Work-in-progress: "Bubbles" for Earbud Theater

My latest illustration for an Earbud Theater science fiction audio drama, this time for a story called "Bubbles." I'm still fiddling with it, so there will probably be an updated version next week.

Max and Maggy

These are two characters I was commissioned to design for a small startup that's creating a product to help kids with their fine motor skills.

Preview of the Mummy Exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center

Christina Wald and Amy Bogard

Amy Bogard and I recently had the opportunity to preview the new Mummy exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center.

We brought our sketchbooks along (well yes, they are always with us actually) There was a lot to choose from and we have sketched at the Museum Center a couple times before.  The exhibit focuses on mummification around the world and the science of decomposition in addition to the expected Egyptian mummies.

Some aspects of the exhibit are very moving. It is amazing how quickly we return to the decayed leaf litter when we die. Everything goes back to the dust it arose from ( Carl Sagan said "we are all star stuff" which is a much prettier way to say that.)

There are also cadavers used for scientific study in the show. We have a couple medical illustrators who come to the illustrators lunch occasionally and one recently brought pictures of a cadaver arm she drew from for a project. They made me think of her and the tradition of Leonardo Da Vinci. Although oddly we did not sketch that part of the show.

The creepiest part of the exhibit are the shrunken heads; definitely examples of the darker circumstances of death.

Anyway, here are some of the exhibits we did sketch from...

Sketch by Amy Bogard

This was in the shrunken head room.

Perhaps the creepiest photo of the day of Christina Wald sketching

Final shrunken head sketch by Christina Wald

  Here are some sketches Amy did of natural mummification of a child found in Peru.

Pages from Amy Bogard's aketchbook

Amy Bogard's final sketch

The main Egyptian Mummy room by Chrisitna Wald

We sketched a lot there but added color when we got home. It was too dark in the exhibit to paint. It is an amazing place to sketch though. The act of studying and drawing makes the experience stick with you.

Sketch by Christina Wald

Check out Amy Bogard's post here: http://www.amybogard.com/2014/11/24/on-liminality/

Amy also does an amazing sketch journal workshop in Taos, New Mexico every June. It is amazing! I hope to go again some year...

http://www.amybogard.com/taos-new-mexico/

We are looking for more indoor places to sketch for the winter. Ideas? 

Thanks to WCPO Insider for the free tickets for this post c/o (courtesy of WCPO Insider).

Interesting Article About Coming Up With That Original Cartoon Idea

I think this Washington Post article about Bob Staake's latest New Yorker cover is a fascinating look into possible solutions to a creative brief can be very similar.

This quote particularly caught my eye:  "Editorial cartoonists very often come up with the same idea independently. When five or more cartoonists come up with the same idea on the same day, we call it a Yahtzee."

It is an interesting thought. It is hard or impossible to come up with something totally original. Should you toss out an idea because it is such an obvious, powerful solution?

It also goes on to show a couple political pieces that parody a famous Norman Rockwell painting of a man getting tattoo. Plus there could be entire art books devoted to American Gothic parody media.

What do you think?





 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2014/11/26/st-louis-cartoonist-says-his-divided-arch-cartoon-about-ferguson-was-very-obvious-almost-too-easy/

Black Friday Beer and Art Show and Beer, Art, and Breweriana Blow Out

Art by Larry Sparks

On “Final Friday” November 28th from 6P-10P local artists, including Jim Effler, will host a free show of original art. The BDCURC (www.otrbrewerydistrict.org) and artist/tap room manager Tank Mansfield recruited local artists and photographers to render brewing heritage and neighborhood scenes to raise money for the BDCURC’s development efforts. Original watercolor and oil paintings, illustrations, framed and unframed photographs, and limited edition prints of the newest neighborhood mural will all be available for purchase. Artist Jim Effler (www.jimeffler.com) applies his realistic style (with a touch of impressionism) to local scenes, including beer posters and labels for local breweries and festivals. He will have a selection of original pieces as well as prints of his most popular event posters and beer labels. Other artists include Patrick Browne, Ray Burt, Rodney Eggleston, Ray Hassard, Stuart Hyde, Tank Mansfield, Chad Marchese, Kevin O’Neil, John Ritter, Clarence Sekeraks, Larry Sparks, Anthony Stollings, Christina Wald, Dann Woellert, and Kay Worz. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/532748860194143/ 

"Black Friday Beer and Art Show" is Final Friday Nov 28 from 6P-10P and has local artists selling their original art with a brewing heritage twist, along with specials on Brewery District and Bockfest merchandise as well as live art demonstrations all night.

Jaimie Filer I will be doing live art Friday and this is one of my pieces in the show:

8" X "10 sketch By Christina Wald

If you cannot make it today because Aunt Edna is still visiting, there is always Sunday...

"Beer, Art, and Breweriana Blow Out" is Sunday Nov 30 from 9A-2P has the breweriana collectors' "Sunday after Thanksgiving Show" with great deals on beer cans, posters, neon signs, and more unique beer collectibles. The art returns along with the merchandise specials!


https://www.facebook.com/events/744892542258880/

(6 photos)

Kelley Hensing Solo Show Opening at Last Rites Gallery

Kelley Hensing left Cincinnati several years ago to get her MFA in illustration at School of Visual Arts...

