Things are about to get fiendishly creative

Well my fiends, I'm starting again on that attempted journey of daily art sharing, as a public push for my personal drive - I plan on staring complacency in the face and screaming a resounding "NO!"

There will be more new art, epic explorations and a search for fresh creative experiences.

This journey is for myself, but Im taking the weird bus, so there's plenty of room for all of you to ride along! 

Saturday Sept 27 2014

Here is an update from today! It was a fairly active art day.
There was doodling, networking, button making, and the eating of snacks.

Arty thing no.1

Tonight I showed work at the 3040 gallery, for their 100 under 100 show.
Yes this is the gallery. Its a house gallery. Its got underground ties. You see that little door? Its a goblin door to the underworld. See? Underground ties. 

I brought out some oldies and did some trades. Trying to clear out some old work to make way for new work. I made some extra art buttons for it before going.

Arty thing no.2

I doodled this dreamy bizarreness last night. (Technically yesterday as it was before I slept, yet technically today because I did it at 4 am. HA!) 

Its on 4"x6" sample paper from "Stillman & Birn". I plan on adding color. 

Slowly working on writing stories to give my creations a home. Perhaps I'll get a chance to share with sooner than later.

Artything no. 3

I cannot share yet as its a commission yet to be revealed (also finished in the am 'last night') a hilarious and quick logo for a friend. I'll share it as I get a chance. 

Arty thing no.4 

Ive just commissioned six 12x18 shadow boxes to do sculptural pieces in. I cannot wait to get started! 

NOW, hopefully I can keep this up.

If you read it, leave a comment. If something strikes you, say so! If this inspires a happy little jig, please record it and share the youtube link. :D !! 

I'm outta here. If I do any more art today I shall include it in tomorrow's post.

I am not an artist, I am a data entry hampster.

Greetings. This is just a random public place rant and revelation about the never-ending shuffle of filing data and things. I feel like sharing lately. Be warned.


The beginning of my January has now officially been labeled (by me) as the Epic-Re-Organizational-and-Data-Entry-Explosion.
I am having trouble finding myself in all this paperwork, and have begun to doubt that I was ever an artist. I keep trying to work on art slowly, but then I am reminded that I need to finish entering data so I can calculate my end of year expenses and gains. (I was very behind on my data entry, so this has been going on for several days now)

I've also been discovering the joys of organizational BINDERS.
I decided to re-vamp how I collect and store data concerning my art business events, sales, and etcetera, all with the use of a nice binder and separator sleeves. This led me to create a binder for a Color and Design class I am about to teach.

In the process of organizing my data, I discovered that my filing cabinets were too full, and I spent another 2 days purging and archiving papers into folders that can go in a box in the basement. (Coincidentally, half of those giant folders were full of convention swag that I should really just throw away, but have a feeling I'll want to open it up oneday and look through it - I am sure if I ever do open those folders again, I'll proclaim "Why the hell did I keep this crap?")
Now with more space in my cabinets I began to re-order the categories into more useful categories, made sure important data gets kept, and made sure to put crap I don't want to look at in the secondary filing cabinet in my office closet. (like things about my phone and the best buy payment plan)

I begin to think I've made headway, when I realize I didn't quite finish my end of year tally, I still have some Christmas postcards to send, (some still need addresses), and I've got books, scrap papers and notes, and other miscellany that I need to organize and archive.
I watch a show during dinner, and get distracted from the fact that I still have several commissions in progress, my last semester's art class files need to be purged and re-organized, I've got bags and boxes in my office, and *clunk* there is an exercise bike in my way. When did I become a hoarder? But I'm not! Lets do some art. Oh hey, there's that art piece I was working on for that show... I need to make more than one piece for that show... lets do some sketches... *opens sketchbook* where I find reminders of other things that need to be done, like sign up for the new health insurance or pay a fine and get nothing. I look into that for a bit and make calls. This reminds me I need to file some more... and organize those addresses, and start entering this years expenses so I don't fall behind later.

