Chicken Impaled With a Pearl Earring...

I've always liked this masterwork by Vermeer...thought the chicken should give him props! :) I just love the starkness of it, and the gaze...there's something to be said about a certain type of gaze. Perhaps this is why artist's like portraits so much ;)

Dirty Chickens!!!!!

Rumor has it not only did she carry a watermelon, she is also a fowl dancer... ;) Here is the latest chicken painting! This one was done in gouache and measures 5 by 7 inches. I've always been very fond of "Dirty Dancing," so making a chicken painting of a scene from the movie seemed appropriate. In fact, I may do more than one...we will see!

Another Page from The Sketchbook Project :)

OH man, I just realized I have to put this sketchbook in the mail in less than a month! Uh oh...I think I need to make less detailed sketches at this point so I can actually finish it on time. Wait, have I done one about procrastination yet?!?! I think I need to...

Anyway, back to the theme of the sketchbook: "things that change other things"...this sketch is about moving into my own apartment. I haven't really had my own place in 3.5 years, so getting a "room of my own" so to speak has definitely changed things....I wasn't sure how it would work out, what I would find-- hence the question mark, keys, clouds, etc....but my gut instinct told me it was the right thing to do :)

And sure enough it has changed other things-- doing more art, reading more, I started swimming again (I'm only 5 minutes from the YMCA)!, and generally focusing on what I need to do. I think moving out of the city has really helped with that. It is peaceful out here with lots of trees! It's interesting how a geographic switch can make all the difference.

The Latest in Surrealism...

I have not yet decided on a title for this one. I'm thinking either "The Talk" or "The Embrace." It's a little painting, around 5 by 8 inches, but will be put in a 9 by 12 inch frame. For this piece I used watercolor, gouache, and a fine point pen. I think I might do a larger version too...I'm considering doing more with the background-- more itty bitty details and such, 'cause I like to do that kinda thing! We will see :)

I'm Having a Cyber Monday Sale!!! :D

It started with Black Friday, and goes through Monday night :).The sale is through 2 of my Etsy shops!!! ...All items will be reduced by 25%. At checkout, the coupon code is blackfriday1

At checkout, just type in the coupon code (don't forget this part, it's important :)!...and Etsy will calculate it for ya-- then you just check out-- nice and easy!!!

Items on sale include matted prints, holiday cards, and handmade recycled paper. Feel free to check it out!

http://mrchicken.etsy.com
http://thegreenefairy.etsy.com

Breaking Out of the Box...

Or at least attempting too...This is page 6 in my sketchbook, for "The Sketchbook Project."

I'm kind of a perfectionist (to say the least)...let us just say it holds me back. If I can't do it perfectly, or in the very least-- exceptionally well-- I might not want to do it at all...or I procrastinate...this has effected me in most aspects of my life, especially artistically. I put off projects, I take FOREVER on them...etc...you get the picture :) There have been times though when I had "happy little mistakes," and had to try something else...times where I played, experimented, and created something cool...these times when I broke out of the box changed things, and changed things for the better...

In this post I have also included a mixed media piece called "strength," which is based on the tarot card Strength. This is really the first REALLY mixed media piece I did. And how did it happen? I tore the darn painting! There was a 3 inch tear near the top of the painting so I had to collage over it to cover it up. And what happened? It turned out cooler than it probably would have in the first place! And then after this I started doing a bit more mixed media, as opposed to strictly watercolor, etc...breaking out of the box can be very, very good!!! I need to keep reminding myself of that :)

Mona Lisa Chicken!

Here is the latest ACEO in my chicken series! :) (For anyone out there who doesn't know what an ACEO is, it's a baseball card size piece of art)...I've veered a bit from my normal path lately with the chickens. In the past I would do an ACEO, number it and write a story, turn it into a print, and make an occasional larger version in oil. Now sometimes I do the painting without the story, or a larger version initially, or with no ACEO sized work at all...I've decided to break outside of that box a bit, as the protocol was slowing me down. (Mainly the story-- I need to be in the right mood to write :) ...the story shall continue though, never fear! I've had numerous people tell me the chicken series would make a great children's book, so I am thinking about doing different versions of the story. The current one has more of an adult tone...then there is the "B" series-- 'cause he meets a hot chick :) And uh, the "C" series, which is a bit, uh...naughty....Perhaps the "D" series can be for children...I want to do a coloring book as well! All the possibilities...What can I say, the chicken is inspired by DaVinci....

