this is much easier to get since this is a "standard" mixture from Benjamin Moore and most paint stores will be able to mix this color without any problem.

Here's a picture of Mohegan Sage on the wall:

and here's the freshly painted studio--getting close to rolling in the easel!

Thanks to Jared for helping me getting all this color on the walls.

Studio Update

2008-08-13T10:15:00.001-07:00

The majority of recent progress on the studio has been the drywall and siding. The drywall has been hung and textured, ready for paint. And last weekend I roped my brothers, my parents and my artist friend, Mark, into helping me hang siding. We were able to finish the east side and half the north side. So over the next few weeks I'll be hanging siding when I have time between other studio work that needs done. Here's a couple great resources I found when researching how to install vinyl siding:

http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/siding/side_1.htm
http://daveosborne.com/dave/articles/how-to-install-vinyl-siding.php
http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/home_clinic/1276126.html

and if you plan to install your soffit and fascia, this is a great article:

http://www.rd.com/18262/article18262.html

here's some photos of said recent work...

this is a panoramic from a bunch of photos:

An almost Completed Portrait

2008-07-22T08:51:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this portrait for quite some time now. But I'm happy to say it's just about done. Just a few minor things to do.

I've been painting this piece under Whitaker's tutelage and I think it really shows. I'm very pleased with how this one turned out. I feel technically this is my best to date. I like the unfinished look at the bottom and plan to add a wash of the background color to unify and give the piece a "finished" look.

here's a combined look at all my progress shots~

Bloggy-doodle #4

2008-07-17T12:53:00.000-07:00

Today's Owen's first birthday, so this doodle is for (and of) him--he's the king of funny faces.

He's giving out smooches on his birthday.......there's alot of love out there man.....
p.s. foreshortening got the best of me this time--the kid really doesn't have elephant ears, here's my reference photo

Sound Advice

2008-07-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

I grabbed this article from Shawn Barber's website.

Although I mainly kept this for myself to remember, I thought I'd share it here because it's very sound advice for anyone who aspires to be a professional artist. And his advice is great for not only artists, but for any self employed profession....

"Being a Professional Artist

Be Prepared to Struggle
The life of a freelance / self employed / gallery artist is not an easy one. It definitely has it's ups and downs. The pros- you can be creative everyday, you can set your own schedule, you can travel whenever you like, you are in control of your day to day, including your future... The cons- inconsistent cash flow, stress of not knowing when work will come, sometimes you have to do work that is less than exciting, no health insurance, bills sometimes get paid late...

Be Down for the Long Haul
It's not going to happen overnight. If you're lucky- in 5 years you maintain some sort of consistent work flow, sales and success. For most, it takes 7-10 years. The first 3 years are the hardest. With a lot of people, these are the 'make-or-break' years. Frustration, lack of motivation, laziness, insecurity and lack of drive will overwhelm most people who even think about being an 'artist'. You can't claim to be something if you make no effort or have no aspirations. Wanting to be and being are two completely different people.

Make a list of goals, no matter how lofty, outrageous or small they may be. Work diligently and daily until you achieve these goals. Appreciate and celebrate the small successes, but stay hungry and keep your focus on the future and the unaccomplished goals.

Put yourself around successful, healthy and creative people. If your friends are excited about life and what they do and who they are, that energy is contagious. People that have no drive, no direction or aspirations are dead weight- they are going nowhere, talk about the same things and, typically, their depression and negative energy will affect you and take you away from your own goals. Sometimes it's difficult, but if someone truly cares about you, they should be happy for your success and dedication, not jealous, bitter or resentful. Life is way too short.

Be honest with your work and your weaknesses. You HAVE to be your own worst critic. Do not settle for where you are. You should constantly strive to get better and learn something new. Complacency turns into laziness, which falls into boredom and mediocrity. Why do something if you don't care about it? No one is 'making you' do it. If art is a hobby, that's all well and good- but don't fool yourself and think you're something that you're not.

Be humble. Realize that you're not that good. There are 10,000 artists living that are better than you. There are 100,000,000 in art history that are even better. Feel good about what you do but don't lose sight of this reality. Challenge yourself to do things you don't think you can do, either out of fear or lack of knowledge. Expose yourself to ALL kinds of art- painting, sculpture, film, furniture design, illustration, architecture, animation, etc. Ask yourself WHAT and WHY you like certain aspects of your favorite art pieces and allow that to nurture, inspire and motivate your own work.

More than anything stated, the most important ideal is to HAVE INTEGRITY.
Stand behind what you do, have your own voice, your own aesthetic and your own opinions. Don't try and be the 'Flavor of the Month'. Please, Please, Please- whatever you do, don't be a [jerk]. The art world is very small. Don't let yourself get labeled as a clone, a copycat, a spineless, unoriginal bastard. No one will respect you or your work. It's lazy and unethical, disrespectful and disgusting.

Don't turn work or commissions down. No job is too small. Sometimes, you even have to do work for free.... ALWAYS be professional. Try to challenge yourself and take on more than you can handle. You will be surprised, when it comes down to crunch time, if you focus and make deliberate decisions and actions- you will accomplish much more than you thought you were capable of."

Recent Studio Progress

2008-07-13T16:42:00.001-07:00

Just an update of the many goings ons with the new studio...

