Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, 

the glory of the one and only Son, 

who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Large Scale

The month of October presented me with an opportunity to work large scale. I was asked to create artwork for a youth event. There were 5 large canvases ranging from 5'x8' to 8'x10' that would be the backdrop for the stage. Luckily I have access to a shop area that I could work on these all at the same time  with minimal rearranging as I worked.

Also, there were 5 canvas assemblies that had been created. These were to be painted to hang separately and would fit together as one piece of art on the last night. Each assembly shape and background colors were predetermined and brought to me before I began. The main message was written on the large central canvas and the small secondary canvases utilized text as texture. Each lay out is different and independent. But each assembly had the swirling imagery as a central theme. I had only 8 days to create the canvas assemblies so there was not a lot of layout and decision making time. Which turned out to be a blessing for me. I seem to overthink and overwork if time allows. 

This was such a great project to work on! I have come to realize that I love working large. Ok maybe not the 5'x10' large, but the canvas assemblies were a blast! I have also realized that I love working on canvas. I will be pursuing this in the future. 

Unfortunately, the picture quality is not great and I did not get a photo of the canvas assemblies in their final configuration. 

Card for the Ladies

I recently completed the Beth Moore study 'Breaking Free'. I would recommend it to anyone interested in living out Truth in their life and breaking away from the mindset that holds you back. At the end of the study I made these cards for all the ladies that had completed the course with me.

The verse was written in sumi ink with a Leonardt Hero 40 nib, scanned into

Photoshop and color was added there. 40 cards were printed in total. 

The word TRUST was hand embossed on each card. 

The stencil was created from hand lettering on bristol board.

Journal Pages

My journal art is quite a bit more casual than my 'serious' work. But I enjoy it just as much! It gives me an outlet to try different color schemes, to enjoy creating with no expectations, and to letter without worry of messing up.

Here are some pics of a few recent journal pages.

Recent Writings

Which Style (con't)

Earlier I posted about trying to find a style and layout that fits a quote. You can see them here.

This style and layout has come closer to my feeling of of the quote. Although, I realized I had the words a little mixed up:) The exact quote reads: "The boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places." So far I have not written the exact words. Sometimes I wonder about my ability to remember. haha

This layout was written with sumi ink and a Speedball B1.

Which Style for Quote

I have been playing in the studio today with a quote that has been in my head for the last few days. 

"My boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places."

I have created several rough sketches but am having a hard time finding a layout 

that works for the way I feel about the quote. 

Which do you like?

Written with Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White and a ruling pen.

Created with Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White and ruling pen for the outline and filled in with watercolor.

Written with Dr. Martin's Bleedproof White and an Esterbrook 357.

Three P's In A Pod Shop Logo

Three P's In A Pod

shop logo came together quite easily.

That doesn't happen often, but I love it when it does.

The first sketch was brought into Illustrator, cleaned up and vectorized.

Slant and curvature of the lettering was modified as well.

Then the shadows and embossing was added in Photoshop.

And voila! Shop logo.

Original sketch was written with sumi ink and Hero #40 Pumpkin nib.

All Over the Board

This summer has not had a theme or cohesive pattern. 

I have been dabbling in all kinds of things with no real focus. 

Just playing all over the board. 

There is the on going practice following the teachings of Denis Brown's 'Italic Rhythm to Polyrhythm'. The practice time comes and goes. I should be practicing more consistently than I am, but still I am gleaning tons from the videos.

Then there is the woodworking. I have been making custom dinky dip holders. And was able to make a desperately needed flat file for the studio. Once I had the file completed, that lead to the cleaning and reorganizing of the studio. 

(at the height of the organizing chaos)

I have also started an online video class. This something I rarely do, my second one ever. The class is by Mary Ann Moss and is titled Full Tilt Boogie. It is a visual art journal binding adventure. I chose it because Mary Ann Moss takes the total opposite approach to creating than I do. She is chaotic and messy and approaches creating with an anything goes attitude. The chaotic and messy aspect I need to embrace more, so I signed up with Mary Ann. I have fully enjoyed the videos and the binding techniques. I am loving filling my pages with whatever, no concept, no theme, just play!

Bound and Lettered

I have just received the current issue of Bound and Lettered. It is a great publication on 

books, papercraft, and calligraphy.

I have had my subscription for a few years and 

always look forward to getting it. The magazine can be purchased from John Neal Booksellers. 

I am honored to say I was able to participate in this issue. 

A small manuscript book I made for the yearlong Reggie Ezell class,

'Primitive to Modern', was featured.

If you do not receive this supscription, you should definitely look into it.

