As for this week...busy making my last pieces in my series and also working on this and that for the wedding this coming weekend...I am a busy bee indeed! In the meantime, check out the latest Art Hive on-line..Scooter and Mackie especially like the Artin' with da MUSE column...go figure!
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As I mentioned in my previous post- this past weekend was full of art making and, well, just art related events. I spent some time on Saturday taking photos for Art Hive Magazine at two shows in West Palm Beach, then made it back down south in time to catch the last of the Downtown Hollywood ArtWalk with my husband. I love my role as a contributor for the magazine. I feel like it gives me an outlet to inspire others, and also to show my support to other artists and just the art community as a whole. Many times I feel like a cheerleader of sorts, standing by and rooting others on. I guess it kind of hit me this weekend- I want to try to do more with my own work. I literally have hundreds of original pieces on hand right now. Right now. Hundreds. The work is neatly filed away by month (well, except from the last couple of months... I need to organize those...) and I even have most of it formally inventoried. I make a piece of art everyday that goes with my monthly series...then some days I also make fashion illustrations...and then there are my msc. 'side projects', such as my 'Crazy Cat Ladies'. I make the work, I document the process, take photos and upload them onto my FB and web site...then file the work away and start thinking about what I am going to make next. Making art is all that I can think about. But what to do with all of this art? Where will this all lead me? I get frustrated because I really do love my daily pieces, I love creating these whimsical girls and working within a theme. But then what? Could these be put out there for a commercial market? Maybe. I have looked into art licensing and truthfully, it can be really frustrating. You send out inquiries...and then the rejections start coming. Sometimes it is a flat out 'no'..sometimes it is 'we like the work but that is not our focus/market'...and occasionally someone will stay 'maybe, keep sending us what you are up to'...or 'develop this idea more'...and that is a little better. As for representation in galleries, my work doesn't seem to fit. I do small drawings and paintings of these happy gals, I love jewel tones, there is an occasional sparkle...and for the most part, I work pretty small. When I was visiting the different venues this weekend I couldn't help but wish I had work hanging up on the walls of some gallery somewhere, and it made me a little sad. I felt a little unsure of myself, looking at all those large paintings on canvas. I want that to be me. So I talked it over with John. I think that I need to expand what I create as an artist, maybe explore doing some larger pieces, maybe creating some pieces on stretched canvas. Take my time a little, allow myself to see what happens in a larger format. Maybe move past trying to draw and paint small details and get a little looser. I will still work with the female form and face because that is what I love, and as a woman that is what I know. I will still work with a saturated color palette because those are part of my aesthetic. I will still make my daily pieces because I like to work within a structure...but in addition...I am going to paint. I am going to paint big, I am going to paint what I want to. And I guess I will see what happens. On Sunday I went and bought three large canvases. I started painting one of them that same day, painting while I had natural light, and stopping before my shoulder started to hurt too much. Truthfully, I was kind of scared to start, not sure about the first mark to make on that white space. I put the canvas on the easel and kind of looked at it, walked by it, avoided it for a few hours after I bought it...but I did eventually start to paint, just for a little while. And then I moved on to completing my daily piece...then three more ladies just for fun...and I hope that I can maintain this level of production because it feels like what I was meant to do, even if I just do it for myself. Well, I have two boxes with art from the past year and a half of so. Now I am going to add large canvases, maybe some large drawings. I don't have enough room for these but I am going to make them, and keep making them anyway. And one day, I hope that I will be able to show my work. For now, it is tucked neatly onto the site, my gallery without walls. ART-filled...ART-astic-that was this past weekend. I made ART, I worked on ART Hive stuff, I bought ART supplies, I supported ARTists, took pictures of ART, blogged about ART for the magazine...it was all ART all weekend. And that's alright by me. Here is a collage of the different ART happenings and whatnots from this weekend...more details to come, along with some scribblings about a new endeavor...
