
Blog: Maxwell Eaton III (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Old Art, Horses, Dinorsaur, Cow, Add a tag




Blog: Drawing a Fine Line (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: old art, new art, allergies, i'm too boring for words, Michael Jackson songs, Add a tag
This is from a while back. I haven't looked at if for a while, and I forgot how much I liked it.
I'm thinking of doing something with this idea for licensing. Except that this piece took forever to do, and this style, done this way, wouldn't be practical. I do love the brightness of the watercolor though, and hadn't realized how soft my colored pencil work is by comparison until I, well, compared the two.
I used ink, watercolor, AND colored pencils on this. Yikes.
I've been fiddling with my website, reorganizing my art (the new version isn't published yet, so don't bother going to look). I decided to do a little detail of each piece in addition to the whole piece, so that means doing a whole separate html page for each piece of art. I know, I'm conking myself on my head. But I know that when I look at people's sites I like to see details, so I'm doing details.
Today I've sneezed about 12,000 times. Seems I'm allergic to something or other. Staring at a computer screen, coding html, and sneezing ~ doesn't that sound like a fun way to spend the day? Hey, maybe I'm allergic to my computer. Now there's a thought.
There's nothing earth-shatteringly interesting to post about. I have a bunch of stuff half ready to show, but I can't seem to gather my thoughts together properly and also do adequate photos or scans. Some days you just can't get it together, and that's all there is to it.
I can't get Michael Jackson songs out of my head. They're just permanently stuck there now it seems. Sigh.
Blog: Scribbled Business (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: greeting card, birthday party, reality check, birthday card, disposable art, art in real life, for sale, real world, commercial illustration, big companies, art products, illustration, birthday party, birthday card, for sale, greeting card, reality check, disposable art, art in real life, real world, commercial illustration, big companies, art products, Add a tag
Every year it is my goal to use the skills I developed while working full time at my last job (I was there for four years and the company sold gift bags, childrens books, greeting cards and other fun things to quite a variety of companies including Walmart, Costco, American Greetings and many a dollar store among other places). One of the downsides of selling to these big companies was that the end results of my work (the actual products) weren't sold or created in Canada. Now normally this wouldn't be a problem, but I am a very far drive away from our nearest border (which for me is Montana, a beautiful state packed with mountains and sweet smelling forests)... and for those of you who have had the wonderful experience of seeing your work in stores it's so so satisfying to see it being touched and admired by real people, even if they are standing on it while it's on the floor (this, by the way, happened to me when I was lucky enough to be able to go on a business trip to Nashville. In a dollarstore in the middle of the city people were frantically searching for the "perfect" Christmas gift bag all the while tossing things on the floor where the faces of my paintings were being covered by the mud on the streets beneath customers boots).
This story reminds me of the reality of commercial illustration, or perhaps illustration in general. We create art that is essentially disposable. Our paintings get admired for seconds, perhaps a few days at most then is thrown away or recycled. There are exceptions to this rule: Children's books can be cherished and read over and over, some greeting cards are saved for years and I've heard of people framing copies of art they've clipped from magazines.
While I know that not every child who gets a card I've created in their mailbox will treasure it I can't stop trying to make similar images than those I loved when I was little. Greeting cards and childrens books were the first things I could call mine and they were certainly evidence that an artist could influence and brighten my world. Not to mention it dispelled the idea that if you wanted to be an artist you had to be "starving". Someone must have been paid to create the cards I got for my birthday and there was no way the artists behind the Lion King weren't being compensated in some way (although at the time I would have licked dirt to have been one of their artists, forget paying me!).
So I'll continue to illustrate and create concepts that might, if I am so lucky, be turned into cards that are eventually thrown away (or at best recycled). Because heck, people might like my design so much that they will buy my card and fill it with money. If that doesn't make my card worth more to someone, I don't know what will!
By the way: Here's the concept sketch:


Blog: Sugar Frosted Goodness (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Paul Conrad, Birthday Party, MechaGodzilla, Godzilla, Bowling, Kaiju, Add a tag
Finished. ...just in time for the party. Whew.
Basically I have a horizontal two sided card, and the individual Godz/MechaGodz mini-standees for all the party tables.
If you are interested, I included larger printable images of the two side card/ and the mini-standees for your own downloadable enjoyment back at my website.
You know...if you want to throw your own Godzilla themed birthday bowling party!

