Day 26: Foxes in Space

This began with drawing a fox. Eventually, through some kind of unknown transition, I ended up painting a fox on a 6"x6" canvas. Weird, right? I don't really paint... but recently I've been painting more. Fortunately, I took colour theory in my first year of art school, so my ability to mix colours and paint is better than it would be other wise. This painting is... okay. It looks better in a photograph than in real life, and I'm thinking about adding star dots to the background so that it actually is more space-like. I dunno. A fox in space strikes me as a good thing. Cosmic fox?

Day 25: Work in Progress

I started this later in the evening, so it's not quite finished. I've been intending to embroider a fox for a few days, and I finally got around to it. It's going pretty well so far. It's cotton embroidery floss on silk. I'll probably be finished by tomorrow, I think.

I mostly didn't get around to this sooner because I was working on final projects. They're going really well. I finished my tuxedo-inspired tuxedo jacket! I'll be taking photos next week when I'm at school and have a mannequin. It turned out quite well, despite it not being able to fit a man like it was supposed to. At least now I have a pattern for a nice jacket that fits me perfectly...

Day 24: When art influences art

First of all, y'know when I mentioned how it would be weird if there was a connection between The Sleep of Reason Produces Nightmares and The Raft of the Medusa? Well, apparently Google thinks there is.

But what relates them?!

That being said, I did a version of The Sleep of Reason Produces Nightmares. I spent most of the day drawing in my newly discovered style, and doing versions of famous artworks. Also religious icons (Jesus and Virgin Mary). It seemed like the best use of time, and I'm pleased with the results.

These are a couple other examples of drawings... I made them all while listening to Astronautalis. Interestingly enough, I find his music really inspiring, and really good background music for creating art, especially ink and gouache based illustration. There's something about really extensive and story-based lyrics that cause for a good working space within one's mind.

Left to right: Sacred Heart Christ and Will There Be Enough Water (From Gericault's 'The Raft of the Medusa' and the Dead Weather)

Day 23: In which I can offer something!

Pages from my sketchbook. Today, in between working on papers and wandering around school aimlessly (I was really restless today), I drew bulls. I also drew a couple of tigers, but for whatever reason, I was quite inclined to draw bulls. I also bought and experimented with gouache. It's kind of neat to work with, but I'm not sure that I have any idea what I'm doing. I foresee myself going a bit crazy with it and going all Ralph Steadman on the world (I will also use ink to achieve that). I'm not very good at drawing realistic looking things, so I am slowly attempting at training myself to get good at drawing. The interesting thing is, I find that my drawings look more like the subject when it is blind contour. Who knew that all those years of being bitter about having to do blind contour would eventually prove itself worthwhile? I mean, they still don't look exactly like the subject, but the proportions are more evident and overall it's more interesting to look at.

Now, just because, I'm going to share one of my favourite songs. This musician inspires me quite a bit, and I'm terribly excited because I'm seeing him live on December 3rd. Astronautalis, everyone! I can't describe how excited I became when I heard that he was coming to Calgary. I want to do drawings based off of this song. I wonder if someday when I'm more famous, if I could do an art book in collaboration with musicians. Hm... I'll have to ponder on this idea and consider how it would play out...

Day 22: In which I can offer nothing

Well, today (well... yesterday. I'm writing this at 1:22 AM...) is my first failure in terms of doing something creative. I blame school. Mondays are weird days for me. I did draw and embroider, but the embroidery was for school and the drawings are Knicker Misadventures, which I am posting on Facebook and I don't want to fill up 12 Months of Alice with nothing but Knicker Misadventures (I easily could. I'm on a roll of at least one comic or drawing of KM every day). In all technically, this is my first failure.

However, I did get some things done, and I did make things like breakfast and tea (loose Earl Grey Twinings tea? Delicious). I also got some great illustration references and inspiration from the library. I am now on an Edward Gorey fix, and I'm even more interested in Ralph Steadman. Both of these men are brilliant artists. I almost now a little bit obsessed with Goya's painting The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters. I have always been interested in the painting, and today I realized that two of my favourite artists have done versions of it. Both Ralph Steadman and Yinko Shonibare have done versions of it, and they are beautiful and wonderful and dark. I feel like I should do something involving that painting, since so many things that I obsess over end up relating to it. Soon I'll find out that there are weird connections between The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters and The Raft of the Medusa.

Dear Lord. Art history is slowly consuming me.

Day 21: Beefart & Cheenkaw

Creativity of the day? Helping the coolest people ever film a movie! 

