The Quickreaver Chronicles

Time for my monthly blather!

2011-11-20T09:09:00.001-08:00

It's gonna be a little bit of a rant, here, so be prepared or go do something else, if you're not feeling up to my yammering.

About my so-called art career...I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place, or more accurately, swimming up-stream. Art is all I know how to do with any sort of expertise, and even that's a bit dubious. My dilemma is the whole freelance set-up. I'm not a commercial arts person; I draw and paint. I can't figure out how to make that pay off, w/o committing massive amounts of time to creating the quality of work that will make me proud and lead to bigger projects, and still earn a fair wage. Why won't anyone pay more than $100 for quality book covers or ccg cards? I don't get it. I mean, I DO get it: if you can wrangle a great image for peanuts, why not? But it bites me in the ass and kills my spirit.

I think maybe I'm just getting old and jaded and running out of steam. I'm becoming far less patient. This is my one life, yanno? Why can't I make myself happy? Part of it is certainly my husband's attitude. He asserts that art is decorative and subjective, therefore it's not serious. It's not important. It's not worth paying for. He doesn't see why I can't just get some office job for $15/hour tomorrow and earn my keep. (I know he wouldn't put it that way TO MY FACE, but I feel it.) He's not creative in the least, but he IS a very hard worker; he's a mechanical designer--heating, cooling, plumbing, that sort of thing. In fact, here it is, Sunday, and he's at work because we need the money. And I'm practicing my art and writing. Making not a dime.

Guilty conscience, thy name is Cris.

How do you guys make it work? How do you keep creative, whilst cranking out low-paying work subject to someone else's approval and still keep your spirits up? I need some virtual pick-me-upping, gang.

More Traditional Portraiture

2011-10-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

The last of Team Free Will, or rather the actor that plays him. ;) It's fun to see them all together and extra special fun to work with traditional media. Once again, charcoal and white chalk on toned paper. Wee!

September post!

2011-09-20T10:35:00.001-07:00

Yay, autumn! The weather is turning cool, leaves slipping into Technicolor ochres and reds. I love Ohio. Oh, and have an art dump, babies! Yeah, yeah, still SPN junk but hey, that's where my head's at these days. There will be other projects in the offing because, well, nothing gold stays. And a girl's gotta earn her keep. *ahem* Anywho, el dumpo.

More SPNishness!

2011-08-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

It's rather befuddling to me how infatuated I became with this fandom. Why? God only knows, and He's not telling. Maybe I'll save this rumination for my writing blog. Annnnyway, more Supernatural fanart. Okay, so I can't sell it. But it has coaxed me into arting and writing far more passionately than I have in years. Again I say, befuddling.

There is a detail shot at my dA gallery: http://quickreaver.deviantart.com/art/On-a-Clear-Day-detail-252837888

Welcome back to school, kids!

Make a Wish...

2011-07-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

Been a while since I updated diddly. I blame summer. And while I'm at it, I'll blame summer for this too:

Don't judge.

Here Comes the Sun, Doot'n Do Do...

2011-06-01T06:42:00.001-07:00

Summer is right around the corner, thank gawd! LOVE the heat; I'd far sooner sweat than shiver. Makes me miss Florida. BUT! We'll be heading for the beach in early July, so I fully intend to soak up as much sun and sweat as possible, get sand in places sand was never meant to be, and drink copious amounts of fruited beer. And hopefully, get a little writing and doodling in.

And speaking of doodles, my Supernatural Summer gets a kick-off today. Here's a piece I posted all over DA and LJ, so I figure I'll slap it here too. I tried to be more stylized, less literal. Gotta work on that, honestly. Anywho, enjoy, my babies...paint on!

(For attribution--the lovely monicawoe--and other versions of this image, check out my LJ Supernatural SummerShack: http://quickreaver.livejournal.com/7424.html )

Conglomeration Nation!

2011-04-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot about this poor thing! *pets blog*

Haven't been doing much lately except catching up with old client projects but I certainly hope this changes soon.

