Chris Trefz Art Blog

New Illustration by Chris Trefz, Honoring H.P. Lovecraft's Legacy: A Tribute in Art Introduction: On this day, we pay homage to the legendary mind that birthed some of the most iconic and unsettling tales in the realm of horror fiction - H.P. Lovecraft. As an artist captivated by the eerie and uncanny, I find it fitting to create a new artwork in honor of Lovecraft's birthday. In this blog post, let's journey through the life and legacy of this master of cosmic horror, explore his impact on modern pop culture, and delve into the inspiration behind my Lovecraftian artwork. The Life and Work of H.P. Lovecraft: Howard Phillips Lovecraft, born on August 20, 1890, in Providence, Rhode Island, was an enigmatic figure whose imagination gave birth to worlds of unfathomable terror. Living much of his life in relative obscurity and facing financial challenges, Lovecraft turned to writing as an outlet for his creativity. His stories, though not widely recognized during his lifetime...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz Celebrating World Lizard Day: A Colorful Tribute to Chameleons. Introduction: World Lizard Day is a special occasion that invites us to appreciate the fascinating and diverse world of lizards. It's a day dedicated to these incredible creatures, each with its unique features and adaptations. To honor this celebration, I've created a vibrant digital illustration of a veiled chameleon, capturing the essence of these remarkable reptiles. Join me as we delve into the origins of World Lizard Day, explore the ways in which it is celebrated, and discover the inspiration behind my chameleon artwork. The Origins of World Lizard Day: World Lizard Day was established to highlight the diversity and importance of lizards in our ecosystem. While the exact origins of the day remain unclear, its significance is undeniable. Lizards play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their respective habitats, from controlling insect populations to serving as a sour...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz Celebrating National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day with Cookie Monster's Cookie Crunch Extravaganza! Introduction: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is a delightful celebration that brings smiles to cookie lovers around the world. On this sweet occasion, I had the pleasure of creating a fun and whimsical illustration featuring none other than the lovable Cookie Monster from Sesame Street devouring an oversized chocolate chip cookie. Join me as we explore the history of this delectable day, learn more about Cookie Monster's delightful personality, and discover how to celebrate this tasty holiday in style. The History of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day originated from our collective love for this classic treat. It is believed that this delightful holiday was established by avid cookie enthusiasts who sought to honor the iconic chocolate chip cookie and indulge in its deliciousness. While the exact origins of the...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz of Mothra: Honoring National Moth Week with a Legendary Tribute Introduction: As National Moth Week approaches, we prepare to celebrate the beauty and significance of moths in our ecosystem. This week-long event, spanning from July 22nd to July 30th, began in 2012, thanks to the initiative of the Friends of the East Brunswick (NJ) Environmental Commission. As an organization focused on environmental education and conservation, they sought to promote an appreciation of moths and the citizen science project that has grown around them. In honor of this special occasion, I am excited to share my new illustration of Mothra, a legendary winged kaiju from the world of monster movies, paying tribute to both the silver-screen creature and its real-world counterpart. The Origins of Moth Week: National Moth Week found its roots in 2012 when the Friends of the East Brunswick (NJ) Environmental Commission created an event to raise awareness about moths. Their aim wa...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz Celebrating National Video Game Day: A Nostalgic Journey into Pixelated Adventures. Introduction: National Video Game Day is an occasion that fills gamers around the world with excitement and nostalgia. It's a day when we pay tribute to the incredible history and impact of video games on our lives. To honor this special day, I have created a new illustration that takes us back to the golden era of pixelated adventures. Join me as we explore the fascinating history of video games, uncover the origins of National Video Game Day, and delve into the details of my artwork, which captures the essence of classic space shooter games. The History of Video Games: Video games have come a long way since their humble beginnings. The earliest iterations can be traced back to the mid-20th century, with significant milestones such as the creation of "Tennis for Two" in 1958 and the iconic "Pong" in 1972. These early games laid the foundation for...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz Celebrating National Bikini Day: Embracing Style, Confidence, and Freedom. Introduction: As we find ourselves on National Bikini Day, we commemorate the anniversary of a fashion revolution that forever changed the way women enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. This special day, which marks the invention of the bikini in 1946 by Parisian fashion designer Louis Reard, invites us to appreciate the rich history and cultural significance of this iconic swimwear. To honor the occasion, I have created a vibrant artwork that embodies the spirit of confidence and freedom that the bikini represents. Join me in exploring the history of the bikini and celebrating National Bikini Day with style and enthusiasm. The History of the Bikini: The introduction of the bikini in the mid-1940s marked a revolutionary shift in swimwear fashion. Created by Louis Reard, the bikini embraced boldness and liberation, revealing more of the female form than ever before. Its name was inspire...

