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!!!!!!!!!

What I've been up to in that elusive free time

So, while I haven't had an enormous amount of free time, the weekends do present themselves with enough for some knitting.

A blog that I follow around here: Rebecca Danger- led me to find some of the cutest patterns in her Etsy store. I've had these for way too long now, to not have casted on sooner. But I'm glad I got around to making them.

The first one I made was the orange and yellow striped creature on the right and her baby the yellow creature in the center. Daphne and Delilah. This one pattern alone was what caused me to search Rebecca Danger's Etsy page for the other patterns.

I of course made both of them wrong- because I didn't use the super easy, but at the time-not-known-to-me magic loop method. So I used DPN's instead...I sucked at the top closure. But at least they look related.

Daphne has a pocket that Delilah fits into, and it's oh so cute.

It took me about 2 weeks to get them both completed- but that's with minimal time to work on them both. I won't be using the DPN's for any other monsters, because the ladder effect was rediculous, and I thought I had moved past creating ladders with the DPN's (if you have no idea what any of that meant, I'm sorry...it's knitting. I'm a little crazy about my knitting)

Sammie The Sock Monster was of course the next choice to make. I have a friend who really likes socks, and as soon as I saw this pattern I had to make it for her. I'm thinking of making another pair of socks for Sammie, just because I don't like the roll at the top of the socks. I learned a new cast-on method and decided that they must be re-done. I learned and used the super easy-as-pie magic loop method of knitting, and was sad when the patterned called for DPNs for the arms and legs...magic loop is so much better!

That's all I've been working on (well minus a tattoo design). No it's not drawings, but I hope to get back to that soon. So I can have something festive to show you. Hope this tides you over until that time comes. Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Red Weenie Dogs for the Win!!!

Does this dog look like it's having fun, or what? It's all smiles! Although after having just stepped outside for a few minutes I realize this look could also be because of the heat. And it would be water splashing around it instead of grass blades. Does someone have a portable air conditioner that I can hang around my neck?

Anyway, I'm not sure what this dog's name is, I snagged it from Proxy's owner's facebook page. I don't think it's her dog, but one of her family members, maybe?

I like this dog because it's a red dapple weenie-dog. I used to have a short haired version of a dog like this- and it made me smile to see such a happy weenie dog sprawled out in the grass...mine was a bit too fiesty to ever enjoy the grass...although she might have enjoyed barking at anything and everything- I sure didn't, but she might have.

Ok, enough of the walk thru memory lane. I hope Shell is ok that I drew another picture from her cute supply of dog pics. I couldn't help myself- I may need a 12 step program to prevent the further drawings of people pictures without permission (hey, at least I personally know these people that I'm drawing their pictures for...I'm not stealing copyrighted images.)

This one is on 8.5" x 11" printer paper- as you can kind of see, it's askew/off center, I liked the placement of the dog in the original photo, so I kept it with the drawing. I used HB, B, 2B, 4B, and 6B pencils. I started this a few weeks ago when I had 10 seconds to spare at work...I finished it this morning while I had a pretty decent chunk of time to myself.

More drawings to come? We shall see...

Pelicans

I finally caught a break and had a few minutes at work yesterday to complete this drawing for one of my co-workers. She has a thing for Pelicans and really wanted a drawing of them.
With the recent BP oil spill in the Gulf, I found it very fitting, sort of like a tribute to the Pelicans, since all I have been seeing on the news lately are oil covered birds. Makes me want to grab a big box full of bottles of Dawn hand soap and make a trip south to help out.

This is on 8.5" x 11" printer paper, using 4B, 2B, B, and HB pencils. I've been "working" on this for the last 3 weeks, but total time only took about 3 hours to complete.

Hopefully I'll have some more time today to work on a tattoo design I've been working on for over a month. It's really hard to only have a few hours after work to be creative, I'm really glad I got some free time during work hours yesterday.

update of nothingness

Seriously, I'm still busy at work...so yeah. No drawings to show. When I do have free time, I'm working on a tattoo design for someone...and I'm knitting. Who wants to see knitting when it's 90 degrees outside? (I keep it cool at home so knitting feels right) I won't be displaying the tattoo design, so you won't even get to see what I've been working on.
But some day. There will be drawings again. I hope.

Happy Friday!

