Marks and Scars

Recently, over last few months, I began to work on a project of self discovery with my G+ community.  The project is called the Selfy Sunday Project, which runs bi-weekly and helps to pull the photogs from behind the camera and step into the spotlight.  last week was my most bold piece of expression.  Becoming "okay" with one's self is not always easy, but with a crew like that, it is tough to feel down about anything.

I know my painting has taken a backseat (not for another decade, though) to my newer interests, but I still want to keep this blog rolling for anything artistic; may it be images of photographs, paintings, drawings, or even digital design.

From the Selfy Sunday Project, I give you "Marks and Scars":



We all carry marks or scars that form us into the creatures we will be until we draw our last breath. Some carry the scars of an immortal and unstoppable youth, careers and choices, or the marks of motherhood and self sacrifice. Though we hold strong, choose never to settle, and always accepting of who we are, we will never reach a perfection beyond what we project out to the world. In doing so, you can achieve a beauty undeniable and beyond that of the flesh. - Shantha Marie Fountain

The next piece is that of a displaced overlay portrait of my munchkin:

I hope you have a lovely day!

From the Vault | A Study of Poses

I was once quite fascinated with poses from classic and new wave oil painting.  More specifically, women posing in graceful and powerful and calming ways.  I was really just tinkering with my camera at the time, but I was able to dress them up and I felt they would be a nice addition for sharing.

For an idea on what I was thinking at the time I made these, you have to refer to these images on the web:

Link 1: http://www.thecitrusreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/demon1.jpg

Link 2: http://photos3.fotosearch.com/bthumb/PHT/PHT082/PAA082000053.jpg

Link 3: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mZtT2snNBZc/TcMVmppm8RI/AAAAAAAAANU/pl5TuGR6JFg/s320/eros.jpg

Link 4: http://www.francoisboucher.org/A-girl,-bust-length,-her-head-tilted-to-the-left.jpg

Link 5: http://static.royalacademy.org.uk/images/width320/key-68-12337.jpg

I wanted to blend photographed selfies with paintings. Not just blend, but kind of merge some of my favorite poses from paintings with my amateur photography and PS skills to see what I got.

Well, a year ago (or so), I had these:

To further the "Selfie" self reflection, I created an homage to the movement of Superflat made famous by Takashi Murakami.  In addition, I also have a #SelfieSunday posting from last week:

Well, that is it for now, but I am hoping to get more great shots while off on my long weekend road trip with the boyfriend! =)

Some Projects and Tinkerings

I have been going pretty strong with some things in my spare time.  Not with the brush, mind you, but with my camera, manipulation software, and with the pencil.

I finally got the turpentine and a few new canvas to work with, but this installment has tattoo concept designs and some altered photos from my experimental photo album.  Here they are:

At the start...

Goldfish added..began the face...

Hair and lotus added...

Face added, beginning hair...

Additional image of the one above...

Completed for now...(aka work in progress)

Warming_Peace

My first take on Delirium...

With more color added...

Using my Prismacolor pencils...

It was done-ish for now (I did color the butterfly, but not on this pic).

Fresh from a work-out =P

Lessons Not Regrets

Distorted Flora

Purple Phase

 That's what I have for now.  Hopefully, I can get into some paints before I grab the boyfriend from a few states away... =)

Illuminated Labyrinth

Since I haven't had time to paint lately, and I have had my hands full with my munchkin, I have been tinkering with my pictures instead.  This is the latest two:

Illuminated Labyrinth

Low-Res All-Stars

Partial Reline

I realized, once I began re-working the lines, that I had run out of turpentine, so I decided to go out and get more tomorrow. However, I did complete the lines.  Here they are:

Once I get my turpentine, I will pick up again tomorrow.

Photo Experiments

I decided to push the boundaries of my Point and Shoot Nikon, and then, with a little manipulation, I created the images below:

Cross Fade Petunias

Fly in the Ointment #1

Fly in the Ointment #2

Misted Petunia

Let Sleeping Dogs...

Blood Stones and Wine Corks

Silicon-D Conception

Silicon-D Conception X2

Elusive Betta

Ornamental

Breaking Through

I haven't had a lot of time for much creative freedom lately, but with some recent friendly additions to my circles, I felt inspired to push myself beyond the canvas.  Here are the initial products of my efforts:

Self Portrait | Muted Stealth

Self Portrait | Starry-eyed

Hidden Grotto

Self Portrait | Super Sepia's Show

Washed Clean

I may make a few more attempts with my camera before I feel I am ready to spend long hours with a canvas again.  Vertigo is a difficult monster to overcome.

Sketches for Ink: Part II

When I have managed to find time to continue with concept sketches for the next piece I want, I try to get it out then.  This day being no exception.

I had a breakthrough with something I was really stuck on, the part that begins the piece on my shoulder, but not anymore.

Here are two very rough sketches of the placement of some of the elements already previously drawn:

First attempt at drawing the kanji as symbols.  Made them too big.

Second attempt while using a mock shoulder drawing for scale.  Briefly sketched the string, blossoms, and how it will end at the wrist.

The hope is that the artist will be able to fit the following words around since my arms are pretty small:

"Regardless of time, place or circumstance, the thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break"

Hopefully, I want this to be somewhere near the shoulder:

"An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet"

Honestly, I am just happy I was able to find a starting and ending point for the sleeve. The rest is simply adding the symbols that mean something to me.