MANEKI NEKO'S

I have been trying for a while to come up with a craft idea to raise money for all the homeless kitties in our neighborhood. During my recent trip to Chinatown in San Francisco I fell in love with the little Fortune Cats they had everywhere. While recycling some cat food cans last week I got this idea to make little Maneki Neko's-the Japanese version of the Fortune Cat--out of the recycled cans. It all works out perfectly! I love when things work out like that. So, I've started selling them on ebay to pay for food, healthcare, and finding permanent homes for all these poor little guys and gals. Each one comes with his own beaded collar, cat food can bed, and hand sewn pillow filled with organic catnip. I'll put up a link when I get the new batch up tonight. This one is the very first one I made, and it sold last night! Yay for the kitties! :)

Hope everyone is happy and healthy!

HAC Summer Calendar

Just to prove that I'm still alive and working! :) The Summer calendar for the Hamilton Arts Collective. I'm working on the preliminary stuff for a big art project right now, as well as applying for an Individaul Art Grant from the Maryland Arts Council. Cross your fingers and toes for me! I've also resumed a film project with my friends Lisa and Kristin, a short 5 minute film that combines live action with stop motion animation. It's going to be a blast. I'll update with any new news.

Hope everyone is having a lovely summer! (if it is, indeed, summer where you are)

SPRING!

I'm so very happy that spring is coming. Winter was starting to drain me of all energy!Thought I'd share a piece I just completed for the Hamilton Arts Collective's Spring calendar. It went through a bunch of stages before it got to this. I'm pretty pleased with it. Hopefully, I succesfully channeled the spirit of Spring--bunnies, microphone flowers, and anthropomorphic kitties and birds! Good times.

Also, I recently finished the CD design for the new Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad album. You can see some of the original artwork and my emulation here.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy!

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: Invention

Talk about just making it in! (oops, I guess I didn't..sorry) Above is my submission for last weeks ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY theme "Invention". The top piece was called "The Inventor". This is an ATC (artist trading card) I made last year as part of my "nude portraits" series. Attached are three more of my favorites from that series; the Poet, the Gardener, and the Anarchist. All made on 2.5 x3.5 inch pieces of watercolor paper. Medium was Ink and Watercolor.

Maybe I'll get my next post in before the week is up! :)

Take Care everyone!

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: Thanksgiving

This piece for ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY is in honor of my friend, Chuck, who died on Thanksgiving day 2003. Chuck, my friend Doe, and I would go on the craziest adventures when we were younger. We always seemed to gravitate towards the woods, or old graveyards . I spent some time in some yesterday, took some photos, and just thought about Chuck and the things he loved. He was a beautiful man. Through and through. Attached are three of my favorite photos of him. One with his faithful friend Gideon. My favorite.

Take care everyone!

St. Joan of HAC

Created this little doodle while working concessions last night at the HAC. The Herring Run Artists Network had their Foreign Film Night. Last night it was"The Passion of Joan of Arc". Lots of intense music and intense bangs.

Micron and Sharpie on paper. Flames and halo added in Photoshop.

ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: RUN

"YOU"
ACRYLIC, INK, AND PAPER ON CARDBOARD
CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

I had a really good time making this piece for ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY. I tried some new methods of getting the effects I like. This time I made the collage of the running brain and heart with antique illustrations, then scanned them into my computer and printed it out on an old piece of cardboard. I added acrylic, ink and some handwriting. I'm especially liking the handwriting design possibilities right now (as started on Eos below). So much to try, and so little time!

The concept was inspired by the idea that your heart and mind take the lead at different times, depending on the situation. Sometimes, I have difficulty when my heart takes the lead and leaves my rational side (brain) in the dust. :) I'm sure we all do now and again. Like in matters of love. This is for those moments in life.

Good day to all! Hope all is well in your worlds! :)