Illustration Friday - Tree

Post for Illustration Friday. Theme: Tree.

Home is where the house is
Ink and watercolour
2012

Resurrection Blogfest

So Mina Lobo's blog Some Dark Romantic turns the fabulous age of one today and she decided to host this blogfest in which we resurrect something from our first year here in the blogosphere.

So here it is. First published on Tuesday 30th August 2011. I believe it was the fifth post ever. Why this one? Well, why not?

What is it without honesty?

An artist has been defined as a neurotic who continually cures himself with his art.  ~ Lee Simonson 

It has to be honest. It doesn’t matter what it is, what label it fits under. As long as you can connect to the humanity in it.

Isn’t it part of the point of this life thing? To connect to someone, or something. To feel like someone out there understands you. Understands that we’re all a bit broken. That as different as we claim we are, we’re all the same. That we love and lose, survive when we’re sure that we can’t.

So how do you make something honest if you don’t put your heart and soul into it? Don’t rip yourself apart and put everything out there. How can I expect you to connect to some paint thrown around if I don’t put a part of me in it? Whether it’s a cutesy little picture with a few select words or something that has destroyed me, it won’t connect if it’s empty.

Isn’t this what an artist is meant to do? Put images, sound, words, movement, to emotions. To try to put those same things to how we see the world. To do it in a way that makes you find something in it, because when it comes down to it, as much as I do this for me I hope that when you see it you find something in it, something that you can relate to.

This is everything for me. How I survive. This is how I connect to myself. And to you, because anyone who really knows me knows how much I fail at connecting with people in the flesh. And it’s hard. And it’s scary. But it’s nowhere near as hard and scary as it is to try and be someone else. Nowhere near as hard as it is to try and function in this world without repeatedly breaking myself apart on canvas.

But is spewing the crap that’s inside my head and heart even art? Or is it just a way to avoid spending thousands on a therapist. I’ve been down the psychiatrist/psychologist/therapist route, had more of them than I can count on one hand and none of them ever helped me as much as picking up a pencil has. So is this art or art therapy?

But if there is a part of me in each piece, actually me and not just what I think you want to see, it's honest. And if it's honest there is a chance that you might connect. That you might find something in it that helps you. But even if it's honest and you connect is it art? Or is that what makes it art?

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date.

So it's been a mad few months. House sitting, Kaiapoi Art Expo, staying with a broken friend, more house sitting, a bunch of markets. Barely time to think, let alone get a blog post together.

When I Go
Acrylic, 2012

Nine works went to Kaiapoi Art Expo seven sold, I called it successful. And then I got commission work from it as well. Bonus. Not bad for things I only pulled together in the two weeks before it was on. Can you tell I am highly organised?!

If
Pencil, 2012

Market life has started again with four down and almost every weekend and a bunch of weekdays booked up from now until February. Madness! Being a reclusive artist was much less work.... If you're in Canterbury, Nelson or Dunedin (New Zealand) check out the market page because I'm coming to you!

I'm sure last time I posted I said interesting things were being plotted. I had planned to get a calendar sorted for 2013 but have you ever found out what it costs to get them printed in full colour?! Insanely expensive. So it won't be happening this year, I might look into doing pre order for 2014 and get folks to pay up front so I can afford to get it done. Would anyone be keen for Sophie (the girl in black) and friends calendar?

I did manage to find time to paint a picture for a soon to be a published author friend and turn it into a banner for her blog. So head over to Mutterings from the oubliette and check it out full size.

I almost forgot! My oddball hats made it onto the national news!! Ok so it was part of a clip about LUXCity that is a festival bringing life back to the Christchurch CBD but still they made it on there, and even better I wasn't in the shot! Not sure if it can be viewed from other countries but this is the link to it, LUXCity.

Right I really should get onto making a bazillion hats, this whole selling things is great but then I actually have to make more...

Is there a smell in here?

I may still appear to be dead but I haven't started to smell the place out yet... have I?

Life is a pesky thing when it gets too full of other things. Things need to be drawn and written but I just don't have the time for at least another week.

