Time for Goals/Resolutions

As 2019 comes to an end, many people are looking to 2020 and what it has in store for them. I'm also one of those people.

Every year, I create goals for myself in my hobbies, work, and just life overall. Of course, this blog is dedicated to my hobbies/art so that's what we'll focus on.

Of course, when one makes a goal it's important to keep certain key things in mind to help you achieve said goals. First, make sure your goals are time specific/have a deadline. Most goals/new year resolutions are goals meant to take a year's time. Next, be specific. Generic goals like "I will make art" are all well and good, but if you don't specify WHAT you will do, you are more than likely going to give up on the goal, forget it, or not feel like you accomplished EXACTLY what you wanted. Finally, and most importantly, make sure your goals/resolutions are ACHIEVABLE. We'll use the typical resolution of "I will lose weight".

In this example, we will start with the resolution/goal "I will lose weight". The reason that this goal is typically not achieved is because it's vague, it's not personal to the person. Many New Year's resolutions/goals are like this, not just this one. Using what I stated above, let's make this more achievable: We already have a deadline of one year, so now let's get more specific with this goal as well as making it achievable "I will lose 20 lbs." Now the goal has a specific number and, based on science, is more than achievable (recommended healthy weight loss is 1-2 lbs/week & with roughly 52 weeks in a year a total of approximately 104 lbs can be lost/year). Now, not only is this goal achievable, but there is a strong likelihood that the goal will be surpassed.

Not convinced? Let's look at a another commonly broken resolution goal "I will travel to new places". While not necessarily a hard goal, the problem is in its generic wording. A new place can be, literally, ANYWHERE. Let's look at several variations of this goal (remember to add "by year's end" to the goals):

I will travel to 5 new states.
I will travel to a European country (get more specific and NAME that European country)
I will visit ten new towns.
I will visit three new parks.
I will visit two new shopping malls.

Even these above goals are still semi-generic, but can you start to see why it pays to be specific in your goals?

So with that, let's look at my own goals for 2020. As well as some insight into WHY these goals are achievable for ME.

2020 Goals
-Paint 50 model horses
I painted 42 models last year, so this is in an achievable realm while pushing myself to be a bit more on task.

-Participate in Inktober using the Inktober prompts
I already participated in Inktober this year using my own theme, and I do have two ink wells yet.

-Create/cast 12 medallion/magnet molds
One small, flat clay work a month.

-Paint 1 Oil Painting
I just bought some oil paints to try, I enjoy watching Bob Ross tutorials, no excuse here why I can't do one.

-Paint 1 LARGE canvas (biggest I can find/afford)
So please note how specific I got with this specific goal. While I do have a fairly large canvas residing in my studio that needs paint, I actually want to go bigger. However, if I can't find/afford a bigger canvas, I have this back up. Like many of these, there is no reason I can't complete this goal.

Are you the type of person that likes to set goals for yourself? Are you looking to try making some resolutions this year? Please share (if you're comfortable doing so), and I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!

Till the next time!