Blog: Sugar Frosted Goodness (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Paul Conrad, Invitation, Birthday Party, MechaGodzilla, Godzilla, Bowling, Add a tag
My Son's birthday is coming up, and we are having his party at a bowling alley...AND he would like it to be Godzilla themed. :) So, I made this invite to send out to his friends.
Now, as far as I know...this is the only Godzilla bowling themed birthday invitation around.
If you find some...be sure and let me know. In the meantime, If you like this, and want to use it yourself, I made a blank version that you can print out over at my blog.
Next up, I'm going to try and make some table stands, etc... to help theme out the party!
These are wonderful works! I love the portrait of Kinsky - the yellowing looks like a wash of honey. Also love the idea of doing one portrait in different media - fascinating!
Keep on painting - you have such a gift. ♥
blogging is truly therapy when you have such lovely friends ♥
LIVE
WHAT YOU
LOVE
the rest will take care of its self, because it always does :)
have fun finding your muse and uncovering your treasures (beautiful work!!) being tucked away organizing a studio on a cold rainy day sounds heaven to me...
:)
♥
I believe you will do your best work if you forget the world, and just paint what you want to, the way you want to. It's the same with writing. I have to kick the editor off of my shoulder (the one with the pitchfork) and just enjoy the ride. Or as a dear friend of mine says, "Stop thinking so much and just write!" I love your art...you keep painting and drawing and doodling!! xox Pam
Holey moley Lolo, these are awesome!! I love each one. I hope you find that elusive muse so you can get going again. Don't you hate it when they disappear!
These old works should jump start the ole muse. Don't give up Lolo. The world is a better place for your efforts.
Oh my goodness, YOU have these feelings as an artist? I thought it was only the newbees like myself who felt this way!!!
So I guess it's simply NORMAL.
I too liked seeing your early works that are all oh so good. As I adore all of your art Lolo and am glad you will create to your hearts content!!!
Hugs
I'm glad I could help Lo - so glad. I also want to stop myself from working on 3 dimensional items as I have no place to store them, but an assemblage is rattling around in my brain and I have to get it out!! So, I will allow myself to create totally non-sell-able artwork and enjoy the process.
For me - showing you all my artwork - it's SUCH a giant step.
Lo - your talent is awesome. Yes, the economy sucks. But you still have to do what you love - be it on the side, or as a major work investment.
xoxoxo, mim
beautiful work. your talent shines strong through the years. Create create create. Let go of the questions. Just be there in the creative now, for you, for us, for your spirit and soul. That's why to create.
Dont you think we go through ebbs and flows of creative energy. Im thinking of how Cris stepped away from painting for awhile and now she is back to it again. Those ebbs and flows are natural and to be honored and blessed.
Another rainy day here today and am off to the mammogram. I dont like driving in rain, but had to do it yesterday afternoon too to get my overdue/forgotten car inspection done so I wouldnt get a ticket.
I am not at all surprised that your talent shone through - even at an early age.... it DOES flow through your genes...
All of these early works are wonderful!
I know you will just "let go" and paint, draw, dream.... because that is what makes you - LO! Your gift is huge - and you need to keep using it....the world needs more Studio Lolo art!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
lo, what a treat for me to see these early works. WOW! my favorite is the first one, ms. kinsky. how much you've captured in the fallback of her head, her nostrils, her hair...
you have to paint and create lo. you know you do. if $$$ takes away from that, then maybe your day job pays the bills and your universe job paints the mystery and the magic.
i just love this look back. that talent in your fingers, in your heart: GIGANTIC!!!
♥
Holy Cow! If this is the art that comes from NO lessons, then I have a loooong way to go! Fabulous stuff!
I like your advice to yourself. I, also, paint for the fun of it. I hate trying to sell my work. All that anxiety and apprehension, ugh! Maybe you could just pile it up and do some art shows next summer. In any case, keep painting, just for the fun of it.
Hey Lo, I am a little late getting here. I can relate, I also have a zillion paintings I need to sell.
I am thinking of listing all the ones under $2,000 on my ETSY site, what the hell. I think you could sell for more than you think on ETSY. You have more saleable work than me, abstract it a hard sell in some places. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful older works. I too once was obsessed with Picasso :-). Don't stop painting, I am convinced that doing what you love is the way to go. Kisses to Bliss and Emma. xoxo
I find it odd or cosmic or something that I happen by on this post. Not everything is about making money-and I'm weary of people trying to assign a dollar sign to how I spend my life.
Yes, we have to pay the bills-but I'd rather have a little less stuff and a lot more LIFE than the other way around.
Love you-keep painting.
thank you all.
This wasn't meant to be a whine or a rant. I just feel guilty making art for arts sake when I don't have a job to pay the bills.
But if you notice the lightbulb DID go off and I realized I must keep creating, and I will.
Thanks for the love and insight ♥
We're trying to lighten the load around here, in case another move should suddenly appear soon. I found a large box stuck in the back of a closet, and there were all the paintings and drawings I had done so many years ago. And you know what...they weren't so bad. I'd last looked at them years ago with a very critical eye.
I'm glad I didn't throw them out...it reminds me of a different time. I rarely paint anymore. But with the finding of this box, I've begun to draw again...pen and ink, charcoal and pencil, pastels.
It's great how we re-find a muse who has hidden herself away all these years. You have such incredible talent, Lolo...keep on painting and putting your art on Etsy.
Just let me know as soon as you put them up, heh...you know I can't resist your art!!!
Oh, those are interesting and lovely! Life is so circular - seems like you are re-claiming future work by re-discovering past work.
Wow, scratchboard. Boy that brings back memories. My dad worked in corrections back in the 60s and 70s. He was the sargeant at a conservation camp. One of the prisoners did scratchboard work and showed me how to do it. I think I still have it around someplace. Probably in a box just like some of your old art. I imagine it will surface one of these days.
You have such a special gift dear you simply must paint!
But if you get too much paintings for both shops try to find a third one! Maybe I should come to RI and we visit some galleries ;) You remember I said I wanted to be your agent.
But I think it is important that you paint and create dear and I think Lori is right.
De cluttering is always good for the spirit but so is letting your creative juices flow so tidy up that studio and just enjoy what you are doing.
Sometimes feeling pressure works paralyzing...........I know that feeling but getting things done will make things flow again.
Fun to see some of your older work!
And I have seen that Picasso in real! Yeah!
love
>M<