They drifted... New painting-in-progress

They Drifted Across the Night Sky... (title/painting in progress)
©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

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.

Happy Birthday, little town 'o mine

Barred Owl Banner
©Sweet Enemy Art 2013 

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.

Fox Banner ©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

Fox Banner detail ©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

Hi There Banner ©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

Bear and Honey Banner ©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

Hiker Banner ©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

Wood Thrush Banner ©Sweet Enemy Art 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).

Flying Carriage  11"x11" Acrylic on canvas ©Sweet Enemy Art

Little Bear & The Cookie Jar 11"x11" Acrylic & colored pencil on canvas
©Sweet Enemy Art

Tales by the Fireside 7"x7" Watercolor & ink on paper
©Sweet Enemy Art

Benefit for ECHO Center! Art and Soul VT 2013

These three paintings are available for sale at the upcoming Art & Soul VT event on Thursday June 6th, 2013.  All sales are split fifty-fifty between the artist and the beneficiary, in this case the wonderful ECHO Center in Burlington.

If you've followed me for a while, you'll know that I do like my amphibians, and my dreamy underwater scenes.  ECHO has been a great source of inspiration!  

Of course this event is happening the same night as another reception I dearly want to attend (about 1 hour south!) so I'm hoping I manage to get to both, somehow.  What's that other event?  Check my next post for details!  

Eel Garden
24"x 24" Acrylic on Wood Panel  ©Sweet Enemy Art

Full Frontal Newtity!
14"x7" Watercolor and Ink on paper   ©Sweet Enemy Art

Water and the Night Sky
24"x 24" Acrylic on Wood Panel  ©Sweet Enemy Art

Headed to the Party

Phoenix Books in Essex is hosting their annual Newt Night this month, and this year they're hosting a "Peepers and Creepers" exhibit as well. 

My friends there have fond memories of my Frog in the Forest piece, so I thought I'd revisit a little piece I made around the same time.  

This idea started as a tiny little colored pencil piece on 4x6" watercolor paper.  This time around it's acrylic on a 16x20" canvas panel.  I rushed a bit at the beginning, but I'm giving myself a little more time to fine-tune it before bringing it to the shop.  Feel like I'm setting new records for myself in terms of finishing pieces!

Stage 1 painted while Monty Python's Holy Grail (and ALL the extra features) played in the background.

Stage 1, thought I was finished but my in-house critic said..."hmmm."  Back to the easel!

Stage 2 painted while Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amelie played.  At this point, I decided it's not a good idea to try and have a subtitled movie playing while trying to paint.  Too distracting.

Stage 2:  Brightening things up a little bit.  Brought some blue-tones into his belly, not sure if that's working yet.
VERY happy with the umbrella.  Trying to get that same feeling elsewhere in the painting.

A better mushroom.  Stalk still needs work though.

Stage 3 begins this morning (though we're fast approaching noon.)  After being heavily fueled with a pile of doughnuts from our local baker ladies, a giant omlet and a big mug of Earl Grey tea, I'd better have enough energy to see this thing through.  Would like to deliver it tomorrow!

By the way:  here's the original little sketch.  I ran out of paper so his boots are cut off.  Little did I know the legs would be one of the hardest parts in re-creating him!  Trying to be at peace with the fact that the new version is exactly like the original in other ways.

Anachronistic Mash-up: Mythology & Food

Well!  This weekend and last turned out to be relatively productive.  I give you:  Sphinx, with Pizza.  

Here's where she's at right now.

The early version, feathers just roughed in

Re-working the tail and wing

SKULL PIZZA

For those of you who recall my Lizard with Sandwich, this is hopefully the second in a small series of creatures with food.


Once I've finished the Sphinx, I'll hopefully have enough steam to start the next one, so there are at least three in the series!  Now I need to visit Papa Franks' for some cheap-o-awesome Italian food, because this is making me hungry.

Broken Hearts and Sweet Tarts! (mildly nsfw)

 When asked to describe what I do as an artist (and believe me, that's a thing I'm struggling to clarify) I suppose I could say that I paint animals and other creatures set in imaginary worlds.  Rarely do I depict actual humans.

Well, I've been invited to take part in another S.P.A.C.E. show this February, and as I sketched out ideas for it, they all turned into burlesque ladies!  Stylized humans, to be sure, but I have to crow a bit, I feel like the things I've learned from life drawing and also soaking in the work of artists I admire are finally paying off.  Here are the first two ladies for Sweet Tarts:

©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

©Sweet Enemy Art 2013

Such a treat to return to one of my favorite combinations: watercolor with pen & ink.  The third piece for this exhibit is still in progress, I'll try to post an image of that one soon.  Until then we're having a blast looking at pin-up art, both contemporary and vintage, as well as various videos of burlesque dancers.  Oh heck, I can't tease without sharing!  Here's one that Arkonbey found:

If you're in the area, Broken Hearts and Sweet Tarts opens on First Friday, February 1st, 2013.  Here's the link for The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Burlington.  

See you there!  Or here.