Kelly Patton

Autumnal Equinox

2011-09-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

I have had the idea of illustrating the four seasons for a while now. Summer Solstice and Winter Solstice can be seen in the archives of this blog, and now I have completed Autumnal Equinox. Here it is in process...

I began this painting at the Ridgestock festival and examined my environment around me to get inspiration for the tree in the foreground and the landscape farm scene.

The tree in the foreground is a black locust, btw. They have sharp thornes.

Yes, he is indeed some sort of squirrel cat creature, a spirit as tall as the tree, riding a pimped out fancy old bike. Spreadin the golden glow in the leaves, gently beckoning them to fall. Yup, this was a fun one alright.

Video of me in ACTION! Woot! Thanks for lookin.

July in Pictures

2011-09-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

Quick Post Awesome Find

2011-08-29T23:04:00.000-07:00

Stephen Mackeys website...seems like I could find much inspiration in the structure of this website. It is so clean and fun to click through. Someday I shall have such cleanliness with my paintings, drawings, music and photos compiled in one digital treasure chest. Way to go awesome guy

Trapped! On the Other Side

2011-06-01T15:24:00.000-07:00

This painting is a bit twisted, I admit. You see, the little quail has passed on from his earthly existence. His experience of death did involve seeing a bright light and walking towards its heavenly glow. He climbed the stairs to enter an enclosed glass case glorifying a small wood. The keys on the trees begin to turn and their leaves fell gently. His eyes scanned around a room filled with niches filled with terariums, all adorning creatures passed on, now to find that the afterlife is some kind of display case for a higher being.

Cracked egg and spilling guts is all symbolic of the release of the life cycle. Something more mysterious now awaits.

Star Oracle Tryptic and Process

2011-05-01T15:38:00.000-07:00

A long time waiting, this tryptic is finally up at the Fix Gallery in Nevada City.

Sit below the oracle and ask any number of questions. You are sure to swirl your eyes around in circles for a while as you contemplate through stars scales and gold.

Artist, and shrine.

I began the set back in October, and intended to extend the work throughout my experience at Willow Springs for my artist in residency.

Here, we see Brian Bach, helping me display the work. He looks slightly Jesus-like in this photo.

5/8 of the way through...

Beginning linework on purple dragon. Stage two (after sketching directly to canvas)

Which color do I chose? Seems to change a few times before I get it right, but fortunately not too many times.

Coating in gold, (or really, metal leaf) Reflective light is so nice.

Well, it was a long and fun process, and so rewarding to see complete. Stop at the Fix in Nevada City CA for a preview, it will be up at that location for 6 weeks.

Now on to the next....

Beautiful weather

2011-04-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

And I've been stuck on this computer all week! But, one must sacrifice, after all working freelance is indeed work, and work I enjoy. This is a photo of my digital workspace, a lovely spot I am grateful for.

Huge Tryptic awaiting return in April.

2011-03-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all. Here is a process photo sneak peek of one painting that will be part of a show at The Fix in April. I have been working on this acrylic tryptic since October when I started my artist in residency at Willow Springs. It's a big'in and I will announce very soon the show opening reception, most likely occuring 3/4 through April. I am gathering musicians for a small party for the opening...one big happy family.

Japan is wonderful

2011-03-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to direct you to an awesome cartoonists blog, who has posted lush vectorized backgrounds for the show Samurai Jack. He features a showcase of the show's artists and their sparklingly beautiful and yet simple illustrations. I am feeling so sad for Japan, and honor their amazing influences in the art world.

Click here to see the Showcase

Versions

2011-03-08T13:57:00.001-08:00

I completed the original Benjamin Bunny one month ago, and exhibited it at the Briar Patch in Grass Valley. Several days later I left to visit family in Colorado, and my mom bought the painting from me through my etsy shop. When I came back home, I received a call inquiring about the painting on display, and in the moment I said it was still for sale. Knowing of course, that I could try to reproduce one just like it for my mum. Well, here is the first Benjamin....

And here, the second.

I glanced at the original a few times, and tried to recall the colors I used. I learned a few valuable lessons about documenting my colors (for future reference, and bizarre unpredictable situations) and how my freehand drawings compare to each other.

I suppose I could have replicated it perfectly, but it would have taken forever, and I really like the variations of the two paintings anyhow.

Which one do you like best?

First night of internet in warm room...

