I’m not quite sure how I forgot to share this news on the blog but just realized I hadn’t said a word about it here! Well, here it is. I’m working on a coloring book that will be part of Dover Publications “Creative Haven” series!!
I’ve been busy creating around 30 images to be included in the book. Here are a few progress images from the last couple of weeks:
Four pieces near completion
Beginning
Beginning
Something a little different
Something a lot different!
I am hoping to have them all submitted in the next week or so, the book should be published this fall sometime. I’ll be sure to let you know when it’s coming out! One of the gallery spaces I work with is talking about hosting a show of the original works as well as a book signing. Fun stuff! In the meantime I’m busy each day dreaming and drawing new images. My compass has been getting a good workout and my markers even more so!
One of the first pieces I created in my newest series “Wood|Stone|Metal”, this is “Serendipity”. The entire series could have been named that, it just came together in a delightful way! For many years I’ve collect bits of driftwood, sticks, stones and other items as I’ve traveled through life knowing that “someday” I would do something with them. With that stash of fun things around I was posed the question “what did you really enjoy doing as a child?” and immediately my love for collecting rocks in a shoebox popped into my mind. Even if they were just small pieces of gravel from our driveway adorned with paint, I spent many happy hours with rocks, as well as playing in nature with whatever I could find. But how to incorporate all that into works of art? That was when the exploring began. Sorting, stacking, painting, and arranging I began to gather/create items that might work together in a natural way. With the plasma cutter I started a collection of steel and copper shapes to use.
From my newly gathered stash of scrap balsa wood pieces I began to shape organic, rock-like pieces.
Rocks were pulled from jars, boxes and storage spots…as well as the landscape!
Driftwood, collected on my travels, was unearthed and more sticks gathered in our woods were stripped, cleaned and bleached to add to the pile.
I also began experimenting with paint on stones.
Over the course of several weeks I gathered, created and prepared. Then it was a bit like solving puzzles, choosing which pieces went with which, how they should be arranged and what made me happiest. Here are images of the process for this piece as it evolved:
Although I ended up with more wall art than sculptures, it was fun to express myself in a more dimensional form. Look for both types to be featured over the following weeks!
Wow…didn’t realize this never got posted! It’s been hanging around in the “drafts” folder since September! Ooops!
The second of two commissioned art pieces I created this summer, Diversify hangs above a children’s exam table in a medical facility. Bold colored paint over lightweight balsa wood, wires and glass balls (repurposed and supplied by the client) were all brought together to make this fun ceiling sculpture. Here are some of work-in-progress images:
And a few different views of the installed piece:
I really enjoyed designing and creating this piece…as you’ll see in future post I continued to work with balsa for several more months!
I thought I’d share some recent fractal creations with you today. It seems this time of year I’m drawn to bright colors as I wait impatiently for springtime. This year has been no exception, although this first piece only has a hint of spring color!
I’ve also gotten into a routine where I create three of these images at a setting. Seems like after the third my brain has had enough!
These images build, one to the next, with added layers, effects and closer details. Sometimes you can see the growth but often they end up looking totally different from their sources. I like that each is unique and stands on it’s own.
Do you have habits and routines in your creativity?
In case you missed it I am excited to be sharing an upcoming venue with other digital artists that would like to show their work! The details and entry form are located at http://cybernatedartistry.wordpress.com.the deadline is in one week! I hope you’ll consider entering and help show the public how diverse digital art can be!
If you aren’t a digital artist then instead of entering I am asking you to attend! Here is an image of the postcard announcement with all the details:
See you there!
Lynne
PS – So, after passing out these postcards and publishing the image all over the web it was pointed out to me I have the wrong date printed on there for the reception. Sheesh. If I confused you, my apologies…it is indeed a Friday – the 10th.
Sorry for the lack of blogging lately! Life’s been full of busy-ness and the last couple of days I’ve felt kinda lousy too. Hopefully both those things will improve soon and I can get back here on a regular basis.
In the meantime I thought I’d share a few more images created with some smart phone programs and then enhanced a bit in Photoshop. I’ve gone a bit crazy with these but since all I’ve done the last few days is lay around on the couch it was an easy thing to get obsessed with.
I think they appeal to me because they remind me a lot of mandala artwork. Plus my laptop is out for repairs so I haven’t been able to create any fractal art lately, I had to find an outlet somewhere. 🙂 These have really but fun, even though the files are so tiny they aren’t really applicable for much as far as reproduction. Sometimes art is just for the sake of creating it!
Now for the reminder portion of the post! If you enjoy digital art, or just want to see some samples of what it’s all about – don’t forget to check out my other blog – digital+art+daily! I’ll be posting these newly created images there for the next several weeks.
