December 31, 2013

Happy New Year 2014 From Mr Bean

Well, the year is almost over. It's been a fun and busy 2013 and i'm expecting 2014 to be even better. This is my yearly New Year Br. Bean manipulation using a source image of a Saturday Evening Post cover by one of my favorite American Illustrators Joseph Christian Leyendecker. Happy new Year everyone!!











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December 13, 2013

Rodney Pike Caricature Morph 2013



This is a morphing video I started working on two years ago and never finished. The project was put together with Abrosoft FantaMorph. It features some of my photo manipulations and caricatures cropped for the face morphing most of which were completed prior to 2012. I hope you enjoy!

Musical Credit: The background music is called "Lil Indigo" by Rock Grooves Volume-13











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December 04, 2013

Norman Jaillet - Caricature Portrait Commission

This is my latest caricature portrait commission of Google+ and facebook acquaintance, Norman Jaillet. Norman is an amature photographer. The original source image was taken on a recent trip to Singapore. 











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November 25, 2013

Lou Reed - Perfect Day

A little late on delivering this after Lou Reed's passing, but it is a tribute, nonetheless.













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November 07, 2013

Limited Offer - Custom Caricature Profile Pic Only $50.00 US


I have had many people interested in a caricatured profile pic by me but since I do mainly print work and require hi res images, the price is a bit out of some folks' range. I'm offering a low res profile pic for only 50 bucks. I will accept the first ten $50.00 PayPal payments and guarantee delivery within 30 days or money back. This will be a trial to see if I can maintain the pace and price. If so, I will extend the offer. For now, it's first come first serve!! The PayPal address is RodneyWPike@gmail.com.

Source image recommendations:
  • Good quality, clear, sharp images. (the larger the better) 
  • Shoot head-shots in early morning indirect light for best results. (several)
  • The pose shouldn't be straight ahead. 3/4 angled poses work much better.
  • Expression: Ham it up. Goofy pictures make great caricatures.
  • Background: I usually recommend something that relates to you like a hobby or work, etc.











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September 26, 2013

The Rolling Stones - Take 2

The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
Tonight I'm posting a rare rework. I seldom return to an old work but this image of The Rolling Stones has been one of my most popular ones and I've had people asking to purchase it. The first one I did wasn't large enough for printing and I was never really happy with the outcome of the first one so I decided to rework it today. I have a really cool project to start after this so stay tuned. Pop me an email if you're interested in a print of this or any of my images!











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September 16, 2013

TriniGourmet serves up tasty twists with London Calling

TriniGourmet serves up tasty twists with "London Calling" crowdfunding campaign.

Port of Spain, Trinidad - September, 2 2013 - After 4 years of unsuccessful pitches to government and corporate entities, Trinidadian food blogger Sarina is turning to the public in the hopes of raising $6,000 USD to attend London's Food Blogger Connect in 2014. Sarina is the founder of the highly acclaimed site TriniGourmet.com and host of "Sweet Han': Caribbean Cooking with Sarina".
Says Sarina Bland, "International interest in Trinidadian food has never been higher, with recent profiles in the New York Times, culinary magazines and cooking shows. Food Blogger Connect is the world's leading food blogger conference. Attending will enable us to make critical networking connections with thought leaders and industry experts in foreign markets."
Funds raised will go towards conference tickets, airfare and accommodation as well as procuring the digital equipment needed to cover conference activities and fulfill donor rewards. Contributor perks include custom-created recipes, private virtual cooking classes, an exclusive coffee table book and much more.
"[Sarina] has shown us that our beloved Trini cuisine can compete with the haute cuisine of the world; that we are a “glam”, gourmet brand in our own right. I think that TriniGourmet is doing pioneering work, in this regard" - Jessie-May Ventour, veteran Trinidadian radio and television personality.

To learn more about "London Calling" and how you can support the campaign visit http://LondonCalling.trinigourmet.com Pledged donations will only be collected if the $6,000 USD goal is reached.
TriniGourmet.com, an award-winning blog, helps food lovers around the world add a dash of Caribbean Glam to their tables with "Sweet Han' Fuh So!" Since 2006 they've used the power of the Internet to spread awareness of authentic Trinidadian and Caribbean dishes. In seeking to preserve and elevate visual depictions of the region's culinary heritage they've enabled thousands throughout the Diaspora to recreate fond childhood memories. They've also introduced just as many (if not more) to a cuisine that still remains largely under promoted and increasingly vulnerable to dilution and misrepresentation. In 2011, Sam Sifton of the New York Times wrote "[Trinigourmet is] an essential guide to Caribbean Cooking at home".

If you would like more information about this campaign, or to schedule an interview with Sarina, please email Amefel Ong at:
support@TriniGourmet.com
LondonCalling.trinigourmet.com

Be sure and check out +Sarina Bland on Google+ as well as her Blog and YouTube Channel.










