Sunday, December 20, 2009

Thumbnailed

I'm currently working on a large 3x3 foot canvas for a lovely lady I met at Paint for Peace. Here's the thumbnail of the jellyfish painting I'm working on. The main jelly near the bottom might be a little smaller on the painting. The colours will be similar to the one I previously did for PfP. Let me know what you think!

And a comic for class:

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Imagine


Imagine
Originally uploaded by breathe out
Illustration done for my Art/Illustration history class, the project was to do an illustration or poster on the movements of social change during the 1960's. One of the best projects so far, since we were given a lot of freedom to choose the medium, style, and subject matter. I have other ideas for this project which I might still do on my own time, for the sake of it.

Tomorrow's the last day of class before the break. My sigh of relief is caught in my chest, waiting to escape. And then 3 weeks to paint on my own personal projects! Yes!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Home stretch.

Art Deco 1930's
Art Deco assignment with gouache, 5x7 (ish)


Nathan
Illustration Portrait- Gouache 6x7

Angie-pants
Miss Angie (I miss that girl).


Here's just a few of the assigments that have been taking over my life the last few weeks. The term is almost over and I can't wait for a moment to catch my breath. It still surprises me how fast the last couple months have gone by. The craziest thing is that I've already noticed improvements in some of my technical drawing skills. I'm already look and seeing things differently. The world is no long just an interpreted reality; but a series of shape, line, tone, and wolume (lots of wolume)...and colour! I have truely fallen in love with colour. Blue and orange are my new favourite colour combinations. Deluxe!! ....alright I'll stop with the kiffisms.

And here's the painting I did for Paint for Peace. There was about 40 artists painting live, then the pieces were sold in a silent auction. All the proceeds went to the building a women's shelter and orphanage in Nigeria. It was so amazing to be surrounded by so many talented artists just painting away! I know it sounds lame, but you could actually feel the creativity energy buzzing in the room. It was a little strange to have people stopping and watching you paint, but after awhile I settled into it and didn't even notice. I'd definitely do it again next time.


Jellyfish
Jellyfish! Acrylic on canvas.

Jellyfish1
Here's another one to show the more of the real colour of the painting...the lighting in the ballroom was horrendous! I couldn't get any good shots, so I just didn't bother taking any other pictures....which is annoying because there was a lot of really talented artists there. Next time I will bring extra money so that I can bid on some of the pieces.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

The garbage needs to stop. Humanity needs to wake the fuck up.

http://www.chrisjordan.com/

Please look through the Message of Gyre photos. And understand that something needs to change.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Beware the sock thieves


DSC_0665
Originally uploaded by breathe out
I have internet again at home. I can tell that this is a good thing because I've been up for a couple hours and all I've succeeded in accomplishing is getting dressed and putting the clean dishes away. I haven't even made coffee or eaten yet. The net has been thrown around me and pulled me in and I don't think I can escape from its clutches.

And frankly, I don't think I want to.

These last few months sans internet has really made me see what I've been missing out on. Well, and the program I'm in has already shown me the enormous possibilities. There is so much more beyond my email account and facebook. I've spent about 2 min on fb, just long enough to find the links of classmates blogs/websites and have been perusing their work. And from there I found more artist/designer/illustrator blogs....and slowly the whole morning has drifted into me becoming a serious blog creeper.

I'd love to update you now on some of my work, buuuuut I've been keeping all my finished projects at school for fear of losing them and the instructor suddenly needing to see them. But here's my Optical Illusion, if you hadn't seen it on Flickr already.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

There's such a lack of art on here, my art blog. Man. I suck.

It's not because I'm not doing art though. Even when I'm not working on a school project (which is often, I work on projects while I'm at work), I'm doodling some random idea that I hope to do at a later date...you know, whenever I have time.

Anyways. This lack of meat in this meatless blog is because I still don't have internet.
So try not to hate me? Just have a little patience. My landlord said something about internet being connected on Tuesday. And then I'll flood this shit to pieces. To pieces. Uhm yeah.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

I AM A STUDENT AGAIN!

This is going to be short, because I'm in the library and am unsure if class is in 10 min or an hour and 10 min. So really each moment counts. Or I walk there, and walk back. Meh.

Anyways. All that we've done so far is whet my appetite and drive my impatience up to get going. Yesterday we opened up our 'colour kits' which ended up being a big box of pens, pencils, charcoals, prismas, pastels, paints, paints and more paints. Oh, and handed out a class curriculum. Today started with my first "Photography for Designers" class, which began with opening up and setting up our new Nikon D60 cameras and lens kit (I apologize for not recalling which lens we received). So now I've just become more excited and ready to actually start doing some actual art!

I guess it will have to wait though..as this afternoon brings Introduction to Marketing. As dull as it sounds, I respect that it's what I probably need most since it's what I know the least. Anyways, off I go!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Shameless, guiltless.


