Expect a blog post in the next few weeks when things settle down. Things of awesome have happened in the hidden land and lots of things are being plotted. :D

If you happen to be in the area I'm going to be at Woodend School Fair on Sunday the 16th of September, come and say hello.

I'm not dead.

A highly exciting Friday night spent waiting for paint to dry so more paint can be added. Fun times I tell you!

I didn’t mean to go missing from the blogosphere for so long it’s just that there really hasn’t been much happening. Art took a backseat to life and I’ve barely had time to pick up a pencil in months. I blame horses and snow. And books, yes books, I’m starting to think that half the reason I’ve been so busy the last month is that I’ve read 25 of them. Oops. But with two weeks until this exhibition I really have to quit reading and make some art.

I’m not freaking out that I haven’t got it done yet. Everyone around me is! I’ve started, have the biggest one half done and another one sketched. So out of nine I’m not doing too badly! I’ll get them all done. I always do.

The awesome Mina Lobo blogged about yours truly the other day, go here if you want to go and check it out and hello if you’re here from there!

That’s it. That’s all. I don’t even have any art to add.

The wisdom of Calvin.

This is me completely. Nothing happens until five hours after the 'oh shit it needs to be finished by tomorrow' moment. Which is why I found myself still trying to figure out what I am doing for an exhibition in July half an hour before I had to have the paperwork in the post (oh and I live a 10 minute drive from the nearest post office). The worst thing is is that I've know about it for months, the work should be finished (or at least started!) by now, all things like title, medium, size, price should be figured out after, not before! I have just under two months to get the work done and I know I'll still be doing it the morning of. One day I'll change... yeah probably not.

Calvin and Hobbs

Yes I did get it in and only one of nine is untitled! Ok, that one is also completely unknown as to what it will be other than size, medium and price but it will be there... this is so not the right way to do things...

Kreativ Blogger Award

So I've been given this award twice this week so I thought I'd be good and do it! Thanks to Mina Lobo over at Some Dark Romantic and Amanda Heitler at Drama, Dice and Damsons for the award. And of course I'm going to chuck some art into it all so each random thing about me comes with a picture or photo.

The rules of this award are:

1. In a new blog post, thank and link back to the blog of the person who nominated you.

2. In the same post, pass the award on to six other bloggers.

3. Same post, list 10 things folks may not know about you.

I'm tagging, drum roll please...
Whoever wants to do it. I know that is so so lazy but blogger is doing odd things and keeps crashing and I want to get some sleep and it doesn't seem like many of the peoples I follow (other than the two that gave this to me!) seem to be around much since A to Z. But if you choose to accept it leave a comment and I'll link it here. :D Actually, hold on a moment, I'll tag Anita at Mutterings from the Oubliette and Jade from Dream, Write, Publish. purely because they are friends out there in the real world and I wonder if they'll read this without me telling them about it! I shall have to do something evil if they don't of course. Ideas anyone?

1. I need to pick up the charcoal again. I miss making everything I touch black!

Charcoal, circa 2007
Reference photo from someone on deviantArt.

2. I see the complete opposite in this picture than the person that knows me best. But we both agree it's a self portrait of sorts.

Bubble Girl
Chalk pastel, 2004

3. I love fire.

circa 2006

4. This is true. If you manage to get in, and that is a pretty big if, chances are you've got a space for life.
 

Ink and watercolour, 2011

 5. It took two years from the idea to get to a place in my head where I could paint this. That was almost seven years ago and I still haven't got back to finish the series. It's not something I can do without complete isolation and the time to unlock some doors.

 6. I've been told numerous times I have evil eyes.


Pencil, 2007

7. I'd like to live in a tree house, or at least have a studio in one.


Pencil, 2009

8. I love drawing feet and hands. Apparently that is odd.

Charcoal, 2003

Pencil, 2009

9. A friend turned a silly doodle I did into a tattoo. He had a reason for it that I didn't know about until his funeral a year later.

10. My other life. From birth until a year ago horses took up most of my time. Then I hit horse burn out and it seems like I've hardly had anything to do with them since. Ok so hardly anything down from managing two studs with 20 odd horses each by myself for other people and running a pony club with 60+ members means there are still 23 horses at home. But these days they are mostly my mother's not mine!