The Sketchbook Project-- Page 10

Wow-- I just realized I have a lot more pages to fill by January! As the title of this post so astutely explains, this is page 10...with the theme being "Things that Changed Other things."...words are powerful (pretty common knowledge)...and what I'm trying to get at here (probably pretty obvious huh)? is that the words not spoken, are sometimes even more powerful-- shutting doors, opening others, etc....Not speaking what's on your mind can just as powerfully influence the future as not doing so. I can think of way to many examples of this in my own life! (so it seemed to be appropriate to include it in the project :) It was done in mixed media-- collage, pencil, watercolor, and gouache.

New Handmade Recycled Paper!!!

Yup! I was back in the lab :) Here are some new creations!

A Lovely Performance!!! Sara Bareilles "Gravity" :)

Wow...I wish I could have been there :) This song/performance is so amazing!!!! I am from Madison where this show took place, but am now in GA...one of my childhood friends posted this performance on facebook. Ejoy!!! (and on a side note, I keep coming back to it...:)

The Sketchbook Project: Page 6...

On the theme "things that changed other things"...I have not yet decided whether or not I will call this one "Peasant Girl" or "The Talk"...I know I will do a larger version later, so perhaps each one will have it's own name...

It was created in pen and ink and was done on watercolor paper. (I'm going to adhere it to page 6 in my sketchbook :)

The Sketchbook Project...Theme: Things That Changed Other Things...

This is the first page in my sketchbook, for the Sketchbook Project in Brooklyn NY. (I just love creating art based on themes)!

It's appropriate that the "moving away page" be the first page. Moving from WI to Savannah, GA really did change everything. I began to focus on my art, and began to let go of the expectations of others. I joined Etsy, I started a blog, I got a studio, etc...(this instead of working crappy jobs that robbed me of my soul)...When I moved to Savannah I really became the starving artist, instead of the starving group home worker or floral desinger...fine, honest livings, but not very fulfilling to an oddball such as myself...

This is a fun project-- I'll keep posting pics on the theme "things that changed other things"

Thee Latest...

I call this one "Fragility"...I think it is done now, but I am not sure. (Let us just say I was feeling, uh, slightly "vulnerable" when I began this piece...I set it aside a few months ago, frustrated and undecided as to what more to do with it. I've been looking at it for a while now, and think it may be complete...I may do another version as well, but with more snow flakes, and a different color scheme. This painting was created using watercolor and mixed media...I even used some gold leaf! (sweeet)...first time I ever used that stuff-- I like the effect :)

The Sketchbook Project!!!

Has anyone out there heard of this? This is WAY cool!!! (and I decided to participate :)

Anyway-- here's a brief synopsis:

It's like a concert tour but with sketchbooks.

Thousands of sketchbooks will be exhibited at galleries and museums as they make their way on tour across the country. After the tour, all sketchbooks will enter into the permanent collection of The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be barcoded and available for the public to view. Anyone - from anywhere in the world - can be a part of the project. To participate and have us send you a sketchbook that will go on tour, pick a theme..

http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

(ok, I totally copied and pasted most of that, but I am ocassionally lazy -sorry! :) ...No really, it's just that I have sketching to do!!! I think I will periodically post sketches I am doing for this project...the theme I chose is "things that changed other things"-- here's one I am working on now, I haven't decided weather or not it is done :)

the Hills are Alive...With the Sound of Psychadelic Chickens!!! :)

I veered from the norm with this one (as if there really is a norm in my world)! and created a larger painting, without doing a small one first. And I used acrylics, normally I do large paintings in oil, and the small ones with gouache. Anyhoo, just thought I'd include a fun little video-- my dog loves this one!!! (seriously, she's a freak :)-- but that's why we love her! (Freuline Maria, and my dog)! :D

On a side note- I am digging the musical commentary by the people who did the video--hehehe!!! :D

Additional Additions to the Online Sale!

Yes, I did just say additional additions :) I've decided to expand my Christmas in July sale! Now I am also offering free shipping on ACEO's and my handmade recycled paper. In addition many prints in my various etsy shops are currently half off or at a reduced rates. Here are some pictures of an assortment of goodies included in the sale, which runs through Sunday, July 25th...

The surreal art and doggies can be found at snitterdog.etsy.com
My crazy little chickens live at mrchicken.etsy.com

Enjoy! :)

It's a Christmas in July Sale!!!

