sweet enemy art

sweet & melancholy

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:15:00 +0000

After a record amount of snow yesterday, I was able to sleep in a bit this morning, having the day off. Got into the studio even before I had breakfast, painted for at least 20 minutes, then went to find something to eat. And then went right back to the studio.
What helps keep me glued to the seat is having something good to listen to, and this morning it was an audio book of "Animal Farm." After having read some of the "Freddy the Pig" series by Walter R. Brooks, I was intrigued to find that Orwell wrote his book in 1945, well after the Freddy series began (in 1927.) I hadn't read "Animal Farm" since the '90's, so it was high time, and there it was waiting for me at the library. Obviously Animal Farm is an excellent--though depressing--allegory, but it's amusing to note the many similarities it has to the very amusing & well written Freddy series.
And needless to say, it's an odd mix to have a cheery painting going on the easel while an allegory of the Soviet Union is playing in the background.

Took a break mid-day to attend the funeral of Rita Roy, mother of my own mother's best friend Therese. Barely made it there in time, but was so glad I went. Therese & her husband are both wonderful musicians and each contributed to a part of the ceremony. James played oboe during one part, later Therese with her violin while he accompanied on the piano. Watching & listening to them play, especially in such a setting, I don't know if I could convey how sweetly it came across.
After the funeral, there was an honest-to-goodness church-lady meal (oh marshmallowy-green-fruit-stuff, so tasty) and for a brief time, we were able to visit with Therese, her sisters, and Mom's friend Annie.

The day wrapped up a bit with a massage, which I have almost ruined the effect of by coming home to paint more at my desk, and oh yes, to type on the computer.
Now the winds are picking up outside, I think another branch just fell off of the pine outside my window, and it's time to go to bed. Actually, I should have been in bed an hour ago.
Hopefully I'll be posting an image or two tomorrow of what I worked on this morning.

More images for the demo!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:50:00 +0000

Right. So, if you missed it, this is for the
Acrylic Underpainting Techniques
Free demonstration at Artists' Mediums, Williston, VT
Saturday February 27th, 2010
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Okay! Here are a few more pieces I've prepared for the demonstration. It's really hard to stop at the underpainting stage on some of these, because I really like what's going on, and want to keep doing it.

That's about all that I have the patience to upload tonight. The internet is moving at molasses speed, and I want to get back to the paint. So here's a link to my flickr stream, where you'll find a few more of these pieces.

Acrylic Underpaintings

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 17:54:00 +0000

Acrylic Underpainting Techniques
Free demonstration at Artists' Mediums, Williston, VT
Saturday February 27th, 2010
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In preparation for this weekend's demonstration, here's a peek at at least one image.
As usual, I've made a huge list of things I want to show, namely different grounds and techniques for applying them. Colored pencil on watercolor canvas, colored pumice grounds, etc. A pile of samples is currently building up by the door. I also am working on a more complex piece in grisaille, based on Arkonbey's original sketch. I haven't quite captured the original expressions yet. But some of the shadows overall are pretty decent.

More images to follow as we go!

Listening to while posting: My Maudlin Career

Vermont Artists' Week Residency!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 01:35:00 +0000

A nice little pile of mail awaited me this evening, and I'm pleased to say that I've been accepted into the Vermont Artists' Week residency at the Vermont Studio Center!
This was my second attempt, and I was quite picky about which images I chose (I also sent far fewer) and in what sequence they would be viewed.

So, several projects are in the works, including a collaboration with Arkonbey, partly in preparation for my Acrylic Underpainting Techniques demonstration that happens at Artists' Mediums on the 27th of February. Wonder what I'll be working on when the residency rolls around...

woohoo!

The paints are out!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:25:00 +0000

It's been months since my acrylics have gotten their time in the sun. Well, I'm fully fueled with caffeine and am poking through the corners of the studio, finding random surfaces to prepare.

Because I'm doing a demonstration of "Acrylic Underpainting Techniques" February 27th at Artists' Mediums. So I'd better get cracking, eh?

In other news, just picked up my work from the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery (looking forward to their Valentine-themed show this Friday) and we came home with prints by two other artists as well. Images of those later, once we get them situated.

Diaspora!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:49:00 +0000

Well, this has been a busy week and it's only Tuesday.