First con of the season! Con, being CONvention...Conglomeration, specifically. (www.conglomeration.info.com) If you're in the Louisville, KY area this upcoming weekend, stop by! It's seriously inexpensive and low-key, with a little art, a little gaming, a little larping, and shopping. Something for everyone! It always re-energizes me, this wee con.

Okay, off to oggle my prints (courtesy of Ellen Million Graphics) and decide what to frame. Ta!

In praise of giving the Muse full run of the house...

2011-02-24T14:55:00.000-08:00

First, my latest bit of Art For Me. Doesn't happen often enough, truly.

(For the full 411, you can read all about it on my DA page.

This was interesting for me on about 19 different fronts. I haven't felt truly joyful doing art in a loooong time. Why? Because it hasn't been my own passion, my own baby. It's been someone else's. You never love someone else's kid as much as your own, right? Art is a conundrum. You get into it to bring your own visions to life, but we all want to get paid to do what we're good at. It's a love/hate relationship. I think I need a little more 'love' in my life.

This was also a tasty opportunity to explore a style/technique I haven't used before, and it was AWE.SOME. I've always loved Drew Struzan's movie posters. He works traditionally but with some cagey PS brushes, I aped his style to decent effect. I'm gonna work this way more often. It was a stone blast, but I never would've tried it had I not been working on my own project.

Most clients don't want Something New. They want More Of The Same. Hate to say it, but it's true. Now, this isn't a bad thing, per se! You know you're doing something right if lots of folks request it, but...still...you know where I'm going with this. An artist stagnates if he does the same thing, over and over and over. He becomes something of an artisan. Bob Ross-ish. Formulaic. A charicature of himself. Static. And stasis is one step away from atrophy. (The previous statement was brought to you by Arrogant Artist Is Arrogant. Feel free to ignore at your own druthers.)

I make the bulk of my money these days at my dayjob, not to mention I get bennies that insure me and my fam. Freelancing is woefully underfunding me. I'm 46. It's time to pursue my own creative yakkity-smack because if not now, when? I know, I know. I've said it all before. It just takes me a loooong time to commit to putting my money where my mouth is. But now is the day. I feel brave and stupid, all at once. Welcome to my world...

Eeesh, falling behind...

2011-01-27T09:17:00.001-08:00

...in my bloggery! January is finding me very busy, with older projects, new ones popping up, and personal pieces screaming to find release. I should be a very wealthy woman, for all the work on my plate. But that just isn't the way, for us creatives, is it? Sad but true.

Despite my lack of posts, I have been working. Proof, you say? Here are a few digitally painted images that have made it through the bowels of my imagination to 'publication' (many other covers were photomanips but that's not really what this blog is about.)

Detail:

But wait! There's more!

And another detail:

Looking back at these, I find the experience a blend of "Hey, aspects of these paintings are pretty darned cool!" and "Ugh, Christine, you're such a hack." (But there again, isn't this just the way with us creative types? Annnnyway, back to my self-loathing...) There's this easy, air-brushed banality to my recent paintings that has left me a bit, well, empty. Okay, a LOT empty. Everything has become over-simplified and buffed to appeal to the idealization of the romance/erotic genre. I remember, back in early college, I used to pause by ramshackle abandoned buildings and marvel at their texture, their complexity, their ennui. I love things in distress. The more holey and faded my jeans, the better I like 'em. (Same goes for my men, but that's a tale for another time. Heh.) I don't want my world shiny and new! I want grit and nuance and dark-underbellies. I live in Suburbia; I get White Picket Fence every stinkin' day. But it's not where my muse lies; it's where practicality dwells. (I should give my muse a name someday, as much as I refer to him. Yeah, I've decided it's a 'him'.)

Okay, enough yakkity. Got work to do. But if it's any consolation, I appreciate you being here to share my woe, dear reader! Since you've made it this far, you deserve my sincerest, heartfelt commiseration. And distress.

Bookcoverpaloooooza!

2010-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

A very cool author contacted me a while ago, and we collaborated on two covers for his self-published e-book. I was jazzed to do some other genres. So cruising through Amazon.com, I found one of 'em:

http://www.amazon.com/CRO-MAGNON-ebook/dp/B0048ELM2Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1291854744&sr=1-2

Robert Stimson kindly threw my name in there too. Nice guy! Sounds like a good read. If an archaeological technothriller is up your alley, give it a whirl. Seacrest out.