Mako meets the evil swan.
Moments later Mako's mum's hoof met the swans neck. Surprisingly the swan is still alive!
2012

Welcome to my world.

I have my mojo back! It’s exciting after having misplaced it for the past month. I have all these ideas of what to do for a portfolio to send off to publishers. Now I just have to get the website up and running properly, oh and draw the pictures… minor details.

All sorts of other things to get done as well, I really need to get Goblin Riot finished. Only three spreads to go but it just hasn’t happened.

I want to get the photography thing back up and going again, I miss running around with a black growth at the end of my arm. Talking images of the art I’ve made just isn’t the same.

There is a local art exhibition in July which anyone can hand over some $ for and get a panel at but everything needs to be in by the end of this month. I need to know titles, size, medium. Would be simple if I had done the work in advance but well, I’m me, last minute is more my style so chances are it won’t be done until July. I just need to figure out what to do now so I can get the forms sent in!

I have to make a plushie zombie for Anita! How awesome!! I think I have the pattern sorted so now to make a mock up to check it works then go fabric hunting and making! And talking Anita, a crazy writer girl laptop cover has to be drawn… ohhh and all those other commissions for other friends that I promised I’d get onto asap… where did my list go? (Friends: If you’re reading this and I said I’d do something for you, REMIND ME!)

Eep I didn’t plan to come here to create a list of things I need to do, merely to come and say I GOT MY MOJO BACK! To say HELLO new followers and put up some pics of some of the things I drag around to markets so you can see more than what I did for A to Z. And that there is a whole heap more on facebook if you want to head over there and “Like” it.

So with no more rambling here is some of what I do...

I make bookmarks. They are all handpainted so although similar are all original.

I do a pictures that are 16x21cm (framed). A bunch of these are also available on clothing through Print Mighty.

I make furry hats with ears... they go nicely with my gorilla slippers! Made from faux fur and felt, I make a range of colour combinations and ear types.



I was going to put some band photos up now but blogger has decided to crap out on me and the insert  image bit isn't working. Useless! So if you want to see some photos leave a comment and I'll put them up next post.

Now I feel like I need to put a disclaimer up about how it's all copyrighted to me so don't go stealing anything. But if you want to buy I ship worldwide! Yes shameless give me money plug, I'm a broke artist!

I looked into the mirror and A to Z was looking back at me.

Pen
What happens when you do the A to Z!

I signed up early March thinking sweet it’s a month away that gives me time to get everything written and drawn. Why I ever thought that I’d be that organised I don’t know! With most rhymes sorted and only a handful of pictures done April 1^st arrived. A fantastic start with A not drawn until mid afternoon… however I got to the end and only a few were drawn and uploaded in the last hour (or minutes) of the day!

Random thoughts:

1.      Trying to visit nearly 2000 blogs in a month with dial up is a lesson in patience, cursing and dealing with RSI. Yes, I got RSI from constantly hitting refresh when they wouldn’t load. And I only got through 300…

2.      CAPTCHA doesn’t bother me as much as it seems to bother everyone else.

3.      I don’t understand getting followers just to get followers. I’d rather have people follow that are interested in what I do, not because they feel like they should. (Talking following – what happened to Follow up there at the top? It’s now Share…)

4.      Behind writer blogs, the most common blogs I came across were religion and mummy blogs. Only a tiny handful of art or music ones, sigh, maybe I’m yet to get to them.

5.      I think Mina Lobo's Blog Drinking Game is a fantastic idea.

6.      Drawing a character for every letter was harder than I thought it would be. I think if I’d stuck to my usual way of drawing them it would have been easier. But where is the fun in that?

7.      I got a whole heap of visitors, but I’m pretty sure 700 of them weren’t from China and Russia… but yay to the real visitors!

8.      I spent far too much time on this and ignored all the other art that needs doing.

So that’s it. A to Z done. Will I do it again next year? Maybe. Depends on where life is and what’s happening. Will I blog more from now on? I hope so. Will I visit everyone on the sign up Linky List. Eventually!

