7-13-11

Here are a couple of photographs I've done recently.  I'm becoming fond of half images, taken on the first or last exposures on a roll of film like in the cup of tea.  It's esthetically pleasing to me and both a bit iconic and humorous. 

   

Snuggle Bunny

I'm doing a series entitled 'Silly Wabbit,' the first of which is 'Snuggle Bunny.'  It's up on my etsy site.  

I'm hoping that my allergies calm down enough for me to go out and take some new photos of flowers!  The past few days have seen an abundance of new blooms....and that means an abundance of pollen.  Argh.  Got some new bits for my dremel tool, and so I am planning on playing with that.  I have a box of bass wood that I want to play with - I'm thinking dolls, but who knows exactly what will be created!  During my time indoors, I might also try and finish up some of the other projects previously featured on this blog.  Oddly, my photographs get a lot more hits on Etsy than anything else, which is why I've been focusing on them.  That, and photography doesn't make a mess of our one bedroom apartment.  Sometimes it's just nice to have a clean place, you know? 

Deterioration Detective

Title: Deterioration Detective
Medium: Acrylics
Artist: Jennifer Schmidt
previously featured in Tzeta Gallery

This is a painting that I'm quite proud of.  Done in earth tones, it portrays the battle between nature and man.  Yet, it also shows a new incorporation of nature within man's cities.  There's hope.  Our deterioration detective is observant, yet calm and positive.

The Winter Berry Lanterns 8x10 Photograph

Here's another photograph that I took of the Winter Berry/Chinese Lantern plant.  I can't get over how gorgeous this plant is!!  The colors of the husk are amazing.  I really like how saturated everything is in this photo. 

Deteriorating Lantern

I love this plant!  It goes by the names Winter Berry, Chinese Lantern, Japanese Lantern, Winter Cherry.  What you see is the husk that surrounds the fruit.  The husk starts out a bright orange-red.  It deteriorates to what you see, a gorgeous mixture of tan, red, orange with dark green splotches.

New Photograph is in the store!!!

I just added an 8x10 matte print of my photograph 'Curling Thoughts' to my etsy store.  CLICK HERE for a direct link! 

I used a Pentax K10D for this shot and printed it on Fujicolor Crystal Archive paper that will last forever.  

New item in my store!

Hi Awesome People,

My new glasses should be in pretty soon, so expect much more activity very soon!  Thankfully, being offline has brought an end to most of the migraines. 

I was able to add a photograph entitled 'Catching Glimmer, Reaching Stardust' in my Etsy store.  Here is a direct link.  It was done with true black and white film, but I printed it this time in color so that it has a toned hue.  That's my hand, with a still life set up in the background with intense light bouncing up.  It's sort of an esoteric, hopeful, dreamy piece and I quite like it.  It is professionally printed on Fujicolor Crystal Archive paper - and, if you don't know, when something it professionally printed that means it is a real photograph.  This is not done with a computer and a home printer.

I'm not sure why Blogger is doing this, but there are no white borders on the top and bottom of the print - only on the sides.  Print is on 8x10 paper, actual image size is 6 3/4" x 10".

A New Relic = Mother Mary

Headaches seem to have subsided - YAY! - and so I've finally been able to really get back to my art.  This is a piece that has been in production for about six months, off and on, that I showed you in my last post.  Well, it is nearing completion....finally.  You see, it is a piece of extremes.  Each step swings back and forth between gorgeousness and utter failure.  Currently, it is gorgeous. 

I'm still having some camera trouble.  Here it is in natural light and then with flash:

Art through Migraines!

I've been suffering through migraines the past few days, which has led to an artistic explosion today!  To me, it makes the pain worth it. 

First up is a spiritual piece depicting the Virgin Mary.  It is taped because glue is drying.  This is a 3D piece, and I'm sort of feeling my way through making this. 

The next is a doll head that I spent pretty much all day working on.  It is done in Sculpey clay and has yet to be baked [because I may decide it needs some more work]:

New Painting - Playful Mermaids!

I completed this new painting using a variety of new techniques.  With wet gesso, I transferred a photo I took onto a canvas, then applied gloss gel over it.  Before the gel dried, I gave the piece some texture by dipping into it with a paint brush.  I then applied some glass bead gel into some of the crevices and painted the piece in layers.  I'm pretty happy with it, but am having a problem properly photographing it - all photos came out blurry.  Then I realized that I could scan it.  ....I'm not too happy with the results, but it's all I have for now.  I want to get a proper scan done so that I can sell prints of this piece.

