Watered Mountain (I'd love your opinion, plz)

This rocky mountain is something I did a few months ago and only just mounted. It shows 'watered shaping lines' and I really love the effect. This rocky peak has such a nice presence. I'm not sure it comes across in the photo. Looking at it like this, it almost seems it wants some calligraphy or maybe foggy clouds added. But then, maybe if I just trim it down like this cropped image (below). Any opinions for me?

Mothra, my Mothra

For reasons I don't really understand myself,

I really love this piece. The camellia may be partially imaginary,

the moth may be pure fiction,

but it just has something of a presence.

Sometimes art is just that way.

New year's resolution update

So how's the New Year's Resolution coming?

I set a pretty big goal for myself - doubling the amount of time I work on ink painting. In order to accomplish this, I am trying to come up with strategies to help me work at it longer.

I have been doing physical exercises to help cope with working on the floor sitting in seiza (Japanese style.) These are really starting to pay off. I can sit much longer without pain now, but I am still working on a low table hoping that it will make me more comfortable and perhaps increase my accuracy.

The main barrier I am going to have to deal with for a while is the lack of paper. I am currently rationing to make my paper last until at least Spring. Hopefully, I will be able to afford a good supply of paper by then or work could grind to a halt.

I won't be totally stopped at that point because I am saving pieces like the picture on the right so that I can work on learning to do washes and mounting the pieces for hanging.

Until I can get in a steady supply of paper, I am going to be limited in how much I can do in a day. I am going to supplement that as much as I can with pencil studies, art history, and any other forms of training that I think might help.

Portrait Parity

I like doing portraits every now and then and here's one of two cute little girls that I've been working on recently. I think it's just about done now.

As you can see, the faces are detailed, but the style becomes progressively sketchier as you leave the main area of focus. There are some strong angles present which lend energy and a shadow was added LR to activate the negative space.

Please join me again next week when I do believe there will be another installment of 'How To Fail As an Artist'!

How to Fail as an Artist, Step Two

If you're going to be an artist, you must look and act the part. The first thing you need is a really wild hairdo.

It takes a lot to shock people nowadays, so you can't expect anyone to notice you if you don't have a really outstandingly wild do. It used to be that shaving your head or just failing to cut your hair would be enough to put you on the fringes of society right where an artist *should* be.



Here's a few classic examples:





As you can see from Warhol and Trump, wild hair is clearly a key to making it to the very top in any field.

So how can you find that magic formula that's just right for you? Well, you can't settle for a hairdo that some other famous person has already used. It has to be a true signature. These days, you'd better be prepared to go as far as having a metal spike installed on your scalp. You will need to either cut too much or not enough, so be sure to find out how you look with your scalp showing.

Make sure to aim for a look that says either barbarian/bum or post-apocalyptic cyberpunk. You just can't go wrong with one of those. Good luck with your new do and be sure to send me a picture once you've got it sussed!

Creative knitting makes a comeback

I normally keep this blog pretty focused on 2D visual art, but Nicolle Glover's creative stitches caught my eye in her Etsy venture, KiKiBowns. The name KiKiBowns itself shows her strong connection to the source of her imagination and creativity: KiKi Bowns was the name she made up for herself as a child. Browsing through her needle creations, you can truly sense that child-like curiosity that doesn't admit to anything being impossible or out of bounds.

This clutch, Monster, is one of Nicolle's most striking designs so far. Inspired by Poe's raven, the dark silhouette strikes a perfect balance. And of course, I think Nicolle should indulge her goth side more often ;)

How to Fail as an Artist, Step One

Welcome to a new series of articles that will be wedged in every now and then in between reviews and me tooting my own horn. This series details everything you need to know to fail as an artist.

First, as even the most gullible of babes knows, money makes the world go 'round. So only make art for money. Why waste you time beating your breast, scouring your soul, and plumbing the depths in search of greater truth? No one will pay to see something like that.

What you need is something that will bring in the dough. And you should never work on anything that won't bring it in.

One of the best ways to bring the money in is to create an uproar. Try going to your town or city's main square and painting the town's most beloved monument red. This always provokes a response. Not to long ago a pair of artists (wink, wink) put up some flashing signs with a cartoon character flashing the finger at passersby. They could not have had better luck when it was mistaken for a terrorist bomb. This is just the type of creative thinking you need to make your bank account full.

If you are of a more delicate disposition, might I suggest dogs. Puppies are even better, but dogs will do. Everyone has a soft spot for Fido. At the very least people love their own pets no matter how much they complain of the neighbors'. So start painting pet portraits. It's not nearly as likely to land you in jail and people just love them.

So remember, there are lots of ways you can put your art to work for you. Don't concern yourself with that new-age psychobabble about 'finding yourself.' Get out there and find some money!

Creative Anachronism Takes on a Wonderful New Meaning

Cara Buchalter didn't have to be an artist, but when you look at her quirky art-deco-inspired illustrations, can you really blame her? It also didn't hurt that the namesake for her etsy storefront, her great-aunt Octavine, was an opera singer, and that her father is an artist.

Buchalter prides herself on living with one foot in the 19th century, and her work reflects a refined Art Deco sensibility. While maintaining that sensibility, Cara's work feature's a more modern design structure which is overall purer than the more densely designed patterns and illustrations of the Art Nouveau/Deco movements. This refreshes the style and makes it altogether more accessible for those of use who are sadly trapped in this post-industrial era.

The work featured above, Devastation, was based on a photo by legendary photographer Irving Penn of his wife. While exploring Mrs. Penn's almost unearthly beauty and painting through the lens of her own creativity, Buchalter is also exploring the relationship between artist/viewer/subject. Not only her own relationship, but also Penn's relationship, to the subject come into question. The lovely woman depicted is thus transformed into a muse for the generations and a mysterious beauty for the viewer to absorb.

Well, I hope you enjoyed our time together today. Tune in next week for a feature of indie artist, Moonstr.

The Worries of Ghosts

This week I present for your consumption a new monotype I made recently.

It cannot have escaped anyone's attention that the summer Olympics will start soon, and this image is printed on newsprint featuring a story relating to protests against China in the runup to the games. A pair of ghostly hands clasp uncertainly and a red star leaves evidence of it's passage. What will China choose to become?