I'm a Cherry Ghost

As an avid music fan, I get excited to see live performances when I get the chance. Since I live pretty far from any “cool” city, my options for live music are slim to none, but this week I got to see one of my all time favorite bands, Wilco, play at an amazing outdoor venue in Jacksonville Oregon!! The moon and stars came out to see the magic, I swear, and the only lame part of the whole evening was the girl in front of me who decided that the middle of “Jesus etc.” might be a good time to check her email on her phone. Oh the young-uns, they don’t seem to know when they are in the presence of greatness. 

The above link is not from that particular evening, but I had to share Wilco performing one of my favorite songs. I know what you're thinking, you all thought I was just into punk rock and David Bowie, but I like anything that sticks it to The Man, in whatever form, and that includes lots of anti-establishment folk music and alt- rock from Chicago. I’m no hater. I dig the rock and roll!! 

So back in the studio, sometimes I have this problem after I see/hear something great, I have trouble “making” because I set my expectations of myself that much higher. But THEN, oh then, I got just about the greatest idea ever for my next series of work, I’m not gonna tell you what it is, you’ll have to just come and see it next fall, but the hint is in the title of this Blog post. A musical Scavenger hunt, if you will.... 

ALSO look for some new goodies in the store this Friday! I’m bringing some treasures out from my personal archives, card sets, dollies, and new prints too! I will be adding new stuff every Friday until December 15th. Why you might inquire? because... 

You get a Golden Ticket

I am announcing a ridiculously fun contest! First, from now until the end of the year I will be introducing new goodies to the store every Friday, and I will be introducing a new section of items for under $100. I will also be introducing select limited items from my personal archives. 

But the fun part is that anyone who places an order at my store from now until December 15th, 2012, will be automatically entered into a raffle to win three unique prizes: 

1st prize: A hand-painted Peppermint Man doll customized with your name 

2nd prize: A lovely “Doomsday Animals” print set by Pressure Printing 

Third Prize: Well, that’s a surprise. 

I will be drawing the winning names out of a hat on December 16th, winners will be announced, and prizes will be mailed out in time for Christmas. Happy collecting everyone!! 

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!