Stupid art blog with no stupid art! How...stupid...

2010-09-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so maybe I should stop whining so much and do art, eh? There are still too few hours in a day, and too few dollars in the pocket, but we create because we must. There's just no other way to put it. I want to write, I want to paint, I want to bring characters to life. That being said, I also want to be more organized, make better use of my time, and get some damn thing accomplished! Guh, whining again. Must be part of the package. Maybe I should swap that whine for wine. Hmmm...now there's a fruitful thought...

And on the note of more art/less whine, a steampunky cover I did for an e-publisher: (clickity) It was a fun, fast bit of work. Now, for that wine. The good sort of wine. Cheers!

Wee Updatery

2010-08-03T17:28:00.001-07:00

Nothing earth-shaking to report. I've started a day job out of necessity and it's kicking my butt. I forgot how exhausting it is, dealing with the public-at-large. What this means is I'm not taking commissions in the foreseeable future (with a couple of exceptions; you know who you are!), in order to finish up the ones I have out:

~portrait for Ren
~Interiors for David at HeroBane
~portraits for Ellen 'The Goddess' Million
~covers for Loose Id
~Fantasy Flight Games, one card
~traditional paintings for a local gallery show

So fear not, patient patrons! I remember you, and I'll be working for you as quickly as I can. This week also has the Griffins hosting house guests, doubly filling my days. Just a little update for anyone interested.

Continue having a great summer, my babies...see you in the fall! I hope... :XD:

No more doom-n-gloom, dernit!

2010-07-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm quite done with Sister Depresso. Such a poisonous, insidious vibe, this depression is. Though it helped me really examine my drive (or lack thereof), my motivations, and what's best for me, my fam, and my life.

It's a complicated thing, being an artist. You're constantly torn between the desire to follow your muse, make money, give the client what he wants, be a critical success with your peers...man, it's nearly impossible to juggle all those things with any fair balance! I listen to all the art-related podcasts I can get my hands on, in a vain attempt to make sense of it all. But it doesn't help. Everyone has their own idea of what works, what doesn't. Each artist's goal is different. I've come to the conclusion I really have to shove all that crap aside and fabricate my own path to happiness. And it begins with establishing a hierarchy of importance for myself.

I turned 46 this year...egads. Solidly into middle-age. (And I don't act a day over 16!) If I don't shoot for my dreams NOW, they're never going to happen. I always thought I wanted to join the ranks of Todd Lockwood, Donato Giancola, Dan Dos Santos...those incredibly talented scifi/fantasy cover artists who make us all look like hacks. But no matter how fast I run, I feel like a hamster on a wheel, getting no where. The schools are spitting out kids with incredible digital acumen and skills, photography is still threatening the power of hand-drawn illustration, I can't afford to attend the conventions and workshops where I might network with art directors and the aforementioned artists, we're hella broke (which eliminates SO many opportunities), and between my life demands as a mother and the creative demands of a working artist, it's all getting partial attention and therefore, meager success. Something's gotta give.

So this year, I'm dedicating the remainder of 2010 to reassessing my goals, reassigning weight, and attaining a better work/life balance. I'm really such a social creature, the solitary life of a freelance illustrator is making me a tad nutty. But just a tad, mind you. And internet relationships just don't cut it, even though I have to acknowledge they're an incredible resource to add to your repertoire. So with this in mind, here's ya olde Bucket List:

~Maintain pocket change via my few favorite clients.
~PAINT, dammit! Make stuff to flash at local galleries!
~Write every day, whether I want to or not. I've got a story to tell...
~Respect the (new) non-art-related dayjob. It puts food on the table, provides health insurance, and gives my muse a break. Clearly, she's running on fumes.
~Focus, focus, focus. Weed out those things that don't support the Bucket List, but allow for time to get exercise and recharge the battery.
~Travel. See new things, even if it's just down the road an hour. Get out of the effin' house.

