Back at it!

While I haven't drawn anything in a week or two, I'm deciding my hiatus from taking drawing requests is over. I'm sure I'll still draw a freebie here and there, because when the drawing bug hits, I can't help myself. But if you are interested in having a drawing done from your photograph, please don't hesitate to contact me: ASBTSF@gmail.com. I've updated my website to reflect that I'm taking drawing requests again. Please note the new prices and FAQs before placing your order.

Hope everyone is doing well!

"Morgan"

My mom requested that I draw a picture for a woman that she's been working with. After humming and hawing about it for the last few weeks, I decided to give it a go last Saturday.

"Quit tapping on the glass!"

Something magical happened last week. I wished someone a happy birthday on facebook (someone I don't know personally, but is friends with Gonzo)- and his response was "What did you draw me?" It takes me back a few steps when someone I don't personally know, knows that I draw. Even when it's someone I know through work that asks "what have you been drawing lately?". I don't know why...but it freaks me out (in a good way- sometimes I forget I have a website, a blog and a fan page...and that Gonzo likes to talk about me drawing). So I asked this person what he would like me to draw for him and his response was "a chimp holding an AR-15". I have never drawn a gun before. And I don't condone giving chimps guns (although there are days, when I visit the zoo, that I wonder what a monkey/chimp/orangutan is really thinking when people tap on the glass of their enclosures...I used to know a certain silver back gorilla at the Ft. Worth zoo who HATED children banging on his enclosure.), but this seemed like a relatively quirky thing to draw, so I said "why not" and threw caution to the wind. I had been roughing him out for a few days, and finally just dove head first into it yesterday while at work. Took about 3 hours. While I was drawing him I just kept going "oh this looks like crap!""Why did I draw that line?""Geez, he's probably going to just throw it away, this is such a mess"...I don't know why, but this line of thought goes thru my head for just about every drawing...and then I scan it...and low and behold I'm like a little kid. "Holy crap! I drew that??? Geez! That's awesome!" It's just something about seeing it on a computer screen vs. right in front of me on paper...it's weird. And you know what- it happened with this drawing too. I still have a few issues with the chimp, but the gun looks pretty sweet for a first time drawing a gun...In my opnion. Anyway. I'm drawing. The End.

remember me?

I feel it's time for an update- but I have no pictures to share- so I'm sorry in advance. You remember the drawing I was talking about in the last post (2 months ago...), I haven't touched it since I wrote that. He's sitting on a couch in between pages of a sketchbook. I've doodled some, and done a whole lot of thinking "I should really draw something" and then not picking up a pencil. It's like writers block only with art...artist-block? Which is painful no matter what it's called. I got so frustrated and paniced that I haven't drawn anything to completion, that I went so far as to contact a long lost "friend"* and ask for them to send me a photo of a drawing I did for them 10 years ago and never took a picture of- in hopes of the magical "thing" that makes me draw would be awakened...after sending a rambling email, then cursing myself the minute I sent it for sounding like a crazy person asking for "magical images of long lost creative art"- a friend posted a photo on Facebook of her daughter. A really adorable photo, which I stole** (in this case it's really not like stealing, it's saving an image to be used to make great things- to be sent to the parents FREE of charge- no stealing, I borrowed. an image. online. Not stealing. at least not in this case) I started drawing it...last Thursday. It's small scale- 8 x 10"...and then I had to run an errand. It felt really good to draw. I'll get back to it- someday. You know what felt even better while I was drawing it though? The fact that it's a surprise and no one knows that I'm drawing it (you don't even really know the exact image I'm talking about- so even you, dear reader, have no idea...more of the surprise factor there). I think I like drawing "surprises" more than taking orders for custom drawings. Sure free surprises don't help pay any bills, but if it doesn't make me happy then why do it? I like the free surprises and I'm sure a lot of people enjoy that I like making free surprises. **To those people who think I'm giving you permission to steal/save images from the web and do whatever with- I'm not saying that. You should always ask permission before using an image you find on the web (or even in print for that matter)- you should make every effort possible to contact the owner of the image before using it (or at least give credit to the source). If you never receive permission- you should move on to something different. That's just my 2 cents. In my case- this is a friend, who I know won't mind that I'm using her photo- especially since she's getting a drawing because of it. *And to my "friend" from 10 years ago- if you ever read this- I'm so sorry for the rambling-crazy-sounding message. You make me nervous. Plus there's really no good way to say "I lost my mojo for drawing! Help me help myself by taking a photo of that thing I drew for you forever ago"...I guess if I didn't sound crazy you might not have believed it was me asking for it. I will continue to live with this art-block and hope that it goes away soon, because I miss posting pictures for all to see- and I've been told I have "secret followers"! Which makes me giddy. But also sad, because you are having to read blocks of text instead of seeing images. I'll work on it, promise (I'll work on it even for those that follow so boldly- all 9 of you- I love you 9, but I also will secretly love my secret followers too- don't worry I blog stalk people all the time without publicly following them..hehehe).

