Monday, April 7, 2014
I've realized that between being a Mommy, wife, working, and trying to be an artist/writer, keeping a blog JUST about my art is taking more time than I want to spend. SO, I'm going to rely on Facebook to keep you updated on my work and other things I'm Artistically involved with and focus more on the studio and my writing. Thanks for understanding, you can find me on Facebook as Ann-Monique Art. See you there!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Knot Woman II - The Finished Product!
Not much more can be said that wasn't in the first entry. I can't find my good camera so this is a little fuzzy but you'll get the idea so, here she is:
Monday, October 17, 2011
Knot Woman II - And She's Off!
If you are familiar with the background of how I came to design my logo, you may also know that at the same time I designed Knot Woman I, I also used a different direction to come up with Knot Woman II. See the little mental refresher in figure 1.
At that time, I was more focused on my other Knot Woman but have always had this one in the back of my head. Recently I've had a little extra time to learn more about the way the Scribes of the Book of Kells and similar Illustrative works did these amazingly intricate pieces. I was inspired by the detail (an incredible amount of time) that went into these pages. I also really love the bright colors they used.
Now that I finally have my studio set up and organized enough to work (one more dream come true checked off my list) I decided she would be the first piece I would work on in my new space.
I started by using a custom grid to draw her in pencil on a large piece of semi-transparent paper to use as a template. This took some time, a straight edge and several calculations. I'm so glad I paid attention in algebra, it actually can come in handy in the everyday, even for an artist! Take note I immeadiately started making changes from the original design. I like to do this with projects like this one and just go with the mood I'm in at the time. Its more fun for me that just ending up with something I could get from using a photo copier. See figure 2 to see what I ended up with for the template.
While I was busy with all this I spent a lot of time thinking about what medium I wanted to use to produce the effect I thought I wanted. I briefly toyed with the idea of acrylic on canvas, but I knew with this project I wanted to break out of the 2D box I'd been in for a long time. I realized I would enjoy the experience of slightly copying the method the Scribes used to create their work, with some modern conveniences. I finally decided on Watercolor. I had found my watercolor pallet that I first got in college for the one class I was required to take and did very little with after graduation.
Looking at the colors I already had I also found inspiration from an old postcard I had received from my minister when he went to visit friends in Hawaii. See figure 3. Depending on the colors on your monitor, you may not be able to see the true colors that I'm getting my inspiration from so let me describe them a little. The lava river is a nice rich orange/red color. the lava fountain is bright yellow/orange anfigure 2 While I was busy with all this I spent a lot of time thinking about what medium I wanted to use to produce the effect I thought I wanted. I briefly toyed with the idea of acrylic on canvas, but I knew with this project I wanted to break out of the 2D box I'd been in for a long time. I realized I would enjoy the experience of slightly copying the method the Scribes used to create their work, with some modern conveniences. I finally decided on Watercolor.
I had found my watercolor pallet that I first got in college for the one class I was required to take and did very little with after graduation. Looking at the colors I already had I also found inspiration from an old postcard I had received from my minister when he went to visit friends in Hawaii. See figure 3.
Depending on the colors on your monitor, you may not be able to see the true colors that I'd the sky looks like a deep violet-purple color. I've kept this in my inspiration file since I received it and knew it was the direction I wanted to go with Know Woman II as soon as I saw it again.I used the template I put on the thin paper to transfer the image to a piece of watercolor paper. Then I started filling in with watercolor paint.I started with the Woman's figure itself and made it a bright yellow with yellow/orange accents. After I completed her to my satisfaction I decided to continue with knots as inspiration and looked up ways to create a border. Using a similiar process to draw and then transfer the pieces of the border to the watercolor paper I then filled them in with a darker Orangy red with red accents. The corner knots are done in red. See figures 4 & 5.
Stay tuned to see the final reveal!
At that time, I was more focused on my other Knot Woman but have always had this one in the back of my head. Recently I've had a little extra time to learn more about the way the Scribes of the Book of Kells and similar Illustrative works did these amazingly intricate pieces. I was inspired by the detail (an incredible amount of time) that went into these pages. I also really love the bright colors they used.
Now that I finally have my studio set up and organized enough to work (one more dream come true checked off my list) I decided she would be the first piece I would work on in my new space.
