Flight W.I.P.

I've had this one simmering inside my head for a long time. Have you ever felt something so deeply but haven't known how to give it voice? It was vital that this idea didn't fall into typical or obvious cliche. I've been thinking and collecting images that offered possibilities to support this concept and so far have come up with this. 

 I began with several photo references, concentrating on shape and gesture. I made a detailed sketch and scanned it in.

 Next I placed one of my favorite textures over the sketch and did some erasing to allow the sketch to come through the multiplied layer.

Started painting, taking my time. I play with it every morning before working on my current commission. I have several ideas for the background but will have to see which supports the concept the best.

Well, timer just buzzed.....off to work.

Butterfly Girl Final

"Butterfly Girl"

Watercolor and Oil on Gesso.

10" x 11.5"

Butterfly Girl WIP

Here are some progress shots of Butterfly Girl.

Above:
 Beginning sketch. I'm drawing on a heavy piece of Arches hot press watercolor paper after reading that several artists (Allen Williams in particular) use it. I really like the texture of its surface. Holds up to a lot of erasing too. Using a soft lead in a .03 mechanical pencil. Darkening with a Caran d'Ache Grafwood 4B pencil.

At this point, I felt the sketch was complete and as you can see from my post, the original sketch was sold at Spectrum Live. Thank goodness for scanners. I printed the sketch out on a piece of Lanaquarelle WC paper, 140 lb. paper. After I stretched and stapled down the paper, I put a thin coat of white gesso over the printed sketch. I could still make out the lines, though they were faint. I then took a pencil and reinforced some of the lines that were lost. 

I then started painting it with watercolors and going back and lifting out the color with a wet brush where needed. Once completely dry, I will put a few light coats of acrylic matte medium and start putting down some oil glazes. 

Aging and Art

I don't believe one grows older. 

I think that what happens early on in life is that at a certain age one stands still and stagnates. 

~T.S. Eliot

I've made no secret of my age. I turned 60 in February. Admittedly, I am late to the party as far as beginning this art/illustrator endeavor. While at Spectrum Live, I had some age-related experiences that were a bit revealing. A few times, I was mistaken for Kim Kincaid's mother since I surely couldn't be her. On the other hand, on three different occasions young, eager art students asked me if I would look at their portfolios ( I agreed and sort of faked it). The problem is, I'm the age of many of the professionals who have invested 30+ years in the industry but I'm closer to those students where experience in the field (the lack thereof) is concerned. 

Everyone is the age of their heart.  ~Guatemalan Proverb

Since the "Rising Star" acknowledgement I have been surprised by the supportive emails individuals have kindly taken the time to send me. Most have been from fellow artists who are trying to realize their artistic dreams despite a "delayed" start. Though often discouraged, they keep at it. Jennifer Oliver  (who has had a vast career in the art field) recently emailed me this note that simply made my day:

Kim: I now use you as an example for my students in the 34-65 age bracket who worry that they are "too old" to be starting careers as an illustrator! I don't refer to you as a student to my own students, but as a "rising start illustrator" who started her career a bit later than most. I hear so much whining from students over 30 (and some as young as 26) about it "being too late" for them to seriously work toward attaining their dream job. When I show them your work and the Muddy Colors post about you, then let them know that you're a grandmother who put her career on hold to raise her family for 30 years-that seems to completely change their perspective. They put away their angst and focus on their assignments and goals again. Who knows; your example may be the very thing that keeps them on course and out of a therapist's chair!  :-)

Now I don't know if I've inspired anyone. That certainly isn't the reason for this post. But it was shocking to me that someone as young as 30 might feel they are too old to work toward realizing their dream.

A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. ~John Barrymore

I do not regret having my family and spending my more youthful years loving and nurturing our children. The life lessons that parenting has given me are priceless. Those experiences have expanded and deepened my emotional threshold and bring a whole different dimension to my art that would be hard to duplicate in a classroom setting or on the job.

“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, 

but their inward significance.”

-Aristotle

So what's the point of this post? Age is what you make it. If I choose to make it an issue, it's going to trip me  up. Yes, there might be some Art Director who will make it a problem but the truth is this: 

Ultimately, I will be judged on the strength of my art. And that holds true for every artist, no matter where you find yourself on this world's timeline. 

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you."

—Maya Angelou

So come on people, young and old. 

Let's do what it takes to reveal that story within us.  Let's give it "voice".

 There is room for all. 

My First Show - Spectrum Live II

 I've been home for almost a week since Spectrum Live. It was a wonderful experience overall. I got in late Friday night so I missed the preview. But come Saturday morning I walked over early to set out my prints and take a look at the event. On my way over, I ran into Dan Dos Santos who graciously walked me through the set-up process along with his assistant, Lindsey Look.

Here is the entrance to the show with bigger banners outside the building.

Here's Dan at his booth, signing some of his admirer's purchases. To the left of Dan... 

...was Greg Manchess's display. He was NEVER without someone asking him to look at a portfolio or something else. 