My oh my

(warning!!! Word heavy!!! And no pictures!!!!)

Where is the time going? I have been one giant lazy lump this month!
Still on a semi-break from drawing (not really, but I really don't want to share what I have been doodeling). I knitted there for awhile and set a pretty big goal of knitting one hat and one scarf every month to give to a charity at the end of the year (so 12 hats and 12 scarves by December...)- I'm ahead of my quota so far, but I haven't knitted anything in February. I'm attempting to re-teach myself how to crochet since it's been almost 10 years since I have crochet anything. I'll be honest, I never learned to read patterns back then...I didn't even know what the abbreviations stood for. Now that I picked up and love knitting, I thought I would learn crocheting the right way. If only the phones would stop ringing at work for me to pick it up and keep count of the stitches...Wondering if now is the best time to try to learn something, when I should stick with my original quota...

I will share with you that I have been drawing. In fact I picked up this years Vanity Fair- Oscar's edition based on the famous faces in the photos. I thought I would go back to my roots of drawing (man that makes me sound old!), of drawing famous people from the pages of magazines. I drew a picture of Minnie Driver, which looks absolutely horrible! Drawing on a curved surface (new sketchbook- won't lay flat), from a curved surface (magazine, which also won't lay flat) caused it to come out all wonkie- I'm sure if you looked at 1" sections you would be able to recognize her- but overall it's a giant mess.
Then this weekend I decided I needed to make something on a bigger scale, so I grabbed my 11" x 14" sketchbook, and ripped the page from Vanity Fair that has Jeff Bridges' picture on it, out of the magazine (no curves this time!...The Sketchbook is spiral bound- thank God!) So, I'm working on that now. It's bigger and I'm really paying close attention to detail, so it'll be awhile before it's done. I've had to redraw the nose 4 times already, so there's no telling when I'll be finished, or if I'll like the final product. Hopefully I'll be able to post the completed work, whether I like it or not :)
While drawing Mr. Bridges, though, I realized- I used to be so good at drawing the 8"x10" drawings for everyone that I rushed thru them, a lot of the time. Don't get me wrong, I still drew what people wanted and with details, but I don't think I ever stopped and really LOOKED at the photos, and examined the photos details. I think I got so wrapped up in the "2 week turn around? I can have this sucker done in 2 hours!" that I stopped really seeing what I should have been seeing. So I'm taking my time with Mr. Bridges. I spent about an hour just looking at his right eye and getting the proportions correct and adding wrinkles with just the right shading. At this rate, I'll be done with it in a year :)