It's entitled Playful Mermaids:

....see what I mean about the photo/scan quality?

My Etsy Store Is Open!!!!

Hello lovelies!!!

I'm happy to announce the opening of my Etsy store, Panoptic Empyrean!  Please check it out, more items will be added all the time. 

In other news, check out the progress on my Raven Man:

A little something

Hello you wonderful people! 

Here is a new little piece I'm working on - the late rabbit!  Like with the birds, I'm not exactly sure how he'll be implemented.  He may become a brooch, pendant or be embedded within another piece of art.  Or perhaps just framed!  I used water color pencils, but only water blended in a few areas as I found that I quite liked the sketchy look. 

Raven Man

Hello lovelies! 

I'm currently working on a paperclay sculpture/doll piece.  I'm going to try to keep the wings capable of rotating in the finished piece.  I began the body and then decided to experiment with adding black paint to the clay on the wings.  It gave a nice chalky effect.  I think I might give him a vest and perhaps a hat or a crown.  Over the next few days I'll be sure to post more photos of my progress.  Hopefully by the time I'm done with him the store will be running! 

I'll be building up the lower body with more clay.  I wasn't sure about how to connect the wings and so I had to sort of feel things out.  My husband gave me the idea of doing a series of angels in this basic way.  I CAN'T WAIT!!  Once Raven Man is fully sculpted, I'll be sealing him, painting him and then sealing him again.  ...I've found that adding paint to unfinished paperclay makes the clay soft and details are lost. 

Bird musings

I love birds!  They're so cute and soft looking.  I got to raise a couple of wrens one summer when my Dad unknowingly bought a shrub with their nest in it at the local nursery.  It was a fantastic experience! 

Here are a few drawings I've done of birds, and more will surely follow.  Not sure exactly what I'm going to do with them.  Make them into pendants for necklaces or brooches?  Put them into little frames?  So many possibilities!!!  

You know what else I love?  Birds wearing clothing! 

Here's the one that started it all.  I've framed him in a cut aluminum can that's been painted and sealed [all sharp parts have been taken care of].  In the back there is a perforation in order to hang it upon the wall.  It's very rustic looking and I've applied a crackle finish with a stain. 

Gift for a friend

A dear friend of mine had all sorts of exciting life changes, and so I wanted to make her a gift.  Sculpture had always been my most beloved medium, yet I hadn't been able to sculpt in over 5 or 6 years.  In fact, before her, I had stopped doing any sort of art.  She encouraged me to start again, and look at how far I've come!  One of her favorite characters of all time is Loki the god of mischief.  I did a paper clay sculpture of him for her, and since she received it in the mail today I can now post it on my blog! 

Watercolors are fun

Hello lovelies! 

I've completed a watercolor of a young woman wearing a crocheted shawl.  I'm quite happy with it, but realize that I don't properly know how to stretch the paper so that it doesn't warp when dry.  Therefore, this will either be framed or shellacked to a board.  Got a book at the library, and it says that I need an absorbent board to put the paper on.  ....that is probably the problem, and one I need to fix.  I currently don't have an absorbent board, but I'm sure I can find something that will work. 

Doll Series

I plan on doing a series of dolls.  The original came about organically and quite unexpectedly.  Hand stitched of felt, sealed, painted and sealed again, the overall result is one that somehow speaks to me on a deep spiritual level.  Upon completion, my art took a turn from more gothic and creepy to uplifting and innocent humor.  Not to say that I don't like both - I do!  Anyone who knows me can attest to my love of all things creepy.  Yet this one little doll began a new branch on my art tree, one I'm excited to continue exploring.

So far I have two complete.  The first will never be sold.  I believe he was meant for me.  I love how he almost looks as though he's made of leather.  That serene, balanced look on his face is one that calms me.  Meditative.  Peaceful, like the true constant that our souls really are.

I've already depicted the second in the series, but will do so again: This is a guardian angel who's seen battle, but has won and is still strong and serene.  Angels are fascinating creatures and I adore them.

 

The store is about ready to go.  It's up, but there are a few little things to work out before I put up any products.  If even one of you is as excited as I am, this will do well!  Thanks so much for visiting and come back soon as the art just keeps coming!