Mother Daughter Art, Seawhite sketchbooks, and

Greetings Internet. Changed the name of this blog back to something 'self drive' related. Believe it or not, the title and will to post here because of the title actually makes me do more art. Huh. Interesting.
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This past Saturday was a mother/daughter show at the Renaissance Fine Art and Design Gallery. Even though my mother has passed on, it was the perfect place to keep her art alive! The owner has the best eye for art I've seen in a gallery yet - and she refuses to follow expected 'norms' for galleries. Her collection is Ecclectic and wild, beautiful and bizarre, traditional and non, she's not afraid to try new things. I love it!
Above is a photo of Dad and I at the show. If you want to see more, you are going to have to go see it in person! One South Range Line Road, Carmel, IN. 
Here is a LINK to the facebook page.  

by the way, as it was just mothers day, I decided to upload a few pictures of my mother on fb.
Here is the LINK.


A BIT OF SERENDIPITY
involving
SEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON Sketchbooks



When I went to deliver the art at the gallery, the owner was chatting with a friend who had  randomly stopped in. Just as he was leaving, he gathered his things, picked something up and his sketchbook was uncovered. It was big, black and SQUARE. I gasped and pointed 'Is that a SEAWHITE of BRIGHTON Sketchbook?!?!' - He exclaimed his confirmation that YES indeed it WAS a Seawhite of Brighton sketchbook, and how did I know about them?!

I found and became addicted to them while living in England.


We both agreed that they were the best sketchbooks in the world.
He teaches art in Chicago, but is originally from England. While he is not an official distributor, he does buy about 12-15 at a time, and sells them to his students.


I was overjoyed to have met the man and I hope to see him again! Also, now I know who to contact for my sketchbook fix. *grin!*
I have 2 more empty books on my shelf, thanks to my friend Erich who found and bought 3 of them while he was visiting France. It might be a few years before I need another one, but who knows!

This is my current Seawhite of Brighton book. Its a bit roughed up because when I went to see "The Devils Carnival" in Chicago, I had to fight through rain and hail before getting into the theatre... and I had the book with me. (as I always do). I don't mind - it adds character (my common excuse for everything) and guess what... its not ruined. :)

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ONTO THE ART
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Speaking of the DEVILS CARNIVAL, (AWESOME AWESOME SHOW by the way!!!)
GO SEE THE TRAILER! ~ LINK ~ 
While attending, I did a few drawings for the attending creators and those involved. A little gift giving as a trade for bringing wonderful bizarre cinema to the public.

This is one of 4 drawings I made... while waiting in line to shake hands and get autographs and meet and greet. I've already done a bit of meeting and greeting of Terrance Zdunich while at conventions, but this time I also had the pleasure to meet Emilie Autumn, Darren Lynn Bousman, and finally a proper meeting of Spooky Dan who has been traveling with them on road shows since Repo. 

These pieces of paper were the ONLY DRY things I had on me, as I had them in a protective sleeve. Hurrah! 


So.
Currently working on a book cover but I don't want to give it away. Here is just a tiny sneak peek.

I also ordered some 5" x 7" boards to paint on.
I plan on spending some quality time making some kick-butt small works of art, and I'll share more info down the line! I played with a few of them today. Color, texture, and character experiments.

Also, something to help with inspiration in the studio:
A WURLITZER. Given to me by a Juggler, found out about it from a clown. <3 Thanks Krembo and Rash... of the BLUE MONKEY SIDESHOW. (go watch a VIDEO :) )

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That is all for now. Until next time!

*FWEW*
That update was long overdue.

The Beginning Ate the END

"Beginning Ate The End, Because Beginning Was The Trend.
The End Ran In Terror, Because The End Was An Error."
(The first words you see in my new sketchbook)

I've been in Connecticut the past 2 weeks visiting with Dave's family. We've also been to VT during this time to visit some of my family, and went to NY to visit with a friend and visit the Metropolitan Museum of ART. I am rejuvenated with inspiration!

sketchbooks! Art and books and STUFF!
Hallelujah! I have my SEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON Jumbo square sketchbooks of England again, thanks to my friend Erich who found some in Paris!! *JOY*
(10" x 10" nice smooth paper, sewn in, not merely glued) 
We met in NY where he gave me 3 books and I gave him a painting -
By the way, if you ever plan on visiting the Metropolitan museum of art, do not plan on carrying any art inside with you - they will not check paintings due to liability issues. Thankfully, he was staying at an apartment fairly close, so he could store the painting there. Here's a peek at the first bits of sketchbook joy. I'll show a more full pic once I get back to my scanner.


I was very AWE inspired by the oceanic and african art collection at the Met. This guy is a mental conglomeration of my own creation remembering bits and pieces from various works. 

I have never seen such large african/oceanic art of extreme SRANGENESS in person. I could have spent an hour in the main room just staring at and being in the presence of everything. There are some images I had never encountered before which made me VERY excited. Especially the Baining Night Dance Masks.


(google Baining Night Dance Masks for more fun)

Here is another Sketchbook image

I helped organize the basement while I was here - thus the LYDIA MOLE.

BOOKS
THE BOOK BARN!!
Hours of a beautiful book laden environment - gardens, cats, decorations, buildings of books, little alcoves, etc etc. Visit for yourself in Niantic, CT. 


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And now I must get ready to leave for home. Here's hoping for a good day of driving!!