sketches for the bored

I just had a smathering of junk typed up here...and I've deleted it now. So you can't read it.
But I do have some sketches from my sketchbook to show you. I'm pretty sure that I've mentioned I've been keeping a sketchbook, to draw in, daily-if it so pleases me. That's exactly what I've been doing- everyday at work...pretty much.
Here are just a few:

These are my goldfish friends, who keep popping up probably every other page.

I did this one, and decided that it would look nice painted in photoshop. I've yet to get it there. But once I drew this, I did decide to start painting a group of 3 Koi in acrylic on canvas.

I know I mentioned that already, but it's worth repeating (if for nothing else, than to remind myself that I really need to get back to working on that, and stop goofing off after work.)
The other day, when I was leaving the house to go to work, as I was driving down the driveway, I thought I saw an old woman hunched over like this in front of a house across the street. Granted I was looking over my right shoulder checking for cars, and I saw it out of the very corner of my eye. It turned out to be some weird shrub outside of the neighbors front door...So I thought I would bring the old lady to life. Shortly there-after I almost hit a cat that was lazily walking across the street, in the exact location where I hit a squirrel last week. I'm still sad about hitting the squirrel. But the stupid thing ran under my car as I was doing 35mph. And when I say "ran under my car" I mean he waited, until my back tire was ontop of him to attempt to sprint. The cat however didn't meet such an unfortunate fate, I slowed and let him pass. Stupid cat. Walking all nonchalantly across the stupid street.

As I said earlier, I draw at work, and I tend to call it "doodeling" when co-workers ask me "what are you drawing"...to keep their prying eyes out of my business. So the other day, saying "oh, I'm just doodeling", didn't work so well with one of my nosy co-workers. He still wanted to see what I was drawing. It just so happened to be my exhausted princess, chilling out on a lounge chair. You know, I added the rug because I wasn't doing anything else productive at work. She doesn't have any eyebrows, which really bothers me, and I'm not quite sure why...


Have you noticed an aquatic theme here? I don't know what's up with all the Koi and mermaids lately, but they won't leave. Not that I want them to. If they want to swim around whenever I put my pencil down, that's fantastic!

But yeah, this one I like to think of a mermaid not being happy with sea-life, and just wanting to take off...she's got a baby mermaid too, I haven't decided if it's her baby, or if she stole it. There really could be a whole story here- I just don't want it to get all "Little Mermaid" on me, because every time I think of mermaids, that's what I think of.

Oh yeah, in case you can't tell, that's a fisherman's net full of fish she's holding on to. And those are bubbles, not drops of water. It just dawned on me that it looks like water droplets, instead of bubbles....dang it! Maybe I'll photoshop this one a little...or re-do it in some sort of sweet painting style...we'll see, my list of photoshop drawings is growing faster than I have time to crank them out.

I have more to share, but due to the sensitivity of their nature, I can't post them. Ok, that's not entirely true. I'm greedy, and don't yet want to share some of them with you- because...well...I'm working on a story, and they just so happen to be possibly characters. Once I get more comfortable with having them out there...for all of the web to see, then I'll see about posting them. But not until then. (or if I run out of stuff to draw and post....you know, cause that might happen)

Because I like to Taunt you...

hahahahaha. Oh yes. I have no pictures today. Just a note about what I am currently working on, to purhaps spark an interest in anyone who is reading.
That back-flipping mermaid from 3 posts ago, is now appearing in photoshop. She's getting some color added to her grey graphic outline. No promise as to when you can expect to see that up here, but I am working on it.
A few nights ago I began an acrylic painting of some Koi fish. Much like the 3 pictured 3 posts ago. So far, only the background color has been painted. But rest assured, it's sitting on my drawing table, starring me in the face every day- so I'm not going to forget to go back to it.
I'm also awaiting the arrival of some photos for a commissioned piece- of a dog. That one won't take as long as these other ones- because we all know money talks.
That sounded bad.
I do love to do art work. However, when it's for my own enjoyment (back-flipping mermaid, and painted-Koi), I tend to take awhile, because...well...I don't like finishing my stuff. I like to always feel like something needs to be done. Whereas, the commissioned pieces- people want their stuff, and I've got deadlines I've promised. So those go out, lickedy-split.
I do need to scan some of the images in from my sketchbook, so you can see, that I have been drawing every weekday since the last week of March.

Props to my Pops

Last weekend I went to visit my parents. I've got to give it to them, my crafty side comes from a combination of the two of them. My mom used to draw when she was younger, she can knit, crochet, and sew...currently she's a member of some quilting circle, and keeps showing me neat tricks for sewing (I'll post up some of that stuff later). But my dad...man, he's crazy! He carves wood. He's a member of the Hunt County Wood Turners, every weekend it seems, he's out carving pens somewhere for something. He makes a lot of really sweet looking stuff (not just pens, but bowls, potpouri holders, candle holders, bottle stoppers, etc. etc. If you can think of it, I'm sure he would attempt it. He's even made beer tap handles for my boyfriends work). So whenever he shows me a new creation, it's really no big surprise that he could come up with it, he's just that talented.
But last weekend...he shocked me. He once built me a 2D Animation Table (like that but no legs...and no black around the circle) while I was going to The Art Institute. This really shouldn't have shocked me I guess, but it did.
I saw THIS laying in the floor, next to all of my moms craft stuff, and I was like "did your scanner break?"
"Nope, look in it" they replied.
I opened the lid. In it was THIS. I just stared at it. GENIOUS!
Basically, my dad took all the guts out of the scanner and placing a light inside, because yes, the scanner did crap out when they moved to Texas. So with there really not being any electronic use for the thing, why not make it into a light box?
I've seen posts on various forums talking about taking the glass from a scanner out to make a light box...but this is an all in one. Only junk the bad part...not the whole thing. Plus, with the closing lid, you can keep the glass clean in between uses. OMG! Genious I tell you!!!