And *poof* I'm running in circles it still looks like my office exploded.
Yet I am still super proud of my new binder system, and my newly cleaned filing cabinets. I will be able to easily keep track of all my business info so I don't have to feel like a 5 headed hampster running on a wheel when I need to know small details that would otherwise get lost in the shuffle.
Also, I should probably start to file quarterly. Another thing to add to the list of things to do.

And really, I just want to pour paint on myself and dance in the snow while singing the Labyrinth soundtrack. 

Allowance of Holiday Laziness, and setting the oven on fire

4:43 AM 12/28/2013

the obsession with Sherlock continues.
We have found and unlocked secret online content - placed there to tease viewers about
the upcoming season! I also found a book at dads containing 3 volumes of Sherlock Stories
all in one book. The first story I read is the original about Irene Adler. Now that I've
watched the BBC version of things, the character has been brought to life for me, making
it easier to read and be interested in the stories - even the Victorian versions of them.

I have another book I need to finish as a job so I can Illustrate a cover for it. While I'm
enjoying that book, I'm on HOLIDAY as a HERMIT, so I'm allowing myself to be
emersed in other things. Although, I think tomorrow I may lightly begin to work on some
other projects. In total have a private portrait, a book cover portrait, the remains of a cd
cover, A book cover (trade), an OLD project that needs to be finished, and an upcoming
game characters commission. 2 other projects are on my shelf that sorta died with the
other involved party. For you artists, how many projects have you booked at the same
time? I hope once I get caught up on these I can manage myself better.

So, this Holiday as a Hermit has included watching a lot of tele, playing 'Fate's Carnival'
(Mystery Case File game) and spending time in the kitchen. I cooked BRICKLE today for
the first time on my own. I performed the recipe out of order and set the oven on fire, but
the dessert I was cooking miraculously turned out fantastic.
No idea how that happened, and I don't think I can blame coyote on that one.

I'm also thinking in an english accent. Too much SHERLOCK.

p.s. Freshly cooked bacon and raw celery make a really good combination.

Reading fake tv blogs and chatting about Christmas

5:54 AM 12/27/2013

I am amused by finding out that there is an actual blog for the John Watson character on
the BBC series "Sherlock" - the characters keep referring to his blog posts, and now I can
go READ THEM. There are other little fun tidbits too, like Sherlock's blog, and Molly the
Medical Examiner's blog. There are comments by other people in the show, and Molly's
blog shows the growing love interest between her and Moriarty (before anyone knew it
was Moriarty)
I'm very impressed and amused and have read about half of the entries so far. More than
just the episodes of the show, there are other tidbits too - rants and insights of things that
happen in the shows. (Like when he argued with the automated grocery till)
http://www.johnwatsonblog.co.uk/
In fact, I am inspired by the whole blog thing again, I'm going to post this very entry. (I
know, I THREATEN this all the time and rarely get anywhere!)
(I DO log my days often but rarely share them anymore. I felt ... jammed by the idea of
having to screen my thoughts for the public)

And now it is 6:00 am. I should go to bed. I'm just now beginning to get tired. Its
Christmas week and I am finally giving myself a break from commissions and other
responsibilities (mostly) But I still stay up verrrry late.

What else did I do today?
COOK! I made bacon, pan fried potatos and veggies, and green bean casserole. Perhaps
tomorrow I'll finally make Brickle (and send some to my sister.) I had threatened to make
the sweet dessert on Christmas day, but didn't get to it. I hung out with Sarah and Malcolm
instead. And later with Joshua and Christina. We played Scatergories and I got to show
off 'Norman', my new cute little friend who makes adorable noises and motions.  (Strange
little toy Dave got for me) My excuse is that I was such a tom boy when I was a little girl,
and never allowed anyone to say the word 'cute' within 20 feet of my presence. I've got
some catching up to do. (I also just ordered a plushie CATBUG, prompted by Dave with
an amazon gift card and a pic of it on my wishlist. For those who know who that character
is, you'll understand I had no choice. Once Cat-bugged, you are lost in this strange
obsessed mental space and crave more catbug.)
Here is a video of the little guy - he (she) is a toy called  Fijit Friends Shimmies, named 'Whirlina', but I re-sexed and re-named him to 'Norman' because it just felt right.

