Here Goes...

Some ways to learn technique and generate artwork…This is in response to My Artwork Analysis.

1. studio time – work on my art everyday (or consistently). Right now I think that this means that I need to create work, sketch, or brainstorm Monday, Tuesday night after work, Thursday and Friday.

2. Talk to artists and get critiques and ask them what they think my strengths are.

3. Take classes. The three art classes that I would still like to take include printmaking, watercolor, and book arts.
a. Printmaking – this class will help me learn more techniques and develop both my graphic design skills as well as my ink drawings. I do think that my style could be found through a variety of printmaking techniques.
b. Book Arts – I naturally gravitate towards text and books. Printmaking and book arts are heavily integrated and book arts will help with my ink drawings and graphic design skills.
c. Watercolor – I have never been much of a painter but watercolor techniques apply to ink and wash drawings.

Journal - Ink Drawing

 Here is another book arts piece with a simple binding and ink drawings.  The back and inside of the front cover also have drawings.  

I would like to make these using homemade paper for the filler paper in the future.

I think that it would be a fun way to upcycle some scraps that I have laying around.

I plan to create more but would like to personalize them a bit more (so if you have any friends you want to buy a gift for, give me their name and we can work something out : )

I might also make some with "Live, Laugh, Love" or something like that as well.

Short Lived - Social Artwork

I enjoy creating work that tells a story or communicates a message,
especially in response to a social topic.  

Since I possess a graphic design background it makes sense that much of my artwork would be about communication. 

This art book tells a short story and makes a point (though not obvious).

 This is one of my newest ink drawn creations.  It measures only 3.5 x 3.5 inches.  

The story is about creation and destruction...specifically an aborted life.

The way that I created the binding was also inspired by my graphic design experience.

It wraps around the book and is secured with a paper clasp.

The abstract shapes are characters that grow and change throughout.

I like that it is not too obvious, but once you see what is going on there is little doubt about there being a sad ending even if the issue of abortion is not picked up on.

The entire book will be back in my blog after the show opening.

How Bazaar!

A couple weeks ago, our church had a Bazaar/Garage Sale to raise money for Haiti (not the group I worked with, but another one).  I sold photographs and ink drawings.  It was a great time and a significant learning experience. 

It was fun because I was able to sit and draw and people really enjoyed watching…Someday, I would love to go to a downtown somewhere and draw.  I need to get faster or have some pre-made initial pieces (I’m thinking book marks for $5. Anyone interested?), but am seriously considering it.

Here is one of the graffiti style name ink drawings I completed.  I love the graffiti style (and the fact that it is all black and white) and have been enjoying improving my ink drawing skills and techniques.

I will also be going to Last Thursday in Portland this Thursday...Maybe I will see some of you there.

I Love My Job!

I have enjoyed getting to know and work with these guys.

This summer I have been able to work part time for the Arts Van in Yakima. We travel around to a variety of parks and give art lessons to kids.

One of the parks has a large Spanish speaking population and many adorable kids, unfortunately, my Spanish is not great. The first week I was pretty shy (with speaking Spanish). About the third week I saw this little girl run from her house.  As she ran toward the park I shouted “Como Estas?”  “Bien,” she replied.

The older brother was so excited that I “was learning Spanish.” Since then, I have been practicing (and making a fool of myself).  The kids seem to appreciate the effort and enjoy helping me.
 
This art lesson is Papel Picado. We cut simplified traditional Mexican flags from tissue paper. The kids (and parents and older siblings) all had a blast.

 There are more photos of Papel Picado, the kids, and the ArtsVan below.

Summer Art Goals (June Update)

My summer art goals.  May accomplishments.  June. 

1. Complete work for my African American/ Black Beauty/Social Justice/Culture art show. I would like to have some extra work and then narrow it down from there. Here is what I would like to create (I am not sure what will go in the show yet and these are just ideas )
   a. 5 – 10 poster designs Yes...I think I have 6 or 7 for the show.  Not all are good, but they are there.  I also have a couple in response to Haiti
   b. A black hair care line I have not really worked on this in the past month.
   c. Some (5 - 10, see below) ink and wash drawings or water color paintings – for a challenge. I am not sure that they will be included in the show.  Well I accomplished this by the end of may.  I have many, not a coherent body of work but I have been developing technique and practicing.
   d. A t-shirt stencil or some type of graffiti art (maybe ink and wash).  I created one design that could be used as a stencil.  Thought I am not sure that I will.
   e. C and d can be used in a poster design and will still count.
   f. zines

2. Along with having all the work for the show, create promotional materials and press releases given out to the community on time. I know little about this, so it will be a learning process.  This will be good to get going on here soon.
   a. I would like to find a checklist of some sort and
   b. actually use it.

My artwork analysis

Fetus - Social and Ink

Last night I was given the opportunity to go on the Art Walk in Kennewick, WA. It offered a great opportunity to talk to some working artists. They all had excellent advice to offer. It was great timing too because I had just been talking to my husband about some of the specifics of improving my art that I am focusing on.

Currently, I know that I want to do art and I know some of my strengths. I am in-between knowing that I need to find a niche and being able to tell what that niche should be. Its almost like I have two areas of focus that are semi developed.

My favorite two areas to work with are “social justice graphic design posters” and “small intimate ink and wash drawings.” I am not sure how these areas will evolve or if I will focus on one for a while and then focus on another.

It is possible (and seems likely) that my niche will have more to do with style or concept than medium.

My New Business Cards July 2011

I just created new business cards.
The top image is from my Haitian Orchid drawings.

The flowers are both ink drawings from my Flower Postcard series (previous post) that I plan to finish this summer.  The completed series and progress will be poster here.

Hatian Orchid

Here are some drawings of a bright purple orchid that was in the driveway of our hotel. The rectangle images are on postcard backs and the other is on watercolor paper.  To read more about my trip to Haiti, check out my Haiti Journal.

Here is a photograph of the orchid.