BANG!!

Now that I have your attention...

I just haven't updated for a while and felt it was TIME.
(also, copied from my dA account)

New work is on the way, as I have been busy in my NEW!!(or rather renewed) Leaky Basement Studio!... as I am no longer in the Stutz (my year of free studio ended, and I am not rich enough to afford an external space yet, although I'd like to go back as having a downtown studio provided some awesome opportunities I do not have now, like using it as a professional meeting place in which to show strangers my work.)

My brain keeps going back to stop motion action... maybe I'll have time to work on it one of these days.

I cannot wait for the Horror con shows in November.

SKETCHBOOKS
I have ordered a sketchbook from Art House Co-Op for the SKETCHBOOK PROJECT.
http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects
I finally gave in. I like the idea of it, even though I'm basically giving away free art for it. I am still in 2 minds about it, and not sure how my brain will conform to the idea of doing a 'sketchbook' with a specific theme vs. the random shit I throw in my sketchbook normally. At least most of my art goes along with the theme 'science project gone wrong' - also... I am torn between doing something really kickass and creative, or saving my super duper creative kickass-ness for something more ... sellable. I think I'll just put some crazy 'wrong-science' doodles in and send it in. I have till January.
BUT I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE regardless, I am a huge advocate of Sketchbooks as art. So, I consider it my donation to the world of sketchbook art ... PLUS it will be in their permanent sketchbook library collection, with a library code and everything. ^^
Tho, speaking of sketchbooks, I am inspired to start carrying a smaller mole-skine like sketchbook in which to do awesome work in for myself.

One of my inspirations for this is Nomi Chi - Her sketchbook work is Epic and awesome. Her art is kickass too, but I really really drool over the sketches.

COMICS
**I was included in an article about Comic Artists -
I may not really be doing 'comics' yet, but I slid in under the umbrella! Thanks to Stuart Sayger for leading the writer to me!

EVENTS
ART vs ART main event is this FRIDAY at the Vogue!!!

That is all for now!

Stutz Residency ends with a BANG! And an art show! Also other updates

SEPTEMBER 3rd - First Friday - 5-9 pm

See the Stutz Press Release for a great description of my and Patrick's work.

_____The Stutz Residency_______

In August 2009, so many of my career seeds sprouted at once, kickstarting this year into one of the best yet. I was offered 2 part time art appreciation Teaching jobs and I was one of the 2 recipients of the Stutz Residency Award - This allowed me to have a free studio for almost a year at the Stutz Building in Indianapolis.
My self drive went up, my professionalism spiked, and I met some pretty cool people while at the Stutz.

_____STUDIO?________

Now it is ending - I'm in the process of packing up the studio and bringing things home. (where am I going to put all this STUFF?! I have a big basement... but that means I have to organize, clean it again and possibly get a dehumidifier)
I'm in the process of talking with some buddies about possibly sharing a space, but the expense would be something to consider NOT lightly... I'm at a point where my art is just starting to take off. If this trend continues, and I do well at the next events I've signed up for - I shouldn't have a problem, but I don't want to make any deals I can't deliver yet.

I'm actually looking forward to working at home for a while, and have all of my supplies in one place. My biggest concern is keeping a downtown presence. Having a professional space to show people my work is a huge advantage. In the meantime, I will start looking for businesses in which to hang my work (cafes, shops, etc)

____CONVENTIONS, Especially horror ones_________

My biggest focus right now is finding events to vend at. Specifically Horror cons. Financially, I tend to do best at these events so far, and I really love the people at atmosphere. I have truly found a big branch of my family in the horror entertainment industry! I am not surprised by this, as I have been mad about dark and scary things since I was a little child. YES, its true darnit. I remember drawing monsters in kindergarten. Sure, they look like squiggly lines if you can find those old drawings, but I remember they were monsters.

This last weened I was at Paranormal Scare Fest (in TN) - while it was small and poorly attended, I'm not complaining. I'm not sure if it was fluke, mistake, luck, or talent, but I managed to do quite well at the event while around me I heard many grumblings and vendors were leaving early. I ended up spreading my prints out on the empty table next to me and stayed there till I was the last one.

_______Non-Money Talk________

I find myself talking lot about vending and events and advertising and building funds, etc. Sometimes I feel I've lost touch with expressing experiences and emotions. Perhaps my dilemma is the fact that I don't like to talk about specific people online without their permission. I don't speak other peoples business. And I havn't been in the mood to express my own emotions and/or personal stories online. I almost feel that it is a 'chore' to relay these experiences, so I stick to the basics of what, where, and when. Then, when I AM in the mood to ' blog' or whatever, I'm way behind on my stories, and there is too much to tell in one post, so I simplify it too much.

________ANYWAY____________

thats about it.

THE WAZOO OF DESTINY!

