Japan I am
Posted on: January 27, 2011
I think I’m turning Japanese, I really think so. Not actually, but the song is irritatingly catchy. :ahem: Moving on, for anyone who doesn’t already know, I am leaving the US of A to live and work in Japan sometime in March. I’m hoping for the end of March… but at this point nobody knows. I have been considering how to handle my time over there as far as blogging because, obviously, I’ll want to talk about it. Likely all the time such as I’m doing right now. Sorry everyone.
Though it would be slightly easier to just have one blog for my whole life, that’s just silly. I have decided to keep this blog dedicated to my artistic and business pursuits. In order to fulfill my need to ramble on about my findings abroad, I have created a new blog called meredithjapan. Simple. Effective. I hope. May it bring many hours of random information.
In summary, no longer will I discuss Japan directly on this blog. Unless of course it deals directly with my art stuffs. Cheers and applause erupt.
With love – M
I just threw this together last night. Literally, my head was stuck on this image like broken record. I haven’t touched my acrylics in months. They’re so scary. So instead of using something nice and be all worried about messing it up, I used cardboard… low and behold, I like it. It’s not great, there are several things seriously wrong with it, but in all it’s faults I can honestly say I’m proud of myself. Now that I’m done patting myself on the back about it, I need to talk about what’s wrong with it.
Being in acrylics, I tried to work very fast. Gobs of glazing liquid to keep things moist, water to blend a little, and limited colors were my allies. I spent maybe 20 mins sketching it out. I knew exactly what I was going for so it wasn’t hard. Then it was like a race horse out of the gate. I’ve never blended and mixed that fast in my life. As soon as I was done, I was in a state of wtf. I thought it was stupid. But I set it aside and now it’s grown on me. Unfortunately, the nose should look like two nostrils on each side, the skin was supposed to be more green, the eyes were maybe a bit too large, and the face doesn’t come off as very masculine. If you notice anything else glaring, let me know. I’m not going to mess with this piece anymore but I’d like to know for future reference.
A little background on the Drell: they’re a race of reptilian like people in the game Mass Effect 2. Great game, greater diversity conversation tool. There’s so much interspecies stuff going on, it helps to put our petty differences as humans into perspective. Obviously, my painting looks nothing like a Drell. This is on purpose as I was going for a more humanoid looking Drell. Maybe the offspring of an interspecies love affair or something. Whatever the case, this is technically fan art as far as I’m concerned.
I’d like to try my hand at some of the other species on my remaining cardboard. I know I should probably use my good stuff but… I’m just not ready yet.
With love – M
Watercolor theory
Posted on: January 11, 2011
- In: art
- Leave a Comment
If there is such a thing as watercolor theory, I have no clue how to understand it. I feel like I’m back in school and my smart math friends are telling me about detailed stuff from their physics class in a language I don’t understand. Meanwhile, I’m doing homework for an environmental science class. Anyone who’s had either of those classes should now be nodding their heads. No? Let me explain: Physics is all about the details. I push you, you fall unless something acts to stop you. Cut and dry. Environmental science is for those of us who like the big picture. Idea people, large scale, long term, multiple scenarios/possibilites/outcomes. At least that’s my perception of it all.
Art? It’s a mixed bag but to become a master, you need both. You have to think BIG while paying attention to all those little details or else you’ll fall on your bum quicker than cookies in front of my boyfriend.
But let me not runaway with myself. A quick update, shall we?
Japan- Yes, I’m still going. I should be leaving sometime around the 3rd week in March, do not quote me on that. The tickets are not yet bought and I have not yet been placed. That being said, NO I haven’t a clue where I’ll be yet. Hopefully it will be fabulous and everyone will come visit me. I can dream. And surprise of surprises, I’m actually saving enough money to afford to move over there. Phew. Next!
Kanzashi – Though I’ve paused over that last month for holidays and the sake of my thumbs, I am still making hairpieces. Yes, I am actually selling them to people, which is lovely. Even more lovely when it’s been someone I don’t know. I love new friends. But it’s absolutely been my old friends that have been my strongest supporters. THANKS GUYS!
Well I think that’s enough for now. Maybe I’ll do a thought provoking post soon. Always nice to get those off your chest. Below you’ll find the watercolor piece I had been struggling with, finished. The other image is a work in progress shot.
With love – M
Lost Cat!
Posted on: December 26, 2010
UPDATE 12/26 2:30 pm: He’s home!! Thank you to everyone praying on this, I really do think it made a difference. My mom found him in a neighbors screen porch just before the heavy snow started. Thank goodness!
I know this doesn’t have anything to do with my art or work… but I miss him so much!