The process of this film has actually been going on every weekend since the middle of October, but I chose today to post about it because today was the last day of filming. I'm so excited! Now the editing magic can begin, and before we know it, there will be an amazing new Beefart & Cheenkaw film from the powerful individuals of SC Entertainment. These characters have been around for a while, making great films in Calgary, and this film is destined to be the latest (and greatest?) instalment of Beefart & Cheenkaw. It is going to be truly amazing, and I am in this one as a kind of lead role (trusty sidekick). I'm not going to reveal too much, but check out the video above (it was the teaser to get people interested in supporting the project through Indie Go-Go), and watch all of the other movies on SC Entertainment's YouTube channel. One of my favourites is A Zebra For Sally, so I think you should watch that one. And Unicorn Making A Video. Seriously, they're just incredible people. 

On the way home, I also took this photograph.

So... yeah. That's kind of exciting, I guess. Okay, I'm just going to say that it probably looks like I haven't been doing anything super exciting lately, but that's not true. I just don't want to post works in progress. I could, but there's some things that I'm working on that are going so beautifully that I don't want to post them until they're completely finished. Dig? But seriously, I'm working on this one project and I can't wait to share it!

Day 20: Blue Paws

Oh, little Blue Paws. She scampers around Foxworthing Manor in her fox mask, playing tricks on Wednesday, Alice, and all of the other occupants. She is not as good at drawing wolves as Alice, and cannot grow a fine moustache. However, she is beautiful and a delight, with an affinity for conversing with rats.

This is my first painting in a long time, and I'm pleased with it. It is like my comics, just black and white and involves an oval shape. It is acrylic on canvas.

And guess what! Work like this and others are slowly becoming available on Etsy, and you can 'like' The Knicker Misadventures on Facebook. Exciting, right? I figured that I should create a Facebook page, especially since I want to take this further.

Day 19: The adventures in my brain

After writing excessively about my life and views of my life last night on my other blog, I decided to approach today from the most chill perspective possible. Last night, I started re-reading Alice In Wonderland. This is my favourite novel. I know that a lot of people say how they "love" Alice in Wonderland and so on, but for me it is an essence of my being and an ever-changing entity. I continue to adore it, no matter how many times I read it. The interesting thing is, I'm not really the biggest fan of any theatrical/film versions. I'd much rather read the book over and over again. I currently own three versions of the book (including a rare copy of Alice's Adventures Underground, which is the preprocessor to Alice in Wonderland), and I would happily own a copy of every version on the planet. Every version is different, depending on the art, and what other short writings of Lewis Carroll were included. A different format and different illustrations often make it feel like an altogether different story. 

So, I'm reading Alice in Wonderland. I started last night, and I'm already the majority of the way through (surprising, since I've been reading different parts two or three times as I go along). As I mentioned, today was fairly relaxed in how I approached it. It was also fairly busy because of other commitments. The most creative thing I did today was spend almost an hour and a half at Caffe Rosso, drinking tea and nibbling a muffin, drawing and reading. I attempted at drawing tigers. Throughout the day, I also tried out my brand new 35 mm fisheye camera. It's beautiful! It's nice to load a camera with film, and hear the wind and click of the subtle process involved in capturing an image. 

I'm hoping that through using analogue photography and the fact that I have to be patient to see the end result will help in my desire to depend less on speed and technology. I want to escape the sense of loneliness that comes with the constant communication from things like Facebook and cellphones. I find that reading helps. So does embroidery, and the little pleasure that comes from taking a photograph, and knowing that it will be hidden away on a strip of plastic until it is developed in a faraway place and returned to me in a glossy envelope. 

Lomography, with Deborah Harry and Wolverine.

Day 18: Stitches and lace

There are few things more beautiful than lace. Lace is feminine and beautiful, and carries many meanings depending on its colour and structure. I quite like lace.

I've had this yardage of machine-made lace for a while. I had bought it for a cloth to set my work upon, during the days of my White Rabbit exhibit. It was kind of sneaky, and purposeful, since I would then would be able to use it again later. The result is now! I made a beautiful lace skirt. 

I only made an over skirt out of the lace. I'm the type of person who likes things that can be used in different ways. I like making plain skirts that can be main skirts, or over skirts that be paired with different skirts, or skirts that can act as petticoats if I wish. At the moment, this white lace skirt is paired with a black skirt underneath, but I can pair it with any number of my skirts. Practical, nes pas? I'm planning to make a few more skirts, and I'm toying with the idea of making some over-skirt bustle skirts to sell (vaguely unrelated to this, but I might make some of these for sale, too). 