Yes, it's that time of year!!! For all you online shoppers who love nature inspired art, as well as abstracts, I am offering my prints from The Greene Fairy at half price! The prints are created on premium, glossy photo paper using vibrant inks which have a fade resistance for over 80 years-- very vibrant and pretty! So if you are looking for a special treat for the nature lover, gardner, or botanist in your life (or something for yourself)-- why not think about some lovely art? This sale runs today through Sunday, July 25th. Please see the sidebar to the right for my nature inspired art...or you could shoot me an email-- enjoy!!!

It's Papermaking Time!!! :D

It suddenly dawned on me that I had not made any handmade recycled paper in about a year. How did that happen?!?! I don't know, I suppose I got distracted...Anyhow, I'm back at it, and restocking my wares at The Greene Fairy! Here is some paper I listed recently-- Enjoy!...Oh yes, I have also got some "plantable" paper available as well! Sweet...

Mr. Chicken Scores a Hole in One!!!!

So I've been breaking from format a bit as of late...(the past couple of months)...it started with the chicken collages incorporating photos and my chicken art....now I'm also collaging my "other art" with my chicken art! (and that's how this piece came about!)

Previously each chicken was part of a series, each being and artist's trading card with an accompanying story. This is the "A" series. I will continue to do that, but my wild and crazy brain is forcing me to expand beyond that! (Hence the collages, and soon to be other sized chicken paintings :) Just can't help myself! (I hope ya all enjoy the freakiness)! :D

Tyson Chicken!!!

It's not just what's for dinner :)...and it works on many levels...

The Maculay Conception!!!

He just doesn't know how this happened...Mac swears that Michael didn't lay a finger on him...

The New Studio!

It's bigger, better, and with gigantoid windows--yeah!!! :D ...It needed a lot of work, and I'm still working on it. When I first moved in this winter it was bright red and yellow. Kinda looked like Ronald McDonald had some kinda s&^%$@ disaster in there! :O ...Luckily Matt was gracious enough to once again help me paint yet another studio. Now it's kinda light and dark blue :) Work still needs to be done on it, but it's getting there. I am undecided about the dark blue/purple...It might need to be repainted white, so it's more spacious and peaceful. (Interesting how color affects mood-- color psychology :) Once my roomie helps me get my lights up I'll know if the colors are right...all shall be revealed!

Moving Shop!

Not to far away though! (Just another Etsy click away)... Yup, that's right-- Mr. Chicken is getting his own Etsy shop!!! (your place for all things chicken)...

The Chicken seems to be my top seller, in terms of my art, so I thought he deserved his own little corner of the internet. And they frequently say on Etsy, that having a "cohesive" look helps...so I'm going for a "cohesive chicken" look. Here's the banner! Should make for an interesting adventure...

And here's the link! :) http://mrchicken.etsy.com

Going Home...(At least for a visit)

Stoughton fireworks 2
Originally uploaded by Nikonman

So I have been "home" for the past week or so. And I've got to say, I've really enjoyed it. I come from a little town called Stoughton, which is in southern WI, and it is really rather charming. I think as a child I did not appreciate this fact, as I was a child, and most likely pre-occupied with other things-- such as school, basketball, drawing pictures, and whichever boy I happened to have an unrequited crush on at that time... And also worth noting, the community has become rather artsy in the last decade, so that is extra cool!

I have also spent a lot of time in Madison, where I went to college, and also spent a decade. It has been fun catching up with family and friends, and seeing how things have changed, and what has remained the same. I think being "away" from what you consider home really helps cultivate an appreciation for your loved ones, and also the experiences that have made you who you are.

With all this said I am still looking forward to going back to Savannah and my art studio-- in certain ways I am inspired to go forth and create-- Yeah!! But I am also looking forward (in advance) to my summer, return visit to WI :)

Ice Cream!!! :)

And new beginnings...'cause both are great and wonderful! I have always been a fan of improving one's life, and also this song-- so I hope you enjoy it too! (ya can't really go wrong with ice cream, now can ya)????

First Breath After a Coma...

The title should say it all. For the impatient among us ( Occasionally me included) - go to 2:20 minutes!...I would really recommend the whole video for full effect though..wow.. :) There's something really inspirational about this one-- wake's you up I guess? :)

Chicken in a Hot Pocket!!!

...but I don't wanna be in a hot pocket...