I started by using a custom grid to draw her in pencil on a large piece of semi-transparent paper to use as a template. This took some time, a straight edge and several calculations. I'm so glad I paid attention in algebra, it actually can come in handy in the everyday, even for an artist! Take note I immeadiately started making changes from the original design. I like to do this with projects like this one and just go with the mood I'm in at the time. Its more fun for me that just ending up with something I could get from using a photo copier. See figure 2 to see what I ended up with for the template.
While I was busy with all this I spent a lot of time thinking about what medium I wanted to use to produce the effect I thought I wanted. I briefly toyed with the idea of acrylic on canvas, but I knew with this project I wanted to break out of the 2D box I'd been in for a long time. I realized I would enjoy the experience of slightly copying the method the Scribes used to create their work, with some modern conveniences. I finally decided on Watercolor. I had found my watercolor pallet that I first got in college for the one class I was required to take and did very little with after graduation.
Looking at the colors I already had I also found inspiration from an old postcard I had received from my minister when he went to visit friends in Hawaii. See figure 3. Depending on the colors on your monitor, you may not be able to see the true colors that I'm getting my inspiration from so let me describe them a little. The lava river is a nice rich orange/red color. the lava fountain is bright yellow/orange anfigure 2 While I was busy with all this I spent a lot of time thinking about what medium I wanted to use to produce the effect I thought I wanted. I briefly toyed with the idea of acrylic on canvas, but I knew with this project I wanted to break out of the 2D box I'd been in for a long time. I realized I would enjoy the experience of slightly copying the method the Scribes used to create their work, with some modern conveniences. I finally decided on Watercolor.
I had found my watercolor pallet that I first got in college for the one class I was required to take and did very little with after graduation. Looking at the colors I already had I also found inspiration from an old postcard I had received from my minister when he went to visit friends in Hawaii. See figure 3.
Stay tuned to see the final reveal!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
"Just Keep Swimming, Just Keep Swiiimmming..."
We are closer to getting settled into our new house and my son started back to school last week. Hopefully this means I'll have some extra time to get my studio finally set up.
I love the fact that I had a stay at home job fall very conveniently into my lap, the extra money will help. It has cut into my creative time but I'm confident that once I'm able to get into a regular routine again, I'll figure something out.
I've been taking notes on a project I started research on over 3 years ago and am finally going to get started. "God's Choices" will be a combination of research, writing, basic illustrations and ceramic sculptures. I'm thinking the best way to get it out there for people to see will be via its own blog, one "Chapter" at a time.
We'll see how that goes.
I also have a number of Drawing and Painting ideas in my sketches I'm looking forward to finally doing something with.
I love the fact that I had a stay at home job fall very conveniently into my lap, the extra money will help. It has cut into my creative time but I'm confident that once I'm able to get into a regular routine again, I'll figure something out.
I've been taking notes on a project I started research on over 3 years ago and am finally going to get started. "God's Choices" will be a combination of research, writing, basic illustrations and ceramic sculptures. I'm thinking the best way to get it out there for people to see will be via its own blog, one "Chapter" at a time.
We'll see how that goes.
I also have a number of Drawing and Painting ideas in my sketches I'm looking forward to finally doing something with.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Woman in Progress - The Continuing Story
If you are on Facebook, you can check out photos of the performance on the production's page. Follow the link from mine if you can't find it. There is one shot where you can actually see a few of the pieces I contributed.
Some Personal Thoughts: Marriage - Relationships - Monogamy
Usually I post about my work and its progress and my experiences as an artist. I thought I would let people know a little more about what's in my head every once in a while. If you are interested, great, if not, no problem.
There are a number of stereotypes affiliated with Active Duty military and their spouses and based on my observations over the past 15 years, I can honestly say there is valid reason for those stereotypes to exist. Consequently there has been more than one occasion that I have had to make it very clear to someone that I am NOT a stereotypical Navy Wife.
I've been asked before what makes a lasting marriage work and I've thought about it whenever I hear of anyone having their own relationship problems. Since there have been volumes written on the subject for decades and decades I won't bother trying to sound like an expert here. But in simple, one journal entry terms, based on my own experience and observations, I think I can put it in a nutshell with 3 words: Love, Trust and Communication.
These 3 things are different but equally important aspects of any good relationship and must be the foundation for the rest of the relationship to be built on. If even one of these aspects is missing or weak, its unlikely that the other two will be able to support the relationship on their own. I'm sure at this point many are thinking things like "what about respect, similar personality, things in common, etc" these of course are also important, especially respect. In my opinion these often are linked to the basic 3 so they are understood as being there already.