Sounds easy, huh? *COUGH COUGH* But now it's in print. It's real. And I hope you guys will help me keep on task. Love y'all. *le smooooch*

PS...OH! Before I sign off, I've included a little art teaser of one of the covers I'm supplying to one of my "few favorite clients", Loose Id Publishers (www.loose-id.com). I really dig the way the face turned out. Have a great weekend, gang.

Monday Morning Mash-up

2010-06-07T11:50:00.000-07:00

Take high-fashion, add in a liberal dose of Luke Kopycinski , try to work with texture (which is tough for me, as I hate to 'flaw' creamy complexions), and this is what flops out. (I wanted to get the whiny rant off the top post too. Boooooring!)

PS7, but mostly Painter 9, two sporatic hours, ref used.

Later, taters...

Compare and despair...BIG TIME

2010-06-01T22:58:00.000-07:00

I am SO frustrated right now. And tired because it's 2 a.m., but I've gotta rant. About myself, so turn back now if you're not in the mood for abject self-loathing.

Right. Still here? Brave soul. So I decided to try Jon Schindehette's 'Discovering a Muse' Challenge (I've plugged it before in this blog.) http://artorder.blogspot.com/2010/03/discovering-muse.html Great cause, great inspiration. But I must've been smoking crack when I got the notion I'd do a half-way decent job. It effing sucked. Oh, sure, when I was painting it I thought I was da man...who da man? YOU da man! Then I saw the other entries. And I saw my sh*tty digital photo of a VERY yellow oil painting. And I wanted to chisel out my own eyeballs with a palette knife.

I feel clueless. Like my favorite big red rubber ball is slowly deflating and I'm lost as to how to stop it. I have all the imagination, skill and charm of a half-baked potato.

Ain't it great to be an artist? I should've chucked it all in years ago. I don't have the time or commitment or finances to get good. Good enough to make a decent living, anyway. But I can't solve for 'x'. This is all I know how to do: be a mom/housewife, and do artstuffs. I'm 45. 46 in a month. It's a little late to reinvent myself now, so guess I'll soldier on. Things will look brighter in the morning; they always do. And on that cheery note, I'd best be taking my sorry ass to bed. Oh, wait, I have to pack lunches and set out clothes for the kids. Great. 'Night all...

BLECH! I'm a crappy blog designer...

2010-05-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

So I'll distract you with a new speedpaint. Well, it started as a speedie but I'm incapable of calling it quits, even though I should be working on paying gigs. I TOLD you I was a bad multi-tasker! *scoff* (Painter9, ref used)

What is it about me and storms?

2010-05-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

I just realized the last two pieces of art I worked on were very storm-themed. Could it be something wicked this way coming? Or just a reflection of Ohio's lovely weather? Bah. Either way, seems I'm only happy when it rains these days...

(The above is my entry for ArtOrder's 'Fantasy Pin-up' Challenge. She's a genasi. Anyone know how that's pronounced? Jen-ah-see? Jen-ah-sigh?)

And here's something I just submitted to DeviantArt for the club FantasyHunk's May project:

And now, I'm out of town to sneak a little surprise gardening in for my Ma's 70th birthday while she's in Atlantic City *teehee!* Oooh, hope it DOESN'T rain this weekend, come to think of it!

Discover a Muse!

2010-05-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Jon Schindehette, Senior Creative Art Director for Dungeons & Dragons® and host of the blog Art Order has masterminded a wonderful opportunity for artists to get some press and give to charity!

In cooperation with the lovely model/entrepreneur Veronika Kotlajic, they've created 'Discover a Muse'.

I'm going to do an original oil painting for this (dammit, yes, I'm gonna do it!) and I hope you will too. Great cause, great networking. And let's face it, we feel fantastic when we take a stand and help those who need it, specifically Childrens' Hospitals. Happy Humpday, lovely lurkers!

Conundrum...

2010-05-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

Not sure where else to post this; I only have a handful of followers, so I may not get the feedback I'm fishing for, but what the heck! We'll see what shakes out here.

