Save the Date! May 11th

If you are in the San Francisco area on May 11th, 2013, I will be doing an artist' talk and book signing in conjunction with my show, "Down The Rabbit Hole" at the Walt Disney Family Museum! 

All original artwork from my "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" book will be on display, as well as some amazing Alice in Wonderland art by the artist Mary Blair. 

The show will be up through November 3rd, but if you want to come to the talk, the space is limited so be sure and buy tickets for the event.

It's a wonderful and fascinating museum, if you haven't been there yet, I highly recommend it. Probably one of the only places you can see a miniature replica of Disneyland!! 

Hope to see you there! 

Where Does Inspiration Come From?

This is the question I seem to get asked the most from young artists, and it is the hardest one to answer. Inspiration comes from everywhere, but it usually starts with things I have read, things I have seen, music that I listen to, and dreams. Those go into the brain filter and come out the other side in the form of sketches, little writings, and finally a painting or drawing.

For the painting I am currently working on, these clowns that I bought on ebay a while back insisted on being featured. Although I usually don’t paint clowns, for reasons I won’t go into, I wanted to do something circusy.

I also recently saw the Mexican women surrealist show, “In Wonderland” at the LA Count Museum, and it was unbelievable. Remedios Varo was one of my favorites, and I became a little obsessed with drawing her. 

I start jotting down ideas about what I am going to do, concepts and symbolism, all the heady stuff.

I also do little rough drawings of characters and little scenes. Some don’t make the cut, but once in a while I find something I can use!

Finally they make the long journey from idea to thing, and end up in a painting or drawing! The strangest combinations are possible...

Enjoy your imagineering, and remember, inspiration comes from everywhere!

For more peeks into my sketchbook process, check out this little feature on the Hi-Fructose Magazine site!