A major fire is once again raging in the Okanagan valley, destroying homes and forcing hundreds of people to evacuate. And once again the same feeling washes over me. Apathy drips down my face, leaving it expressionless. Houses are being burned to the ground. But as long as everyone is safe and sound, I am calm.

The logic and reasoning that explains why you should take caution in building your house in the sand...should apply to building your house in the neck of dry woods. When a storm comes and washes your home away, should you have not built it upon the rocks? Granted, it's impossible for our populations and cities to relocate into climates where no such disasters could happen. But we need to understand that it's not a tragedy anymore, it's nature. It's powerful, it's unstoppable, and it's amazing.

Forest fires are natural. They're supposed to happen every summer, small and quick, to wipe out the underbrush to allow room for new plants/trees to take root and grow. Smokey the Bear made it impossible for these to happen; so the underbrush builds up and up so that when one day when the conditions are right the hills alight.

I feel we should stop acting against nature, trying to control or prevent her occurrences. She is a force far stronger then we can comprehend. Think of how many lives and homes would be saved if we spent time and money in planning how to live with fires, storms, and hurricanes, rather then trying to push against them, to 'prevent' them. Because as we all know, the battle against nature is a losing one; the more you hold her down, the higher she'll leap when given her moment. And with global warming, it's only going to get worse.

Please note, that I'm not making myself an exception. I'm moving into Vancouver and fully understand that the fault lines are preparing for a massive earthquake one of these days, years, or decades. I know that Vancouver would sink. It is a risk I'm taking, fully. If such happens, I'm hoping that I will have learned some basic wilderness survival by then, and then, we'll go from there.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Finally...

All they said was that the successful applicants would be notified the week of May 18. Not how, or when. So Monday goes by, Tuesday, Wednesday...by Thursday negativity and doubt had settled upon me like a 300lb weight. I didn't sleep that night. On Friday morning I tried not to watch for the mailman, fearful of seeing him empty handed. Even worse, I didn't hear him come by.

As I left for work at one, I thought I had better check the box, just in case. Tears had pre-welled up in my eyes, believing the worst.

And there it fcuking was. A big white envelope. I, of course burst into tears of excitement.

I was accepted into the Illustration/Design program at Capilano University!
I have achieved one major step towards my dream. Now...I better get back to work.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Enter Stage 2

I spent a full 8 hours pouring over all my old sketchbooks, paintings, and art projects. I sweated and I fretted, but I got it done and submitted my portfolio early. Last week I received a phone call inviting me to the interview and testing day next week. This means I successfully made into the second stage of the process!

They get about 120-150 portfolios for the program every year, and from those they select 50 to be interviewed. And from that 50, thirty students are selected for the first year class. Based on those odds, my chances are still quite good, but I'm not going to celebrate just yet. I'm trying to focus on the 'Laws of Attraction' based on The Secret. Though I find the book almost silly and over-simplified...I figured I don't have much to lose by trying it...though if I'm accepted I hope it's based my talent and skill; not my 'willing and wishing' it into existance.

In other news, Ryan and I are starting a foster-to-adopt program for a beautiful young adult pit-bull next weekend! His name is Bronte, and he's 5-6 years old. Probably the sweetest dog ever.


Just cause I want to show him off, here's a photo I stole off his adoption webpage. I've become quite passionate over this last while about the issue of adopted vs pet store/backyard breeders, as well as the discrimination against pit-bulls. I wish I could take care of every lonely little furball out there. I'm sure that once we buy a house (with yard), I'm going to be the foster mumma of all time.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Later days...

Man, I am not as good at blogging as I used to be. I think that I've wasted so much energy on trying to think up clever facebook status' that I have killed my creativing writing skills. I recently remembered my first and original online blog...before the days of livejournal and xanga. I went and searched for it, and not to my surprise, they had deleted it. But, alas, all I had to do was reactivate the account, and there it all is. I guess it's true that you can never get rid of anything on the internet anymore. From 2002-2005 I poured my little heart out to a small group of readers. If you're bored and feel like checking out some pretty sweet teenage angst, check'r out.
My tree and earth painting sold last week in a Cadet fundraiser auction! I wasn't able to make it, but I heard the young lady who won it was really happy. Mmmm it feels me with warm fuzzies.
I just finished this painting over Easter while I was visiting my family. We had a fun family auction, and my aunt scooped it up. Here it is...

Daisy in the Rough
16x20 acrylic on canvas.


In other news...I bring my portfolio into Capilano University this weekend. I'm actually quite excited to have it all put together and submitted. These past few months of stressing, creating, worrying and lack of sleep..I just can't wait for it all to be in there. Then I can relax, and know that I did everything I could, submitted my best. I feel more confident in my portfolio then what I originally felt at the beginning. Everyone think a few positive thoughts for me to get accepted!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Some things of late...