LOVE (Starting with the most obvious)
Of course Love is what usually gets all this started. Most people have a pretty good idea what this is all about so I won't waste time saying to much.
COMMUNICATION
It is amazing how often I am talking to someone, or overhearing someone talk, about problems with their relationship and it comes out that all the issues they have with their partner they are talking about to everyone else BUT their partner. Contrary to apparent popular belief, a serious relationship does not cause a sudden onset of telepathy. If they don't know its broken, they can't fix it. In other words, if your significant other has done something that bothers you, unless they've done it on purpose, they can't make everything better if they don't know there is a problem to begin with. Stewing on an issue and waiting for it to fix itself will only cause a bigger issue to be created. If more happens and nothing is ever at least discussed to avoid further problems, then comes the wedge and invariably the end. Talk to each other. (And I do mean TALK not SCREAM) Listen to each other. Be willing to compromise. It may not be fun, it will probably be very uncomfortable at the least, but it can be the difference between a long lasting relationship and a really bad break-up with a potential soul mate.
TRUST
This subject still gets me. I am absolutely floored how many couples I've encountered who swear up and down they are in a fabulous relationship but will go ballistic if their partner even appears to look at someone else. If you are that insecure with your relationship, you shouldn't be in the relationship. If you have been in a previous relationship that your trust was betrayed, its understandable that you would be wary. To that end, if you've decided to commit to a new partner who has never done anything to make you not trust them, then you should trust them. If you can't, then you aren't ready to be in a new relationship yet. If you have a partner who won't trust you when there is no reason not to, you shouldn't be in the relationship. I've seen it over and over again, and it seems to be the fastest cause for things to go wrong.
People screw up, sometimes in a small way, sometimes spectacularly. Some mistakes can not be forgiven. Most can be IF the work is put in on both sides. I have the good fortune to be in a relationship that has never had to be deal with a major screw up. Like most, we've had our share of miscommunication problems, all of which we have managed to work out by discussing them. Or emailing, if we happen to be in different time zones at the time. Technology is wonderful. I also have the good fortune to be completely secure in my knowledge that I don't have to worry about what my husband may be doing when he's away from me, just as he is equally secure in what I do and don't do. So, since that is the case, we have fun being open with each other. If I see a cute female I know is about his type, I'll point her out. When he goes out, its often with single co-workers to places that are considered to be "target rich" environments. So what? We've gone through 6, six month separations in the last 14 years, as well as numerous shorter versions that are to many to count and have never had a problem.
The first of these 6 month deployments began 7 months after we got married. Deployments include him going to foreign ports where entertainment of EVERY kind is so cheap its practically free. I knew this from the start. I also knew that when you are in a new place, have been working long hours and need to decompress, really stupid ideas can seem like really smart ideas when you are drunk on the local brew and all your companions are single and getting laid. So, I took the liberty of laying some ground rules for possible infractions.
1. Don't fall for anyone
2. Don't let anyone fall for you
3. Don't get anyone pregnant
4. Don't CATCH anything
5. Most importantly, tell me about it.
The last one may have many people raising eyebrows. I'm sorry to disappoint, but contrary to some more creative rumors we've had spread about us over the years, I'm not that kinky. I want to know about anything that happens because I don't want to be one of those wives who are the only ones who DON'T know. I can't say I won't be upset that something happened. I probably will be to some extent or another, but I guarantee, that will be nothing compared to how upset I'll be if I find out I'm the last to know. This may not work for everyone, but, I am a strong believer that the tighter you hold onto someone, the more you will probably push them away. Give each other room to breath you lessen the chance that you'll be driven to make mistakes. Also then, the mistakes you do make will be more easily fixable and forgivable.
Married 14 years
Husband's been Active Duty Military 15 years
Together 17 years
37 years old
Sexual intercourse with only 1 person my entire life. He's the first and only.
Go figure, we must be doing something right.
There are a number of stereotypes affiliated with Active Duty military and their spouses and based on my observations over the past 15 years, I can honestly say there is valid reason for those stereotypes to exist. Consequently there has been more than one occasion that I have had to make it very clear to someone that I am NOT a stereotypical Navy Wife.
