"Different is Good"
oil on canvas, 2024
36"x 48" (91cm x 122cm)
cRaZy stuFFed aniMALs
The Story of… “Different is Good”
As an artist, I have always battled himself to push the limits of what is possible because that is where the real growth is. With “Different is Good” it was an excellent reminder of the message for Smiles, my personal symbol, that following a passion is an excellent opportunity to create positive growth in your life. This painting presented many up and down moments for me and each one of the Smiles characters within this painting was a further opportunity to push my artistic boundaries and to create something new and truly unique. Each Smiles in this painting embodies it’s own cute and quirky personality… which one is your favorite?
Knowing that there is no right or wrong in art and that there exists an infinite potential of possibility for growth within a painting was a prominent lesson that came during the painting of “Different is Good”… this philosophy continues into my work today and into the infinite future. The lessons learned while painting “Different is Good” allowed me to further the message to understand the beauty in our differences, in the unique beauty we all have to bring to the World :)
The Creation of “Different is Good”
“Different is Good” was created in 3 distinct layers: first the Sketch Layer, then the Light Layer and followed by the final thick and textural layer.
The very first pencils marks of “Different is Good”
The final sketch before moving onto the Light Layer.
The completed Light Layer. This layer is an oil paint wash (thinned out oil paint that acts somewhat like watercolor). I call this layer the Light Layer because it is when I put in the crucial initial shadows and highlights which gives paintings their forms.
The photo above shows a good example of a simplified palette I use when painting.