Sweet Enemy Art: 2013

Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Transportation Project Continues!

UPDATE! Don't forget that if you want something beautifully printed with my art on it, you have until Midnight tonight to save $5 per item and get free shipping. Use this lovely code and have fun!

Dad!

Camel Skates!

Detail of the Ibex Mobile, to be posted soon!

The Ultimate Compact Car!

Thought I'd do a fresh post to update where I'm at on these drawings. See the previous post to see where I'm coming from. Car shopping yesterday was a bracing experience, as the windchill temperature was around 20ºF. Dad and I tried several cars at a few different places, and I have a better idea of what feels right and (sigh) what my price range will bring.

Fueled by the classic diner food we had, I accomplished a lot more than I had expected as I worked into the night. I am pacing myself to update my Etsy shop bit by bit, not all at once. Better traffic that way, get it?

Thursday, December 5, 2013

The Transportation Project!

IbexMobile, Mouse Skates, Cat Cars and more!

Mouse Skates!

Flying Carpet Bears on their way to a new home! (Sold!)

Chrysler LeBearOn!

I have started a series of small drawings that are all transport related. If you're wondering what inspired this, well, it finally happened: my beloved car bit the dust (dramatically!)

For the past few weeks Arkonbey and I have carpooled, but our schedules are getting crazy and we need the second car. That's where you come in. I have priced these drawings to sell QUICK.

Stay tuned to this blog, where I'll be posting the drawings when they go live in my Etsy shop. You can also follow posts on the Sweet Enemy Art Facebook page.

Another drawing posted today, December 7th!

Mouse Skates

New drawings posted December 5th!

Diamond-Eyed Cat Car

Bear Chariot

Shooooes!

Chrysler LeBearOn

Basically, any art you buy from me right now, online at Society6, Etsy, or in person, will really help me towards my goal.

P.S. I'm already working on two commissions, so I won't be taking requests for anything before January. Lots of goodies are available in the studio though, so leave a comment here if you're looking for something.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Inktober x 4, I mean x5 (whoops! Edited to add #Inktober #8!)

Well, once again my apologies to those whose portraits may not have turned out as well as I'd have liked... I only drew ya 'cause I thought you looked good! And some of you are famous actors so you'll probably not see this anyways. So, cheers.

#Inktober #8

#Inktober #9

#Inktober #10

#Inktober #11

#Inktober #12

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Inktober 6 & Inktober 7 double-whammy-post

I've been having slight technical hiccups, so please pardon the image quality of my two latest #Inktober drawings.

#Inktober 7 it's Rick!

#Inktober 6 it's Lorraine in costume!

Still working the Pentel Pocket Brush Pen, though as you can see in #6, I sometimes get carried away with shading and then I try to soften it but do exactly the reverse. Lorriane was not blushing! Oh well. This is good exercise.
I'm fairly pleased with Rick's portrait, though of course scale is off. Barbara Lang took the photo a few years back, she was a wonderful photographer, artist and bon vivant. Love this image she caught of the boy.

I spent most of the day today on the couch, feeling wonderfully sloth-like. Got lots of napping in, though it has thrown off my sleep schedule a bit. There were a few small accomplishments involving laundry, chickens, and uploading images for work. I won't bore you.

There we have it, a week of ink drawings. Let's see what the next seven days brings.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Inktober #5!

Alright, I'm caught up! Apologies in advance to my friends who have become unwitting subjects in this endeavor. If it's on Facebook, I'm considering it fair game.

Here we have a memento from my friend's 12th birthday party. The kind where it's technically a sleepover, but you never actually sleep. Parents loved us.

Wow, I just realized the photo I referenced is 25 years old. If you wondered what I looked like at 12, that's me at the top.

Inktober #4

Got a little heavy-handed with the shading, but here's a quickie of my friend Justin Atherton. He's a BIG guy, and I wish I'd done more foreshortening, but I'm not too displeased with this little sketch.

Justin & I on the last day of Art Hop 2012. Photo by Jme Wheeler, 2012

Inktober #3

Inktober #3! Done on the 5th of October, because life gets in the way. It's based on a photo from the amazing, astounding Art of Horror reception I attended last night. This girl and her friend dressed up as two StrangeDolls (made by my friend Beth Robinson.) Truly, a wonderful homage!