So if any of you out there, need a quick way to make an animation table get you one of these- glue it to the glass, or even part of the scanner under the lid, replace the inside of the scanner with a light- and you're good to go! I think it may work a little better as a light box...not an animation table, but hey! You work with what you can afford, right?

The Greatest Person EVER!

I just want to take the time, in this post- to Personally thank Tania. She is one of the greatest friends I know. She took it upon herself to figure out what was wrong with my website, and find out how to fix it, for me...Way to be pro-active!

She's fantastic! (I know I thanked you already in person...but a blog just sums it up more)

Seriously girl, that was really badass of you! Now I can view it at work, you can view it at work, heck, even my mom can view it at work! I'm so thrilled! You have no idea!!! I think if it hadn't been for you doing all of the leg work, my site would be doomed to only being viewable at peoples homes. It's great.

Now I can find things wrong with it at work, and go home and fix it :) (much like the watermarking issues that you pointed out).

THANK YOU TANIA! You are the greatest friend on the planet! You ROCK!

Oh yeah- The site...because I haven't mentioned it enough... www.ashadebetterthanstickfigures.com BooYah!

happy dance, happy dance!!!

sketches, oh sketches

Back flipping Mermaid-
I'm on a fish kick...or maybe it's a zero gravity kick...I really don't know.

I don't even know if you can really tell that this is a back flipping mermaid or not. I'm going to paint it in photoshop so that should help it out a bit.





See what I'm saying about being on a fish kick?

This was the second drawing I did last week that had fins in it. The mermaid was the 3rd.

I think this all spawned from seeing a friends' cell phone charm. She has a Koi fish made of metal or something that she had with her when we went to Houston and I just kept thinking how pretty Koi are, and how much I haven't thought of them as a subject for a drawing because I'm completely oblivious.

Sorry Mr. D- I've done you wrong. BE OBSERVANT he always said. And he wasn't kidding. I need to be more observant. These fish are out of my head, I didn't look at anything to draw them...so...well, they all remind me of the 3 eyed fish from The Simpsons.

And here's the first one that started it all.
I started a sketchbook journal. I actually found the one that I started back in 2005, and just started drawing where I left off. I guess in 2005 I had made a New Years Resolution to draw everyday. I drew 2 days in a row...then didn't draw for 4 days, then drew one day...then I didn't have anything. It's great to see that I failed. I'm not holding myself to everyday.

As long as I draw, when I feel the need, then I don't see it as failing. I usually draw when I feel the need to write something. So it happened like everyday last week. I didn't post them all, because some of them were just in blue pencil and my scanner didn't pick it up. So you get the ones that at least have an outline.

I do intend to paint all of these in Photoshop...or perhaps I'll do larger versions on canvas and paint in acrylic. We'll see how it goes.

Scanning adventures

Ok, so this actually happened 2 days ago, but I'm going to pretend like it happened last night, since I said I was going to scan some stuff in, according to my post from last night anyway.

So for years, I have been a Microsoft/Windows girl. (ok, well in all honesty, in High School I thought computers were cheating, and shouldn't be touched with a 10 foot pole- I have since grown up and gotten with the program) My first computer was a Sony Viao laptop (I don't even know if I spelled that right, that's how long it's been)- and it wasn't even capable of handling any kind of internet that went faster than dial up (you know, pre 2000 dial up). While I was at the Art Institute, I purchased a rediculously expensive Gateway computer, that was supposed to be able to support any and every program known to man...and the sales man (never trust them) promised me it wouldn't be inferrior to anything else that came out for the next 5 years. The next month Gateway closed all of it's stores, and they had an even more badass computer sitting at Best Buy. Yeah, I'm a genious.
After getting...oh I don't know...50 or so viruses on my Gateway, I had had enough. So I recently purchased a Mac Book Pro. I'm not a mac girl. Well I am now, but purchasing it, I wasn't. Mac's are for all those hip kids that know what they're doing (or the simple minded, take your pick). The interface is so easy to use, that I find myself over-thinking things- and when I try to install a program, when it says "drag the icon to the desk top" I assume there are 10 steps after that to make sure the program is installed- so you can imagine my shock when the icon is on the desktop- AND IT ACTUALLY OPENS THE PROGRAM.

This leads me to "last night". (read first paragraph for explination of the use of " and ") I have a printer, that I've had for the last 2 years or so. It's been nicely attached to my virus eaten desktop (gateway- you suck!)- it is so new, that just by plugging the USB cord into my USB port on my mac- allows me to print. Just THAT EASY! So I assumed that my scanner would do the same thing.

