vampire portraits, sad triangles, and an upsidedown face

Through Darkness
Its been a while since I updated with some art - deaths in the family will do that to you.
I feel like I've been hit with a bad country music song. First my dear, dear mother passed, and now my wonderful aunt/dad's sister.
For the most part, this experience has been full of support and love from friends and family, however there is deep part of me that will be haunted by the more frightening aspects of this ordeal. Disaster and sadness do create a dark spot on one's soul. I do not want to shove that pain aside and ignore it. It can be kept within reach and transformed into a creative tool when needed. Just like anger, or other extreme emotions. But... for now... I will keep it locked in a box.

Sketches
Here are some sketches from my book since my last post.


beauty, followed by my version of 'Eli' after watching the movie 'Let the Right One In' (original)


Random things in Jars and faces.



Someone drawing on an easle, sadness, trees and lots of triangles. Also a little blurred spot.


Some faces drawn with my eyes closed. (fun exercise) and my version of "Radu" after watching "
the movie "Subspecies".


An umopisdn face.... upsidedown.

Conventions
2 Days after my mothers Death, I attended "Paranormal Scarefest" in NewCastle Indiana. A small event focused on Sammy Terry. I had 2 tables, and brought my mom's last finished sculpture as a little memorial. I was able to keep my public face on all day and found the whole thing to be extremely therapeutic. I definitely belong in this line of work. At this con, I was requested to do a Sammy Terry portrait, and will post it when I learn more about where its going and what permissions there are.

Also, I am now definitely confirmed for Horrorhound Indy March 25-27th! There had been a little mixup and I was worried, but its all sorted out now. I loved going last year as a fan because they had Clive Barker. This year they have Boondock Saints, and who knows who else by the time it happens! :)

Done Done Done! - OH, and Halloween!!

Oh joy - Tasks getting done for the Paranormal Scare Fest this weekend!

- Prints ORDERED (done by Thurs) - Local Printer: Simon Skjodt.
- Magnets are DONE!
- New Backdrop PLANNED!
- some small quick fan art done as extras

So... about the art hanging backdrop - I normally use a 7' lattice work with a black cloth to hang my work, but its so bulky and hard to fit stuff around it in my car when I travel. D and I had planned to create a new backdrop out of PVC pipe, but we delayed too long and I decided that I'll just take the lattice again. HOWEVER, Today D noticed a cheap portable coat rack that works perfect!! Its a little shorter, but its STABLE - I pinned a cloth to it and hung art on it and it works!!! So LIGHT and it packs down tiny!! We plan on testing it tomorrow as a taller structure by zip-tying the base to part of a break-down plastic shelving unit, making it about 8' high. YEAH! Tomorrow we get more coat racks and we will be good to go with a LOT more space in the car!!

_______________
HALLOWEEN
---------------------
Ok, I have to at least mention the awesomeness that was this weekend, but its late and I havn't been feeling like expounding upon my experiences poetically - so expect a quick version~

First of all, on SATURDAY, D performed at the White Rabbit Cabaret with Taylor Martin, Berry Rice, and Gavin Rulon - I acted as his assistant. Also at the White Rabbit was the Hasenfeffer troup + http://www.whiterabbitcabaret.com/ - Excellent dancing/choreography!! Very clever. An Excellent Halloween show!!

On Sunday, friends of ours were getting married!! Dru and Maria at Garfield Park. What an excellent idea, awesomeness all around, very pretty, spooky and fun. Afterwards was the Reception at the Melody (reception hall) and the Mel itself hosted a Halloween goth party - also popped in there to see what was up.
I'll have to post more pictures when I get a chance.

(Lyd, D, Dru before the wedding - photo by Devon Kaser)

Afterwards, our good friends V and N stayed over where we ate pizza and discussed snakes, hermit crabs, various states to live in, fluffy bats, traditions, etc until 5 am. It was good.

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.

getting ready for the con season

PREPARATIONS!
Tomorrow is FAMOUS MONSTERS CONVENTION! This will be the first specifically ~HORROR~ Convention I vend at. I am very excited!

Tonight I have just finished creating about 87 magnets for tomorrow. I ordered magnet sheets almost a week ago, got photo printouts today, stuck them on the magnets, used an exacto to cut the magnets out generally, and scissors to smooth each edge.

I also ordered some new prints (finished today), and a second edition of my Brain Candy book (to be picked up tomorrow).
___________________
Today was my last art appreciation class of the once a week, 5 week Indiana tech class I'm teaching. I picked up my evaluation forms earlier, did errands, and then went to the IMA where the class was being held. This is the first time I've felt 'in my element' teaching this class - I rearranged the info I was presenting and changed my teaching style to allow less lecture, and more appreciation. I also feel the students were very happy and enjoyed the class, and did not want to shoot me in the knee cap, as I suspected my previous students wanted to do. (too much info, too much lecture, not enough appreciation... 5 weeks only leaves so much room to digest info) I still have to get my grades in by Monday eve ... with the monster convention and packing for a 2 week vacation after Monday, this should be interesting.
What else did I do today? worked on a flyer and some work for a comic project.

BUSY MUCH? Nah, not me!

Oh. And a few days ago, I bought a 25 pound bag of CLAY. I have cravings to work in clay, and have for about 2 years (I even wrote the urge in my sketchbook 2 years ago) FINALLY. I have clay.

_______________
HERMIT CRAB THEATRE
the latest: Grünewald is now "PRINCE" Grünewald, as he has changed from his old green shell to a slightly smaller purple shell. He has also found his ZEN spot on the top of a stick. he LOVES to climb. But I have yet to see him eat anything.
Ronymus has been hiding all day and evening in a larger shell (while still attached to his old shell) so it looks like a sort of yen-yang of 2 shells flowing together. This is not the first time he has attempted to live in 2 shells. I wonder what he's thinking... does he hear the ocean in this shell? is it comforting? Is he looking for a larger friend to play with? Does he have SHELL ENVY???
Blake just likes to dig lately.

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. :)