Here he is!

I finally have photos up of my dapple grey appaloosa Taboo resin! I'm really excited by how this guy turned out. The photos really don't show the depth of color (lots of rust undertones) and details in the hand drawn hairs everywhere, but they give you an idea. He will be making his debut at Meows to Minis Live show. I won't be in attendance but Karen Beeson is kind enough to bring him and the dapple grey Ziryab resin for me.

Please let me know what you think. Here he is!

How to: creating a Medallion

Would you like to know the process I go through when I create my Bas Relief Sculptures, more commonly known as Medallions?

I wrote an article all about the subject! It is on the Fallen Leaves website. You have to be a member to read the article, but membership is free, just sign up!

Here's a link to the article:
http://fallen-leaves.net/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=755

Here's a link to Fallen Leaves website: http://fallen-leaves.net

Sneak Peek!

When I'm working on a piece I find it helpful to take photos of the progress along the way. It helps me look at the horse from a different point of view. I do this with both sculptures and finish work. I'm currently finishing up a dapple grey appaloosa Taboo resin. I'm having fun with this one, trying all sorts of new techniques and ways to achieve the results I desire. Pictured is a sneak peek photo of him. This is just a head shot and his mane is being worked on. He still needs some tweaking and will eventually be for sale. He will be at Meows to Minis Live show if you'd like to see him in person. Karen Beeson will be transporting him there for me since I'll still be out on the road at the time of the show. (Thanks again Karen!!)

Exciting News!

This news may be more personal than artwork related, but I wanted to share. We had an Ultra Sound last week, and everything is going really great. I'm now 23 weeks along and they've bumped my due date up to Dec 19th, and.............

We found out we are having a GIRL!!!!

I'm tickled pink!! ;-)

We haven't chosen a name yet, and will most likely keep her name a secret until she arrives. But, we needed something to call her, a nickname of sorts. So we enlisted our nephew to help us out. His younger sister is affectionately called "Lolo" and we joked how cute it would be if we named our baby "Lulu" as they'd be cousins - "Lulu" and "Lolo"! This made him giggle, and the nickname has stuck. She has officially been dubbed "Lulu".

I've been dreaming in pink ever since! :-)

My favorite photographic reference books of Horses

I have tons of references of horses at home. Many of them are Photographic Books that are completely Drool-worthy. I've started my own Amazon listmania list of my favorites. I have many more to add but thought you'd like to see what I have so far.

Surfin for Inspiration

Mood: Inspired
Listening to: Evening News

Since I’ve been missing my reference books I decided to take a few minutes to surf the web for some inspiring photos of horses at play to use as reference for my Frolicking Arab Sculpture. Thanks to a kind reader who forwarded some great links I've found some really inspiring photos and horses!

Here are a few of them:

http://slawik.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=58364
This isn't identical to my Arab, but the photo captures the horse in a similar pose and also portrays the attitude I’m going for. I’m also amazed by the athleticism of this beauty!

Here are a few more of the same horse. I almost created my sculpture in the exact pose of the first one! (I may still have to do a horse in this pose) More good examples for the attitude I’m looking for:
http://slawik.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=58396
http://slawik.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=58368
http://slawik.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=58396

Wow! Look at this motion!
http://slawik.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=59329

Here’s the neck I’ve been looking for, a little lower set than my Arab, but gorgeous and a good reference!
http://slawik.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=59327

Now I’m totally inspired, but also totally exhausted. (We went on a long hike up a mountain today, it was gorgeous, but exhausting) But, there are many more photos to inspire me here so I’ll come back for more inspiration tomorrow. I’ll be purchasing from this amazing photographer for certain!

Roadwork

Wednesday 8.1.07

Mood: Hot
Listening to: The clicking of my husbands mouse

So how does one work on artwork (sculptures in particular) while on the road? I work out of my own traveling studio = a suitcase! It's full of basically everything I need. Though I've found the few things I left behind I do miss, especially all my reference books! I could only find room for two.

The second photo shows my 'workspace' in this particular hotel. It doubles as a desk for both Nathan and I, and a studio space when I need to sculpt or paint, and then a table when we cook in our room. It's nothing like my own studio space at home where I can have everything at arms reach and not have to put anything away. But it's worked out quite well for the situation. I'm just happy to be able to work while on the road. :)

The end of July....?

Tuesday 7.31.07

Mood: Creative
Listening to: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
(Want to "reread" this one before I start the last one!)

I can hardly believe that July is almost over and tomorrow will be August! I've been out on tour with Nathan now for 2 months, and it seems like only two weeks. I feel like I've been both productive and unproductive at the same time.

I have found time to work on my Traditional Arab Mare sculpture, she still needs tons of work but she's coming along. Her neck was cracked the last time I pulled her out of the storage box. Although that was a disappointment it gave me a chance to rework it, and now it's a tad longer. I have posted updated photos her page here.

Sorry if the photos aren't great. The hotels don't lend themselves to great photography, so the floor and a sort-of white wall had to do. I also realized while photographing her that I could no longer lay comfortably on my belly. They said the day would come...it appears it has arrived. LOL!

I'm lucky in that when you travel and have to live out of a hotel, you aren't required to clean. This is a huge bonus to me, as I dispise vacuuming, and become very irritated with it taking time from the studio. So not having to clean allows me a little extra studio time!! Last week my time was cut a bit short, as I was in dire need of some new clothes that fit. I'm in my 4th month of my pregnancy and have outgrown most of my pants, and lots of my tops. (Living out a suitcase also limits how many pieces of clothing you can have along, so I don't have access to my full closet). So this past week I found some maternity stores and stocked up on a few things. This also allowed me to breath again as my pants aren't so tight! ;-)

I have been very fortunate in that I've had a great pregnancy so far. That's allowed me to have more time in the studio as well (I'm not sick all the time) We will be trying to find out the sex of the baby in just two weeks at or next ultra-sound. I can hardly wait!

Pictured is a sneak peak at a Mini Zirab resin I've nearly completed. She will be up for grabs sometime in the future. I had a blast painting her. She's full of all sorts of new techniques and mediums I've been dabbling with. They really lent themselves to a realistic finish.

Welcome to my Studio Blog

A quick update for those who don't know...

Hello, and welcome to my attempt at a studio blog! I am an artist who is currently working full time as a graphic artist, and part time (or when time allows) as an Equine Artist, while also following her husband and his dream. My husband, Nate, is currently performing in the Touring Broadway Production of "Mamma Mia". I am on the road with him, going from city to city along with our two cats- Bosco, and Rio. :)

I am also pregnant, and expecting our first child December 22nd, 2007!