GirlZilla: Destroyer Diary

Hello Ladybugs! I wanted to show you what I've been away working on. We're gearing up for our very first gallery night: scrubbing the studio, fliers flying and paintings exploding all over!

For this exhibition, I wanted to experiement. The goal was to recreate this journal entry on a large scale. I'm being called to my journal more and more and wanted to translate some of that manic process oriented spree into my painting. Here are the results!



I began with a bunch of boxes I scavenged from the dumpster behind the museum. After a generous coat of gesso, the city was sketched in...


















I always default into this stuffy super serious figure drawing mode and it just wasn't working. Still after days of drawing and redrawing, the face was all scrunchy and wrong...so I scrubbed it out -->



















While frustrated with the yuckiness I had achieved, I joked about just making the head GIGANTIC.

And then decided that's how I would solve the problem. :)

























GirlZilla!
























Outfitted with a found cardboard bow and war paint to compliment her rainbow laser-vision, she was ready to crush the rest of the cartoon city. But even with the additions, it wasn't jiving...it didn't have the collage-y vibrations I was going for. It was time for DRASTIC MEASURES!



















So I pulled out the big guns: Spray paint, stencils, chalk, markers, oil pastel and GLITTER! I learned so much about my materials making this painting: what sticks to what, what resists what, what mixes with what. And that stars make everything better...



















Add a little leopard print eyeliner and GirlZilla is ready for Gallery Night!

What have you been making, Muffins?

Studio Cam: New Tinkerings

Hello Sweetie Pies! The HerSpeak studio has been hoppin': scattered with gold leaf, felt scraps and paint squishing about! Here's a peep at what's been shakin' this week:





New mini shrine: 3" wide. Gold leaf, sequins, found images, nails, candles, glitter, plastic beads, wood pieces and silk flowers. The best part about these projects is I buy nothing: every shrine is recycled or found materials. Fiddling around and figuring out the best way to pair objects together is half the fun of making!


A Dia de Los Muertos fabric vignette underway--still have to stich on the mustache! He should be a sharp looking skelly when he's all sewed up. The frame is, if possible, more ridiculous than the skeleton. Can't wait to show you the finished piece!


And finally, the beginnings of a new painting! This is the second in my new latest series. I need to finish two more and they'll have homes in a Salon here in Milwaukee. More inprogress peeks to come! (30"x40", acrylic, watercolor and sequins on canvas.)

What is the state of your studios these days, darlings?

Serendipitous: A Secret Gallery

Hello Bonbons! While lurking around in the woods looking for trouble, I stumbled upon a gallery where I least thought to look: lemon yellow, thalo blue and punches of flaky pink all stirred up with the dirt and snapping twigs. Here's Muffin, King of Paint Palace:

How perfectly unexpected. :)

Tiny Shrine and Critique Speak Vlog: Ways To Talk About Art

Happy Paint Party Friday! I can't wait to see what kinda creative mojo you hot mama's have been cooking up in your studios. This week we've got a double dose of party with a two part post: a little piece-in-progress PLUS a How-To video I made just for you. Cause I think you're super pretty...

If you've spent anytime with me in blogland, you'll know that I am obsessed with shrines. I was recently inspired to create a pocket shrine-- a teensy weensy talisman that began as a tiny Altoid tin:




It's difficult to see in the photograph, but the text on the inside of the shrine reads: Expect a Miracle. There is also a ghosty image of the Virgin behind the piece of polished quartz. It was a tiny undertaking with a surprisingly lengthy supply list: paint, candle wax, glitter, nail polish, wood, embroidery floss, glass beads, polished quartz, found paper and a bottle cap!

Vlog time!

As creative creatures, we know that critique can be scary--sometimes so scary it keeps people from making or talking about art. NEVER FEAR. In this short clip I'll explain:

--What the hell critique is and why you need it to GROW.
--Provide suggestions for offering constructive criticism.
--Give you specific examples of HOW to talk constructively about art!



What are your techniques for talking about art? Let's talk!

Paint Party: Creepy Crafts!

Hello Mermaids* Don't you love it when things fall into place-- when they coalesce the way you hoped? That happened this week in regards to an exhibition and performance I am planning for fall. Wahoo!! My collective will be hosting a creepy craft fair that features an awesome line up of local and not-so-local bands. For my contribution, I've decided to make Day of The Dead themed jewelry: here are a few of my recent efforts in progress!