Z is for Zan Ee

Unconventionally individual, Zan Ee is an artist 

As a life choice it was definitely the smartest.

Watercolour

zany adj

amusingly unconventional and individual

Y is for Yo Uthful

Yo Uthful is seemingly young

But you know she's really a hundred and one.

Watercolour

youthful adj

1. young or seemingly young

2. characteristic of young people



X is for Xen O Phobia

If you're from a different country Xen O Phobia will dislike you

His fear isn't about you personally, that much is true.

Pencil

xenophobia n

strong dislike or fear of people from other countries



W is for Woe Begone

Always miserable is Miss Woe Begone

She needs someone to sing her a happy song.

Ink

woebegone adj

looking sad or miserable

V is for Vin Dictive

For Mr Vin Dictive revenge is his desire

It's how he copes, he's never been a crier.

Charcoal

vindictive adj

having a strong or spiteful desire for revenge

U is for Ugg Lee

Mr Ugg Lee is hideous inside and out

His nature is nasty and he looks like a trout.

Ink

ugly adj

1. unpleasant or unattractive in apperance

2. hostile or threatening

T is for Turb Ulent

Turb Ulent causes much conflict

Soon he'll be in the stripes of a convict.

Ink and watercolour

turbulent adj

involving much conflict, disorder. or confusion

S is for Sue Percilious

Sue Percilious thinks the sun shines out her bum

She constantly acts like she's better than everyone.

Ink and watercolour

supercilious adj

behaving in a way that shows you think you are better than other people

R is for Rev Olting

Rev Olting wants you to be trusting

But everyone knows he's really disgusting.

Ink and coloured pencil

revolting adj

very unpleasant, digusting

Q is for Quan Dary

Master Quan Dary is in an uncertain state

He isn't sure if he's gay or straight.

Ink and watercolour

quandary n

a state of uncertainty

P is for Psy Chotic

Psy Chotic had his plan thwarted

By Em who knew his reality was distorted.

Ink and watercolour

psychotic adj

relating to or having a mental disorder in which a person's perception of reality is severely distorted

O is for Odi Ous

My neighbour Mr Odi Ous is very unpleasant

I'm a little scared that one day he'll whack me with a crescent.

Ink and watercolour

odious adj

very unpleasant

N is for Norm Al

Amongst his friends Norm Al is expected
It's taken him years to get his look perfected.

Ink and watercolour

normal adj

usual, typical, or expected.



M is for Mac Hiavellian

Mr Mac Hiavellian will always get what he wants

With underhand methods he tries not to flaunt.

Pencil

Machiavellian adj

using cunning and underhand methods to get what you want

L is for Lassi Tude

Lacking in energy is Miss Lassi Tude
She's just exhausted, she isn't rude.

Watercolour

lassitude n

physical or mental weariness; lack of energy



K is for Kin Key

Mr Kin Key likes unusual sexual activities

Don't ask if you have delicate sensitivities.

Ink

kinky adj

1. relating to or liking unusual sexual activities

2. having kinks or twists

J is for Judge Mental

Judge Mental is always critical
From his bench he'll make you feel pitiful.

Pen and watercolour

judgemental adj

1. relating to the use of judgement.

2. excessively critical of other people.

I is for Indi Screet

Don't tell anything private to Miss Indi Screet

Or soon you'll hear it from Dee down the street.

Pen

indiscreet adj

too ready to reveal things that should remain private



H is for Hal Lucination

They say Hal Lucination isn't really there

But I saw him yesterday reading on the stair.

Ink and watercolour

hallucination n

see something which is not actually present

G is for Gran Diose

My Gran Diose is forever out to impress
She even goes to the dairy in a formal dress

Watercolour

grandiose adj

very large or ambitious, especially in a way which is intended to impress

F is for Fleur Tatious

Miss Fleur Tatious likes to flirt

Watch out for her, you might get hurt.

Ink and watercolour

flirtatious adj

liking to flirt

E is for Empathy

Ms Em Pathy understands your fears
You might not believe her, but she really cares.



Ink and watercolour

empathy n

the ability to understand and share the feelings of other people