Yay! A skirt for dressing up with! And see that fur in the background? I spy something that can transform into a fox...

Day 17: Not super creative

Today, I'm at school from 9 to 9. Due to the fact that I didn't get a lot of sleep and I'm still recovering, I didn't exactly pack anything to make anything with. Sure, I could have posted more drawings, but I admit, I've been failing you guys (whoever 'you guys' might be).

I took a non-creative route to being creative. I downloaded a free version of 'Drawsome' on my cellular smart telephone, and called that being artistic and creative. Essentially, it's a game where you have to draw stuff (you get words and names. Things like stool and Newton and side burn and stuff) and another person guesses what you drew, and then they draw something and you guess. Sounds okay, right? Except wait... Other people are uninteresting and apparently can't guess things like side burn or Newton. Even when you draw Newton and write 'gravity' and draw a picture of an apple, or you draw a face with a giant side burn and you draw an arrow pointing to the side burn. Isn't that really obvious?

This is Isaac Newton's look of disdain

This is why tomorrow I'm going to actually make something astounding that requires a little more effort. I'll also do laundry! WHOAS!

Day 16: The First Knicker Misadventure!

Finally! The first finished segment type thing of the series The Knicker Misadventures! This is a notable day in history!

This is a project I've been trying to get started for a while, and finally... I've finished part of it! And yes, you may read it.

Click for larger, more readable image 

I had to divide it up into two parts to be legible. Shockingly, this was inspired by me slowly getting over this stupid sickness. I mean, seriously. What am I supposed to get down when my nose is always running and I have a vicious cough? The good news is,  it's slowly getting better. Any ways... This is a world (so to speak) that I've been working on for a while, and by some miraculous means, my sickness inspired it to push forward. I now know roughly how to make a book or something out of it, and I also have a name for the house in which the characters live (Foxworthing Manor. A house vaguely inspired by the 1960s Addams Family). Now, without further ado, please enjoy the first full comic of The Knicker Misadventures!

Day 15: When Carroll inspires

Today I was watching Murdoch Mysteries, and it was episode that incorporated Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This combined two of my favourite things (one more favourite than the other), and prompted me to do tripped up version of Alice and the White Rabbit. In Murdoch Mysteries, Detective Murdoch is drugged while attending an Alice in Wonderland themed parties. His weird hallucinations were kind of the inspiration for these drawings, which I would like to be colouring sheets.

That's about it, kids! Hopefully I'll do something more inspired tomorrow.

Day 14: The part when sickness strikes

Ugghhhh. Today I was sick for the second time in under a month. I really don't get why I've been sick so much, and today was exceptionally terrible. Have you ever been sick on a bus? It's horrible. It made me cry out of embarrassment and shame and confusion. I've been so stiff and sore, and I'm not having any fun. Fortunately, after passing out for about half an hour, I woke up and my stomach had settled. And you know what is great food for a sad stomach? A bagel with nothing on it. It's bland enough to be gentle, but filling enough to sit in your stomach. Canned peaches are also a god send for sickness (and headaches) .

Due to my being sick and crying on and off and feeling miserable, I decided to make myself a get well card. Yes, the drawing is a sad stomach. Drawing this made me feel ever so slightly better, but I'm just as sad as the poor little stomach.

My apologies for TMI, but I really couldn't convince myself to do anything else. I could barely pull myself together to finish my art history paper.

Day 13: Sheriff

Today, an adventure was made to Divine on 17th Avenue in Calgary. Everything in the shop was 30% off, and I bought a cool Christmas-ish (but all year round) sweater, and even more excitingly... An Iowa Sheriff shirt. Things involving sheriffs are kind of my thing and for whatever reason, I just dig it. Why there was an Iowa Sheriff shirt in Calgary, I have no idea. It doesn't make a lot of sense, but it delights me to no end.

In response to this, I drew a pen tattoo on my arm.

This one is based off of Bannack, Montana, as you might have guessed, but that's because I'm just so terribly fond of Montana.

