Friday, May 30, 2014


Stop by the Kennedy Heights Arts Center this Saturday for a festive show called "Splash"!  The fun starts at 6.  There is some great work to see, we will have Mad Tree Brewery beers on hand, as well as some nibbles to share.  Join us!

(above work by Steve Meyer, Mary Jo Sage, and Katt Maxwell)

Some Final Friday Picks

It is Final Friday! If you are going out to see some art check these shows out!

 Join Rock Paper Scissors on Main Street from 6-11PM to celebrate the opening of a show of work by the Jaimie C. Filer, Brett Hoersting, and Christopher Sanders of Nightshade Ink.

https://www.facebook.com/events/480030228797359/

Then head over to Ursula Roma's Show at Findley Market.


Reading Rainbow and Tara Calahan King

We all know that Levar Burton in half a day raised $1million to bring back Reading Rainbow to a new generation of readers, but check out the PR photo.

Tara Calahan's King's book Enemy Pie is on top in the PR photo! It was featured on the show in 2002 and read by Ed Harris. http://www.imdb.com/video/amazon/vi1897767961/



Don't forget to check out Tara's new murals at the Lawrenceberg, Indiana library June 9th!

http://cincyillustrators.blogspot.com/2014/05/library-mural-renovation-opening.html

Summerfair Poster

This is Hannah's great poster for this year's Summerfair.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Summerfair This Weekend!

Hello Everyone!

As you may know this Friday starts off the annual event of Summerfair at Coney Island! I will be attending the fair on the 31st, this Saturday to sign poster's and t-shirts. Please stop by and see all the amazing artwork and feel free to stop by to say hello or get a poster signed by myself!


For more information on the event feel free to check out SummerFair's Website



Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Sequential Tart interview

Well, lookie here! There's a very nice interview with me over at Sequential Tart talking about the Zombie Marge strip. Here's the link:

http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=2586

Friday, May 23, 2014

Chad Taylor Comics Seminar

Chad Taylor is teaching an illustration class on comics on the 27th at 1pm.

Get information here: Starlightcouncil.

Library Mural Renovation Opening Reception with Tara Calahan King





Library Mural Renovation Opening Reception
and Meet and Greet with Cincinnati Illustrator Tara Calahan King

On Monday, June 9th at the Lawrenceburg Public Library, 6:30 – 8pm

123 West High Street, Lawrenceburg , IN 47025

Come explore Tara's hand painted murals throughout this Indiana Library.  View scenes of Albert Einstein and his equations, Abe Lincoln writing the Gettysburg Address, architectural  paintings of the Hillforest Mansion, the Crescent Brewery, and other historical landmarks, the Indiana steamboat, the strong man and the swinging monkeys at the circus and even sit in the big red caboose of Tara's circus train (fabricated by Multiple Design Solutions of Cincinnati).  Enjoy the light food and refreshments provided and be sure and stop in the Depot room and walk around the courtyard of this town's original train depot.  

Tara's children's book titles, Odd Velvet and Enemy Pie, will be available for purchase and signing in the Children's Department.

The extended art project was funded by the Dearborn Community Foundation Inc. - City of Lawrenceburg Community Grant Program

Summer Art Classes!

 Several illustrators are teaching classes this summer. Check it out!


Marleen Steele: 


Art Academy of Cincinnati:   513-562-8748   
www.artacademy.edu 

   Drawing Dynamics        Saturday 10:00AM -12:30PM  July 12 - August 30th  
  Gesture and Figure drawing

NEW!  The Pastel Portrait  June 10 -  August 19   No class August 5th

   Explore Urban Sketching and Painting   Wed Eve 6:00- 8:30PM June 25- August 20

   Calligraphy Foundations: ITALIC   Beginners and intermediate  Saturdays July 12  - August 23th  No class August 9th  1PM - 3:30 PM


Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Center  859-431-0020  www.bakerhunt.org

  Watercolor Wanderings  Tues. 6:30-8:30 PM  Beginner and intermediate outdoor watercolor sketching in historic Covington

   Pastels!         Thurs. 1PM- 3:00PM   Beginner and intermediate instruction

Evendale Cultural Art Center   
www.evendalearts.org

   Calligraphy-- Italic   Monday eves  7:00 PM- 9:00 PM   Beginning XXX
   Beginner and intermediate
   Create in Color Pencil!  Wednesday   10AM - 12 NOON 
   Explore the versatile color pencil. Topics of drawing and color mixing 
  discussed and practiced. Beginner and intermediate




Woodrow Hinton III: 

Illustration: Materials And Techniques

An introductory course to the painting and drawing techniques used by illustrators, including acrylic, watercolor, oils, traditional mixed media, and digital techniques. These are techniques that can be applied to any commercial market as well as fine art. Class includes demos and short lectures, in addition to time to work in class under the instructor's guidance.

Art Academy of Cincinnati - Jackson St.