Bound and Lettered always has a wealth of information

and lots of eye candy. And if you would like to participate, they are always looking for how-to

articles on calligraphy, bookbinding, and paper crafts.

This issue also has an article by Fiona Dempster, 

arthur of the blog Paper Ponderings, about the project A Letter A Week. 

Check out these links if you enjoy letters and artist books.

Happy Fourth

Two of the things that make America great!

Independence 

and

Freedom

I praise God to have the privilege to live

in such a place and time!

Final Trachouse Logo

This is the final version of the Trachouse logo. 

Some of the preliminary ideas were shown in an earlier post here.

But this idea was the look that the client wanted.

In addition to the logo, the client also needed designs for four of the guitar pedals. 

The design needed to be edgy and a little funky, so a graffiti look was selected. 

Below are the four pedal names.

These were fully created in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop using a Wacom tablet. 

It was a great change of pace to play outside the box and create something with a different medium and a different look.

And here are three of the four pedals at their final stage.

If you are a guitar player or know a guitar player, check out the Trachouse website. 

David Aucoin makes a great product. 

Dinky Dips Holders Available Now

A few weeks ago I shared a picture of my personal dinky dip holder. You can see it here. I had mentioned that if anyone was interested in one of their own just let me know. I had a couple responses. So I have been  busy in the shop making a few different holders. These are now listed on my etsy shop.

Each holder is unique and is made of driftwood found in and around Lake Maurepas in southeast Louisiana. The wood is beautiful! Each piece has a low luster wax finished that has been hand rubbed to feel as smooth as glass. They are very light weight and small, so they travel well. This way, for all of you who will be attending the 2011 IAMPETH conference, you will be sure to have a dinky dip holder like no one else.

Please check out the shop and let me know what you think. I will be adding more as I have them completed.

If you're near Ponchatoula, LA . . .

One of my pieces in the reception

This 8"x10" piece is framed to 12"x16"

 and is watercolor on Arches Textwove paper.

You are cordially invited

To a Reception

Honoring the Artists

Currently Exhibiting

In The Art Station Gallery

Thursday, June 16, 2011

5:00-7:00 PM

146 West Oak Street

Ponchatoula, LA

Wine & Light Refreshments

Sponsored by Friends of the Art Station

Exhibiting Artists:

Art Station Alumni:

Cricket Ayala

Jennifer Davis

Nancy Lowentritt

Jo Miller

Donna Mollere

Brandi Newman

Gina Reviere

Art Station Instructors:

Denise Austin

Trent Hebert

Kim Zabbia

Hope to see you there.

Kim Howes Zabbia

Owner/Director

The Art Station

146 West Oak Street

Ponchatoula, LA 70454

985-386-8815

http://www.theartstationllc.com

Handmade Design: Silent Auction

TypeCon and Loyola University New Orleans Presents:

Handmade Design: Silent Auction Fundraiser 

for the Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Handmade Design is a silent auction fundraiser presented by TypeCon in conjunction with Loyola University New Orleans. Works donated to Handmade Design will be sold via a three month long silent auction with all proceeds supporting the Greater New Orleans Foundation Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund.

Silent Auction

June 2011 – August 2011

Opening Reception

Tuesday, July 5th, 5:00pm – 8:00pm

Loyola University New Orleans, Collins C. Diboll Gallery

'Chaos to Harmony'

My contribution to the cause.

Pointed Pen Calligraphy

I have recently finished up a wedding envelope project. This script is based on the Young Baroque script font. It was written in sumi ink with a Leonardt Principal nib. 

Sinker Cypress and Dinky Dips

This is my custom designed dinky dip holder. It is one of my favorite accessory tools. Of course, the dinky dips are indispensable for pointed pen calligraphy. You can find them at John Neal Booksellers or Paper and Ink Arts. There is a holder that you can purchase also. But I wanted to kick it up a notch and make my own.

This dinky dip holder was made from a piece of sinker cypress that was pulled from the south Louisiana bayous by my cousin, Dennis Guy. He is a wonderfully interesting man that lives and works in the bayou country.

If you would be interested in a custom dinky dip for yourself, please contact me.

Trachouse Logo Sketches

Recently, I have been working on a logo and artwork project for Trachouse.com. They will be launching the new look of their guitar pedals sometime in June 2011.  David Aucoin is a very talented musician and creates some of the best guitar pedals on the market.

Below are some of the early conceptual sketches.

These were then imported into illustrator and cleaned up slightly.

From here the client and I can talk about which look is heading toward their vision. 

The logo that was chosen is not shown here so as not to spoil the launching of their new look.