New Artwork by Chris Trefz, Celebrating Independence Day: A Spectacular Tribute to Freedom. Introduction: As Independence Day approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on the historical significance of July 4th and the freedoms we cherish as citizens of the United States. It is a day when we come together to honor the sacrifices made by the founding fathers and the soldiers who fought valiantly in the Revolutionary War. To celebrate this momentous occasion, I have created a vibrant artwork that captures the essence of the festivities. In this blog post, let us delve into the historical importance of July 4th, explore common ways people celebrate this special day, and reflect on the gratitude we owe to those who secured our liberties. The Historical Significance of July 4th: July 4th marks the day when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, proclaiming the thirteen American colonies' separation from Great Britain. It was a pivotal moment that laid ...

New Illustration by Chris Trefz Celebrating World UFO Day: The Cows Will Never Be the Same. Happy World UFO Day! Gather with other UFO enthusiasts to swap stories and watch the night skies, or fire up a classic like First Encounters of the Third Kind or The X-Files. My development Process for this image: Line art and partial color Flat color and lighting effect Almost done Introduction: World UFO Day is an annual event that brings together UFO enthusiasts from around the world to celebrate and discuss the existence of unidentified flying objects. Since its inception in 2001, it has become a platform for sharing stories, evidence, and experiences related to UFO encounters. As a passionate artist and believer in the possibilities beyond our world, I couldn't resist creating a new illustration in honor of this special day. The Significance of World UFO Day: World UFO Day, organized by WorldUFODay.com, serves as a gathering point for UFO enthusiasts to showcase their resear...

New Artwork by Chris Trefz, in Honor of National Megalodon Day: Unleashing the Ancient Fury of the Ocean's Apex Predator The Final Image Dive into the ancient depths of the ocean with my tribute to the mighty Megalodon. This massive prehistoric shark ruled the seas millions of years ago, and its presence still captures our imagination today.  Close-up detail of the misfortunate diver  My development Process for this image: Lineart Flat Colors Introduction: Step into the realm of prehistoric marvels as we delve into the captivating world of the Megalodon. This colossal creature, known as the "megatooth shark," once ruled the ancient seas, its immense size and ferocity unmatched by any other marine predator. Today, in celebration of National Megalodon Day, I present to you my latest digital artwork, a tribute to this magnificent behemoth of the deep. Discovering the Megalodon: The Megalodon existed millions of years ago, during the Paleogene and Neogene periods, and its ...

New Artwork by Chris Trefz, in Honor of Memorial Day: Remembering the Sacrifice Final Image New artwork, done in honor and remembrance of the military men and women who shed their blood and lost their lives in the line of duty, for America, and for freedom, thank you. Work-in-progress image Introduction: Memorial Day, a significant national holiday in the United States, holds deep cultural and historical importance. While it has evolved into a day of relaxation and celebration, it's crucial to remember the true essence of this day and pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. In this article, we explore the origins and significance of Memorial Day and reflect on the meaning behind a powerful digital painting that symbolizes their valor and the preservation of freedom. Origins and Significance of Memorial Day: Memorial Day, a significant national holiday in the United States, holds deep cultural and historical importance. While it ha...

New Artwork by Chris Trefz, in Honor of World Turtle Day: Celebrating These Marvels of Nature. World Turtle Day is an annual observance held every May 23rd. It began in 2000 and is sponsored by American Tortoise Rescue. The day was created as a yearly observance to help people celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats, as well as to encourage human action to help them survive and thrive. My development Process for this image: Lineart Basic Colors Introduction: World Turtle Day is an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about turtles and tortoises and promoting their conservation. This special day, celebrated on May 23rd each year, aims to highlight the importance of these remarkable creatures and the need to protect their habitats. In this article, we will delve into the origins of World Turtle Day, explore its goals and celebrations, and discuss the cultural and environmental significance of turtles. Additionally, we will delve in...

New artwork by Chris Trefz, done for May the 4th (be with you), Star Wars Day 2023: Honoring the sci-fi Masterpiece created by George Lucas. Happy Star Wars Day, May the Fourth be with you! The scene here depicts the tragic lightsaber battle between Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, and his fallen apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, against the dramatic background of the fiery planet, Mustafar, as seen in Episode III, Revenge of the Sith. Star Wars Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated on May 4 each year to honor the George Lucas-created Star Wars film series. Since the franchise started in 1977, awareness of the day has rapidly increased through the media and community events. The pun "May the Fourth be with you"—a variation of the Star Wars slogan "May the Force be with you"—is where the date got its name from. Despite the fact that the holiday was neither established or recognized by Lucasfilm, many fans of the franchise have opted to observe it. Since then, Lucas...