Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Something about commissions...


As most artists' will know, commissions are almost always part of the job at some time or other. We often are asked to do things we simply can not do, because we are an artist. I don't know if it is a lack of understanding, but it is something I have been thinking about more since getting this new work started.
What you can see is the beginning of a cover up. Something long overdue, and mulled over for the best part of 6 years. Where the subject of commissions comes in is here - you see, I didn't really know what I wanted...well I did, but not being a tattoo artist, my ideas, and what was actually possibly didn't line up exactly. So, I commissioned my artist to come up with a design, incorporating elements which I suggested based on his own interests as well, his style and what I could hear and see him being excited about. Because that is what a commission is. You ideally go to an artist (insert appropriate folk here) whose personal work you like. Then you trust that they will take what you want and bend it to a shape that suits their own style. And if you have gone to the right person, that painting or tattoo or piece of music or poem, will be everything and more than you had imagined.
If I had to sit down and design this particular piece, it would NEVER have come out this way. The layout alone completely blows my mind as do the little details like the mouses' tail, all the gorgeous circles (i love circles) and the extra designs on Ganesha's trunk.
This is only the first stage...I get so excited when I think about seeing it in it's next form!

And that's my spiel on commissions. Go to someone who's work you already love. Be open and trust that they will make something beautiful for you and you can't go wrong.

Friday, January 10, 2014

The Invisible Circus and a New Year!


Goodness, it has been awhile, hasn't it!?
Well greetings one and all who visit here and a wonderful happy new year to you. I hope the last few months have been treating you well. I suppose I should re-cap...
The opening went very well. John Corless opened it, said lovely things and was very encouraging and genuinely liked and engaged with the work. (He likes tigers, so that was a plus). I had a good turn out, and everyone who I really wanted to be there came, so that was a nice surprise.
I was given new insights by the audience, saw things in the work that I wasn't aware of and finished up with a little spring in my step, ready to tackle the next phase.
It was a wonderful experience and something that I will be looking back on with fondness for many years to come.

Plans for this year...
I have a few little things in the pipeline. Some new things I want to experiment with and try. There are a few ideas, motifs, themes that I would like to flesh out and pin down more. And as a little side project or resolution, I have to write and doodle something everyday into my journal (which I had given up doing for various reasons)...which I am really enjoying. I also want to do more indepth research into current/past artists in order to get a better grasp on what it is I am actually saying and how it fits into everything else.

I have a drawing I started before the new year which is going SO slowly, and a new sketch I'm doing on wood (we'll see how that goes) but I'm feeling inspired, energized and I just wish I could spend every waking moment at it...I'm sure I'm not the only one.

To conclude, to those other creative folk out there, and all those just peeking through the curtain, I wish you endless inspiration, health and contentment for this year, and many blessings to come.

x SB