2011-02-24T23:15:00.000-08:00

Drawing class starts in 2 days...a studio dedicated to instructional and demonstration projects is being set up as I speak. Willow Springs is feeling more and more like an art warehouse similar to many I have envied in the city. Only at a peaceful country pace what with all the sculptures, paintin', construction, seed planting, cabin hoppin, food cookin, and music playin goodness you can handle.

For your enjoyment...a self portrait done to promote my class

And for your further enjoyment,
This too cool picture of sonic youth looking really dreamy...

in random honor of fellow South African music blogger and friend Nate.

Cafe Drawings

2011-02-21T12:28:00.000-08:00

I set up a drawing table at the Ridgestop Cafe on Sunday afternoon.
My lovely kitten cat Avery, was the subject.

15"x 20" drawing done in black and white charcoal, india ink and gouache on Mi-Tientes pastel paper.

Peek in...

2011-02-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

I am in the process of making this monster...

Acrylic tryptic paintings

Exhibition at the Briar Patch

2011-02-16T18:22:00.000-08:00

This month, if you pass by the Briar Patch, (biggest grocery co-op in Grass Valley, CA)
do stop in the gallery/cafe to see original watercolors exhibited.

Show goes from February 5th - March 4th

Moom Alchemist framed up at the BP

Weeeee!!

Updates: Drawing Class, and you guessed it, RAINBOWS!

2011-02-04T11:37:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to start teaching at Willow Springs! It is a beautiful place to facilitate a drawing class and I am extra amped to have new knowledge and inspiration to start this project.

I have been working away in my studio, every day and in to the night. Here's a glimpse at a resting point, featuring Avery, rainbows and melted candles.

Awesome friends up on the ridge stop in to say hello and we get crazy with creative stuff, like adding line work to otherwise boring clothing..

Can't ask for much more awesomeness right now...but I will keep it comin' just the same

Animal Shrines, good times

2011-01-22T15:44:00.000-08:00

Saturday is not a day off, turns out...
But every work day is a fun day when it comes to painting! Eh, well, not always...but it beats wakin' up at 7:00 am and driving 15 miles to work.

These little guys are up for sale at my SHOP

Whooo gonna take me home?

Foxy lover of your dreams...

Cosmic cheetah circling light patterns on your wall, WHAT WHAT?!

Too much awesomeness, right? These are blingin in a bright room, especially when rainbows catchers are present.

The Shaman

2011-01-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

I began this painting in the darkest days of winter, while thinking of loved ones who were on a journey in Peru. This is for them, and it was super fun to paint too!

I still wonder what is down that hole of light, mysteries of enlightenment? Or a molten magma core, and the end of me as I know it.

January in Pictures

2011-01-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

Awesome book, must have!!

2010-12-01T15:50:00.000-08:00

Yes, you read the title correctly fellow illustrators, the ABSOLUTE VISUAL GUIDE to EVERYTHING NATURAL on the PLANET! Too good to be true? I think not! This book sits on my desk as a great reference guide, I am elated to turn the pages to find a new creature every day. It has crisp photos and, brilliant colors, all set against the white background.

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-History-Smithsonian-DK-Publishing/dp/0756667526/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1291247232&sr=1-1

Yum. Hours o' fun.

2010-11-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

J.A.W. Cooper Interview!

2010-11-22T09:36:00.000-08:00

I am very pleased to share with you today, that I had an incredible time in Los Angeles, the first city to welcome me back from my four month bicycle music tour in Europe. After enduring a 33 hour trip from Barcelona to Dublin to New York and finally to L.A., I arrived a day before my birthday.
I had arranged an interview with J.A.W. Cooper, a lovely illustrator living in downtown L.A., and was ecstatic to have this meeting with one of my favorite artists, who's blog I had been following for a year. We met at her studio, where I recorded our energized transaction about her process, her favorite artists and the creative community in L.A. It was such a pleasure to meet with Cooper, she was so personable and enthusiastic, and a full on bad-ass illustrator.

Listen to the podcast by clicking the link below!

Much Love!

2010-10-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Moleskine Sketches on tour...