1212 Jackson Street
Cincinnati, OH, US 45202
Phone: (513) 562-6262
Fax: (513) 562-8778

Jul 12, 2014 to Aug 30, 2014
Sa 9:30am to Noon

link to catalogue:



Illustration: Professional Practices

The focus of this class is to introduce artists to the professional practices and methods implemented when creating illustrations for gaming or comics. The first half of each class will consist of lectures, demos, and assignments, while the second half will be dedicated to work on projects under the instructor's guidance.

Art Academy of Cincinnati - Jackson St.

1212 Jackson Street
Cincinnati, OH, US 45202
Phone: (513) 562-6262
Fax: (513) 562-8778

Jul 12, 2014 to Aug 30, 2014
Sa 12:30pm to 3pm


 Elizabeth Neal:

 Drawing from the Very Beginning (Saturday)

Jun 14, 2014 to Jul 26, 2014
Sa 1pm to 3:30pm
  Except:
    Sa, Jul 5, 2014
Price: Standard charge: $160.00
Senior, 60 and over: $144.00
Faculty/Staff Discount: 75.00% for Faculty/Staff
BFA Student Discount: $135.00 for BFA Student (AAC)
Ages: 16 and up
Gender: Coed
Spaces: 13 openings remaining
Registration Dates: Standard registration opens: Sep 20, 2013
Last day for standard registration: Aug 22, 2014 11:59pm
Internet registration opens: Sep 20, 2013
Last day for Internet registration: Aug 22, 2014
This is an introductory class for those who claim they can't even draw a straight line! Working initially from still-life arrangements and progressing to nude figure studies in the last classes, students will learn to draw what they see in charcoal, ink, and pencil. Materials are not included. Students must be 16 or older. Class cost includes model fee.
Notes:Required Class Supplies: 18" X 24" newsprint sketch pad (100 sheets); square charcoal sticks; vine charcoal (very soft and lightweight); ebony pencils; kneaded eraser; drawing board, at least 18" X 24"; something to blend, smudge with: tortillon, cotton balls, rag, paper towels, etc. Additional supplies you will need later include: 18" X 24" drawing pad -- white paper -- at least 50 sheets; charcoal pencils; graphite sticks; conte crayons -- black, white, gray, earth tones; black ink; bamboo brush.
Suders Art Store and Plaza Artist Materials offer a discount to Art Academy Community Education students. Please show your receipt and ask for the discount.

https://apm.activecommunities.com/artacademyce/Activity_Search/drawing-from-the-very-beginning-saturday/953

Steve Meek:

 Adobe Photoshop CS6

Jul 9, 2014 to Aug 27, 2014
We 6:30pm to 9pm
Price: Standard charge: $160.00
Ages: 13 and up
Gender: Coed
Spaces: 10 openings remaining
Registration Dates: Standard registration opens: Sep 20, 2013
Last day for standard registration: Aug 22, 2014 11:59pm
Internet registration opens: Sep 20, 2013
Last day for Internet registration: Aug 22, 2014
https://apm.activecommunities.com/artacademyce/Activity_Search/adobe-photoshop-cs6/940

  

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Morning Sketching at Krohn Conservatory

Vanessa Sorensen's Sketch
Amy Bogard, Vanessa Sorensen and I all went to Krohn Conservatory Friday Morning to check out the butterfly exhibit and sketch.

It was a rainy day out so sketching in the rainforest was just perfect! There are a bunch of caged tropical birds in that area too so we could not resist drawing them (or the koi).

Vine Video: https://vine.co/v/MXTjEgX1JdO

Some of Amy Bogard's sketches
Christina Wald's Sketches



Gesture Drawing Session at Manifest!

Hi guys!

The folks at the Manifest Drawing Studio are so cool- I emailed them to see if they would be down for hosting a gesture life drawing session that is good for animators- short poses no longer than 10 or 15 minutes as well as short ones, mere minutes (or less!). And they are totally doing it!

Since we animators have such a volume of drawings to get through its really beneficial to be able to draw quickly and capture motion quickly- and this is how you develop that skill.

SO! Come to the session! Show them that animators need access to short poses!

Saturday June 7
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Cost: $20 ($10 for college and high school students)
(participants still must register in advance or upon arriving at the Drawing Center) 


For info or to register visit the Manifest website!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Jerry's little helper



Such a shame Jerry Dowling wasn't at today's lunch at Arthur's. We decided it'd be best to make some improvements to his mural ...

Monday, May 19, 2014

What to Do With Your Leftovers

...or, perhaps this drawing should be called "What Your Leftovers Are Going to Do with You." A new piece; the pixels are still smoking on this one.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Mural for Kyle's New Hope Animal Rescue.

It's a Paint-In!