Yeah not so much. (how do we spell assume???)

My computer wouldn't even recognize that anything was plugged in. Me of course living with an IT guy, felt that I should know some IT stuff, because if I'm sharing space with the IT guy, osmosis should take effect, right? Plus, I'm dating a guy who is also IT savey. (ok, the truth is, I ask those 2 for way too much help with my electronics, surely I can figure out how to get my scanner working, without buying a new one)

So I'm sitting there, just me, my laptop, and my scanner. I know David (boyfriend IT) has mentioned before about downloading drivers to get things to work. So I went searching on the glorious thing we call the internet. I found one. FANTASTIC! So I download it. I install it. I plug the scanner in. IT MAKES THE CALIBRATING SOUND!!! I was over joyed. But then I was like "um, wait- there should be a program opening with this". I can't just hit the scan button on the scanner...because it doesn't do anything.

So now I make a mad dash around my living area (keep in mind, I've lived at this place for 14 months now and STILL have boxes full of crap from when I moved), I'm going thru boxes left and right, then finally I find the label that I had stuck to my "computer, CDs, and other electronic crap" box. I found the label, not the box. So I had to attempt to find the unlabeled box.

Found it. Burried in the bottom is a CD for the scanner (keep in mind I've had 3 of these scanners, so I had to deduce that this was the correct scanner installer CD)

So I go to load it, and it loads. Everything loads and installs. I started doing a happy dance. I'M A GENIOUS!!! Then, I plugged in the scanner. ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE! An Error message pops up, telling me that a driver is incorrect or missing. Happy dance ends.

I sit there, thinking- and actually saying outloud to no one-"I knew I should have waited for David, or at the very least Greg" (Greg=IT roommate) I felt like a failure. That's what I get for buying a Mac. They make you feel so smart, and then you go and ruin the computer.

Ok, well all was not lost, and I had everything figured out in my head by the time David got there, who then just did exactly what I said- and POOF- it worked (you know, the whole installing the updated driver before installing the actual software does cause problems there amber...maybe you should have done that in reverse order...so much for my genious status). I'm beginning to think my High School self had it right. Computers are cheating. My work computer cheats at Solitaire every day. Then again, it is a Windows machine.

So you should have more pretty sketches to look at before the end of the weekend. I say should, because if the scanner is working, the only things that will prevent me from posting them is my laziness, or if I decide to flee town for the weekend. Hopefully neither occurs.

new drawing

Hopefully this actually shows up...I just finished this.
A co-worker commissioned me to draw this portrait...and 2 others previously.
I think of the 3 that I've done, this one is the best so far.

I've got some sketches that I need to scan and post up. Hopefully I'll have some time this weekend to get an appropriate update in...as I won't be leaving town. Not that I know of so far.

The Naked Post

HA! Had to start you off slow here. . .

All of these drawings were done while I was attending The Art Institute of Dallas.
This first one, of the sleeping guy- yeah, he was fully naked, but lets just say after he plopped down in a chair facing me, spread eagle, I changed the position of my drawing tablet and proceeded to just draw his face.
I think I probably turned 8 shades of embarrassed when he sat down.

Drawing class was always interesting, and actually really fun. I learned alot from those classes.





This guy was naked for all of our drawing classes. I have sketches of him- more naked, but none that were that great looking- so I'm posting this instead.

The class for this one, was done outside of the building, so the guy wasn't naked, he was fully clothed, and it was cold and windy outside...hence his jacket, and wind-blown hair. He was a great model. Very personable, and never made the artists feel weird.

I think he still models at AID, I'm not sure though. I used to see him when I worked at The Angelika movie theater, and that was always a little awkward.








This is one of 2 female models that were in the classes. She's the only one I have any really good drawings of.


The teacher for this class had a Scottish accent and was full of himself. He was rather irritating, but it turned out I've worked with a lot of people like him, which is really sad, because their always the people at the top of the companies.





And here she is again. She complained about this drawing when she took a break from sitting.

In my defense- models move...they don't stay in one place, so sometimes it's really hard to get the proportions of everything correct.


This girl was extremely pretty, and one of the guys in my class, I remember, had the hugest crush on her, and he refused to draw her body- out of respect to her, so he would sit there for 3 hours and just draw her face. The same day she told me she didn't like this drawing, she also told that guy that she didn't look anything like his drawing, and she was offended that he wasn't drawing her correctly. He was so upset, I think he actually ended up dropping that class.




I honestly don't remember drawing this one. I think it might have been the first one I did. I just remember the guys in that first drawing class being all giggly and retarded about it. "Oh my god, a naked chick!"...and then when the next class was a naked guy they would all flip out and couldn't figure out what part of the model they could draw without feeling weird.

I actually kind of miss the Life Drawing classes. It was always entertaining, and I learned a crap ton about proportion, and a lot about the human anatomy. It's fun to learn how muscles work.

Drawing group anyone???

So, between phone calls, entering in invoices and what not- I surf the web...while at work. Lately I've been wanting to join at "group"- you know, for social interaction, and to make a few new good friends. I thought about joining a knitting group, but then realized most of the women that attend those meetings (minus the badass, but never could quite get it together, group at DNA during lunch hours), will all some how resemble my mom- or have 10 kids, and want to share pictures. No offense people with kids, or older females...I really want to learn how to knit with people my own age. (I know I can learn a lot from older people- but it's something of a "bonding" thing that I'm craving- a need for new friends...my age!- or at least a few years younger and up to 10 years older...I don't have a whole lot in common with 50 year olds...other than knitting.)