On Sunday I managed to do a quick install of some originals & prints at the Deborah Rawson Library, but lo, the shelving brackets confounded me in my pursuit of a well-balanced display. Of course I managed to be attempting this when Pete & Karen Sutherland (arguably the most well-known folk musicians in VT) were trying to set up in the same room. Yikes! Hopefully I'll have a chance to get back and adjust the shelf this week.

Yesterday saw the shipping off of "Buzzy Will Guide You" to a friend I've known since at least the first grade, who now resides on the other side of the country.

And this evening, I hand-delivered "Mode de Monstre" (the original 6 paintings in the series) and "City Wear" (also from the M. d. M. series) to a dear friend who is also an artist.

Sadly, there are only so many hours to each day. The advent calendar project has gotten side-lined again, but there may be hope. And preparations are still underway for this weekend's:

PINE STREET
(arts district) HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIO & SALE!

(it's hilarious, I think more words are added to the title of this event every time I hear about it from someone!)
Well, you'll see me there at #4 Howard Street at Studio D-3, once again a guest of Marie Davis & Carol Norton, hurrah! Fellow Underhiller Anne Linde will also be there with her cards & small sculptures.
The show will run:
Friday December 11th 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
&
Saturday December 12th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are some really fine & amazing artists & craftspeople in this district, it's an honor to be invited once again. Hope to see you there!
(And don't forget to stop into S.P.A.C.E. to see the Small Works show.)

Shows, shows and more shows

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:56:00 +0000

Currently Showing, through December:

The Bryan Gallery is hosting both their annual member's "Small Picture Show," in which I have two pieces (though just one on the wall currently,) and their anniversary show "Hello Dolly, Hello Teddy," to which I was invited by one of the curators.
The Doll show is appropriate for just about any age, and just about every taste too: i.e. when bringing my dolls in for the show, I received both a horrified "oh, that's really weird" and a sweet "these are great" response, just in one hour.

I contributed eight of the dolls I'd made several years ago, such as The Jolly Queen, Mama had a baby, The Debutante, Soft Frog Robot, and others. Also on display is my painting of the little bear with the cookie jar. Remember him?

At the opening I met Beth Robinson, creator of the lovely Gothic Lolitas on display. Her "Daisy" is one of the dolls on their image gallery for the exhibit. I've also linked her site "Strange Dolls" here on the blog. These shows are up until the end of December. I highly recommend checking them out!

Next up: Three more exhibits! How did I ever get so busy?

Small show at S.P.A.C.E. starts this Friday, December 4th during the First Friday Artwalk. I've submitted 5 pieces, two of which are "specimen" type drawings for my Mode de Monstre series. There are also two dark moody water-themed acrylic pieces and one teeny tiny drawing. The rules for this show were anything 12x12 inches or smaller. This is a great new venue in the area, and I'm very excited to take part!

Pine Street Studio Holiday Sale is December 11th & 12th!
Many of the galleries and studios along Pine Street will be participating. You'll find me at the studios of Marie Davis & Carol Norton, on the corner of Pine & Howard. The last time this show happened, in 2007, it was for only one day. This year you'll have more chances to get around and see everyone. I plan on having a studio "clean-out sale," so no matter what your budget, I hope you'll find something you love to take home or to share as a gift.
The Studio sale starts at 3 p.m. on Friday (running till about 7 p.m. I believe) and starts at 10 a.m. on Saturday, running till about 5 or 6 p.m.

At the Deborah Rawson Library in Jericho, I'll be exhibiting work in their small display case for the month of December. Also on view will be work by Joan MacKenzie, so the library will be brimming with weird and wonderful animals all month long.

More news to come, but I think that's enough for now. Hope to see you at one of these fine events!

Bug Parade part two

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

More Bugs! Again, these are about 5.5"x 5" actual size.
And may I just say how much I love advance posting? Because if you're reading this at on Sunday morning, I'm not at my computer, I'm on my way to the 20th Annual Children's Illustration show with my friend KW! I need to brush up on who's going to be there, just in case, you know, I get to actually meet any of them... (I'm just a bit giddy.)

