Elephant Of The Sun

Elephant Of The Sun by Christopher T Coker

The sun just happens to be the ruling body of our solar system as the elephant signify's strength, dominance and courage. More than likely to be seen and noticed within the African safari and other rural areas of the continent. I really wanted to display POWER in this piece by also showing and signifying the appreciation of life. The sun emanating rays of the pattern from it's ora and the elephant without man troubling it on it's journey.  Total design time so far around 8 and a half hours to complete and yet to be treated. I'm not sure as to follow through on the natural colours of the scenery or to place a different colour scheme towards it just yet.

As apart of the animal collections this is so far on of my favorite pieces because so much has gone on in my personal life over the past week that this was a major relief for me. Also adding in the fact that the detail of the piece really stands out for me. Being able to accomplish  this piece and still managing to contain my sanity is truly a God send gift.

The next piece that I will put forward is one from an out of the box idea that came to me the other day. I'm not going to expose what it entails just yet, but just know this - IT WILL BE AMAZING.

I would just like to thank those of you that continue to believe in me and never doubt me. Always showing true grace, love and faith towards myself and my ability. You will be remembered.

Love & Light !

20% - 80 TO GO

Greetings to all. Man I am slipping to be very honest due to other obligations, but at least I'm trying to get there. Amongst other commitments that are going on at the moment I WILL finish this piece by the end of tomorrow. The scenery at the back behind the elephant is quite detailed, so please expect the finished piece to be uploaded next Monday. Until then folks !

Love & Light

BAD HABIT

Bad Habit Piece by Christopher Coker

Okay so at times I can go astray with this pattern just drawing on random things. The background behind the piece was done a few years back when I just went mental with it. Some parts begun to fade as you can see. There was a night that I just picked up my marker pen and started to just draw as if I was in a trance. This was done at my parents home after I decided to turn my old bedroom into an art studio.

The main piece that I am holding I call "Bad Habit" if you can guess why. In the 30's through to the 50's smoking was a fad and a cool thing to do. People would smoke as a symbol of status to portray a look or identity of importance. Nowadays in the UK you can't smoke in enclosed public areas due to legislative law changing. Now on cigarette boxes they have images of people with bleeding gums, a heart operation and pictures of little children saying "smoking may seriously harm you and others around you". Oh how times have changed. The inspiration for this piece came whilst I standing and observing a lady smoke. Focusing upon the smoke itself I imagined my swirl pattern emanating from the fumes as the smoke spiraled around her. A light bulb moment came into effect.

Its a simple piece that only took around an hour to carve and another hour to treat. Not too bad for something mocked up in that time. Due to the detail it was quite a short piece. A3 landscape size to be exact and the original image of this came from istock. Well all I can say is more to come and I do hope you like. Next week I'll be displaying another piece from the Animal Carving series.

Also don't forget kids - SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOUR HEALTH


Love & Light

CHRISTOPHER COKER / PATIENCE

Patience by Christopher Coker

The year that we currently exist in according to the Gregorian calender is 2011. You would think by now that human beings as we are right now would have elevated beyond such trivial and apprehensive matters, concerning others. Continuously I am tired of expectations that other people have for me, where I currently am at the moment and what I have accomplished. Now I subscribe to the ideal of "DO YOU" ! Do your own thing and don't watch others. Please don't worry about Chris ! Do what YOU need to do in order to reach YOUR goals. The plan is for me to build up a collection of my work then to unleash it upon the world like a bear or lion that has been caged for five years (apart from me tearing off other people's ligaments). I say all that to say that Chris has his own path and destiny in life and I'm sure you do too. I've been running into people that have asked me, "well why haven't you got your exhibition in order yet Chris ?" Then they blabber on about what they're doing and what they've done over the past year or so. It just upsets me when people have misconceptions about what I'm about or what I'm doing in life. When none of us really know when our time is up on the planet. The best layed plans are not for mice and men, but for those who choose to follow they're own expectations, destiny, outlook on life and no one else.

Now with that said this piece that I have here was done over a period of 8 hours. I call it Patience as it symbolically represents where I currently am at the moment with regards to my designs and talent. Focus and patience plays a major part towards a successful outcome of any positive endeavor that one may pursue. All I have left to say is that I see myself whenever I look at this piece. Treatment is yet to be displayed on but only once I have figured out a colour scheme for what is done.

With that said people I send,
Love and Light !

Peace

ROOTS & CULTURE - International Year For People Of African Descent

The United Nations have declared 2011 as the quote on quote "year of African descent" throughout the global African diaspora. I have taken it upon myself to do some illustrations that I will be later applying on to T-shirts and other mediums to support this years awareness of African heritage and culture. To be honest I haven't heard anything about this throughout media outlets which upsets me. The best thing to do would only be for me to allow others to know that this is of major importance towards ones learning of tradition, customs, political & economic awareness as well as individual representation of ones heritage.

Please take time to read - INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR PEOPLE OF AFRICAN  DESCENT

Illustration 01

Illustration 02

Illustration 03

Illustration 04

Please share this information in relation to what this year signifies and the importance of recognising what it really means to be African. 

Love & Light

Thank you

MASCARADE

The man and the mask......!

What ever man !  

STEP, BY STEP, BY STEP - (Butterfly Carving)

NOT designed by Persona (Christopher Coker) /  Designed by Cissy Cook Designs

I always document and keep a visual track of any of my design efforts. This was an integral but yet mathematical way of me calculating my next move of a desired outcome. I have so many folders of planning and progressive steps towards all of my pieces (from school, college, university, post - uni) that one day I may decide to publish them to demonstrate trial and error in design. But any how enough of sharing what was. What is now is that I have just completed a piece that was inspired by my girlfriend or other half or female counterpart of yes, wait for it, (drum rolls please) Butterflies. Chris is not going soft people ! We had tattoos done a while back and she had a tat done of a Butterfly that she is going to expand in future as a major piece on her back. I mean she didn't flinch or bat an eye lid once lol.... The very fact that these creatures symbolize beauty definitely is fitting on her to say the least. No it's got nothing to do with Monarch mind control folks (conspiracy theory stuff they call it) lol.... Anyway here are the steps that I took towards the outcome of the piece.

 

Step 1 - Technically this is step 4. The first three steps involve finding or taking pictures of the images then the next would be digitally illustrating the images to the size / board format for the final outcome. The third would then be to scouple the design from paper after printed. Through out this process I then draw or sketch the image on to the board from the scoupled illustration until I am satisfied with the detail.

Step 2 - After the drawing on board is complete I then begin the carving process with my trusty tools. Usually starting by carving the pattern first.
















 

Step 3 - At this stage paying attention to detail is paramount for a good piece.

Step 4 - Now this is the outcome of the piece with the desired detail. There are two steps the are also implemented after this stage. The sanding of the piece then after the treatment via priming, varnish, paint etc...































The finish of the piece will be posted in near future people.

Watch this space.

Love & Light !