Art That Pops

It has been awhile since I mentioned it- it has been a busy semester.  I also only just got this back.  Here is my paper for my English class describing some basic techniques for fun paintings that anyone can do.
Next time I get around to it, I might add some step be step pictures to make it better as a tutorial.

Holy Wow! An Update!

The lack of posts is due to finally being back in school full time, though for my English class I have had to start a    new blog : http://dustjacketstudio.blogspot.com/  I am working on a paper for class right now, too, in which I will be explaining the process I go through when doing my paintings.  If I am satisfied with the final paper, I will be posting it here in a couple weeks!

MINIS!!!

So, I have never really done any small drawings or paintings, but I am embarking on a new adventure of a series of 4x4" canvas panel paintings.  While I am right in the middle of another set, I am being drawn to this new project as well.  Still working on both, I am surrounded be a group of "works in progress" but still haven't overwhelmed myself yet.  I get distracted easily, and oftentimes set one project aside for another, but have this time chosen to keep everything out where it stares at me, allowing my attention to go to the one I am at that moment most drawn to.  Hopefully this will keep these pieces from going to the back burner, only to fall off the stove altogether like usual.

busy workstation

That't Joan Jett under way on the left in yellow, and David Bowie soon to come on the right.  They would go great for someone who likes to display album covers.

For the minis, I have in mind an upbeat and fun series that I don't think anyone could avoid finding the fun in!

background for the very first Mini!

Today's Recipe of the Day is my own.  I have been making this a lot since I've been home, and might just be addicted!  I don't have a name for it, but maybe someone could suggest one.

Ingredients:

2 eggs

Tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup salsa

1/4 cup fresh chopped red pepper

Texas Pete to taste

Using a small skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, then add peppers and salsa.  Mix for a minute or so then add eggs- one on each side to evenly cover pan.  Oil should keep eggs from merging, so after a few minutes (depending on how well done you like your eggs) flip eggs individually.  Sprinkle Texas Pete to taste.  Once eggs have cooked to your preference, slide entire contents onto plate.  Mmm  :)

Gearing up for the holidays!

I've been busy the last couple days putting up Christmas decorations, and have a few commissions lined up to finish by the Holiday.  Busy as I have been, I still have an itch to do some Christmas paintings.  I loved drawing pictures of Santa as a kid- I even went so far as writing and illustrating a young reader book when I was about ten called Doppy the Christmas Elf- which will never see the light of day again! I love the Coca-Cola vision of Santa created by  Haddon Sundblom.

I eventually would like to do series paintings for my other favorite holiday too- Halloween, and some classic fairy tales like Snow White and Hansel and Gretel.   One thing at a time I guess.


Yesterday I finished reading The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen.  Loved it!  It was also nice to have a cameo of Claire and Bay from Sarah's first book, Garden Spells, which has the honor of being my first Nook Book purchase before my deployment, and which I got a bunch of my fellow soldiers to read after a generous donation made by Sarah herself last year for our company book club.  I hope many more soldiers overseas have enjoyed them as much as we did as we donated them to the camp MWR before heading home. Hmm, maybe I could do some paintings inspired by some of my favorite books.  This is why I have such a hard time getting projects done- always so excited to start the next one!  Yes, one thing at a time.  :/

putting on my game face

So, I have some up with my New Year's resolution early.  Next year I will gather up my courage and participate in at least one art festival. If nothing else, there is the fair in my home town that I never missed as a kid.  If none other, I will definitely be there, especially since it falls on my Mom's birthday weekend and I had planned on being up there anyway.  This is a big step for me since the first and last time I participated in any type of art show it was a complete disaster- horrible turn out and stuck all night with the worst violinists ever!
Since my main focus has become doing custom portraits, I really don't have much in the way of original paintings to offer.  I have through June to build up my print inventory and some more paintings.
I have been doing some hefty research and found a great site to find lots of venues throughout the year.  Flourish canopies are the best I've seen so far that offer what I really envision as a professional, functional, and appealing booth to display my art.
Now that I am back to work full time, I look back at the month I had to work on my art, wanting to work on my art, but was still struggling with the whole reintegration after my year overseas.  I am only just now really getting myself back into the swing of day to day life, and find myself without the amount of time I really need to focus on painting.  2012 is going to be a rough year, but I am determined to come through it as more the the artist I've always wanted to be.  Being committed full time to my art is currently just a dream, but I am hopeful that the effort I put in over the next year gets me that much closer to the dream becoming reality.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Things are going great in the new studio.  I finished a new piece yesterday and have a few more lined up to finish by Christmas.  A friend of mine had wanted a painting for a long time, but never requested one due to finances. Well, I did one for her anyway, and was inspired to off up one free painting every month.  Some periods are slow or I just don't know what I want to paint, and this will keep me busy during those times as well.  Since I currently can only claim painting as a hobby, I don't always have something on my easel.  I want to share my work with everyone, and this is an awesome way to do it.
On my website is a simple entry form for the contest.

This is "Make A Wish"  inspired by Olivia.

It's kinda late for this year, but I've wanted to do a classic horror series for Halloween  Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man, ect.  Oh well, Christmas is right around the corner though...!!!

Everything is ready to go!

Lots to update!  Since I have finally been back home the past two months, two main things have gone down.
1)  The studio is finished!
2)  I've got new projects finished and under way!

For the studio, I went with adjustable shelves to fit my canvases and supplies, and just an mdf desk because I make a mess :)

The wall color is Behr's "Buzz Blaster Blue"  It is a Disney color- I picked it to match the colors in the rest of the garage where my girlfriend grows african violets.

 I went cheep with the curtains and used pieces of black felt I bought at Michael's. These are great for blocking out the light.

My rock chick corner, including a cross made by Cherrie Currie that I got for my birthday.

 Now that it's all set up,  I am ready to paint!  I did finish a couple of pieces when I first got home though.  Also, I've come up with a fun project to keep me busy on slow days.  On the last Friday of every month I will be drawing a name of people that enter throughout the month to win a free painting.  The only rule is that no one person can win more that once every twelve months.  Enter to win!

I already have quite a few pieces  that I have yet to even start, so the first drawing won't be held until November 25.  Prices have dropped on all of my paintings, so if you definitely would like something by Christmas, there is the regular order form also on my website.