Work in progress…Drawing jam entry
Here’s the concept I’ve been working on the Royal African Hermit for cghub.com drawing jam…only 4 days left.
Artist of the TRENCHES
Monday, October 4 · 7:00pm – 11:30pm
Location The Poets Den
309 East. 108 th street and 2nd avenue.
New York, NY
Created By: Marthalicia Matarrita
A rhythmic experience, in artistic expression. On Oct 4th at the Poets Den a different kind of freestyle cypher. Patrons of the arts will be inspired, to watch a presentation of imaginations at work. As Sen One, Marthalicia Matarrita, Giannina Gutierrez, Laurie Markiewicz, and John Smalls, collaborate on a brave and creative demonstration of Talent.
Stay connected…
So once again I’ve decided to create a fan page. I had one befoer but didn’t update much but since I’ve been meeting more people lately I figured I might as well give it another shot.
Here’s the link:www.facebook.com/pages/John-Smalls
Finished product
So here is the final piece. Not to much was left to be done, just some shading and touch ups. I have 3 more pin-up piece in the works. Some old art that I’m revising. I never really was satisfied with the pieces but always like the concepts, so I’m bringing them back to life. In the past week I’ve been focusing on anatomy, sometimes I look at my old work and think what was I thinking when I drew that. Anatomy is so important to study and master. Keep the pencils moving…
Work in Progress of the day…
This was though of a few weeks ago but slowly I’ve been working on it. Today I happen to have a chance to polish it a bit. A fellow artist mentioned a way of inking my work that made things fairly easier, since I’m the worst inker alive. I’m still not satisfied with this piece that’s why it’s a work in progress(wip). Hopefully it will be up finalized before the end of the weekend, I doubt it. peace-
More work in progress..
So for the month of Sept. I have quite a few day soff from the day job, so I plan to do much work. Actually as much work as I can complete. Here’s a design concept for an BJJ apparel company, I plan to doing a series of these. Today I learned something new that will help bring out my illustrations more. It wasn’t a new way to paint but a new way to add or take away details that will take my art to the next level. So I have not just new art to create but a new technique to work on as well.
BJJ Tournament Poster (work in progress)
Concept sketch for a promotional poster for a jiu jitsu tournament this Sunday in Long island. Hopefully I will be able to complete this in time. It’s more for just a couple of friends and myself to put up on the web for self promotion and fun. I will post the final as soon as it’s completed.
Arm locks, chokes, knee bars and Dragons.
So I things have finally settled in at the new spot and lovin’ it so far. For a while I was starting all types of projects and not finishing a single one. I finally put everything to the side, made a list of what really is important art wise/creatively and started completing each one. The Jiu Jitsu book as I stated before is so important to me that I have to complete it by the end of the summer. It’s a huge book, sometimes it seems overwhelming but I know in my heart once it finished the final product will be priceless even if know one else cares. For the last few weeks I’ve been slowly adding new pages to the book while recording videos of the creation process so those will be posted soon. In the mean time here’s the sketch of the next double page for the book.
Sergio Moraes seminar in NYC
This past Saturday was a BJJ seminar held by Sergio Moraes at Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu. In march I reached my first year studying BJJ and still going strong. To be able to learn from the very best is something you can not take for granted especially from these two individuals Marcelo Garcia and Sergio Moraes. The seminar was great, tiring but great. I plan on including more Jiu Jitsu art soon, things have been hectic but are calming down somewhat. I plan on including artwork of all the instructors, professors and fighters I have the privilege of learning from. This photo was taken after a stare down between Sergio and myself, not really a stare down dude is serious I started laughing.
