Day 30,31,32

So maybe the ~daily~ update of my daily self drive isn't needed. so long as I try to make things daily.

Here's another ACEO -


"I Sense Something Strange"
2.5" x 3.5" on watercolor paper
mixed media. Available for $9.

I did the program for the Indy Magic Monthly - postponed until next week due to the crazy weather. Here is the inside. To see the outside, check out the event! 2nd Tuesday, doors at 7! Theatre on the Square, Indianapolis.


My graphic design skills are definitely their own brand. I'm learning all this on my own.

Also, I've been given permission to post 2 of my recent commissions!
First is my version of The Magician from the Tarot.

5" x 7" plus the border. mixed media on book page. Read more about the symbolism in depth Here.

Next is more magic related work with a Magician Portrait - of Corbett Troyer, a local magician! Very excellent slight of hand he has.

9" x 12" on 300 lb hotpress paper.
Acrylic background and oil figure.

The best progress I made was on Feb. 1st, working on the ~comic thing~ that I'm not sharing much of. I drew most of one page and colored it, and scanned it in. Now I have to compose the images together with extra digital embellishes to finish one of the pages. This is so interesting because despite my best efforts, I'm having trouble sticking with one style for it - which may turn out to be very interesting. Ah well, we learn by doing!
Here's a snippit.



INSPIRATIONS
- I finished watching the Fountain. Earlier I had also watched most of a documentary on the "Chapel of Sacred Mirrors" with art by (mostly) Alex Grey. Very interesting visual correlations between the two things I watched. As I finished watching the fountain, I kept thinking of the art of Alex Grey - especially the more spiritual parts.
here's a quick example!

- After watching "Dark Floors" (The Lordi Movie) I'm almost tempted to do some Lordi fan art.
(check out LORDI!)

Day 28 and 29 - back to visuals and rant on sensationalism

Finally I was able to get my art on.

I think when I'm mid-way though some commissions, I avoid working on them because I'm stuck, but I avoid workin on my own art because I'd feel guilty for not working on the commissions, and then I'm stuck doing pointless things like playing minesweeper and clicking aimlessly through the internet.

Day 29 - I finished the main image for a tarot card commission, did a little aceo and filled some sketch pages. I'll wait to post the tarot image until I've heard back from my patron (and I need to make a border and label for it too)
In the meantime, enjoy these!


2.5" x 3.5" aceo, ink and acrylic - available for $9
somewhat inspired by Dave McKean's style in the "Arkham Asylum" comic book.




sketchbook. Includes a dream about large carpet beetle larvae.

Small rant about public taste, instant gratification and Sensationalism!
- I also saw part of a new show, where people have 30 seconds to impress an audience with their awesome talent. Kinda like 'America's got Talent' only, without the constructive criticism. This is pure instant gratification sensationalism. Lets cut out the art, lets cut to the chase and immediately share the punch line, show the grand finale, and get to the peak of the story. Where is the fun in that? No wonder public taste is horrible - no one knows how to appreciate the process, the building up to, and the gentle art of just being creative. Instead we have people that are immediately judgemental on first appearances and demand constant entertainment from those around them. I'm somewhat horrified, but hey, on a shallow day it could be amusing.
Miscellaneous and Inspirations
--- Quote of the day from work "the more influences you have, the more original your work is"
--- Watching my favorite show on tv - "Fringe" - how can this not be inspiring! fave quote: "after all, we do share 50% of our DNA with a banana." - Walter
--- Watched the movie "UP" - I am reminded of how much the concept of 'nostalgia' makes me cry. a LOT.
--- Watched the first half of "The Fountain" on Netflix - very surreal movie - I remember reading the graphic novel illustrated by one of my favorite artists, Kent Williams. I am interested to see how the story progresses in live action. So far its done very well! very wondrous visuals!
-I was directed to the interesting giant wood weaving work of Patrick Dougherty - Link.
- I was also directed to the performance art of Marina Abramović - some very bawlsy and dangerous work, creepy at times, such as laying out 70 objects for anyone to use on her how they wish while she remained passive for 6 hours- some that could be pleasurable, some that could be painful, including a gun with one bullet. Interesting but batshit crazy way to study the human mind. I Read about it at the Wikipedia link.
Learn more about Marina Abramović on the artsy.net page about her: >>Click here <<
 
I find it wonderful to look in all sorts of places for inspiration. There are even more things I mentally ingested in these 2 days, but I can't share them all!!

Day 24 of art - the rhyming edition

Monday.

Early day.

Some aceo play


Dave encouraged me to entwine art with thoughts of Valentine.
(2.5" x 3.5" available at Etsy for $9 each, isn't that a peach?)

While working in the morn,
some sketches not of porn.
(so I'm in a mood to rhyme, you cannot tell me thats not a crime!)


-----
I must admit a small defeat
The Spectrum deadline I didn't meet
It would have been really keen,
to be included in number eighteen.

Day 11

Day 11 -
I am pleased.
A few of my seeds are starting to sprout, and I've got some nibbles on
commissions. My (general) rule is no details until I'm finished. 2 are magic related though.

My favorite from today was a sketch I started at work:



This in inspired by the effects of 'Quiddity' in Clive Barkers "The Great and Secret Show" Quiddity is a sea in a place of dreaming, and seems to transform the outward appearance to match their inner essence at the time, or so it would seem. ('the essence of a thing' is the definition of the word 'Quiddity' and now I know why he chose to use that name for the sea.)

What better way to demonstrate the twisted effect quiddity has by making a twisted version of my Quiddity sketch!

(in my current sketchbook) I stuck it in the scanner and twisted it around while scanning.

I forgot that I did an ACEO during my 2 days of not-much-art. how could I forget?

mixed media on watercolor paper 2.5" x 3.5"
available for $9 if interested

Today I did another one.

mixed media on watercolor paper 2.5" x 3.5"
available for $9 if interested

Both are a previously painted watercolor paper that I cut into smaller sizes.

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RANDOM ART QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Do you feel the need to eat or drink something while creating?