Oh and on a side note, I watched the movie "The Cool School" this weekend. I don't really know what to feel about it. I like watching documentaries...particularly ones about art (because they usually make me want to pick up a pencil or brush...which this one did)- but this one just left me feeling kind of void. #1 I have always hated pop art. At least when it comes to Andy Warhol- it's like he was making a big joke of art- or saying "this is so easy anyone can do it"- which has always infuriated me (They only talk about him for about 15 minutes). But then they were showing what kind of competition exsisted in this group of artists back in the 60s, which made me kind of sad. They would make complete crap, and know it was complete crap, but they wanted to have their stuff in this gallery, so they would hang it and silently be freaking out, but having a cocky attitude about it while the show was going on. It was just a little wierd to me, watching that movie and seeing these old artists relive their hayday...I'm glad I wasn't an artist in the 60s.
But about pop art...now I've become a fan of Banksy, which is pop art in a way- I loved "Exit Through The Gift Shop", even though it wasn't about Banksy (or was it? :P). I love the street art phenomina that's happening, that's clashing with pop art to create something vivid and real and new(ish). I don't care for Mr. Brainwash, and even while the movie was going on I took moments to go "He can't be serious" (and that was before I read online reviews about the movie). But I do like Banksy, and I'm probably partially crazy because I take time to look at the graffiti that's left around town to SEE it...really SEE it. I think it's amazing what can be accomplished with a spray paint can and a little imagination.

hands

I'm still drawing, from time to time :)
This one is with a black ball point pen in a sketch book- from a photograph in an Anatomy book.

Hello? Is this thing on?

Hello 2011...hehe. I meant to write this last week.
Changes they are a-happening. Thank you for that new year. I've been knitting, and writing- but not drawing.
I have a bit of drawing-block right now. I tried to draw some yesterday when I thought the mood was stricking, but for whatever reason I just couldn't draw anything of interest. I've been interested in painting lately, but- well...I don't really have an excuse for not breaking out the brushes, other than pure lazyness.
I went to the Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival last weekend. A lot of really talented artists were there. But I was sick (I'm still sick), so I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have. I didn't even find myself remotely curious in getting tattooed. I was just all sorts of off my game. But the art, in their little gallery was stunning, to say the least. Really puts my stuff to shame, but encourages me to keep at it. So yes. While I don't have anything to show you now, hopefully the block will be lifted soon and I will have some pretty little images to share with you.
Hope everyone's 2011 is off to a good start!

So long 2010- I will not miss you!

This year was kind of rough, it started with being in the hospital recovering from 2 surgeries. My first craft show (which was really exciting) was a blast in the spring; I had to cancel 2 other craft shows I was supposed to go to- one because of weather and the other because of a funeral; the 4th craft show was fun, and the 5th show that I was supposed to do turned into a debacle and a refund and me not showing- which was all very stressful and expensive to get ready for only to end up not doing it. The 4th show produced a lot of custom orders which I was very thankful for- but I had grown tired and stressed and cranky. I decided to not do custom orders anymore in 2010, which makes me kind of sad, but relieved to have a break. In August I moved and in doing so I messed up my back. After an MRI, and a neuro-surgeon visit and being referred to the rudest pain management doctor and his staff of morons I learned my *only* option was a steroid shot- which got cancelled at the last minute because I had to have a tooth pulled and heaven forbid they give me a shot the day after that for fear of infection (hello, I had 2 emergency surgeries within 20 hours at the beginning of the year and no infection- pretty sure I could have handled it). Really glad I didn't get the shot- instead I turned to Eastern Medicine- Ayurveda. While it didn't cure me on the first visit to Pranaa, it helped my back feel better for a few weeks. I followed it up with a back massage that helped for a few hours and then I took up Yoga- which I honestly hate- but it does make my back feel better. This week has been the first full week since July that my back has not hurt.
What does this all mean? you ask?
Well, I was stressed out this year, and cranky. In April I also started orthodontics, which just adds to the crankiness every 6 weeks when they have to tighten something. My commute to my 8-5 job has increased and it leaves me a complete wreck by the time I get home at night. I'm not complaining- I want to offer an apology. I took out my frustrations and stress on several people this year, including people who ordered custom drawings- I am so very sorry. I was a cranky mess and difficult to work with- which should have never happened. I should have taken a leave at the beginning of 2010 to recover from the surgeries and find my happy place before diving in and getting overwhelmed. So I am truly sorry for my behavior and attitude this past year.
What can you expect from me in 2011? A few more posts than the end of 2010- I will still be on hiatus from taking custom orders until further notice, but I'm hoping to post some doodles and completed work in the coming year. I did actually draw between the last post and now, but didn't really want to post the outcome. Hopefully in 2011 I will also be happier and less grumpy to people- seriously, 2010 year of Amber being a grump is done!
Oh and for the few of you who are curious- I will NOT be doing any craft shows this year. While I thoroughly enjoyed the Funky Finds Spring Fling last spring and had fun at the Cowtown Indie Bazaar in the fall- I just don't have the energy or the drive to do it right now. I had fun being booth buddies with The Curious Cake Shoppe and wish them well in the coming year! I can't wait to see how they do with the new business The Curious Canvas!
I hope 2010 comes to a peaceful and happy close to all of you, and I hope that 2011 brings you much happiness and joy. Here's to a year full of art!