You can see the original image here, photo by Stephen Mease.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Inktober: first two days

INKTOBER

#Inktober 02 A happy guy to offset a crummy day!

Alright.

I'm doing it! An ink drawing a day, for the 31 days of October. Started by the awesome Mr. Jake Parker, Inktober is one of those challenges that seem so simple at the beginning. Just like 24 Hour Comics Day. We'll see how I fare.

Here are the rules, if you want to join in. I'm also posting these drawings on my Sweet Enemy Art FB page.

I've decided to draw people from photos or video stills. First up, I was watching Annie Lennox music videos and damn, her face is arresting! So I've challenged myself to attempt a face-a-day. The cards I'm drawing on are by Canson, from their Fanboy Comic & Manga series, and the pen is my favorite Pentel Pocket Brush. Here we go!

#Inktober 01 An attempt at Annie Lennox. meh.

Creep along with me

Sweet Enemy Art and The Art of Horror

Guest curated by Beth Robinson and Sarah Vogelsang-Card, The Art of Horror gathers artists who lean towards the creepy and macabre into one lovely juried exhibit that runs through the month of October. I delivered four new pieces to the gallery last week, and saw some amazing work there already. Please join us for the opening reception THIS FRIDAY, October 4th, where upon: "you will meet the artists, imbibe treats and spirits, and marvel at the creepy visuals and fire dancing goddesses." Wow! Every year this show gets better and better. And it's free!
The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery is located in Burlington at 266 Pine St., suite 105 and 106. This gallery is right in the heart of the South End Arts District, with plenty happening all around. The reception officially runs from 5 p.m. till 10 p.m., but often goes quite a bit later.

Rick and I would be wise to not stay too late, however, as this Saturday (October 5th) we launch into our SEVENTH year of hosting 24 Hour Comics Day! That's right, from 10 a.m. Saturday through 10 a.m. Sunday the 6th, all participants endeavor to create their own 24 page story without prior preparation. We're back at Artists' Mediums and the public is invited to come watch our progress. Don't feel like driving out at 2 a.m. to see what we're up to? Follow us through the Artists' Mediums FB page where I'll be updating with some regularity. I'm hoping to reach my goal of a 12 page story...but maybe I'll surprise myself.

AT THE SAME TIME, because, why not! Artists' Mediums is hosting it's four employees for the Vermont OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND. We will each have work on display and work in progress Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. There's also a great sale going on at the shop this weekend only, so if you're a scribbler or a splasher, or know someone who is, you'd be wise to visit!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

creativity in the wee hours

It never fails: the closer I get to an event, the more REALLY AWESOME IDEAS start coming as to what I could create for said event.

But as I get older, I am at least able to let some of these ideas go, and thus remain somewhat relaxed.* "Next year," I'll whisper as I pat them on their little heads and send them out the door. "You're a great idea, really great. But let's try for next year. Bye bye!"

Still, the idea of completing these 18 new small paintings just cannot be let go of. I have tonight (and it's almost 11 p.m.) and tomorrow night in which to finish them.

Here's a view of what I did to our living room last night. Camped on the couch while installing hanging hardware and roughing in colors. The lights are low to protect the innocent.

Now, off I go to attempt this crazy goal.

*I am fairly certain my guy will attest to this.

Bonus picture from my archives! Here's what I look like after way too many hours spent painting and staring at screens. Well, it could be worse, I suppose.

this is actually from 3 years ago.
I don't want to see an updated version.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Art Hop September 6th-8th 2013

My studio table this afternoon

These new canvases and mini-panels are a blast to work on. I am feeling very productive!

Our friend the S.P.A.C.E. Astronaut!

ART HOP: The official info is here

Art Hop hours at S.P.A.C.E:

Fri. Sept 6, 5 pm - Midnight

Sat. Sept 7, 10 am - 11 pm

Sun. Sept 8, 11 am - 4 pm

Find us at 266 Pine Street, right behind Conant Metal and Light. Look for the Astronaut mural; when you enter that door, we are the first studio on your left.

Swish on over to see the new work!

Thursday, August 22, 2013

What's up Portland?

