Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Where did all the blogging go?

So you may or may not have noticed that my blogging kinda dissappeared!

Well, that doesn't mean my self drive did too!!

I merely got very busy and realized that I was a lot more productive without public blogging.

The 'self drive' blog did its purpose - it was for me, and helped me get more active in art daily.

The actual ~blogging~ journal style still carried on, but on my own computer, away from the pressures of the public eye. There is something to be said about keeping one's own ideas and work to themselves, until they are ready to share certain things of course.

But, I'm not here to tell you this blog is dead! Its just in transition. I'm currently deciding what to use it for now. Something that will be different from what I post to facebook, and something that uses the blog's features. (such as the lateral time written format)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Busy? BUSY!

I've been super busy, and I havn't felt much like blogging!
Here is a quick one!

First, some new finished work!


 "The Awareness" - oil on canvas (roughly 3.5 feet h.)



"The Forgotten One" oil on canvas (roughly 4 feet h.)


"Baby Sun King"


"Queen Spider" 5" x 7" mixed media on Yupo paper ~ available for $25.


Blue face... 5" x 7" mixed media on Yupo paper ~ available for $25.

Here is a quick list of some things...
-This past weekend was Wizard World Mid-Ohio Convention
- Last night I finished Tarot card #3 (Empress)
- I JUST watched a short film I helped out with, can't wait to share it with people!
- 1 convention and 3 art shows happening in November! (see my LIST so far of events and appearances. I need to get crackin on new small works!!!
- IDEAS are coming out my wazoo, whatever that is! I'm considering doing some art as homage to some of my fave 80's fantasy films.
- Been networking and sorting out all the upcoming events like crazy.
- editing my ETSY! (some things are now more affordable - get thee to my etsy shop!
- working on a sculpture hand
- I'm sure there's a lot more to mention but I'm on the go!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

What happens at the studio, does not stay in the studio....

Greetings Internet!
Here are some updates from the studio.


First of all, took some old stretcher frames, removed the old work and started some new pieces.
Its been a while since I did a big painting. I wonder what my automatic drawing style will look like bigger, and as a painting. We shall see!


2 new pieces in progress, the first one is about 36" high.

OLD WORK

I also saved my largest college painting from the basement. I will be removing the work and restretching canvas on the frame for a new work. WOW, thats going to be epic!! 7 feet high!


Of course, its very easy to get sucked into another dimension while at the studio. Dave somehow got himself locked on the other side of these window doors. You can't blame me, I had NOTHING to do with it... I just took photos. *chuckle*



This girl is looking more and more realistic every day. The mannequin almost needs a name now!


My sister Carolyn visits the studio all the way from MIAMI!! (few weeks ago)
Ok, she was visiting because of a hospital scare with dad (false positive on heart trouble, all ok now) But I'm so glad she had a chance to stop in before going to the airport.


Had another visitor to the studio yesterday - This is Natasha working on her leather masks. We met her at one of the horror conventions, and she was passing through Indy for the Pagan Pride Festival and the Fishers Renaissance Faire. Mmm Leather Tasty.


Oooh more storm trees!!
I plan to many a lot of these.
My regular ones are $60 - $75. These smaller ones are available for $40. (6" x 6" masonite)


A tree woman in progress on yupo paper. 8" x 10".


Ok Ok, not everything on this blog post is from the studio.
I helped my dad out with the Columbus, IN. Iron Pour on Friday last week - this is the sand block I carved. Iron was then poured into it and I have yet to see the finished product. I'll post when I do.


Here are more sand blocks other people did. We sealed them with some sort of fluid,
and set fire to it. 
For fun. 
...and to seal the sand block/smooth it out for the iron.
There were about 100 community sand blocks.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Today's Special (doodle)

My sister Carolyn was able to see my studio today. :)
I drove to pick her up to take her to the airport, and greeted my father who (as we now know) has a very healthy heart (yay!)
...(and who is coincidentally one of the 10% who tested a false positive for heart blockage after an echocardiogram.)
Anyway, she visited, we had lunch,and it made me happy. After I took her to the airport, D and I came back to the studio for some possible arting.
After getting slammed by my brain (pleading for a nap) I finally did some doodling - this is what I made.