Moving forward

Things happen in life where you take a step back and begin to contemplate where you are heading.
I recently posted on the facebook fan page that I am taking a break from drawing for money and gave a very vague description of why.
There are very few people who actually know the real reasons why, and some who like to mock me for it. I hate having to defend myself.
Even more so I hate having to defend myself to the one person who pushed me so hard to draw for money more frequently and start "A Shade Better Than Stick Figures" as a legit business. I'm left feeling frustrated and utterly alone in my decision. And since this person's feelings have come to light about my decision to take a break, I've heard from several other people- who don't know the whole story that have the same negative things to say to me.
I understand that people are a little confused about why anyone would want to take a break from drawing for money. I totally understand that. Is there something that you do? Craft wise maybe? Or something creative wise or even mechanic wise? Where you started doing it, because it made you feel happy? It wasn't about other people, just you. Then someone saw that you were doing something that they couldn't and asked you to do it for them- for money...and then someone else...and another person? And soon it's been 5 years of doing something for other people, and you no longer do it for yourself, and you can't understand why you just don't feel motivated or happy to be doing that something just because someone is handing you money? Does it make sense?

Anyway- I'm not tired of drawing. I'm not tired of money. I'm tired of the two being linked together as a means for me to have a second income and suck the life out of any creativity that I once had. I just want to draw when I want to draw, and I want to draw what I want to draw- not what anyone else is telling me they want me to draw. People may think that I'm squandering my talent by not sharing it with the world and selling portraits to people- "just because I can"...but to me, it's the exact opposite. If I continue down this path then I won't be who I know I am. My art is my own, and yes I want to be selfish about it for awhile. I'll still post stuff that I'm working on- but don't expect any portraits for awhile. Who knows, maybe I produce some of my best stuff to date while I'm being selfish...only time will tell.

Cutest. Baby. Ever. Part IV

I had the most fun drawing this one. I love Cove's eyes, I love the photos his mom takes. They just all have so much detail in the faces. And this kid...I don't know if they get him to pose the way he does or if it's just natural for him to look so freakin' cute all the time- but whatever it is, I love drawing from Jennifer's photos.

(and yes, it totally looks like his finger is sticking in his nose...even cuter)

Cutest. Baby. Ever. Part III

This one I think I bit off more than I can chew. I saw "cute baby with a cowboy hat that's too big for his head!!! I must draw it!" and thought "I can totally draw the details in that hat!" and then once it got to the hat part I wasn't really in a detail mood. But overall I think it turned out ok...The dark part of the hat could have been a little lighter to go with the rest of the drawing, but...I kind of like how it looks.

Cutest. Baby. Ever. Part II

I made this a series...because I can't get enough of this baby. So cute!

I don't really know what else to say about it.

Cutest. Baby. Ever.

Oh man, how cute!?! This is Cove. One of the quietest babies I have ever met in my life, and also one of the cutest babies I have ever seen. If not THE cutest. I don't even know what to say about the drawing because he's just that cute. You can expect to see more drawings of this little guy, as his mom Jennifer is an amazing photographer.

Details of the drawing: 8 1/2" x 11" paper (regular old printer paper)- pencils used: HB, B, 2B, and 4B pencils.

I might actually go back and darken the strap of his tank top a little, as I'm seeing it's blending in with his cute little cheek there. So yeah...I just can't get over the cuteness that is Cove.
Have a great weekend everyone!