His "Helmet" series all sold before I even arrived. So did his "Major Tom". 

On the right of Dan was a demonstration area where both Donato and Greg did some demos for the crowd. And behind that was the "Muddy Colors" display.

  Above are Liz Pulido and Ryan Lee. The young woman holding the cup is Karla Ortiz who is amazing! Watch out for all these youngsters. I predict big adventures for all of them.

And here are all four of us. I'm the more "mature" woman in the middle. Mia Araujo is on the far right.   

Surrounding us were Justin Gerard and Cory Godbey, both delightful young men who did a lot of business.                                    

Charles Vess was there just around the corner selling his Cats of Tanglewood Forest book.

Chris Rahn was there.

The wonderful graphite magician Allen Williams too. Both he and Cory Godbey brought home Spectrum awards.

IMC buddy Drew Baker was there.

One of my all-time favorite artist, Jean-Baptiste Monge was there with his delightful partner, Margo. I was so pleased to see prints now available through their own company as well as a comprehensive art book which he is personalizing for me below. 

 Of course, Donato was there...

with his lucky Smaug singed name tag.

His booth was so beautiful. He had a lottery for an original toned print.

I put a lot of names on people's faces from both Facebook and  SmART School. I also discovered some artists who were new to me.

Armand Baltazar blew me away with his sketchbook and book concept.

I was able to convince Bill Carman to sell me one of his prints and now I have a few family members fighting over it. Tohru Patrick Awa had this incredible Oz print I had to bring home. John Esh enticed me with one of his graphic oil prints. Meeting and dining with Paul Bonner, Bill Carman, Donato, Tara Chang, Jean-Baptiste, Margo, and the White Cloud  Worlds New Zealanders was also a highlight of the weekend. There was so much to take in folks. I'm not sure I even made it to all the booths there. And the lectures? I didn't make it to one. Ridiculous, right? But seriously, I would start to go to the lecture room and got distracted either from visiting or gawking at someone's work. 

But the biggest "event" for me was experiencing my first original sale.

This is Rich and he is a collector and he bought my sketch of the Butterfly Girl to take home to his wife. 

I sold many prints there but selling an original was a thrill I wasn't prepared for. Floating....yes, I was floating for the rest of the day.

So, my deepest thanks to Tara Chang, Muddy Colors, and especially Dan Dos Santos for giving me this opportunity. Having this experience has encouraged me to try another show next year as an official exhibitor.

Hope to see you there. 

Spectrum Live 2

 I am heading to my very first show this Friday. 

Because of the generosity of  Muddy Color's Rising Star contest  my work already has a place there at the Spectrum Live 2. At first I wasn't going to attend due to some conflicts here at home. Once those conflicts were resolved I confronted my demons with the help of friends and family, decided to gather my courage and GO.  Housing isn't a problem due to two kind offers to share hotel space (thanks Tara and Christine). Plus, Muddy Colors is providing the winners complimentary three day passes to the event. I know many people from IMC so I will be among friends and acquaintances. SFAL will be the perfect introduction to the Sci-fi/Fantasy Art Convention for this Con neophyte.

Though I have sold prints, I haven't tried to sell an original piece of art before. Knowing my painting will be hanging with the incredible work of Dan Dos Santos and the other pros at Muddy Colors is reward enough.   

I will have various prints for sale there and tried to offer a variety of

sizes and prices. I've also thrown in a few original sketches. 

We will see what the weekend brings.

Things I'm Anticipating in 2013

I know, 2013 is in full swing. Should have done this in January. Story of my life right now, as you can tell by my lapse in blogging. SmART School finished last week and I will miss it terribly. Some of the students are trying to stay in touch with critique groups so we can motivate and encourage each other...keep the momentum going.

I haven't blogged about books too much but here are a couple I am looking forward to reading. 

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stievfater

This is the second in the Raven Boys series. Maggie has a distinct voice that I've come to love. Her book,  "Scorpio Races" is one of my favorites. Sept. 17th. 

This is already out and my daughter took it to read so I wouldn't be tempted to start reading instead of working. Quintana is the conclusion of the Lumatere Chronicles I raved about in an older post. It is the carrot at the end of the stick after I finish the children's book finals.

A lot of buzz about this one by Rick Yancey. It's going with me on the airplane to Kansas City next weekend. (More on that later).

A Facebook friend recommended this trilogy to me. It begins with the Prince of Thorns. I almost stopped reading but was rewarded at the end. Excellent writing. Unpredictable. A complex character I'm still not sure about but definitely invested in. Aug. 8th

I've clamored on and on about Mr. Yancey's Monstrumology series. This isn't for everyone but I'm so glad I gave it a chance. This concludes the story of dear, Will Henry and I fear for him. Sept. 10th.

There are many movies I'm looking forward to but Ender's Game is at the top of the list. If they botch it, I will throw a tizzy fit. November 1st. Get ready Jake. You know where you and Grams are going to be on your birthday. 

How about you? Any books to pass on? Movies? Events?