Collection: M. J. Star Art in Times Square

I looked at the Spirit Girls. They were well done, but these pictures came to easily. I needed to challenge myself more. I needed to come up with something new, but not too new. By now, I was getting a wealth of positive feedback on my food deconstructions. I didn't want to shelve those skills. I needed a way to add cute girls to my food art.

I looked at Taste & Savor Brigit I like this picture, but it wasn't what I wanted for this new series. Art deco isn't quite me. It has no lines. I draw my lines bold. Art deco is painterly. I do cell shading. Its composition is simple. My composition is symmetrical and complex complete with dozens of elements, and, let's be honest, the subjects are all white and I draw every kind of ethnicity I can.

The savings were shrinking and only half the art battle was over. I knew what do. I just didn't know how to do it. I went back to the brewery that inspired Ms. Beer, Wine, and Honey Wine. While at Left Hand Brewery in Longmont, CO I ordered my favorite beer: The Flamingo Dreams. It clicked.

I called over Logan. He's been really encouraging so far. He'd be the one to answer this question on my tongue.

I told him that that I was going to be selling my art at Hops and Hope. I needed them to recommend 3 beers that would make good art. My thick lined, feminine, sensual, food art was a perfect candidate for some Art Nouveau posters.

Logan polled the rest of the wait staff and they collectively they recommend....

1. The Peanut Butter Milk Stout: Everyone knew about the milk stout, but it would be nice to push this new variation.
2. The Sawtooth Ale: it was their former flagship
3. The 145 Mexican Lager: It was about to go in season.

These and my favorite beer in the world were what started my Art Nouveau style that feels complete.

I was out hunting for more breweries. My art was getting really good. People really appeared to like it, but I was struggling to monetize my skills. The waitstaff at multiple places had tried hard to get my art noticed by management. It failed every time. The best bartenders can do is pay me in free food and alcohol. That changed after I started frequenting Collision Brewery.

This brewery really felt like the middle of nowhere. To the south, there were rolling hills of gold. To the east, a greyish haze I-25 car pollution. To the north, a mismatch of car dealerships and to America's west a perfect wide angel view of the sun setting on the Rocky Mountains.

I went to the car themed brewery one or so times before trying the first version of their Raspberry Gimlet. Both another patron and I agreed that it needed to be chilled before gracing the menu. The folks at Collision have followed my advice and I can confirm it is perfect.

A couple of visits later, I decided to draw a Collison Brewery piece. The raspberry gimlet that I reviewed seemed the natural choice. I brought my tablet and ordered one. I took and compiled the reference photos and prepped to draw.

The bartender asked if I needed anything.

I told him that I wanted to turn the raspberry gimlet into their into art. He informed me that there was more photogenic drink on their menu. I trusted his judgment and he came back with a pink drink garnished with an edible orchid.

Ladies and gentlemen. This why we talk and tip our waitstaff. In my case, it literally made my art better. I still might draw the raspberry gimlet one day, but for now, this picture is the Bee's Knees.

• Bride of Frankenstein serving Left Hand Brewery's Wake up Dead Imperial Stout and wearing LHB's recent rewards
• Headless Horseman drinking Javastop Cafe's Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Frankenstein Jr.'s mixing Cooper Sky Distillery's Cherry Old Fashion & Distillery Cat Char
• Bokor (aka Voodoo Priest) drinking Swaylo’s Zombie Cocktail 
• Vampire toasting Urban Field Pizzeria's Tuscan Sangria
• Llorona toasting 300 Suns Brewing's Habanero Agave Pale Ale

Speed paint. 40+ hours in 10 minutes