Had an art day with my friend Kim yesterday.
Not yet finished, still needs finishing touches…
We went to The Art Resource Center (ARC) in Tempe, which has been a staple in my life for years now. As a teacher and as an artist/creator. There was also a visit to Treasures for Teachers, a Bins store, and a Goodwill, where I found Jesus (ha):
I saw him and knew I had to be like those trendy Youtubers I watch. Emo Jesus isn’t anything new or exciting, but it was therapeutic for me. He’s supposed to be a super relatable “just like me” guy, but he’s not often seen as an actual human. At least, not in popular thought. I feel more comforted looking at a savior who went through the same emo phase I did. MCR forever<3
First was the raccoon eyes (duh) and hair. Piercings are a personal choice, including the St. Peter’s Cross earring. Some edginess to mirror my own. I didn’t know if I wanted to do the sweeping bangs or if that would make him unrecognizable. I ended up painting over it digitally to plan it out/preview it.
hm. did not realize that the phone charger was in the way. whoops.
Then we have her. The first one I made during our art session. I had brought my oil pastels to her house because I knew I wanted to use them, but I had no idea what for. I actually owe the red pen ink usage to my complete ineptitude re: asking Kim for a pencil after she forgot she was looking for one (ADHD-ers rise up). I figured I could go over it in oil pastel to cover it up well enough, but I ended up loving the sketchy look SO much (she also just came out very nicely, I think the art gods were on my side) that I kept her and filled in the space around her with color:
Not the finished look, but you get the idea. I really love the calm violence in this one. Such a mood. It helps that red is my favorite color, so I’m a little biased.
Mixed in are also some browns, purples, and pinks, just for some variation and depth. I think they ended up looking like bruises. Or just more fleshy. WHICH! I am not mad about.
Here you can see the edge of my mini pizza that ended up having pepperoni on it. Did I say anything to Kim? Nope. Stayed silent like a moron and just picked it off. I think I’m just nervous to prick holes or rock the boat because it’s a new friendship, but I need to learn to trust in myself and my choice of people.
This little lady is hanging somewhere in my home—I haven’t decided where yet, because I got some really beautiful frames at the ARC and some prints at the Bins store:
There she is!
Mind my dirty rug, today is cleaning day.
I haven’t uploaded many photos of my home because privacy and it’s a constant work in progress. Some of you know that I’m living in the house I grew up in, and much of it has not exactly been updated or maintained since it was built in 1974, or purchased my by family in ~1992. The living room and halls, however, are bursting with artwork and photographs. I have a gallery wall on every wall, which is apparently a faux pas? Naturally, I don’t care: maximalism and opulence make me happy.
Most of the artwork is either my own, friends, or more modern, so I’m happy to have older works on display too. If I don’t have a style, then every style will fit<3
This one came from wanting to do something that looked like a person bundled up in the blanket of the world/reality. The face was not as giving as the previous one, but there are no mistakes: just happy accidents!
Here is how she looks this morning, after my adderall induced creative drive has worn off. Not bad, but not finished either. I’ll have to think about what I want to add to her.
As for Queso, he has a little brother now!
His name is Buzón (mailbox), and he was found in a mailbox! Having a kitten around w/ no mama cat is new to me, and it’s really shaken up the dynamics in the house. When I got him, I estimated that he was around 4 weeks old. He’s now 9 weeks! Crazy how time flies, honestly.