Will do something more with this later.

After that, I was still a bit sleepy but I decided to finish making an inventory list , at least for the rest of the medium sized originals. woo, data entry. Also, dave got creative with some imagery , and I took photos (will upload another time perhaps)

What else... I paid for a table at Horrorhound in Cincinnati! Need final confirmation, but it is hopefully a go!

I realize now that I'm read to pass out.  I was up early and did driving. No wonder!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

meep! and comparing an old work to current.

Yay, dad fine! No heart procedures.
Just a camera tube up the ol' artery to check the damage, and finding very little.
... they anticipate that what they found can be fixed with meds.

No art today, except in thoughts.
And someone emailed interested in some art.
And I talked about art some.

I mainly played games like solitaire and alchemy (or symbolism on the iphone)
to pass the time while waiting at the hospital.

In Lieu of art created today, I'm going to look at art from pre-2002,
and compare it to a work I did last month.



One goes in cycles. And while advancement can be vast, some things just don't change much.
I didn't even realize the similarity till I went back to my old folders looking for something interesting to post. lol.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

tree people and send good thoughts

ART

Keeping up the groove with tree people.


A sketch I did in my book during work


A piece I started - sumi ink on yupo paper.
(inspired by one of my sketches.)


another sketch from the sketchbook.
______
Be Original, Own Original Art!
I just gotta mention that some of the work I posted in my last post
is now at my Etsy.
______

I wonder, as I sit here trying to think if there is anything else
I wish to share, and I remember how 5/6 year ago I used to post all the time about my thoughts and daily happenings... why do I not desire to share such things anymore? *shrug*
I'll give it ago, but I'll be brief.
- Dad is getting heart work done tomorrow, send him good energy.
(I spare the ramble on worries, and how it should be a standard procedure,
and the details, as that is not my story, its his.)
- I started reading Anne Rice's "The Witching Hour". Borrowed from a friend. Otherwise, I've been obsessing over Clive Barker's work.
- I feel bad for having just now killed a beetle for looking like a roach. I like beetles, but I don't like roaches... in the dim light, it looked like a roach. Sorry mr. beetle. :/ Oh wait, research reveals it was a carpet beetle, in which case maybe thats ok. The less carpet beetles there are, the less carpet beetle larvae I have, and that can be a good thing (still, I'd rather have put it outside)
- On a lighter note, I signed up for an event the first weekend of October - 'Horror Weekend' in Gatlinburg TN. I missed the opportunity for any September events. Now I'm waiting on word from Horrorhound's November show in Cincinnati.

Monday, September 12, 2011

9-11-11 productivity, studio + T. C. Steele

The past 2 days have been quite productive, and I am quite pooped!

Lets start with the art I did today.

There is a "Haunted House" show coming up at the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles CA in October. I got this done today and will be sending it there.

6.5" x 14" framed. Acrylic on 300lb hotpress paper,

(I'm also discovering the joys of used frames... finding odd long manipulatable used frames for a good price solves my frame-budget problem. At least for now.)

What else did I do today ~ Wrote a draft for a grant I am applying for, and installed new furniture into the studio. First was one of 2 very HEAVY large flat files. Thanks to dad for bringing it today after we got it ready to travel yesterday. I also now own dad's old pharmacy cabinet. Antique and interesting piece! It is upsidedown because its easier to display that way. And the cabinets still open fine. The cabinets are on a track that allows you to pull it out of the unit, and sideways without it falling over. I foresee interesting storage methods!



OK, onto YESTERDAY and the art!

I attended the T.C. Steel great outdoor art contest. I decided to do mixed media.
One of the first pieces I've done at T.C. Steele that I'm actually very satisfied with.

I'm not sure how long, perhaps around 17".
book page collage in the background to add texture, acrylic for color, and sumi ink for definition.