And then I thought- "Hey, I should join a drawing group"...so I looked on google, and most of the groups that were listed have all since been disbanded, or don't meet anymore. FANTASTIC! Then I looked up "sketch artist DFW area" (because I've also been toying with the idea of looking into becoming a sketch artist for a police department...because, well...some of those sketched portraits that have been shown on the news lately are appalling, and are beginning to look more and more like aliens from outer space), and up pops this group, that I know people from. http://www.dallassketchgroup.blogspot.com/ Holy crap! I went to college with at least 2 of these people! So I'm thinking "sweet!" But then I read the blurb at the top and I'm like "damn it!", it says industry people and students, which currently I am neither. It's great to see that I'm such a dissappointment to my college degree!!!

So basically, I feel like an idiot trying to join up with a group that's industry people and students. It's not even the fact that I'm not in the industry doing "something" with my degree. I just feel like I'd be stepping on toes and they'd be all like "hey, your that girl from AID...so...drawing huh?" I don't know, the whole awkwardness of it all just makes my skin crawl. But it's people I know, so it should be comfortable, right?

It's just a difficult decision. I want some new friends. Friends who share the same interests that I do. I think I have one good friend who has almost everything in common with me, and then a whole bunch of my boyfriends friends...who are cool, don't get me wrong- but they're his friends, so no need to go stepping on those toes. Maybe I should start my own group...

I have no idea where we could meet. But I provide some great company, and I'm totally cool if you need to cancel (because let's face it, I've been cancelling on some of my friends for the last 6 months...because I'm a loner). In fact, I need to cancel this weeks meeting, because...well..just because.

No seriously, If anyone is out there, anywhere, who wants to join a drawing group, let me know- even if it has to be a blog posting (like a weekly art posting), then fine- it's something. It's interaction, and motivation. Crafters are welcome to share their knowledge...and you know what, it doesn't matter what age, if you're able to create something...BRING IT ON! Comment, or send me an email: ASBTSF@gmail.com

Thanks for reading.

The Biggest Update ever...

...so big it requires multiple posts (#5)











These are just a few of the knitted goods I've been working on. These 3 pairs of hand knitted fingerless mittens are up for sale on my website.



I've stopped adding the cover to these "mittens" because I have more fun just doing the fingerless part. But I will be happy to do a traditional Fingerless Mitten pair, if anyone would like to request some. Charges will be slightly more expensive than for just the fingerless mitten, but not too drastic.

Anyway, I do have more drawings to update, but this has become insanely large and overwhelming. I will post up some of my older artwork from The Art Institute some other time. But I will warn you, it's mostly figure drawing, so there will be nudity. I've also got some sock creatures that I've created over the last few months, but I haven't taken any pictures of them or anything. So once I do all of that I'll post them for everyone to see. I haven't decided if I want to start selling them or not. I just really like making them, and each one makes me laugh, so it would be pretty hard to part with them.

Ok, end of update for today. Thank you for your time.

The Biggest Update ever...

...so big it requires multiple posts (#4)

Here is a drawing I did for my boyfriends' friends. He went to High School with the girl in the picture, and introduced her to her husband.

But I completed this sometime early in January. I was attempting to get it finished for Christmas, but technically I wasn't commissioned by the people in the picture or any relatives to do the drawing, my boyfriend actually wanted me to do it for them as a present (an "anytime" present). Besides, my last week leading up to Christmas was taken up by doing the following drawing:




This was a late Christmas request, but I still managed to get it done within a week- delivered to the people a day or 2 after Christmas. This is "Bailey The Boxer", it was done on 11" x 14" paper I believe. The reason it's a rosey/off white color is due to the fact that I had to take a photo of it with my digital camera, because I have a small scanner.
I still have issues with the face and eyes, but the people loved the drawing.

The Biggest Update ever...

...so big it requires multiple posts (#3)

The Old Stuff:

This is a copy of an acrylic painting of a baby duck in a tree that I did my Senior year of High School. The original sold, so all I have left to take pictures of is the copy.

And to the right is a watercolor, of a baby duck that was in a High School art show- also my senior year. (I went threw a bird phase) I might actually put this one up for sale shortly, but haven't decided.


To the left is a drawing/painting that I'm quite proud of. I have a friend whose parents kept chickens in a coupe behind their house. I took a picture in black and white and then decided it would look pretty sweet drawn out. Thus we have what is to the left. I drew the chickens with a 2B Pencil, and red colored pencil. The barn and all of the background is done with watercolor. However, the fence in the foreground is actually the white of the paper. I used a Frisket/masking solution before I started drawing or painting. The Frisket actually seals off the paper from preventing any color from sticking to those spots, and then once you are done, you rub it off...it looks like boogers when you're done rubbing it off.

