I never did post any updates or summarize my August series. Heck, I didn't even properly introduce the series...but I kind of need to because it involves my series for September...so I will write a bit so I can explain my thoughts for the next series.Okay...where to start? My trip to Wynwood wasn't my first encounter with graffiti and street art. Back when I taught art at Indiantown Middle School I wrote a Character Counts grant to bring in a graffiti artist that I have befriended at an art show. The kids LOVED the experience! 'TQueen', the artist, came in and talked about the history of street art, different lettering styles and even 'tagged' their notebooks. We then went on to paint the 'Pillars of Character' on canvases using what we learned, and also using some fun materials like spray paint and paint pens. (If you are an art teacher reading this- do yourself a favor and include some type of graffiti or street art lesson in your curriculum-your students will LOVE it!) Here are some pics from the presentation/artist visit;At the time that T-Queen came out to my school I had just started my daily artwork commitment, that was over six years ago (...in daily art terms that is 2,438 pieces!!) At that time I was still taking my cues from the Creative Every Day website suggested prompts, but putting my own spin on it. That first month the theme was 'new', so I chose to create 'new' shoes based on a song by Paolo Nutini that I like by the same title. I collaborated with TQueen on one of my daily pieces during her visit, I created the watercolor of the shoe and had her 'tag' it, then added some bling. ![]() ![]() Truth be told...I have always loved murals and hidden street art gems. I have never done a wall myself, I mean, I have painted some murals indoors but how cool would it be to have your work literally OUT THERE, on the 'skreet for folks (like silly ol' me!) to interact with. And I haven't done this in a while, but my whole #AngelDropART gig is based on my desire to want to 'tag' but not wanting to deal with laws and getting in trouble and such. I am hoping that I can get motivated to do more of these...right now I am in a rut, but I have 'dropped' about a thousand angels over the years. Which brings me to my last series, #WynwoodWhimsyJLG. This series was inspired by an anniversary trip to Wynwood Walls to see the murals and visit the local breweries. I wanted to loosen up a bit, and play around with spray paint and stencils. ...and now that series is complete. Overall I am happy that it looks cohesive, small changes from day to day, I can see where I revisited a thought, or worked with a media or visual technique within a few pieces. To create these pieces I would usually start with a watercolor 'drawing' (no pencil first) then block off areas and do the spray painting, sometimes using stencils, and finishing up with various pens. I usually completely switch it up from month to month. I mean, I have started re-visiting themes that I enjoyed doing in the past, but I don't think I have ever 'continued' a series- for the most part I just switch gears. I feel like in some of my monthly themes that is a welcome change, I am ready to work with new materials- but I really have been enjoying using the spray paint and stencils and the black line work. So instead of starting something brand new I am continuing to work with these materials- but adding detail rendering with it, which so far is a contrast that I really like. My subject matter this month will be female singers/singer-songwriters that I like as a part of a theme I have done twice now, my #GirlTalkJLG theme. In my 2016 series I started off just pairing random female faces with quotes i liked in the first four pieces, and then I had to idea to create a portrait of the actual woman and her words; When I revisited the theme in February 2018 I was thinking about my students- that I might be privileged enough to be teaching the next supreme court justice, next world-class singer, or first female president (!). With that in mind I started the series of women that I admire- but as their younger selves. I liked the piece enough but I just didn't feel attached to the work- it wasn't personal enough. And truth be told, many of the woman I admire are older and it's hard to find a good, clear image to work from on the interwebs...so I actually looked to my own students for inspiration. I selected a group of current and past senior girls that I had formed a bond with over the years and created their portraits with their own words. Which reminds me...I gotta text my girls and meet up for coffee and art delivery!!! ...so September series...back to that- it will be a continuation of my #WynwoodWhimsyJLG series combined with the #GirlTalkJLG series (repeating that in case it got lost in my rambling) I plan on continuing with the spray paint, stencils and black marker but the face will be graphite. Female singer/singer songwriters and their words or lyrics. That's it. Here are the first four pieces, to learn more about each one click on the image;
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I love showing my work. It really gives me a positive feeling to share what I love to do with others. But you know what feels even better? Sharing that feeling with other artists! I mean, I have helped to set up shows before but this was the first time my name was officially listed curating a show. |
Well...kinda. I mean, I'm not in Austin anymore- I am back now. I gotta say, it was another great trip. Willie Nelson was amazing, as was Sturgill Simpson...the barbecue and tacos were delicious...the honky-tonks were fun...the art was EVERYWHERE...oh, and it was fun visiting out NC/NY friend Scott and his kitty Surfer Girl, too! All in all, it was a great trip...and yup, I made art every day I was there! |
(Here is a link to a post about last year's trip to Austin, there are tons of mural pics- and we still didn't see them all!)