I'm anxious to see what kind work the rest of the collective cats are cooking up--and you too!

As a Paint Party Bonus here's a post from a new segment I'll be featuring on the blog, Broad Strokes: a round-up of fabulous female artists both past and present to feed your creative needs.

Much Love, Paint and Rock&Roll from me to you--Happy Paint Party, Kittens!

Paint Party: Her Floating Neon Island

Hello Kittens! Happy Paint Party Friday: here's the progress of my latest piece! She's still in flux, but I'm getting excited about the results. (You can click the image for a larger view.) I started working into the acrylic with watercolors, pencil and nail polish and the resulting surface has become pretty sumptuous.


I've never made a painting like this. It's a combination of ideas, new territory. I like to think that she is an Island--that objects and energies are sprouting from her, or maybe she's dreaming them...
The view here is slightly skewed, but I wanted to show how the nail polish acts like a spot varnish. The irises of her eyes and some of the shapes in the foreground are sparkly. The polish really souped up the color and acts as a blender. Another reason to love GLITTER!!

I just started sketching in this little pink deer. I haven't decided if I'm in love with it yet, but the tiny floating islands definitely need some wildlife. Thoughts anyone?

I am anxious to see what sort of creative kung-fu you've all been up to this week! I haven't been able to visit all of you as often as I'd like, but I appreciate all of your heART support in the past weeks. Much Love, Paint and Rock and Roll, Cupcakes!

Paint Party: $hits About To Get Real

Hello Mermaids!* This week I'm cheating...but only a tiny bit! I've been all over the county at some rehearsal or another all week. However, last weekend I made some SERIOUS painting trouble with a good friend. Said painting project is going to be featured at our rock-show TONITE! I can't wait! Check it here!

Much Love, Paint and ROCK AND ROLL! I'm off to melt faces and kick some ass--wishing the same for all of you, my pretties!

Paint Party: All Is Full of Love...and Pink

Hello Sweet Tarts!* This week as been a total rock-and-roll-Apocalypse: 6 rehearsals in 5 days and a show coming up next week. It's insane--but I couldn't be happier. Needless to say, it hasn't left me with too much time to make progress on my newest painting. However, with the high energy of the week I felt more like visiting my art journal for some Me Time. This hot pink mess was inspired by Bjork's All Is Full of Love. Exactly what I needed to hear. :)

Do you ever use music to make art? Inspired by lyrics? Moved by the music?
Happy Paint Party Friday to all you Joy Warriors out there! Wishing you a weekend full of Love, Paint and Rock & Roll. :)

Guerilla Garbage Mural: Monk and Col. Mime Make a Mess

Hello Boppers!* Yesterday my partner in Paint Crime, The Monk, and I made a serious mess in an alley behind my building making a trashy flashy rock show back drop! Peep it!

This mattress made a killer easel:

Dumpster diving for a pallet:


Found a shopping cart that made a perfect tabaret:

Blocking the beast out:

Do it to it!Needs more skulls...Passersby weren't quite sure what was cooking back here...

A stripey boarder finished it off:
Nasty, neon and epically Rock and Roll! I think it will set the tone for our show quite nicely--I'll be sure to post pictures of this bag boy in action. :)

Paint Party Friday: Breakthrough Vlog!!

Hello Puddings! This week I've got a Vlog full of Paint Party Joy: a short vid on my bout with stuckness and my recent painting epiphany. Enjoy!



You can check out the drawings I reference here, here and here. :)
Have you experienced any breakthroughs in your art making? Let's talk about it!

Happy PPF, Kittens!

Paint Party: "Skully" + Hot Pink Tiger Diva

*Click the images for a larger view

Hello Kittens and Happy Paint Party Friday! There's been a whole lotta paintificating going on at HerSpeak HQ. Let's get to the goods! I've made a bit of progress on "Skully"--but not as much as I'd hoped. The amount of white I used in this piece mixed with the super high humidity means it's taking eons to dry. (For those of you who aren't familiar with oil paints, they can take weeks to dry, making layering difficult.)

I am a bit stuck on this piece--do I add a second layer of pattern in the foreground? Go gonzo with the head dress? What do you think? Help me brainstorm!



I also began working back into a piece I abandoned a while back. It began as an in-class one-session painting and was never developed fully. Now it's back with a vengeance! Working out proportional problems, adding color, fine tuning feathers and bringing in some bones! (You can see the beginnings of a cat skull on the bottom right.) I'm dying to work on that hot pink tiger...

