Saturday, June 29, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
State of the Artist 6/24/2013
View halloo, all!
I'm sorry for the lack of State of the Artist update last week, but there wasn't really anything to post. The "new art for upcoming convention" process has been incredibly slow (read here, non-existent) and I just haven't been able to produce anything I've been happy enough to try an finish up. So, unfortunately, it looks like there won't be anything new for Florida SuperCon, and hopefully, I can kick this lull soon... not drawing or painting or doing *something* almost feels like my skin is two sizes too small... it's a strange, uncomfortable feeling.
But, it's Monday, and I've got a few random doodles, so I thought I'd post an update!
Weekly Words
Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with.
- John Wanamaker, 1838 - 1922
In this rapid-paced, digital packet transfer world, I think we often forget there are real people behind the avatars and pseudonyms on the internet; real people who reach out, who share, who hope to connect. It takes a few moments our of our day to respond, to connect, to acknowledge, and yet so many of us choose not to do so.
Current Project
As I'd said in an earlier State of the Artist update, I had hoped to be busy producing new artwork for the upcoming Florida SuperCon over 4th of July weekend... unfortunately, that has not come to pass. But, while there hasn't been any new artwork-to-be-finished, there were a couple of random doodles.
Afric is an old character that never quite went anywhere. He's been hanging around for a long time, and when my friend (MCA Hogarth) sent me a picture of the original doodle she'd found from years ago and suggested I redraw him, I thought it was a great idea!
* * *
A random doodle I started that had no real direction, and as a result, didn't really GO anywhere. she's just kind of... there.
Near Future
As mentioned, Florida SuperCon is coming up over 4th of July weekend in Miami, FL, and I'll have a table in the Artist Alley all four days. If you'll be attending, come by and say hi, buy a print, or commission an original!
I've got two big commission projects in the near future, and they're making me a bit nervous sitting there waiting to be tackled, but they're both great projects that I"m very excited about and I hope to say more about them soon!
Sorry about the short and sweet update this week, everyone! If you have any recommendations for things you'd like to see in upcoming State of the Artist updates, please let me know!
I'm sorry for the lack of State of the Artist update last week, but there wasn't really anything to post. The "new art for upcoming convention" process has been incredibly slow (read here, non-existent) and I just haven't been able to produce anything I've been happy enough to try an finish up. So, unfortunately, it looks like there won't be anything new for Florida SuperCon, and hopefully, I can kick this lull soon... not drawing or painting or doing *something* almost feels like my skin is two sizes too small... it's a strange, uncomfortable feeling.
But, it's Monday, and I've got a few random doodles, so I thought I'd post an update!
Weekly Words
Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with.
- John Wanamaker, 1838 - 1922
In this rapid-paced, digital packet transfer world, I think we often forget there are real people behind the avatars and pseudonyms on the internet; real people who reach out, who share, who hope to connect. It takes a few moments our of our day to respond, to connect, to acknowledge, and yet so many of us choose not to do so.
Current Project
As I'd said in an earlier State of the Artist update, I had hoped to be busy producing new artwork for the upcoming Florida SuperCon over 4th of July weekend... unfortunately, that has not come to pass. But, while there hasn't been any new artwork-to-be-finished, there were a couple of random doodles.
Afric is an old character that never quite went anywhere. He's been hanging around for a long time, and when my friend (MCA Hogarth) sent me a picture of the original doodle she'd found from years ago and suggested I redraw him, I thought it was a great idea!
A random doodle I started that had no real direction, and as a result, didn't really GO anywhere. she's just kind of... there.
Near Future
As mentioned, Florida SuperCon is coming up over 4th of July weekend in Miami, FL, and I'll have a table in the Artist Alley all four days. If you'll be attending, come by and say hi, buy a print, or commission an original!
I've got two big commission projects in the near future, and they're making me a bit nervous sitting there waiting to be tackled, but they're both great projects that I"m very excited about and I hope to say more about them soon!
Sorry about the short and sweet update this week, everyone! If you have any recommendations for things you'd like to see in upcoming State of the Artist updates, please let me know!
Monday, June 10, 2013
State of the Artist 6/10/2013
View halloo, all!
