Breakfast with Betsy!

"Breakfast With Betsy" is the newest addition to the Fruitville series by Brent Rodgers (that's me).  There is nothing better than a hot piece of toast while still in your pajamas.    Maybe Betsy will offer her new friends from outer space a piece. 

Pigeon Fancy!

Experimenting with our new camera while enjoying a lovely after Thanksgiving dinner bike ride.  I noticed a flock of pigeons perching on a local water tower.  They become a point of inspriation and Pigeon Fancy was born.  Let me know what you think and if you are intersted in a little Pigeon Fancy for yourself, she is on sale here!

Snow Day - by Brent Rodgers

Last week's "snow day" was a perfect day to stay home and make art.  I continued to work on a new painting, while Brent was busy being inspired by the slushy intersection next to our house.   Brent's newest addition to his Fruitville Girls series is appropriately titled Snow Day.   This piece seems to be about troubled youth at a crossroads... Or two young stylish ladies carrying home a doomed six pack of ale. 

To buy this new print or to see more of Brent's girls, click here!

Thank you so much,
Derek

Working on a selfish portrait

It's freezing in the studio today!  The heater dries my palette out, so I bundle up to paint.  And yes, I crocheted the hat.

I'm working on a new painting, a reflection of my grade school self playing a game of cat's cradle.  Although I haven't painted the string wrapping around the fingers, yet, the subject will be inviting you to play.   I guess he's saying "it's your turn".  A simple piece of string can become a complex formation, with a little help...

I'll post more when I'm done.
 -Derek

Zombies Love Brains - A Halloween Treat by Derek Cadena

I created this piece earlier in the year, after I heard news of a Texas highway road-sign that was hacked. The sign(s) read something like "zombies ahead" and "run for your lives". So inspired by the story, I had to paint! The original small artwork is one of my faves, however, I am making 8x10" mounted digital prints for our etsy and ebay stores.

Thank you - Derek

Finishing touches on - The Golden Judge

I'm almost done with this mixed-media painting that I've named The Golden Judge. A piece inspired by last week's project and the book Some Exits by Travis Cebula.

Thanks,
Derek

Finished Autumn Landscape Made With Cabbage Leaf

Although this project started with Tuesdays post with images of the painting progression, start to finish... I don't have the images of the last few steps. I had pictures of finger painting the clouds and adding glazes of ocher, red, and blue... Well, I accidentally deleted those images. Oops!

Here is the finished landscape that started with a dried cabbage leaf and grass that I varnished on to a wood box canvas (see previous blog post). I am very pleased with the finished piece!

On Wednesday I made Vietnamese pork served on a bed of shredded cabbage (the very same cabbage) with a delicious carrot pickle, fresh mint and peanuts. Delicious!!!

Cheers,
Derek

Autumn Tree - A Mixed Media Journey

I am starting on a new mixed media landscape with leaves and grass pressed and varnished on to a wood box style canvas. A friend who liked some of my past works of grassy mixed media abstracts recently commissioned me to do a piece with a Autumn theme. So, I thought it would be a good idea to share the creative process of this project.

I began by searching for organic materials that would work for a landscape design. I collected leaves from my garden and grass from the park. I pressed a large cabbage leaf until dry and flat and trimmed the grass that had dried and seeded in to shapes and sizes that would work for the design I had in mind. I want to convey a breezy Autumn moment, with a swaying tree and swirling grass or leaves floating off the canvas and out of view, imparting a lot of movement. I arranged my found materials in to a pleasing composition and varnished them in to place with poly-urethane (it dries quickly). Next I started laying in color on top and around the grass and cabbage leaf, which is now a tree.

I will finish this piece over the next couple of days and post the last steps with a image of the finished painting on Friday.

Cheers,
Derek

Jack Maggot - A Dark Hour Doodle by Brent Rodgers

Meet Jack Maggot, a moody know-it-all with a phony French accent. He is a mixed media artwork that is included in a new series of drawings called Dark Hour Doodles. Brent has been tickling his sketchbook at night creating new creatures that he later digitally places in to scenic backdrops. Trees, buildings, nooks and crannies are the usual places of interest that he photographs on weekly weekend adventures. Once the artist is happy with the composition of the black and white image, it is printed, hand painted, and then transferred with a acrylic transfer process. It's a lot of work for just a doodle...

Click here to visit our etsy store and see more of Brent's work!

Thanks,
Derek

Sexy Aliens Invade Red Rocks!! By Brent Rodgers

While enjoying a peaceful day hike near Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheater, my partner Derek Cadena and I had a close encounter with three little green Martian Mamas or Venusian Vixens (we're not really sure of their origin). Pictured here is actual proof of the alien visit, via mobile upload of image taken with iPhone.

Here are links to our ebay and etsy stores to buy your very own mounted print documenting this extraordinary event!

Thanks,

Brent Rodgers

Two Little Fruits is selling on etsy!

2LF is now on etsy, a very cool website which provides self representing artists and artisans a way to buy and sell handmade items, including art, photography, clothing, and custom items!