Now, back to bugs:
#3.) Garden Bug Parade

#4.) Favorite Book Bug

Please note: I'm always open to suggestions for more bugs. Or bug situations.
Somewhere in my studio there's a slow-moving bug that keeps showing up this time of year, I'll have to do a portrait of him sometime. Most recently this bug was crawling all over Purple Easter Man while I was working on his portrait. But perhaps I should first find out if he's a good bug or bad.

Bug Parade part one

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:24:00 +0000

Here are a few small (5.5" x 5") drawings I plan to either put in the local library show, or post to Etsy. Once I've matted them I'll know where they're headed...

#1.) Gentleman's Stroll

#2) Walking the Beetle

Inking away

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:28:00 +0000

My poor, neglected acrylic paints.
They think I don't care for them anymore.
This past week it's been all about ink. And more ink.

Arkonbey & I have been following Jake Parker's blog, especially his wonderful execution of an ink drawing a day for the whole month of "Inktober"
(Not only does he post his own fantastic artwork, he also provides extra inspiration via ink illustrations by other artists, some well-known, others new to me)

A few months ago I dug up my old bamboo pen and did a few big ink portraits, as yet un-photographed. But for your viewing pleasure, and also because I wanted to write an entry for the AM Blog, I present to you some new work: portraits of Buzzy (top) and Purple Easter Man (with chair.)
Higgins non-waterproof ink on 11x14 paper, with nibs by Speedball & a new favorite, though vintage: Esterbrook.
More to be seen on the Artists' Mediums Blog!

Offler, my new art trip companion

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 01:54:00 +0000

We adopted Offler* this September during the local Harvest Market, a great traveling companion, and a bargain at 15 cents!

*he's named after Offler the Crocodile God, resident of Discworld. Need I say more?

When you crash into a studio window, a leaf in the beak is a comforting thing.

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:10:00 +0000

After hearing a tremendous Ka-BANG! in our house this morning, I finally found the source outside and saw a big bird on the ground. From up on the deck, it looked like a big pile of feathers. In a lump. Uh-oh.
When I got down there, I discovered it was this lovely owl. On its side, eyes closed, but still breathing. I've never seen one so close before, and yes, I did have to touch it--I couldn't resist. With gloves, and only very gently, but the poor thing didn't even notice. It was completely knocked out at this point.

Still unsure as to whether it would live or not, I ran back inside & called the Vermont Wildlife Rescue Association. Which is run on a shoestring by Carol, her family and a few volunteers. When they can afford to be open. I found her number just two days ago when I found the article I'd clipped from last year's paper. That was lucky.
Keep in mind that this was barely 8 a.m. (for me, that's an ungodly hour.) Nevertheless, Carol kindly gave me the number of someone more local who handles raptors, but I had to leave a message.

Back outside, I found the owl sitting up, holding this giant leaf in it's beak. I'm really not sure how or why, since it's beak was empty when I first saw it. But there you go. Leaf = security blanket, perhaps. This owl & I sat about 8 feet apart for maybe ten or more minutes, and it seemed to take no offense at my quiet talk.

A blinking owl is a fantastic, marvelous thing. Every now and then it would sort of hang it's head down a bit, so I would too, and we copied each other for a little bit. Or I flatter myself to think that we did, anyways. Later, when it had flown up into a tree, I was on the phone with Craig (the local raptor guy) and he said it probably had one heck of a headache.

Arkonbey asked if this is going to make it's way into my drawings somehow, and yes, that will happen one way or another.
I wrote a thank-you to Carol, and if her association is still up and running, I'd love to try and lend a hand now and then. To work up close with a variety of creatures?! Yes please! Even if it means prepping raw meat. I can probably handle that. It would be great to get some close-up understanding of wildlife.
VINS down in southern VT allows for photo sessions with some of their birds, for a fee. Perhaps this could work for Carol's organization too. I'm a bit excited, can you tell?

Raptors!

Well, too late to be getting into the studio tonight. But it was worth it. I harvested the last of our basil, and I posted about "our" owl. Tomorrow, back to the drawing.

some stuff from the desktop, part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:29:00 +0000

Here's a little (blurry) view of a piece that has been sitting on my drawing board, untouched for a month or more until just two days ago, when I finally picked up the pencil again.

I have stared at this section for more hours than I want to recall, while slowly filling in, erasing, filling in, erasing, filling in, erasing, filling in,
you get the idea.

