I've been painting the moon for a few years now. He always has a face, sometimes he's grinning with his eyes open, but usuallly he's asleep. I love luna moths. I got the idea for this one from a Lunesta commercial. I live in the country, and although it's very rare, I've seen luna moths. Only at night, maybe once every few years. They're huge and their color is amazing. I can't capture the subtle color variations and complex designs in a luna moth's wings, so I made this guy stylized.

One of the biggest problems for me in creating these designs is the limitations due to the printing process. I worked in the pre-press department at a book manufacturing company a few years ago, and although I'm sure printing T-shirts has its own quirks, I understand what can and can't be done. I'm a painter, so I'm used to picking up my brushes and placing tints and shades, tiny lines, and texture wherever I want.

I've known artists who feel that making art with an end product in mind kills the creative process. I disagree. To me, it gives it a purpose. Yes, making something that you love can be its own purpose, but the thought of having people where my artwork is pretty cool. Someone said to me that they wouldn't want their work "reduced to a piece of clothing". Reduced? It's not hanging in a museum, but it's hanging in someone's closet. People buy it because they like it. It's mobile, it's on their bodies because they want people to see it and associate it with some part of their personality. What better compliment can you get? If there's no T-shirt museum, someone should build one.

I'm babbling, again. It's 4:26 am and I can't sleep. This is usually about the time that I turn in. I actually went to bed before 10 last night, so I'm sitting here wondering what I will do with the rest of my "night". I guess I'll score some designs.

Does anyone know how common it is to have a submission rejected? I've submitted four designs and half of them were rejected. With one design, they gave me a reason that actually did make a lot of sense. For the other one, they basically said that they didn't like it (in nicer words). I'm not complaining, it's beneficial to everyone that they have a screening process. I'd like to hear that someone has had a design rejected to later go on and have something printed.

Thanks for taking the time to read my words, and most importantly, look at my work. More to come!