Me painting. Dad taking a pic. Dave took a pic of dad taking a pic of me painting.

INSPIRATION!
For musical entertainment, Celtica played. I was FASCINATED because they had a field organ that I almost drooled on (I can see me playing this...) And a HURDY GURDY!!! I don't think I had seen heard one in person before!!



PREVIOUS WORKS/commission related

9" x 12" watercolor and acrylic - done as part of a commission toward a CD Cover - the real image is a remix of this and a few other pieces, will post when It is ready to post.


And a movie cover "To Haunt You" by Liberty or Death Productions. :)
Original 11" x 14" acrylic on bristol paper.

Friday, September 9, 2011

FULL SPEED AHEAD *HOOOOONK HOOOOONK*

First, some RAMBLES on RANDOM Updates.
Goodness!
I have one depressing day where a demon of idleness and frustration farts in my ear for several hours and the next day is a train-ride of productivity. WOO! I'll take it I guess.

Things are both picking up and slowing down - I missed the opportunity to get into an event I was sorta hoping to do (Lexington Scarefest), but was hesitant as I need to juggle which events I MUST do (the bohemian $ juggle, I'm sure most of you are familiar with the act?) Anyway... Yesterday must have given me an extra hour or 2 in the day to make up for wasted time the day before. Self drive *YAY!! SCREAM, its the MAGIC WORD!* kicked in and stuff happened! Art was done, errands were run, frames were found and manipulated, people contacted, information found out, etc etc.

I am currently waiting on word from the HORRORHOUND staff on whether the event is already sold out or not. If room is available, I will be at the next event in Cincinnati. *crosses fingers* ... NEED MORE CONVENTION. Speaking of which,,, I got my square device in the mail... so I can take credit card payments at my next event... (so long as there is network) I can't wait to try it out!

MOVIES: (just gotta share) I just watched 'Sling Blade' today. Now I know what my bf is talking about when he asks in a strange voice for some french fried potaters... mmm hmmm. (lol) Though seriously, it was a great movie... and I can't stop thinking about it.
I also watched 'The Man with 2 Brains' a few days ago with Steve Martin. HA! fun little movie. The drunk driving test scene keeps playing in my head ~ and I keep singing the song 'If you like-a me and I like-a you and we like-a both the same...' etc etc. :) :)

ok, ON WITH THE ART!


MY BABY!!
3D manipulated babydoll in progress! What is up with my colors lately?
I'm thinking... gold hair. OR whatever it is emanating from her head. Rays of creative inspiration it is!
I also started a 3D hand for a commission, perhaps I'll share photos with that later.


"Wind Blown Memories"
10" x 10" painting on panel ~ acrylic, collage and oil pastel. available.


Sumi ink on Yupo paper - experimenting with a new technique.
Now framed, and available.


A ~nice~ little 5" x 7". "Curiosity". available $25.


A strange compilation of line, dreams and colors. 16" x 20"
"These stories are not yet Written" ~ available


In the sketchbook.


in the sketchbook. Inspired after finding a freshly emerged cicada.



More sketches. Ideas pertaining a cd cover commission.

OK internet, I bid thee farewell. I need to sleep SOME... I Get up VERY early tomorrow to
paint at the T.C. Steele paint out! Its my once or twice a year opportunity to attempt and possibly reject
traditional subject matter, but I do enjoy it however, and I like to paint from life when I get a chance.
I can't promise my imagery will STAY in the realm of completely from life, but hey, I'm here because I'm me right? I wonder if there will be slight controversy again. ....
(ok, quick story time - I won first in my category one year, but the image turned out to be mainly swirls and bright colors, inspired by the trees I was painting. Very non traditional, but the event is mostly traditional - so there was some apparent controversy with the judges. HOWEVER, earlier while I was painting it I had given up hope of competing, and frustrated with my image, I merely resorted to having fun with color experimentation and swirly shapes. So funny I won first prize. )

FIN.

*post FIN... if I went back to daily posting, I'd probably have less to post about* or not... ? the eternal query: to share or not to share (all the time)? ... that is the question. 