I'm painting a mural for Kyle's New Hope Animal Rescue in Sharonville.  The wall is 27 1/2 feet long by 12 feet high.  I've got a lot of dogs to do, but after talking to some of you at lunch this week, it seems some of you might be interested in helping me out!  I'd be happy to open it up to any and all friends for a Friday or Saturday afternoon or evening.  It's for a good cause and the rescue's new digs needs all the sprucing up that it can get!   I have a number of dogs that could go up: labs, pugs, tripod dogs, one-eyed cats and dogs, all rescues from Kyle's.  If you're interested and want to size it up, the rescue will have a yard sale this coming weekend, May 17th,  from 9 am until 2 or 3 pm.  The location of the warehouse is 7245 Edington Dr. just off of Conrey Rd.  Look for the yard sale signs.  Please do consider visiting, and or helping out perhaps next week like the 24th (I hope that's a Friday or Saturday!   Any questions, call me at 504-1649.
Sincerely,
 Monica Lira

Check out :  http://www.newhopeanimalrescue.org
 pictures of  progress:


The Kyle's Logo

Everyone needs a pug to make painting ...more interesting



End of Day 1




Day two and the Pug in Question...my workboots are now orange, too!


Geometry in action.  Bet Pythagorus never had this problem
Note, Dave Hartz's projector.  What an amazing machine....




Day Three


Day 4.  The dog takes shape, stripes in sky


That's Sonny, a Shar-pai/Great Dane mix


 Day 5
With Skylights making it hard to trace with opaque projectors, Beach umbrellas are handy!
A shout out to Dave Hartz.  He loaned us his projector  till I got this one.


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

ArtWorks Big Pitch Deadline is extended!

The deadline to apply is now May 18th!

Katie Garber and Caitlin Behle will have open office hours all week long just for Big Pitch questions!
Tuesday, May 13 – 5:00 PM-6:00 PM
Wednesday, May 14 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Thursday, May 15 – 11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Friday, May 16 – 2:00 PM-4:00 PM


ArtWorks Big Pitch

Get an ArtWorks Grant for $15,000 for your Art Business


ArtWorks Big Pitch is a biannual competition where creatives pitch for cash prizes and professional services. 8 finalists will be chosen to give their 5-minute pitches for the chance to win a grand prize of $15,000 cash, $5,000 cash by audience vote, or professional services to apply toward their business’ long-term growth. Presented by U.S. Bank.

August 2014: Growing Creative Businesses
Connecting established businesses with cash for long-term growth.

March 2015: Launching Creative Businesses
Helping new businesses get off the ground



Basically, what they are offering a grant. The big plus is that they offer a free mentor to help you focus your art business and hone your pitch.

Anyway, get more information here. They sincerely want to help fund Cincinnati artists to enhance the arts business community.

http://www.artworkscincinnati.org/creative-enterprise/artworksbigpitch/

Monday, May 12, 2014

More Reditorial Cartoons







Oy. I'm bad at posting these. Here are the cartoons from the past few weeks.

View Chagall, Matisse & Gauguin in Main Library exhibit


Explore the bright colors and vivid images put on paper by European masters, such as Marc Chagall, Paul Gauguin and Henri Matisse, during the Creative Expression: Artists Works exhibit from the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. It runs May 5-Aug. 24 at the Main Library, 800 Vine St.

The exhibit features selections from artist books in the Loeb Collection. Eda Kuhn Loeb was born in Cincinnati in 1867, one of 10 children of Samuel and Rebecca (Wise) Kuhn. Shortly after she married Morris Loeb in 1895, they moved to New York City. She died in New York in 1951.
In her will, she gave a bequest of $50,000 to the Library. At that time, it was the largest monetary bequest the Library had ever received. It was decided that some of the money would be spent to purchase fine art books – rare, signed, limited edition books illustrated by late 19th- and early 20th-century artists.

In 1958, the head of the Library’s Art & Music Department, Alice S. Plaut, traveled to London, Rome, Geneva and Paris to select materials for the collection, which will be on display in the Joseph S. Stern, Jr. Cincinnati Room. Its hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 513-369-6959. Visit www.CincinnatiLibrary.org.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Sidebar Nation Interview about Making It with Woodrow Hinton III

Check out this  Sidebar Nation Interview about Making It, the illustration doc that Woodrow Hinton III and filmmaker Anthony Moorman have put together that premiered Friday at Spectrum Line show.

http://sidebar.typepad.com/my_weblog/2014/05/podcast-episode-xxx-making-it.html

CAPS art auction

Here’s something very cool to check out. I’m sure most of my cartoonist pals are aware of the CAPS art auctions on ebay with proceeds going to help Stan and Sharon Sakai with their ongoing medical expenses.

Since many of us grew to love Stan’s Usagi Yojimbo when it ran in Critters, I chose to contribute the art from one of my Critters covers to the auction. The 1987 cover of Critters #15 was my first issue and the first appearance of my character the Blue Beagle. Because the original color work has long since deteriorated, I’ve included the printer’s acetate color separations with the line art. Also going up in this round are illustrations by Critter’s alums Mike Kazaleh and Stan Sakai himself. Here’s the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/131186010355?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649