TREE!!
This is the very first year I have a CHRISTMAS TREE.
I do not know why I waited so long for one, perhaps because I never stay home on
Christmas, I visit my family. But last year we found one on clearance and so this year I
put it up. I LOVE putting ornaments on Christmas trees! Dad gave me a box of
ornaments he was saving for me, and Dave remembered to put mom's fascinating little
'broken baby doll' ornaments that creeped everyone out the year she gave them as gifts.
'Cathe, why are you giving us DEAD BABIES for Christmas?!' I MISS MOTHER SO
BADLY.

Ok, Time for bed, or for another segment of Fate's Carnival (Big fish game)... no. Its 6:22
am. Its bedtime. maybe.










P.S. Renamed the blog again, in anticipation of more randomness.

Sneaking in the Doodles

Life gets busy.
Its easy to set my mind to work on specific tasks that are related to my paid commissons, or my teaching jobs. Finding time to work on personal projects is very random and haphazard. I have a visual narrative currently on hiatus, my paintings are slowly getting worked on at the most random of times and my goal to start creating a heavy amount of sculptures since August has resulted in only a few explorations: one tiny face, the disjointed beginnings of a larger plan, and recently a small bit of a collaboration with my studio neighbor. (Of which I'm excited to get back to)

But the one thing that remains consistent is my sketchbook. Even if I am too swamped for anything else, I always have my sketchbook ready to capture passing thoughts, imaginative brain drainage, and even moments drawn from life: quick studies from the eye to the hand.

I have not been active on this blog lately, preferring the short sort of facebook blips and updates.
But the Blog wants to come out and play...
So tonight I re-break the ice by sharing some sketches of people I've drawn live.
I have also included entire pages to show my thought process. I use my sketchbook as a notebook for everything. Passing thoughts, dreams, quote captures, to-do lists, AND drawing. I carry it everywhere, and I find it infinitely more useful and cooperative than my iphone. (and a hell of a lot cheaper)

One of the more recent drawings happened while I was watching the band Hog Eye Navvy - This is Wizard, one of the members. I was reminded that the last time 
I drew Hog Eye Navvy, I also drew Wizard.
Something about his beard drew me in. Also included on this page spread are model gestures, notes from a mini-lecture about contemporary traditional fine art galleries,
and a mini comic strip inspired by a ridiculous statement on a commercial.

Here is a closeup of Wizard.

A Portrait Jay Scott Berry, drawn during his magician lecture at Indy Magic Monthly. (OCT 2013)

A portrait of Sal Lizard, while he was telling me one of his 'being Santa' stories.

I had some extra time with this one - I was sitting in on the class of one of my favorite instructors, Jacob Dobson. I drew him lecturing his students. I felt the need to practice my skills with groups and depth.

Some drawings of Students volunteering their faces for the rest of the drawing class. Also included are to-do lists, a non-valid postage sticker, and quotes from Jay's magic lecture.

More students appear in this one, along with other faces from my imagination, and a wacked out figure inspired by 2 sculptures I have completed. Also, more to-do list notes.

If I draw gestures from a model, I get tired of seeing pages full of the same thing - so I shake it up a bit with some wild monsters and wacky colors. The central strip of text was a dream I quickly scrawled after waking.

NOW, back to the projects and commissions at hand!!

I'm feeling a Surge coming on!

SURGE OF ART PRODUCTIVITY!
This is my new sketchbook. I am letting the Seawhite book rest for the moment, I needed a change of size for now, kinda like needing a new haircut. Except, I know I'll go back to the Seawhite book eventually. This was a spontaneous purchase, but I'm enjoying the size, and the paper was good enough for my purposes. Don't worry Seawhite book, I'm not cheating on you, ok yes I am, but you have important dreams to stew on while I explore. Promise you'll be there when I need you?

This is the second drawing in small-leathery-bound-book. (it needs a NAME. Perhaps I shall call it "Tiger Lily", inspired by this drawing. I'll think on it. I kinda want to include the word 'Caveat' in the name. I am dedicating this book to skill building PLUS. I want every page to include something I am drawing or painting from life.

