Inktober and a SALE!

From left to right:  October 5th, 4th, and 6th.  I liked this arrangement, so it's available as a print.

I can hardly believe it:  I finished Inktober 2014 and only had to do two catchup days.  I did my best to work on other projects at the same time, but ultimately the small scale of these drawings (4"x6") made them very entrancing.  And portable, too!

So now that I have 31 drawings, all the same size, all the same theme: HAUNTED CLOTHING, I'm hoping to do something with them.  A book is one possibility, and since they're the perfect size, I'm also looking into printing sets of high-quality-artsy-deluxe postcards.  These should arrive in time for holiday shows, which are coming up very quickly!

For the moment, I'm uploading a small selection onto my print site and having fun making them available as T-shirts and mugs in addition to the usual print on paper.  And here's a good reason to check them out right now:  Society6 is having an Artist promotion sale through November 9th, so to get $5 off any of my printed art there AND free shipping, just follow this link:
http://society6.com/kristinrichland?promo=VG3GX4X7MQYG

Sale ends November 9th, 2014 at midnight Pacific time!

And the same group is printed on a mug!
(I like these mugs)

I let the images flow one into the other here

This mug needs some tea...

Two classes coming up!

Dates are confirmed!
I'm offering the intro-style "Unlock Your Inner Creature" class for a second time (see this post for details on what to expect) on Saturday September 13th, and will follow that with a second class on Saturday September 27th:  "Breathing Life Into Your Creature."
In the "Breathing Life Into Your Creature" class, we'll be working with body language and facial expressions, as well as creating texture and pattern with fur, feathers, scales and maybe even plaids.  

Sketchbook pages, Lion study.  Pencil, watercolor, acrylic.  9"x9" each
(c) Kristin Richland 2014

Both classes will be held from 2-4 p.m. on their respective dates, at Artists' Mediums in Williston, VT. $40/person per class.  

Materials are included for the first class.  For the second class, "Breathing Life Into Your Creature," students are asked to bring their own favorite colors in markers, pens, pencils and/or watercolors to use in addition to what I provide.  

Since I've just confirmed the dates, we don't have this info on the store website yet, please contact me if you have questions!  More details will come soon.

"Lupus Trifectus" watercolor and ink on paper, 6"x4" (c) Kristin Richland 2014
(it was only after posting this for all to see that I realized the Latin for rabbit isn't lupus!)

Artists' Mediums refund policy:  Class fees can be refunded up to 85% if we are notified at least two weeks before the start of the class. A full refund will be given if Artists’ Mediums Inc. needs to cancel for any reason.

Please sign up early for classes. This gives us time to order the correct amount of supplies and prevents us from canceling the class if there doesn't seem to be any interest.

Up-Coming Creature Class Announced

 Unlock Your Inner Creature

with Kristin Richland of Sweet Enemy Art

Saturday July 12th, 2014

2:30 - 4:30

Artists' Mediums, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Williston VT 05495

Cost:  $40/person 

Call now to register!

(802) 879-1236

Owl Slippers, sketchbook drawing
copyright 2014 Kristin Richland

Ballpoint pen people,  sketchbook drawing
copyright 2014 Kristin Richland

This is a class aimed at those of you who wish to create whimsical, inventive creatures WITHOUT the pressure of making something realistic.  No prior drawing experience is necessary.  

We will experiment with materials and ways of seeing. The goal is to loosen up, have fun, and go home with some new creature friends and the skills and knowledge to make more!

Materials are provided, but feel free to bring a favorite pen or paintbrush.  Come ready to get your hands dirty and you may want to wear "studio" clothes or an apron.  

Pre-registration required by July 8th, 2014.  Please call Artists' Mediums at (802) 879-1236 or (800) 255-1290 to register.  

All levels welcome.  Ages 16 and up.

Refund Policy :

Dancing Bears, sketchbook drawing
copyright 2014 Kristin Richland

Class fees can be refunded up to 85% if we are notified at least two weeks before the start of the class. A full refund will be given if Artists’ Mediums Inc. needs to cancel for any reason.

Please sign up early for classes. This gives us time to order the correct amount of supplies and prevents us from canceling the class if there doesn't seem to be any interest.

