Rawr

                              Rawr

 

These are the shoes that started it all. Old and worn out , with the fake leather hanging off in pieces. All the tread worn down to slick nubs; but they are my favorite pair of shoes. I have had these loyal beauties since I was a Sophomore in high school, and somehow they always seem to be in fashion. That is what inspired the piece Rawr.

Title of the piece Rawr. Medium 8x10" Brisol paper and #6B ,2B, and 5B Graphite pencils.

 

 
Rawr was an assignment for a drawing II class; in which we were to draw and shade our own shoes. I had never shaded anything really in my life. This was one of the most challenging pieces I have had to do thus far. Not only do you have to shade on many different levels so that the piece doesn't appear to be flat, but you also have that extra element called foreshortening. This is quite frankly the most frustrating aspect of drawing to me, and it is still something that I really have to work on. I took a lot of time working on this piece, and was thankful my instructor let me. As you can see looking through the photos there are stages. The last photograph shows what looks like a finished product, but not quite. All seems well except that my legs are extremely white. Although this is true to life, it just goes to show you how many layers there are to shading. I completely forgot about my legs, so when I turned it in the teacher automatically brought it to my attention. That is when I took it home and re-did the legs into leopard-print tights. I am proud of this piece, I put a lot of time and tears into the paper. This is a big accomplishment for me, because long ago I set out to get better at art. With Rawr being my first shaded piece of art, I feel this to be a positive step in the right direction.

                                       

Bath Salts- A comic book story

                                           

                                             Bath Salts

The piece shown here was from an assignment given in my History of American Comics class. We were told to draw a comic book story. It could have been made with any medium, in any form. We could of even used stick figures; if that's what it took. I chose to use a more manga style of drawing. I also choose to use a little more detail than just using stick figures for my characters. My medium

choices were 10x12" water color paper and micron comic book pro drawing pens. I'm sure I could have used anything I wanted, but I wanted to see just how the pros would craft this exact magic. I really did fall in love with these pens, so many different sizes in tips. This allowed me to put so many precise details into my work. 

The story behind the story is a personal one. Like in most of my work I like to pull in thoughts, feelings, dreams, and things that have happened to me directly. When I was pregnant with my son Max, I had one of those crazy pregnancy dreams that you hear of. It's a crazy world these dreams, they often feel so real. Most of the time, I am unable to remember so many details of my dreams, but this one grabbed on with me. I have also changed some details for artistic license. Can I also say that I am a little bit obsessed with zombies, so I am sure you will see some more of this concept in my work. 

 I had no idea what I was getting myself into taking on something like this, and trying to put all this detail into 3 pages of paper. It really is amazing how much work is put into comic book art.I have a greater appreciating for those who have and still choose this as their art making passion. I also find this form of storytelling a circle of life juxtaposition. Everything fits together so well, like a puzzle. Vivid depictions of a dialog that most often uses few words. The most amazing aspect of this is you can tell any kind of story. Be it the weird like in Ghost World , the basic family value like The Amazing SuperMan. It could be in the form of fiction, that relates to real life like in The Watchmen , and even a graphic novel of complete true life events such as that in Maus. For me this gives my work a new inspiration. I want to combine other aspects of art making with this one. Molding and transforming it into something greater with it's abundance of ever blossoming creativity.

The Owl and The Raven- Erasure

 

The Owl and the Raven

Three hundred years ago a Queen was naughty.

 She would not be quiet.

The Queen became impatient.

 An extraordinary event took place.

 By mischance she changed into a great owl in the night.

 The raven flying, opened the window and said, “I wish you were a raven, fly away.”

She spoke words to the raven.

 Her arms out the window, dark outcry.

 Time…

Nothing.

The raven crying… The voice came nearer.

“I am a King, and am bewitched.

She said, “Thou must deliver me.

Thou shalt wait for me, I shall be set free.”

The promise to do everything she desired.

The raven was alarmed at the sight of the owl sitting in the corner.

The master, that monster .

He set eyes on his life.

Devour a man, without slightest of difficulty.

“I know you,” Said the master. “You have courage enough to chase a blackbird.”

Dead, grim creature, terrified servant.

Dangerous beast, break loose.

All shut up.

An enemy appeared already.

The most courageous stepped fourth.

A great man to drive away the monster.

Looking at that woman he armed himself.