And here is a fantastic portrait of myself done from a black and white drawing taken while I was in my drawing class my Junior year of High School. I actually loved this drawing when I completed it...however I've since done several drawings that look way better (no matter how retarded I may look in the drawing)

examples:


That's me, breathing fire, with goofy glasses on my head, where there's a stick figure standing and an airplane attempting to crack the glasses. I think I was a Junior or Senior when I did that....not really sure.


Oh man, and this is me, drawn from a tiny tiny mirror- during my first semester at The Art Institute of Dallas...back in my eye brow piercing phase. This was actually done on like 18" x 24" paper, it's freakin' huge.

The Biggest Update ever...

...so big it requires multiple posts (#2)

This is the other pencil drawing that I want to paint in photoshop (which is what I used to paint the mermaid-gotta love layers). It's a sleeping "Beast" (Lion or something), and a girl with a rope around the "Beasts" neck. I'll post updates, you know, when I finish it, and well- when I remember to post it...in about a year or so...

The Biggest Update ever...

...so big it requires multiple posts (#1)




Remember this gem? Way back last spring/summer I posted this, saying that I was going to color it. Well I did, and never posted up the finished product.

So I thought it was about time to post it- there's actually 2 versions. so here they go:

This first one to the Right is the "dark" version. I kind of like it more than the other version because the dark background makes the other colors Pop.





Here is the "Light" version. While this was the original way I started to paint it, I just couldn't get past the light background color, plus, a true mermaid would obviously live further under the sea than light can get to, so it only made sense to throw that mer-girl in the darkness.

oye

I have stuff to post. I'm just lazy. But I wanted to post, that I do have stuff, since it's been almost a month since I posted ANYTHING.
I have several craft projects (the mittens I've been working on can be found up for sale on my website), that I've been working on. A few drawings, and all of my old work from High School and college, I finally went threw it all and took pictures. So I promise I will fill the next posts with color and sketches.
I've been getting a lot accomplished due to the fact that I can work on it at work. Which I am eternally grateful for that the head guys let me do that here. For those of you who don't know, or haven't read the previous blogs, A Shade Better Than Stick Figures- while it is my passion and my obvious choice for career path, it is not my full time gig. I do work 40 hours a week as a receptionist. So, with that said, I'm currently at work, updating this blog, while all of my art-work and pictures are on my computer at home. Which by the time I get home at night, I'm usually pretty tired and don't want to look at a computer screen.
But I WILL post up soon. I will make the time. But in the mean time, if you all are looking for something hilarious to read visit this blogger be prepared to laugh out loud.

Until the next post...

I've been reading (and by reading, I mean skimming threw) my previous blogs. Man am I boring!
I'm sure the pictures are great, and can be appreciated by most- however, there's maybe one or two posts that actually show any side of myself and/or sense of humor- which is kind of sad.
I know that I started typing this blog to go with my website (here) , and I wanted to set forth a certain level of professionalism in my blogs...however part of the fun of me doing my art and drawings and what-not, is being able to just be me.

So I appologize to all of you who like the "dry- nothing really to blog about, other than a new drawing"- blogs. I'm still going to post art work. But there's going to be more of "me" in these blogs- starting with a sense of humor.

I'm hijacking my own blog. So there's going to be art...there's going to be times to laugh, and there's going to be info about myself- none art related (maybe- I'm still undecided)

But on the up side- I may start to learn Flash. (I say "may" because- well. Flash is Animation. I haven't touched "animation"-anything since August or September of 2006) But I do have a legitimate copy of Flash on my laptop- so the point of having purchased it, with the hopes of using it- gives great weight to the fact that I will...no doubt...USE it...and sometime.

Hope this one didn't bore you...

Previous Post

The picture has been approved!!!

I did that drawing, of the little girl sniffing the flowers for a fundraiser in Wisconsin that will be taking place on February 16th. The Fundraiser is for a family that is adopting 4 children from Russia. The touching story can be found here

I have a soft spot for Wisconsin folk :D. And it turns out my High School Art teacher, and all around most talented artist, I know, referred me. Which is fantastic! I'm just glad I can be part of something that means so much. I wish I could be there in person for the fundraiser, unfortunately Texas is a tad too far to make a quick drive over for the festivities. Ah well, another time, another place.

Anyway- D if you read this- thanks for passing my name along, you're the best! (Thanks for teaching me everything I know about drawing!)

*cough, cough; sneeze* "OUCH!"

Oh the joys of being ill. This past Saturday my throat started hurting...then my body started aching. Sunday...the nose clogged, I had a fever of 102.4, my throat was so sore that I felt like I was swallowing razor blades when I was drinking water. Seriously- if I find out who gave this crap to me, I'm giving them the next illness I get (hopefully that won't be for a very long time). So yeah, the reason I'm writing about it- Monday I had to take a sick day from work, work that I've only been at for 2 weeks. I hate that, I try my hardest to meet that 90 day probationary period before taking a sick day, but stupid upper resperitory infection has me being contagious- and also with doctors orders stating that I can't go back to work until Wednesday. Wednesday. That's 2 days used of my 5 sick days...after only working 2 weeks. That has to be some sort of record. Anyway, why is this on my art blog you ask? Well I was asked to draw something very important last week, and after scanning many many many pictures I finally found one to draw for this important occasion. The drawing is of a little girl sniffing some flowers:

There's a hint of colored pencil in the flowers and in the grass, it's kind of difficult to see that here, but I promise there is color in it.