Floyd was lost on Christmas Eve. He got outside and didn’t come back. We have scoured our house and neighborhood in search of him. He’s been indoor since we got him and has no desire to go outside, doesn’t like the cold. We believe someone may have let him inside because he’s very friendly and affectionate. He had his green collar with tag on at the time but it’s a pop off safety collar so it may have come off.
If you’ve seen him, dead or alive, please let me know!
Specs:
Gray and white with a dark gray nose and gray tail
8 lbs and 6 months old
Yeah, I know. Cheap joke. But seriously, my rum is not gone. I have been totally slacking in connecting with my peers for merriment this season. On one hand, professionally and artistically I feel rather accomplished. On the other hand, I feel a little alone and left out, to no fault of my buddies. I just need to get back on the ball and balance these things out a little more.
Back to business, I uploaded a BUNCH of new hairpieces to Big & Blooming on Etsy. I’ll attach some on here and be sure to add any new designs to the kanzashi page here. I have two questions though: #1. I was silly and didn’t choose the name of my shop until after I chose a different name as a screenname…and the shop goes by the screenname for the web address. Is this a problem? I’m thinking that once I get enough sales, I’ll make it a seperate domain name from Etsy, ie bigandblooming.com. #2. If anyone is local to me and is interested in a hairpiece, would you be interested in picking up the hairpieces from me if I refund you the shipping cost? I’d even be interested in chatting about trading and so on.
Again, thanks very much to Jenna Kempista for modeling for me and even taking a couple shots of me!
with love – M
Inkings uploaded- Fae stuff
Posted on: December 2, 2010
- In: art
- Leave a Comment
It’s about time I did some new inkings. It becomes so therapeutic, I don’t want to stop. All uploaded to my dA. I think I will keep lineart and finished stuffs on dA and my sketches and goof arounds on tumblr.
With love – M
- In: art | kanzashi
- Leave a Comment
Thanks again to Covenant for having me at your bazaar. I had a great time at Faeriecon but I’m sad I wasn’t able to be present at my table for the church’s event. My mom says you were a great host, though, and I look forward to the next time I can join you in a craft venue.
In other news, I have been invited to stay for Sunday as well at St Peter’s in old New Castle. Can’t wait! I’m very optimistic about this event and I hope the church does really well with it.
This just in! New sketches to be had. Fresh off the tumblr. Get ’em while they’re hot. Faeries everywhere! Look out!
With love – M
Holiday Craft Bazaars
Posted on: October 25, 2010
Update October 26, 2010: New venue! St. Peter’s in Old New Castle. If you’re a crafter looking for another venue this holiday season, give their office a call (302-328-2335)
Well well well… is it that time of the year already? I haven’t even gotten my candy for Halloween yet!
The good news is, I have been gearing up for some heavy-hitting sales to happen soon. That’s right! I will be selling a winter collection of hairpieces at churches and craft shops this season. I will keep you updated as more get added but to start I will be selling at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant during their Christmas Bazaar.
I’ll be taking pictures of the collection of pieces in the next few weeks. Let me know if anyone would like to see anything specific there.
With love – M
Mistletoe Mouse Craft Fair
November 13, 2010 | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Bring a friend and join us at Church of the Covenant for a great time of fellowship and Holiday shopping! Shop the various vendors and crafts, pick up fresh baked goods at the Gingerbread Pantry, browse the Pink Rhino and grab a bite in our Cafe. Our famous Silent Auction is back by popular demand!
St. Peter’s Christmas Bazaar
November 20, 2010 | 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Yes, another kitty. For those of you that don’t know, I lost a kitty a few months ago who was very close to my heart. He lived a long happy life but now there was a hole in my life and I needed to fill it. Fast. I found Sasha on the side of the road on Kirkwood highway. The lot was next to a car dealership and she was really on edge but super friendly just the same. So I scooped her up, put out an ad for a lost kitty, and now she’s my Sasha.
Well, evidently one is not enough and my dad scooped up another ball of fluff today. They think they’re gonna call him Floyd…whatever. I’ll call him what I want. It’s not like they really pay any attention to what people call them anyway. Don’t they only hear the first sound? He’s loads more energetic than Sasha, however. He’s sleeping now…and that’s the only reason I can type. Otherwise he has to be on the keyboard, chasing my fingers.
On the the important bits. I added a few more pieces to Big & Blooming today.
With love – M
That’s right, she does. Take a look for yourself. Click the image to go to Big and Blooming and see more of that piece and others.
Next time we’ll get crazier with the makeup and background… I promise. Hehe.
Meredith Design 