For the first time in about 3 1/2 weeks, it's not raining! Don't get me wrong, I like rainy weather (well, as long as I'm inside and don't have to drive anywhere in it,) there's something comforting about the patter of rain, but I'm thrilled to have finally have a sunny day!
And, so, it's Monday, and that means it's time for this week's State of the Artist update!
Weekly Words
Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with.
- John Wanamaker, 1838 - 1922
Current Project
Well, now that the abstract painting is out the door, I can post a project I've had waiting in the wings for a while now. This is a book cover illustration worked up for release at the end of the month.
The commission is ink, marker, and white ink at 6x9". I was pretty excited to play around with this one, as my client gave me some great direction, but still let me loose to play. :)
Monthly Postcard Project
June's postcards have been ordered and shipped, so those will soon be at my door and ready for mailing! For my 6 month domestic and international subscribers, this will be your last postcard of the project unless you wish to renew your subscription, which can be done here: HERE.
Thank you for believing, supporting, and taking the step to sign up for this new project!
Also the posting of the April 2013 postcard painting:
The original painting of a lounging dark elf priestess and her fluffy, wolfy avatar is watercolor, ink, and gold ink on 5x8" multimedia paper.
The original is $35USD + $6USD for domestic shipping, or $9USD for international shipping.
If you're enjoying postings of the postcard pieces, please consider subscribing to the project. For the price of one coffeehouse coffee every month, you'll receive a brand new, original and exclusive artwork postcard in your mailbox, with a handwritten note from the artist. There are 3, 6, and 12 month domestic and international subscription options.
If you'd like more information, or to subscribe, please check out the information page, HERE!
Shop Silvertales
Zazzle is having a great Father's Day sale on ALL of their products, site-wide, through Tuesday! If you'd like to take advantage of the Father's Day sale to grab a few goodies for those great dads in your life, head on over to the shop: HERE and enter 15PROMOONALL during the checkout process. Remember, sale ends Tuesday and can be used for orders from any Zazzle store!
Near Future
The Near Future sees me prepping for a couple of pretty big commission projects at the same time as prepping for Florida SuperCon next month, here in Miami, FL over 4th of July weekend.
That's a lot of prepping... and not much arting. Yes, arting is a word. Well... it is on Planet Kit. :)
Well, I think that's all for this week's State of the Artist update here on Planet Kit.
I thank you for joining me again this week! Feedback is the food which fuels the creative discussion between Artist and Audience, please, feel free to comment or leave suggestions for new projects!
If you enjoy seeing posts of new or in-progress artwork, please consider a donation.
Feel free to post links to this journal/community if you feel there might be interest in my artwork!
For the first time in about 3 1/2 weeks, it's not raining! Don't get me wrong, I like rainy weather (well, as long as I'm inside and don't have to drive anywhere in it,) there's something comforting about the patter of rain, but I'm thrilled to have finally have a sunny day!
And, so, it's Monday, and that means it's time for this week's State of the Artist update!
Weekly Words
Courtesy is the one coin you can never have too much of or be stingy with.
- John Wanamaker, 1838 - 1922
Current Project
Well, now that the abstract painting is out the door, I can post a project I've had waiting in the wings for a while now. This is a book cover illustration worked up for release at the end of the month.
The commission is ink, marker, and white ink at 6x9". I was pretty excited to play around with this one, as my client gave me some great direction, but still let me loose to play. :)
Monthly Postcard Project
June's postcards have been ordered and shipped, so those will soon be at my door and ready for mailing! For my 6 month domestic and international subscribers, this will be your last postcard of the project unless you wish to renew your subscription, which can be done here: HERE.
Thank you for believing, supporting, and taking the step to sign up for this new project!
Also the posting of the April 2013 postcard painting:
The original painting of a lounging dark elf priestess and her fluffy, wolfy avatar is watercolor, ink, and gold ink on 5x8" multimedia paper.
The original is $35USD + $6USD for domestic shipping, or $9USD for international shipping.
If you're enjoying postings of the postcard pieces, please consider subscribing to the project. For the price of one coffeehouse coffee every month, you'll receive a brand new, original and exclusive artwork postcard in your mailbox, with a handwritten note from the artist. There are 3, 6, and 12 month domestic and international subscription options.