...and of COURSE I worked on my daily art while I was in Austin!
I planned my materials for this month knowing that I would be taking this trip- and also considering a visit from John's sister...a glass fusing workshop with my students...teaching a week of Fashion Camp...an Art Hive event...annnnnd an AP Workshop. Let's just say it's gonna be kinda hectic- so I planned on using the graphitone pencils, watercolors and ink based on portability.
What I guess I forgot was DRY TIME- yikes! I reckon I could grab a hair dryer to speed up the process- but not while traveling. So I had to start my pieces earlier in the day, even if it was in small spurts to allow for my dry time. For example, it might take me a few minutes to lightly sketch out the image and then do the first layer of graphitone on the face- but then I would go back in with 1-2 more layers to build up value, each layer having to dry. Same with the watercolor. So working a little here and there has been my saving grace so far.
![Picture](/uploads/7/1/8/4/7184838/austin2_orig.jpg)
...oh, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little sister, Morgan!! Love you!
Butterflies are a reoccurring theme in my work since...well, since forever. I was thinking, 'hey, I should write up an intro- you know, give some background on why I keep using butterflies in my work.'
Turns out- I already did! #win
![Picture](/uploads/7/1/8/4/7184838/butterflies2_orig.jpg)
I took a bit of time back in 2016 to give some proper background and I feel that it still fits- so for once in my life I am going to make it easier on myself and say, hey- please visit that link (above) for more background info!
In the meantime, here is my most recent series dedicated to butterflies- my #ButterflyBellaJLG series from July 2016. I really loved how this series turned out so I am so excited about revisiting it...and you know, I am just excited to get back to my big eyed ladies- it's been a minute!
What will be new for this round? I'm not sure. I can already see from the first two gals that I am making an effort to give some kind of background, even if it's just some light, textured watercolor. I thought about maybe doing some mixed media elements later in the series...gonna leave it open-ended and see what takes flight!
Here are my first two Bellas;
Well, I finished up my June 2018 series focusing on handbags and shoes. I ended up completing 41 pieces total in this series, and I never gave it a separate name- it falls under #DrawnToFashionJLG so that it will show up with my other fashion illustrations.
Here is the whole month at a glance;
So...now what?
I had planned on picking back up where I left off with that last year, going right back into the paper cut/drawing/watercolor combos where I left off- this time introducing some alcohol ink backgrounds and playing with embossing. I actually already bought the stuff for the new media...but I don't know.
I keep thinking about butterflies.
So I guess I will play around tonight and see what I come up with. I'm feeling kinda indecisive, but I do feel like it will between the two themes- papercuts or butterflies, and I feel like whichever one I don't choose I will use for August.
But ya never know.
In the meantime, here are links to my previous July themes, just for fun!
July 2012,focus on mandalas/gold/sparkle
July 2013, focus on summer/accessories
July 2014, focus on makeup
July 2015,focus on surfaces (did some sewing!)
..at this point I finally started using hastags to help locate my work if searched on Instagram;
July 2016, #ButterflyBellasJLG
July 2017, #PapercutsJLG
This show was last minute for me- I happened to stop by and check on my AP girls that are working with Joyce over at Flamingo Clay Gallery earlier in the week and she asked me if I had some mermaids for the show.
Do I have mermaids?! You already know!
So I prepped some mermaids and took them over to the gallery and added the opening to my Friday night plans.
Here are the mermaids that I put in the show;
While we were that far out west, we decided to head on over to Nashville...and I finally got to meet the fabulous Cassie Stephens- and deliver her some copies of the lastest Art Hive Magazine,
'cause she's in it! (I would know, I did the interview!)
Meeting Cassie in person...kinda wasn't a thing because it was like I was meeting up with an old friend, which confused both of our husbands when they found out this was our first time meeting in person- they thought we have known each other for years! Ha, we sure fooled them!
...and while I am thinking about it, a BIG SHOUTOUT to www.stellabluephoto.com for the super fun-colorful-fabulous-amazing photos of Cassie featured in the interview!
In honor of Cassie's DIY recently retired crayon shoes, I decided to honor her design skills in my daily art- and I sketched those shoes as my daily art and gave'em to her. (she already has them up in her classroom art gallery- I feel so honored, that is my second piece!)
While in Nashville, John and I decided to take an impromptu trip to Louisville, because...well, just because. Oh, and Justin came with us #RoadTrip
This was by far the best 'temporary studio' set up of my entire trip.
John booked a great room overlooking the river and I basically took over one of the big ol' windows.
And that is basically it. Summer, man- I love it.
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