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September 12, 2013

View My Caricatures on Bitmado, A New Free Mobile App

Today’s post is to announce my most recent collaboration with a pretty cool Android mobile app called bitmado. They call it a “shuffling wallpaper engine” on their official description and I can see why after playing around with it on my Nexus 7. By following the wallpaper category called “caricatures”on bitmado, you’ll be able to see my artwork shuffling live on both your homescreen and lockscreen! Best of all, it’s absolutely free to download. I’ve posted a link to the bottom so you guys can check it out. Meanwhile, here’s a preview!
What makes bitmado unique is that you guys can actually upvote, downvote, or bump up images you like, dislike, or really, really like respectively. I guess you can say it’s kind of like the Reddit of mobile wallpapers. I’m actually curious as to which of my caricatures turns out to be the most popular!
I’d like to invite you guys to keep up with me on bitmado as I’ll be adding more of my caricatures regularly from my past collection as well as my newest ones. Click either of the images or the link below to download your FREE Bitmado app today.

Bitmado Demo Video
Download bitmado now through the Google Play Store:


Videos:



Follow Bitmado:













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September 01, 2013

Michelle Obama Caricature Study

Michell Omama
This is a caricature study of Michelle Obama. I have a hard time being tough on the ladies so this is a very mild caricature. She has a fun face though and very expressive. I may do another one and push that underbite a bit. I have been getting many requests about a tutorial or weninar. For those of you who don't know, I do have a full length webinar on photo-manipulated caricature illustration here.

On another note, I am collaborating with a couple of new clients. One is called ImageBrief and they will be helping me to sell some of my work for editorial purposes. My ImageBrief Portfolio is here. I am also working with a company called Bitmado and am providing images to be used on Android desktops. The official launch of the app is on Wednesday when I will bake a more detailed post and let you know how you can download the free app and if you wish, have some of my images as your desktop wallpaper. Until then!











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August 27, 2013

Hippoti-Hop

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Ummmmm, well.... I really don't have any excuse for this one... Oh yeah it's a texture experiment. :)











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Girafflack

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Don't ask me... I was bored. :)











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BassetRoo

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I'm making a few filler posts here as  have been very busy lately and my blog has suffered as a result. I'll have some cool new info and images to post soon. Meanwhile, here's a BassetRoo..??











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July 02, 2013

Bill Murray Another Caricature Study

Bill Murray
Yes, another Bill Murray. I counted and I have done caricature studies on Murray al least 6 times. Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I'm going through a divorce right now and I have been working on several projects that I have signed confidentiality agreements on. Hopefully I will be able to show some of that soon.

I reached a pretty cool milestone this past week. I am now in the Top 100 User Profiles on Google+ which can be viewed here. I worked really hard on building my internet presence and following across many social media platforms but Google+ has without a doubt the fastest growing. I am approaching the 2 million mark on followers with approximately 1.8 million at present and ranked 98th.

On another note, I am presently doing portraits at  an 80% discount. Email me to learn more: RodneyWPike@gmail.com.













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June 25, 2013

Old Bill Murray caricature Study

Bill Murray
This is a very old caricature study of Bill Murray I dug up today and decided to go ahead and upload. I could caricature Bill Murray for the rest of my life and not get bored. He's an amazing subject. This wan't the ideal source image but it is what it is. Hope you enjoy!













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June 11, 2013

Leslie Nielsen A Caricature Study

Leslie Nielsen
This is a quick caricature study of Leslie Nielsen, a true comedic genius. I've posted the source image I worked with below as well as the work in progress, (WIP) that I post on Google+ under the hashtag What's on the Wacom - #whatsonthewacom. I will also post a short video of Nielsen in action.














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June 10, 2013

What's on The Wacom - Leslie Nielsen WIP

What's on The Wacom #whatsonthewacom Google+ Post
This is a quick caricature study of one of my all time favorite comedians / actors Leslie Nielsen. This is in a very rough stage. I should have the finished caricature up on tomorrow's blog post. I like doing these works in progress and posting them online. It never fails, I always see the problems after I publish a WIP piece no matter how embarrassing it may be, it still helps me. Hopefully tomorrow it will look a little better.

In other news, I just picked up two large corporate commissions, so I will be hard at it in the coming weeks. They are both very secretive and I have signed non-disclosure agreements on both so I can't say anything about the jobs but they are sweeeeet!. It may take a little time on this work but I will hopefully have some super cool stuff to post as soon as I'm given the ok to release the work. I'm fired up!!











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June 01, 2013

James Gandolfini A Caricature Study

To start the month os June off, I'm posting a caricature study of James Gandolfini AKA Tony Soprano of The Sopranos. Below you'll find the source image used as well as a work in progress screen capture at about the half way point.
Screen Capture WIP













