Sidestepping Artist with stripe cap

Full figure, wearing cloths! I've decided this year that I'm going to focus on retaining, rebuilding, and gaining new skills. I'm tired of creating work purely from my own mind. I need to start working from life again more if I want my imaginative work to look better. I hope I can find time to paint other people (if I can convince people to sit for me)

I havn't done a (successful) full figure in oils since 2004. See below to compare the 2!



The first one is from 2004, and the second one was finished on Friday, Jan 22nd.
It looks like I am stepping into my artwork with defiance!
I'd say its not bad despite my lack of practice - however my exposure to drawing lectures keeps my mind fresh and constantly thinking about anatomy.
CLOSEUP!


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More Art: THE WEIRD ALPHABET!!!
"D" = Devious" is finished!


See a slightly larger image at my Deviantart site - click on the image to see the larger.
There are somewhere between 30 and 40 "D" words here. Have fun looking!

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Other news:
I have posted a few Military photos from 1916, 1917 - 14th Cavalry on Ebay.
Check them out if you are interested or know anyone who is.

Lydia's 2009 recap!

Lydia's 2009 RECAP!! (copied at my lj as well)

The good and the bad.

First of all, I have to tip my hat to a most wonderful man in my family who passed this year. Papaw Hartman. He will be sorely missed - but despite the sadness of his passing, this man lived a full and wonderful LONG life. He was a true gentleman with good taste and a soft spot for spumante ice cream.

The rest of the year: the one thing that bogged me down was $. I am not alone in this and it wasn't really as bad as it could've been. My head was above water and I had safety nets. It was also my decision to be on the edge of my funds, so I can't complain too much. I wanted to reserve time for my art and creative advancement - and I thank the heavens that my lovely boyfriend understands and supports my efforts.

Perhaps the best month of the year was August. I was awoken from my lazy mental slumber with a shiny colorful SLAP in brain! I got 2 university teaching jobs (just one class each) so I was able to stop being a WAITRESS. (this is perhaps one of the BRIGHTEST points of the year). Finally I could use the MASTERS of FINE ART that I got in England, 2005!
What else in August? GENCON. Mother and I shared a booth, D performed magic, we were sleep deprived by attending too many events, and we had an excellent time with really good friends!
Another bright moment was finding out that I was accepted into the STUTZ residency!

Throughout the whole year, I showed in a plethora of art shows and got my name out there. D also advanced greatly in magic - The local magic community is extremely friendly and helpful!! He performed with Taylor Martin at the Fringe festival, and had an act at one of the IMM shows!

There were a lot of other great things in 2009 - ORIGINS fantasy and gaming con - another art table and excellent company! There were lots of weddings - friends and family.
ALSO - D and I took a trip North East to see his family in Connecticut - a long overdue trip for him! I got to meet his family and some of his long time long lost buddies, which was awesome. While we were up that way, we visited Vermont where some of my family lives. We had such a blast!
IM sure I missed some other awesome things!

WHATS in for 2010?
I want adventure. I want to branch out fearlessly in all aspects of my life.
I hope to put less pressure on myself to make perfect decisions, and just enjoy where I am and what I'm doing.

Here is the first image of 2010!

"The Dreamer"
5" x 7" watercolor and ink on bristol
original available for $30 (includes shipping)

End of the year and works in progress

The year is coming to an end. I am excited for the new year. I am ready for the mental 'fresh start' although until I organize all my paperwork, I won't feel caught up yet.
The last couple of days have been a bit lazy (as they should be during the holiday!) and I am feeling anxious about teaching. I DO like teaching, and I know things will (should be) fine but I am not used to this much responsibility yet. I realize that I have never been good about working for others, except for the independent book store I worked at before going to England. (Viewpoint in Columbus, IN.) Books make me happy. Doing art and Research makes me happy. I am still constantly searching for the perfect 'job' for me, and I have a feeling I won't find it until I am able to support myself on my own creations.
Lets hope 2009 brings not only productivity, but also a financial boost. (I think everyone is wishing for that last one!)

Moving on to works in progress:
I'm not exact on the size as it is not in front of me currently (I think its a bit larger than 14" x 17"). I started this with the idea of making it like my sketchbook. I let it sit untouched for a few months, unsatisfied with the results. Recently (after realizing my new love of pastel colors and cross-hatch brush strokes) I decided to give it a wash of colors.... and NOW I am excited!


Here is a closeup:

I am enjoying the variety of colors and paint effects.
I am keeping things random and I'm not sure where to take it next. At least I crossed over the first obstacle!
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Christmas was small and wonderful. D and I played a lot of games with the family: Contract Rummy (a traditional fave), Blockus: Trigon, Fill or Bust, and Scrutineyes. We all found good gifts for eachother despite everyone feeling the tight strings of the economy. Best of all, we were able to enjoy eachother's company. I wish we had been able to see everyone - and hopefully we can visit D's family in the spring.
Thats all for now! I'll be working on my 'resolutions' soon.

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"
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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"

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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.
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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.

New Series of work

Finally, I think I've come to a landing point and found something I can work on quite happily for a while.
People are always admiring my sketchbook and just recently I was able to find the happy medium between my 'art on the wall' and the raw automatic feeling of my sketchbook.
These are all 7.5" x 7.5" mixed media on wood. (also, originals available for $75 + shipping)

"Mental Transmission"

"Conquer Quest Rest Repeat"

"The Secret Garden"

Visit My deviantART gallery for more descriptions of the text and a larger image)

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Get me to GenCon! And NEW WORK

Greetings Folks!

This year, I went to 2 conventions, but barely scraped by on funds to do it. This year, I want to be ready - My first goal is to make enough art money to buy my table at GenCon. This will be my 3rd year, and I do not want to miss out!
If you are interested in art, or would like to buy something as a GIFT for a friend, you'll be helping me get to GenCon.
For this personal fundraiser, I am offering things at a pretty good price.

I will be making a specific page for available works soon, but in the meantime I will be uploading new images I do - and you can browse my deviantart gallery for most of my works.

I am also accepting commissions. I can of course, do any size/medium you like, but to make it easy I'm starting off with standard sizes and prices. The work tends to be mixed media, so I kept it to a simple 'B&W' or 'Color'. Any other specifications can be made later.
The 5" x 7" come with a frame. Shipping is included.

Small Commissions

5" x 7" B&W $25.00 5" x 7" Color $40.00 8" x 10" B&W $40.00 8" x10" Color $75.00 8" x 10" B&W & framed $45.00 8" x 10" Color & framed $80.00

If these aren't the specifications you want, send me an message through lydiaburris @ gmail.com (minus the spaces) and we can work something out.

I also have the fun super secret donation art button!!!
you can donate any amount of $ (5 and above) and I will send you art based on the donation value or better!

THIS BUTTON IS NOT FOR THE WEAK. ITS NOT FOR THE PICKY. ITS FOR THOSE WHO LIKE SURPRISES IN THE MAIL!
(but you are allowed to send a hint)

NEW WORKS
AND NOW TO the most recent works! If you want something, let me know.




Innumerable Dragonflies
5" x 7" acrylic on cardboard paper (for the texture)
Available for $40 (includes shipping and frame)


Sub Terra
5" x 7" ink and colored pencil on brown paper.
Available for $30(includes shipping and frame)


What do you know?
5" x 7" acrylic on cardboard paper (for the texture)
Available for $35 (includes shipping and frame)

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
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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!