2010-08-11T11:49:00.001-07:00

"Coral and Flesh" June 2010, Amsterdam

"Lion Edifice" Prague, July 2010

"The Swan and Rat" Prague, July 2010

"Birds of England" May, 2010

Crossed the country by train, arrived in New York

2010-06-04T14:36:00.001-07:00

One week before the train ride

2010-05-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

Painting at May Day in North San Juan, my cousin sleeping on my lap xoxo

"Mead Bee" watercolor painted at May Day celebration

May Day

Julia and the pico shack! Several Pleasant Revolutionaries stayed at Willow Springs for a week to collect, collaborate and join forces before our departure. This was taken from my school bus.

Avery learned how to use a toilet! He figured it out himself, he is a magical kitty and currently resides at Willow Springs.

The Fix, Nevada City, CA

2010-05-11T16:15:00.000-07:00

The Fix, :literally: A raw-food restaurant/boutique nestled in an Alley in downtown Nevada City. :Actually and secretly: a spot to talk to some of the most healthy and spiritually intriguing people in my area. I feel so privileged to show my work at a spot that I truly admire and love to visit.

Elated. The genie performed, as well as Kipchoge playing a solo set powered by the bicycles. We partied with the family until midnight.

First California show!! This was one to remember!

Prep time for Pleasant Revolution

2010-04-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

You might have gotten a hint from my last post about me suddenly leaving Berkeley, no? Well, it is true. I now live in a school bus in North San Juan California. Thats right folks, I left Berkeley to temporarily move out to Willow Springs, a wonderful community land nestled near Grass Valley in Northern California. Never, did I visualize myself living in a school bus, but sometimes you gotta leave your comfort zone when new opportunities arrive.

Willow Springs community garden. Art, yoga, music, cooking, farming, trampolines, friendly dogs and friendly neighbors all set in the California sun. I'm not getting paid to say those things, I'm just fond of my temporary home.
So? What the hell...? Ok, I have been working day and night, writing emails, making phone calls, arranging art shows, connecting people, doing design and illustration work, skipping lunch and playing guitar. (Most of which occurs in my studio loft pictured below). I am preparing to go to Europe on a 5,000 mile itinerary traveling on a bicycle. Myself, and 11 other members ride together with The Pleasant Revolution, a collaboration of talented artists and musicians who travel to distant lands to set up shows and play music, all powered by bikes. Not only do the bikes power the show, they carry our supplies and gear (and ourselves) everywhere on our journey. I will be posting more about the trip, cause I'm the official blogger, artist, media person... connect to the blog HERE

Berkeley and Transition

2010-04-09T16:13:00.001-07:00

Berkeley, you have filled my heart with a warm glowing fuzzy feeling. I was not ready to leave your sweet aromas and funny people, but t'was destiny, the galloping stallion of fate that came along and swept me away.

My friendly room in aunt Claudia's house. I watched many episodes of the Mighty Boosh and Lost while crocheting dolls and painting dancing foxes. My residence in north Berkeley was in a quiet neighborhood, in a perfect location, 8 blocks from a bustling downtown, and 4 blocks from the bart station, which took me all over the bay. My bicycle was glorious and convenient as a means of transportation in the ever so bike friendly Berkeley. Le sigh....

Heidi petting a look-alike-Avery. She was kind enough to visit and brought me boxes to pack my things and move out quick!

California

Durian fruit. Yeeeesh! Does this thing smell. It is a coveted fruit, desired by people all over the world. It is said to be the stinkiest and best tasting fruit on the planet. Good for the brain, heart, and body...looks a bit like fleshy organs and tastes like vanilla bananas with a hint of body odor. You can pick one of these deadly food orgasms up at the Berkeley Bowl for only $50!

Mikhel's favorite thing about Berkeley. "Durian!!"

Yarn callouses

2010-03-03T10:19:00.000-08:00

These past few weeks of unemployment in Berkeley have been a bit slow, but I speed up my day by keeping busy and productive. I am currently working on developing a small side business selling original dolls and patterns of amigurumis (japanese for crocheted doll).
My most recent:

Marcel, the Fox in a Box

Vagabond Monkey

Vampire Bat

More amigurumi patterns and dolls here

Mysticism

2010-03-02T19:37:00.000-08:00

In pursuit of the art of living...
I had an unforgettable magical weekend at my beloved cousin's cabin.

Looking out on the land from her porch...a guitar maker/carpenters home in the photo.

Interior.

Shortcut through the cemetery to the cafe in North San Juan.

Platform for an xtracycle, personalized for Mikhel...

