A Rootin Tootin Halloween: Wild Wild West Style

So, the trio of us decided to do it up one more time. For 2007 Halloween, we dressed as a Wild West crew. Trog the Sheriff, Bananan the madam, and me the saloon girl (dance hall).

We each made our costumes, though T&B had help from the wonderful mothers. T's vest is a recycle from their wedding . B's dress was completely made from scratch. I recycled the corset from my pirate costume, but gussied it WAY up. Then, I added one of my sexy aprons of a matching fabric with (of course) FRINGE. Then, I made this fabulous Victorian butterfly bustle. I took a pair of girdle style shorts and added sassy bits of spider-web-like stretch lace from my favorite, Nancy's Sewing Basket. Top it off with a boa, a wool hat I turned Gibson-girl with ostrich feathers from Costume and display and voila!

As the Wheel Turns - Avon Knocks at your Door

I wanted to show the progress of one of my drawings. This one started merely as a gesture. Tilt of the head, hand on the hip. But, she's hiding something behind her back. So, being the saucy sassy that I am, it had to do something with lipstick. She's sporting an arsenal of lipstick, ready for pucker power at any moment. She's armed by Avon itself. Watch out, it may not be lipstick in the tube..................

AquaGirl

Darlings - here, I present you with AquaGirl.
I am a child who grew up watching wonderful superheros like Aquaman!
Thus, when playing with gloves and the "broken wrist" syndrome,
I stumbled upon the idea of .........................................FINS!
As AquaGirl, she should have fins coming off of everything!
I just LOVE her. Did you notice the gills on her collar bone?
Looks like us, but has wicked breathing skills. ;)

The Doctor is IN

I'm very inspired by the ratty bouffants of the 60's. I just adored the latest version of Hairspray. John Travolta - amazing! But, I digress. I pulled a few magazine ads which I find inspirational. Physicians formula hair-do's always make me want to get all gussied up and parade around in front of the boys. Wow, did I just write that? Dear me. How un-lady like. Anywhoo - I'm trying my hand at characatures. How can I make humans look like cartoons. All day long I look at people and see them as cartoon characters - their eyes, their walk, their laugh, their mannerisms. The world is my oyster - or my olive - or my octopus.

Valentine to my Grandparents

I'm really into wings at the moment. Been thinking about the flying keys in Harry Potter. Plus, I've been trying different wings on for size, if you will. This is an 8x10 done with paint brush style markers. I just love these markers. I keep them in 2 old milk jars and can carry them where ever. Imagine a silverware caddy. Just looking at them sitting there makes me want to pick them up and color. Yippie!

3 x 5 " Creative Constraint

I had a stack of 3 x5 index cards I've been carrying around with me since my Detroit days - that's 3 years or more folks! Too damn long. So, making that my creative constraint, I doodled my way through 3 different meetings today. Trust me, if I didn't draw, my meeting participation would SUCK! If you've ever heard of, "busy hands are happy hands," then you know one of the tales of my life.
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All of these sketches are free hand and direct out of my crazy imagination. Bon Appetite
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The lucky lady above is what came to me while I sat in an employee "Fun" committee. Lucky Leprechaun is like Secret Santa. I think think Siobhan is a bit racy for my conservative company.


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Next, I'd like to introduce you to Starla. She's fond of ruffles around her neck. It reminds her of her new favorite Showtime series, "The Tutors." But, in the same turn, she loves the clipped bobs of the Roaring 20's. Though, since she's quite the modern girl, she always calls her lover Baby.
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And, finally, I tired of the arguments in my last meeting of the day. Hence, the vamps came out to play. Been playing with angel wings, but, it's time to let loose and rattle the bats in me belfry.
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That was FUN! What inspiration will tomorrow bring?

Zenith Score!

Look what I scored this weekend ... And, it works. Radio + Record Player. She came ready to play with "How High The Moon." What a beauty!

I picked up several Records to try out: Dolly & Kenny at Christmas, Dean Martin, Camelot, some boogie woogie dealy, and of course,[doing something or other through] Danube Country. It'll be pretty fun!

Sunday's Drawing Lesson - Fan Art: Cheesecake

I bought Bill Pressing's book "Cheesecake" after looking at the amazing art on his blog, Daily Peril. I really like his style. It's so flirtatious and sexy. So, that combined with books from Christopher Hart are my current teachers in Tooning & Illustration. I've been playing with some wonderful metallic water colors, black ink and an imagination that just won't quit. I've been filling books with my designs for everything I can imagine - wearable art to wall hangings. I haven't started productions yet. I'm going through the imagination + design phases.

Today I was outside for most of the day pruning. Yup. I've self taught (via book) how to prune my roses. As for the Japanese Maples, I consulted my dad - the KING of Ornamental Maples. But, today I did the dirty deed. It's scary how one can just enjoy the speed and pace of the cutting aspect. But, I've really learned that one must make executive decisions, dig in, then walk away, only to return at a later point. Pruning is like artwork. When you start to feel like you're: a) doing too much, b) frustrated, c) confused as to what the next cut/brush stroke should be, d) find your clenching your jaw or hunching your shoulders, then it is probably time to back away (put away the shears or put your drawing in a drawer). Thus, I find it interesting that doing each is relaxing and tensing simultaneously. Both are good for working meditation.

After 5 hours outside, I came in with my kitties (who were MOST entertaining outside climbing trees and meowing for me to pet and reward them for their job well done), and picked up Bill's book. Often I pick an area of the face in which to practice and increase my knowledge of various views and angles. I'm creating depth in my skills as I feel rather one dimensional. So, the lips on "Where the Hell are All The MEN?!" were interesting. How do you create the look of a slight angle - not a profile, not straight on, but a combination of the two? So, I thought I'd try and free hand this page. I really like the way it turned out. The hair is a bit different and the bosom a bit smaller. I learned quite a bit from this page however. The body twist, glossy highlight of the "light source", eyes looking up and to the left. You'll notice if you have Bill's book that the left hand index finger is touching the cheek. I missed that target. Not sure if I placed the head too far back or the fore arm too far away. Bill - you're a great teacher! Thanks!

La Dia de Amor - Celebrate my Darlings

I've been drawing. Tooning. Painting. Sketching. I'm totally and madly inspired.

So, I'm leaving you all a Valentine. I've been reading WAY too many Vampire stories as of late.
They're seeping into my work all over the place. Vamps, Brits, Dolls, Pin-ups, Sassy, Sexy, Sinister. I LOVE this stuff. So, I leave you with merely a taste.