Year of the Pig Project

12 months

12 pig artworks

1 great cause

~~~

(January-Spotted Piglet-Charcoal Pencils)

I started this project to honor my friend and mentor Bruce Howdle; who passed away, suddenly, last year. I was fortunate to be one of the students that Bruce taught in his time teaching at UW-Platteville, and while it may sound sappy, it was a dream come true to study under Bruce, as I have been an admirer of his work since I first saw it while taking an art class field trip to Mineral Point, WI and his studio, while in high school. I have many fond memories of Clay Club, working as Bruce's work study student, taking his classes, and getting to chat with him whenever I was in the area.

(February-Poland China Boar-Colored Pencils)

While perhaps better known for his large scale clay murals, many of which can be seen in Wisconsin, and others around the country; he was also known for his unique thrown pig sculptures. This started as a means to come to terms with the loss of Bruce. It was not easy to come to terms with the idea that I would no longer be able to stop in and see him to chat, catch up, and ask for advice. This year is the Year of the Pig in the Chinese zodiac. So I thought it was fitting to do a pig artwork each month. On top of that, each piece would be done in a different medium. Clay, of course, would be one of those.

(March-Pot Bellied Pig-India Ink)

As I started to work on these pieces, I wanted to do something more to, not only remember Bruce, but to honor his memory too. It was then, that I decided that all the art pieces created for Year of the Pig would be sold and the proceeds donated to charity. It took me quite some time to decide where the proceeds would go but I finally settled on one.

(April-Oxford Sandy & Black-Watercolor)

All of these artworks that you see in this blog post (plus 12 painted medallion/magnets) will go up for auction on eBay early January. All of these artworks, except the acrylic Hereford, as that's stretched canvas, will be sold in frames. Proceeds from the sales of these pieces will be donated to Americans for the Arts-a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the arts/art education in schools. Of all the charities I looked at, this one felt like the best fit. After all, Bruce spent much of his time teaching students/people about the arts. An organization whose goal is to keep the arts in schools across the country is fantastic!

(May-Duroc Piglet-Oil Pastels)

This has been a year long endeavor, obviously. There have been some really high points and some really low points. There were months where I struggled to find time to even sit down to sketch the piece much less get one finished, and yet I did just that. I have built up my confidence as an artist, and while I am still working to build up clientele, there is not much that I feel I can't accomplish. That being said, this project isn't done yet, and I cannot finish it, entirely, alone.

(June-Landrace Pig-Pastels)

I am currently finishing up December's pig-which is actually 12 magnets/medallions (I hesitate to call them true medallions as they are made from Sculpey Clay rather than a resin or true clay). They are a smiling pig AND pony. Each one will be painted differently so no two will be the same AND I am ONLY PRODUCING THE TWELVE. That's it! No more will be produced after this. Twelve. Done.

(July-Hereford Pig-Acrylic Paints)

As I said, I cannot finish this project alone, and the reality is that while I produced the art pieces, I did not do this entirely alone either. First, I must thank several people who have supported me throughout this project, knowingly or unknowingly.

(August-Yorkshire Pig-Scratchboard)

First and foremost, big thank you to my mother, Carol, for her support and for being there when I was ready to throw some of these pieces out the window.

(September-Whimsical Pig-Pens)

Then there are my equine mentors-Crimson & Brandi. Thank you for taking a chance on me and letting me start to build clientele for my riding lessons and getting to assist you all for your fun days, game days and camps. You've allowed me to follow my passion and I cannot thank you enough. There are days I really don't know what I would have done if I hadn't been able to go to the barn to remember that there is something more & better than the my, sometimes soul-killing day to day job. Also, I need to thank you for keeping me inspired through your dedicated efforts in starting your own non-profit, Equine Empowerment Inc., and for letting me contribute in the ways I can to that effort. 

(October-Flying Pig-Highlighters)

