Randy McQuien, Jr.

Etta James

righthandillustrator — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:36:03 +0000

I was 18 years old when I moved to Memphis, TN to attend an art college. I was just beginning to realize that art was more than just being creative and drawing pretty pictures. It meant much more to me. My feeling about creating art evolved to an emotional, mental, and sometimes spiritual level. Around the same time I took a music appreciation course that incorporated rock and roll, doo wop, rockabilly, and blues. I loved it. I began listening to B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, Elvis, Muddy Waters, Wanda Jackson, Buddy Guy, and Etta James, while drawing and painting their portraits/caricatures. I felt that I was creating a better likeness that captured an essence of who these musicians really were at that time.

I still occasionally listen to the likes of Memphis Slim, Big Mama Thorton, and John Lee Hooker while I’m working on art. I think after today I will be listening to much much more. Rest in Peace Ms. Etta James.

“Etta James, whose powerful, versatile and emotionally direct voice could enliven the raunchiest blues as well as the subtlest love songs, most indelibly in her signature hit, “At Last,” died Friday morning in Riverside, Calif. She was 73.” – The New York Times/Music

Double Portrait

righthandillustrator — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:21:37 +0000

Hey Jon,

I wanted to let you know that you are an incredible chef. The meal that you made on the night of my proposal to Janelle was nothing less than superb. I can’t thank you enough for helping make that night perfect. I hope you enjoy the double portrait that I made for you and your beautiful wife. Thanks again, buddy.

Portrait Sketch

righthandillustrator — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:44:24 +0000

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il

righthandillustrator — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:22:51 +0000

(CNN) — North Korea’s enigmatic leader Kim Jong Il — who, after succeeding his father 17 years ago, captained his poor, closed nation and antagonized its enemies — is dead, state media reported Monday. Kim Jong Il, 69

Happy Holidays

righthandillustrator — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 02:56:19 +0000

I am just finishing up a few drawings of a pretty cute dog named Seamus for a Holiday Card. This is the first of three drawings that I’m working on now and I wanted to share it with you. If you are interested in a portrait of your dog, cat, snake, or flying pygmy squirrel for the holidays contact me. Thanks for checking out my blog. Happy Holidays!

Quick Commission

righthandillustrator — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:38:56 +0000

Recently completed commission. Thanks Tricia. I hope you’re as happy with it as I am.

Float like a Butterfly

righthandillustrator — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:25:39 +0000

Last night I did not sleep. Instead I stayed up drawing. I remember doing this sort of thing in college and at the Illustration Academy with other sleep deprived caffeine junkies, but that’s been years ago. Crazy thing is, I loved it then and I still do now. I was completely at peace and happy.

I wasn’t working on my next masterpiece by any means but I was in the zone and I ran with it. I hope you enjoy the drawings of my art filled sleepless night.

Landscape at Cheekwood

righthandillustrator — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 23:58:07 +0000

For those of you who have been lucky enough to visit Cheekwood Botanical Garden and Museum you will know that this is one of the most beautiful and peaceful location in Tennessee. For the artists out there, each direction you look there is another vision waiting to be photographed, drawn, or painted.

This past Father’s Day I had the opportunity to set up my easel, paints, and palette knives and start a painting in the Herb Garden. It wasn’t long after I set up, children and entire families came up to me to see what I was doing. It was a fun experience talking with the kids and parents about painting and art. A couple hours later I finished my painting, packed up and headed home with a piece of art that captures a small glimpse of what Cheekwood has to offer. I’m sure to be back again and again.

Arrington Vineyard Landscape

righthandillustrator — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:02:42 +0000

A couple of weeks ago my fiance and several friends of ours visited a vineyard outside of Nashville, TN called Arrington. We enjoyed a few bottles of wine, several games of dominoes, and beautiful weather. Here is a picture and a painting of that occasion.

crucifixion

righthandillustrator — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:19:21 +0000

It might have been back when I was in college during a Thanksgiving Break, before The Passion of the Christ was released in 2004, my grandfather approached me with a challenging and specific request to paint a crucifixion. He asked me to depict a realistic image of Jesus Christ on the cross with torn flesh and a blood covered body. I told him I’d think about it, but to be honest, I did not want to do it at all. Not until a couple weeks ago when I had a dream. I was watching myself paint on a huge canvas with a tiny paint brush with my nose inches away from the surface. I felt annoyed and walk up, throwing the brush aside, I grabbed a large palette knife and said, “not like that, like this.” It was like the other me never existed as soon as I touched the canvas. And that was it, when I woke up I needed to paint. It has taken me over 7 years to begin this painting and three weeks to finish.

I did not paint in a realistic and detailed style my grandfather wanted, but in a more energetic manner that I think he’ll like nontheless. The smooth and somber washes of the background contrasts with the body and cross, scratched and scarred, layered with thick paint that I applied using a palette knife and my hands.