We've been working to get everything in the walls in anticipation for drywall, which should be up this week. All the wiring, including low voltage, is in and the insulation guys got the walls netted and blew in the blown insulation last week. Al, my bro, came over and help me (he did most the work) dig a trench through my backyard to run the gas line. Much to Mandy's chagrin since we'd just gotten all our sprinklers adjusted. But the gas line is in, including the furnace and duct work--and after tonight we'll be ready for drywall. We've got some work to do tonight before the inspector comes in the morning to give us the ok to drywall which hopefully goes as planned since the drywaller is coming tomorrow as well...

We're definitely close(or closer) to having a finished artist's studio. Here's some photos:

This is the furnace room--Jared came over and helped me frame in and close off the furnace area in the loft. This photo shows the opening for double doors on the right and an access panel on the left.

Another look at the furnace room

A view from the loft...that's the opening for the drop down stair

Another look from the loft

The recently finished brick

This is the back door and the netted wall with blown-in cellulose

and...looking to the left....

The commercially rated drop down stair, it's pretty narrow to walk up but it's pretty awesome at the same time

Bloggy-Doodle #3

2008-06-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

I was painting at Bill's studio Friday and did this quick sketch of a figure from one of his paintings(this doesn't do the painting justice, it's amazing)...

Bloggy-Doodle #2

2008-06-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

Not my best, and took a little longer than a minute...but in an attempt to make a daily post, it's here. Enjoy!

Bloggy-Doodle

2008-06-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

Here's a 60 second doodle for the blog--

Based on this photo from my wife's blog. What fun with a micron!

Sargent

2008-06-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

I recently came across a website that lists all(or almost all) of the works of John Singer Sargent. The site is not particularly laid out or designed well but lists all his works year by year with pictures and is a nice all-in-one source for anyone who's a fan of Sargent. I thought it was worthy of posting here for anyone interested:

JSS Virtual Gallery

Due to a bout of illness and a case of extreme busy, posting has been very lean. But I will get some pictures posted of recent studio progress and also recent artwork progress....hopefully things will settle somewhat when the studio is finally finished....

Insulation

2008-05-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

We now have insulation on the walls, well...half of it. We're putting blown-in cellulose in the walls and ceilings but first they put a 1" layer of polyuethene on all the exterior walls. This is really good stuff because it's expanding foam and it fills in all the nooks and crannys which becomes a total air barrier for the building. And once dry it's very solid, you would need a hammer and chisel to get it out. It does insulate some but the big insulator, the blown-in cellulose, will fill the remainder of the wall cavities. They will place a netting over the wall studs then fill the cavities full with the cellulose. The r-value on this stuff is great, we'll get near an r-50 (the higher the number the better) in some areas. Hopefully, we won't need to run the furnace or a/c much at all.

So the greenish blue stuff you're seeing on the walls in these photos is the layer of polyuethene. And once we finish running the ductwork, remaining electrical and all the low voltage wiring, the insulation guys will come back and blow in the cellulose. We're making progress...

INSIDE THE ARTIST'S STUDIO

A New Painting

Process to Create "Greater Love Hath No Man"

"Influential Figures" gallery

Kickstarter Project

Greater Love Hath No Man

Influential Figures - Mahatma Gandhi

Influential Figures - George A Custer

Influential Figures - Edgar Allan Poe

A New Series and a Question

Self-Portrait

Featured in Poets/Artists Magazine

Quick Painting

Sneak Peek of New Painting

2011 Art Slam at Springville Museum of Art

"Sir, you're standing too close to the painting."

2011 Art of the Portrait Conference

Building a Crate to Ship Artwork

Finalist in the PSoA's 2011 International Competition!

New and Improved Taboret

Head Painting Demo at BYU

Oil Sketch from Life

Photos from BYU Exhibit

Casey Childs | Recent + Works

More study

4th PLACE in Portrait Society of America’s ‘Member’s Only Competition’

Head Study

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part 1

Documenting the Process of a Painting - Part 2

Photoshoot for New Painting

the Sketches

New Taboret Table

A better kind of Taboret layout

limited Sketch

A Better Kind of Taboret Drawer

A better kind of taboret table

Show at Communal

Upcoming Show...

New App for the iPhone

Review of Mademoiselle K

2010 Miss Orem Portrait Sketch Demonstration

LIVE Drawing of Big Budah

Provo Orem Word magazine cover

Jennifer Thomas McDougall

New Design to caseychilds.com

"Beta" Auction

"Our Precious Juel" process

New Painting

Lincoln - Prints Now Available

Recent Drawings

Vivian

Life Portrait - My Grandma Sketch

Life Portrait - My Grandma

Drawing Video

Painting on Display

River Plein Air

A Cup O' Drawings...

Night Painting @ Fish Lake

Tips for Survival as an Artist

Abe

Mademoiselle K

California Paintings

Snow Day

Winter Landscape

International Art Competition

studio550 Opening

studio550 *Open House*

New Studio Photos

I'm in!!

Creating Concrete Countertops

More work on the new studio

Bread w/Knife

Sketch Commission - Concept to Completion

Studio Flooring

The Latest Studio Progress

A Blog Offering

Studio Paint Color

Studio Update

An almost Completed Portrait

Bloggy-doodle #4

studio550 Open House