This piece is currently hanging in the Goodwin exhibit. I enjoyed working on the background and creating a blend of abstract shapes and color as well as more defined objects like the shrubs. This crane turned out to be quite the character – he seems to be almost smiling.
Anyway, at the moment I’m working on drafting my children’s book. Once the storyline is cleaned up and where I want it, I’ll work on some sketches for the illustrations. It’s quite an exciting process – I can’t wait to get started on making some collage illustrations!
“Tabby Cat.” Collage on mat board. 5″x7″ Order a print
Yet another collage completed during my visiting artist work and it’s the second piece in a cat series. While working in an open studio, and being away from the computer, I was able to get quite a bit of work done. However I was working about seven days a week for a couple of months, and I think at the moment my body is telling me to cool it. So I’ve been doing quite a bit of relaxing these past couple of weeks. Yes there’s also been a lot of work involved, but I haven’t been as intense about it as I have been in the past. I’ve decided I need to take it easy before diving back in.
At the moment, aside from “taking it easy,” I’ve also been dabbling in some brainstorming, story boarding, and working on art-related work in the digital sense. I think in a couple more weeks I’ll make myself sit down every week and complete at least one mini collage. While working with art that involves the computer, I don’t want my studio art skills to grow rusty – so I’ll have to keep at it on the side.
I’ve also been feeling very thankful for having so many supportive people in my life. When it comes to being an artist, there are always people who try to drag you down and discourage you from your dreams. But at the same time, the smaller group of people who are rooting for you from the beginning are the ones who are much more memorable and important than any negative talkers. I’m happy to have those positive supporters in my life.
Anyway, I hope you have a great weekend! I’ll be spending mine taking pictures for future Bosty adventures.
“A Piece of the Ocean.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″ Order a print
Here’s another collage that I made for my animal series on display in The Animal Kingdom exhibit. I haven’t really explored underwater creatures with my work, perhaps I should? The Baltimore Aquarium isn’t that far away, and I’m sure I could find plenty of inspiration there…
I’m about to get started with some more brainstorming and storyboarding for today. I’m excited to work on some new projects. I’m thinking of dabbling in video sometime soon as well. We shall see – there are only so many hours in the day.
“Turkish Angora.” Collage on mat board. 5″x7″ Order a print
After doing a series of dog collages a few months ago, several people started requesting that I do a few cat collages. While I was a visiting artist at the local art center for June and July, I was able to complete a few cat collages. Here’s one of the first ones of the series.
I hope everyone had an excellent week! I’ve been working on some grant writing lately – it’s not my favorite thing to do, but the more I force myself to do it, I sure hope the better I’ll get at it. I also hope to work on writing, editing, and revising a few artist statements for the different portfolios I send out to galleries. And once all the paperwork is through, I hope to get started on brainstorming a children’s book.
“Yellow Bird.” Collage on paper. 9″x12″ Order a print
Another day, another collage. And it’s another one inspired by a trip to the zoo. I love the bright colors you can find in nature and other creatures.
So the craziness of all the exhibitions I’ve had going on this summer has calmed down a bit. The past couple of months I was practically working away on art or art-related things about seven days a week. Now that I have my summer lectures, presentations, and the majority of my shows under my belt, I’ve been a little lazy these past couple of days. I suppose you can say I’m resting up from all the work I was doing.
Pretty soon I may take a bit of a break from working on original works of art. I want to get started on storyboarding a children’s book or perhaps planning out an animation. I’ll still work on a few small pieces here and there, although there won’t be as much work posted here.
“Mr. Kangaroo.” Collage on paper. 12″x16″ Order a print
This piece was inspired by a trip that I took the Smithsonian’s Natural History Museum. A lot of my animal collages are inspired by trips to the Natural History Museum when I swing by their animal exhibits – or the National Zoo. I’m really having quite a bit of fun making animal collages – after making so many figurative pieces earlier this year, it’s definitely a nice change of pace.
I’m beginning a lot of exhibition prep work for the animal exhibition that goes up this coming Sunday, August 1st. My “to do” list includes framing all the artwork, preparing an artist talk, and getting together all my postcards, business cards, etc. to set out during the show. We shall see how it goes…
Inspired by a walk through the National Zoo – these two pelicans were swimming about in the seal exhibit. Again you can see I’m drawn to the blues in water. There’s just something that’s really fun about working with reflections in water.
In other news, I was pretty excited today to receive my contract for my solo show at Krempp Gallery in May 2011. It’s in Jasper, Indiana, although I’m planning to take a road trip when the time comes to deliver about twenty to thirty collages for the show. One of my goals this year was to get an exhibit in a gallery from a state that I’m not affiliated with at all and I’m pleased that my work will be off to the Midwest before long.
Anyway, I’m off to work on getting things a little more organized around my room. I’ll be busy with quite a bit planning these next couple of weeks.
“Blue Rhino.” Collage on paper. 9″x12″ Order a print
This piece was inspired by one of my visits to the Natural History Museum. I decided to make him a blue rhino because I’ve found that blue is just one of my favorite colors to use in collages. There are also so many different shades and textures of blue that you can find when flipping through magazines. I suppose I’m just drawn to the variety.
So things are still a little bit busy. I’m currently working away on a few landscape and cityscape pieces for an upcoming show. And goodness – time is just flying by. I can’t believe it’s mid-July – before long I’ll be packing up the studio and leaving the art center. It’s been a great two months. I’ve learned quite a bit from it all. And so we move on…
My crazy week of artist talks and lectures is over with. You can check out the Art League Gallery’s blog post on my blog lecture from the other day. A few down, and many more to go. With each presentation, I learn quite a bit from what is working and what needs improvement. For the upcoming animal solo show, I’m doing another artist talk. Since I’ll be talking about my source of inspiration for animal collages, it will be a little different than my recent talks.
Anyway, it’s getting a tad bit late, so I should go off to bed soon. I hope everyone had a happy Monday!
“Orange Monkey.” Collage on paper. 9″x12″ Order a print
This little guy was hanging out at the zoo and I just had to do a collage of him. I immediately loved his inquisitive little face. I had some fun with the texture in this piece.
Anyway, things are still pretty busy. I’ve decided to do another artist talk for my upcoming animal exhibition in August. So…more things to plan for. I really am loving what I’m doing though – which explains why I keep trying to take advantage of every opportunity that walks on by.
Another piece I completed while being a Visiting Artist at the local art center. It’s another piece inspired by one of my trips to the National Zoo. I’ve completed quite a few animal collages there last month and now I’m off doing a few landscape/cityscape pieces.
I’ve enjoyed my time in the open studio, and at the end of this month that position will be over with. Time really does fly! I’ve met quite a few wonderful as well as interesting people during my time there. I’ve also realized that I don’t think having an open studio year-round is quite the right thing for me – I prefer having the flexibility to dabble in a variety of things as a means to get my work “out there.” So this Visiting Artist position has been just the right thing for me – it’s given me a taste of what it’s like working in a studio that’s open to the public – and also setting up shop there.
Anyway, it’s getting late, and I should start planning out one of the talks I’m giving this week. I hope everyone had a happy Monday!