Greetings online journal and those watching.
I have not been posting of my mediocre midwest adventures as of late because I have been feeling less chatty. Even my sketchbook wasn't receiving my daily doses of brain-word-splatter as I sometimes go through periods of non-journaling. I find it pointless at times to rattle off personal chatterings to myself or ohers. But perhaps it is time for a small update with a recap of me lately.

First of all, lets start with the small stuff and the now stuff.
I am just getting over a nasty dual layer skin peeling reptilian-looking sunburn on my shoulders. Its fascinating. Now that the pain is gone. ¬¬
Thats what I get for signing up for a small outdoor artfair and not bringing a canopy. And even though I didn't make my $ back, I got to bond with other awesome artists and listen to some cool music.

Speaking of art events, this summer is shaping up to be crazy busy. I will be attending several events and conventions. Just as I begin to wonder if I signed up for too much, I remember that I'm trying to make a career out of this art thing, and that this is probably what I'm supposed to be doing - and I still work less than regular jobbed people.

June 12th - I did have my art at LCi art fair. (where I got the sunburn)

I will have my art at:
June 25-27th --- ORIGINS fantasy and Gaming convention, OH.
July 2-4th --- INCONJUNCTION - Indianapolis - sci-fi, fantasy, gaming convention.
July 9-11th --- Famous Monsters Convention, Indianapolis
August 5-8th --- GenCon gaming and fantasy convention, Indianapolis
August 27, 28th ---- (possible) Paranormal Scare Fest - Tennessee
August ? - possible art show for something yet to be announced
September 3rd --- Stutz Residency Show, Indianapolis (runs until the 23rd)
September 18th --- ORANJE INDY - art festival, Indianapolis
September 18th --- possible participation in MASTERPIECE in a DAY even, Indianapolis
September 11th, 24th - possible participation in the ART vs ART event, Indianapolis

FWEW!!!
Other than that, modeling and teaching have kept me afloat.

What else?
I'm working on a comic, a stop motion animation, a little booklet of sketches to print and sell at conventions, Various experiments in the studio involving abstraction, plaster, pour on polymer stuff, acrylic medium, tissue paper, drawing, snake skin, etc.

- A few days ago, I took a long walk to draw things and people by the canal and on a whim, I went to see where a friend works - he graciously showed me a Scanning Electron Microscope, and other things in his science tech world. (Thanks Cliff!!)
- Yesterday I sat in a coffee shop and drew the building next to it so I can get in some architecture practice.

And I still call myself LAZY? yeah.

Also, I am now proud to say that I am an official business. Lydia Burris LLC.
:)

I think thats about all.
Here are some visuals from my recent sketches out in the open world.

A building (blue line pencil, NO rulers)


A little bubbly fountain thing


some people by the canal


I'm sure there is more that I'm missing but I'm done writing. :)

Updates - open studio - art - stuff

I've been BUSY. BUSY. BUSY.

This past week was the Stutz ART OPEN HOUSE!
(over 70 artists open their studios to the public for 2 days of madness, entertainment and art - this happens once a year, so its pretty big)
With the help of Dave - it was a blast and I made a good great profit!

I made a bunch of 5" x 7" small artworks for the show but surprisingly, my buttons sold like hot-cakes. I sold a few small paintings on wood - its EXCITING when someone wants to buy something I've already made! Overall, I had a FREAKING GREAT response to my bizarre art. I even made a 'Warning' sign out front - something about nudity, strange pathways, ambiguity and darkness - This amused people. ~You CAN'T say I didn't WARN you!~ haha.

As always, after a good BIG show - I am left with more solutions for future shows - this time I ordered a lot of boards and bags - I can seal my prints and originals on paper in these - it looks professional and it will be great for my next convention. Dave encouraged me to order more for the future - it also inspires me to make MORE art on paper - its easier to flip through these than the art portfolios I was putting on my table last time.

Below is a video of my studio set up the night before the show.



----More Art Updates---

After work today - I went to the art store! Part of my profit *HAPPILY* goes back into buying more supplies. :) I got some standard things I needed more of, and I got some new things to experiment with. I eyed the airbrushes and air compressors, but I'm not ready for that yet. Being a mixed media artist can sure get pricey!

I stopped by the studio to pick up my new order of boards and bags (D's bright idea to have them sent to the Stutz - this way they get signed for by the Stutz crew and I don't have to go chasing after it when the postman comes to my door when I'm not here!)

While there, I made a new work on wood - acrylic and ink. I MAY or MAY not seal it with shiny epoxy pour-on stuff. It needs to be sealed somehow due to the ink.


"Storm Tree Dreaming" 7.25" x 8"
acrylic and ink on wood
(available for $80)



AND... here is one 5" x 7" - an example one of the styles I was playing with before the show - Painting directly on book pages.