Anyway, it was a productive day in the studio. I worked on an old painted series commission - illustrations for a children's poem book - hopefully I'll finish more of it tonight, as I may be seeing the commissioner this weekend. I also worked on a sculpture commission... its truly magic trying to create a skeletal torso. The basics of the ribs are done and hopefully I can start wildly building on it next session.

 I also toyed with the idea of creating plaster molds from clay. I really want to create a mold from my own arm, so I experimented to see if I could do this with the fingers. The idea just dawned on me out of the blue.
 
I covered my fingers and part of my hand with CLAY. It took a while as the clay wasn't the most supple... But I kept at it. I removed my fingers carefully and filled the holes with plaster.
Almost an hour later, I removed the clay from the molding and This is the outcome! Its not a super clean mold (the clay was a bit loose and crackly near the fingers) but what a cool texture. I think I'll keep it as is and paint it.
 Maybe I'll try my whole arm with smoother clay.

After playing with clay and plaster, I moved onto prose, and finished two found poems. I used some text a friend sent me in the mail and mixed it with some Dante's Inferno, (from 2 different translations) and other miscellaneous pre-cut words (I keep a box with all the extras I don't use - as I create found prose, I cut out a lot of words and phrases that strike me, then I arrange them in tantalizing combinations.) I am not ready to share these creations yet, but here is a sneak peek!

Well, I gotta either go to sleep or get back to work! Goodnight!

I plan to keep up with this again, I think this sketchbook will yell at me to art and tell. 

Quietude

Hm. I have been quiet for a while on this blog.
Possibly because I taught such an intense art history class for a while.
I also have not had much to share, besides personal introspectives and mundane ramblings.
To post about those things here would feel insincere, and possibly repetitive , as a more in-depth bounce back from facebook. I am weary of the social network echoes, the attempt to catch the attention of the silent viewers that may only be watching from one angle, when it seems like all the watchers and the watched are all on the same networks.
Alas, that is not why I am posting here tonight!
I do not know why I am writing here tonight.

... tonight, tonight... are you just like me...

I have been enjoying a daily personal journal. I seem to write more when I know it is just for me right now. A chance to record my daily thoughts without judgement. Judgement from out there? No. Judgement from within. There is a sort of corruption that wiggles into my journaling that can only happen when I am aiming for interaction. I keep away data that I deem personal. I worry that the prospect of ~trying-to-impress~ will get in the way of ~trying-to-express~. There is sometimes just a smidge hair difference between the two, and that might just be the two letters.

OK. I think I'm done with expressing for tonight.
I'm going to go work on art and finish listening to a rendition of Les Miserables,
directed by Orson Welles (who also reads the part of Jean Valjean)
I found it on spotify.

sneaky little preview of a little work I haven't revealed anywhere yet...

Art Update (Ok, a tiny bit of promo)
OH. And go check out my art tomorrow (Friday)  - I'll be showing at the Art House in Columbus, IN. Funny enough, my dad who lives in Columbus is having a closing to his show in Seymour, at the Southern Indiana center for the arts.(Facebook event page link here for the Art House show)

Teaching Tidbits (ok, have some more life stuff)
There is a 5 week Art Appreciation class I teach through a tech school. I arrange to meet at the IMA museum. Today there was a mistake in scheduling. We were given a lecture room to use, but due to a specialized event, the museum was not open to the public today after 5, (our class is 5:30-9). Uh-Oh, dilemma! Well, we were allowed to continue using the lecture room, but we could not see the upstairs collections. This soiled my plans for today. Its an intensive condensed class, and we cannot miss or reschedule any dates! THANKFULLY, it was a nice day, and we improvised by visiting the outdoor sculpture park. What could have been a disaster turned out to be a unique experience that my students rarely get a chance to see.
I highly recommend it! I even saw a new sculpture I did not see before.... one that made me LAUGH a lot. If you get a chance, visit the 'Flock of Signs' Installation in the woodsy part of the sculpture walk at the IMA.