Deep Sea Diving

As I previously mentioned, the last couple of weeks I've been working on mermaids, one of my least favorite mythical creatures.  The tiny mermaids were for a synchronized swimming team.  One of the team members contacted me saying that they'd like to have necklaces made of their mascot, a mermaid, and that their team colors were red, white and blue.

The client chose the tiny mermaid with her hair in a bun, and with the starfish decorations, because in synchronized swimming, when you swim your routine you put your hair up in a bun with Knox Gelatin and usually bobby pin in some sort of sequined hat.

After the client made her decision I decided to do a recolor of the girl with the octopus on her head in a color pallet that I find more appealing.  It's the little synchro mermaid's cousin, the deep sea zombie mermaid.

Finally, I couldn't let my three day weekend pass with out doing some painting.  Got out the blue paint and another Angler Fish appeared.  This one is just another Mini Painting, and measures 1.5" x 1.75", and is in gouache (of course).

 Above from "Zombies in Love" by Scott C.

And in closing, I had the opportunity to go check out a pretty awesome gallery show/book signing/drawing demo over at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, CA with my friend Brianne.  They were releasing "Zombies In Love" by Scott C. and it was a ton of fun.  They encouraged people to dress up in prom clothes or as zombies, so as I was walking around looking at the beautiful original paintings from the book, I was surrounded by zombie prom attendees. If you live in the Los Angeles area I totally recommend checking it out before the show comes down on the 26th of September (2011).  If you don't live in L.A. you can pick up a copy of the book over at Amazon.

Fantastic Frida

Fantastic because she's FINALLY FINISHED!

Had some trouble with color on this one.  Note to self, stick to three color schemes or do better planning earlier on.  After many different tries this was the one I settled on.

Work, as usual has been interesting.  A lot to get used to even when you have "down" time between boards.  Revisions were nice to do though.  Got to work with two new directors doing revisions for them and it's nice to work on both sides of the storyboarding process.

. . .and I ramble.  Enjoy Frida and have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Things Going On!

First an announcement.  Even though I've known about this for a couple of weeks I totally forgot to start pimping it and realized that the opening for it is this FRIDAY (March 4th, 2011).  I asked if I could participate in a Gallery Show being curated by the Women In Animation organization.  As I said, the opening is being held this Friday evening, March 4th, 2011 from 6-9pm at the Animation Guild's fancy new building's gallery space.  For more information visit the Women In Animation or the Animation Guild's sites.

As for the pieces, I'll post the finished one next week.  Two of them will be old one's with the finished new one you can see above.

Next Crypt of DOOM!!  stuff.  I created this new little gem.  I've made her into the regular DS Charm, Earrings, and a single Hair Clip.  If I get enough custom requests/purchases I'll probably offer it as a pair of hair clips, but I'm testing the waters right now.  So far the reaction has been pretty positive.  Which mean's I'll probably make a couple more new skulls before the end of the year.  (Wow, this blog entry is ramble-ier than usual.)

Finally, I actually will be participating in another art show over at the NEW Monkeyhouse Toys location, in Silverlake, on March 19th.  The piece is actually done WAY ahead of time, but I'm holding off posting it here until closer to the date of the show.  All I have to say is that it was a ton of fun to work on, but the custom matte I invested in has made the piece truly SING.

Well, that's it!  Thanks for stopping by and checking in with me, I'm always grateful.  :D

Sugar Skulls

Well, as many of my Facebook friends know (as they have bombarded all week with this), I've created a new design for the Crypt of Doom, and I must say, it's doing rather well.

Like most adorably macabre artists, I have quite a sweet spot for Sugar Skulls, but I've been hesitant to draw any.  I think part of it is that I wanted to really try to make my Sugar Skulls look like the actual thing and not one inspired by tattoo art.  I love the bold colors and the fun patterns.

Anywho, so far I've used the one design to create the typical Cell Phone Charm, a pair of earrings, and for the first time, a hair clip/bobby pin.

Sugar Skull Cell Phone/ DS Charm

Sugar Skull Post Earrings

Sugar Skull Hair Clip/Bobby Pin

I think I'll probably do one or two more Sugar Skulls (for variety) and then move on to other adorably macabre subject matter. . . like my dear old friend the Voodoo Doll.

This week I'm going to be attempting to finish a long over due painting for a former coworker.  Which I will probably post next week once complete.

More Gadgets and another Bat

Well, with Valentine's Day being this Sunday, here is my final lovey-dovey post for the year. :) If you can't tell, bats really do love Valentine's Day.

Any who, this little guy was designed as a back up to the Bat's Kissing drawing. Bat's kissing was supposed to be a cell phone charm for all the little dark darlings out there who enjoy the holiday. Unfortunately, once it shrank, it was a tad too dark and detailed for anyone to see what was going on. So it was back to the drawing board.

And here is the finished Valentine's Day Bat charm. It's on sale in my little Crypt of Doom as we speak (read?).

And yes, I drew more Gadgets. I was lucky enough to get a test for a yet undisclosed boy's action show that is to be set 5 years into the future. They needed some gadgets and a vehicle to see if I could cut the mustard. . . and although I cut the cheese instead, it was a lot of fun to work on.

Bats Love Valentine's Day

Bat's are so CUTE!

I was trying to think what would be a good Valentine's day treat for my  Crypt of Doom, and stumbled upon this idea.

I will probably turn it into a cellphone charm. I also want to do a snotty heart. Hopefully both of those items will be available in the shop before weekend's end.

Cellphone Charms of MASS DESTRUCTION!!

Okay, they're only of mass destruction because it took me a month and all 6 sheets of my ink jet shrinky dink paper to figure out that I wasn't cooking them LONG enough. Fortunately when I figured that bone headed move out I was able to save the half of them that I hadn't put sealant on yet.

I'm pretty happy with how they turned out honestly. The ink jet shrinky dink paper is pretty awesome. I had some problems at first due to my printer and trying to figure out the proper setting for it. Then was the cooking problem, which I already described, but after that was all fixed and resolved, each of the charms received two coats of the sealant recommended on the packaging. Then for good measure I did a Krylon spray varnish coat. Hopefully that seals them for a while. :D I added little badges to them, as you can see from the photo, which has my web address on them. I guess they're kind of like fancy little business cards!

Anywho, if your interested they're available in my Etsy Shop for $4 a piece ($2 for shipping).