"Dead Speak" 5" x 7" acrylic on text pages.
(available for $35 - combine with another 5" x 7" for $60)


----------Last but not least---------

Please send healing thoughts to someone very close to me who's having a very rough time with pneumonia.

Who am I? BIG ART DAY yesterday

Yesterday was a busy art day.
I had a casual open studio at the Stutz from 1:00 - 5:00pm, but at 5, there was an official 'open studio' show called "One Flight Up" for our section of the Stutz building - I am getting much better at the meeting and greeting people part of this business. Many awesome people showed up, we shared ideas and updates and potential projects in the works. (Thank you to everyone that showed up!)
I sold a few magnets, and a small work. (Thank goodness for internet connection in my studio and paypal, and friends who like my stuff.)

During the day I also got some advice about what other kinds of art to explore. I know the kind of work I do has a very limited audience. If I want my 'art' to be my career, I have to be willing to expand my practice, and create other bodies of work that are more... 'appealing' . This doesn't mean I'm going to CHANGE myself or my work, or that my work will become boring, standard, etc. But, I'm willing to explore parts of my art that may be somewhat safer for general consumption. I also like doing 'safe' work - such as landscapes, still lives, etc - and I've been wanting to do some of these things anyway as practice. Perhaps even exploring a more abstract side to myself, or doing surreal work involving trees that is more... LIGHT-HEARTED, rather than dark, creepy and disturbing.

Yes, I often question who I am - I do not have a specific direction in my work - but I do have obsession, drive and excitement about the act of creating art.

Anyway, I got a chance to explore abstract last night. At 9:00 pm, I packed up some supplies from the studio, and headed over to a restaurant in town called the Taste of Tango - upstairs is their lounge, and last night it was being used for a techno event. I had been invited to do a live painting! This is my first experience doing an official 'live' painting - to loud rhythmic music played by DJs. I stayed till 2:00. I think I survived the day on a can of rockstar and parmesan goldfish crackers.

I was using a 2.5' x 2.5' canvas (30" x 30"), acrylics, brushes and rags. I used my french easel to hold it. Dave was there too. The atmosphere was excellent - not too crowded, not too wild - just a place to get into the GROOVE. The lights were dim, I couldn't quite tell what my colors were doing, but I lost myself in the music - I got carried away on the sounds, and I let my brushes release my dreams and emotions.

"Alpha Romeo Tango"

Hopefully I will be doing more live painting soon.
I plan on visiting more events with my easel in tow... invitation or not, its time to paint. (I also need more paints and surfaces on which to paint... time to sell my soul for art supplies)

I really need to start creating a larger body of work (of everything) for the Stutz open house in April. I did 2 small abstract/tree mixed media works tonight (5" x 7")

And I keep questioning myself. Who am I? Does this question matter? Am I betraying myself to do Non-dark and creepy work? Inner dialogue can be quite confusing and exhausting. Time for bed.
_____________
INSPIRATIONS

I cannot forget to at least briefly mention - I have rediscovered an old childhood movie I had not thought about in ages.
I saw an actor on tv that made me think of this movie - I was sent on an internet search for hours trying to find said movie - turns out that none of the actors I thought were in it actually were (making it harder to find) and that I was combining said movie with its own sequel. These are "Mr. Boogedy" and "Bride of Boogedy!" During the daytime open studio, I finished watching these on youtube. What a blast!

Also inspired by a lot of other internet videos recently. Time lapse mushroom growth, time lapse creation of a group painting, and many artists. Last week it was the Northern Renaissance artists. Gotta love teaching art history!

updates are fun with pictures

This Saturday I attended the Paranormal Scarefest at the old Crump Theatre, Columbus Indiana.
Just a one day event, set up like a convention. This is my hometown. Its not known for huge events, and I'm too jaded to expect it to host anything so spectacular. But there was a good turnout and I rather enjoyed myself - plus, I had a great response to the art!
I met some interesting people and creatures - many of whom will also be attending Horrorhound in Indy. I can't wait for that event! - (even though I'm not vending there)


My booth!




Some folks from Atomic Age Cinema - Dr. Calamari, Woody, Baron Mardi, and Reverend Polypus.
__________________________________________________
OTHER NEWS
Different Pasta shapes are fun, and I had a blast picking out FIORI to eat for dinner.


AND, my Amaryllis finally bloomed. I am so happy. Just one bloom then, but now 3 of 4 are open.


__________________

Thats about all, now I need to think of art to make for the Stutz April openhouse. Small things. Perhaps more flat wood panels and mdf. Maybe even small framed work again. I'm holding off on continuing the Weird ABC until after the open house - I know I won't be able to finish them in time, and I don't want to offer them for sale until I have them all together in their own show.

