Friday, July 9, 2010

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).
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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.

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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.

Monday, July 5, 2010

monster baby art purchase

While setting up at the Inconjunction show Friday, I fell in love with the art of Joseph Gubocki, his work featured on a table.
Absolutely the most gorgeous freaks of ceramic invention on earth; twisted hook limbs, misfits of nature gone awry, baby faces conjoined with monstrous crustacean bodies and hellish creatures waiting to burn the world (some of them were oil lamps)

Unfortunately he doesn't seem to have a website and I freakin FORGOT to take a photo of his table. GAH.

BUT I CAN show you the precious baby face I brought home today - he gets along well with his fiendish friends (the other babies are assemblages by mother)




Saturday, July 3, 2010

ART, Downtown Lightbox, Fringe Programs, and hermit crabs

First of all, Awesome News:

My work has been selected to grace the pages of the 40,000 Indianapolis Fringe Festival programs, buttons, advertisements and more - PLUS, the work will be featured on the GIGANTIC LIGHTBOX on the corner of Mass. Ave and St. Clair st.... The image here is just a teaser, the full image will be unveiled the Evening of Friday August 6th. This falls on a GenCon night - if you happen to be at GenCon - you'll have to swing by and check it out either at the unveiling or after! The image will be up for ONE YEAR. Huzzah!


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In other news, I am exhausted today!

Thursday night, Dave and I finally got out of the house and went to Tru (club in broadripple) - we danced and I sold some brain candy booklets, all was good.
Friday (yesterday) I set up some art at Inconjunction in the morning/afternnoon, went to the studio to work on a cd cover, then we went out AGAIN (2 nights in a row!) to see Slick Idiot with Mona Mur. Excellent live music, I havn't danced that hard in a long time.

Today, we were going to go to Incon, but its too pricy for our interests (we just wanted to walk around and talk to people) and I am utterly pooped out. I'm trying to get some stuff done tho.

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By the way, did I blog about my new hermit crabs yet?

My niece had one, and didn't want it anymore - I thought the hermit crab was awesome, so I took him. I renamed him Ronymus (his prev. name was Pizza) - and after about a week and 1/2, I bought him a 10 gal tank (recommended by the pet store), 2 friends, and other things needed. I had fun filling the tank with things to use/play with. His 2 friends are smaller, one in a red shell named Blake, and one in a green shell named "Grünewald". I am sticking to a theme here.



Thursday, June 24, 2010

BRAIN CANDY - weird little art book NOW available!

GREETINGS!

I am very excited to announce that I have completed "BRAIN CANDY, a weird little art book by Lydia Burris"

This book consists of 12 images that are an expression of my brain exploding in book form.
I've combined sketches and photos and drawings and misc. art and words digitally to create one crazy little art book. the 12 images included the front and back cover - 13 images if you count the opening info page, which is also a bit crazy.

I have 60 books currently. They are $10 each. I accept paypal and checks, add $2 for s&h.

Ths weekend I will be selling them at origins.
At some point, I'll do another print run - second edition.
EACH ONE comes with an ORIGINAL doodle on the back page.










Saturday, June 19, 2010

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. :)

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Updates and Feeling accomplished

(copied from my LJ post today)

A LOT has been happening lately.
First of all, I want to express my feeling of accomplishment after preparing a new syllabus for a 5 week art appreciation class I'm teaching in June.



I have taught 3 of these so far - 5 week accelerated classes for returning adults... with a huge reading load. I felt these accelerated classes should be outlawed. I spent 3.5 hours lecturing over what they read, trying to cram all the info in, and then if we were at the art museum, to fit time in to see the art.
I have a feeling people walked away hating art more than when they started.

Granted, lecture was pretty much the only way I could do the class, having been hired very last minute, at the same time I got hired last minute for a 16 week class at a different school (same subject) - the second time I taught the 5 week, I was still getting used to the info.
The third time I taught the class, my textbook was completely switched out for a whole new book. So, I had to lecture again, just to keep up with the students.

This time I decided to completely re-arrange things. (providing the book stays the same!!)
No more lecturing over the reading to cram in all the info. First - I'll give them homework assignments / questions to go along with the reading assignment (rather than giving a quiz over the reading and lecture at the end of class). Second, I'll have them bring in images to discuss - these may or may not be related to the reading.
3rd, instead of lecturing over the book, I'll stay with the same time period and show them extra images, provide quotes and other fun materials having to do with the same subject, have a DISCUSSION about the time period - what they learned from reading, what else they know from history, etc. I will sit WITH the students. (hopefully we can arrange the tables in a circle-like form)


FWEW! I'm actually excited about teaching this again. I hope it goes well, because I just put my name down on a 'wish-list' for 2 more 5-week classes in the fall.

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ART UPDATES.

I am also excited about art right now.
My work load for summer is less, and I will have lots of time to finish up my Stutz residency properly. (I hope!)

Serendipity:

Today I got a letter from Finland, with a little wooden ghost inside, and a letter. This is from an online friend who sent $ for secret surprise art! (See my Surprise art fund button on my website: http://lydiaburris.com/custom.html
) After I sent him art, he sent me this little ghosty as REVENGE. It completely made my day, and I am still giddy about it.
The COOL PART IS... I just started working on an art project thingy that involves ghosts. Oh yeah, gotta love those moments where things in the universe align.

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MAGIC.
This month has been full of magic. As in performance magic.
D and I have seen so many shows recently!
Last weekend was David Copperfield. This weekend is (I forget the name, but its someone awesome) Then all sorts of great local(ish) shows with awesome local(ish) and not so local magicians. XD
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Inspirations:
- Been raiding the comic book shop lately, trying to find the stuff with really good crazy arty art styles.
- Movie - rented the new Sherlock Holmes. Loved it. Loved it Lots.
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CAR:
Had the windshield replaced for free today!
was driving on the highway when some fist sized metal thing fell off the back of a truck and slapped my windshield, creating a hand sized spiderweb crack. Thankfully, my insurance covered it all!
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Health:
Thank you to anyone who sent good energy to someone close to me having trouble with pneumonia. Things are improving!


OK, back to art!

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

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.