I start with a sketch and tape two pieces of printer paper to fit the size of the board. Drawing is taped up to the window (I needed to reverse the image to face the other direction) and final line work is sketched with a black colored pencil.

Drawing on printer paper is transferred on to board using graphite paper, fluid acrylic paint used to do line work on wood.

Filling in base colors, medium values first, then darkest values, and last lightest values. (A good rule of thumb when using acrylics).

A few edits on the reddish line work were done at the very end.

Varnished and ready to go.

Board #2 Owls Owls Owls!

Same process with this one, this piece of wood was less attractive then the first, so I painted over most of it, but left a bit at the top unpainted, I like the look of the wood.

My tea and her tea, two different blends. Crystals in the jars bring out magical qualities in the tea, but to top it off, are brewed in the full moon light. They were mystic delicious.

Voyerism

2010-02-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

Houses have been one of my favorite subjects to oggle and photograph. My new home in Berkeley is located in a quiet neighborhood far away from any sounds. Walk 8 blocks and there is so much energy and tons of people. The homes around here are amazingly different from one another. And not to mention the thriving gardens that are artfully planted in front of them. I can't wait to come back to this posting and add more photos.

Cloud house, to the north.

This one is all about the car

Wisteria waterfalls

Jarvis

2010-02-18T20:44:00.000-08:00

I am excited to finally post "Jarvis", the first oil painting I have completed in 4 years. I had been threatening myself to return back to oil for a while, but instead focused only on watercolor and acrylic paintings. So here he is in all his glory, he is my new life in bloom.

A new frontier...

2010-02-18T16:07:00.000-08:00

A late post and very short summary in pictures...

Goodbye Seattle, I will miss you!!

Winter Blues

2010-01-11T21:31:00.000-08:00

Belated x-mas posts

2010-01-11T20:52:00.001-08:00

Happy new year! I have much news to post, but for now please enjoy a few commissions I did for friends at Daniel Smith (my current work place)

For Dave and Jen, the bear and his little bird sail on a Seattle lake navigating the stars.

For Emily and her husband Ben,

A tattoo for Ben, or a sentimental idea illustrated... The COOLEST (well one of the coolest) innovations in musical instruments the melotron. Check out why Ben and Emily (and now me) love this thing. Black Moth Super Rainbow is all over this thing.

In addition to a custom illustration (hehe), Emily got Ben a theramin for x-mas! Holy SHIT what an awesome girl friend.

Soundtracks from my head

2009-12-21T17:31:00.000-08:00

Kria Brekkan, a wonderfully creepy and talented songstress most noted for her vocals in M83 and Mice Parade gives my heart a fluttery zealous ache. I am not sure how else to describe it...ahhh the magic of Iceland...

More Fun in Seattle

2009-12-17T16:59:00.000-08:00

Woah, check out this victorian home/museum near Pioneer Square just under I-5. I can't imagine what kind of shenanegans go on at this house, but I'd like to partake. Unfortunately, Weird Steve is not giving tours but you can take a virtual flash tour. I would like to devote ONE room in my future house that resembles a curious cabinet of sorts...but raking the hallways to fit oodles and oodles of stuff...only for a day visit thanks. My favorite is the Jeanie room and the Bathroom, look closely there IS a toilet and sink in there.

Hawks Bleed Oranges

2009-12-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

This illustration was painted using watercolor, and I knew I wanted to superimpose the hawks over a textured dream-like background. My first thought was to paint the whole thing on yupo paper, a watercolor paper that is essentially made from plastic. However, I wanted more detail and an oil effect for the hawks, so I painted them independently on Arches Hot Press. Separately, I did a heavy wash of a granulating watercolor on a piece of yupo paper and let it dry overnight. The effect is a swirling sky with static clouds and water bubbles. I scanned them and touched things up a bit in photoshop.

I referenced the movement of the hawks by scrounging around youtube looking for videos. I came across this nat geo video, pause on 1:54 to see the rough and tumble.

Uncanny, No?

2009-12-11T15:55:00.000-08:00

I'm going to geek out on a few funny coincidences...so bear with me

I watched Red Sonja (1984) last night with my roommate, and I was mesmerized by how much Brigitte Nielson reminded me of Neko Case. Neko's stage demeanor is teetering on the fantasy rhealm and I must insist she could assume Red Sonja's sword yielding role no questions asked.

hehe haw haw!

