Swimming Log

I thought I should continue again to post some work on my blog. I have been very busy in the last three years. I have been directing a short film at Nickelodeon called "Level 15" and was busy developing it into a series. Unfortunately it just got cancelled.

So time for a new adventure. I do have another passion besides animation and that is swimming. I do train up in Pasadena with a great group of people with the "Masters" at the Rosebowl Aquatic Center. I don't really feel like a master, but it is fun to train and to improve technique, endurance and speed. I will be listing some of the training-sessions we do during the lunchtime-workout. I usually swim up to three times a week. I would love to go more often, but my busy schedule doesn't always permit it.

My goal for this year is to swim 1000 meters under 15 minutes. that is a 1:30 minute pace average on 100 meter. I swam the 1000 in training this year already in 15:05 minutes, so I think it is a goal I can reach.

Here was our training session from Friday:

warm-up:
200 freestyle
200 drill
200 choice

4x100 1:40
8x50 (50 free / 50 drill) 1:05

200 easy

16x100 (1-4 decent / 5-8 ascend / 9-12 build / 13-16 (too tired to remember)) each at 1:40

I actually enjoy when it gets tough. A voice tells you to stop after the first 8x100. But you push through and just go until you feel you might black out. You'll get through it at the end, and that moment creates a real high, that lasts pretty much the entire afternoon.

That's why a lot of swimmers have that silly grin on their faces. They still have a swimmer's high and that makes them feel good.

Madonna

A painting for friends of mine. I have been extremely busy this year and didn't had much time for anything. I was working on a shortfilm for Nickelodeon. It might soon air on Nickelodeon or on the web. I will keep you posted.

Barefoot

I just finished the painting in time for the new Gallery-opening at Nickelodeon. The painting sold 3 hours after being hung up on the wall.

work in progress

I just started to clean up the color-sketch.

Painting for next Nickelodeon-show

Next weeks opens a new show for the Nickelodeon Gallery. I will have to put down my current paintings, but will take part in the new show as well. I haven't had much time to think of anything, so I decided to paint something completely different.

I sketched one of the guests on the Graham Norton Show the other day. I don't remember the singers name, but she had this amazing dress and body-posture. Also she didn't like wearing her shows. So I made a few sketches of her and might turn this one into a painting. Here is step one and two. I usually start with a simple sketch and then come up with some color-research. I want to keep it very simple, using mainly blue tones and put in a little of an orange to create some contrast.

The Busstop

This is my first shortfilm. I spend about two years to complete it. All animation is on paper. the background is actually an overlay. I animated with a thin water-resistant pen. I then colored the paper with lay-out markers. I hope you enjoy the short.

By the way, it is partly based on my experience living in Paris.

The Complete Gallery

Just wanted to take pictures before the show ends by the end of this month. The "red stars" represent sold items.