Baby's Ride and a Sea dragon. Or, why you can't pin me down to one genre.

This afternoon my awesome art photographer Neil stopped by with photos of two 'tricky' pieces.  He's sort of the mad scientist of photographers, and a fabulous story teller.
Both of these paintings (which I've been picking away at for the last two or more years) have subtle and not-so-subtle textures, and Neil is the kind of person mad scientist who will mess around with filters and flares and lights and I don't know what-all (I sort of glaze over, but the enthusiasm is infectious!) to get the right balance of texture and smooth.

So, what do you think?

Baby's Ride (acrylic on canvas 11"x11") ©Sweet Enemy Art 2011

Sea Dragon (Acrylic on matboard) ©Sweet Enemy Art 2011

By the way, "Flying Carriage" was one title suggested for the first piece.  I'm always open for suggestions, as you all come up with far better ones than I!

Obscurum: Call to Artists (of sorts)

Obscurum: Call to Artists (of sorts)

There's a mission that needs you!

It potentially involves glitter.

Get on it.

A little color, a little sweetness. Bright shiny videos for you!

To offset the general feeling of doom and gloom, here are two videos I came across yesterday.

Let's start with one that has been making the rounds on Facebook, and also on George Takei's blog "That blog is so Takei!" It's sweet, it's affirming, it's something I'd love to see come true for everyone who falls in love.

p.s. I get a bit sniffly each time I get to the end, and I've watched it three times already.

And then this one from my mum (found it buried in the "Emails I meant to read" folder) is rather sweet, in a 'hey, maybe we'll get through this' kind of dance-number-ish way.  Oogh, enough of this crappy economic tangle!
Bonus, the lead singer is channeling some sort of happy John Waters vibe.


Enjoy!  And I'll be getting some other things posted before too long.  I've been chastened for not keeping  the blog fresh.  Danggit, I didn't realize people were paying attention!

Avast! Art & Artisans 18th Annual Holiday Market

I feel like I'm spinning plates with eight hands at once!

Well, after looking at actual plate spinners, I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed.

Instant therapy.  Aren't you glad you stopped by?

The reason for the flurry of activity?  Another show, of course!

Come and visit this weekend if you find yourself in Jericho, VT:  

It's the Art & Artisans Holiday Market from 10-5 Saturday Nov. 5th & Sunday Nov. 6th.  

I'm debuting my advent calendar and greeting cards (hurrah!) 

as well as a new batch of paintings and drawings.

The Art & Artisans Market: Free admission & free parking.
Come explore the tasty treats and wonderful items for gifting or pampering!

HORROR! Or: Why I love October

The weather has taken a turn for the wonderful, almost tempting me to sleep out on the deck tonight.  However, after seeing some of our resident spiders this weekend, I think I'll pass.

"Spider Silk" will be at the Art of Horror show in October
©Sweet Enemy Art

Still, occasional wood-smoke on the wind, the trees turning to gold, and oh yes,
the spooky sundries of Halloween.  We don't have any trick-or-treaters up this way, which is sad, but I still get to pull out some of our fun creepy stuff for the heck of it.  In the week leading up to Halloween, Arkonbey often has a lit jack-o-lantern ready to greet me when I arrive home late & tired.  Add to this fresh local cider & cider donuts, and life is generally better.

Now I have another reason to be excited for October:  The Art Of HORROR exhibit is about to start, and this year, three of my pieces have been juried in!  There may be one or two more, depending on what I can accomplish in the next 36 hours (besides sleep & a day job.)

The Art of Horror opens on Friday October 7th at my favorite haunt: The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery; as part of the Burlington First Friday Artwalk.  Opening reception is from 5 to 9 p.m. and includes ghost stories and a chance to have your fortune told.
I'll be there until about 8 p.m. (having a brother's birthday bonfire to attend the same night, at least my double-bookings are interesting!)

The exhibit will display through the following dates, and open hours: October 7th – October 29th, open Thursday – Saturday from 11-4pm

Do you Facebook?  Here's the event page for The Art of Horror.

Also!  This Saturday at 9 a.m. Arkonbey and I launch into our FIFTH year of 24 Hour Comics Day.  Aside from reading lots of webcomics, I've been musing about which medium to use this year.  Other than that, trying to keep my mind open so that I can start with a clean slate.  And a little less caffeine than my first year :)

Poster designed by my own Arkonbey, in-house designer extraordinaire

Well, my goodness.

I've been mentioned in one of my favorite blogs!

Now I have to address the "identifies herself primarily as an illustrator" bit.  Do I?  It seemed the best phrase for my short listing in the Art Hop, but I'm open to suggestions.  Whimsical is a word that fits much of my work, but I'm honestly done with it.  So if you have an idea, shoot it on over!

Upcoming fall events for Sweet Enemy Art

ART HOP!  Located throughout the arts district of Burlington, VT
Friday September 9th, from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  (parties are known to go much later)
Saturday September 10th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Click here for a map of where you'll find me and my art waiting to meet you!

Paint anything, on nearly anything... Oil Paintstiks workshop 

Saturday, September 17th 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Artists' Mediums in Williston, VT

$70 per person, materials included.
Register by Wednesday, September 14th for this one-day workshop.  You'll come away with the knowledge and materials to get started painting on just about anything with these luscious paintstiks.

Click here for more information.

24 Hour Comics Day 2011 
Free event, Saturday October 1st through Sunday October 2nd from 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. 

Join us for a marathon comic-creating session!  Each attendee strives to create their own 24-page comic from scratch within 24 hours.  Snacks, moral support in the wee hours of the morning, and quite possibly, the feeling of satisfaction for finally busting through your creator's block!  
Click here for more information.




Art & Artisans Holiday Market at MMU Highschool, Jericho, VT
Free event
Saturday November 5th & Sunday November 6th
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days
An annual event comprising some of the fine handmade creations of the Jericho & Underhill area.  Sauces for people who love good food, woodenware & clay, adornments, and of course some lovely artwork that make lovely gifts year 'round.  I stocked up on some fantastic gifts last year!
Click here for a map.