Hello everyone. I must apologize for the long time between posts and adding new art. I can’t believe it has been this long. Hope is well on your end. Okay back to the update. Today we will be adding a couple of new caricatures and a couple old caricatures with new paint schemes. I have been very busy the last few weeks with at least 6 commissions. A couple will have to wait until after the holidays as they are gifts and I would hate to give away a surprise. First up are a couple for Australian helos. A CH-47D Chinook A15-103. This helo carries the paint scheme use during a Afghanistan deployment. It operates with C sq. 5th AVN Regiment “Brahmans” at RAAF base Townsville. The second Aussie helo is a S-70A-9 Blackhawk serial number A25-202. This machine is with 171st Aviation Sq. 6th AVN Regiment. The caricature is unusual as I added a flag background (at the customers request) and I really like the look and feel. It appears I have a following down under. I would like to thank both gentleman who commissioned these prints and hope all the crewman enjoy the caricatures.

Next up is a new version of my King Air. The is a UC-2F King Air with the US Navy in Japan. The aircraft, BUNO 163562 is attached to ComFairWestPac at NAF Atsugi Japan. This caricature is unique in that it was requested with a background suitable for its location. I think it came out really nice. I followed this caricature up with one of the several US Navy Centennial celebration special paint schemed aircraft. I recently saw a post on Facebook (yes I am on facebook) by the US Navy, showing a TC-12B Huron (King Air) painted in a early WWII paint scheme. Upper blue/gray over light gray with red and white rudder strips. I naturally took my King Air and painted it in the same scheme. The aircraft in the photo showed a VT-35 Stingray aircraft, but I could not make out the BuNu so I just used the same one as my King Air. So it is not 100% accurate to the VT-35 aircraft but damn close. I hope you enjoy.

Lastly today I have created a totally fictional paint scheme for my F/A-18C caricature. Using the US Navy’s Centennial paint schemes as a guide, I thought that it would be cool to see a current fighter in a historic scheme. Here is my version of a Heritage Scheme. I used the markings carried by VF-84 in the final stages of WWII. Flying F4U Corsairs off the USS Bunker Hill VF-84 aircraft were over all Gloss Sea Blue and at times carried a yellow nose band. I tried to be as accurate as possible. I based the scheme on LtCdr. Roger R. Hendrick’s aircraft. Hendrick was credited with 12 victories and 4 probables during the war. If you want to see other caricature in Heritage Schemes just let me know.

So there you have it. 5 new caricatures to tempt you. The Holidays are fast approaching. Blackheart Art caricatures make great holiday gifts. I am currently running a sale on all back stock prints. These are prints we take to air shows. I have a huge selection of 8.5×11 prints and a few 11×14’s, and a small collection of 12×17 prints left. Feel free to send me an email and I can let you know if the print you are looking for is available.

One last add. I am starting to make available some of my air show pictures. These are fine art images mostly black and white, that I feel would make good art style pictures. They are available through a web site I have used for posting sports photographs. The address is www.blackheartart.smugmug.com You can order prints directly through them as they handle everything. Prints are printed at a high quality photo lab and sent directly to you. Please feel free to swing by that site and let me know what you think.

So there you go, a healthy update just in time for the Holidays. I am hoping to have a few more updates before the new year. So keep checking back. Thanks to everyone who has supported Blackheart art in 2010.

Hello everyone. It has been awhile since I updated. Even without the updates I have been busy. Besides all the caricatures and stuff, my nephew is beginning his final year of high school and play varsity football. I have been “drafted” to help out the booster club and have designed buttons and tee shirt designs for the team. Also I have been putting together a year end annual for the players. Go RAMS!!!!!

All that aside I have been working on several caricatures. Currently I have been putting the finishing touches on a Australian Blackhawk for a customer who flies the helo. I am also working on a CH-47, again for an Australian customer, and I have a order for an A-29 Tucano that operates with the Dominican Republic AF.