Portland, Maine, that is. I'm headed there for the Picnic Music & Arts festival this weekend. Looking through the vendors I'm both excited and a wee bit worried: Excited to be selling alongside some great-looking vendors, and worried that I am going to buy too much stuff...

Still, it's a great experience, and I'm going with local art maven Beth Robinson of Strange Dolls. And I will be debuting my new panel paintings!

here's just a few...

Next stop, Art Hop September 6-8th at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, where Jess Polanshek and I will be sharing this awesome space:

Yours truly, always smirking

Hmmmm...what to do with that niche?

thanks to Polanshek for the studio pics!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Bears!

Here are a few bears I painted recently, you'll notice they're inspired by the banners I made a few months back. They'll be going up on Etsy soon, but you can message me in the comments if you're interested in them. Speaking of Etsy, make sure you read all the way through this post.

By the way: in honor of today's British royal birth, I made a terrible joke on the last photo. Sorry in advance.

Bear and Honeybee Acrylic on panel, 7"x5" $45

Bear with Honey Jar, Acrylic on canvas, 4" x 6" $40

Bear and Berries, Acrylic on panel, 7"x5" $45

Bear has a Snack, Acrylic on panel, 7"x5" $45

Bear Apparent (get it? Heir apparent!) Yeah.
Acrylic on 4"x4" x 3/4" panel, $40

Watermarks seen in photos are not on the actual work.

Now then: Do you follow me on Facebook? Like my page and you'll see a way to browse my Etsy shop that is most rewarding (click the "My Etsy shop" icon once you're there.)

I'm currently offering 10% off items already in the shop.

Why?

Because my checkbook needs a stimulus so I can make more art!

So follow this link and treat yourself!

https://www.facebook.com/SweetEnemyArt/app_259525164100619

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

They drifted... New painting-in-progress

Rather happy with how this one is shaping up so far, as it's looking pretty much the way it did in my head. And that's rare!
16"x 20" using the slow-drying Open Acrylics by Golden artist colors. On Monday I showed it to my critique group and am now working on the edits suggested. I have at least one other composition in mind, a companion piece that will be much wider. That's going to require a lot of sketching beforehand though, as there will be many more rabbits drifting across the sky.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Happy Birthday, little town 'o mine

Our little town celebrated it's 250th Birthday last Saturday! Here are some of the banners I helped create as decoration up and down three of the main roads. Over 80 banners were completed overall, with work contributed by several local artists and other volunteers. All of it was spearheaded by artist Mary Hill, who provided guidance, materials and the use of her wonderful studio space. I actually worked on at least 5 other banners (or 5 sides, anyways) but don't have photos of those yet.

These are all 24"x36", and it was a good exercise to work this fast (deadline!!!!) and loose. Thank goodness we worked this big, because once they're up twelve feet off the ground they don't look so big...

I also really enjoyed working on the black canvas (it looks blue in some of these because it was evening when I snapped the pics.)

Not sure yet if there are plans to auction these off afterwards, or to display them elsewhere. Still, the whole thing was a fun diversion, and I may have to make some for our house.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Tell us a Tale! Opens June 6th, Barre VT

Hurrah! I'm in another exhibit at Studio Place Arts, in Barre VT! Five of my works will be on display for the month of June. And Flying Carriage got picked for the promotion!

From their website, here's a great description of what to expect:

"This 2-floor SPA exhibit is inspired by children’s literature, including stories, poetry and songs. It will include original, contemporary artwork in a variety of media motivated by favorite children’s literature, both old and new. The artwork will have roots in folktales, fantasy, myths, fables, legends and fairytales – including both modern interpretations of classic stories as well as traditional ones."

OPENING RECEPTION:

Thursday, June 6, 5:30-7:30 PM - for 2 Exhibits at SPA

IN ADDITION:

The Barre Cultural Alliance – which involves 5 cultural institutions in Barre - was created in early 2012 with broad-based goals to help revitalize downtown, historic Barre with a strengthened voice for arts, literature, and cultural heritage programs.

In early June, 2013, the Barre Cultural Alliance is collaborating on a major program: “Story Time in Barre: A Celebration of Children’s Literature & Books.” The “Tell us a Tale” exhibit is a part of this larger event. Go to www.studioplacearts.com for a calendar of activities (see column on the right side).