Horse- with corrections

Ok, so here is the corrected Horse drawing (photo, not scanned, now you can see all of it). I actually had to do a lot more tweeking with the eye, so the one seen in this photo isn't even the final product (I spaced out and forgot to take a picture of the whole horse after I finished the eye...I have no idea what my problem is...because the new eye looks so much cooler. I have a close up of it, but I'm not posting it here.)

So honestly, which horse do you like better? This one or the one in the previous post?

Horse

Shhhh, this horse hasn't been delivered yet! And it's actually not completed either. I just got word today that the commissioner of this piece would like me to blend the cheek area (so the veins are less visible) and the nose...as well as blacken the eye- pretty sure I saw the pupil in the photo I was working from, but what the commissioner wants, the commissioner gets. I actually really enjoyed drawing this horse- I wish I had a bigger scanner so I could fit it all in- there's a lot more of the neck visible in the real drawing. I'm going to make the adjustments tonight and then take a photo of it, maybe it won't look bad (I just really prefer scanned images to photos of drawings, you know?), then maybe I'll post the corrected image. I'm pretty sure you will all agree that the corrected image looks better than this one. But we shall see.

Sorry I've been so absent from posting drawings lately. It was a slow time there for awhile, and I think I needed the break. But my pencils are sharpened and ready and my sketchbook is standing by. Feel free to become a fan on Facebook (or I guess it's called "like" my page on facebook...which just sounds weird to me), A Shade Better Than Stick Figures TM and join in the fun of Sketchy Thursdays. Today is the day that you can start posting suggestions for drawings that you would like to see me draw (not from a photo, but just something that you think would be challenging for me...example: skydiving kitties; Cow in a tornado; a bus; butterflies, etc. You can also add if you want to see it cartoony, or realistic, or from still life, or whatever you think would be cool- or just leave that part up to me.), on Thursday I'll pick one suggestion and draw it over the weekend- posting the winning suggested drawing on Monday. Hope everyone participates. It's a weekly thing (granted the last 2 weeks I've been MIA on the project with other things I was working on)
It's good to be back in blogland and it's great to be back drawing.

Lulu and Bubbles

This weekend I had the honor of drawing these 2 cute dogs. I really hope the recipient of this drawing loves it as much as I loved drawing it. The person who asked me to draw them was getting it done for a present for the owner of the dogs. One of which passed away.

I get asked a lot of the time if I like drawing white dogs, or if it's hard to draw them.
I do like drawing white dogs, they are challenging- since they are drawn onto white paper, but I think that I have done a fairly decent job with all of the white dogs that I have drawn of still conveying that they look white on a white background. I don't think that it's hard to draw them, just challenging...and I love a good challenge.

After I emailed the woman about the drawing being done, she asked if I could add their names under the bench, but above the leaves- which I did- I just forgot to scan it before I gave it to her, so this is the completed drawing sans dog names.

Good times!

The Cowtown Indie Bazaar this past Saturday was awesome! I had a great time and met a lot of really great people! We had a lot of lookers and I'm really excited to be hearing from the people who said they might be interested in a drawing in the future. I have one that I'm currently working on (well not while I'm at work- I have no way to protect it from the rain- which is what it's doing today and looks like it will be doing the rest of the week- I can't afford even one sprinkle to get on the paper between my car and the door so...yeah...it's at home)- so as soon as it's complete I'll post it up here. Maybe later this week sometime.
If you made it out to the Cowtown Indie Bazaar, did you have a good time? What was your favorite vendor? Did you see anything that you want to purchase for yourself? Or for a loved one?
I was neighbors with my good friend Tania at The Curious Cake Shoppe which is always a blast. She had a ton of traffic. I found myself purchasing more goodies from Eye On The Sparrow which is one of my favorite vendors (I purchased earrings from her last spring). I love that she uses guitar strings to make jewelry..so clever! I also found some fabulous jewelry over at Freeforged Jewelry- which is definitely on my wish list- they were set up right across the walkway from me and I was staring at their stuff all day. I should have brought some extra money with me to buy a ring or the really cute twig earrings they had. There were several artists set up with some of the most beautiful paintings I have ever seen- but I wasn't able to grab any of their business cards (I walked the show before it opened to the public, and a lot of vendors hadn't finished setting up yet- so there were no business cards available- then when the show started, I didn't have very much time to walk the show- and as soon as 6pm hit- everyone started tearing down their booths). I had a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who made it out! You made it an awesome show! And special thanks to my mom for helping to keep me company in my booth for most of the morning and early afternoon!

