Thursday, September 24, 2009

Ketyl block process

Bugs, glorious bugs. Insects inspired me to start these paintings using metal leaf.
I start with a sketch of the desired bug, and transfer the image with graphite to an ampersand block coated with absorbent ground. Then I do a quick under painting in watercolor.


I paint the colorful details of the bug in watercolor, then coat the area around the color with gold leaf size. I lay down the metal leaf and gently tap the coated areas with a stiff brush to press the leaf into the adhesive.


I use the same brush to remove the leaf, making gentle circular strokes the blow away the leaf and reveal the painting underneath.


The fun part. I ink around the painting using shellac-based inks (which have a great honey-like glow over the metal leaf) and define the shapes and patterns.


The wooden part of the board (cradles the panel) is stained with watercolor and the whole block is coated to protect the watercolor and leaf from exposure. I use use a mineral spirit-based spray varnish. View all available blocks here.

Amigurumi week

Sloth


Red Panda: cutest animal on earth. And here is the panda again, I cant help myself.




Owl in an arctic fox costume


Amigurumi week

New albino eyes: First thought Moby Dick




A visiting friend inspired me to make the Buffalo


Monday, September 21, 2009

Huuuge Moth

Pixadus, the holy grail of stock photos:
Check out the "insect photos" folder on this site, there you shall find a glorious collection of macro photos. It was hard to pick my favorite, but I settled for the enormous fuzzy, rust-colored moth. I could see a mouse riding this thing.



I want this fuzzy thing so bad!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Monster Art

I am a bit late on this posting, but I must document this show! I had so much fun at this opening in Ballard August '09 and want to thank everyone who came. The show was the most successful since the Habitude opening last year and I owe a big thanks to Holly for featuring my work at her awesome shop.


Holly has a sweet trapese set up in the shop and the aerialists flock to the cirque setting


I am always happy to see new faces at these events so don't be shy to come see me at my next opening.