Day 12: Ho Cho

Hot chocolate! Delicious hot chocolate. Now, this isn't necessarily 'creative', but I put a lot of work into the creation of this scrumptious drink. I admit, it is from a mix, and the whipped cream is the unbelievably unhealthy aerosol whipped cream (I don't have an egg beater or food processor, okay?!), but it's so pretty and it was delicious. I put cinnamon and chocolate shavings on top. A fine dessert replacement! And it tastes better than Starbucks! (sorry, Starbucks)

Fun fact: These are two of my mugs. They both have animals on them. The one on the left is a mug that I got from a metal concert. Who ever heard of a screamo type band selling mugs?? Thank you, Cancer Bats. 

Day 11: Put your hair back

I've been wanting to do this for a while, but I finally got around to it. When I was in London last year, I bought this really cool printed fabric from the V&A. It's such a cool pattern, and it's based off of historical textiles (though I can't remember which). I used some in the quilt which is on my bed, and today I made a headband. Not the best headband ever, but... Whatever. It looks kind of cool. I also have some fabric left over, which I am going to use to make a hair bow or two. I really like this fabric... I want more! They had some other cool prints, too. I kind of wish that I could have taken some of each home.. but I think it was five British pounds per half metre. Worth it, but still a little pricey, and it was pre-cut.

Day 10: When stitches are made

Another bracelet, and a start to some cool embroideries. The bracelet was kind of whim decision, and caused me to leave the house a little later than I intended (because of my impulsive manner), but it's worth it. I want to add more charms, but we'll see. Nautical themes for the win!

The little moustache you see in the photo is one of the embroideries I did today. At least, the beginning of that one. I don't know why I didn't show the completed one, but I'm pressed for time in writing this, and this is the photo I took three hours ago! I'm going to be displaying the finished works involving these embroideries once I get shirts. There you go for the hint... T-shirts!

Day 9: Suns were captured

Ahhh good days with hot chocolate, a good book, and meeting up with an old friend. This particular lovely meeting led to a trip to a beading shop in Kensington, where we gathered up materials to make projects. I was struck with the inspiration to make a pair of earrings for myself.

I realized that I have the combination of skills and ability, so I may as well just make my own earrings! I'm moving into a stage of my life where I like dangly earrings, since they're just so pretty and eye-catching. I made these beauties, and I like them because of the beads, and they also have BELLS. I don't know what these beads are called, but they look like they're glowing. Actually, they kind of look like they have suns with winter sundogs caught in them... which I think is absolutely beautiful. They're a nice sea foam green (is that the name for this colour? According to a marker at an art store, it's 'light greenish blue', but that seems a little vague...). They also have little nautical stars on them. Yay! Pretty shiny things that cost me under $5!

Day 8: In which time escapes us

Today, time escaped me and I didn't get around to doing anything really creative. Instead, behold! Sketchbook drawings from art history.

Today wasn't the greatest day, and my reaction to the sub-par-ness of the day caused any dedication regarding creating something vanished. I also kind of forgot. So, instead of having something extraordinarily time consuming, I submit for your consideration, two weird creatures that I drew during the beginning of my art history class.

In general, I'm not a huge fan of art history. The instructor makes it far more stressful than it actually is, even though in any other context it would be my favourite class. It's just not engaging enough, and random things are tossed out that make me (and the rest of my class) anxious and panicked. Not fun. For anyone.

Fortunately, though, there are mysterious fantasy creatures to be captured and drawn. I have yet to name them, but I'm sure that some Latin-based science names are in order.

Day 7: Remember remember the days of Movember

Today is Remembrance Day, which is a very important day of observation. Today's art doesn't have anything to do with Remembrance Day, but I still want to say... Lest we forget.

November is important for many reasons. It has days of remembrance and reflection, and many days that observe death. It's not necessarily in a sad way, though. Sometimes it's purely thoughtful and a way of forming connections. Within the last few years, the month of Movember has become increasingly 'popular' (so to speak). It is a month to bring prostate cancer to the public eye, and remind the population that men can go through life changing (and in some ways identity changing) cancer, as well as women. I'm in huge support of fundraisers and organizations raising money for prostate cancer cures. I love all of the men in my life, and the idea of anything affecting them on that level is painful. A cure of all cancers is something that everyone hope for.

Today's creation isn't necessarily to raise awareness. I guess it's just fitting that I came up with these designs while it's Movember. Men are often fantastic creatures, which is why I'm glad that so many of my friends are male. All of the men I know are honest, talented, and extremely interesting and ever changing individuals whom I care about and am proud to even call acquaintances. Because of this, I just like drawing men, even though I'm not very good at it.

I think my admiration for 19th century men influenced these more than anything. The symbol of Movember is that of the moustache, but for me that's kind of coincidental. I'll likely do a few of these, depicting different 19th century inspired men, along with other characters that I've been creating and working on. I should really start writing their stories...