Barnyard Blobs,  sketchbook drawing
copyright 2014 Kristin Richland

Recent completions and so forth

Ghost Bun and Bros ©Sweet Enemy Art  Acrylic on canvas 2012

Hello!  It has been far too long, my friends.  I've been working away on several commissions and getting distracted by life in general.  But Neil Dixon of Yankee Imaging has been getting some great images of my recently completed work, so I thought I'd share.

"This May Sting a Little" ©Sweet Enemy Art  Acrylic on canvas, 2012

Having tried taking pictures of these guys myself, I do so appreciate someone who can really work the camera.  Focus on doing what you do well, and let others do what they do well.   Well...  Yeah.

The best part of this process is loading up the image onto my screen and suddenly going "holy crap!  I painted that!"

I'm happy to report that "Ghost Bun and Bros" has made it safely to the West Coast.  "This May Sting a Little" got some very nice comments during this year's Art of Horror show and is now back home waiting for me to find some wall space.  Unless you have room?

See you again soon, once we get the camera batteries to play nice so I can show you the commissioned works-in-progress.

Welcome to the Salon...

Hi there!  

Q:  What's the last thing that goes through a bug's mind 

when it hits the windshield?

A:  The butt.

Nothing like a little third-grade humor to get the post off to a good start.

I thought I'd share a few of the many pieces that I'll have on display at SPACE 

for the new show:  Christy's:  Salon Art Event

I'm one of eleven local artists to be displayed, and it's going to be a wonderful mix.  

"As curator to The SPACE, Christy Mitchell has come to know and love the work of many of the artists who have shown in the gallery since opening it’s doors in August of 2009.  You’ll see vignettes featuring new and older work by:

Beth Robinson, Christy Mitchell, Jme Wheeler, John Brickels, Jonathan Ward, Justin Atherton, Kristen L’Esperance, Kristin Richland, Sage Tucker-Ketcham, Wendy James, & Wylie Sofia Garcia"

I hope you can make it!  

If you aren't able to see it in person, Arkonbey has promised to take pictures while we're at the opening.

If you can't make it to the opening but want to see the show, the exhibit will run through the month of March, open every Thursday-Saturday from 11-4 p.m.  

www.spacegalleryvt.com

Until next time...  

Some creatures on bikes

Let's just be clear, here:  I have lived with Arkonbey for a long time, and there are always bicycles in the house.  And yet, I remain completely unaware of how the things are actually constructed.  Far be it from me to actually go and look at one.  I mean, there are only a paltry few to choose from.  Regardless, here are a few creatures, on my interpretations of those two-wheeled devices.

Cat on a bike 1 ©SweetEnemyArt

Cat on a bike 2  ©SweetEnemyArt

Lemur on a bike  ©SweetEnemyArt

Thing on a bike (For Arkonbey) ©SweetEnemyArt

Thing on a bike was the progenitor of this series, by the way.

Inking away

My poor, neglected acrylic paints.
They think I don't care for them anymore.
This past week it's been all about ink. And more ink.

Arkonbey & I have been following Jake Parker's blog, especially his wonderful execution of an ink drawing a day for the whole month of "Inktober"
(Not only does he post his own fantastic artwork, he also provides extra inspiration via ink illustrations by other artists, some well-known, others new to me)

A few months ago I dug up my old bamboo pen and did a few big ink portraits, as yet un-photographed. But for your viewing pleasure, and also because I wanted to write an entry for the AM Blog, I present to you some new work: portraits of Buzzy (top) and Purple Easter Man (with chair.)
Higgins non-waterproof ink on 11x14 paper, with nibs by Speedball & a new favorite, though vintage: Esterbrook.
More to be seen on the Artists' Mediums Blog!

Other people's creatures

Here's an amazing artist Arkonbey just reminded me about: Patricia Piccinini

You should check her out. Specifically her "The Long Awaited, Foundling" series, it's fabulously creepy and sweet all at the same time. You'll see why I'm attracted to it.

Arkonbey wants me to 'flesh out' some of my creatures this way, or at least in a life-sized drawing. Well.... it would be fun.