Split Personality: Graphics & Portraits

I have gone back and forth over the last few years:

Keep graphics on my menu of services vs. concentrate on portraiture.  

On the one hand, I want to grow and develop my skills and career as a fine artist, which argues for being exclusive to the non-commercial work.  On the other hand, sometimes (like all winter long) I'm just not there, but I still need to make a living, which argues for continuing with the graphics.  

Okay, well, I guess I'll do both.  Still.  Again.  Okay, I never actually stopped, but I did sort of quietly take any mention of commercial art off my website.

So now it's back, but it's kind of its own thing.  It's over here.  Let me know what you think of the look and feel of the new site!

Spring Forward

Shawn in the spotlight

Shawn on Dewey Beach

This portrait has been gestating since ... Oh my ... April, 2008!  Kelly won a portrait by me in a raffle, way back when, and we never did pin down just who was going to get the treatment.  Kelly finally decided Shawn would take center stage, we actually chose a photo, and the first layer of paint is on the canvas.  Whew!  Look at those EARS!  The painting is 9" x 12", acrylic on canvas.  I'll let you follow along as I go, as usual.  At this moment, the drawing is just about to be transferred to the canvas, which has had an underlayer of soft blue laid down already.

Nice warm graphics

While my muse has been thawing out from her winter hibernation, I've been doing a little this and that to prime the pump (that is what is known as a mixed metaphor).  I find graphic work easier in this state than portraiture, which is good, since it was time to design this year's Hope for Hounds artwork.  That was fun.  After a rough start earlier in the winter, I put it aside.  When I came back to it, I started from scratch and just blew right through it.  In case you missed my last post, that design has gone live, with a very exciting raffle for the first collar to be made!  You can still buy tickets, at $10 for one, or $25 for three, so hop on over there!  We've got some big new ideas this year, too.  You'll want to make sure you're in on them!  ;)

On a related design note, I also enjoyed designing a couple custom fabrics that will be exclusive to 2 Hounds Design.  It's always fun working with my good buddy, Alisha!

In the last few weeks, I've had three more requests for graphics.  One was a logo that both the client and I shelved last fall, one is for a dog breed club's national event (using a previously designed element from an unused graphic - recycling!), and one is for a custom wine label for a previous client (is that also recycling?)  All are in progress, so I can't unveil any of them yet, so you'll have to take my word for it for now.  I'll show you when I can.  I'm champing at the bit to show you!

My hubby has also been availing himself of the in-house design department (that would be me) to update his logo (which I designed years ago*) and his blog's banner.

Okay, it's not fancy, but it works, and it's purty.

He's also working on a book, for which I'll be doing illustrations.  I worked this up for a working cover image.

Looking forward: Feedback appreciated!

In a previous post, I talked about my plans for this year, and next winter specifically.  I've added another idea to my pile.

Last year, I created a custom greyhound art doll (aka stuffie, plushie, stuffed animal, soft sculpture, cloth portrait ...) as a fundraiser.  I've had many requests for more, and also for the pattern.  If you were following that epic saga, you'll know I really made it up as I went along, with a lot of trial and error, but I did end up with a pretty cool pattern.  So, what do you think about an e-book of instructions (lots of pictures, of course!), including a pattern that could be transferred by grid to whatever size you wanted?

If you like that, how about this added bit: the book would have a link to purchase a cut-and-sew fabric printed with the pattern, for the option to let me take some of the work out of it for you?

Liking this so far?  Okay, how about if I created several versions of the cut-and-sew patterned fabric for different color dogs (fawn, fawn and white, brindle, black, etc.)?  Once you have the instruction book, with the fabric link, you can buy as many of the fabric patterns as you like, of course: make a whole pack!  Use them as fundraisers!  Give as gifts to your houndie friends!  Sound like a good concept?

Considering how sewing challenged I am, I'm considering recruiting a beta-tester and proof-reader who already knows how to sew (any volunteers?  :D )

______________________________________
*The leaf that brought us together!  Long story, but let's just say I threw myself at him, artistically speaking, and the rest is history!

Warning! Graphic Pictures! ;)

Belling Hamster
© Xan Blackburn 2012

That's pretty graphic, wouldn't you say?  Well, it's a graphic, anyway.