The owl perched herself, he bravely had designs on her.

Escape.

She ruffled her feathers and flapped her wings.

The valiant hero, half fainting, put himself in danger.

Deliver me.

Waken she might.

With his golden finger given, so it rang.

Deliver me.

Golden power, howling, glimmering; arose.

He ventured thee desire to satisfy true.

The heart found a home.

The golden chamber had searched out the man day and night.

He rejoiced when he saw her

They were beating so furiously.

Struck everywhere, they ought to divide.

She cried aloud in delight, took the King in Arm, kissed him and said, “Thou set me free.”

Indeed value your truth.

Everything seemed expedient

So they set fire.

They will not believe.

The Owl and The Raven

Mediums used: graphite pencil, india ink, and water color.

                                 The Owl and The Raven

The work pictured was created for a 20hr art final. During the time of this particular term I was also taking Comic Books in American History and Writing, where I happened to be writing a review on a book. This book was called The Brothers Grimm. Also with being a UCC Student we had the pleasure of having a guest artist,  Amy Jean Porter; who worked with Erasures. An Erasure is a type of story, or poem, but the lovely thing about Erasures, you don't have to come up with the words yourself. You simply find a book, a poem, short story, really any form of writing; and you
scan the words. When you have found ones that you want, write them down and they start making their own individual story. I have found in the past that this is also a really great way to get your creative juices flowing, especially for someone who likes to make marks. I have also found this really strange way that when I am involved in something, it somehow is involved with something else, like this weird inner creative circle. I can't physically see it, but it presents it's self in everything. I find this can be a great tool for me personally. I also tend to draw personal circumstances, feelings and thoughts through my work. This piece in question, was in fact quite personal to me.
   

     When I began creating this piece I first started out writing an Erasure. I found two completely different stories, but both were written by the Brother's Grimm. The Owl, and The Raven. Something I can't quite explain began to happen, as if magic spun the words right off the page words began to make sense, but they applied to me too; in a round about way. Then I combined the two stories, weaving the story even further into gold. The harder part was trying to figure out what I was going to do with it. After talking over with my instructor I decided to use those ideas I had from my comic book class. I would make a series of pictures that also told a story. I discovered my love of working with inks, and water colors. It's something about the way they move onto the paper, some times you can control the mark, and sometimes it just freely does what it feels it needs to do. I feel like life is a lot like that.

My Five Year Plan

                                                       In Five Years...

Short Term Goals Personal/Artistic

* Graduate with my AAOT from UCC
*  Move into a bigger place
* Get a new vehicle 
* Pay off debts, build credit 
* Enroll into beauty college
* Research* Art schools
* Create art I am proud of
* Create more art
* Get recognized for my art
* Teach myself how to do special effects makeup
* Get tattoos of my art
* Watch my kids grow up, always make time for them

Long Term Goals Personal/Artistic

* Create art I am proud of
* Move out of Roseburg
* Move out of Oregon
* Take a semester overseas at an art school
* Meet a famous artist
* Get engaged
* Sell my art
* Take kids on a big trip
* Go to finishing school
*  Don't forget to watch my kids grow up, always make time for them!

My Life as a 90 Year Old Woman

I wasn't sure I was going to make it to 90, but I have lived an adventerous, successful and fuilling life. I am surrounded by my family and friends who I all value dearly. I have been happily married for several decades. I am a  devout mother of three. I am proud to say that all my children have been successful in their chosen paths. I am also a grandmother and soon to be great grandmother.,

In my lifetime I have traveled to new worlds, met lots of fascnating individuals in and out of the art world. I have worked on several projects throughout the years; in many different avenues through art. I have had success as a special effects makeup artist, a clay animator and a cartoonist for a popular tv series. I've dabbled in comic book drawing, creative drawing and even running/owning my own dessert shop. Some projects have solely been mine, I have accepted awards and praises , as well as tears and failures. My success has granted me the ability to have two primary homes. A city life in my home state; Oregon, and a country life built within the hills of England. I am tahnkful for the work I put in , because it was worth the pay off. I get to enjoy a life as an artist. I cherish all the friends I have made through my years when I was a nobody, and after I became who I wanted to be. A brave individual, mother, wife and artist; who could be successful in everything I did. The best thing about being an artist is even at 90, I still feel young. My advice for all those aspiring artists, "Inspire the World Through Art."