nekked.

graphite and watercolor

charcoal on gesso'd paper 

 

graphite-10minute study at Mars Cafe

 

graphite-10minute study at Mars Cafe
(she did have clothes on, just used to models not)

 

acrylic and graphite

(I reveresed the thought process, painted the areas of light

and left the shadows white)

 

 

 

These are studys from my recent classes at the Des Moines Art Center and Des Moines Art Beacon event at Mars Cafe. Most nights it seems like it is a hit or miss with my abilities; need to practice more. Stressing a bit more, when I can actually relax to draw/paint it really helps.

Recent life events:

Added country number 16 to my list - went to Cancun, Mexico for Spring Break

Reading "The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business" by Charles Duhigg - hoping it guides me in some way to make changes in my life/routine that are necessary to live happier

fire-breathing cows

I must confess, I drew another cow.

'holy' cow

charcoal // 2012

The drawing that I just finished up was sort of a pain at first. My professor dictated that the subject matter had to be of a loved one with a fire-breathing reptile. These are two main things that students always want to draw, at least the ones at Simpson. Everyone wants to draw a loved one - it is not recommended because the personal relationship tends to skew the artist's focus on minute details that only they perceive are important. Like how many moles a person has, the common viewer is not going to notice or care if the person is missing one on their right cheek (I am not trying to call out a certain someone, it was just a great example). And then comes the fire-breathing reptile. It is just a fantasy subject matter that "professional" drawings typically do not contain. As some college art professors say it is "high school art;" this is a hard concept to explain with out direct example so I won't waste your time but if you are an artist I think you'll somewhat understand that concept. (Again, not trying to call anyone out, just trying to explain why these two elements are a pain in my art professor's rear. A dear friend of mine did paint a fire-breathing snake fighting ninjas and I must say it is quite BA) Anyways, I think my art professor wanted us to get this out of our systems - not that it was ever in mine - and so I drew my niece and nephew. I incorporated the fire-breathing reptile through my nephew's shirt, it is Reptar from Rugrats with a little ball of fire.

Untitled

graphite // 2012

I must say, I knocked the socks off my professor. My only critque on it is to make the dark areas darker (it has been a while since I worked in graphite and forgot how much of a pain it is to make dark areas with it).



typography exploration//

For my graphic design class we were given a word and to create a layout that purveyed given word. I created mine more as a play on words, imagery and definition.

(1) 

(2) 

 

(3) 

(4)

(5) 

(1) ample

(2) burnt (get it?! was on FIRE, haha)

(3) infinite

(4) intermittent (probably my favovite)

(5) tolerant

My inspiration was from these AMAZING examples from here.

cows.

cows.

charcoal & colored pencil, 2012

To be honest, I do not like it. Yeas, it is a cute fluffy calf but as a whole piece, I would of done so many things differently. Since it is for a class and I have to compromise my style for a grade (even though the prof said do whatever style you wish, funny huh). But I won't even start on that subject. Anyways, I have plenty of time to finesse my cows in future drawings.

leviosa.

For my drawing class our first assignment is to create a drawing similar to the style of Chris Van Allsburg. His illustrations in Jumanji, The Polar Express, and The Chronicles of Narnia are his most noted works. The best way to summarize his style is that it is super-realistic with a 'fantastic' element that sets an eerie, magnificent tone. As shown in the following works: 

I by no means feel that my drawing is comparable to his; his overall attention to detail and concentration is impeccable and incomparable. Anyways, for my 'fantastic' element I created a pint of beer that does not have a glass - it is just the liquid - thus making it levitate a bit above the table. Since I can not directly reference liquid levitating it was a challenge with the shadow and omitting the glass from my observation. Overall though I am satisfied with my drawing; really like how I mimicked the various textures - leather hat, hair on arms, cloth, wood table and liquid. I am still trying to think of a name that will illuminate my element to make it a bit more noticeable.

 
 

charcoal  //  2012

rare FLIGHT. show

Here are the majority of my works from my first art show 'rare FLIGHT'

 

artifact

acrylic &graphite  2011

halcyon

acrylic & graphite 2011

pattern

acrylic & graphite  2011

rare FLIGHT

acrylic & graphite  2011

trial theory

acrylic & graphite  2011

vague.

acrylic & graphite  2011

senior show

IT IS COMPLETE! Phew. My favorite painting/antler duo (by far is):

 

All together there are 9 paintings and 5 painted antlers. Overall I am satisfied with it, I am not 100% in love with a few, but as a whole I believe each piece contributes to the whole...GESTALT as my art prof would say!