And...on another funny coincidence,

Play catsoup and listen to boom bip's popsicle for an uncanny pair up. Have fun!

Ok, I'm done.

Greatest discovery this year...

2009-11-19T11:58:00.001-08:00

Phantasmaphile, my absolute favorite blogger has been one of my daily internet haunts for over a year now. She has opened my eyes and inspired me by sharing her love for art, mythology and psychology. It has been one of those strange instances where you have many parallel interests with someone, but I am sure I am not alone saying so about this writer. I wanted to touch on a few gems that I found irresistable and inevitably inspiring.

Myth and Psychology: Joseph Campbell

Magical author: Trinie Dalton

Bad-ass female surrealist Remedios Varo

Subconcious expert and Portland artist Theo Ellsworth, who I plan on meeting some day :)

I was fortunate enough to receive a little spotlight for my paintings on phantasmaphile earlier this year.
That was a good day...

Pressure printing

2009-11-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

My good friend Dave was nice enough to spend a Sunday afternoon with me working on a type project. He is such a generous guy and loves him some letterpress. So we went to work and had a collaboration.

My Grandpa kept a type cabinet in his basement as a sentimental reminder of his days at the publisher. He passed away around 7 years ago, and I recently discovered the type collection while visiting my grandma in Colorado. She loves butterflies, so as a thank you for willing me the cabinet, I combined his fascination for art and letterpress type with her butterflies. *sniff* sappy, but feels great to do.

Rust and Yellow

My Grandpa's type, arranged on the plate.

I drew an outline of a butterfly on yupo paper and cut out shapes for two runs of color. We took the paper cut out and stuck it with adhesive to the roller on the press. When the paper was sent through, only the shape of the butterfly and a little static around the edges appears. Dave printed two runs to show two colors in different sections.

Final Print

Dave, thank you thank you thank you th....

Watercolor sketch

2009-10-05T21:40:00.000-07:00

Here is an example of a quick watercolor study, or sketch turned into a final painting.
I apologize for the pale images, my camera is seeing its last days.
This drawing was sketched very lightly with a hard lead pencil on Arches hot press watercolor paper.

I do a watercolor wash around the characters using french ultramarine and quinacridone pink and get some lovely transparent effects, no?

A few strokes of browns and golds achieved by mixing a bit of quinacridone gold.

The concept was "Vans Birthday Card"...Van is my talented sweet and sour cubical mate who deserves nothing less than a sweet ass bee to fly him to his next ninja mission.

Final painting mounted on another folded sheet of paper (adopted from Van and his brilliant birthday card presentation)

Ketyl block process

2009-09-24T12:38:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

New albino eyes: First thought Moby Dick

A visiting friend inspired me to make the Buffalo

Huuuge Moth

2009-09-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

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!

Monster Art

2009-09-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

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.

Secret Life of Plants

2009-08-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

I just uploaded my first videos on youtube for Secret Life of Plants
(I'm stoked for this picture because Avery posed so nicely :)

New obsession: amigurmis

2009-08-15T13:51:00.001-07:00

This was bound to happen eventually, but I have converted painting cute furry things on paper to crocheting cute fuzzies in 3D.

Straight at ya, in no particular order...

continued...

2009-08-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

Seattle Collage

2009-08-12T14:42:00.000-07:00

My house. Just kidding, I WISH it was.

Some favorite relics, on display, collecting dust.

My back porch feels like a tree house, especially in the summer.

Mineral Lake

2009-08-12T14:39:00.001-07:00

Colorado Collage

2009-08-09T14:03:00.000-07:00

Portals

2009-07-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

Inside the saxaphone repair shop

These barb bqs are the best. The best.

Scribbles. Mr. Scribbles, that is.

New, and sorta new

2009-06-20T16:01:00.000-07:00

Pugliacci had his debut last November, and is now resting on the molding in my living room with other paintings from past shows. He is very pathetic, isn't he?

"Spell", a new mixed media tryptic is currently up at Halogen through June, (they share the same wall with the Roq LaRue, no big deal):)

Paint paint fur, all day long, paint paint fur while I sing this song...

A few things I have been occupying myself with...

2009-06-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

The knitting has slowed down a bit now that it is warm outside, but I am pretty consistent with the making of the hats and the limb-warmers in the winter.

Lewis at Gasworks, he is one of my favorite subjects when I pretend to be a photographer.

