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I'm doing the final preparations needed to to take high resolution photos of a collection of figure studies. The pen and ink drawings done on heavy-weight watercolor paper are original model studies done for the "Jessica's Houseboat" series. Minimalist in background and devoid of color, these works represent the sketchbook of an ongoing series of mixed media artworks. I expect to have the figure studies collection available for viewing/sale on this site within 2 weeks.

Often a once great idea sits on the shelf in my studio for months untouched. I just can't decide how the piece ends or I can't find the perfect solution to frame a relief artwork. So the work sits. I look at the untouched works from time to time, visually searching for the inspiration to finish it.

Sitting here in the studio, I just remembered an idea that Rich and I had once when I started a new series of dioramas. I had planned on taking pictures of the characters in the dioramas and presenting them as as if they were still frames from a soap opera. Close-ups and panned shots would showcase each scene of the story and would stand on their own as artworks within a series.

So off I go to use my newest toy - a Pentax K-r digital camera- to revive 2 dusty half done artworks.

Below is an url to a short slide show of the progress of making the artwork, Bitter Cocktail. You will have to copy/paste it into your web browser; I don't know why links aren't allowed in this blog software.

http://youtu.be/Wk97mhXeLQY

This image was inspired by an extra copy of the face in a mirror drawing I had made a while back. I keep a small pile of unused drawings and printed materials in the upper corner of my drafting table. When I'm feeling uninspired or bored I will sift through this pile and often something small will remind of a story or something I overhead. At this point I tack that little piece of inspiration to a canvas board and go about finding other materials and colors in my studio that want to join it.

I like to be organized to a respectable degree but I'm not a big fan of spending much time doing the business side of art. So it's important to find good apps that are easy to learn and quick to control.
I spend a good amount of time searching Artist Opportunities for exhibits, grants, and freelance work. My newly found method of organization allows me to spend a short amount of time gathering leads and acts as an alarm clock to keep me awake for upcoming deadlines. I am an avid Mac user so I use ICal to input all my opportunities, give myself an alarm two days before the deadline and a link to the URL needed to submit my application. Then I use Evernote to organize my notes on the submit process, clips of great things I found on the web, as well as strategic planning and research on art residencies and galleries I want to apply to when the time is right.