Sandbox Brigade and Race Day - by Derek Cadena

Here are two new pieces from my toy series.  I love the green toy soldiers! I want to paint more of them... I sold the original Sandbox Brigade, along with Race Day, to a fantastic collector in Washington D.C.  Thanks, Christopher!

Although these two originals have sold, prints are available in our Etsy store!

Roll Cap Cowboy - by Cadena

I've started a new series based on nostalgic toys and their packaging.  Roll Cap Cowboy is the first finished piece.

I had one of these smelly snappy cap guns when I was a kid. I definitely remember the painful sparks shot into my eyes from way-too-close face to face duels with neighborhood kids. It's a wonder that we even survived, especially during the roman candle fights! Where the hell were our parents?

The original and mounted prints of Roll Cap Cowboy and others in this series are available in the 2LF Etsy store.

Jiu Jitsu Love Story - Derek Cadena

My working title for this painting has been Matt's Practice, although a more appropriate title like "Jiu Jitsu Love Story" or "Couples Therapy" may be in order, since I ended up painting two sparring figures, Matt and his wife Rachel.  I painted this for Nordstrom's consideration, they passed on this one and choose the boxer, "Ramon".  I love this painting and I am glad to still have it, although I should be polite and give Matt and Rachel a chance to buy it before I decide to keep it or sell it to someone else.

I painted this image from a still video on YouTube.  In the video the couple is demonstrating Brazilian Jiu Jitsu defense techniques to a crowded room.  I heavily edited the scene, getting rid of people and other distracting elements that took away from the focus on the couple's practice. The light filters into this space beautifully, enveloping the figure by the window. The painting, in person, looks and feels as if I was actually in the room painting this scene.

The Howards for Nordstrom

I'm packing and getting ready to ship the paintings off to Nordstrom's Seattle office.  I thought I would show off the three 16x20 Howard paintings.  The original 8x10 Howard was the first painting they bought from me two years ago, they really love him...

I also painted a boxer "Ramon", which they are still considering on purchasing. I hope they do!

Beefing Up Nordstrom's Walls!

I've been so busy that I haven't posted in a month! I've finished most of the work I'm doing for Nordstrom. Their store planning and architecture department purchased a painting from me two years ago, which I was very excited about at the time! Then, just a couple months ago they got back with me and commissioned 7 paintings for a few of their remodeled stores.  My paintings will hang with a collection of other work, mostly vintage male portraits and landscapes completing a wall collage in each men's sportswear department. Shown here is an example of a wall they had previously done sans Cadena...

The designer wanted a more youthful and cheery wall layout and liked my cheesy beach boys pumping iron by the sea and said that these paintings would be perfect for some of their beach town stores, one of the stores being Westside Pavilion in LA.  So, I painted two of Beach Flex and two of Beach Pump, all 18x24 oil paintings. The two Beach Flex are the first image.

 I gotta get back to work, I'll show the rest in my next post.

5x7 Nude With Red Background - by Derek Cadena

I painted this small figure study last week.  At the time, while I was painting, I wasn't pleased. I was even a bit angry that I had painted it... or, I was just in a bad mood.  I threw a tiny little tantrum and walked away without signing it.  The next morning, after a good night's rest, I looked at it with fresh eyes and it made me happy, very happy. I really liked the minimal brushstrokes in the face, LOVED the glowing red background, and the very angular curves were just right... so, I signed it.  The paint was still fresh.

This painting is listed in our ebay store.

Upright Red - New Small Oil

I painted Upright Red on 11 11 2010.  I really like this little 5x7 painting, especially the reddish orange strokes.  She kinda looks like a mermaid with implants... Maybe I should change the title to "Sofa Siren".  What do you think?
 
See the ad for this painting on ebay.

Garden Planning - by Brent Rodgers

If only I had these classy ladies to help me design my dream garden!  "Garden Planning" is the latest image from my Fruitville Series. The background is from the beautiful Paulino Gardens, and, I have to say, some of my favorite childhood memories are going there with my Mother.  I still visit Paulino's every year, spending lots of money on lovely plants that may or may not survive. There's a learning curve to gardening...

Visit our ebay store to see all from this series!

How 'Bout Them Apples -

Brent and I worked on this piece together, it's a mix of photography, drawing, and painting.  We didn't have to go far to find inspiration for this illustration. Our apple tree is dripping with bright red fruit and the backyard smells like hard cider. Most of the tree has wormy apples, however, I picked a big bag of pretty unblemished apples that will be perfect for worm-free pies and other treats.

Here's the link to our etsy store for a 6" mounted print version of "Delicious"

Sparky the Chipmunk Seeks Fame

Sparky was very interested in our group hiking near Fraser, CO. He would scurry in circles around a rock chattering at us, then he would stop and hold a pose for the cameras. He did this several times! He clearly wanted fame and his camera hogging seemed rather desperate, however, we indulged Sparky's fantasy. He is now immortalized in art.

Although a friend of ours bought the original Sparky painting at our last show, I believe little Sparky will return in the near future.  We have created a fame monster!  

8" mounted prints of Sparky are available in our etsy store.