Since then, she has done some amazing work and has a solo show opening at Last Rites Gallery called The Animal Within opening Saturday.

November 22- December 27th, 2014

Opening reception with the Artist, Saturday November 22, 7-11pm

Last Rites Gallery

325 W. 38th Street

between 8th & 9th Avenue

New York City

212-529-0666 

 There is a great write up on her show  on Muddy Colors by Donato Giancola here: http://muddycolors.blogspot.com/2014/11/kelley-hensing-last-rites-gallery.html

There is a write up on her studio here on the Hi-Fructose site: http://hifructose.com/2014/11/06/studio-visit-behind-the-scenes-of-kelley-hensings-the-animal-within/

So, if you are in NYC this December, stop by!

Revenge of the Wild
  Artwork © wickiearts/Kelley Hensing

Some Great Drawing Opportunites at Manifest

Quickdraw Session December 4th

Two open hours of short poses, to develop speed and capture energy!


Thursday, December 4th, 7-9 pm



Cost: $12 ($6 for college and high school students)
(participants still must register in advance or upon arriving at the Drawing Center) 

http://www.manifestgallery.org/studio/workshops/quickdraw/index.html

WEEKEND DRAWING MARATHON
TWO DAYS OF IMMERSIVE LIFE DRAWING

SINGLE MODEL SESSION

Open Figure is an uninstructed life-drawing studio format whereby professionals, students, and the creative public can work side-by-side in common pursuit of excellence in the discipline of drawing (or various other media) while working from the nude model. This no-performance-pressure environment inevitably leads to new learning, support, and productivity that complements formal study (at the high school, college, or professional level), or other non-figure-related artistic work. Each session is moderated by Manifest Associates who are trained and well-qualified artists and/or instructors at the college level.

Twelve hours of life drawing in two days! This special offering is generally intended for longer more extended poses. At the  moderator's discretion with participant input multiple poses may be set up during  this two-day drawing marathon. Participants are welcome to work in various media besides drawing, while taking  into consideration other participants and the integrity of the studio space. SCHEDULE: TBD Saturday December 13 9:30 - 12:30 part 1 12:30 - 2:00 lunch break (option for group lunch off-site) 2:00 - 5:00 part 2 Sunday December 14 9:30 - 12:30 part 3 12:30 - 2:00 lunch break (option for group lunch off-site) 2:00 - 5:00 part 4

http://www.manifestgallery.org/studio/workshops/

These are great ways to improve your drawing skill.  

James Gurney at SBK Workshop Sept, 2014

James Gurney-creator and illustrator of the Dinotopia series was the featured instructor at the Susan K Black Foundation Artist Workshop in Dubois, WY. SKB 2014 workshop  Linda Howard Bittner, longtime member of the Cincy Illustrator's group, attended the workshop. Gurney was there with his wife, who is also an accomplished watercolor painter.

James was fantastic, giving several slide presentations, many technique demos and painting in the field with participating artists. His sketchbook journals are phenomenal!  He uses casein, watercolors, inks and pencil while "Urban Journaling". He travels the US and the world painting everyday scenes.

One image in his slide presentation was a caricature of our own, Chris Payne. Gurney had also visited CCAD recently as a guest instructor. You MUST check out his blog...he is an amazing fine artist, illustrator, inventor and all around creative genius. James Gurney Blog

He's a fun instructor yet very dedicated to the principles of fine art. Also check out his website...he was an ongoing artist for National Geographic Magazine for many years. James Gurney website

Here are some pics from the SKB workshop, including one of Linda Howard Bittner mentoring a local high school student.

Gurney created an "Artist" persona to help him while journaling. He has hats and shirts with his name embroidered on them and "Department of Art"...so he looks like a public worker. He's even made orange cones with "Dept of Art" as well, to keep people from blocking his view while painting along streets. James has also created his own press badges and other tricks to help him get better access to his subjects. See more in his blog.

New Plug Ins and Drawing Gadgets

 Chris Ruggiero sent in this tip from Artist Dacosta! using a Cintiq 22 to demonstrate the DynamicSketch plugin from Astute Graphics in Adobe Illustrator. See how DynamicSketch allows users to repeat brush strokes, edit and trim shapes, form instant circles, and join shapes.

Photo from the Verge Review: http://www.theverge.com/2014/6/18/5818192/adobe-ink-and-slide-review

Will Hillenbrand recently show us this new tool for the iPad from Adobe called the Ink and Slide:


http://www.adobe.com/products/ink-and-slide.html

It looks pretty powerful with the ease of making brushes and natural drawing tools.

Anyone else tried it?

Library Event with Caldecott Winner Eric Rohmann

Meet Caldecott Medalist Eric Rohmann and award-winning author, Candace Fleming.  You know their books!  Now you can meet them up close and personal to learn about writing and illustrating wonderful books for children and young adults!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014, 6:30 – 8:30pm

http://www.kentonlibrary.org/events#/?i=1

Memento Mori Closing Party November 12th

If you missed the opening, come this Wednesday to the closing of the Memento Mori Show from 5-8 pm at Avenue 222.

Poe Project Part Deux

Here are the rest of the illustrations I created for my Poe Project.