Next, I need to thank several of my friends: Toni, for just being the person who listened to my rants on other topics. You allowed me to clear my mind of irritations, made me laugh, and got me back on track (though I don't think you even knew I was working on this...?) so that I had a clear head when I was working. Katerina, Stacy, Jamie and Chef Jeff (sorry couldn't resist) you were there in Clay Club, we all lost our mentor and friend, and we always manage to schedule weekends to see each other a couple times a year, I love the times we get together. I really want to say thank you to you all for not laughing or dismissing this idea. You supported it and gave me confidence to keep at it (some knowingly, some not!)

(November-Wild Boar-Alcohol Inks)

Of course, I cannot forget to thank Shannon of Shamrock Farms Inc. Without your support and contributions/loans of medium and time, some of these pieces definitely would not have been possible (thank you for the scratchboard). You went above and beyond the call of duty as a friend! I think we reached a point where I need to paint you all the models you want for the time you put in to this project!

(December WIP-"Smiles" Pony & Pig Magnets/Medallions)

Lastly, I wanted to thank Joelle & Katie for making sure that Bruce Howdle Studio would not remain empty. With a fitting name change to The Globe Clay Center, you both bring your own, wonderful flare to the studio while honoring the studio's past. I apologize for not being able to stop in yet, but I have greatly enjoyed seeing your works through Facebook & Instagram! I hope to stop by in the near future, as it's been too long since I've been to the studio!

(One of the beautiful pieces produced from The Globe Clay Center-from their website-link above!)

With the thank yous out of the way, now we come to where YOU, the reader, come in. As I stated already, I cannot finish this project alone. I need YOUR help. If you are a pig lover, know someone who loves pigs, or just want to help spread the word-please share that these pieces are going to be up for sale early January. Thank you!

(The much loved, Bruce Howdle pig sculpture in our household-Gerti.)

Till the next time!

Time For Reflections

Happy Holidays from Spyryt Fyre Studios!

For some reason I had imagined this holiday season as a bit less stressful. While I didn't get everything I wanted done from my last blog post, I did complete my commission pieces (of course), and I've been working on getting the last pieces to my Year of the Pig project complete (will be either the next post or the one after). I am also working on getting an artwork ready for a silent auction to
help support Equine Empowerment Inc. (see the picture below).

(One of the two commissions completed)

Speaking of Equine Empowerment Inc. starting next year, I will be making artworks bi-monthly where 100% of the proceeds will go to the non-profit to help fund their programs. Also, starting in the new year, 20% on any equine-related/themed commissions/artworks will also be donated to the programs of Equine Empowerment Inc. Please, look them up on Facebook, especially if you live in the Midwest!

(Equine Empowerment Inc. poster.)

The Spirit of Giving has been strong this year, but in the month of December, it always flourishes. I was fortunate to be able to participate in two Secret Santas this year. The idea that strangers/acquaintances do their best to find gifts for each other never ceases to awe me-especially with how much thought and care is dedicated to the task. There are still some gifts that need to be passed out in January (and possibly even later-depending on when I see people).

(Model Horse Blab Secret Santa gifts)

With the end of the year in sight, I find myself looking back on it, and while there were some definite downs, I must see this has been the best year I've had in a long time. My creativity has returned, I am producing art again, I am blessed in knowing some amazing people who have allowed me to pursue the opportunities I thought were far from my reach and who push me to better myself without making me feel inferior and I am privileged to be going into the new year with all of these people and things.
We've got at least one more blog post before the new year rings in though!

Til the next time!

Back to Work

My apologies for not posting these past couple weeks! We just had hours cut at my full-time job and the new hours have taken some getting used to!

In the upcoming weeks I'll be working on a special Christmas swap horse, two commissioned pet portraits, as well as sales pieces and personal art again! I also hope to get some work done on a couple giveaway Breyer Stablemate customs, but those are a maybe!

NaMoWriMo ended up being a bust, unfortunately. I may just make December my personal writing month to make up for it.

Sorry for the short posts! Upcoming ones will have more heft to them!

Till the next time!

Heartland All Mini Fall Fiesta Show