The artist journey is within…
After all tese years I’m still learning the basics. I’m still a student of the arts even though I work professionally in the industry of graphic design and illustration. Every once and a while I will see something or meet someone that will give me an honest critique of my work and this is when it all falls apart, but in a good way. For a while now I’ve been contemplating a change in my profession, a way to take things to the next level. To do this I will need to sharpen my skills and focus on the foundations. This happen to me a few years ago when I was doing an apprenticeship in a tattoo shop. The main artist I was studying under destroyed my art but in a way that has made me better and stronger. The same thing has happened again. I’m not sad or complaining but happy that it has happen. Criticism whether good or bad can help, because if nobody is hating on you then your not doing something wrong. So in times like these I always go back to the main source of drawing, I consider this one of my favorite books on drawing if not the best. “How to draw comics the Marvel way”, I’ve had the book for years just need to get the dvd. 
Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3y6k_vk_Vg
More Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Artwork for the book
I’ve haven’t been working on this project as hard as I have been training in BJJ. My goal is to complete atleast half of the book before I move this spring/summer. The book is huge so completing half is still an accomplishment. These are some drawing of arm locks/arm bars. For the next few chapters I will be drawing out the different moves and positions that one will half to learn in order to take down and disable and opponent. Osu!
Handmade recycled sketchbook
For a really long time I’ve been wanting to learn how to construct and assemble my own sketchbooks, and last night a fellow artist decided to share the knowledge. This is only the first attempt but give me a while and I will perfect my own personal style of book making. It’s a pretty cool process. This book was made of old shopping bags I’ve been collecting for a few months. Originally I was going to use the paper for some sumi ink drawings but now it went towards the book.
The Brooklyn Caravan Present The Brooklyn Art Show Case
The Hibachi Tiki Hut & The Brooklyn Caravan Present: The Brooklyn Art Show Case featuring:
A Solo Exhibition by John Smalls & Photography by Leslie Hong.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 7:30pm – 11:00pm
Street: 890 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY
Poetic and Musical Reflections will be performed by:
Ralphy “Tatu” Perez, Taino Brigs, Marcus Motion, POET, Jennifer “SKYE” Cabrera,
Elemento, Chris Yemaya, Theo Prunoske & Clutter
Just creative people supporting creative people.
Moleskine Subway Series
Latest sketchbook in progress, just something to keep me busy on the daily commute. I’m actually getting use to the layout of the book. At first it was different but now it’s actually coming in handy.
Three is the magic number (gouache vs. digital edition)
Another gouache painting adjusted in photoshop. I enjoy gouache but I still need to work on it a bit before I’m truly comfortable with the medium. The Art Demon never sleeps.
Protect your neck: The Artwork of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
So over the past few months I’ve been posting some video and drawings about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Here’s some of the work so far. There is more to come I just have to finish inking the art. This project is very important to me not only because of my passion for the art but I want share something that is very close to me and personal. I enjoy martial arts and appreciate the fact that I am able to study among some of the world’s elite and learn from the very best. This is my way of saying thank you or obrigado.
VS. Project Art Battle recap: SlideShow from Event 1.2.2010
Here are some photos from the recent Art Battle in NY. videos will be up soon… enjoy 
Monthly Bondfire
Last night I had the pleasure of painting alongside some of New York Artist and Lyricist. The Monthly Bondfire is an event I’m proud to be apart of, something for the people by the people.
Here’s what was created in a span of 2 1/2 hours. The second piece( Deejay) is unfinished but I’m going to leave it as it is for now.
The Grin VS. The Gorilla
It is on! What started out as mere comments has blown up into a heated Battle. Watch the creative juices flow as Artists/ Illustrators/ Designers John Smalls & D. Douglass test there creative skills in this winner takes all Japanese art showdown. Who can create a perfect Oni/Samurai piece of art? You decide! Start the New Year on a creative note! Come check out the skills 1st hand. Final piece will be Showcased on the VS project site to be voted on for a week.
Venue:
Local 269
269 Houston (bet Ave & B)
Lower East Side
There is always an escape.
For several years now I have been studying martial arts heavily however, not until earlier this year have I felt it useful or practical. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more than the UFC or fighting in general. For me it’s about self control and discipline. To overcome an opponent i must first conquer myself. With all that said I decided to take my love for the art to another level so I began working on a book of art dedicated to the history and development of the techniques. Here are a few images so far.