I've been asked before what makes a lasting marriage work and I've thought about it whenever I hear of anyone having their own relationship problems. Since there have been volumes written on the subject for decades and decades I won't bother trying to sound like an expert here. But in simple, one journal entry terms, based on my own experience and observations, I think I can put it in a nutshell with 3 words: Love, Trust and Communication.
These 3 things are different but equally important aspects of any good relationship and must be the foundation for the rest of the relationship to be built on. If even one of these aspects is missing or weak, its unlikely that the other two will be able to support the relationship on their own. I'm sure at this point many are thinking things like "what about respect, similar personality, things in common, etc" these of course are also important, especially respect. In my opinion these often are linked to the basic 3 so they are understood as being there already.
LOVE (Starting with the most obvious)
Of course Love is what usually gets all this started. Most people have a pretty good idea what this is all about so I won't waste time saying to much.
COMMUNICATION
It is amazing how often I am talking to someone, or overhearing someone talk, about problems with their relationship and it comes out that all the issues they have with their partner they are talking about to everyone else BUT their partner. Contrary to apparent popular belief, a serious relationship does not cause a sudden onset of telepathy. If they don't know its broken, they can't fix it. In other words, if your significant other has done something that bothers you, unless they've done it on purpose, they can't make everything better if they don't know there is a problem to begin with. Stewing on an issue and waiting for it to fix itself will only cause a bigger issue to be created. If more happens and nothing is ever at least discussed to avoid further problems, then comes the wedge and invariably the end. Talk to each other. (And I do mean TALK not SCREAM) Listen to each other. Be willing to compromise. It may not be fun, it will probably be very uncomfortable at the least, but it can be the difference between a long lasting relationship and a really bad break-up with a potential soul mate.
TRUST
This subject still gets me. I am absolutely floored how many couples I've encountered who swear up and down they are in a fabulous relationship but will go ballistic if their partner even appears to look at someone else. If you are that insecure with your relationship, you shouldn't be in the relationship. If you have been in a previous relationship that your trust was betrayed, its understandable that you would be wary. To that end, if you've decided to commit to a new partner who has never done anything to make you not trust them, then you should trust them. If you can't, then you aren't ready to be in a new relationship yet. If you have a partner who won't trust you when there is no reason not to, you shouldn't be in the relationship. I've seen it over and over again, and it seems to be the fastest cause for things to go wrong.
People screw up, sometimes in a small way, sometimes spectacularly. Some mistakes can not be forgiven. Most can be IF the work is put in on both sides. I have the good fortune to be in a relationship that has never had to be deal with a major screw up. Like most, we've had our share of miscommunication problems, all of which we have managed to work out by discussing them. Or emailing, if we happen to be in different time zones at the time. Technology is wonderful. I also have the good fortune to be completely secure in my knowledge that I don't have to worry about what my husband may be doing when he's away from me, just as he is equally secure in what I do and don't do. So, since that is the case, we have fun being open with each other. If I see a cute female I know is about his type, I'll point her out. When he goes out, its often with single co-workers to places that are considered to be "target rich" environments. So what? We've gone through 6, six month separations in the last 14 years, as well as numerous shorter versions that are to many to count and have never had a problem.
The first of these 6 month deployments began 7 months after we got married. Deployments include him going to foreign ports where entertainment of EVERY kind is so cheap its practically free. I knew this from the start. I also knew that when you are in a new place, have been working long hours and need to decompress, really stupid ideas can seem like really smart ideas when you are drunk on the local brew and all your companions are single and getting laid. So, I took the liberty of laying some ground rules for possible infractions.
1. Don't fall for anyone
2. Don't let anyone fall for you
3. Don't get anyone pregnant
4. Don't CATCH anything
5. Most importantly, tell me about it.
The last one may have many people raising eyebrows. I'm sorry to disappoint, but contrary to some more creative rumors we've had spread about us over the years, I'm not that kinky. I want to know about anything that happens because I don't want to be one of those wives who are the only ones who DON'T know. I can't say I won't be upset that something happened. I probably will be to some extent or another, but I guarantee, that will be nothing compared to how upset I'll be if I find out I'm the last to know. This may not work for everyone, but, I am a strong believer that the tighter you hold onto someone, the more you will probably push them away. Give each other room to breath you lessen the chance that you'll be driven to make mistakes. Also then, the mistakes you do make will be more easily fixable and forgivable.