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May 27, 2013

Donna Bell an Inspirational Story of a Very Special Artist


Meet Donna Bell
For those of you who do not know Donna Bell, you're missing out. Donna was in a vehicle accident 34 years ago leaving her a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down. Donna was 15 at the time of the accident and had never been very good at art. It would be another 7 years until she discovered she had a natural talent for drawing and crochet. Donna immediately became proficient with her art. She believes it is God sent as she never had the ability to draw with her hands. She now draws and crochets using only her mouth. Be sure and visit this link to learn more about this incredible lady: http://theadvocate.com/DonnaBell. This is a complete story and video interview done by our local paper here in Louisiana, The Advocate.
Donna and I have been virtual friends for over two years now having met on facebook. We've chatted off and on since that time. It wasn't until very recently that I found that Donna had never had a power wheelchair or a suitable vehicle with a lift just to provide her basic needs and give her the ability to leave the house in the past 34 years. Donna and I finally met face to face about 3 weeks ago and have joined forces to get her a fundraiser in place with a goal of raising enough money to get her in that van. You may visit her fundraiser by clicking on the image below or following this link https://m.HelpHOPELive.org/campaign/4380. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and are fully tax deductable. 
Visit Fundraiser











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May 14, 2013

Bill Cosby - A Quick Caricature Study

I've been very busy lately and haven't made a post in a while so I took a little time today and did a quick caricature study of Bill Cosby. I've always admired Cosby for his incredible sense of humor and just for the kind of life he's lived. I loved those Jello Pudding commercials and the shows he did with children. I didn't have the heart to mess his face up too much so this one is pretty mild. 











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May 08, 2013

Featured Artist Donna Bell - Quadriplegic - Artist and Much More - Please Read

Today I have the pleasure of featuring a good friend of mine and fellow artist Donna Bell. I met Donna about two years ago on facebook but it hasn't been until very recently that we've connected on another level. Let me tell you a little about Donna's personal story.

Donna Bell is a native of Denham Springs, Louisiana which is how we first met because we are virtual neighbors, about 45 minutes drive between us. When I first met Donna on facebook and checked out her profile pictures, there were several albums, one with pictures of this day in her life that changed every aspect of her life. There were other albums with drawings she had done using only her mouth and even a couple of examples of crochet done also using only her mouth. I was absolutely astonished at what she is able to do in this manner. We chatted off and on over the past couple of years but recently there was a post that caught my eye and my heart.

Let me start by saying Donna has never had a powered wheelchair, nor a Custom Handicapped Van with a lift, required to transport a heavy chair like that in the 35 years since her accident. For 35 years, her family has had to lift her in and out of standard vehicles. 

Last week I happened across a post Donna made about a contest with a grand prize of a new customized van with a lift. I have entered several of these types of contests in the past with my art and never got close to winning. Internet voting can be very unfair. Regardless, I set out to get Donna some votes. Even with my vast social network over many social media platforms, I was only able to generate approximately 1% of what is needed for one of these vans. That fundraiser is now in effect at gofundme. GoFundMe allows users to create their own website to describe what they are raising money for. During this process, members can enter the fundraising cause, the amount they hope to raise, and even upload photos or video. Once the website is created, GoFundMe allows users to share their project with people through integrated social network links (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and email. People can then donate to a user’s cause through the website and track the progress of their funding. Those who donate can also leave comments on the website in support of the project. GoFundMe generates revenue by automatically deducting a 5% transaction fee from each donation a user receives. If the user receives no donations, then no charge is made.

GoFundMe is unique to crowdfunding in that they are not an incentive-based crowdfunding website. Although they do allow projects that are meant to fund other projects for musicians, inventors, etc., the business model is set up to allow for donations to personal causes and life events such as medical bills. GoFundMe also has a special section dedicated solely to users who are trying to raise money to cover their tuition costs. One of the most notable tuition projects involved helping a user raise $25,000 to pay out of state tuition to a PhD program after that user was selected among 125 applicants into that program. If you are in a position to give to this great cause, please visit: www.freedomfordonna.org which is Donna's donation page. If you can't give; this is very important, sharing this post could make a huge difference. Please at least share and tweet this story. We need $60,000.00 to get Donna in a new custom van and power wheelchair.
On June 28th 1979 Donna was is a horrible car accident. She was only 15 at the time of the wreck which broke her neck leaving her a quadriplegic C-3 C-4, unable to move from the shoulders down for the past 34 years. I tried to put myself in her shoes and think what would it be like not to feel the grass under my feet, the sand between my toes or to even hug her own Mom. We take so many things for granted and we can all lose them tomorrow. I feel compelled to help Donna reach her goals hence this post and the fundraiser link which I intend to share until the money is raised and I see Donna in that van.

Only since Donna has been paralyzed has she taught herself how to draw and crochet, by mouth, with the encouragement of family and friends as well as a whole lot of determination and commitment. Donna has a collection of her artwork on her facebook fan page if you would like to see more of her work and in greater detail. It's absolutely incredible what Donna is able to achieve artistically. It totally boggles my mind. I've also posted some of Donna's fun photo-manipulation work at the end of the post.

What now for Donna Bell? In time with the spreading of her story and helping to raise awareness of not only her disability but many others, she will be in a new custom van that will help her and her family tremendously. Donna is also scheduled for a featured interview with The Advocate Newspaper in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a few other things. You'll have to hang around to see what's next. Well, enough of me and my feelings about this; lets take a look at a sampling of the work this precious lady has done using only her mouth.
Yes, with her teeth!!
Donna's Photo-manipulations - Just for fun














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