Projects all have gaps in them, some longer than others, so I like to keep a few going at a time.  Keeps me fresh and working if I hit a block wall in one area, too.  As fate would have it, and despite my intention to concentrate on portraits, graphics work has really been the theme for the last few weeks. 

The Belling Hamster was drawn for an awareness campaign in Bellingham, WA, letting folks know that plastic bags are now banned in that city.  (The unofficial citizen nick-name is Bellinghamster, you see.)

Plastic Bag Ban, Bellingham
infographic
© Xan Blackburn 2012

The  graphic had to contain a lot of information, yet still fit in a small newspaper ad space.  Luckily, I was able to use color to help off-set the objects more, and give eye-appeal.  It also needed to include Spanish and Russian as well as English (thanks, google translate! I hope it's not too far off!)  

Real Estate Logo
by Xan Blackburn, © Brian Southwick 2012

The original concept for the ad was repetitive photos of bag types with the various language messages all in a grid. I thought it would be more fun to make the Hamster a character in his own right, a mascot.  If he has more work to do, it will be fun to continue his adventures.

Just as the Heronswood logo was wrapping up, I got an email from a realtor who is partnering with my friend and client from the Heronswood project, asking about a logo for himself.  He had a concept of a guy on a unicycle, with his name, and maybe the motto.  He even sent a picture of himself on a unicycle!  Loved that.  Guy in a suit, with a golf club in one hand, and a briefcase in the other, at a rakish tilt, on a unicycle!  After a bit of backing and forthing, including the first sketch being a total flop, prompting him to give up his idea altogether, we worked up to this version, which we're all happy with.  It was a lesson in communication, really.  He didn't like my first take, and I had to talk him back towards getting his heart's desire rather than scrap the idea.  Graphics are invariably a process, a collaboration between the client and the artist.  Well, I guess that's true with the portraits, too.

This last logo actually started almost a year ago, when I first met the client at a tiny dog show in Placerville, CA (where I was trolling for work, of course).  She had a cute poodle-like dog she informed me was a Lagotto Romagnolo, a truffle-hunter, and not a poodle at all.  He was deep chocolate from nose to tail, and a real love-muffin.  Her breed club needed a logo, so I gave her my card, and work began some time after that.

The group had a photo they liked of a dog's head.  They wanted an image that looked like a pencil drawing, very detailed, of this dog.  I did my best to dissuade them, as that effect can have a very hard time being re-sized, either very large (it goes all to bits) or very small (it just becomes a smudge), but they had their hearts set, so I set out to make it work the best I could.  

Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America Logo: dog head
© LRCA 2012, by Xan Blackburn

Here's the drawing itself.  I created it mostly in Photoshop, in the usual way: a variety of brushes, varying opacity, etc..  There was some adjustment needed to the facial proportions and eye placement along the way, as the original photo wasn't very clear and the far eye was hidden in fur, and I'm not familiar enough with the breed to see the finest points of conformation.  We eventually got consensus on the dog, and moved on to various ornaments and fonts to complete the logo.  In the end, I provided them with a few variations, both in chocolate brown and black.

Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America
Logo: arched
© LRCA 2012, by Xan Blackburn

Lagotto Romagnolo Club of America Logo: horizontal
© LRCA 2012, by Xan Blackburn

I tried to make the drawing big enough in the original that it will size up without getting too bitty.  The smaller versions will hopefully have enough contrast to have some form, if not a lot of detail.  

Okay, so, now that all my graphics are done for the time being, I still have my painting of Dad and Lilly to work on, as well as my soft sculpture portrait.  That one has me in fits, I must admit.  I have my drawings all over the place, trying to work out the best way to get some dimension without getting too far beyond my rudimentary sewing skills.  I think I'm going to do a trial version in some material I've had sitting around for years.  If it works at all, it will be fun: a greyhound in retro geranium floral print!  If not, I will have at least learned what NOT to do.  

Onward!

Keeping it fresh!

See a difference around here?
I just finished my web re-design.  Tell me what you think!  Go take a look at my website and give me some feedback, okay?

Okay, now I can work on Petey some more!

