I'm wrapping up my week here at my sister's home and will be off to the airport shortly. As mentioned, the main reason for this visit was to paint a mural in my nine year old nephew's bedroom. For that painting he wanted to incorporate a fashionable Anime girl holding hands with a panda, some bamboo, a bridge, a pathway, and some subtle mountains in the background. My job was to deliver just that.
Here goes the process...................
Last minute, I added a little crouching panda keeping watch outside of the closet where his mannequin Martinique resides. More postings about her next week.
Yumi is going to be so jealous when she sees this! I can already hear it now, "I wish David was my uncle!"
Posted by: Jenny | September 05, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Beautiful!
Posted by: midevil | September 05, 2008 at 11:32 AM
A beautiful job David!...hugs for you and your lucky nephew that now have a great mural in his bedroom!!!...i love it!...
Posted by: Art | September 05, 2008 at 11:57 AM
That is AWESOME. You're so great!
Posted by: Leslie | September 05, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Fantastic! You did an amazing job! You nephew is so lucky to have a talented and caring uncle such as yourself.
Viva La Martinique!
Posted by: Kate | September 05, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Your nephew changed his mind about the yellow kimono?
Posted by: Maria | September 05, 2008 at 02:16 PM
Another heart-warming masterpiece - congrats!!
Posted by: Amanda | September 05, 2008 at 05:02 PM
David,
Words cannot describe your talent! I would love to have even 1 oz. of the talent you have. I just cannot believe the amazing work you do ~ especially considering the short time frame. (like 15/20 minutes for your fabulous reality show caricatures). I cannot believe you did this mural in a few short days. You are a rare talent with a great eye!
Please continue to post and share your work with the world. We are much better having experienced your work!
-Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | September 05, 2008 at 09:11 PM
The little panda guarding the precious Martinique is even cuter than his bigger brother! :)
Posted by: Mel | September 06, 2008 at 07:08 AM
Mate,
that is so coool!
sure beats the junky stuff i have on my bedroom walls from Ikea! lol
Posted by: Frances | September 06, 2008 at 05:40 PM
Amazing work! I love the mural! Your nephew is very lucky: he not only has very supportive parents, but also a talented and supportive uncle! I can't wait to see what you two have come up with for Martinique... she's a superstar :-)
Posted by: Anna | September 06, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Simply beautiful...and Martinique looks very impressed with your efforts :D
Posted by: pacifican | September 07, 2008 at 01:20 AM
You are such a good uncle! What a great mural. I think I like the sentinel panda the best, though.
Posted by: Madame Meow | September 07, 2008 at 05:40 AM
I'd like to send a giant THANK YOU to all those who have commented on my Martinique/ 9 year old nephew postings. These are definitely what I'm feeling most connected to and your feedback is terrific.
To Jenny: You are the best. One day perhaps I'll paint something for Yumi.
To Midevil: Thanks and thanks for all your comments.
To Art: Glad we've become email buddies and I absolutely appreciate your kind remarks.
To Leslie: Thank you. I'm so proud to be his uncle.
To Kate: I agree... Viva La Martinique! Thanks!
To Maria: Great memory! Yes, my nephew did change his mind about the yellow kimono. When I got there we had a "client" meeting in which I told him that if there was anything he wanted to change to let me know. My nephew actually has a kimono which he slipped on for our meeting. Seriously. He has a few Manga/ Anime books and her outfit ended up being a combination of several different photos from those books. As I told him, my job was to deliver whatever he wanted and he wanted to change a few things about my initial proposed sketch.
To Amanda: Ahhhhh.... thank you! If you spent five minutes around my nephew, your heart would be warmed for the entire winter.
To Michelle: I'm humbled and blown away by your message. Thank you so much.
To Mel: I agree. It's funny, that little panda took no time to do. Maybe about an hour and a half and it has more of an impact especially as it's guarding the princess.
To Frances. First, I like that you called me mate. I wish everyone would. And I also wish Ikea would ask me to design some mural appliques. Hmmm.... maybe I'll give Ikea a jingle today?
To Anna: Thanks and I agree that Martinique is a superstar!
To Pacifican: Martinique is awfully reserved but I hope she appreciated my efforts. :)
To Madame Meow: The sentinel panda is my favorite part too. Thanks for your comment.
Again, thanks to all of you for your remarks. More from my future Project Runway winning nephew and his muse Martinique coming shortly.
xoxo
Gilmore
Posted by: Gilmore | September 07, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Hey,
Just wanted to say that Martinique makes my liife. Her whole story is amazing, with your nephew being so into dressing her up and your family being supportive of it. It's really great to read about. Love the mural, especially the girl's hair. So cute.
Posted by: Ashley | September 07, 2008 at 08:07 PM
Beautiful! You are so talented!
Posted by: Greg O | September 08, 2008 at 09:32 AM
Love it. Once again you kick ass.
Great job!!! Your nephew must love it!
Posted by: Ginger Ball | September 08, 2008 at 10:58 AM
This is more than adorable. What a wonderful uncle!
Posted by: Noelegy | September 08, 2008 at 01:45 PM
Wow! Looks great, and I'm ashamed to say your nephew looks to be a good foot taller than me.
Posted by: jane | September 08, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Amazing! I'm stunned at how amazing this looks. You need to post more of this kind of stuff! Nothing but amazing!
Posted by: Samuel | September 10, 2008 at 05:12 PM
That is just fabulous. YOU are fabulous. And so is your nephew and Martinique. I check your site continuously waiting for more info on her. I'm obsessed! Give me more!
Posted by: v*ron | September 10, 2008 at 11:37 PM
Kudos!! I can't even draw that on paper lol. Your such a good artist
Posted by: chelle g | September 12, 2008 at 05:56 PM
love the mural! the little panda is so cute
Posted by: deena | September 13, 2008 at 06:02 AM
Oh my goodness, that's SO cute! I have to admit, I'm pretty jealous of your nephew. My favorite part was the little panda that protects Martinique. I wish I had something as cute as that in my room when I was growing up. I wish I had an uncle as awesome as you! lol
Posted by: Elinore | October 21, 2008 at 01:21 PM
I want that mural in my room too. You did an amazing job. The mural alone will stimulate you rnephew senses. Great job uncle.
Posted by: Borg Queen | December 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM
My God I have to get a kid like that. Where can I get one? If I had a kid like that I would never be depressed and I would be entertained night and day. FAB!!!!!
Posted by: elizabeth | February 05, 2009 at 09:45 AM