Today I add a couple of different kinds of art for your pleasure. I was talking with a gentleman who makes patches and he suggested doing some caricatures that had “A little more caricature”. Sounds strange but I sat down and tried to do something other then side view. I settled on an F/A-18E as it would apply to so many squadrons today, and came up with a VFA-137 “Kestrels” CO aircraft. Please let me know what you think. If this style appeals to everyone I might try it with more aircraft. When I finished this caricature I tired my hand at using it as a basis for a patch design. I used the current VFA-137 patch design and incorporated the caricature. The unit colors on their patch were dark blue edged with orange, but I wanted to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of Naval Aviation that was coming up next year and used a lighter blue edged in gold. I think it came out pretty cool. Any squadrons out there here is a cool idea for a special patch for the coming anniversary…. hint hint hint.

Wow I just realized that I did not add two caricatures that I completed a month ago. My bad. Lately I felt the urge to re-visit some old caricatures I had done early on and try to improve the look. The Hawker Seafury was a natural choice. There are several flying today and many race at Reno. Naturally I started with a military version and picked the Mig killer Seafury flown by Lt. Peter Carmichael of No 802 Squadron. Several Mig-15’s jumped 4 Seafurys in Aug 1953, and made the mistake of tuning with the slower propeller aircraft. While several Seafurys got shots off at the Migs, the Navy decided that it was Charmichael who would get credit for the kill. After completed that Seafury I decided to turn to one of the most famous Seafurys. “Baby Gorilla” was a FB11 Seafury owned and raced by Lloyd Hamilton for many years. I want to document the different paint schemes carried by this Seafury during here flying career. First up is the paint scheme she carried after Mr Hamilton purchased the aircraft. (A quick note here: prior to this, she carried an almost identical scheme in red. ) Next I will do Baby Gorilla in her most famous sea foam green and light gray scheme similar to a military scheme. She is currently undergoing a restoration by her new owner in Europe.

Lastly just for fun I did a patriotic pin-up. I call her “Bullet Babe” every now and then you just have to play with those dangerous curves.

Look for more stuff soon. I have a request for a Bf-110 from a fan who would love to see that caricature and so maybe soon. Again as usual let me know what you would like to see.

Have a great weekend.

Okay here we go. It has been awhile since I updated. You got to hate those computer issues that force you to rest to factory spec’s, reloading all programs and stuff.

First up today is a commission I recently completed for a customer in Oregon. He wanted a caricature of a Globe Swift. He owned the aircraft back in the 70’s. It was a real interesting aircraft to work on.

Next is my second World War I aircraft and one of my favorites from that war. I have always thought the Albatros D V was a very clean and sleek aircraft for its day. This Albatros was flown by German ace Ltn d R Ernst Udet, while operating with Jasta 37. Udet finished the war with 62 kills and if I am not mistake was the highest scoring German ace to survive the war. Udet had a streamer attached to his aircrafts elevator, but I did not what to add space to the rear of the aircraft so I extended his scarf. I will probably be adding another Albatros as there are a few with some pretty colorful markings out there.

Lastly here is something a little different. In my youth, which today seems light years ago, I was a fan of a BBC TV show called Thunderbirds. It was a show created by Gerry Anderson that featured puppets instead of usual hand drawn animation. The show chronicles the exploits of International Rescue, a organization created by Jeff Tracy and his family. The had All sorts of aircraft and space vehicles numbered 1-5 dedicated to global rescue efforts. I was always partial to Thunderbird 2, which was a huge VTOL heavy lift vehicle that carried a massive interchangeable pod in its center section. These pods carried rescue equipment tailored to which ever mission was needed. Here I have tried to capture Thunderbird 2 in my own special caricature style. This may start a whole new category of caricatures from TV and Movies. I think I might try a Viper fighter from Battlestar Galactica next, or maybe a Star Wars X Wing. They should make cool caricatures. If you have any suggestions please let me know. It’s always fun to expand out side the box and try new things.

I would like to take a minute to thank all the fans of my art for following this web page and I hope you enjoy the art. It is greatly appreciated.

Also there was a gentleman out there that sent me an email regarding my EC-121 caricature. He brought to my attention that the markings and patches I had on the art work were good but that they were slightly inaccurate. Sometimes when doing a caricature of older aircraft and researching units and bases it’s difficult to fine examples of the older unit logos. This was a example, finding 1960 era patches for current squadrons usually leads to the current versions. So I used the more current example. Anyway long story short the gentleman sent me a picture of the patch and suggested changes to the logos on the tail of the aircraft as well as the base where the unit was locate in the 60’s. I have made those changes, but due to the recent computer issues I have lost his email address. I can only hope he reads my updates and will email me. Once I get a watermark on that new version I will be posting it to the site.