If you'd like more information, or to subscribe, please check out the information page, HERE!
Shop Silvertales
Zazzle is having a great Father's Day sale on ALL of their products, site-wide, through Tuesday! If you'd like to take advantage of the Father's Day sale to grab a few goodies for those great dads in your life, head on over to the shop: HERE and enter 15PROMOONALL during the checkout process. Remember, sale ends Tuesday and can be used for orders from any Zazzle store!
Near Future
The Near Future sees me prepping for a couple of pretty big commission projects at the same time as prepping for Florida SuperCon next month, here in Miami, FL over 4th of July weekend.
That's a lot of prepping... and not much arting. Yes, arting is a word. Well... it is on Planet Kit. :)
Well, I think that's all for this week's State of the Artist update here on Planet Kit.
I thank you for joining me again this week! Feedback is the food which fuels the creative discussion between Artist and Audience, please, feel free to comment or leave suggestions for new projects!
Feel free to post links to this journal/community if you feel there might be interest in my artwork!
Monday, June 3, 2013
State of the Artist 6/3/2013
View halloo, all!
It's yet another soggy Monday here on Planet Kit, and that means it's time for a State of the Artist update!
Weekly Words
That is happiness, to be dissolved into something complete and great.
- Willa Cather, 1873 - 1947
There is a freedom in completion. And yet, it is tempered by drive to start something new.
Current Project
Thanks to the people who answered my rather last-minute request on my Silvertales Studio Facebook page, I bring you the finished abstract acrylic I've been poking at over the last month or so, complete with progress photos!
This work is a commission for the lovely Murgy, who happily told me to just do whatever struck my fancy when it came to this piece.
The canvas measures 12x24" with a 1" cradle. Here's I've just over-primed with some standard gesso and added some texture with a little light molding paste applied with a palette knife for that slightly peaked roughness. I wanted texture, but nothing too rough or too tight on the surface. I've also tinted the canvas with a wash of dioxazine purple.
In retrospect, what I should have done was wash the canvas down with the diluted dioxazine purple, and *then* tinted the molding paste with the same color and applied it when the wash was dry.
But, I still got almost the desired effect, and it's mostly going to be covered up with layers of paint, anyway.
* * *
Working up the first few layers of color below the textured semi-circle. There's roughly applied swathes of sunny yellows, cadmium orange, and bright grass greens for depth.
* * *
Filled in more layers of oranges and yellows to push back the too-bright greens I'd added at the bottom, without obliterating them completely. Also, worked in some burning reds, along with a blend of cadmium red and a teeny-tiny drop of dioxazine purple at the very top. Seriously, a teeny-tiny drop. A little bit of this color goes a LONG way.
* * *
Just a more direct shot from the previous picture.
I'm painting this on my kitchen table, so to get this WIP picture, I stood on a chair in order to shoot as close to straight down as possible.
* * *
Deepening up that top center semi-circle with some more dioxazine purple and added the final touch, a few strokes of the bright, burning crimson in the center.
* * *
DONE!
The final painting hanging with a directed spot light to highlight the textured areas at the top and running down the center.
Not shown in the photos is the painted cradle, which follows a similar gradient pattern as the painting: the top and first 1/4 of the cradle along the sides are the deep dioxazine purple/red blend, fading into the red/orange, to fade into a yellow/orange blend that sweeps along the bottom 1/4 and very bottom edge.
* * *
If you have any comments or questions regarding my abstract works (or any of my creative projects) please, feel free to leave them in the comments section below!
Monthly Postcard Project
We are now in the month of June, which means we're halfway through the Monthly Postcard Project!
For all my lovely 6 month subscribers who started this journey with me back in January, this month's postcard will be the last you'll receive in the mail, unless you'd like to extend your subscription.
Please refer to the permanent info page, HERE to renew your subscription or learn more about the project!
Near Future
The Very Near Future sees me working on this month's aforementioned Monthly Postcard original so I can have them in my hands by the 15th in order to mail out.
I'm also tackling an independent book cover commission that I hope to be able to share soon.
Florida Supercon over 4th of July weekend in Miami, FL is also rapidly approaching and I definitely need to get some new art done in time for that, so, hopefully there will be plenty of new sketches and progress pics to share over the next few weeks!