Last Saturday I was in Omaha, NE for he Heartland All Mini Fall Fiesta Model Horse Show. In my limited showing experience, I have to say that this was the best show I've been to! The people were amazing & of course there were a bunch of amazing models too!

My friend, Shannon, and I, made a trip out of the whole weekend, but this was definitely the highlight of the entire trip. I met a lot of great people, including some Model Horse Blabbers, and I look forward to going to this show again!

While it was great to have ribbons and rosettes in Original Finish, I was super stoked when my own work placed (and won)! It was a pleasant surprise!

(Oh Gentle Sir-The 1st win of the day that nearly had me in tears)

(Lantern-New mini to the show ring. Not too shabby for the first time out)

(Spiderman-2nd time out and now that he's got the right breed assignment, he's off!)

While seeing the models I painted & owned win/place was fantastic, it was even more fantastic to see the work I'd done for Shannon place too!

(Shannon's Flicker Burnbright)

(Shannon's Obsidian & also the companion to Flicker. Think The Black Stallion & Flame :) )

There were so many fantastic models! I wish I had had the time to photograph all of them! While I wasn't able to photograph them, I did follow Shannon's lead. Shannon informed me that she liked to hand out small "awards" to people for their models, basically saying that she liked them. I LOVE this idea! So for this show, I joined her with my own little awards a piece of paper stating that the model I placed it next to was awesome along with a chocolate. It was worth it to hear the exclamations of joy when people found the little papers and to hear the "Thanks Chocolate Fairies!" from the room. I hope that this will catch on, as it brought so much joy to the other showers. Maybe some of them will do the same at the next show they attend. Spread that happiness around :). 

(Sara's Choice Award paper slips were distributed around the hall along with some chocolates)

Till the next time!

The Ink Process

While Inktober may be over, but ink artworks can be created any time of year. I definitely will continue to work in this medium. The last time I worked in it was back in high school, and I bought the ink and nibs earlier this year as I'd been itching to get back into drawing with ink. 

First, let's examine the tools used to apply ink. First there is the traditional ink pen or dip pen that has a shaft with interchangeable nibs (which is what I used, mostly). The traditional ink pen is used with an inkwell, hence sometimes being called a dip pen as the nib will hold a small amount of ink. Then there is the technical pen. Unlike the traditional pens, technical pens are free to move in a variety of directions with no risk of splatter. Sometimes these pens will have a brush tip. Of course, there are brushes too, like for Japanese ink paintings. 

(Various types of ink pens-not my image)

Before we go into the Monster Mash process that I used, let's first review the basics of ink drawing. Ink, like many art mediums, is an additive process. However, once it's down, it's down. Even inks like eraser pens are difficult to remove if you apply too much pressure to the stroke. Understanding the medium is the first step before moving on to your actual artwork. Due to being black on white (typically) this leads to pieces that have strong contrast. My suggestion is to play with the medium on a scrap piece of paper or in a sketch book (which I need a new one after 31 ink drawings!)

As you experiment, it's important to practice the basics. There are various techniques that can be used to create depth/shading to your piece. The basic techniques are pictured below and are the following: hatching (lines going one direction) cross-hatching (lines crossing over each other), stippling (dots), random lines, and contouring (following the direction of the shape/object). If you were to apply the ink with a brush, you might even do an ink wash (like watercolor). All of the basics are pictured in this post. Many of them are in the first picture. Do not feel limited to these techniques either. Feel free to experiment! I have made ink drawings out of letters (pictured further below).

With the theme being Monster Mash, I knew I needed to sketch out each individual animal before I attempted to combine them (see the below picture with the Monarch Caterpillar). Once I'd sketched each animal, I decided what features I wanted to combine to create the "monster" of the day. What you don't see in the first picture is that there is a fur seal also sketched out in the other corner. 

(Sketch, various ink techniques, and the final product of that day's Monster Mash.)