Latest song addiction Max Bemis and his wifey: Do the Dohnk

coral & antler

new pieces for my senior show, with a focus upon deer:

the purple lines are based on the native symbolism for constant. the 'scallops' are off a shape that reminds me of the ears of a deer and the darker areas are like spots.

antler

latest song addiction BOY: Little Numbers

still alive

i sorta died; i had mono, not fun at all.

in the meantime i have been working on my senior show. it deals with my latest fascination with deer, i am quite unsure why i am so interested in them. maybe it branched off my native love, i don't know. but this is what i have so far.

yep, as stated  i have yet to figure out exactly why i am focusing on deer but have a lot of symbolism (ie: the organic pattern in the painting is reflective of the antler textures, the fading triangles resemble the fading of a fawns spots, the triangles symbolize hoofs, etc. - i have a lot more)



oh also i have taken up swing dancing, started a new exercising regimen and diggin Safe & Sound: Capital Cities

self-entertainment list

So this week I am ordered to be dead to the world, I am sick and supposed to take it easy. Well I usually cannot do that so I am making a list of what I can/should do that is more producive than taking pictures of my swollen glands ( and name them Ned ... I may have a slight fever ).

     1. paint antlers: yeah. legit deer antlers, for my senior art show. I also need to think of an artist statement on exactly why I am doing it.
     2. other general homework: overall my professors are understanding so I have primarily reading and short papers to write; should keep me busy enough, I just hope I do not have any really bad days again though.
     3. guitar hero: I have not played in ever so I need to brush up my skills and make sure I can still play 'Heart-Shaped Box' on Expert.  ...maybe I'll play some ATV: Offroad Fury as well
     4. clean: My indecisive-ness in what to wear leads me in destroying what organization I have with my clothes. Plus I mainly am just going to be wearing the same outfit everyday (not exact but about).
     5. read Atwood: I recently bought 'Moral Disorder' and have only read a few short stories, so if I get the down time I hope to dive into it some more.
     6. finish Dexter: With this I have to have the boy come over, so I hope I do not infect him, shouldn't ...he probably already is though ...but still it is our thing.
     7. movie buff it up: In general, just take suggestions from friends and go with it. 'X-Men: First Class' is on the list.

yep ... that is so far what I have come up with. I just hope the roids are good to me and keep the good days coming.

note to self

dear self,
you have an art show coming up next week ... you have a lot to do ... get your shit together

... seriously


to-do list:
buy another white marker (used the last one with too much force)
clean room and do laundry (create a refreshing area to work)
bike (too many thoughts/relax/rid of stress)
with said white marker, finish business cards
finish poster and photocopy the hell out of it; disperse to the masses
frame GWSD (god wouldn't stay dead) series
figure out what/if pattern needs anything else done to it
make a new piece? halcyon.
gesso the water spots on artifact that your intoxicated butt dripped

artifact (partial to tease)

graphite, gesso, acrylic

2011

break//paint drying

first off, i am kinda stir-crazy at the moment. i have been working on a new painting, partial self portrait and other stuff and needed to step away and let the paint dry so this led to me taking photos of my wonderful organization of my (active) wardrobe.

i 'destroyed' some shelving units to fit my needs.

Eigth ed Hawthorne and cowboy boots.

jeans, mauve and sweats

my collection of 87c and Raygun shirts (majority of them)

tanks.



& i need to make a new playlist, longer one, i have reset it once.
(say anything//killers//cher//coheed//boggs//she wants revenge//dropkick murphys//hives//tegan and sara//minus the bear//modest mouse//breathe carolina//rancid//river monks ... )

yeah ... this is what i do to preoccupy myself.

business cards.

my personality in 2D form.
handmade business cards ... cause that's how i roll

and yeah you're not that lucky to get my numba.

rare flight.

 beginning.

 still in progress.

' rare FLIGHT '

acrylic. graphite. gesso.

2011

not quite where i want it ... i honestly have no clue where it is going, just letting it be what it wants i guess

up close

To distract myself the other day I decided to wander around the farm and take pictures of all the random, dare I say, junk in our barns and garage.  These are a few of my favorites; I took tons of others like of my mother's 1976 MGB Midget convertible...oh someday we will get it back running - or at least I hope. 

That is Bonkers, she's pleasant...sometimes.

poster.

brief portfolio view

 homepage

 portfolio page

biography page: icon 4

(sorry I cut off the top, wanted to show the info-same with below)

biography page: icon 2

My blog page when clicked opens up a new tab on your browser window and my resume well just brings up my resume on the right. I am overall satisfied with it, a few tweaks here and there - create a patterned background, add more color, maybe add a java script and figure out how to make my background scroll further down, but that is another day's work.