So as much as I tried to avoid it I got my husbands cold. I am guessing I should have expected it after playing nurse to him on Monday. I have spent most of my days sleeping with tissues up my nose. I hate being all congested - the sudafed is not working but I think the zicam is keeping me from being even worse.
Though I went an looked at a studio space I will be applying for. I really hope it happens - the space is much larger than my home studio and the vibe in the center is great. I also have my magazine article edited. Surprisingly, I did not do too bad at the writing - guess working a good 8 hours on an 850 word article paid off. The deadline for submission is Friday, so after everything is in and blessed I’ll be making an announcement.
Another also, I got my sample books today and they look great. The official announcement and opening the book for sale will happen this week or early next. Remember if you sign up for my mailing list, the book will be $5 cheaper!
January 30, 2008
01/28/08. Now the theme for Illustration Friday this week is “Tales and Legends“. I wanted to do about 10 of this theme - it is so much fun. I went with the Loch Mess monster idea. This is a not my typical realistic style - but I thought this would be a lot of fun. The idea actually came from memories of an old silly monster movie. The problem is I can not remember it - I keep thinking of Transylvania 6-5000, but I am pretty sure it is not it. It has a scene where they are putting on a play involving the ocean with those cute wood wave cutouts that people move back on forth on either side of the stage. But the ocean comes alive and includes a sea monster coming alive. The movie is quite silly and I wish I can remember what it is.
6″x 4″:: $75 framed original piece. Once the original sells, limited edition prints (of 100) will be available for $25 (unframed)
Email for availability and payment directions or for more information - like larger and more detailed images.
(detail)
January 28, 2008
Well this was a work weekend for me. Friday I spent my time framing 9 works - I have about 5 large glass cuts to prove it. I underestimated how long that was going to take and payed the price of no sleep because of it. After framing, I had to get everything else ready to hang at Cafe Luna on Saturday morning - labels, exhibition report, signage, etc. After about 4 hours of sleep it was off to DC to hang the works. It went pretty well and I think the grouping looks good. The 9 newly framed works are making their exhibition debut.
Today I have spent about 5 hours in front of my computer in an attempt to finish this article so I can send it off to my sister and husband for some editing and still make the deadline. As you can probably tell from reading my blog - I should stick to the artwork!
Also I finally decided what my theme will be for Illustration Friday’s theme. I think I will work on that tomorrow. I am going to try a bit different style!
January 28, 2008
Nothing exciting today - just doing some accounting. I am attempting to get things in better order to be ready to do my taxes.
Though I did pick out the 20 pieces to exhibit at Cafe Luna. I am going with a food and music theme so everything fits into those categories. So I feel I have a nice grouping of pieces, sadly though it also means I have 9 pieces to frame tomorrow. Plus I only have 6 empty frames, so I will be cracking open some other pieces and taking their frames. Good thing I have large archival envelopes to store the matted piece in. If I dont get the framing done I may do my illustration Friday piece next week.
January 24, 2008
With the sunflower finally finish I need to start and do a bit research for my next piece. I think I am going to me tackling my first medical illustration - anatomy of a hand. (Not my hand with the extra muscle - but a normal person’s hand) I probably will wait until next week to start this.
Today I used my time to work on some business. I have been asked if I wanted to be featured in a magazine. I of course said yes!!! I am working on the article about my blog and the whole blogging experience. When everything is submitted and finalized I will give everyone the full details.
I have been asked to submit 10 of my images to be printed - so I am asking you what are your favorite works? Comment (or email me) your favorite piece. If you like you can also phone in your favorites 240-297-4759 (this is a voicemail only - so leave a message) I have the hardest time choosing my favorites so I am looking for your suggestions!
January 24, 2008
–click on the image for a larger view–
After many many hours the sunflower is finally complete. I did a large amount of changes to my original design this evening. I had cut a bunch of additional pieces I ended up not using. I changed my execution strategy at the end of it all. I am pretty happy with the outcome. I LOVE the center portion - it really was worth all the work it took. It is so tactile and has dimension and looks very real.
Roughly 10″x 8″(it is a bit bigger - does not fit on my scanner):: $500 framed
If there is interest I will look into making a limited edition print available regardless of when the original sells. Prints would be roughly somewhere in the $50-$60 range, though I will need to look into it.
Email for availability and payment directions or for more information - like larger and more detailed images.
January 23, 2008
OK, sadly I did not get a lot of time to work on this today. Was trying to finish another project and get the book ready to be ordered. I will be uploading it tomorrow!
Well the sunflower is coming along. It may not look like much, but this is the interior center section of the sunflower. It even has the natural curve to it that a real sunflower does. I think so far I have easily put over 10 hours into this center portion. It is really slow to glue and position each piece individually. Remember this circle is roughly 4″ x 3″.
January 22, 2008
I am still working on the center portion of sunflower, but I am seeing the light at the end. After gluing about 1000 pieces down I think one or maybe two more days will do it. I cut and glued down so many pieces today my fingertip is sore.
Though on a more productive note I was able to finish the blog book today. It is being proofread right now and I hope to order my copy tomorrow or Tuesday. When I get it and can check it out I will open ordering. The book looks to be 217 pages and will be available as a softcover and a hardcover.
On a happy note, I had a meeting this past Friday and will be hanging about 20 pieces in downtown DC at Cafe Luna (1633 P St Nw, Washington, DC 20036-1403 and it is a short walk from the Dupont Circle Metro station). The cafe has a great environment and the food to match. So if you are in the neighborhood after Saturday morning go over get a nice meal and check out some work.
January 21, 2008
01/18/08. Now the theme for Illustration Friday of “Plain” felt good and I instantly knew what I wanted to do. A lot of very good and cool things can come in seemingly plain packaging. This subject was inspired by the new ad for the new macbook air that apple released this week. The thing is SO thin it fits in an envelope. (If you don’t know what I am talking about go over to apple.com and check it out - it is awesome)
Also since on the subject of apple I just wanted to say I am a bit miffed over them wanting to charge $20 for a software upgrade to the ipod touch. The same product I have had a few months is available for purchase for the same price - but has the upgrade - so new purchasers get it for free and I dont think that is fair.
6″x 4″:: $75 framed original piece. Once the original sells, limited edition prints (of 100) will be available for $25 (unframed)
Email for availability and payment directions or for more information - like larger and more detailed images.
(detail)
January 18, 2008
This is a lot slower than I expected. I used all 240 pieces I had cut for the interior of the sunflower center and went and cut at least 150 more and used all of those up as well. I expect I need another 500 pieces to complete this section. As of right now I believe I have around cut 900 pieces of paper for this piece so far. It is going a lot slower than expected - but I am happy with what is taking shape.
(detail)
Also, I got everything imported into the blog book this afternoon. I am working on the cover and am having a hard time with that. So after the cover I will just make sure everything is correct and I can order my sample book.
January 18, 2008
