EGGS

So, it's almost 2:30 in the morning and I've finally stopped painting for the day.

I've started dreaming about them, so I'm officially hooked. There's just something really satisfying about finishing one and seeing it- all shiny and brightly colored. It appeals to the magpie in me.

I started painting eggs a few weeks ago when a Craigslist ad told me that a man in north Jersey would pay RIDICULOUS sums of money for them. Time went by and the job never actually materialized, but I fell in love with the intricate patterns and the calming sort of repetition that goes into making each one. Plus, I get to show my long-time love of mythical creatures.

I'm hoping to have a basket full to take to my next major art show, and I'm planning on making a few into Christmas ornaments for the holidays.

UPCOMING ART SHOWS:

Speaking of, I'll be taking part in the Barrington Harvest Festival

on October 9th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm! VERY EXCITING!

Now it's time for me to get some sleep, because I can't see straight anymore and my shoulders have been replaced with lumpy rocks- but seeing those first three eggs sitting in the carton makes it totally worth it.

Collingswood and Portraits

I had a fantastic time at Collingswood's Second Saturday event! I sold enough artwork to make it worth packing up the car, made some connections with a local gallery owner, and then danced my butt off with Tom at the end of the night.

At the start of event, we noticed a band (Beyond Therapy) setting up directly across the street from us. At first I was nervous that they were going to be loud and obnoxious and that having them playing so close to my stand would make it impossible to conduct any business, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Some of the people I talked to at Collingswood expressed interest in my portraiture- so in order to clear out the queue, I've finished up the double portrait I'd been working on for Tom's sister and her husband.

Also, I've started painting eggs. For fun and possibly profit. More on this later.

Haddonfield and More

Haddonfield's First Friday was mildly successful- it's certainly promising enough for me to go back and do it again next month. It was the first time I'd done an outdoor art sale at night, which poses it's own set of unique challenges.

My boyfriend Tom is usually the one who helps me manage the booth at these types of shows, but since he was off visiting family for the majority of the night, my mother stepped in to pick up the slack. We sold a little bit of my work and got several offers for pet portraits. Next time I go, I'm bringing a bigger sign and chatting up anyone with a four-legged companion.

And, because I think it looks awesome to see the step-by-step transformation of a piece, I'm going to start posting animations of just that. This one is for Mary, Mother of God- a watercolor and ink piece I completed in 2009.

Pet Portrait - Sugar

Just finished my first pet portrait ever and I was extremely pleased to discover that it's not all that different from people portraits. I'm going to try to do a few more self promotional pieces like this one, and then I'll start posting ads around at pet shops to try to drum up some business.

UPCOMING ART SHOWS:

I will be selling work in Collingswood, NJ on September 11th from

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm as part of their Second Saturday activities.

If you're in the area, come out and see what I've got!

The Amazon's New Clothes, pt. 3

The first one is done. The next one is well on it's way.

But first, re-organizing my life. Again. UGH.

The Amazon's New Clothes, pt. 2

I recently posted some sketches of Wonder Woman with promises of future explanation. This year I will be taking part in the annual Wonder Woman Day charity event! The following information is from Andy Mangels, who runs the website Wonder Woman Museum:

"Wonder Woman Day V is a free all-ages event ... which includes a silent auction of original art contributed by the world's top artists. There will be comic creators and costumed heroes on-site, raffles and prizes, rare memorabilia, and more... The previous four Wonder Woman Day events have raised a grand total of more than $89,000 to benefit survivors of domestic violence and their children."

This event started in Portland, Oregon and has spawned a sister celebration in Flemington, NJ. There will be a Wonder Woman Day benefit on Sunday, October 24th at Comic Fusion. Same as in Portland, they will be auctioning off artwork from both local artists like myself and nationally renowned illustrators (I've seen David Mack's contribution and it's spectacular as usual). The proceeds go to SAFE in Hunterdon, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. I'm extremely excited to be able to contribute in my own way to such an important cause.

Although nothing says the sketches need to be of the lovely Amazon herself, I've decided to tackle her new costume. This has proved to be more complicated than I'd expected, but it looks pretty sweet so it's worth the trouble.

Here are some of my preliminary sketches from the reference shot I took at Rough Sketch Studios. The lovely Emily Suydam modeled for me and as did the ever-patient Steve Sistilli. He has such a wonderful snarly face, I just had to get him in there to be the bad guy. One of my sketches is ready for ink, so I'll post images of that as soon as it's finished.

The Amazon's New Clothes, pt. 1

Very quick preview of a new Wonder Woman image I'm working on.

More information on this project later.