Ok, now you ask what this drawing has to do with me being sick- I completed it today...while I was at home sick. I don't like being home sick, and quite frankly I was going to take it to work to work on anyway, but I'm so dizzy right now, I can't really even tell if she's sniffing flowers, or if it looks more like she fell on her face. But anyway- I feel bad, because I can complete a drawing (81/2" x 11" drawing...in an hour), but I can't go to work. Granted I probably shouldn't be driving if I'm dizzy, and the doctor did say I was contagious- and I really don't want this spreading around and then getting back to me in another 3 weeks- but still. I feel guilty. I'm resting and drinking fluids, but if I can draw for an hour- surely I can answer the phones for an hour at work? (ok, I do sound like a truck driver whose smoked entirely too many cigarettes and currently coughs every 5 minutes because I tried to clear my throat- but still...I don't like missing work.)

So anyway- #1- I'm sick; #2- this is a special drawing, and hopefully it gets approval and then I can share with you what it is for.

Thanks for reading. Sorry if it doesn't make sense, I'm not in a sense making mood right now. I need a nap, and a blanket...

website disastors!

I really don't understand it. www.ashadebetterthanstickfigures.com was supposed to be great, so easy to maintain, etc. etc. Yet, it's turned into a web page that often times (especially when I'm telling someone about it), diverts to a page that's an advertisement for dotster.com. Seriously? Domain.com, who I have my domain name registered with, claims that it's whose hosting my page that is redirecting my website- yet...my hosting...is by .mac- doesn't really make sense to me- especially when the dotster phone number almost identically matches domain's phone number.
Anyway- be prepared, because I may not have www.ashadebetterthanstickfigures.com much longer- I'll let you know what the website is, once I have it fixed.
Hopefully all the bugs will be ironed out quickly and 2008 can go on being a successful year.

Haven't drawn much lately- but I'm getting there- I'll post pictures a little later. (I know, I know, where's all the old drawings I promised when I put the christmas decorations away? I'm ashamed of myself- I was lazy, and didn't get them out- all I can say, is some day- expect to see some classic drawings by me- Amber.

Thanks!

Web Site

www.ashadebetterthanstickfigures.com is up and running. I have been notified of a few people not being able to see it and it re-directing them to a page about getting your own domains- however, the people that have told me about it, are also looking at it from work- some companies might have a block on various websites. But I can't seem to get that page to come up, both at work and at home.

Anyway- it's up, still needs lots of work- I just wanted to get it up, since I've been paying for domain space for a year now. No worries, I'll leave my blog here, and set up a link on my web page to direct persons here to read updates, or entries or what-have-you.

Not all of my drawings are up yet, so keep checking back to the galleries for updates, especially the for sale page- as I do have several pieces I wouldn't mind selling. I'm not listing prices yet, only leaving my email for inquiries into pieces, so I can figure out prices to include shipping (the pieces that are going to be up for sale are either large, with mattes- so they have to be shipped flat, or they include hand made wooden frames (my dad crafted those), which will add a hefty price to me shipping- usually I cover shipping charges on the requested portraits from photographs, but since these are already done, and framing is included sometimes, then I want to be compensated- if that doesn't sound too horrible)

Anyway- there you have it. Feel free to visit the site: www.ashadebetterthanstickfigures.com when you have some free time, and it would be even better if you contacted me with a request! :)

Hope everyone is doing well.

Take care all!
-amber-

Something Old

Ok, finally something from my past.  I was going threw some old sketch books today, and thought I should post up some stuff while it was handy.

The first picture is a drawing of some famous sons...sorry for the distortion (taking a photo with a digital camera on a curved surface doesn't look too great.)  The one on the left is Rufus Wainwright (spelling on the last name could be wrong- he's a musician)- the one on the right...yeah, I don't remember who that is.  I drew these my senior 

year of high school, sometime in the fall of 2000.  

The next drawing is of Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers Band.  (sorry if the spelling is wrong on the band name)  I don't particularly care for the band, but I started drawing this picture from a photograph in a Rolling Stone Magazine, back in the fall or spring of 2000.  They were giving tours to the upcoming freshman at our high school, and my art teacher asked several of the current art students to stay after school and draw or paint or sculpt and to interact with the kids and answer any questions they may have for their peers.  Once I finished this drawing I started drawing Dickey Betts, also from The Allman Brothers Band.  I was big into looking at Rolling Stone Magazines for photographs of people.  I think most of my High School art work reflects that, with portraits of musicians, or of instruments, or portraits of famous people.  Anyway, that's all for now, I have some more drawings I want to 

Post up, so expect to see some new stuff as well as some more

old goodies.