I retouched to give it more vibrant colours and depth. I wanted to try and make the fish look more like it was sucking in the city. I didn't accomplish everything I was trying for, but I really the outcome.




LOOK! Heather got the tattoo done!! Someone was actually brave enough to have my work on them forever! Haha, but actually I really like how it turned out...I'm tempted to take up a career in tattooing if art school falls through.

Anyways, that's all for now. I'm sorry I've been lacking in the posts...buuut keep an eye out, I've got a painting in the works! And I'm going to cram more life drawing in as the portfolio admission deadlines get closer.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Chicken

Capilano University had a open media-presentation day, including portfolio reviews for their Illustration Design program. I had, of course, planned for this day. I got together all my best work and tried to mentally un-psych myself out. We went. I sat. And sat. And sat.

The room was hot. The amount of people in the room x their artistic talent -my self confidence + one single open window = Sam shrinking further into the corner. After watching a couple of portfolios of 'strongly encouraged' and ' I don't have any recommendations for improvement' my stomach had wrung itself into a Celtic knot. My eyes were watering at the mere thought of putting my drawings in front of everyone to look at. To judge, to criticize, to mock.

So. I choked.

I asked Ryan if we could go, and so we went with my tail between my legs.
But, it wasn't without a lesson, or at a loss. The uber-amazing (they don't need further education) portfolios showed me what I needed. The variety of media, the perseverance, the passion, and the dedication all were what was lacking in my pages. I still have some time. No, it's not a lot, just a month and a bit. But I want this. I need this. So this, I will do.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Art show.


Our pieces were accepted into the art show at the Mission Arts Centre.
They're for sale and sitting in a little gallery. Woo hoot.

I feel proud that it was accepted, that a piece of my work is up on a wall where people are looking at it.....but at the same time, it disappoints me and I'm embarrassed by it.

I don't like that this is the first impression of my work in the art community here. It's not that I feel it is bad and that I'm a 'bad artist'. With all the pressure of time constraints and challenges, it isn't anything near what I had in mind for the idea. I feel that it lacks any creative originality or artistic emotion. It's nice yes, the basic idea is portrayed...but all the emotion and feeling behind why I drew the original sketch is lost in the typical colours, lighting. It's simple. Basic. Empty.

I just wanted to do so much more.



Ps. Ryan is so amazingly talented. He just started drawing again after 14 or so years in May. Now look at him! He just got his first portrait commission. I'm so happy for him. It motivates me to get myself going if I'm ever going to make something happen with art.

Monday, January 12, 2009

sixteen

They caught the killer of my cousin and charged him with second degree murder.
Rather then feeling celebratory in the success of the justice system, I feel sick.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/01/09/chiasson-charges.html


The fucking kid was sixteen years old. Six-fucking-teen.

A kid killing kids.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Together Green

The other day Ryan and I set up to do some art, and there in the newspaper Ryan had spread on the paper was an ad for an art exhibition at the Arts centre in Mission. The theme is Livining with the Forest, and anyone could enter. Since we didn't have anything done with that theme, we decided to pull together and get something done in the 3 days before the deadline. I had two days off, so thus we pulled out everything we had to get it done.

We submitted them yesterday, so hopefully we'll hear back today or tomorrow if they're accepted into the show. If they are, you'll HAVE to drive out here to see them, and maybe buy one of them.

Together Green
It's a 1 x 2.5 ft canvas roughly, all acrylic.

Campaign for Real Beauty

A sketch done lately after watching a special on anorexia and bulimia. It terrifies me how common it's becoming. I really admire Dove for their Campaign for Real Beauty, but I feel it's not enough.

I read an article that discussed the Campaign, and how Dove is actually taking a hit in the market for it. Yes, watching a commercial with real women lifts self esteem, but women are not buying their products. Women are still more inclined to buy the products with the over photoshopped thin women in the ad. Why? Because we STILL want that "perfect" body. Why would buy something that advertises what we already are?

The change needs to come from us. We need to love ourselves, before the corporations start selling to us. But if we're so stuck on the ads they sell us, how are we to change our views? It's another circle we'll have to break.




Saturday, January 3, 2009

So this is the new year

We stayed in, just the two of us. A big bottle and half of red wine, and a bottle of tequila. Sketchbooks and pencils scattered across the table, music playing in the background. The countdown came in quietly. A shot upon the hour ensured we weren't too sober, and that I was in bed early...though Ryan stayed up to enjoy a s nowy naked hot tub.

Everything about this year is going to be different. No resolutions, but plans and action to get things done.

Starting with finished projects, and accomplished goals.


...and here is Heather's completed tattoo. This writing goes with it much more.




This was my gift to Kathi this Christmas. It's 8x11 graphite on sketchpaper. It was drawn from an old photobooth photo that I found in my shoebox. And by old, I mean we're 15 or 16. It's frightening to think that was 6-7 years ago.
Man, and I thought I was so young.