Hey, remember when I used to draw and post pictures? Yeah, those were good times! Apparently I have work I have to do at work now...How dare they actually give me something to do that will take up a full 8 hours!!! Shocking! :P
So as of now, nothing to show- nothing for awhile guys, sorry. If I get un-exhausted after work, I will make sure to work on something and then update the blog...but as of right now, I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'm swamped with work. But I'll make time if someone needs a drawing- just let me know ASBTSF@gmail.com
Just took 10 minutes out of my work day to let you know that...I'll pay for that tomorrow. :)

"Proxy"

The owner of this dog does not realize I drew her dog...so I hope she's cool with me having done so.
This too was another dog drawing I had been working on for the Paw Paw's Pooch Pow Wow last weekend that I was rained out of.

The basics: 8.5" x 11" on printer paper (hey, the stuff is cheaper than art paper and smooth...I like it)...6B, 4B, 2B, B, HB pencils were used.

Normally I don't do the shading in the background...but I'm totally going to let you in on a little secret...I screwed this drawing up and there was no way to hide my mistake without shading (drawing too dark leads to none-erasable marks). In the original photo (which of course I don't have) there is a book shelf behind the weenie dogs head (I love weenie dogs!)...but I was working from a printed picture as I snagged the image from facebook (I know the owner of the photo, it's not like I'm doing harm here...it's just for my drawing fix). Well, the image printed a little dark and I thought that Proxy's ear (that's the dog's name) was up a little more than it really was...by the time I realized it was a bookcase, I had already shaded way too darkly for it to be completely erased, and I was so far into the drawing that I really didn't want to have to start over...so I improvised. Hope it looks ok. Hope Shell likes it (I may or may not be drawing another picture of Proxy or another picture of a long haired red weenie dog looking really cute in some grass...I'm just saying.)

Anyway, I think that wraps up my over do update here on the blog...now if only I could get over to the website and update that too...hum...
***update***: the website has been updated!!! And also, the owner of Proxy, Shell, loves the drawing! Hehehe!!!! It's a great Friday! Bring on the weekend!

"Mosley"

One of my most favorite dogs on the planet! MOSLEY!!!

I don't know how, or why, but this dog is photogenically blessed. Any time I see pictures of this dog he looks happy, excited, and posed for the perfect picture. He's even greater in real life. Like a big muppet. His sister dog, Lola would agree- she thinks he's a big chew toy (drawings of Lola have not been created just yet, but there are a few in the works).

Mosley's awesome, I don't know what else to say...8.5" x 11" on printer paper, H, HB, B, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils were used.

This dog cracks me up...more drawings to follow...

"Abigail- Diva" and "Beau Bradley 2"

More goodness for the folks over at FunkyFinds.com

Jessica had a really cute picture of Abby on her Facebook page that I couldn't help drawing.
I was actually going to use this drawing and all of the ones that I post after this today, for the show last weekend, that I got rained out of. I didn't even want to risk setting up due to the fact that all of my drawings are on paper- even though they are protected with clear bags, I didn't want to take a chance of any water damaging any of them...call me over protective.

This one will be shipped out this weekend, along with the next drawing:




Beau Bradley take 2! The show last weekend was at Paw Paw's Dog House in Arlington Texas. I'm really sorry that we didn't even get to set up there, maybe next year (if this is a yearly thing), I'll be able to set up. I love dogs.

About this Beau Bradley drawing- how can you resist a cute lab relaxing? I couldn't, so I had to draw him.

Both drawings were completed on 8.5" x 11" printer paper using H, HB, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils.

More drawings to come!

"Glaser Girls"

My roommate Greg gave me a picture of his nieces to draw. His nieces are adorable!
This is them. (No I don't have the photo to compare the drawing to...I'm sort of failing at remembering to post the original photo, huh?)

Anyway, it's an 8.5"x 11" on white printer paper (isn't it always? Well not if I get my butt in gear and finish my latest creation- not from a photograph)

I used all of the pencils that I own for this one, 4H, 2H, H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, 6B. I had a lot of fun drawing this one, and Greg said his family loved it. Woo Hoo!

More posts to follow...it's blog catch up day!

(P.S. those are not all of the pencils that I own, but they are the ones I carry with me all the time)

DFW Craft Shows

Hey kids,
my friend Tania over at the DFW Craft Shows blog is launching new sponsorship on the blog as well as a give away!
Feel free to click on the links above to read all about it, as well as to find out how you can enter to win the give away. It's a free custom drawing from your photograph from yours truly :) So if you have always wanted a hand drawn portrait but never got around to contacting me, nows your chance to win a FREE drawing.
So go ahead, go now to the DFW Craft Shows Blog and find out all about the goodness that's going on and how you can go about winning the give away...GO! NOW!!!

Paw Paw's Pooch Pow Wow

I've been drawing, just not posting them. I'm getting ready for this weekends art festival and dog adoption that A Shade Better Than Stick Figures will be setting up at on both Saturday April 17th and Sunday April 18th (weather permitting).

