Saturday, December 31, 2011

Pay It Forward


This is one of my pay it forward 2011 trades- with Alex Luko [link]

I read this blog [link] a friend of mine wrote about paper clay and I decided to try it for myself. I thought this was the perfect opportunity.His core is made of tin foil and his legs have wire supports. There is also a tiny magnet in his foot. The paper clay is very light and I liked that it was easy to sand. 

I enjoyed working on this guy so I might do some more sculptures in the future!






2011 at a Glance

2011 at a Glance
A lot of good things happened this year.
Richard moved up and I got some part time jobs.
Bought a used flat file and made a workbench.
Became a semifinalist in 2 contests.
Got some commission work and started up my online shop.

And I just know that 2012 is going to be even better!
Wishing you all a happy and productive new year!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas Birds


This is the bird illustration I made for my mom for Christmas! It is 8x16 inches paper on canvas.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Christmas Card 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!


This is the second year I have been commissioned by Service Master by Harris to create their Christmas Card. This year they were looking for a more traditional look.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Wool Felt

I ordered some wool felt back in August and have been experimenting with it in-between lager projects.
I made a wolf pin based on my run red design.
Mouse/rat pouch is not quite finished, I'm still working on the blanket stitch around the edge.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Exciting News! - The Plaid Peacock

Friends! I have an exciting announcement to make. You can now buy my awesome hand made goods at two physical locations instead of just on the internet!

The first place is the Plaid Peacock.
It is a retail shop that sells art and products made by Iowa artist and producers. The Plaid Peacock is owned by Heidi and Jessica, a mother daughter team, and they just had their grand opening on November 12th. Plus they are super nice, if you live in Waterloo you should drop by and check it out!  
316 W 3rd Street, Ste 1
Waterloo, Ia 50701

The Second place is Van Doren's Custom Picture Framing
This is actually the frame shop that I work at. It is a small, locally owned, business where you can have your pictures framed, buy prints, and now buy some of my things!
1100 Commercial Street
Waterloo, IA 50702

Also last weekend I participated in the Sycamore Craft Market held at the Sycamore mall in Iowa City. Here are some photos my booth and the things I was selling.


My Mom came with me to help out!
Kingston was good help too.
Paper Flowers.
Crane Earrings.
This is a stack of hand made spiral books I did for the craft show. Soon the will be available on my Etsy shop.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Gears of War 3 Contest

Exciting news everyone! Richard and I were selected as a semifinalist in the Gears of War 3 desktop background contest over on Deviantart. Which means they are going to send us some money and a copy of the game! 
It was a collaborative piece. We both brainstormed the concept and created thumb nail sketches together. Richard did the pencils, I did the inking (with no help from Oliver our kitten), he then colored it in the computer and I provided the textures.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Day of the Dead Post Card Competition

This was my submission to the Day of the Dead Post Card Competition held by the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.

I wanted experiment with some new techniques on this. After Mr. Bury gave such a raving review of paper clay I decided to try it out. I built up his face with the clay, sanded it and then painted it with acrylic paint. The background is painted with india ink and the speech bubble is a black paper cut out.

I haven't had a chance to see the show yet but in this picture from the Mill City Times you can see my piece! If you follow that link you can also see more submissions from this show.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Fourth Annual Mini Works Show! APPITITE

I am excited to announce that I am included in this years Mini Works Show at the Unison Gallery at Water Street Market in New York !

September 13 – October 10, 2011

Unison Gallery at Water Street Market proudly announces its Fourth Annual Mini Works Show. Curated by Eileen Hedley and April Warren, the theme of this year's exhibition is APPETITE. Appetite can be interpreted in a variety of ways, including a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need or a stong desire or liking for something. Artists are challenged to create works in a 5" x 5" format that reflects upon or reinterprets this theme. Our objective is to fill the smallest gallery space in New Paltz: it's a clown-car of an art show. Link



Saturday, September 10, 2011

Polaroid Camer Lino Cut

Remember my Polaroid drawing I did earlier this year? Well I decided to create a linocut based on that image.
 First I transfered my drawing onto a Master Carve block with tracing paper.
Then I carved out the design. Our new Kitten Oliver likes to sit on my desk and "help" me work.
 The final product!
 Some of the proofs and prints I pulled.
 These cards are now available on my Etsy Shop!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Baby Jones and Other Onesies



Some onesies I gave to my good friend Lizzy for her new baby girl! I actually made the Baby Jones one a couple years ago (Based on the infamous Davy Jones of Pirates of the Caribbean) . The two on the bottom are new. I cut a sticker stencil of the rat and elephant and then sprayed them with non-toxic spray dye.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Run Red on Threadless



Run Red!
Dear friends and watchers, this design is up for voting on Threadless.com! If you are unfamiliar with this website, it works like this. Artist and designers summit designs and people can vote on them. If the design gets enough votes then it is turned into shirts and other products! You can vote now here if you like my design!




Click this image below for a close up on the design!



Sunday, July 10, 2011

Marbled Paper

Guess who has been experimenting with marbled paper?
Marbled paper is created by floating ink on a thick liquid called size. You draw and push around the ink until a pattern you like emerges then you transfer it to paper or other surfaces if you like!

This one the ink has been transferred to black paper.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

New Work Bench


This is the new work bench I have been working on for the past month. I bought a used flat file on Ebay and then my Dad and I built the work bench around it. I got the counter top made with a hole in it to facilitate a light box. Richard and I put the final coat of varnish on it Tuesday and we installed it yesterday!