Also, I should be hearing back from New York Comic Con regarding table space applications sometime soon. If I manage to secure a table it will be my first time attending this large, industry convention and I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I've heard very good things from other artists and industry pros who attend this con.
Well, I think that's all for this week's State of the Artist update here on Planet Kit.
I thank you for joining me again this week! Feedback is the food which fuels the creative discussion between Artist and Audience, please, feel free to comment or leave suggestions for new projects!
If you enjoy seeing posts of new or in-progress artwork, please consider a donation.
Feel free to post links to this journal/community if you feel there might be interest in my artwork!
It's yet another soggy Monday here on Planet Kit, and that means it's time for a State of the Artist update!
Weekly Words
That is happiness, to be dissolved into something complete and great.
- Willa Cather, 1873 - 1947
There is a freedom in completion. And yet, it is tempered by drive to start something new.
Current Project
This work is a commission for the lovely Murgy, who happily told me to just do whatever struck my fancy when it came to this piece.
The canvas measures 12x24" with a 1" cradle. Here's I've just over-primed with some standard gesso and added some texture with a little light molding paste applied with a palette knife for that slightly peaked roughness. I wanted texture, but nothing too rough or too tight on the surface. I've also tinted the canvas with a wash of dioxazine purple.
In retrospect, what I should have done was wash the canvas down with the diluted dioxazine purple, and *then* tinted the molding paste with the same color and applied it when the wash was dry.
But, I still got almost the desired effect, and it's mostly going to be covered up with layers of paint, anyway.
* * *
Working up the first few layers of color below the textured semi-circle. There's roughly applied swathes of sunny yellows, cadmium orange, and bright grass greens for depth.
* * *
Filled in more layers of oranges and yellows to push back the too-bright greens I'd added at the bottom, without obliterating them completely. Also, worked in some burning reds, along with a blend of cadmium red and a teeny-tiny drop of dioxazine purple at the very top. Seriously, a teeny-tiny drop. A little bit of this color goes a LONG way.
* * *
Just a more direct shot from the previous picture.
I'm painting this on my kitchen table, so to get this WIP picture, I stood on a chair in order to shoot as close to straight down as possible.
* * *
Deepening up that top center semi-circle with some more dioxazine purple and added the final touch, a few strokes of the bright, burning crimson in the center.
* * *
DONE!
The final painting hanging with a directed spot light to highlight the textured areas at the top and running down the center.
Not shown in the photos is the painted cradle, which follows a similar gradient pattern as the painting: the top and first 1/4 of the cradle along the sides are the deep dioxazine purple/red blend, fading into the red/orange, to fade into a yellow/orange blend that sweeps along the bottom 1/4 and very bottom edge.
* * *
If you have any comments or questions regarding my abstract works (or any of my creative projects) please, feel free to leave them in the comments section below!
Monthly Postcard Project
We are now in the month of June, which means we're halfway through the Monthly Postcard Project!
For all my lovely 6 month subscribers who started this journey with me back in January, this month's postcard will be the last you'll receive in the mail, unless you'd like to extend your subscription.
Please refer to the permanent info page, HERE to renew your subscription or learn more about the project!
Near Future
The Very Near Future sees me working on this month's aforementioned Monthly Postcard original so I can have them in my hands by the 15th in order to mail out.
I'm also tackling an independent book cover commission that I hope to be able to share soon.
Florida Supercon over 4th of July weekend in Miami, FL is also rapidly approaching and I definitely need to get some new art done in time for that, so, hopefully there will be plenty of new sketches and progress pics to share over the next few weeks!
Also, I should be hearing back from New York Comic Con regarding table space applications sometime soon. If I manage to secure a table it will be my first time attending this large, industry convention and I'm keeping my fingers crossed! I've heard very good things from other artists and industry pros who attend this con.
Well, I think that's all for this week's State of the Artist update here on Planet Kit.
I thank you for joining me again this week! Feedback is the food which fuels the creative discussion between Artist and Audience, please, feel free to comment or leave suggestions for new projects!
Feel free to post links to this journal/community if you feel there might be interest in my artwork!
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