Poor squirrel, he was a fresh one. He looked like he was sleeping.

Seattle's Hidden Gem

2009-06-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

The Arboretum is my favorite wandering spot in the city. There are thousands of species of plants here, from all over the world. Spring time is euphoric.

Tunnel on the path.

Japanese Garden.

Cherry blossoms.

Denver Museum of Nature and Science

2009-03-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

Formally known as the "Denver Natural History Museum."
This South Denver museum was a field trip destination in elementary school, and I haven't visited for over a decade. I remember my 4th grade class had a sleepover night at the museum and we laid out our sleeping bags in these rooms with the dioramas. It was the BEST field trip EVER. Except for that annoying kid coughing and keeping everyone up all night.

I wish there was a display like this in Seattle, I can view the animals from all angles and could spend days here!

.dork.

Grandpa's Basement

2009-03-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

Oh, boy did I encounter the find of a lifetime on my last visit home to Colorado! My grandma guided me through a few things in her basement, a wind up clock, old letters and a box of mixed letterpress type belonging to my grandpa, Kermitt Patton. I averted my eyes to a corner of the basement and pointed at an old cabinet with many drawers..."What is that....?"
To my astonished delight I opened a drawer to find it packed with wooden type. Nineteen of them are still waiting for me in Colorado, but I had my mom mail one drawer to me so I could print with it right away. There is no complete font, and they are all lacking many vowels, such as the much used "E", but I still wish to make a collage of letters to spell words.

Capitol Hill Watercolor Society

2009-03-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Some friends and I got together to paint and watch/listen to movies at Suzy's house. She has the perfect place to gather and they are such good company. I hope to remember to bring my good camera friend along next time, I'd like to have a document of other artwork at the "secret and highly classified meetings."
I painted up this girl with a portrait in mind, alas it came out totally different than I was intending. I accidentally gave her my little pony eyes! Yeesh. I hope I combated it by adding brighter colors to unify things.

Spring is coming

2009-03-03T18:21:00.000-08:00

My pale skin needs a little vitamin D!

Look what the cat dragged in

2009-03-03T18:19:00.000-08:00

I rescued him just before my cat unleashed the wrath of chomping and spitting out. He was a lively one!

Linoleum block printing

2009-03-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

Lino cuts are a great side project for me to work on, because they demand my attention to detail using a different technique, and the carving provides a nice stress management exercise.

A few tools, one day I will indulge in a small press...

I use Oil Relief ink and would prefer to use a soft brayer, but I unfortunately I bought the hard one, so it does not press ink on the block as evenly as I would like. I mixed a bit of oil medium to thin the ink as an experiment. The ink turned out to be too thin and seeped into the tiny cracks resulting in lost detail on the print. If any medium is added to thin the ink, I will only use a very small amount. I want the ink to be tackier next time.

I spread them out by the window to get a little air, they will be wet for days. I used Rives lightweight for this type of printing because it is thin and strong. I need a thin paper to press the ink with a baren by hand.
And the apartment reeks of turpentine afterwards. Mmmm mmm mmm! Much apologies to my roomie.

Misery, Love, Company practice

2009-03-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

I go to the practice room about once a month to catch up with the guys in Misery, Love, Company--a Seattle-based jazz/psych/rock band. They are great friends and amazing musicians. I like to draw while they play so I sketched them in action. Kohen on drums, Banjo on bass, Josh on keys and Nelson on trombone. I have acquired many sketches and a dwindling sense of hearing at these sessions.

Teeth

2009-02-21T20:15:00.001-08:00

I started this painting at home and was pretty excited to paint with oils again. I love the smell of linseed oil and although the mineral spirits make my head spin a bit, I wont be going back to acrylics any time soon. I love the brushing quality and open time of oils.

I covered reeves bfk with yellow ochre gesso and started transferring my original sketch from my moleskine to the paper.

First layers, I feel like painting skin first in most paintings

Hour 2

This is about done, I dont have an image of the final painting yet, (mostly due to the fact that the painting is not complete :) but I need to pay more attention to the fur on the cat and the clothing and such.

Catching Up

2009-01-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

I have been away for a while, its true. But I have recently started taking photos of my watercolor paintings in progress. Step by step this is how its done...