Walk The Line - Everyday Adventures

We rocked this piece out about 24 hours before the art show opened this past 3rd Friday.  If you missed the show, here's a look at our super sweet new tightrope/powerline walkin' elephant.  Walk The Line was the clear favorite of the night by the gallery guests(and us), however, we didn't sell it and it's still available... See the ad in our ebay store for the original 23 x 14.5 x 1.5" artwork by 2LF.

Amorous Grasshoppers and Other New Art

We've been working overtime this week to get at least 15 new small artworks finished for the next art show this First Friday evening, 10/01/10 at CoArt Gallery located at 846 Santa Fe Dr. Denver CO. 

Flowers, bugs, and animals illustrated or altered photography, are hand-colored with acrylic paint and then transferred on to 6" colorful wooden backgrounds.  LOVE this new series and can't wait to show it off!  These pieces will be $55.00 each, and, we'll knock off a few bucks if you buy three or more!  

Select 8" mounted print versions are now available online in our Etsy store.

 Here's a few new images:

Woodsy Wall Flowers

Summer is almost over, and the once lush green gardens are now not so green and lush... However, our aspens are turning a lovely gold, and the apples are almost red.  An Autumn palette is a welcome change! 

These new mixed media floral artworks reflect the rich warm colors seen during our recent backyard adventures.  Afloat (the bluish floating flower), Flying High (tall pink columbine), and Lurking About (red flower with shadow) are the three most recent 2LF works hanging at CoArt Gallery this month.  If you can't make it to the gallery at 846 Santa Fe Dr. in Denver, you can see them here! Contact us for availability.

Female Nude Study

Is it back-to-school time already?  Well, if that's the case, I need to head over to The Art Students League of Denver and drop in on some open studio figure painting classes.

Before I go, I need to warm up with a few small paintings...  Here's a new little Female Nude Study I painted on 08 20 10, my first oil painting since April!  I think she's pretty, and a little scary... 

Bleeding Heart - Needs Good Home

We still have a couple of mixed media floral pieces from our Spring show at CoArt Gallery.  The Bleeding Heart is one of Brent's favorites from this series, however, we have no more room on our walls... So, he would like it to go to a good home.  We now have it listed in our ebay store.  Here's the link: Bleeding Heart

New Woodland Critter Art

At last weekend's family trip to Estes Park, CO, we found ourselves on the scene of a woodland critter parade.  Across the road from the notorious Stanley Hotel, a very patient deer and her fawn put on a rather lengthy, and very adorable show.  The fawn repeatedly danced and pranced, ran and jumped, and then, would tumble to a brief rest.  The mother kept an eye on us, and I swear I heard a faint call from her... it totally sounded like "redrum".

Brent photographed the deer, some circling hawks, and bugs.  These creatures can be seen in the new woodland inspired art.

We have created a few new art works since last weekend, and, are presently making more.  The Fawn and other new 2LF art is currently available at CoArt Gallery, located at 846 Santa Fe Drive in Denver.

Western Spaghetti - By Derek Cadena

Western Spaghetti is a grouping of four mixed media paintings commissioned by a friend of mine.  She and her husband had just painted their living room and were in need of wall art.  I decided the painting(s) should start with a horse and a cowboy.  She grew up with horses, and I thought it would be fun to incorporate a graphic image of a running horse.  For the cowboy, I used an image of the 40 Ft. concrete cowboy that guards the entrance to the Rustic Ranch trailer park on Federal Blvd. here in Denver, CO.  This big bow legged horse jockey has made his appearance in a few recent art projects.  I must have a bit of a crush on him...

Here's a picture of Western Spaghetti.  And, the rustic ranch guardian cowboy.

June's Mixed Media Floral Art

The June First Friday art walk was crazy busy! If only the art sales flowed as much as the wine... The wine bar had a line all night!  Brent and I were in that line a few times. Then, later, sat out in front of the gallery harassing people for our amusement.

We showed our latest co-pieces inspired from a day at the Denver Botanic Gardens, and got great feedback from the crowd.   Brent did most of the photography and digital composing of these designs, then, I hand colored the images before we transferred them to their supports.  They turned out very cool!  We sold one that night, and a couple since the show.  Once the art comes down from the gallery walls, we will have them available in our online stores.  Here's Sumac, Lupine, Iris, and Peony.

The Welcome Shower - Joe Enjoys The Denver Rain

"The Welcome Shower"  a mixed media delight by Derek Cadena and Brent Rodgers.

Here's another one of the Joe illustrations we showed at CoArt Gallery this month.   We photographed the image of Downtown Denver from Diamond Hill.  This spot has to be the most popular location for shooting the Denver skyline, the view looks like a postcard or a screen saver.  The Welcome Shower is one of our faves!

View the ad for the original on Ebay here!

The Goose Tamer - Whip it good

The Goose Tamer is a new mixed-media acrylic photo transfer original that Brent and I both worked on. We showed this Joe for the last First Friday art walk.  Brent spent a day at the park rolling in crap to photograph the image that was used to make this piece... I hope you like it. Mounted 8" prints available on etsy and ebay!