2 things

Just 2 things today- neither are art.

1. Don't forget about the Cowtown Indie Bazaar that is coming up on September 4th. I will be there displaying some art and something a little fun (if I can find all of my boxes from moving that contained parts of it so I can work on it). And The Curious Cake Shoppe will also be there! So come check us out and support the local craft/art community.

2. I've started something a little fun (well maybe it's more fun for me...whatever) on my facebook fan page. Starting on Monday's (as long as I'm awake enough to remember), I'll post a message about leaving a comment of something you would like to see me draw (you can specify if you want to see it realistically or cartoony or whatever- if you don't specify, I get to decide). On Thursdays at 5pm I'll pick a random comment and draw it (I put the suggestions in a hat- I don't just pick and choose). I give myself until Monday morning to finish and post the drawing chosen. Last week I managed to get the drawings done before Friday. So if it sounds like something you'd be interested in taking part in, or you have a suggestion of something you would like to see me draw- head over the fan page on facebook and leave a comment on the Monday post.

Looking forward to seeing the suggestions :)

New drawing

After a brief hiatus from drawing I'm back. I drew the image here for a co-worker of mine. Didn't take me long to draw at all, which was surprising, since it's been over 2 months since I picked up a pencil- even to doodle. Glad it was like riding a bike this time.

I'll probably be a little dead on the blog again for the next few weeks- I'm in the process of moving- so everything is boxed up at the moment and I'm not sure when I'll be able to unpack everything.
I've been knitting and sewing (more knitting than sewing though). I actually have to get all of the sewing out of the way before the Cowtown Indie Bazaar in September (don't forget about that show! Saturday September 4th)- as I'm going to be selling something that isn't drawings :O Shocking I know (no worries though, I'll still have plenty of drawings for sale).

anyway, I've missed it here in blog land. Hopefully after I move I can make it a regular thing again.

First notice of the Cowtown Indie Bazaar!

I know I've been neglecting the blog (if I had anything new to show, trust me it wouldn't be neglected)...but guess what's more neglected...my actual website! I need to totally re-do it but I don't have time right now. I almost forgot about it until I got notice that A Shade Better Than Stick Figures has been accepted as a vendor in this years Cowtown Indie Bazaar in Ft. Worth TX...they linked the website to the notice. Oye! I haven't updated that since April.
Maybe I can set aside some time this weekend to work on it- make it look a little better...maybe flow a little more with the blog here, since I like how this looks.

Anyway, The Cowtown Indie Bazaar should be awesome, it sounds a lot like the Funky Finds show I did back in March- so once again I will be manning the booth, while dying to run to other vendors to buy things I can't live without. Again, I will be next door (well in the next booth) to my good friends over at the Curious Cake Shoppe. I'm looking forward to this show.

You want details:
When: Saturday September 4th from 9am-6pm
Where: Will Rogers Memorial Center click here for specific address
What kind of "stuff" will be there?: 100% Indie, 100% handmade items. More than 80 artisans, designers, and crafters. Clothing and jewelry, original artwork, stylish decor for the home, upcycled and repurposed vintage wares, and more.

Why am I posting this now? It's only July? Um, because...I'm busy at work- hence the no posting and no doing any new art lately- I'm affraid I might completely forget about the blog as I haven't been frequenting it lately and I would hate for people to miss out on such an awesome show. Not just because A Shade Better Than Stick Figures will be there, but because these crafters and artists and jewelry makers, etc. are crazy talented- and being that it's in September- you can stock up on Christmas gifts for all those people you care about in your life (trust me, I'll be posting reminders).

So, if I don't see you before- hopefully I'll see you September 4th, 2010 from 9am-6pm (well you don't have to be there the whole time, but I do...so yeah...hope to see you in passing!) Pass the word to all your friends. Handmade rocks! Come to Cowtown Indie Bazaar!!!!!!!!!