29 Oct 2009
General

It’s been a while …

There is nothing worse than a “I haven’t updated in a while” entry, but I suppose that is what this will be.  It isn’t for lack of creativity, since the past two months have had me busy with several projects, but ultimately something falls through the cracks and this online blog was one of them.

My first drawing ATC style

My first drawing ATC style

I’ve discovered the addictive world of Art Trading Cards which has kept me busy in my off hours.  It isn’t so much the promise of a card trade that motivates me; it’s more a matter of the size of the work.  I find that after a long day of working on data and programming, I really want to draw or paint but working on a traditionally sized “large” piece isn’t what I’m up for.  Sometimes I’m just looking for what I call the quick win.  Art cards fill this need because the can be completed quickly and you can experiment a little without feeling like you are ruining a whole lot of paper if it doesn’t work out. 

Day of the Dead Bride

Day of the Dead Bride

 

My first pieces were fun and simple a few day of the dead inspired skulls, a robot and a mushroom. It is standard iconography for me.  

Fantasy Flower

Fantasy FlowerMushrooms

Feeling dissatisfied with the saturation of color in my watercolor’s so far I used the cards to experiment with darker or more intense colors. Abstract landscape type pieces in the small format allowed me to be comfortable experimenting.  I feel most of it worked out quite well for me.  They also allowed me to loosen up a bit. 

Tomato

TomatoColored Pencil Landscape Red Landscape

Green Landscape

Green Landscape

 

Longer Landscape on Scrap WC Paper

Longer Landscape on Scrap WC Paper

In regards to larger pieces I have laid out a nice composition which I haven’t worked on too much.  I did have issues with the paper, and let’s just say that it isn’t wise to keep a piece of stretched piece of watercolor hanging around for a decade to gather dust. I’m trying to make the resulting texture work for me.  It may or it may not – the jury is still out on that, however, my best intentions are to finish it. 
Concept for The World Card

Concept for The World Card

Autumn brings about its own set of extra distractions. Holiday decorating, baking and crafting are prominent players in my life and well being.  I did start a few craft items, and did finish painting a pre-purchased paper-mache skull but I accomplished much less crafting than I wanted to.  The calendar seems to be opening up and I know I will find myself with that extra time to be creative that I crave. 

Two of Pumpkins

Two of Pumpkins

Halloween Jack

Halloween Jack

Halloween Medusa

Halloween Medusa

Michael | No comments

Leave a Reply