I know it isn’t quite time for pumpkins. But I found this from last fall and it got me really excited. September is only a month away.
And Pumpkins are awesome!
Category: art
Videogames Shaped my Education. A post in Honor of Phoenix Art Museums Video Game Exhibit.
Phoenix Art Museum (Video Game Art Exhibition)
The Phoenix Art Museum (PAM) is featuring an exhibition all about video games. This is one of my favorite places to visit and it is an amazing tool and resource that promotes both art and education. Once I heard there was a video game exhibition coming to town I began reflecting on whether or not video games should play a role in the world of education. Video games clearly provide an outlet for art and fantasy, and after reflecting a bit, I realized I definitely needed to write about my feelings towards video games. Both from the perspective of an artist, educator, and fan… or should I say, ‘Superfan!’
As a teacher I’ve been approached about video games by everyone, from other teachers to students and parents. A common complaint from teachers and parents is: “Our kids play too many video games!” This makes kids defensive but I understand how the kids feel. They want to ditch school to stay home and play video games all day. As entertaining as video games are, they also played a huge role in me developing a passion for art. The question is – are games responsible, at all, for my education?
The truth is, some video games are violent and some are inappropriate, but this also relates to a common misconception that anything that plugs into a PlayStation is intended for someone 12 and under. This is most certainly not the case. I might also add that many of these inappropriate games were of no interest to me.
I played a little Mario Bros in the 90’s just like every other kid. By the time I hit middle school I was conquering whole worlds, saving planets, and obsessing over RPGs. I had demanding parents who said I should put away those games and actually read a book; I was “rotting” my brain. However, if they would have stayed with me for an hour, they would have watched me read for at least a third of that time. They would have seen me problem solve and brainstorm. In RPGs like ‘Final Fantasy’ you are required to follow detailed directions (even take notes at times) and apply prior knowledge from the game and from life.
In games like this you grow to be compassionate for the characters, villages, societies and cultures. In final fantasy you watch how a monarchy and a democracy play a role in different towns and distant places. You have to know how to balance a budget and some games even ask you to run an entire community. Then there is the fiction! The amount of fantasy and creative art is just erupting from every corner. From subtle quirky characters, to elaborate landscapes and purple sunsets.
I have been an educator for 3 years. I have worked in several different public schools and listened as teachers and parents continue to blame video games for destroying our childrens’ minds and diminishing their ability to learn, which clearly isn’t the case. At the same time, I hear these parents mention how violent and inappropriate these games are for our kids. I want to say to these colleagues, and parents that the next time they watch their 9 year old play ‘Modern Warfare’ or ‘Grand Theft Auto,’ try not to decide at that point that video games are to blame. Be advised that there is a sticker on that game that says, “Intended for Mature Audiences!” I certainly don’t want my second grader playing a game like ‘Grand Theft Auto.’ You can apply the same advisory when reading books to children. Believe me, I think books are amazing for kids, but when I was teaching kindergarten I never invited my students to the rug for story time so I could read them excerpts from Fifty Shades of Grey.
As a child I hated school. I got all Fs since elementary school and I was labeled as a big fat failure! I would skip class and I would daydream about my fantasy world. I couldn’t wait to get back there. A world that I never shared with anyone else because they just couldn’t see it as the positive thing it was. I hyper focused on those games. I have an obsession with story telling, fantasy, art, drawing, and imagination. I want to surround myself with fantasy and creativity. I may have failed a few math tests when I was in school, but did I rot my brain playing video games instead of studying? The answer is no. They gave me the education that public school didn’t. It made me the artist, teacher, and compassionate family man I am today.
A Break From Drawing
I decided to take a break from drawing portraits tonight. Instead I spent my day relaxing and cooking. Things got real creative in the kitchen. I made quiches today. I whipped up some pie crusts and made one sausage quiche. I wanted to make another quiche that was a bit more unique. Shitake mushrooms were on sale at Fry’s. I also bought asparagus and spinach. I caramelized some onions and started assembling the quiche.
When time came to add the cheese I did as I normally do. I add mild white cheese like baby Swiss and white cheddar. But here’s the twist, I had a little blue cheese left in the fridge from a salad I made. So I mixed that with the other cheeses. It turned out great.
This quiche has this beautiful earthy flavor. It’s amazing. The blue cheese is still mild. The quiche is creamy and full of vegetables.
Progress photo of a portrait
Here is the start of a portrait Drawing I’m working on. With this drawing I will be focusing on creating life like features. I want This drawing to look just like the photo.
When I do a custom drawing its usually full of gesture and has a lot of sketchbook characteristics. I decided to do the opposite with this one. I’m gonna blend the graphite and draw very softly. Id like to render this drawing into a very realistic looking face.
Guess who’s drawing at comicon.
“But didn’t you just go to Comicon Andrew?” “Why yes, yes I did.”
Tucson is having they’re annual comic convention. And I was so successful at the phx comicon that I decided to take a little road trip down to Tucson in November.
I am so excited. I will be doing a drawing and painting series of all my favorite scifi spaceships. I’ll also be doing commission drawings, and selling custom portraits. Come check out andrew’s pencil at the Tucson comicon.
Portrait artist, pencil drawings, custom art and design. Thank you internet, for letting me share what I do with the whole world.
So summer vacation is officially over. And my summer of portrait art is over. My first attempt at becoming a portrait artist was a success. In 2.315 months I was able to draw all of the pictures you see displayed. These custom drawings and commission works were all a result of selling custom drawings on etsy, using google adwords to promote my website, even getting jobs off my facebook page. I had a blast. I worked my butt off, and I’m not making as much money as I was teaching, but this custom drawing, doing portrait drawings. It’s what I was born to do. Thank you internet, for making it so easy to share what I do with so many people. Check out andrewspencil.com if you want more drawings
“TUNA ON TOP” Oil painting By: Andrew Horvath
Another original sushi painting. Oil on 16”X11” limited edition prints will be available at the end of august. 
SUSHI (Series update)
I have finally had my paintings professionally photographed. This means that the limited edition prints will be printed soon.
Drawing Tutorial (portrait drawings structure and foundation, part 1)
Alright, I finally finished another Tutorial video. I promise to be a bit more prompt with the next video. 🙂 This is an awesome video though. It talks about the structure and foundation of portrait drawing. Let me know what you think!
Sushi Series (Sneak Peek)
here is a sneak peek at a portion of the sushi series up for display! Let me know if it makes you hungry?
Andrew Horvath 