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.

New Humming Bird

This 8x10 mixed media piece on wood turned out beautifully.  It features a brightly colored jewel like humming bird all up in some daisy's business.  The bird was drawn from a photo taken by a friend's Costa Rican Jungle adventure.  Shannon, thanks for letting us use your fabulous pic!

The original artwork is currently hanging at Bliss Salon, located at 2845 Wyandot Street
Denver, CO 80211.  The 8x10 mounted print of "Humming Beauty" is available in our Etsy store.

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.

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.

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!

Atomic Grotto - A 2LF Co-Creation

"Atomic Grotto"  features our favorite hero, Joe, chewing over the other half of the battle.   The original acrylic/mixed media piece by 2LF is hanging at CoArt Gallery in Denver (contact us for availability).  We are selling the mounted print version of Atomic Grotto online, visit our etsy or ebay stores to see more!

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

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

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