Among the audio books that helped pass the time were "The Thin Man" (Dashiel Hammet) "Every Living Thing" (James Herriot) "The Lord of the Rings" (Tolkien, BBC version.)

So, like I said, hours.
But once you've used a 2B pencil on Stonehenge paper, it's all worth it. MMmmmm, velvety.

some stuff from the desktop, part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:15:00 +0000

Here we have Serious mouse people. Two of them really don't want to share that cheese. The third is a bit more light hearted.

Made these while trying out some new acrylic & drawing combinations. And liking them. Too bad I haven't touched my acrylics in over a month since!

Acrylic (lots and lots of acrylic) & pencil on matboard

some stuff from the desktop, part one

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Since I haven't left myself much time for painting lately, I prepped a bunch of mini watercolor canvas and have been messing about with gouache. Also you might see some pen & ink in the background there.

The watercolor paintings are about 3"x3" at their biggest. A bit jumbly right now, but I think they'll clean up nice once I get them in mats.

A first!

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 03:13:00 +0000

Finally, the very first image directly uploaded from my camera to the blog. Thank you Picassa for simplicity, thank you Arkonbey for solving the great hardware crisis.

Pictured at left is a family of bears that resides in the window of a hopping ice cream shop in Northampton MA. They are huge and pleasantly shaped, and they've been there quite a while (a bit of sun-fading, which gives character.) They are dieting bears, so the vinyl ice cream is rather cruel, don't you think.

Snapped while on an art 'outing' with Karen, which included a full day of visiting the Carle. (That's the Carl Museum of Picture Book Art. Heaven.) Sadly, no pictures from there, as just about everything on display is copyright protected. We closed 'em down though... I think they suffer us staying late because we buy stuff in the bookshop :)

Well, more pics later, now that I've got this technology under my belt. For now, BED.

Other people's creatures

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:57:00 +0000

Here's an amazing artist Arkonbey just reminded me about: Patricia Piccinini

You should check her out. Specifically her "The Long Awaited, Foundling" series, it's fabulously creepy and sweet all at the same time. You'll see why I'm attracted to it.

Arkonbey wants me to 'flesh out' some of my creatures this way, or at least in a life-sized drawing. Well.... it would be fun.

Laaaaaaap toppppp

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:44:00 +0000

Arkonbey held true to his promise (thanks, buster!) and we purchased a new laptop for yours truly today. We went pc, which is a first in the last twelve years or more at this house. Still, it's half the price of going mac. Even a refurbished mac! I mean, come on Apple, we knew you were elitist, but geez.

Well, the ol' Miketop will hang around for awhile longer, until I'm sure I'm satisfied with this new slick box. The difference in speed is certainly nice. I have managed to get Pandora going in it's own little application, so this has happy consequences for the studio.

But Pandora, you're playing some really whacked stuff today.

Maybe it's just me.

art in the garden, or at least the windowboxes

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:15:00 +0000

I HAVE A CAMERA!!!
Let's ignore the fact that I barely know how to use it. These are just a few silly shots of a pop-up card I made while trying to learn some basic techniques. That's my lovely basil in the background.

In other garden news, here's Arkonbey listening to the squeaky quality of our peas:

art in the garden, or at least the windowboxes

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:07:00 +0000

Summer Idylls

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 02:29:00 +0000

In the last few days, my free time has been delightfully squandered in the reading of Swallows & Amazons and Swallowdale, both by Arthur Ransome. Arkonbey, my ever-understanding (or enabling) husband, has purchased the first two of the series, after hearing my reaction to the first, found at the library.

The laptop is still creaking along, not too slow, actually, just so loud! Either way, I've probably spent far too much time on it, but in doing so I discovered a link I'd forgotten to post.

I had two pieces selected for the Flight Fur& Felines juried show, which showed at the Bryan Memorial Gallery in Jeffersonville, from May 22 - July 19th.

Lizard with Sandwich was one of the pieces selected for the display page!

Also take note of the fine rabbit(title: "Just Resting") by my friend Karen Witt.

Arkonbey's photo of Kermit at Brant Lake also made it into the show. First show he's entered since Meca! (Arkonbey posted about his piece ages ago, but then he's more timely than I in such matters.)