Married 14 years
Husband's been Active Duty Military 15 years
Together 17 years
37 years old
Sexual intercourse with only 1 person my entire life. He's the first and only.
Go figure, we must be doing something right.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
I Sometimes Think I Do My Best Work Under Pressure.
If you follow my Facebook Fan Page, Ann-Monique, you know this already. I'm finally adding it here.
Exciting Winter Break this past December/January. Went to my parents for 2 weeks, got to see my brother when he came over from N.Y.C., and got a commission for 3 pieces for an Off-Broadway Production called A Woman in Progress, being done by the company my brother is involved in, Mind the Art Entertainment, that needed to be completed in less than a month.
Yep, 3 pieces in about 4 weeks. They needed a drawing, a painting and an original sculpture (and no, I don't have any real experience in sculpting).
We caught a break with the drawing, I had one available in my portfolio that was the kind of look they were wanting. There was another mixed media piece as well I had done for fun ages ago that also had the look they wanted only it was 8.5"x11". I did a larger similar version in acrylic on a 24"x36" canvas. Since I already had a composition to go by, the painting when quickly.
The big project of course was the sculpture. Considering the time element and my lack of experience with most materials, I chose clay. (Imagine that)
I briefly considered using non-fire clay so I could just send it back on the plane with my brother and his girlfriend, but I quickly put that idea aside. By the time I had spent the money on enough for the size they needed, I realized I might as well just buy a low fire clay and pay to have it fired and then shipped. I knew it wouldn't be dry enough to fire before the end of the Winter Break. I also knew that being a stage prop, it needed more durability than non-fire clay can provide. So I "bit the bullet" and spent the money to do it right. The process when much easier than I had even dreamed to hope, the hardest part was actually doing all of this at my parents house, with no real convenient place to work and all of my tools locked up in my locker on campus! But I was successful and had a blast getting it all done.
Here are the 3 pieces we ended up with. I especially had a great time doing the sculpture since it was a new experience for me. It looks whiter in the photo that it does in reality. Must be the flash. Its more of a buff color. Eventually it might end up glazed, we'll see.
I should mention here. These pieces were not being purchased by the company. The plan is to hopefully in the future auction them off to raise more money for the charity that the Show's proceeds were being donated to. The people involved were not receiving financial compensation for their work, but volunteering their time for a good cause. This is a group of very talented individuals. Check out their website: www.mindtheartentertainment.com
Exciting Winter Break this past December/January. Went to my parents for 2 weeks, got to see my brother when he came over from N.Y.C., and got a commission for 3 pieces for an Off-Broadway Production called A Woman in Progress, being done by the company my brother is involved in, Mind the Art Entertainment, that needed to be completed in less than a month.
Yep, 3 pieces in about 4 weeks. They needed a drawing, a painting and an original sculpture (and no, I don't have any real experience in sculpting).
We caught a break with the drawing, I had one available in my portfolio that was the kind of look they were wanting. There was another mixed media piece as well I had done for fun ages ago that also had the look they wanted only it was 8.5"x11". I did a larger similar version in acrylic on a 24"x36" canvas. Since I already had a composition to go by, the painting when quickly.
The big project of course was the sculpture. Considering the time element and my lack of experience with most materials, I chose clay. (Imagine that)
I briefly considered using non-fire clay so I could just send it back on the plane with my brother and his girlfriend, but I quickly put that idea aside. By the time I had spent the money on enough for the size they needed, I realized I might as well just buy a low fire clay and pay to have it fired and then shipped. I knew it wouldn't be dry enough to fire before the end of the Winter Break. I also knew that being a stage prop, it needed more durability than non-fire clay can provide. So I "bit the bullet" and spent the money to do it right. The process when much easier than I had even dreamed to hope, the hardest part was actually doing all of this at my parents house, with no real convenient place to work and all of my tools locked up in my locker on campus! But I was successful and had a blast getting it all done.
Here are the 3 pieces we ended up with. I especially had a great time doing the sculpture since it was a new experience for me. It looks whiter in the photo that it does in reality. Must be the flash. Its more of a buff color. Eventually it might end up glazed, we'll see.
I should mention here. These pieces were not being purchased by the company. The plan is to hopefully in the future auction them off to raise more money for the charity that the Show's proceeds were being donated to. The people involved were not receiving financial compensation for their work, but volunteering their time for a good cause. This is a group of very talented individuals. Check out their website: www.mindtheartentertainment.com
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