Starting a new project

The time has to create a piece of art as a Christmas present. This year's recipient is one of my closest friends. It has been over a year or two since she started a hobby known as hard live action role play, or harping for short and has developed quite a character. For Christmas, she told me that she would like a fire inspired painting as a gift from me. So, I thought what better centre piece of the work than that of the fiery alter ego of hers. Now that the character is drawn, the real fun begins. 

Asked back

A couple of weeks ago, I recieved an email from the Saanich Fair with a special message. I've been asked back! I have entered many times before, but this was the first time that I have been asked back. Since then, I have been working out what I might show along balancing 2 jobs, 1 freelance job and a volunteer position. It hasn't been easy, but I can now see my artistic pursues paying off. Now I'll treat you to a preview of a work in progress.

Nail experiment

I tried a little experiment with my nails this morning. Instead of removing the remaining chipped polish from my nails, I decided to put a semi clear of another colour over the chipped. The effect was quite striking. Similar to what I had seen in different crystals or in a slightly cloudy sky at the break of dawn. 

New Year plan

On the first day of 2014, I am going start posting anything creative that I am doing each day, no matter how unfinished the project or just raw ideas for future project. I realize that people are just as interested in the process an artist may take as well as the finished piece. I hope that this will bring in more interest in my art and the style that I am developing. Here's a look at the first concept of the year.

Blossom Spirit Couples

The couples are up on Redbubble. I have apricot, cherry, lemon, peach and pomegranate, in all sorts of merchandise. Check out your favourite blossom. Single blossom spirits coming soon.

They're All Up!

I finally have all alphabet fairies up for sale on RedBubble! It took longer than expected, but I'm happy with the results. You can find them all under one collection button on my profile. And buy them on various items, including iPads! In the future, I'm planning on putting them into an art book, showcasing their evolution from the original concept to final outcome. Look forward to it!

I'm Selling Online!

I've opened up shop with Redbubble.com and started to sell my artwork online! After the success at the Saanich Fair, I was inspired to start putting my work up for sale. You'll even find some of the work displayed in my blog in the form of prints, printed clothing and even some iphone cases.

You will also see my latest art series, the Alphabet Fairies. The first two letters are up now, with more to come. I'll be uploading the fairies in pairs, hopefully one pair per week.

Mekatt is also making appearance along with the newest illustrations and photoshop images, like Key to the Underworld.

Please check it out. I'm under the name landimonk.

Saanich Fair Art Entries

This is one of my most resent works. I created it for entry into the 2d Mixed Media section of the 2012 Saanich Fair. I am proud to say that it earned 3rd place and one of the first pieces of art to place in any of the competitions that I have entered. I even got a few parties interested in it. I should really look at continuing this style (which inspired by a fashion trend known as Steampunk) and see where it takes me.

For this piece, I used print outs of old newspapers as the background, then layered over it tissue paper. Then I painted the white steam with acrylic paint to add a base for the character version of myself. The character version was mainly painted with water colors then edged with black ink. Only the flesh was painted using acrylic. Then the words "of Steam", I penciled in by hand, followed by inking it in with black and silver metallic inks. I also used metallic inks on the rope, parts of clothing, hair and eyes.

My other two art entries are showed below. The drawing of my friends and I enjoying the fair placed 3rd in its category (which sold in the last few hours of the fair!), where as the metallic bird on the hat placed 2nd in the recycled art category. I'm happy with all three and I surely learned what I can improve upon. The drawing and mixed media piece are even sporting my new signature/ logo, which you can see in the blog header.

 

VIME 40th Anniversary Poster

We all have our hobbies and clubs that for specific hobbies. My father's club, Vancouver Island Model Engineers specializes is model trains, making and driving them. Their best models can also be ridden and pull riding cars. Thanks to their members, the club has been around for 40 years and could be the best part of a peninsula museum. To celebrate the club's anniversary, they are holding a party open to the public, complete with trains ready to ride. But they needed to let the public know, so my father asked me to design a poster for them. Other members of the club also created posters, but my design selected by the entire club. The main concept of the poster was a boy playing with his toy train while imagining he is driving the real thing.

Changeable Art Clock

Lately, I've been looking for a clock for my room, but could never find a design that I liked and knowing myself, I'd keep changing my mind on what design I liked over time. Then it hit me. Why don't I make a clock that has a changeable face.

So, I went to Micheals craft store, picked up an acrylic frame and clock mechanism, and started planning out my clock. Above, you can see the clock mechanism and the frame. I chose a frame that holds a standard letter size paper, 8 1/2" by 11"; allowing me to either draw out the clock face or print up a design from my computer. 

I next drilled a hole in the center of the frame and its cardboard backing, just big enough for the post that holds the clock hands, to pass through and mount the rest of the mechanism on the back of the frame.

Next, I drew up a template for the placement of the numbers. That way, whether I hand draw the clock face or use my computer, the placement will be the same. On the lines, I not only put the standard numerals, but Roman numerals and Kanji ones as well, for quick reference when designing the clock face. After that it was simple to draw up my first clock face using some favourite characters from an anime series that I'm currently watching. But as you can see from the top pictures, I'm not limited;  I can unscrew the clock hands, take off the acrylic and change out the clock face for a new one. It's a nice and simple idea for any creative mind.