Constructively Random

Art life

Kiery — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:53:52 +0000

Last December, I started my art journey…and I recently found the picture that I started with.

So, to give an idea of how far I’ve come in a year, Alex put the first drawing and my most recent painting side by side.

I’m proud.

Snowflakes

Kiery — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:05:51 +0000

Have you ever just looked at a snowflake?

I sort of had, but not really, until the other day. I have a massive aversion to cold, so if I end up outside in the winter it’s only to run to another warm place and not stop and observe the falling snow that lands on my hair or coat or gets stuck on my eyelashes (because those are pretty hard to see anyway). But Sunday, I noticed…only because Alex had pointed them out to me as I was standing outside waiting to go to lunch. I was so surprised by the beauty of each individual snowflake – so tiny and intricate and detailed as they were melting on my sleeve that I got super excited and showed them to the people around me (who’ve all grown up with snow, and snowflakes).

Then I wanted to draw them and paint them…in all their intricate detail. Unfortunately, all I can manage (so far) is a basic snowflake shape, and no where near the level of splendor as the melted ones on my jacket, but it was gorgeous. All because I just stopped and observed for a moment.

Clay and Winter Fairies

Kiery — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:29:12 +0000

Over the weekend Alex and I decided to pick up some clay and explore the world of miniatures. On Sunday night we baked a few pieces and yesterday I painted mine.

The tall tree-like piece was the most interesting because I had used some candle wax to mold it around. While it was cooking the wax melted (obviously) and sort of oozed around and ended up hardening onto the clay after it dried. Painting wax is interesting, it’s sort of…smudgy.

After painting the clay and coming home from the premier of the short film we worked on all summer, Alex had to work late – so I decided I would too. I’ve been wanting to paint snow/fairies/snowflakes, and decided to give it a try. While I was sketching it out I realized that I derive my interpretations of fairies and snowflakes from Tinkerbell and The Nutcracker. Which makes complete sense, given that I grew up in Florida…and the closest thing to snow I saw was the nutcracker snowflakes…

I didn’t really want the fairies to be white and blue like the rest of the picture, so I decided to paint them green and purple – I like how they are sort of the opposite of each other and still match, and I like how the colors stick out against the blue sky and the white flakes.

It's Winter

Kiery — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:45:55 +0000

The other day I felt like making something, but didn’t feel like setting up to paint. I grabbed the iPad, opened up sketch pro, and had fun without having to leave my warm blanket!

The Balloon Lady Availability

Kiery — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 14:55:41 +0000

If you haven’t liked the Facebook page for The Balloon Lady updates yet, you should. Why? Because announcements like the eBook is available on lulu now, the iPad version will be available next week, and the print version will be live in approximately 10 days (pending any changes) show up there first!

Promo

Kiery — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:24:51 +0000

Check out what I made today…

"Like" The Book

Kiery — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:34:52 +0000

Today, as I’m sitting here trying to pump myself up on vitamin C and avoid catching yet another cold, I created a Facebook Page for my book, The Balloon Lady. I’ll be using it to post updates and other fun things (like, when and where you can buy it, and when the official website is up) and sync the blog posts to it as well. I love Facebook pages. So, if you think that’s cool, maybe you could like it?

And also, Happy December.

back cover

Kiery — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 20:47:29 +0000

This week I made an announcement about the book I’ve been illustrating (and writing), so I’ve been trying to get the final copy formatted. After uploading the initial cover I realized I need a back cover to go with the front cover. I decided it’d be better to paint it to keep the style together, but I also wanted to use an elevated surface after watching a tutorial from Empty Easel.

Since I don’t have an easel yet (hint) I taped a square piece of cardboard and a longish rectangle piece of cardboard together, folded the ends for stability, covered the painting part with wax paper (for easy paper removal) and taped it to my desk.

It’s amazing how much easier it is to paint (with watercolors at least) that way.

It didn’t take long for me to come up with a lovely cover for the back of the book. One step closer now.

This Month

Kiery — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:57:17 +0000

I know it seems like I’ve been abandoning this blog over the last month except for a few birthday posts, but I really have been busy. All month I’ve been writing and illustrating a children’s book (something I swore off earlier this year, I need to stop Jinxing myself). Long story short, I finished in less than a month and I’m now ready to publish – I’ll be selling it on lulu, possibly amazon marketplace and after some tweaking, the apple book store. Details will come once everything it uploaded and set up.

If you want to read about the journey, check out the blog.

Happy Birthday Valerie

Kiery — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 17:00:33 +0000

Valerie! You’re a teenager! I’m so proud that you’re my sister.I love and miss you so much! I can’t believe how much you’ve grown! You’re so amazing and special and talented and beautiful. I wish I could be there and hang out with you – I hope your birthday and year are amazing! you make me so proud! Happy Birthday <3