Can't wait to see all of your creations! Keep kickin' em out!

Paint Party Friday: The Skully Diary

Hello Cupcakes! I've been buzzing around the studio working on a new series about persona and disguise. I'm excited to give you a sneaky peek!

All of my pieces start with a grid drawing and a complementary under painting--I think under painting is really crucial for creating cool, believable skin and makes your pallet pop. Like most of my pieces, this painting is life size.

Here she is with another layer of under painting--all blue and
alien-corpse-like. To be honest, she was going to stay blue, I liked the contrast between the cool skin and the marigold background.




Hooray for skin! After looking at it with my nose all crinkled up, I decided that this was going to be a warm painting after all. I've got a LONG way to go before she's finished--she needs some proportion adjustments as well as all of her accouterments, bells, whistles and....Glitter!!



Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of The Paint Party Skully Diary!

Paint Party Friday: Unfinished Venus

Hello Chickadees!* I just discovered Paint Party Fridays--and this party is kicking! So, I'm jumping in! I began painting this small saucy Venus illustration yesterday and came to an "I dunno--looks funny, something's missing" point. I'm considering adding text in the upper left hand side of the composition. The inspiration for the piece were the words: all acts of love are her ritual. I feel as though I use that particular phrase so often in my work that I'm beating a dead word-horse. Does anyone have suggestions for better verbage? Or a different idea all together?

[Materials: tissue papers, acrylic paint, ink, nail polish on found paper]

Holy Shit. I Graduated.

Hello Sugar Plums!*

Saturday was my Senior Thesis Exhibition. I finished the work. I wore the dress. I ate the traditional sweaty-gallery-opening-crudites. I am officially a Big Bad Fine Artist!

And Nothing Pleased Her Better 65 x 85 inches oil & gold leaf on masonite

Holy shit. I graduated.

Now what?

TuRnIng PoInt! It's BIG. It's Scary. It's Rad. Time to make more work! Time to hibernate, rest, recuperate, meditate, RECESSatate. Time to write, travel, build my business and a reputation to live up to-- Time get crackin' on paying back those loans! *Le Sigh.*

And time to go for my second degree! :D

With the New Year around the corner, what adventures are YOU starting?

Until Next Time-
Much Joy and Merry Making!

New Work, New Events, New Friends!

*Hello Gumdrops! It has been approximately a berziollion years since I've blogged--I've been busy. Real busy. In the best way. :) In a mere five weeks I will graduate as a Big Bad Fine Artist and I've been writing thesis lectures and preparing for my exhibition as well as a few other exciting things. I'm so excited to share it with you! Here's the spark notes recap:

Morrigan 30 x 40 inches oil on canvas

Morrigan II 40 x 90 inches charcoal on gessoed board

Eater 40 x 30 inches oil on canvas

She Ruined Them One by One 80 x 60 inches
in progress charcoal on gessoed board

These are a few images from my latest series of destroyer goddess works titled, Attained at The End of Desire. I feel like I've really hit a turning point in my painting--and drawing for that matter. Drawing and I never seemed to get along but after much arm wrestling we figured out how to make it work. :) Click 'em for a larger view.

Joe and I painting set pieces--working REALLY hard...

This Halloween, Drippy Lip Productions helped our friends Beewitchingbee Magical Supply throw their Third Annual Season of the Witch Extravaganza! This was such a fun project--cool people, a good team and an awesome turn out. We can't wait for next year! You can check out the super cute stop motion movie we made for the event here!

Near the beginning of fall, it felt like the right time--so I rounded up my best lady friends and we coordinated our very first Women's Circle. How incredible. It was a beautiful evening of REAL conversation, healing and of course--snacks. Our next meeting is next week! We're going to try our hands at a releasing ritual. :)

And when I'm not at work or school I've been down in the studio with my band, Onward Rex Goliath, making a record! This process has been amazing. Writing collaboratively with the group and experimenting with recording has opened creative flood gates. Rock and roll, kids!

Aaaand when I'm not working, schooling, making or recording I'm helping my bestest girlfriend in the Universe, Kelly, get married!! She and her soon-to-be-hubby are getting hitched in 2 weeks and this maid of honor can't...freakin....wait. I threw her a sugar coated midsummer Mad Tea bridal shower--if you want to take a peek. :)

Now--I'm dieing to know, kittens. What have you been up to?

Until next time--which I promise will be soon--
Much Joy and Merry Making!