Emo Art: Big Stupid Smile

I find when I go through periods of intense emotions my art flourishes. Ideally in a positive light, although some of my best work was created while I was pretty miserable. This instance luckily is on the happy side of things. It's funny, I've been dormant artistically then WHAM! Produce! Produce! Produce! 

Pretty self-explanatory

Ode to Lace

My Summer Home

Grandma's Wisdom

Summertime Reflection**

Nothing is overly intricate or compacted, but perhaps the feeling behind it lends a deeper meaning (for me anyways.)

**I thought it was a fantastic coincidence that the pattern on the couch (from the photo reference) was the same as a scrap of a couch photo I just so happened to have. 

Out of The Rabbit Hole

Ooohwheee it's been a while. I'm not going to rattle on with excuses. Frankly, I've had a dry spell. I've been producing (see below) but I wasn't in a spot where I thought it mattered. What I mean is, I didn't feel like sharing my work. Then something magical happened. Last month I showed not one, or two, or even three, but four pieces of art downtown, in 2 separate venues. It was an amazing and gratifying feeling to know I was hand-picked to display MY art. There were other entries, but mine was chosen. I'm not saying this in an arrogant way my any means, I just finally realized this is what I love to do and I dig it when other people can share it with me! It's a pretty incredible feeling when something you produce, either with a lot of thought and process or very little behind it, becomes a public display-and people actually like it! So I've crawled out from my rabbit hole, bringing my latest endeavours out with me.

Poster Competition Entry

Poster Competition Entry

Online Magazine Illustration

Art Event Promotional Art (From Scotland!!!) This is the Edinburgh skyline fyi

So those were the 'real' pieces, these are my ever-favourite moleskin entries. I'm on my third book right now and cannot imagine life without it. I go through months of dormancy, only to be inspired and annihilate six pages with obsessive artwork. 

"She will feed you tomatoes and radio waves" - King of Carrot Flowers, Neutral Milk Hotel

Nice Package

I never really thought of myself as much of a package designer, until I was sifting through some old college work. Perhaps it was my college teacher's love for all things cluttered; not an inspiring mentor.

I always thought this particular piece was good, but after many sleepless nights, hours an hours of rubber cement inhalation, I had started to doubt myself.

I feel like I need to post this for you guys and myself.  It goes to show that I really did know what I was doing and re-affirms for me that I chose the correct career path. I currently don't have the time (or energy) to print and mock-up these pieces, however they're very simple so it shouldn't be too difficult imagining what these packages should be.

SWAK

[Sealed With A Kiss]
Sometimes when I have no idea what to draw, I dig down into my inner emo and take refuge within a song. I say it semi-mockingly, but it truly is a great place to start when you're stuck. If you're a visual person, the inspiration basically sets up your art.

 This song led to some multi-textured-smoochers

 Yes it's supposed to be upside down. 

Have you ever noticed you can see mistakes (faces, type kerning) so much easier upside down? An art director told me that once and my mind has been blown ever since.

moley moley mole

I'm a big believer in homemade christmas presents. They're thrifty thoughtful and totally original. Wouldn't you love to get a pile of cookies with a Melissa Wilson original recipe card? I sure would.

Did I mention I love type? 

Here's a zoomed-in version of my bow tie/astronaut textile design. After drawing half a dozen astronauts they become easier and easier. Really, they're essentially a robot with a jet pack and a fish bowl head.

These are fairly random in content, my moleskin is a magical and confusing place.

This water lilly is actually from a high school project using National Geographic magazines; I cut it out and kept it. Hoarder, no. Forward-thinking, yes.

Spongebob knock-off? Nah....

I snagged a beautiful flower reference book from my local gallery's book sale a few weeks ago. Best 25 cents I've ever spent.

long time no see

I have returned. I FINALLY decided to update my design work, realizing that if I'm going to be pointing people to my blog (Hello people!) I should update it. It has been 7 months. In my defence I got double pneumonia and a new kidney, so I think my timing is just right. I have new sketchbook entries, a few design pieces and some cards. Sadly I gave away all my beautiful christmas cards before thinking of taking  picture of them....trust me though, they were nice. 

I'm currently not working and my time is almost soly consumed with Christmas baking, but I will be more diligent, and hopefully it won't be seven months the next time you hear from me!

Tuesday in a Peony (versus a clichéd nutshell)

One good thing about not having a real job or any real commitment, is you can pretty much spend your warm, sunny, summery days as you please!


Soundtrack for the day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-gMeYU7IMk&feature=related
*I know it's called June Hymn but it's close enough, right?


Photos for the day: [to be inspired into painting of the day]