The materials are acrylic paint, ink, cabochon setting, and resin. I like making pendants like this!

Day 6: The skirt and the bird

Today, I finally completed my part of a collaboration with my friend and artist Bronwyn Schuster. She is a truly talented and wonderful person, and I'm delighted that she suggested that we do an art doll collaboration. For this one, she made the doll, and I adorned her.

I found the doll in my mail box over a month ago, with the note: "She is partly inspired by the song 'Blue Lips' by Regina Spektor, and by the idea of making hair into a birds nest."

Today I was finally inspired enough to create her outfit and further her imaginary story. I had thought and thought about what the source of inspiration was for my collaborator. I listened to the song over and over again, and eventually it just struck me. I realized that my source of inspiration should feed off of what the doll herself was. Such personality was in her painted face and carefully sewn body. Like many things, I was reminded of brothel madames and ladies of the evening ("birds"). I drew from this, and created an dress that was semi-inspired by 19th century dresses, complete with a lace bodice and petticoat. The bodice is tied with a ribbon, and fastened with a vintage blue button that matches the bird in her hair. The dress is made from antique silk, that I acquired a long time ago. I think it's early 1900s-1920s.

Whenever I look at her, I wonder why is crying. Her expression is so soulful. Perhaps it will be someone else's task to write her story, and the origin of her tears, and the bird emerging from her heart.

Day 5: In which we trudge through snow

Today, I woke up to six inches of pure white snow. There's something so perfect about snow that is left untouched. 

Have you ever seen Amelie? It's a French film, and it's superb in its beautiful wonder. In this film, she mentions life's little pleasures. Things like dipping your hand into a sack of grain, or things like that. Small things that bring a smile to your face, but no one understands why. 

For me, being the first person to walk on freshly fallen snow is so satisfying. It's like drinking Coca-Cola from a glass while there are still bubbles and fizz at the top, and the fizz tickles your nose. They're little things that are so wonderful, yet so simple. Sometimes it is the little things.

Before my day of trudging through snow (and smiling because of it), I packaged up the art work that I made for Pay It Forward 2012. What I made today? Why, I decorated envelopes, and at one point I will hopefully make someone's day. Now, I can't show the entire envelopes, because there are addresses written on them, and I believe in my personal privacy as well as the privacy of the people for whom these are intended. Also, you as the reader have absolutely no reason to need their addresses. 

These envelopes are decorated with characters that I've drawn before (like Wednesday, from the soon to come Knicker Misadventures) and characters that I only recently created (a girl in a fox mask/fox face, and a boy in a dog/wolf face... I heart them). I'm excited to draw more of these characters. Until then... You're welcome, postal system!

 

Day 4: And it snowed

Last night is started snowing. Today is snowed...
                                                              And snowed....
                                                                     And snowed....
This inspired me to start making Christmas decorations. I made garlands!

I know, to some it might seem really early to prepare for Christmas. I mean, Advent hasn't even started, right? Well... true... But still. The snow was just so white and perfect, and nostalgia took my mind soaring to Christmases past, and like Scrooge on Christmas Day, I loved the holiday and the season and wanted to celebrate and drink hot chocolate and be joyous.

Of course, it's a tad too early to be celebrating the official holiday. However, that doesn't mean that I can't start preparing to decorate my apartment. A couple of days ago I started cleaning my room, and now it's becoming tidy! It causes even more incentive for me to want to decorate it in winter-y wonder, now that it's lovely and snowy white outside.

Now... The garlands! I made several short start garlands out of white thread, cotton, silver paint, and glass beads. I made a longer garland out of silver embroidery thread and vintage buttons. Lots of pearly and white buttons. I unintentionally when for a 'shabby chic' theme. Now I just need some kind of evergreen garland. It will be so beautiful!

Day 3: The part in which we follow white rabbits

As I made my way to school today, my eye caught the quick movement of a white jack rabbit. When I stopped, it stopped, and we watched each other for a moment, both of us remaining perfectly still. I moved ever so slightly to grab my camera out of my bag, and it allowed me to take a photograph before it scampered away. I really love this photograph. Rabbits are animals that have always captured my heart. They're portrayed in such bizarre ways, through stories like Alice in Wonderland and The Rabbit's Bride. They inspire me, through their eyes and movement and their long ears. 

I decided to bind a few books, and one of them took on stories and images of rabbits. Naturally.