I just listed 1,2,3 Chopsticks in our new etsy store, check it out HERE.

Cheers,
Derek

August Frida Art Show

Frida Kahlo was the theme of the August art show at the Pork Chop Show, which is a gallery that hosts a rotation of artists on select first Fridays near a popular art district in North Denver. We had TOO much fun making freaky Fridas and hot Diegos... Not the usual Frida art. Pictured here are the Frida and Diego piece titled "The Love Letter" and the happy artists getting ready to sell lots of art.

Cheers,
Derek

Growing Inspiration From Seed

Hungry for inspiration, I looked in the unruly backyard veggie garden... And I have found that bugs, snails, and/or slugs have been feasting on the enormous crisp blue cabbage leaves... Leaving me no choice, but to illustrate! I imagine a glutenous orgy of slimy translucent moonlit critters gorging themselves (while I sleep). So I have made a quick "shop-sketch" to base a large oil painting from, I have so many creatures to create, I can't wait to get started! I will keep posting as I work through this FUN new project!

Cheers,
Derek

Our NEW 2LF Art Studio Website Is On!

I haven't posted in almost a month, but not because the Two Little Fruits have been slacking! Brent has designed one pretty website, it is now live, however it is still (and forever) under construction... check it out HERE.

We're still getting work done for the Root Down Restaurant and Bar, the third piece, which is shown here, has been a lot of work, but it's definitely becoming more kick-ass everyday... Tonight the BBC show "What Not to Wear" is filming at the Root Down Bar, which we signed a release for our artwork to be filmed... We're fully excited! (^_^)
( a post with the show's air date will soon follow)

Rock out,
Derek

Working on "Promiscuous girls are not nice girls"

This mixed media painting has some very fun components! I love the text, I got it from a 50's fitness magazine...
The next article asks: Is Smoking Harmful?


Check out the ebay ad for this reckless bunch of youngsters here.

Cheers,
Derek

Obsessive Culinary disorder

Brent and I are working on a small series inspired by our O.C.D. (Obsessive Culinary Disorder). We cook just as often as we make art, sometimes while we're making art...

Check out our 2LF ebay store for more.

Cheers,
Derek

"Lime Light" a new A.M.S. painting by Derek Cadena

Here is the latest and greatest 18 x 24" A.M.S. painting listed on ebay, visit the "Lime Light" ad for more info and/or to purchase.

Thanks,
Derek

We have just made a delivery!

We are sitting in the backyard enjoying a beer, celebrating our delivery of our second painting for the Root Down restaurant! I think that she fits the space, decor and attitude of the restaurant perfectly... Here is "On the Hook" in her permanent home. You gotta love the wall of phones to her right.

Thanks for stopping by,
Brent & Derek

Our local Denver collectors should stop by Root Down for a fantastic meal, wonderful cocktails in a chill and fun atmosphere. For more information check out their web site: Root Down

Root Down Restaurant

This week Derek and I have been hard at work on a commissioned painting for Root Down Restaurant. It is a HUGE 4x6 foot mixed media piece, that will look fantastic with Root Downs eclectic mid century decor! We thought we would show everyone what we have come up with so far and will we keep you posted on it's progress.

Thanks
Brent

"Karl" A new painting by Derek Cadena

This new male study is part of my American Manhood Series. I've painted around eighty paintings in this on going series. You can see all the available A.M.S paintings for sale by visiting the 2LF store on ebay.

To purchase this painting click HERE.


Cheers,
Derek

"The Soloist" Part of the Fruitville Series by Brent Rodgers

Brent finished "The Soloist" yesterday morning while guzzling a quad latte on his left, and to the right, a cup of black Sumatra.... GO BRENT!!

For purchasing and other info go to the ebay ad HERE.

Cheers,
Derek

"Eloise" A New Oil Painting by Derek Cadena on ebay

I'm finally back in the studio after being sick for a week. All the cold medicine slowed me down a bit, however the "meds" kept my brush gleefully loose. This female nude oil study turned out very cool... I think she looks a little sickly, with her pale gaunt face and that vacant stare. Someone should put a shirt on her so she doesn't catch a cold!

To purchase click here!


Cheers,
Derek

Denver Dog Portraits and new print sizes.. Busy week!

Brent and I have several projects going on. I am finishing up a couple of Denver dog portraits, and Brent just finished two 20" mounted prints from his "Fruitville" series, which I just shipped to Detail Gallery in Delaware. We have two retro themed restaurants featuring our works, we're VERY excited!

Cheers,
Derek

"Seaworthy" female nude on ebay

So.... this is the finished painting titled "Seaworthy". I decided she had to have some friends, so I added mermen frolicking in the water. Unfortunately, they are not paying her any attention...

For more information on purchasing click HERE

Cheers,
Derek Cadena

The Birth of a Watery Tart.

I started a new painting inspired by a daydream about my upcoming Summer road trip to the coast. The ocean breeze, collecting seashells, and hopefully mermaids. I really don't know where this painting is heading, but I am having a good time! I'll keep you posted as she pops out of the water.

Cheers,
Derek