To My Wife on Valentines Day

To my gorgeous wife
whose breathtaking thoughtfulness
and endless labors for all of us
are the foundation of our family
here and in eternity
I thank you
I love you
I appreciate you
God bless you

Will you be my valentine
now and forever?

- Your husband

Norman Rockell Behind the Camera

I just got a copy of "Norman Rockwell, Behind the Camera", reviewed in James Gurney's blog here. Folks, this is a must-have book. Great reference, great inspiration, great learning tool. As a practicing illustrator, it will be something I return to again and again. As an appreciator of Rockwell's adept views of American idealism, this book is like coming home to a warm fire on a cold day. Recommended.

Rose Datoc Dall's "Flight"

Great congratulations to Rose Datoc Dall, whose excellent painting, "Flight", made the cover of the December 2009 Ensign of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It also won one of a handful of purchase awards during the church's Eighth International Art Competition. Her work can be seen on the magazine cover or on the Museum's review presentation as well as on her blog. Not only is she a superb colorist, her works are prisms of light and storytelling, uplifting and positive. Congratulations again!

Daughter of Doris

During my free time at Illuxcon, inspired by an amazing joint sculpture demo by Jordu Schell and Tom Kuebler, I decided to update my reference for Doris. This maquette is made from Sculpey and is 8 inches high.

This will form the basis of a new painting of Doris, one I concepted at James Gurney's Creature Design Workshop but never finished to my satisfaction. Jim's class continues to bear fruit. And needless to say, Illuxcon is awesome.

Pigs Fly Variations

I've posted two variations to my "Pigs Fly" series of illustations. The cool thing is that you can customize your print! Contact me to order prints with your own images and words on the wings and to change the title.

Prints Now Available

I am grateful for the responses I have had from my two most recent gallery shows and classwork. I have uploaded several images to my new web store at Imagekind.com. You can order original works, prints in many sizes and framing options, greeting cards, canvas prints, and tee shirts.

You can find the complete list of print and tee shirt options on my Web site at lesteryocum.com/products. Check it out and let me know anything else you might want to see.

Thanks!

-Les

More Paintings Added

I've just placed five paintings online:

Silver and Gold Have I None
From Acts chapter 3, this painting depicts Peter and John kneeling to help a man to his feet whom they had just healed. He had been lame from birth.

Amelia Earhart 2066
From the 2008 class of the Illustration Master Class. The assignment was to create a book cover for a novel about a future Amelia Earhart.

This Pig Flies!
A take on the phrase, "We make pigs fly". This pig, with the proper propulsion, can really fly!

Belle
A portrait of my wife's favorite, beloved dog.

Doris
A painting done from a maquette, or small, reference sculpture, at James Gurney's Creature Design Workshop.