IF - Shaky

This climb

is so unsteady,

my knees are weak,

my head is strong

This climb is so unstable

but my heart is open,

my hands are shaky.

I think I'm ready for this climb...

Paper Dolls

Pre-cut

Ever since I did my first paper doll (body image doll in an older post). I've been obsessed with thinking of things to make into paper dolls. Preferably ones that I haven't seen before. I'm almost as obsessed with giving these things away. Sometimes so obsessed with giving art away, that maybe I've given some away to those who don't appreciate it or deserve it. Oh well. I guess if more people sent art to each other, the world would be better. I j

ust wish I could get some of them back and give them to more appreciative people.

I had a friend donate some money to me for school last fall semester. It helped me out TREMENDOUSLY and the only way I know how to repay him, is to send him some art. He definitely deserves more than just a doll, but I think he'll like it. I just hope he doesn't read my blog before he gets it in the mail!
I was going to do a painting for him, but I would be too afraid to send it in the mail, so I'll just dedicate one to him.

I hope he likes it, since he's been a big supporter for a long time. I just wish we would have been able to hang out in person.

Assembled

Summer Time!

My last couple of final critiques did not go as well as I had hoped. My painting final blew, and my illustration final I guess was more lackluster than I thought.

I really liked it, but it has some technical issues that most didn't have an issue telling me about. I guess a critique is a critique, but I guess I was more in love with the piece than anyone else.

Based on the issue of domestic violence, I wanted

 to explore a darker side of my usually lighthearted work. I liked the initial sketch so much that I'm going to try to work on it again this summer and make it better. I like the illustration board that I was working on, I'm going to use it more often.

Gouache, ink and colored pencil on illustration board.

That Project

I was able to finally scan the images from my first project of the year. Three poetry illustration.

I entered these three in the illustration department's first juried show. But when I met with the instructor on Wed. he relayed that he was pleased with the outcome of the project and that I need to continue with the style. He liked that I ventured out differently than what I did last semester and that I should stick with this, but refine and improve. So now I have a destination, I just need to make the map, and get the hell on the road!
I'm psyched!

So it looks like I have my excuse, nay, reason to draw as much as I can. I've been meaning to keep on top of my drawing, to have a large volume of work. You know, practice makes perfect. I need to stay on top of it.

Hooray? I haven't really entered any school shows. I did at the last school after being told I was a shoe-in, and never saw that piece again. I've been a little more than intimidated at this school because there are a lot of really talented students here. I asked for more of a challenge at this school.. and I got it! (Which I SO appreciate)

The Sisters

Persephone


The Lady of Shallott

New Project Ideas

As if I didn't have enough on my plate.... I've decided to take on a project that has guaranteed to keep me busy... Maybe I'll be able to learn to keep myself on a schedule. Because goodness knows, I can't do that. AT ALL.

I'm a music lover. Who isn't, right?

But I especially like music that is filled with imaginative lyrics and storytelling. Ie.. Robert Johnson, Tom Waits...etc.

I'm going to do a 365 project of song lyric illustrations. It can't hurt, but help me jog my waning imagination. An illustration a day? Is that possible? Can I give myself an hour to just devote to one drawing. Along with all my other projects going on? Sure.

I'll add that to the fusion project my good friends Alan and Eric are doing with me. I like keeping busy.

This is my illustration for the They Might Be Giants song Birdhouse in Your Soul

It was fun, and took me out of my usual "style" of drawing.

So here I go!

Patron Saints - Final

Here's a terrible photo of the final.

Handmade (from moulding) frames spray painted lovely gold for that *touch* of... hm "class".

Gouache and gold leaf

IF - Voices

I was unsure of how to illustrate the topic, when I stared down at the piece I was working on as a gift and had and *aha* moment.
I did a portrait of Leslie Hall of Leslie and the Ly's fame. And if you've ever heard her music, you'd understand Voices.
She makes me feel warm and giggly inside.