It's a doggie friendly event being held at Paw Paw's Dog House in Arlington Texas. There will be a bouncy house, a 50s themed costume contest (for the dogs! How cute is that?!), and over 30 independant vendors. Click here for more information on this weekends event at the Dog House. Click here for more information on Paw Paw's Dog House and what they are all about.

I've been drawing lots of dog pictures over the last few weeks, and have several more to go. I really do enjoy drawing animals...fur is so much fun to draw. Plus the dogs I'm drawing have such sweet faces. I'll be unveiling the new drawings this weekend at the show (not for sale, they are for people), and then updating the blog next week with the drawings. If you are interested in obtaining a one of a kind hand drawn portrait of your pet, please don't hesitate to contact me: ASBTSF@gmail.com if you are interested in learning more about A Shade Better Than Stick Figures, please visit the website. (It hasn't been updated in awhile...so please be patient while I find the time to do that)

Above I mentioned "weather permitting"...that's because I looked today and the weather says thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday. I'm not excited about that. I do have a canopy to cover the booth, but am a little concerned with Texas "thunderstorms" because the wind likes to pick up...I may have to cover stuff if it starts blowing too hard, or raining too hard for that matter.

Hope to see all of you out there!

I WON I WON I WON!!!!!!

I never win anything! (ok, that may not be the truth, but it's few and far between when I win anything)

My friend Tania created this awesome website for craft shows- so all the crafting community in the DFW area can know when an application is due, or when a show is, or if a deadline has passed. It's very awesome that she did this. And as luck would have it...I WON! (seriously this was luck, because she used a program to pick the winner). Anyway you can read more details on the win here.

If you are a crafter or artist and want to spread the word maybe you should chat with Ms. Tania over at The Curious Cake Shoppe/DFW craft Shows. She's got some opportunities to spread the word about your craft/art(like with ad space) and a little birdie told me that if you donate some items to the drawings that she holds on DFW Craft Shows, she'll feature your company/work when she announces the winner of your item(s)...so hey- exposure! She featured us when I won, and The Curious Cake Shoppe because that's where the prize was from...so it's a win win, even if you don't donate, you should follow and participate!!!! FREE STUFF TO WIN!!!

How can this day get any better?!?!

FunkyFindsFeature!!!

Guess whose featured on the FunkyFinds.com blog today?

http://funkyfinds.blogspot.com/2010/04/shade-better-than-stick-figures.html

A Shade Better Than Stick Figures! Woo Hoo!!!!

Thanks FunkyFinds!!!!

"Sedona"

A cute little girl that belongs to one of my friends from High school. I saw it on her facebook page and couldn't resist drawing her.

It's the usual 8.5" x 11" paper with HB, B, 2B, 4B and 6B pencils.
The hat was a little difficult and definitely doesn't match the photo all that well, but it's close. I hope the little girl's mom likes the drawing.

Don't forget to check out the last post about the fan page contest on facebook!

Contest on the fan page!!!

No this isn't an April Fool's day joke. It just so happens to be the day that A Shade Better Than Stick Figures TM got 100 fans on facebook!!!
In honor of our first 100 fans (and still counting), we are going to be doing a contest on the fan page starting tomorrow and running thru the weekend. Details will be announced tomorrow morning on the fan page.
So if you aren't already a fan on facebook and you like contests, you can click on this link, or you can click on the handy facebook icon on the right side of the screen. Really it's not a contest, more of a give-away...but like I said, details will be on the fan page- so go quick! Become a fan before midnight on Sunday!!!

"Beau Bradley"

I'm on a dog drawing kick at the moment.

This here is Beau Bradley- doesn't he look like the most comfortable dog in the world? Makes you want to be a dog, doesn't it?

This was done on 8.5" x 11" paper, using 4B, 6B, B, and HB pencils.

Hopefully (if work will allow), I'll have a few more dog drawings to share this week (although if today was any indication as to how the rest of the week will go, I won't have any time)

I know I said I would post original photos with the drawings, but I just didn't have time to get it all together today (like I said...work was busy).
Hope Jessica and Joe like the drawing...as it's for them (much like the last one, Abigail Raine)

The blog looks great, huh?

Anyone notice anything different about the blog? hum? Only that it looks fantastic, right?
Yeah, that's because Joe from Funkyfinds.com was kind enough to help a girl out and fix my blog! He's awesome, and very quick! It's painless, I promise.
So if you are needing a blog rescue, you should really contact him. Click here for a price list and details for his services.
I'm over the moon with how my blog looks! Thanks Joe!!! You're the best! (He even blogged about my last drawing!)

Hope everyone had a great weekend!