-amber-

bologna sandwiches and Dr. Pepper...and an Update

Update:
Good news, the previous drawings that were posted were approved. (there was a little tweeking that needed to be done to one of the kids' smiles- but it's been adjusted, approved, and delivered)

A Shade Better Than Stick Figures (after re-reading some of my previous blogs I realized it's necessary to update this), is a go! After the mass quantities of Christmas requests and having enough time to apply, I got approved for my tax ID...now if only my website was up and running...(2008...it'll be a great year!) And for those of you who are new to A Shade Better Than Stick Figures, or don't know- it's not just a blog. I've been drawing for many many many years- since I was a kid, probably before I entered into elementary school. I didn't actually catch on to the fact that I might be good at it until my Senior year of High school. (I sold several paintings/drawings that year.) So I moved from Wisconsin, to Texas to attend The Art Institute in Dallas, for computer animation. Not having success in the animation field I worked various jobs but always drew on the side. In 2004 I came up with a name for a drawing business: A Shade Better Than Stick Figures, and it's been stuck every since. Since I only usually got requests for 2-3 drawings a year, from family, or friends- I never really considered it as a "business". That is, until some recent encouragement from some great people, convinced me it was time to make it my business.

So, I'm sitting here...at my 8 hour a day job that's not A Shade Better Than Stick Figures, digging into my bologna sandwich 1/2 an hour early, thinking. While I don't get enough requests year round yet, to make this full time, it sure would be nice if I could take a vacation for the months of November and December from my "job" to concentrate 100% on my drawings. Isn't day dreaming grand?

Anyway- more pictures will come- I'm working on two drawings now, an 8"x 11" drawing of a newborn baby and her mom, and a 11" x 14" drawing of a boxer. My concentration right now is more on the Boxer, as it's bigger, and there is fur to be drawn. But the baby and mom aren't far behind. Also, expect to see several Classic Car drawings in the months ahead. There's 3 or 4 of them that have all been started- just need some TLC to finish them. AND...yes, another thing...those drawings that I'm going to be colorizing (either with colored pencil or via photoshop)- I posted the pencil sketch of the mermaid a few months ago- that one is mostly done (but on my laptop that doesn't have internet capabilities- I know...what's wrong with me?)- so once I have a moment to finish and transfer the file, I'll post it. The others have stalled out due to the Christmas season...but they will get finished in 2008- promise.

Also, I know I posted- a bazillion posts or so ago- that I would post pictures of some of the other stuff I have done in the past...give me until after christmas, after the new year, when I'm re-organizing my closet to make room for the Christmas decorations again- and I'll pull out my portfolios- who knows, maybe I'll put some of it up for sale.

Take care everyone, and Merry Early Christmas!!!

awaiting approval...but here's the pictures

Here are 2 drawings that I did for a co-worker, to give as gifts this christmas:

The first one was drawn from 3 seperate photographs.

The second one was drawn from 2 seperate photographs, and it proved a tad-bit challenging- as they are both doing sports, and to get them into one drawing was pretty tough.

I'm still awaiting approval, but hopefully she likes both drawings. If not, then you'll get to see more drawings :P.

cats!!!!

Here are some drawings I did per request for a Christmas present this year.

It really made me want to get a cat. The first one was drawn from a color photo of an orange cat named Basil.

The second is from a color photo of a cat named Sage (gray tiger stripped), and the third is of a black cat named Olive.

The fourth drawing is of all 3 of the cats, drawn from a color photo of them all looking out a window. Seriously cute cats! I especially liked the orange and black cats. The orange one is peeking out of a bowl/vase of some sort. These could have been even cuter if I had used colored pencils- but as this was for a Christmas present- and color wasn't requested, I wanted to make sure I could get them done on time and shipped in time to deliver by Christmas. I think they look pretty schnazzy in pencil- but then again I'm biased. :P

here you go...

Drawings that were promised...

Soy Sos

I said I would post something new...so here it is. My latest Munny. His name is Soy Sos, named after a friends car that he was designed after.

This was an accomplishment in itself. I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, and the more I looked at it, the more I couldn't stop painting.

He's completed with Acrylic paint, and finished with Krylon UV-Resistant Clear Acrylic Coating (Gloss finish).

Life is short...let it begin

After almost being creamed by an 18 wheeler this morning in the rain, while driving on a Texas Highway, I think it's high- time I get my butt in gear and do this thing already. A Shade Better Than Stick Figures has been too long in the making to just sit here and semi-exsist. (Granted it's more than an 18 wheeler charging at my passanger side door that's made me think this way :D...all last week I've been researching too).
I want it, I can taste it, I can feel it in my bones- I can see the website, I can see the dollar signs (of course many of those dollar signs are flying out of my wallet)- I can see the almost tax ID, I can see the store front/art gallery with lettering on the windows...awe to be young and inspired...
I know there's hard work. But it's passion inspired, motivation driven...it's there. I think it's time. My head is in the right place.
Posts to follow with the art I've been working on...be prepared.

update

Here's a picture of David's car that I drew several weeks ago...sorry I haven't posted lately, it's been crazy around here.








This is a sketch I did yesterday. not done. I want to possibly paint it in photoshop...maybe, there's 3 of these "I want to paint in photoshop" projects in my hands right now- we'll see how soon that gets done.















So that's it for my update, for now. I have 2 new Munny's that I haven't posted pictures of...one is still in progress, but by far my favorite. Must go, the art bug has bit me and I need to get to drawing, or painting something.

Animal Crackers, Distractions, and Incompleteness

So as I'm sitting here...at work, pondering life and eating animal crackers- as I often do- I realize that I haven't posted anything new in awhile...or anything old, for that matter.
I wanted to apologize for that. I've been so good with the updates, and then I go and throw it out the door.