The Weird Alphabet and recent inspirations

The Weird Alphabet!
I have started a new series, spinning off from my other new series!
The weird alphabet! This idea has given me an artistic boundary to work within, and allows me to explore my long dormant love of RESEARCH! Thinking about letters, I also wrote a very naughty alphabet poem, but I will keep that secret for now.

The most recent of the new alphabet series is C = Cacophony



"A = Ambiguity" and "B = Blissful" as well as the rest of the new series (sans alphabetical meaning) can be seen on my website under "Sketch-Panel Series"
_______________________

Recent Happenings and Inspirations

As its December, I will express my love of my favorite Rankin/Bass Christmas special. "The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause". Its one of the most bizarre and beautiful and somewhat pagan Rankin/Bass special, and it RARELY gets played on television. I watched the whole thing on youtube a few days ago - but alas, I checked today to show someone else and it has been removed due to copyright issues. I believe this special should be available somewhere, as it is so rare and most of the people I talk to have never heard of it! Do not be fooled by the animated version (ok, but not as hauntingly interesting) - find the CLAYMATION Rankin/Bass version. I own the movie, and the book - I just realized I have not read the book yet. Check it on IMDB. By the way, even though that is my one true favorite special, I am a fan of all rankin/bass productions (that I've seen so far) - including the wonderful "The Last Unicorn"

___
Fine art: last Thursday, when I lectured about contemporary art, I realized that I hardly own any books or magazines about 'fine art' - I mainly collect fantasy and horror illustrative art - including periods of art history usually gleamed over quickly in general art history books, if mentioned at all (symbolism, romanticism, pre-raphaelites and sentimental Victorian art, and going further back to Bosch, Bruegel, and any artist that focused on darker and fantastic themes). I am hoping to expand my art book collection now to be more inclusive. (Like I need any more books. for the past year, I have had piles on the floor because I ran out of bookshelf space.) Speaking of books, I recently picked up one of my favorite books that I had never finished previously : "Color: A natural history of the Palette" by Victoria Finlay -written as a travel journal, a woman's quest to find the meaning behind colors.

That is all for now. As usual, I am desperately available for commissions, etc.
___
Happenings:
This Friday: I will be vending some art at a club event called "Sanctuary" at the Melody Inn Reception Hall, Indianapolis, IN.
This Thursday will be the last day of my very first university teaching job. Its been a tough start, but I think I like it. If I can keep up with the grading.

Upcoming Shows and updates!

Greetings Bloggers!
A lot has been happening, and I've been forgetting to post here!

UPCOMING GROUP SHOW:
November 20th - STUTZ HOLIDAY EXHIBITION
About 40 different artists....!
There will also be 6" x 8" original works of art by various artists available for $100, half the proceeds will be donated to Brooke's Place (www.brookesplace.org), a nonprofit organization providing grief and loss support groups and counseling for children and their families.

Click on the image for more information
____________________
NEW ART and EXPLORATIONS

I will be the first to admit that I am not consistent in art. I do not stick to one thing. I explore and have fun. This quality may or may not deter me from pursuing more illustration jobs. I have been feeling especially disjointed these past few weeks, and as an artist, I'm not sure who I am anymore. I am starting to appreciate and explore abstract work.
My latest exploration involved wood blocks, plaster gauze strips and glass pieces.
I'm not sure what I think yet. These are WORKS in progress.


However, I finally got back to drawing strange faces a few days later. A place of comfort and interest for me. -
A few days ago, I was browsing some fantasy art, and was inspired by Mark A. Nelson - I love everything about his work, but I was particularly interested (this time) by his color sense and cross hatching. The idea of colorful crosshatching stewed in my brain for a few days until I came up with this:

A larger image can be seen at my deviantART page for now.

That is all the news for now!

Art vs. Art - My creation LIVES!

Tonight was the main event for ART vs. ART! Thank you to everyone who voted for me online, at the event, and Screaming for support!

I was reminded of roman battles to the death - the bloodthirsty crowd cheering on the death of beautiful works! Another friend compared it to the "Flesh Circus" scene in the movie "AI"!

I made it to the top 32 (thank you online voters) and at the event, I made it on stage with the top 16! However, I was .2 decibel points away from making it to round 2. THAT is not a failure at all! The WHEEL of DEATH was spun, and I barely missed INSTANT DEATH! *EEP!* (the two previous paintings, including MY favorite - were DESTROYED by instant death! oh no!) My wheel of death option landed on "Cleave it to Beaver" - but first was the auction opportunity - and after holding my breath, it was FINALLY SAVED!

hurrah! It is now in the possession of the wonderful people who own Urban Optics - a kickass eyeglass shop and gallery, they are also currently housing some of my art on the wall!

Anyway.
Time for me to go to bed, its past 4:00 am. Stay tuned for more posts to come, I am enjoying how blogger works!