Ohh and there will be a new Seafury coming soon. I have started painting and should have it completed in a few days.

Thats it for now……. oh if you are a movie buff… FYI Scott Pilgrim vs the World is a very good, fun movie and if you were thinking about the Expendables…… save you money.

Good afternoon to you. Today I have one new caricature to add to my collection. This art work is one I have been wanting to do for awhile. I had her sitting on the drawing table for longer then I should have. But paying gigs take priority so I kept pushing her back. Sounds good right….. well truth be know I hate lettering and I cheat every chance I get. This time I, for some reason, just had a hard time with the lettering. So I kept putting it off….. anyway I finally found a few good close up views and recreated the nose art. Here is another air racer, and one of my favorites to boot. For some reason this little racer just screams Golden Age of Air Racing. “Czech Mate” is heavily modified Yak-11. First conceived by Bob Yancey who was a race veteran, flying his F4U Corsair, the Yak took shape. Yancey started with the basic 700 hp trainer and proceeded to apply good old American hot rod mentality to the project. He traded up in the engine department by fitting a massive 2,200 hp P&W R2800-CB-10 to the airframe. Replaced the fabric covered fuselage, which would never hold up to race speeds, and added a racing canopy. The aircraft preformed well under the name “Perestroika” and soon found her way into the gold races. The aircraft changed hands a few times and was acquired by John and Marcia Moore who named her “Czech Mate”. They added a few mods, namely a taller tail, and today Czech Mate is a solid contender at the Reno Championships. I hope you enjoy.

Remember all prints are available in 2 sizes 12×17 and 8.5×11. Prices are very reasonable. I also do commission works. So if you see anything you like please don’t hesitate to email me.

Hey to all….. Today we add a few new caricatures. One I have had in mind for a few years but never got around to and one to honor a great pilot and one to complete my USA medium bomber collection. First up we have the famous Martin B-26 “Flak Bait” This aircraft flew more missions then any other US bomber (and for that matter any bomber) during WWII. Currently Flak Bait is on display that the National Air and Space Museum. Okay well at least the fuselage is on display. Lets hope someday they put this great bomber back together and display her as she should be seen, complete and whole. The big boys of the Eighth AF and the 17’s and 24’s seem to get all the press but the boys that flew the lower level missions hop scotching across occupied France following the front line troops should be given there due.

Next up I venture back to where this whole caricature art started. Back in the day I started doing these caricatures after the ill fated Reno Air Races in 2001. Yep just a day or so after 9-11, I traveled up to the races for my first planned 4 day attendance. Usually I was there just on the weekend. Well as we all know the FAA grounded all aircraft for several days….. including the racers which washed out the event. I did attend one or two days photographing the racers and hoping they would get a special reprieve to race. After, I wanted to do something different. I had done a few fine art pencil drawings of the racers, but felt there needed to be something unique. So I started doing the caricatures. Well now I return to the air racing scene. One of the most reliable racers to graced the circuit is Frank Sanders Sea Fury T Mk.20 “Dreadnought“. She is a beautiful beast with a very unique sound. Wonderfully crafted, Mr. Sanders fitted a Pratt & Whitney R-4360 to this racer and created a great. She won The National Championship in her first outing, a rare feat, under the skilled hands of Neil Anderson in 1983 with a speed of 425.242. Each and every year ‘Dreadnought’ finds her way into the gold finals and always finishes well. She is one of the best and a fine tribute to a great air racing family.

One name is synonymous, with air racing. He has been at just about every air race since Reno started. Under his watchful eye every unlimited race was started, and many in-flight emergencies were skillfully handled to a successful conclusion. His “Gentleman you have a race” was music to the ears of race fans everywhere. Oh and lets not forget his amazing air show performances in the Shrike Aero Commander and his striking P-51D. Yep Mr. Robert A. “Bob” Hoover. To honor this wonderfully kind and gracious man I have added his famous P-51D, know to many as “Old Yeller”, to my air racers.. She has been seen in several paint schemes, Evergreen and Rockwell International. I took nostalgic trip through the many pictures I took while attending air shows and races and found several from the 1985 Reno National Championships. So I have done my best to recreate that scheme. I hope you enjoy.

