Art is...

neccessary. 

I find myself often questioning it but its so great to have studio mates that remind you that art isn't just drawing pictures and hoping people like them. So cheers to creativity. 

I am STOKED about my upcoming show at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts! Finally saw the space on Monday, and talked to the Curator, Miranda, who has very exciting plans for the space. It's going to be more than just 'hanging art on a wall' Mark your calendars for March 23...6 to 8 pm. You do not want to miss it. Did I mention there's a bar inside the gallery?!

Today I went to work on a very large painting. This is only one part of it, the rest of the painting involves a girl, a kitten and about 30 coffee mugs. 

These dogs remind me of something that would come out of a Wed Anderson film. I told my boyfriend tonight that I want to be the next Wes Anderson. I haven't much hope but I can try. 

Another project I have just been commissioned to do is one that I am thrilled about! I will be creating two different posters for Jody Williams based on animals. Sketches are due next week so keep your eyes peeled! If any of you have adorable pet pictures, please email them to me at rebeccagreen@myblankpaper.com. Full bodied cats or dogs would be so appreciated!

AND! I have to send out my painting tomorrow for the SONG X show March 4, in LA at CafeMode. It's based on the Tori Amos song, 'Sorta Fairytale'. 

Here is a sneak of the painting...

Ok folks. Thank you thank you. 

YIKES

Busy busy are the animals of the world.

This past Saturday night was the UICA's 11th annual Live Coverage event, where I joined 75 artists in creating work to be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the UICA. It promotes their programs, such as the ArtWorks program which provides free art education to youth, as well as for their films and events. 

I did an acrylic painting on wood of a little girl with a house strapped to her head, holding a doll with a house head as well. It was a circular painting, which was a fun layout and surface to work with. 

I didn't get the greatest picture of it at the end, as I didn't get to bring it home, but here it is. 

It was an awesome night, saw tons of great work and chatted with some artists I hadn't seen in a while!

In other news, I have been skecthing a ton! I am pretty thrilled about it as I hadn't been doing enough and was feeling a bit stagnant about my work. 

I finally scanned in some of the sketches last night, so here they are!

I need to add more color to them!

Ahhh sigh. I've got tons of project on my plate and want to share them with you but alas I am so scattered there is no time to share. I've got so much to do today. Enjoy the brilliant sun and I will be back shortly to update you on my work. 

Giving up, taking on.

I'm going to give up something and take on something. Not just something, I suppose, I know what they will be:

I'm giving up coffee. Drinking around 12 cups a day cannot be good for me. Maybe Ill just cut back to one a day. 

I'm going to take on journaling. Starting a drawing journal. You'd think I'd do, but sadly, my sketch life has been unlived. I've been feeling bored. Uninspired. Thinking of big things makes me lose sight of the little. So I went to the Literary Life Bookstore and bought The Creative License by Danny Gregory. It has reminded me that my current life is worth focusing on. Worth writing down. Worth drawing. I started today and I feel amazing. Draw my coffee cup. Drew my plants. Drew my pan of pearled couscous. 

I feel refreshed again, which is what I needed. Thank you Danny Gregory. 

I've got a busy week beginning and finishing commercial work. Im also working on a new painting for my upcoming show. I'm pretty interested to see where it goes, as I don't even know!

Also...starting a painting for a small group show at CafeMode in LA, called Song X. You can find the show at the BALCONI COFFEE COMPANY. I'm going to do a Tori Amos song that I have been secretly in love with since I heard it 8 years ago. I've gotta finish it this week and ship it out, as the show opens March 4. 

Ok...I have to go get gorceries! You might want to stear clear of me for a couple of days while I rehabilitate myself from the devil. aka. coffee. 

Tight Quarter Creating

is amazing.

Felt like art school without the realism. Tonight was our first night meeting and creating as Nice. Incredible to be surrounded by such talent in one room. Looking forward to these Tuesday nights.

Tonight I did work for myself for the first time in way too long. I actually sat down and painted in my sketchbook which is new for me. Refreshing. 

I'm also teaching this week which has been amazing. The hard intro part is over and tomorrow we start laying in the drawing and painting. I'll have some pics to share with you. All of the students are so kind...Im very lucky to be visiting this week.

And because I am teaching, I am on teacher schedule. So toast and bed for me! Bon Nuit Birds! 

Sweet cement walls, it's been a while.

Went to do a visiting artist lecture at a high school today, which proved awesome. It's exciting to be around students again and visit the world of academia. Sure beats working alone all the time, and I am excited to teach these guys how to paint on wood. Shoud be fun...

Along with the show I have currently on display, I also brought in about 10 paintings so the students could pass around and look closer at some different and more recent work. 

A great time was had, I hope, by all. 

Happy Monday Night you lovelies!