Reminder!  Make sure you're ready to bid on the SEVEN ARTIST Pet Portrait Artist Auction starting on April 20th at 9am Pacific time!

They're HERE! Limited Edition Holiday Cards

"Play Bough"
Limited Edition holiday card for 2011
©Xan Blackburn, 2011

With thanks to Rebecca Forrest for the concept, I had a lot of fun painting this image.  The fawn greyhound reminds me of my own Brilly, who was a handy model.  

This really is a limited edition!  I had a small number printed, and when they're gone, that's it.  There will only be a few of these winging through the postal service, making them a good choice for someone looking for a more unique card.

As always, Stroke of Green offers products as green as I can get them, from the printing to the packaging.  They come 10 to a package for $20, and are blank inside for your own message.

Some of you responded to my earlier question about whether they'd prefer "pretty/serious" or "funny" cards.  The consensus seems to be "both!"  Thanks for helping me narrow that down!  LOL!  Maybe I'll have to do two cards a year, or just figure out how to do both in one card.

New Project: Silken Windhounds

Lego (Allagante Mai Tai Davan, FCH, OTRC, SRC)

Okay, I really want to hear from you if you are a silken owner, or admirer, or maybe just now found out what they are.  My next push is to get some silken windhound art together for sale at an event in July.  That means a few portrait-style paintings, maybe some prints, a few greeting card designs, and blank books made with this art.

I'll be offering these new pieces on my website as well.  At least the ones that aren't sold after this first event!

During development of a logo for a SWH club this last winter, I developed a real affection for these sweet little sighthounds, with their combination of whippet size, borzoi coat, and overall grace and charm.  I'm looking forward to creating a bunch of art starring these pretty dogs, starting today!

I've asked on the various Yahoo groups focussed on silkens for reference photos to work from, and have gotten a nice lot to get me started.  If you'd like to share with me some photos of your own silken to work from, please send them to my email address: xan (at) xans-art.com.  The deal goes like this: by sending me your photos, you give me permission to use them as reference for my art.  In exchange, I'll give you first shot at buying any originals produced.  I love it when people tell me something about their pets along with sending the photos, to give me a sense of personality.  Nice clear, high-res photos are always best, of course!  :)

I'll show my progress on these pieces here on the blog, so stay tuned!  

Other Irons in the Fire

I thought I'd let you all peek behind the curtain a little more into what else goes on in my studio.  No worries!  I'll be getting back to Nikki's painting as soon as I finish writing this post.

I've been working on a trade show display for my husband.  His water treatment business has been a major client of mine for about 12 years now.  Of course, the pay has always been negotiable, but I'm happy with the return on investment.

Last year, we developed a large (6'h x 4'w), re-usable, adhesive vinyl graphic, which he'll be re-using this year.  It was part of a set of three such graphics which made a very impressive and sophisticated display for his booth.  All together, they looked like this:

total dimensions: 8'w x 4'h

Developing these pushed my aging Mac's resources because of the large file sizes, but they really look great!  He has them on his office walls now.
This year's set up will come together like this:

You can't get a good look at the two smaller graphics on either side at this size, I'm afraid.  Suffice it to say, a fair amount of work went into each element of both of them!  They're being printed on vinyl banner material, with grommets, to fix them to whatever clever support H gets worked out on the pop-up display  wall.  Exact placement isn't set in stone yet.  We are hoping to get some overlap, with some curving of the side panels, and some horizontal popping-out, which will take some engineering ingenuity, which I will defer to my hubby.  I hope to get a good picture of it all set up in the exhibition hall.

I've also been putting some energy into developing some art and products to bring to a Silken Windhound event in July.  Such pretty little dogs!  I've never been to an event with coursing or racing of any kind, or conformation or obedience or any of that, so this should be interesting.  Since these little ones are not competing to win money for their owners (at least directly, although showing well will benefit breeders of those dogs), the attitude seems much more about the fun the dogs have than profit-based racing (of which I strenuously disapprove!)  Although I find breeding any animals for human amusement, consumption or profit to be wrong, the animals produced are innocent, and lovable, as we all know!

 Watch this blog for upcoming requests for 

  silken windhound reference photos,  

  from which I can make some art!!  

Now, as I promised, back to work on Nikki!