So what’s next. Well seeing as I am doing the air racer theme, I should finish up a few I have been playing with for a few months. Stiletto, and Czech Mate. Two of my favorite racers. They just need some fine tuning and last bit of details. I also have a B-29 waiting for paint, a new Sea Fury caricature (thought I would revisit some of my earlier art and spruce it up a bit), and something slightly different. If any air racing fans out there want to see their favorite racer, just email me and let me know what your looking for. Enjoy the new art and see you soon.

Hello everyone. Today we add a couple of new art works. First up is a caricature that was commissioned by a customer. He is a big fan of L. A. County Fire Department helicopters. He requested a Bell 412 in those markings. Here we have one of the Bell 412’s operated by the L.A. County Fire Dept. This is Air 18. This particular caricature was a very time consuming art work. There is allot of detail in this one. Working helos seem to have lots of stuff hanging of them, lights, mirrors, hoists, antenna, etc. I really like the way this one came out. Even thought it took longer then usual the extra detail is well worth it. Hope you enjoy it.

Next up is a fun little caricature I have wanted to do for some time. As an aviation fan growing up I was always a fan of the SR-71. The Blackbird. That high speed bat out of hell aircraft that was seeming mysterious. Speed was super fast. Sleek and exciting to think about it’s true performance numbers. I had the opportunity to see the Blackbird at a few air shows in the late 70’s and 80’s. Awesome aircraft. So when I started doing caricatures the Blackbird was a obvious choose. It is a unique aircraft to caricaturize. Long and sleek and simple, and just one color. So when you try and do a caricature…. lets just say interesting. I think I got it pretty good, finally. It was a caricature I played with for a long time. This SR-71 s/n 64-17976 was first flown in 1967. She flew missions during the Vietnam War, and later in the Middle East. Currently she is enjoying her retirement at the USAF Museum at Wright Patterson AFB.

Anyway that’s it for today. Next, we hope to have a B-26 (Flak Bait??), B-29, Enola Gay, Dreadnought, the air racing Seafury and something special.

Okay yes I just updated the web site yesterday, and I said I would be finishing up the F-111F and will I guess I had already finished it. I was so caught up in doing the Burbank Helo that…… well enough of that. Here is the USAF F-111F. The aircraft s/n 71-0891, flew with the 48th TFW during the first Gulf War. Based in Lakenheath, UK. While participating in Desert Storm she flew out of Taif, Saudi Arabia. I have also seen picture of this aircraft carrying the name “East Anglia” on the nose. I almost added it just for the fun of it.

Second up, we have a Douglas A-1H Skyraider. This one in USAF markings. 134-555, “The Proud American” flew with the 602nd SOS/ 56th SOW out of Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. I do not have any information on the pilot assigned to this aircraft. I saw this aircraft in a Squadron Signal book TAC by Lou Drendel. During my research I found several “Proud American” SPADS. One had a eagle in the middle of the text. But I used the picture as my main reference. It was from the right side and showed the markings fairly well. Also during my research I found conflicting information as to tail codes, bases and units. So if anyone has anymore information on this aircraft I would love to hear from you. I think I will be doing another USAF Skyraider. I found a very interesting on-line book by a Skyraider pilot and I think I might do one of his aircraft. This caricature is dedicated to the brave Sandy pilots that flew into harms way to save fellow aviators shot down over enemy territory, escorting the Jolly Green helos on SAR missions.

Okay that’s it for now. And as usual if you see what you like drop me a line and let me know. I love to hear from those that enjoy my art.

Ohh and one last add. A gentleman I met at the Planes of Fame air show, a photographer who works with a on line magazine called Air Show Stuff on-line, was kind enough to mention me and my art in the latest issue of the magazine. There is an article on the Planes of Fame air show that is worth reading. So go to www.airshowstuff.com and check out the June issue, there are some great photographs from some of the air shows around the country. The one on the Corsairs is great.