Friday, August 26, 2011

sketches, work in progress, dreams, books

Yesterday I took a trip to Borders to say my goodbye - there are still a lot of good things there. I might go back, but I don't really had the room for more books! I found a neat book "Art Revolution: Alternative Approaches for Fine Artists and Illustrators" - - amazon link
Pretty too look at, probably fun to read - I'm inspired and frustrated as always when I pick up a great book like this - inspired because its neat and I can identify. frustrated because I feel less unique and talented. (Stupid words, stupid thoughts, but valid thoughts none-the-less, and I know I'm not alone in these thoughts - they are good to share)
I realize I need to take a picture of all my bookshelves sometime, just for fun. Maybe next post. 


Also, a good chunk of my day was spent figuring out my next step with my phone company. I am now on a slightly cheaper plan, but have upgraded to a *gasp* smart phone with a data plan. This is so I can use that squared app thingy that takes credit cards. This is so I don't lose sales at my next event due to my inability to take said credit cards. Hurrah for keeping up with technology and being a *gasp again* business person!

Anyway, lets get to some of the art and art progress. 


SKETCHBOOK IMAGES


I included this because of the 2 women - me in a dress I wear during the fringe show, and the other is my surreal rememberance from another fringe show. 
 
Based on a photo I took behind the Indy convention center during gencon. Somewhat stormy day and factory.  


strange creature 


I actually drew this during Chicago Comic Con when I was feeling particularly drained. 


OTHER:

A small work in progress on masonite - not sure what to put in the middle, or if this is going
to be a smaller section of something large.

   
part of the Cook Theatre. I took this the other day when going to see a fringe show. I loved the shapes in the building.

Thoughts
As an artist, I keep asking myself all sorts of WHYs. and WHAT. What am I doing? Why? What is my focus? How can I connect with other people? Is there something wrong with personal work, can I make personal work connect to others? Do I illustrate? Am I a fine artist? Is the midwest good for me? How can I justify my nonsense and randomness? What do I do with OLD work, or work I don't like?
There may or may not be answers to these questions, but these questions are what keep me wanting to reinvent myself. I feel like I'm on a step up, but unsure of my current footing (artistically). 



 
Again, tell me your dreams. ...  


Sunday, August 21, 2011

share with me your dreamtime


Come... Share with me stories of dreams, or dream like states. 
When have you crossed worlds?
What did it feel like?
Do you walk between?

What do you dream....

Saturday, August 20, 2011

keeping it going, studio, wwchicago comic con sketches

Here are some sketches form Wizard World Chicago Comic Con.
By the way, it was a blast. And getting to meet some of my favorite artists is always inspiring!
Ok, be prepared, I have a lot of photos to share. The rest can be seen at my facebook. If you havn't already seen them. But this is a different format, for differently formatted people...


A Nagaesque woman-snake, and "Brain Girl" - "Brain girl decided she didn't want to be a plant, she wanted to be an AIRPLANE instead!" (This was a drawing I did later in the day and was quite loopy by then - Saturday was exhausting by the sheer numbers of people that just existed at the convention.) Both 5" x 7" Sumi ink drawings still available - $25 ea.


Book page paintings - "A Dark Thought" and "Secret Information". Both still available $25 ea.


"Swept Away with Dreams" - 8" x 10" sumi ink and watercolor. (still available, $45)


Meeting with some of my favorite artists - Bill Seinkeiwicz and David Mack. I also Meet James O'Barr, but he was absent from his table when I had my camera. Also, Mark A. Nelson - to see more photos, from this event - go to my Facebook album


A bit of advice for all you BIG artists out there, dont get stuck with only ONE TABLE! Poor Larry Elmore, trying to fit 100+ poster prints on his one table. Mixup in table distribution!
Also, image of me drawing my 'assignment' at the Drink and Draw event.


STUDIO pretty much set up! Here is a work in progress I started a few months ago. I think it looks like fairy graffiti. Also, a peek at my walls.