The past year or so I've been struggling with myself, wondering what I should do, and how I should do it. Sounds pretty vague, eh? Okay, to fine tune my 'visionquest': I really want to do gallery (fine) art, but I'm leery to quit the commercial clients I've worked with for years. They're such good folk. And money, well, money is god-awful important. The e-book covers, mid-level collectible card games, the odd fantasy illustration or three...they've put change in my pocket for quite some time. It scares me to let them fall away. But if I don't, I won't ever have the focus to pull together a series of paintings to (hopefully!) peddle to a gallery. And I seem to have hit a plateau. I'm not improving the way I see my compatriots doing. Why? Dunno. Maybe it's lack of incentive. Maybe it's me, recognizing I need to head off in a different direction. Kinda scary starting from scratch again, though.

Has anyone out there done this? Scrapped your commercial biz in favor of fine arts and lived to tell about it? If so, I'd love to hear from you. Happy Monday, kids.

~C

Back to business!

2010-04-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

Had a GREAT time at ConGlomeration! Met up with old friends. Did pretty darned well in the art show even though it's a small con (no awards, but best sales to date!) Didn't lose a kid. Ate great Indian food. Steve Belledin was informative and I'll tell ya, it's always a perk to see paintings, in-person. The colors are so much richer than over the monitor. I'm not sure he knew what to make of me, though. I seemed to make him uncomfortable. Maybe it's the gray hair! Scary stuff. :D

Anywho, win-win, all around! But now it's back to the ol' grind. It really has sealed my notion that while it's vital to be digitally-literate, traditional media is SUPER important to an artist's arsenal. It gives your career breadth and longevity.

I still love cranking out my bookcovers and doing the odd digi-illustration, but gallery arts are where I want to be. It's decided. Time to seriously shift gears, no ifs, and or buts. Stayed tuned for the further adventures of "Dream-on, Alice"!

Hamster

2010-04-05T07:04:00.001-07:00

Long time, no post!

2010-04-04T18:29:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a ton of e-covers lately and little else. Boo. (Not "Boo, covers" but "Boo, no time for practice and self-indulgent artstuffs".) Gotta steal a few minutes to get prints and framing together for a con this weekend, though. So here's a recent cover, sans text, to keep this poor blog alive and kicking. Handsome feller, eh? Oh, and Happy Egg Day, peeps. (HAR!)

I really haven't been THAT non-arty...

2010-03-13T20:01:00.000-08:00

Been doing a ton of bookcovers. So many, I have time for little else, squeezed in between mommying and wifery and such. Something's gotta give. BUT! I did sneak in a little study. So here it is. *blap*

Post-migraine doodle

2010-03-03T10:46:00.001-08:00

Man, I HATE migraines. When I have an opportunity, I'm seeing the doctor about 'em. Two days...I'm laid up. And I have a good pain threshold. Annnywho, doodle commencing. I really kept this one loose and a little more cartoony. I just needed to do something for myself, and remind myself I can draw. Sorta. Ref used, some crappy photo from a Michael Kors fashion show. I think he looks like an interesting character, though. Definitely a good guy. Back to your regularly scheduled programming......

Scribble scrabble.

2010-02-24T07:21:00.001-08:00

It's been so long since I've had the luxury to doodle, I waxed self-indulgent this morning and fiddled in Painter. Ref used. One hour. Much coffee.

The Skin Show Opens

2010-02-13T18:38:00.001-08:00

...and it was fun! Nice turn-out, and really the offerings were pretty tame. If I participate next year, and I don't see why I wouldn't, I'm gonna push the envelope a little more. Local artist Allen Reeve had lovely drawings. I wish I'd noted the names of some of the other artists; there was one piece entitled 'The Apple' I really dug. I'll get the hang of this reporting gig some day. The gentleman who bought my piece from the last show was there. Good taste, that guy! Sadly, most of my pics were blurry. Dont' drink, point, and shoot, kids. Anywho, here are the few photos fit to show. Don't be too dazzled by the neon joystick...heh...

I Want Your Sex...

2010-02-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, cheap shot to get your attention. But it worked, didn't it? :D

I think I'm actually getting the hang of oils, after...oh...20 years or so? This painting went a lot more intuitively, even though I have miles to go before I can actually mix the color I want. God, I miss digital for that very reason. Sucks not having every color at your fingertips. But the tangibility of an actual painting is happy-making.

