As promised, images of my newest two pieces! They are both collage, mixed media pieces on paper. I really love working with collage because as I create the collage itself I get impressions and create stories; which then translate into the painting and drawing that will often times cover up the inspiration images. It’s always interesting to see what it will turn out like.
“Mythology”
“Tale of Tails”
I also updated my gallery, so if you want to see bigger versions of these, or the works from Puppies are Biodegradable you can go to my Mixed Media page.
I spent most of the weekend at Framations for the Spring Art Walk. There was a ton of wonderful artwork; particularly Suzanne Lowry’s photography series of wooden figures. I think they would make a wonderful children’s book! It was interesting to watch and see how other artists work their magic with potential customers. It’ll be a while before I’m comfortable on my own, but I’m making progress thanks to the bunch at Framations.
The whole experience got me thinking about art, and excited to go home and paint. Which is just what I did, I finished two pieces last night and I have a third on the way! I also had an idea for a new painting series, I’ll post more information and images soon!
And, I haven’t forgotten about the children’s book or the OLAG website. I’ve been looking at publishing options to determine what size to make the illustrations for the book. I’m leaning toward a square format, but I’d like it to be hardcover and most places don’t seem to do them in square. Then I was looking at the soft cover and they just don’t seem as substantial as the hardcovers.
OLAG website: as you can see by the sample below of what the page will look like, we are making really good progress.
Jesse and I have been working on the children’s book. We’ve done some research on types of books and we went to the book store to get an idea of what is out there now. We are aiming at 2-3rd graders.
We have an outline of the story nearly complete (the ending is a little rough), and three pages written so far. Which equates to about one third of the story completed. I’m really happy with the progress so far. Co-authoring with Jesse is working out great!
I’ve also started research for the illustrations, though that usually takes the longest because I have to be picky and find the best reference possible. I’m looking for inspiration for the main character, Joanna. I really want her to be original, but I need to find reference of little girls to get the structure and basic features correct. I haven’t really drawn any children before, and that’s a challenge in itself because their faces are so different from what I’ve done before.
On another note I’ll be at Framations for the Spring Art Walk this weekend. I don’t have any work in the actual event, but I’ll be hanging out at the gallery for the event.
I found inspiration for a new project in an email, if you can believe that! A friend and her daughters tried to rescue a baby squirrel, they named Tiny Tim. Attached to the email were several pictures she had taken of him with the family (see below).
“…we fed him a banana last night, and he fell asleep in the palm of my hand. We put him in his basket outside on the back porch for the night and this morning, he was still curled up sleeping in there around 7:30am…”
As I looked at the images and read about him, I kept thinking how adorable he was. So small and vulnerable, but also brave and sweet. I wondered about his courage and what made him unique; before long I was thinking up a story about his life and how he came to be there.
I’ve wanted to write and illustrate a children’s book for a long time and the story about little Tim really inspired me to do something about it. So much so, that I’ve been working on a plot for a book for the last week or so. My husband has agreed to be my co-author; and while it isn’t about a little squirrel, I plan to work him into the story somehow.
I’m sure it’s going to be a long slow process because I don’t know the first thing about writing a book, but I will never know if I don’t try. Wish me luck, if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
Today was the Lake St. Louis Artist Guild opening reception. I hadn’t previously met the judge, Jerry Thomas, but he did a demonstration at an Oak Leaf meeting a while back. Ever since I’ve been trying to figure out a way to attend one of his Art Clinics, but they are on Friday afternoons and I always have to work. I did get to meet and speak with him today, and it was a real pleasure. I didn’t even know he was the judge until the announcements began.
“Armadillo” won First prize in the acrylic category! Then just when I thought it couldn’t get any better “The Look of Love” won Best of Show!
The OLAG meeting last night went very well, there was a great turn out and the presenter was fun and personable. I was also able present and get feedback on the new logo designs (see below).
After the last post with the logo samples I got to wondering how they would look on top of the one of the new website headers. I wasn’t sure what I thought, so what you see below includes one of my original favorites and some new ones.
The majority chose the second one, also my original favorite.
Show this Sunday, 1-3pm at the Lake St. Louis Clubhouse!
This week I submitted some pieces to the Lake St. Louis Artist Associate Spring Show. This is the first time I’ve submitted work in one of their shows; and I managed to take a peek at some of the other work submitted. It was all top notch, so I’m really excited to see it all at the reception this weekend.
In other news, I got a call from Amy at Framations yesterday asking if I’d thought anymore about making prints of the pieces in the PAB Show because she has two potential buyers. She asked me if I could have some by next Tuesday so she could send them at the Kansas City Art Expo. Apparently, some of the people from MAAL will be there, and are willing to help sell them for us!
I have everything ready to make prints of the “Skeleton Puppy Series” and “Scenic Puppy Mill” already, and today I’m going to try and get a better capture of “St. Bernard Rescue Dog” before his new owner comes to claim him, so I can make at least 8×10 prints of him. Wish me luck, he doesn’t photograph well. If everything goes well, prints should be ready to purchase at Framations by next week.
I’m including some of the latest designs for the OLAG logo. These represent my favorites right now, but I’m waiting to see what the group thinks and to see how they look with the website header we end up choosing.
The show on Saturday went better than I could’ve ever expected, I felt like Cinderella at the Ball! When I got there it was already packed; and not just with other artists like usual, but with buyers and people there to help further the cause. I’ve never seen it so gloriously over crowded! Amy, one of the gallery owners did a magnificent job of promoting not just the show, but the cause as well. There were posters with pictures of some of the works in the show; and little stuffed Dogs for sale (I’ll post images soon). There was lots of information and literature available, and even a petition to sign. The volunteers and people from MAAL were very informative and were willing to spread the word, and answer questions.
When I made my way through to Amy she told me that the Puppy Skeleton series had already sold! I was shocked, and I couldn’t believe it. Then shortly after that she introduced me to some people that were interested in buying prints of the Puppy Skeletons; and I was absolutely speechless! I’m afraid I was pretty stunned awkward with all the attention throughout the night; I really hope I didn’t look too retarded.
The crowd didn’t diminish all night, as people continued to swarm in I did my best to work my way around the room. About an hour later Amy summoned me over to meet another couple, who as it turns out were purchasing “St. Bernard Rescue Dog.” Amy predicted that by the end of the night all my pieces would sell; and they did! The third one, “Scenic Puppy Mill” sold later in the evening to a jovial lady; who seemed positively thrilled to buy it.
I couldn’t be happier that the night was such a success, but at the same time I’m a little sad that I have to part with my babies. I never really expected them to sell, but my husband took me to see them on Sunday to say goodbye.
“Beagle” made it on Channel 5 News on Friday afternoon! They were doing an interview with the director of Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation regarding puppy mills and the art exhibit/benefit tonight; and they aired three pieces from the show.
The majority chose the second one, also my original favorite.