Wow it seems like forever since I added any new caricatures to the site. Hopefully that will not be true for to long. Today I add a special caricature. This particular art work is the raffle prize that Burbank Police won at the Pasadena fly-in. They have three MD-500N’s which operate as part of the Burbank Glendale Joint Air Support Unit. They choose to have their newest 500N be the subject of this caricature. (I looks like they may also have the other two helos done as well) This then is MD-500N N103CG. I think this caricature came out really well. There is allot of detail in there. Plus the colors look really good. It was a pleasure working with these guys. I had the opportunity to go out and shoot a few extra shots at their hanger and they were very helpful and informative regarding the helos and the differences between each aircraft. Really good bunch of guys and I really want to thank them for their assistance.

So what’s next. Well I have another commission on the board. That would be a Bell 412 helicopter. This one in the colors of the LA County Fire Dept. So it looks like I will be staying with the helo’s for a little bit longer. Speaking of helos I am also drawing up a AH-1 Cobra as there was lots of interest in a Cobra caricature. I am also drawing a B-29, B-26, F-100, F-105, SR-7, F-35 and a DC-9. So look for several new caricatures soon. The B-29 is something I added after reading “Masters of the Air” by Donald L. Miller. This is a very good book detailing the Eighth Air Force during WWII. In there I learned that Col. Paul Tibbets flew lead on the first Eighth Air Force daylight raid against German, and obviously he is best know for flying Enola Gay and dropping the first atomic bomb. I thought it would be fun to have his B-17 and his B-29 on the same print. first bombing mission and one of the last missions of the war. Also the F-100 will be a nod to all the Misty pilots out there. After reading “Bury Us Upside Down” by Rick Newman and Don Sheppard (himself a Misty pilot) I had to create a caricature to honor those brave men. If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it. I think I will also repaint my A-1 Skyraider into USAF markings for all the Sandy pilots out there. Well that about updates everything so far. If you have any suggestions as to markings for any of these forth coming caricatures let me know. If you flew any of these great aircraft I would love to hear from you.

One last add. I have just about finished a USAF F-111. So all you F-111 fans will finally have a US version.

May we all remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice during the battles for our freedoms. Happy Memorial day.

Today we add a couple of art works that are commissions. First up we have an updated B-52. This time a G model which flew missions during Operation Desert Storm. “Lets Make A Deal”, B-52G s/n 58-0173, was one of the first B-52’s deployed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. In fact she launched out of her home base, Wurtsmith AFB, MI., in the early morning hours of Jan. 18, 1991 and flew an 18.5 hour mission to Saudi Arabia. During the war she completed 42 missions for a total of 190.6 hours. The aircraft retired to AMARC at Davis Monthan AFB, with a total of 14,331 hours accumulated flying time. This art work was commissioned by a EWO who stood alert in this aircraft while at Wurtsmith, as well as flew a few missions during Desert Storm.

Next up we have another KC-10 Extender aircraft. This one has a special background which includes three F-22’s approaching for much needed fuel. This is a special retirement print for a member of the 605th AMXS. As you can see we can accommodate all kinds of requests for custom prints.

I have also added a couple pictures I took at the Plane of Fame air show. A P-51D from the 352nd FG. “Heller Bust” looked factory fresh and as even carrying a couple bombs on the under wing pylons. The detail of this restoration is awesome as even the bomb arming wires were included. She looked great in the air and along with all the other Mustangs that seemed to be everywhere. There was at least 12-15 P-51’s in the air at one time early in the show. From an A-36, a P-51A, a P-51B/C and numerous D’s, the Mustang seemed to dominate the show. Lets not forget there were also two P-38’s at the show and the second picture I have added is a great formation shot of a P-38 and an unmarked P-51D. Again if you have never been to this air show make sure you put it on the calendar for next year. Prints of these two pictures are available for purchase.

I also want to announce that we will be discontinuing the 11×14 size prints. Going forward we will be offering a 12×17 size print in place of the 11×14. The prints will be priced at $35. Not to much of an increase seeing as the paper is a heavier weight then the older 11×14 size and slightly bigger size. There are some 11×14 prints still available of existing prints and they will be offered until they are gone. The cost will remain the same, $30.

That’s about it for now. Enjoy the holiday weekend and keep checking back as there are lots of new art works coming soon.