SO! This piece will hang at The Art Pad Gallery this weekend, for their second annual 'Erotica' show. I can't wait, really! I got a peek at a few of the other pieces and man, they are good. I hope the snow doesn't suppress the turn-out. And I hope I didn't overprice my painting...

I let y'all know.

'Crucifixotica', 18x24, oils. $600

Purple rain, purrrrple rain....

2010-01-20T13:10:00.000-08:00

Feedback, please! I'm trying to respect Painter (again) and work out a style that's less boringly realistic...tt totally dries up what little imagination I have. Is it working? Does the face look too referenced? Too sloppy? Does the color purple totally suck? You tell me!

Red Shtuff

2010-01-19T10:16:00.000-08:00

Speedpaintliness! With Painter IX. *splat*

The Show Must Go On!

2010-01-10T19:06:00.001-08:00

Despite inclement weather, ArtPad's 'Pretty or Funny' show went swimmingly! Or snowingly, as the case may be. We didn't stay long...the kids were as patient as they could be...but I was jazzed to see my stuff on a wall again. It's a little weird, standing around not knowing anyone. It's like "Um, what do I do with my hands?" But all networking starts this way...with one small step.

There's another show next month at ArtPad that promises to get some press; the theme is erotic art. (Imagine that! Sex getting press...what is this world coming to?!) I actually can't wait to paint some nekkid pipples! Is that so wrong? It'll be tasteful, I promise. Anywho, enjoy the pics from 'Pretty or Funny', such as they are. Photography is not my forte...yet... :D

Creeping back into paint again...

2010-01-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I DID finish this little study! Just in time for the show (drop-off is tomorrow, and the weather is suitably frigid. Thanks, Mother Nature...) Here's a brief evolution of getting my 'sea legs' back. I was never great with oils, but surprisingly, painting digitally has helped some. Not that this is a masterpiece, but it'll do. The colors are much sweeter, in person. I swear. Honest... (The first three are digital photos, the last is a scan. My scanner is better than our old camera.) 8"x10", oil on masonite panel.

Fear the Brush!

2009-12-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

There's this little gallery on the other side of town that hosts periodic open-submission shows...you bring it, they'll hang it! So I'm painting a little portrait for it, in the hopes of shaking off my fear of failure (in the traditional medium.) I've started SO many paintings, only to abandon the poor things in a fit of insecurity and lack of direction. Gotta stop that sh*t. So here's a peek, to hopefully keep me on task. If I say it out loud, it makes it real, right?

The theme of the show is "Pretty or Funny or Both". Not sure which end of the spectrum this will wind up in, though. Hrmmm.

Fickle, they name is Quickreaver...

2009-12-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

There are so many sketch/inspiration groups around, I could do a different one every day. A new one is the Crimson Daggers, spearheaded (HAR!) by Dave Rapoza, digital wunderkind. It's nice to get the art blood pumping in the morning. Oh, yeah, linkage: http://cghub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1704

(Photoshop7, 2-ish hours)

Oh, since 'Twilight' is released today...

2009-11-20T13:42:00.000-08:00

...how about another vampire? He is one, trust me. Or so says his creator. Call him 'Flynn', but speak quietly. He might have to kill you, otherwise. ;) (private commission for a wonderful author; happy Friday!)

I'm such a lemming...

2009-10-15T08:16:00.001-07:00

This got viral over at ConceptArt.org, and I just had to be like all the cool kids. Some guy posted a character sketch on notebook paper, asked for other people's take on the critter, and it was just cheesy enough to tease folks into doing their own Nibrus. Now, part of me thought it was rather cheeky of him to ask for free work, but the other part of me got into the spirit of pimping and community. Sometimes, you've just gotta loosen up. It's not the fanciest piece I've ever done, but practice is practice! Check out all the versions here: http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=171264 But only if you're not afraid of floating bagels...

Flying is falling...with style!

2009-10-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

I saw this beautiful photo of a woman, swimming. It was so mysterious, so soft. Then the subject of Illustration Friday came up "Flying", and I thought...okay, that'll fly! *HAR* So I opened up my much ingnored and equally mysterious Painter program, and struggled once again with its brushes and color application. Fly...be free...