1 Hour (after sketches and graphite transfer to watercolor paper)

Hour 2

Hour 3

Hour 4

"Art in the Garden" at the Ballard pea patch

2008-07-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday gave us great weather and hundreds of local Ballardites at the Art in the Garden festival. I love this pea patch, and when I was offered to show my paintings at one of the booths, I was happy to pack my things up and relax in a local garden all day. My art fit right in, featuring dancing insects, twisted trees and intricate garden scenes.

I worked on several paintings throughout the day, this one is a color study of a larger watercolor piece I will be developing.

Knitting Nettle Weevil

2008-07-09T23:14:00.000-07:00

Watercolor, 6x10"
I am grateful for flickr and its endless supply of macro insect photos. The weevil is a silly little gonzo-like insect that was a destructive force on cotton fields during the great depression. So, this particular "Nettle Weevil" has claimed knitting yarn from a spider's web for a new scarf to show he is fearless of all creatures.

Music Endeavours

2008-06-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

CD cover painted for Seattle-based band White Helicopter http://www.whitehelicopter/myspace.com
Watercolor and calligraphy pen

Pod of Narwhals

2008-05-29T09:49:00.001-07:00

The final design for "Unity Anarchy" scooter group from Seattle WA. I opted for an all black and white logo to help save money on the sticker production, so I focused more on developing the line work to make up for color.
The Narwhals are a symbol of strength and and akward stamina, ...like a group of scooters :)

Morning memories

2008-05-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

I did this for a painting contest at work, the idea came from a dream (so typical, right?, but I must say much inspiration comes from colorful dreams). We have 3 watercolors we must include in our entries: Bismuth Vanadate Yellow, Quinacridone Pink and SB Turquoise. My entire pallete had only these colors (but I did cheat on the opaque white cherry blossoms and a touch of dark green in the left corner. :)

Seed

2008-05-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

Illustration Friday "Seed"
My little cyclops furballs make another appearance in this piece. I saw the suggestion for seed on IF and thought a plant drawing would be such an easy task, I took it a bit further, and rather liked the results.

Working space

2008-05-10T10:21:00.000-07:00

Today I will demonstrate the innerworkings of a productivity...

Messy desk

Clean desk

Wish I could snap my fingers to make this happen!

Artwalk

2008-05-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

May was just slightly too cool to set up my "booth" at the Pioneer Square artwalk. It was the first artwalk I participated in this year, I'll be out in June and July too. Gotta take the day of work and get there early, or else I wont find a spot to set up, but it does make it easier to have blankets instead of a tent.

Illustration Friday..."Wrinkles"

2008-04-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

I made a quick sketch of a woman, getting older...seeing more wrinkles every day and thinking she looks too much like her sharpe, and imagines how it would feel to live life as her puppy "wrinkles". Her friends put the final touch to her vanity and position a feather hat on her crown.
"There! Perfect and lovely!"

I tried a different approach in medium, using a black graphite pencil to outline the painting, it turned out shinier than I wanted and didn't scan so well. I used watercolor, manganese blue hue, deep scarlet, and quinacridone gold on Arches CP.

Revived!

2008-04-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

I attended the SCBWI conference in Belleview WA this weekend and I just returned to my partly rainy/warm residence on the hill. I don think I am over exaggerating when I confess that it was a seriously life changing and affirming experience.
Yes, I learned techniques, exercises and formulas, but the most significant realization I had was not that I only have the technical ability to create imagery, but have a spark to learn how to master storytelling. This has drawn a huge smile inside of me and I feel a new passion to treat illustrating books as a serious career.
Here are a few sketches I did during an inspirational lecture with Martha Chodos-Irvine and one at the end of a more writer focused drawn out discussion from Arthur Levine...

I highly recommend this conference to ANYONE interested in illustrating for books, it woke me up in so many ways!

Landscape

2008-04-11T12:52:00.000-07:00

I started this thinking I might potentially submit it to 4culture's call for artists, requesting landscapes abstract or literal. Still deciding if I'll paint up a few more like it.

Homage

2008-03-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

My homage to Mark Ryden, a self portrait.

New Blogspot!

2008-03-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

This is my first entry at blogspot.com, so I am posting a piece I loaded onto illustrationfriday.com last night. Most of my current work is all watercolor and I am builiding my skills as an illustrator to add more variety to my collection. My style definitely leans towards children's books but I am open and willing to give all topics a try. In any case, this will be a great spot for me to display process and so on...