I don't even know where to start. After an inspired private tutoring session with my gal after school I headed home to change clothes and head out to Gallery 2014 for an opening. My intentions were to check out the art, show my support and distribute the last of my stack of Art Hive Magazines. So that didn't happen. But here is what did, and it ended up even being even better. I stopped by to touch base with Sally over at SMASH Beauty Lounge. Now, I had met Sally during the first Downtown Hollywood Art Walk that I attended back in August. At the time she had mentioned that maybe I could show my work at her business. Since I didn't get to see her during the last Art Walk, I just wanted to stop in and say hi. And I am so glad I did. Sally not only remembered me, but she closed up shop to walk me across the street to introduce me to Art Of Shade to meet the designer Kayce Armstrong. Seriously, this happened. Me in the middle of her studio/retail space surrounded by sewing machines, thread, fabrics, with Kayce's AMAZING sculptural designs everywhere. I even got a peek at one of her sketches. I am still recovering from how awesome this was. And somehow it happened that we started talking about my work, and of course I have tons of photos of my work on my phone so after showing them to Sally she asked if I wanted to show, like- tomorrow. (which of course now is TODAY) My response? You bet it was a resounding 'YES'. And after agreeing to meet in one hour...I walked away racking my brain...which pieces? And most importantly, how many frames do I have on hand? I made it back on time with five framed pieces. And she liked them. And they are going to be up on her walls for the Art Walk...and finally, like that....I found a home for my art, these crazy ladies I have been creating. But wait, there's more...I sold one. I happened to be in the right place at the right time...in walks Tina from Muzart, someone I had hoped to meet up with and had actually been in contact with...and Tina bought one of my pieces. Right there, on the spot. The pieces weren't even hanging up yet.
So not only am I excited to have a place to show my work, and someone who likes it...but I sold a piece...and I met a group of incredibly talented and creative folks last night...all thanks to Sally. I am sure glad I met Sally back in August. My only regret, that I didn't make it by for that opening. But I will go and show my support later at the Art Walk :) (Top Left) ...Driving to work...I was thinking this morning how different my commute is this year, traded in a two lane road for I-95 and 595 craziness... (Bottom Left)... I need to go up on the roof of my building more, the view is awesome... (Top Right) ...My finished art for the day, you can't see but I was watching South Park, so silly... (Bottom Right)...Lazy ol' kitties, they have got it made!
Waaaay back at the end of the summer...I did a little DIY project that I have been meaning to post- I made a chandelier for my closet. Now, I have always wanted one but especially in our new place. My new closet is much smaller than my old one and I wanted something to make it a special, albeit packed, space. The following pics are my how-to make a chandelier, and on a budget no less! Enjoy! ...I just wanted to take a minute and say how amazing my husband is. Seriously. After our friends left on Sunday we had a chance to take a bike ride to the beach and grab some dinner, and sitting there eating our pizza and looking at the ocean, I noticed our reflection and I was like, yeah, this is kinda awesome, sitting here with this man of mine. He is really just an inspiration, and I feel really lucky to have him as my partner in this crazy life. One of the perks of my job is that I can literally walk over and see him after school if he is teaching that day. I stopped by to see him today and I was just filled with a sense of pride and awe that he is sitting there, a college professor. He has worked so hard and it is really amazing to see his goal coming to fruition. He had just received a copy of an article to proof and seeing his name there printed out...just...awesome. And I feel lucky that he is also supportive of me and my crazy art habits...running off to the beach to draw at sunrise, random art supplies scattered everywhere...we are definitely there for each other. So anyway...ummm...yeah. I love Johnny G...soon to be Dr. Gironda!! ...besides hanging out with the husband...I made some art, of course. I was thinking about those costumes that you can buy in the drugstore, the ones in the bags...the devil costume with the horns attached to a headband, a red cape and tail (but not the pitchfork, ya gotta buy that separate!)...and of course the opposite would be the angel costume...pipe cleaner halo, white gown and feather wings that shed everywhere....ahhhh, I do love Halloween! So that was the inspiration for my pieces from the past two days. Still keeping it whimsical and fun, lot's of expression in the face...which is black watercolor pencil with layers of black colored pencil shading on top, with Sharpie marker hair and a salt-textured watercolor background. Not sure what to go with next..I keep thinking about candy corn...then also the Dia de los Muertos...which I kind of wanted to do as a side series...just a thought.