Here's a run down: I finished the 2nd drawing of "For Betty", for my friend. I didn't scan it though, she came to pick it up before I had a chance- it actually turned out better than the one that I previously posted. She liked them both, I hope the rest of her family liked them as much.
I started and am 1/2 way done with my 3rd Munny. The second Munny I did for a friend. The Munny looks like a Panda bear with a Blue and Purple scarf (which I knitted), his name is Pandar- it's from a City of Villans character that my friend created. Then there's the third one, which is named after this blog: A Shade Better Than Stick Figures. I used waterslide transfer paper to adhere scanned images of my art work to the Munny. Everything is on it, I just had to get the clear coat for it- which is Krylon Clear Coat, paint on...It's taking longer than planned. My dad is building...or recently built (I just haven't received it yet), a paint stand, so all of the Munny pieces will fit on it at once so I can paint, and they can dry, right there, no problems. Once I have that, I can finish the 3rd Munny and Post him. I think he'll be called ASBTSF for short...which is also my screen name on the Munny Forum. :P
I'm trying to think if I worked on anything else as of late...I do have 2 seperate drawings in the works, neither are complete, both are just for fun, and both will be in color. One is with colored Pencil and the other...well it hasn't been decided how that will be done yet.

So it's not that I don't want to post...It's more like- everything is in a stage of incompleteness, and I'm not ready to unveil it until it's completely done...I may post pictures of the progress once it's complete, but not before.

Also, I will try to dig out some drawings from "the past" to post, just for fun. But anyway, that is the update for now. I do apologize for the lack of posting, I really do. Thanks for understanding (all 2 people who read my blog).

last post~

Ok, I think I'm an idiot. I just re-read that last blog- why does something typed one day sound good that day, and then 2 days later- it reads really horrible?

I like drawing- no matter the topic, subject, whatever (especially if I'm getting paid for it) ;) ;). I think where I was going with that last post was an open invite into my head while I draw, which should always be a shut door policy. So I do apologize for that.

Just know that if I drag my feet on getting a drawing done, it in no way has anything to do with you the commissioner- it has everything to do with my emotional state and my connection with the subject matter. Even if I don't know the person who is the subject- if they happen to be deceased I often find myself wondering how the person commissioning the project is doing-how they are coping with the loved one being gone- if they are as messed up as I am, when someone dies...it's all very weird.

So yeah- I like drawing-anything...with-in-reason...for a price. I'm not limited to the stuff that you see on my blog- I drew some really messed up stuff in High school. Maybe I should show some of that stuff off...

"For Betty"

Here's the drawing I promised. To be honest I love and hate these drawings- let me explain:

People usually come to me to draw a loved one- unfortunately, sometimes, it's of a loved one whose past on. In this case- this was a friend of mine who asked me to draw her grandma who past over Memorial day weekend. I actually knew her grandma and it was kind of hard to draw this picture for me. I just hope I did her justice- I'm awaiting word from her now. I don't really hate doing these drawings, it's just sometimes, the fact that they're dead makes it harder for me (I don't deal well with death for some reason). Maybe that's why I like drawing kids better... O_o...who knows.

This is one of two drawings that I'm doing for her family- they will be the same...or relatively close- they're both from the same photograph, so hopefully the next one will come out looking close to this one, or better.

the Munny forum

no no...no new drawings to post just yet...hang tight.
This post is about the previous post. I finally got some courage- thanks to a push from a fellow vinyl-head, and posted my munny, in the Munny forum, and got some encouraging words. Although everyone said it looked jazzy.
He got a new name J-Boogie...or J-Groove, I still haven't decided which I like better.

He will be getting a new friend soon-only to be taken away very shortly- as I was doing it as a project for someone else. I'll post pictures of that up soon too. (so many projects!!! Making my head spin!!!)

Also- some of you will be happy to know that I finally, at long last, registered a domain name, and will soon- maybe not as soon as some of you would have liked- will have a website. So stay tuned. I won't abandoned blogger or any of the other various websites I frequent when I get my website up and running- it will be more of a show-off gallery- and a "pimp-my-talents-for-possible-business" web-site. I'll have links on it to this and all my other sites too :)

anyway, must go- too many projects to leave sitting for too long...

I've been MIA because of MUNNY

This is the reason I've not posted anything in awhile...It's a Munny. It's something that is in diar need of a 12 step program.

I bought this one intending to give it as a gift to a friend, but couldn't bear to part with it...so I bought her another one- then I bought myself 5 more to work on...I know...it's rediculous. So while it may seem like I've stepped off the face of the earth and stepped away from my traditional medium of drawing on paper I haven't...I'll be posting a drawing soon. But be prepared for more Munny's soon. You can go to www.kidrobot.com to join the fun if you dare. Be warned, this is the most addicting- non-drug-thing, ever! EVER! It's awesome!!!!

Oh yeah, I did the above Munny using Prismacolor colored pencil only...and 2 really horrible coats of Krylon UV protectant glossy finish spray...I had never spray-painted anything prior to this project, so it dripped because I got too heavy with it in spots, and it bubbled in spots because...well I live in Texas, and the humidity of spraying outside, without the use of a spray booth isn't the wisest of ideas...but it's all I had to work with for well-ventilated-areas.