I see a red door and I want it to turn black...

2009-09-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

It's a beautiful day. Autumn is in the air, the kids' trip to the dentist went better than planned, and I don't feel like doing a darned anything before dinner! So I played with Painter. So there.

PS...the seething, retro reference in the post's title really has nothing to do with anything! I just like the song. More so there. :D

PPS...does a "come hither" glance count as some sort of welcome? I'm saying so! For the sake of Illustration Friday.

Proceed with caution...

2009-08-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

....and wear asbestos gloves. Another 'Illustration Friday' whoop-de-doodle that was also created for a little experiment over at Epilogue.net. I need to work with Painter more often, to keep control of those damnable brushes!

Woman In White

2009-08-17T08:41:00.001-07:00

Just a painting I've been fiddling with, over the course of the month. I wanted a sort of glowy vibe, something etherial, something somehow modern, but not. Bah. Time to work.

No tentacle love FOR YOU!

2009-07-26T16:46:00.001-07:00

I pulled a literal all-nighter and 'finished' this for Art Order's 'Drow vs. Mindflayer' challenge. I'm not happy with the design at all, but there are tiny portions I enjoyed, so it wasn't a TOTAL loss. My sons, ages 9 and 11, were my models and the 9 year old wasn't overly impressed with the fact I gave 'him' boobs, but he was faboo with the grimacing expression. I want to thank Melissa Findley for pushing me to finish, regardless, because it helped me get yet another step closer to actually implementing plans to shove my art in the direction I want to go with it. *phew; that was a blathery sentence!* Anywho, thanks, Mel! And good luck on the challenge! I think you'll kick purple ass...

Hollow?

2009-07-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

I've got such an idiot crush on Butch Walker. And I'm way too creaky for such foolishness, but hey, let an old woman have her harmless fun! I hardly ever do fan art, but I was gifted with a ton of colored pencils, so I finally put them to use. Prismacolors on plain brown cardboard. I'm sure it'll decay in a year. Oh well! Nothing gold stays...and Butch has the sexiest hollow cheeks in the biz. So that's my loose tie-in for Illustration Friday! Ta!

She's Come Undone

2009-05-22T10:39:00.000-07:00

I lieu of actual work, I opted to do an Illustration Friday thing. More and more I'm looking at my age, and my life, and saying to myself "Self, why aren't you doing what you truly want to do with your stinkin' art?" No more commissions. When I get finished with this last, rather weighty batch of assignments, I'm done. Finito. I'm breaking out the traditional media, and putting on my beret, and tripping the art fantastic. (Ya think because I've put it into words it'll happen this time? We shall see...)

Anywho, Illustration Friday's topic is 'Cracked'. Funny, that.

The Endless...Desire...

2009-05-12T21:43:00.000-07:00

Dang it, haven't had a chance to keep up with Illustration Friday, so I'll slip this little bit of artistic masturbation in here. This was created for ConceptArt.org's CHOW challenge, found here: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=157526 (If you're a member, get over thar and vote!)

Yup, it's inspired by Klimt, and Gaiman, and Sandman, and the fact I really should be working on paying gigs. At any rate...enjoy! We all need a little desire.

Illustration Friday-"Fleeting"

2009-04-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Look! Another one! This painting, done over the course of an Easter Sunday afternoon in Painter 9, is an homage to Phil Hale and Jon Foster. I really lurv those guys. So juicy and imaginative. My quest for 'realism' may be at an end...life is so...fleeting... (I'm really not that emo, despite my artwork! I swear.)

Illustration Friday

2009-04-07T11:34:00.000-07:00

I've had this sad little Blogspot thingy for a dog's age now, and done nothing with it. So I shall repurpose the bugger into my official home for All Things Illustration Friday! So with no further ado, it begins...the topic? "Talisman". PS7, hour and a half's time, or so.

I thought I had a Blogger account...but maybe not!

2009-02-19T20:42:00.000-08:00

Nothing here yet...but here's hoping there will be soon!