Okay...so it is NOT the great pumpkin- I was there. But, it was daylight...so...might have to check again later! Very eventful week...and per usual by the time I edit some photos and make time to updated my site, well, I lose some of the motivation to write about it all. Luckily, I have plenty of pics to everything! For starters...can I just say that we printed out first photos in my high school digital photography class and...after that first photo came off the printer and I could hold it up for my students- it was EXCITING. Wow. So great to see their work in my hands instead of on the screen! Each student was able to select what they felt was their best photo from the first four assignments, and I am so proud of them! Hooray! Besides my excitement over the photographs...oh, and the middle school art is up to, I need to photograph that display, they did a great job on their line projects! Where was I? Oh yes, besides my excitement over my students' projects, there are many other good things... enjoying being a part of the NSU learning community...which includes the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale! I made my way over to the AutoNation Academy of Art and Design Open House this past Saturday and I am ready to make some connections, as a teacher, a student and an advocate for the Museum and Academy...hopefully more to come... Other happenings this week- friends. Lot's of friends. We have had some friends from back home in Florida and it was great to reconnect with these folks. Mackie, Justin and Ryan- we seriously miss you guys already, and it was great to be able to introduce some of our old friends to some of our newer friends here in Florida (thanks for coming down to Hollywood, Jen and Jake!) . Feeling blessed to have such great people in my our lives. ...and after everyone parted ways...quiet. Back to normal, which for me meant a couple of hours drawing at Hollywood Beach, today I sat at Mamacita's Mexican Bar & Grill right on the boardwalk. I may be addicted to cafe con leche, seriously. It was a productive morning, finished up my daily piece, and even made two angels for the super sweet waitresses that let me overstay my welcome at my table by the beach. Thanks, ladies! ...new pics are posted to the 'Recent Works' page, check'em out! (if you are feeling lazy I posted them below, too- no worries) I have really been enjoying this series, having fun with my ladies and with the Halloween-inspired motifs. ...and just like that...the blog is up to date, and I am ready for another week, hopefully full of art adventures! -J
Having fun so far with my Halloween theme! I found this photo, not sure how old I was....or what I was supposed to be, what the...? Anyway...I sure do love Halloween! So far I am having fun with these new pics...figure I might as well go with the natural style characteristic that I already lean towards..big ol' eyes, small nose and mouth, crazy expressions, combination of b/w and color...drips, splatters, drips and salt texture....might as well. So, here are the first eight pieces... Real quick-like...this past weekend I had a South Florida first...I rode the Tri-Rail. I took it up north to see my art friend Jess, and it wasn't half bad. I could sit for an hour and just draw, she picked me up...got some dinner...then made more art while hanging with my Jess and Sof. Yes, please. ...that was Friday of last week...Saturday I was up bright and early to work on my art (shown in the two far right pics above) and then headed to Stitch Rock with my fellow Art Hive Magazine bees, Jess, Angela and Sof. Art Hive was one of the sponsors so we were there to distribute magazines and take pics from the various social media outlets. Not only did I buy some amazing HANDMADE gifts (and a few things for me!) but I was able to help promote these amazing artists. What an awesome thing to be a part of! Well, the black cat is outta the bag...my theme for the month of October is...wait for it...Halloween!!!!Okay, maybe it's cliche. Yeah, so maybe it's seasonal. And maybe even cheesy. So what? I don't care- Halloween is my favorite holiday, always has been! I love it! The suggested theme for the CED challenge was 'Healing'...and for a little bit I was torn. I mean...I like that theme, too and I immediately thought of my angels, what a perfect fit. But I really had fun in December 2012 when I working on my 'Holiday Girls' series so I couldn't resist a chance to have some fun with witches, bats, spiderwebs and all that spooky stuff. So I gave in. Halloween it is!
So far the first piece is a continuation of where I left off last month, working with watercolor pencils, colored pencils and watercolor. I am working with a smaller format for this series, 8x10 inches...no reason, just 'cause. Per usual, let's see where this goes! |
AuthorArtist and Art Teacher
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