new banner, goals, doubts, rambles, new work

Here's a new banner for my site.
Anyone out there do banner exchanges? I'm going to be adding a links section to my site.

Created today, inspired by the fact that I have been severely neglecting advertising myself in the right (right?) places.
Also the fact that I'm not really sure which part of myself to advertise - I've landed on 'oddball creations' as it seems to cover all aspects of my work.



I always run into a wall trying to decide what kind of artist I am. Especially realizing that I may not be up to doing the kind of fantasy illustration I had always dreamed of doing. I still dream of it, and keep trying to improve upon the skills that will get me there But... as I have no singular artistic ambition, I sometimes feel very lost.

Plus, I only had about 1 professional commission last year from someone who wasn't in my circle of friends. In my low moments, this kind of thing makes me question my self worth. People LOVE the work - but its difficult work to market.
I have to keep reminding myself of successful artists who also have strange interstitial artwork work - like Dave McKean and Nick Bantock.

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NEW WORK!!!!!!!

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.
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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.


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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.

associations, thought I'd share this observation

as I was studying art, I ran across some of the 'x-ray' style from aboriginal art.

(Image found at http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/xray/hd_xray.htm)

This reminds me a LOT of the animation at the beginning of the movie "Watership Down"
I'd love to ask the animators if they were inspired by the aboriginal art. It seems like it.

Playing around in Studio

Today was a successful day of play and profit. First of all, I gave a 3 hour acrylic technique workshop in my studio. I am going to continue to offer this opportunity for anyone interested. 3 hours turned into almost 4 as we continued to talk and discuss techniques.

After my students left, I was in the mood to keep playing with paint, so I thought I would post photos from today.
Of course, there is the continuation of playing with paint and textures on gessoed surfaces.
Next, I re-picked up an older idea - I have a work in process which uses a regular story book as a sketchbook. Before, I was using the book in a manner similar to the work of Tom Phillips who created HUMUMENT, a manipulated book originally by the name of "The Human Monument". - Excellent work of art, I have no qualms about saying that I am inspired by it - But I do not want to try emulating or copying it. I cannot remember if I started this book before or after someone pointed out Tom Phillips to me. I was at school in England, playing with image and text at the time I discovered his work. Some pages are more graphic like his, some of them include more painting, taking verbal cues from the text when possible. I have posted a few pictures below.







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Later tonight: Pizza at a restaurant - why? To see a magician friend of ours perform table magic.
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Much more to muse on, but I will leave this post be as it is.

Creating

I am consuming the universe and belching strange forested galaxies.
It is crunchy and obscure.

Life continues and I leave a trail of color washes, drips, graphite chiaroscuro , dry scalp and expressions of psychological uneasiness.

Where does this growth matter come from? The air? Dirt? Whispers of sweetness? All this strength and beauty seems to make itself out of nothing.

I am fascinated.
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And now for a random photo of a snow face. I did this in January after a light snow. If I did anything now, it would have to be a sculpture. We have a good buildup and it looks beautiful despite my hatred of cold and having to drive in it.

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)