Lastly, here's a great resource I just heard about: the Vermont Art Zine

Just like back in school, I find myself more attracted to the work of sculptors than the work of fellow painters. Not that I don't like the paintings! The creation of some of my favorite work is quite mysterious to me, and I view it with fresh eyes, whereas I look at a painting and get hung up in the technical aspects of it.
While some of my favorite sculptors work with the figure, I also appreciate the abstract. Last time down in Brandon, I dropped into the Brandon Artists' Guild with Mewsea, and fell in love with some sculptures done in alabaster. Should I ever have a disposable income... But I suppose I should look up the name of that artist first.

a few of the latest sketches

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:27:00 +0000

At last! My new-to-me digital camera is in hand, thanks to the folks at Lezot cameras in Burlington. But for now, here are a few of the teeny ink & watercolors that I was working on a few weeks ago. First off, (above) we have some bears gathered around for a reading.
Note the odd shape of the paper... it's from a 3 1/2" x 5" watercolor sample book that was going to be thrown out. Same with the rest of these.
Next up: more ideas I'm tossing around for the Mode De Monstre series, which mostly consists of dresses with a life of their own.

Cherubim gown:
And then, Kimono with Fan:
Lastly, Slouching dress:
(hmmm... I sized these last two a bit too small... they're really the same size as the others.)
I'm aiming to have these dresses stand on their own as living things, and on a larger scale than the previous 4"x6" paintings that I made. Also in progress (and now that I have the camera, it will show up here soon) is a graphite drawing in this vein, a full 22"x30." Whoo!

I've been busy, I just have no way to show it yet...

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:51:00 +0000

There are some nice big drawings in progress here at chez studio, but the digital camera has somehow eluded both Arkonbey & myself. We are utterly mystified... where the heck did it go? This seems yet another good excuse to go shopping for a new one.
In addition to the big drawings, I've done a few more miniature pen & ink/ watercolors. These may appear on Etsy once I get that hurdled.

For now, here's an old picture of my studio that I dug up. Showing Boo's favorite new place to sit. Directly in my way.

In other news, I picked up my two pieces from Art's Alive this week. Frog Hollow had displayed "Lit from Within" in their front window and "Nest" was accepted into the Juried show down at Union Station. Not bad. Seeing the big work on display at the juried show was one impetus for the new big drawings. Stay tuned.

The irony of free time now vs. then

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Mon, 25 May 2009 01:46:00 +0000

The irony is that I barely had time for being on the internet these past few weeks, and so missed the opportunity of announcing what I was preparing for.

The 17th Annual Vermont Crafts Council's Open Studio tour just wrapped up this afternoon. 2009 marks my third year doing this, and my first year of participating in my actual neighborhood. Chamberlin's farm & garden market in Underhill hosted the five of us artists for the first time, and what a great space.

Taking part in events such as this make me realize just how many people I know (or at least recognize) through my workplace. Many, many, lots!

Thank you to everyone who responded to my last minute mailings and e-mail notifications, even to those of you who couldn't make it but passed the word along.
Special thanks to my fellow artists at the Chamberlin's site: Linda Amundsen (my neighbor), Devon Banse Dougall (mom!), Miriam Wells (paint those trusses!), Ann Linde (has a new kitten!) and Tinka Martell (hope the wedding went well!) and to everyone who helped make this weekend enjoyable.

Great company of other artists, great visitor turnout, and great location. What a weekend!

Thanks everyone!

Next up is getting my Etsy shop up and running. Open Studio preparation laid the groundwork for that, so it shouldn't be long.

Williston Community Foodshelf Update

noreply@blogger.com (Sweet Enemy) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:56:00 +0000

So, it seems there's been a bit of mix-up in some email linking, so if you've found yourself here while trying to get to the web page for the Williston Community Foodshelf Fundraiser, you will find the correct link below:

http://www.wcfs.cmarket.com

Or try:
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?vhost=wcfs

(The Williston Community Foodshelf does not yet have it's own website.)

More donations are coming, not just artwork but gift certificates and more. Bookmark it once you've found yourself there, so you can keep tabs on what you're interested in. The auction itself runs this May 1st- 7th.

p.s.: SK, I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel (i.e. almost finished our taxes) so I'll contact you soon with more info on my participation with the fundraiser.