Monday, April 29, 2013

State of the Artist 4/29/2013

View halloo, all!

Wow, this will be the last State of the Artist for April... where does the time go? O.o Honestly, it feels like just yesterday I was kicking off this year's Sketch-A-Day Project. Be that as it may, it is Monday (albeit a rather soggy Monday here,) and that means it's time for another State of the Artist update!


Weekly Words

Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has ever known.
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)



Current Project

I've just completed a couple of small, quick commissions (the client requested I not post them until the summer, when the project they were done for goes live) so that's actually taken most of my time this past week, hence no new art here, unfortunately.

I've got oodles of notes on new personal pieces I'd like to start that I just haven't had time to actually sketch out. The notes do help, though. If I can't sketch things out, at least I've got my major points for upcoming pieces. I find that even if I can take a few moments to jot down the idea for a project, I'm far more likely to actually start and finish it since there's a record of the inspiration. Often times, I find that when I finally get the time to go back to those notes, I end up being more thorough in their expansion, with a better grasp on what becomes the final product. If that makes any sense...

I don't know, really, every creative has their own process that is unique to them; that organic evolution of idea to rough to finished product. I'll dig some of my note pages up and post them if anyone is interested in seeing how that process happens for me.

I know a lot of people who follow this journal are extremely creative, what's YOUR process?


Shop Silvertales

Oh, goodness! After far too long a hiatus, there are New Products available in the Zazzle shop! *whew*

I've put up new products using some of this year's Work-a-Week pieces, namely the sleeping baby dragon and the seahorse merbabies! There are phone/tablet/ereader skins and cases, bags, mugs, cards, and many other products with these popular images on them!

*

Just in time for the upcoming Mother's Day, Zazzle has a 15% of ALL products deal to get your mom (or any mom) something wonderful. If you'd like to take advantage of the 15% off in my shop, or any other, please be aware the offer ends on Wednesday.



Shop Silvertales - the Sequel

A number of the popular Sketch-A-Day pieces from the 2013 project (and 2012!) are still available for purchase. If you'd like to own an original piece of my artwork or give one as a gift, but have never been able to make it to a convention or get an open commission slot, here's the perfect opportunity to take advantage of some inexpensively priced original art!

The pieces still available can be found: HERE! Please, be aware that because these are originals they are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. If you'd like a piece, I suggest you request it as soon as possible. I'm happy to discuss payment plans if you'd like to pick up multiple pieces!


Near Future

The Near Future sees work on personal pieces (including the painting for the popular Sketch-A-Day 2013 Day 31 -otherwise known as the demon woman in the bat-dress) and mail-in convention preparation (for which, I am woefully behind.)

Unfortunately, there will be no Silvertales table at Otakon's Artist Alley this year. The AA is chosen by lottery system, and I just didn't get a table this year, so I am unable to attend. I am very sorry, as I know I meet a lot of you all at Otakon, and it is a convention I enjoy a great deal.

I'm always on the lookout for other convention appearance opportunities, though, so if you've got a favorite convention to attend or suggest, please let me know!

I should be able to open up some commission slots for three more Moleskine covers before the end of May for those who let me know of their interest, so keep an eye out for that!


So, that's all, folks! Thanks for joining me for another State of the Artist update!

If you enjoy seeing new project or sneak peeks at WIP photos, please consider a donation!
Become a patron of the arts!




Monday, April 22, 2013

State of the Artist 4/22/2013

View halloo!!

It's Monday, which usually means it's time for another State of the Artist, except this week I'm going to do things a little differently. Ever since the January Sketch-A-Day Project completed, I've fielded a number of questions regarding the original sketches.

Yes, they *are* available for sale, and I've finally managed to make time to list all the remaining sketches! The following table lists all the 2013 Sketch-A-Day originals still available for purchase and their corresponding sale price directly below the images.

Please be aware, that since these are the original sketches, they are first come, first serve!

Sketch-A-Day 2013: Originals
$60 $50 $60 $50
SOLD
$45 $45 SOLD $50
$50 $60 $60 $75
$40 $75 $75 $40
SOLD
$30 SOLD $30 $70
$30 $20 $30 $30
$40 $60 $30 $30
SOLD
$50 SOLD

There are still sketches available from the 2012 Sketch-A-Day Project

Sketch-A-Day 2012: Originals
SOLD
SOLD $50 $70 $20
$20 $30 $50 $50
$35 $25 $30 $30
SOLD
$40 SOLD $75 $60
$50 $35 $45 $45


All prices in USD.
Shipping ADD: $9 for domestic US / $16 for international

**Shipping is a flat rate, regardless of how many sketches you purchase!**

If you're interested in any of the sketches listed, please contact me @: silvertales[at]gmail[dot]com. Please use "Sketch-A-Day sketch request" in the subject line and let me know which sketch[es] you'd like! If they're still available, payment information will be emailed in return.


If you enjoy seeing posts of new or in-progress artwork, please consider a donation.

Become a patron of the arts!





Feel free to post links to this journal/community if you feel there might be interest in my artwork!

Monday, April 15, 2013

State of the Artist 4/15/2013

View halloo, all!

It's April 15th, and for me and my fellow Americans, that's means Federal Income Taxes are due today. Thankfully, I filed early and online, so that arduous and unpleasant process is done with! It's also raining, again, in my part of the Sunshine State, so this is a rather soggy State of the Artist update!

Weekly Words

Try again, fail again. Fail better.
- Samuel Beckett (1906-1989)

The creative process a constant struggle between creation and failure. Creation does not mean success, either, it means another opportunity to improve, to push, to explore, to rediscover, to adapt, to incorporate... in short, to fail better.


Current Project

My third and final Moleskine cover commission has reached it's intended recipient, halfway around the world, and I agreed to not post the scan until it was in my client's hand so they could be surprised. I do so love surprises! :)



Like the sketchbook cover I had done for myself a while ago, this cover was a wraparound portrait cover, only with the front half being "normal" and the back being a sugar skull.

I've never done sugar skull art before, but it was FUN!

Really, I had a marvelous time working on all of these Moleskine commissions, my clients came up with wonderful and challenging concepts that I truly enjoyed! I love the collaboration that goes on between artist and client in the commission process!



Monthly Postcard Project

April's postcard has been mailed, so all my current subscribers should be receiving this month's offering by the end of the week (for the domestic US delivery) or by the end of the month (for my international subscribers.) And here's a sneak peek!



As always, if you'd like to receive a new, original, exclusive to this project, art postcard information about the project can be found at the Monthly Postcard Project permanent page HERE!



Near Future

The Near Future sees three of six remaining bust-up portrait pencil sketch commissions waiting for me along with painting preparation, and art show preparation.

If I get a chance to just work straight through, the pencil commissions should be done relatively quickly (she says, while crossing her fingers.) If that's the case, I think I can open up another set of three Moleskine cover commissions by next week's State of the Artist (more finger crossing going on.) Please, let me know if there is more interest in another set of these cover commissions and I'll go grab some books!

But, that's all, folks! Thank you for joining me for another State of the Artist update!


If you enjoy seeing posts of new or in-progress artwork, please consider a donation.

Become a patron of the arts!





Feel free to post links to this journal/community if you feel there might be interest in my artwork!