From there, I sketched out the initial creature, sometimes tweaking features here or there based on what I liked and how it looked overall. From there it was a matter of deciding which ink technique(s) I wanted to use.

(Beaver X Alpaca-predominantly random lines)

(Vampire Bat X Platypus-hatching, cross-hatching and contouring at work)

(Fur Seal X Monarch Caterpiller-dominantly hatching)

(Dung Beetle X Crocodile-dominantly cross-hatching)

You will notice that I did not use stippling and this was simply due to the size of my nib tips compares to the size of the paper/drawing. They were simply too tiny for the area I wanted to cover.

After the ink had dried I would erase any remaining pencil lines. Then voila! Ink piece is complete.

As I stated above, make sure you experiment. While I stuck with the traditional techniques used in ink drawings for Inktober, I have delved out of it before. As a bi-monthly challenge, I ask my DeviantArt watchers what they would like me to draw, what medium it will be drawn in, and the challenge for a period of 7 days. One such challenge was to draw the creatures of a group called Nasty Beasts, using only the letters of said creature's name. I was allowed to distort the letters slightly, but they should be recognizable. 

You will notice that there are ink splatters on those two pieces. This is because I tried to move the nib too fast when I was pushing the nib rather than pulling it. It IS possible, to push the nib away but it needs to be done at a controlled speed, and usually slower than the pull. 

Of course, I also did a pig in ink too.

(March's Pot Bellied Pig)

The Pot Bellied Pig piece is a great example of using disasters to your advantage. Rather than being frustrated with the splatter that occured (thankfully it was minimal on the pig itself) I simply added to it, adding more splotches and splatters to the background. 

Do you like ink? Interested in trying it? Let me know in the comments!

Till the next time!

Inktober: Monster Mash: Days 21-31

And with today, October 31st, Inktober is officially over (or will be once the clock turns to midnight on November 1st). With all the activities I've had going on this month on top of Inktober, I am pleasantly surprised to find that I have finished the 31 day challenge. If you ask my DeviantArt followers, I usually struggle with my 7 day challenges (at least finishing them in the time frame-I do finish them...eventually). 

I will be posting tomorrow or over the weekend, the process that went into these ink drawings (I know I said that last time but life got in the way). In the meantime, enjoy the last Inktober pieces.

(Dingo X Vicuna)

(Dung Beetle X Crocodile)

(X-Ray Tetra X Bonobo)

(Squirrel X Ibex)

(Skunk X Abyssinian)

(Bumble Bee X Tiger Barb Fish)

(Adelie Penguin X Warthog)

(Cougar X Wolverine)

(Octopus X Asian Giant Hornet)

(Yak X Opossum)

(Guinea Pig X Lion X Rhino)

Inktober is done! 

For some reason I decided that NaNoWriMo is next. Wish me luck!

Till the next time!

Inktober: Monster Mash: Days 11-20

Over halfway through the month & man has it been a journey! I forgot just how much I loved ink as a medium...usually. I do wish I had more tips to use rather than just fine pointed ones, but alas, I was not able to get any before the month began (or since).

There will be a post between this one and 21-31 post on the process that goes into these critters. It's not just quick sketches of creatures. Alas, that is for a different post! This one is just for the ink drawings! So without further ado: Days 11-20.

(Day 11: Fur Seal X Monarch Caterpillar)

Can I just say that I love this critter? Seal with stripes & antenna is adorable!

(Day 12: Musk Deer X Boer Goat)

(Day 13: Ring-Tailed Lemur X Mynah Bird)

These gel pens offer a different challenge in that there is no true brown and there is definitely no black! So trying to get black areas or brown (or in this case lack of brown) is an exciting endeavor. 

(Day 14: Water Buffalo X Mouse)

(Day 15: Zebu X Zebra)

Day 15 was another of my favorites. I felt I achieved a reasonable blend of both animals (unlike in some other ones). 

(Day 16: Appaloosa X Eland)

While I am completely biased with these last two days (equines) I really do like how the Appaloosa X Eland of Day 16 turned out. Even if it is dominantly an equine form rather than any deer attributes.

(Day 17: Hippopotamus X Chipmunk)

(Day 18: Shrew X Reindeer)

(Day 19: Orangutan X Dormouse)

(Day 20: Snowy Owl X Grizzly Bear)

With Day 20, I had reached a point in the day of "Why did I decide that I needed to keep the Snowy Owl's markings?!" as well as "Why did I decide that I should start this so late in the day?! Sleep is required!" It was worth it though! 

That's 11-20 only eleven more days left! Do you have any favorites so far? 

Till the next time!