Untitled... for now.

Started this back in November. I've been waiting to post it because I wanted it to be recognizable as a girl in a mask, instead of just an insane splatter of squiggly colors (which is what it looked like for several weeks). It was slow going at first, but now that I'm out of school again, I've been making a lot more progress on it, and it's finally starting to come together. Still a lot of work left, though - I wouldn't say it's any more than halfway done, if that.

The painting is a full sheet of watercolor paper (30"x22") and the mask is one I made in late October/early November with air-dry clay and chrome spray paint.

Still working on a title for the painting...

Portrait of a Boy

Finished this one back in the summer. It's one of my favorites. He has such beautiful eyes. :-)

Quick Sketch

Been busy making more masks so I can then make some new paintings. I've gotten a bunch done, so I hope to have some new work to show soon. :-)
For now, here's a life drawing of my dog George, done in Photoshop.

New Painting

So my new fascination is metal, particularly metallic masks. I like the contrast of the hard mask against the soft face, the abstract shapes and swirls within the metal, and the challenge of imitating a metallic surface using ordinary paint. I also enjoy making the masks to use as props (I've made three so far). I think this is the start of a new series. :-)

Still working on the title for this painting... It took about 3 weeks start to finish.

Updates

Updated with final photos and some detail shots of Michael, Katherine, Michael, and Rebecca.

KPF (Finished)

Finished this one on 7/7.

Revamped Website

Just to let everyone know, I revamped my other (.Mac) website, so if you have it bookmarked, you may need to change your links - the URL changed slightly. To get to it now, just type http://web.mac.com/jennydavisartwork into your browser's address bar (and, if you want to add it, bookmark the new website, since its full URL differs from the old one).

I'm still tweaking some things here and there (don't worry, the URL won't change again). Comments on the new look are welcome. :-)

Olaf's New Hobby, Boba Fett, & Other Scribbles

I started this with the intention to draw some kind of enraged barbarian horde leader.
Then it became... this.


And I named him Olaf.

(Can you blame him for wearing a leotard? Really, with legs like that, how could you not show them off?)

Also, some quick scribbles of Boba Fett (of Star Wars fame) - the digital one took about 1 minute, the pencil sketches each took less. What do you think? Do you recognize him?





And a little (very little) change to this old painting, which is still in progress and will be finished one of these days...

Really not much left to do to it. Just need to finish her shoe and make it so she doesn't look like she's floating in a green void. Or maybe I'll leave it that way. Who knows.

Also worked more on KPF today, but ain't got a picture yet - will post new pics soon; I want to wait until the progress has been a bit more dramatic before I do. :-)

KPF

Started this one a few days ago... It's about 21"x14". Almost done with the face; I need to finish the hair so that there's some contrast before I add anymore color to her skin.

Michael (Finished)

Finally finished. :-)

"Stimulus"

Three of my paintings will be featured in a group show, "Stimulus," at Nevin Kelly Gallery from June 6th to July 11th. The show features a variety of very talented local artists, and all artwork in the show will be priced at $500 or less. From Nevin Kelly Gallery:

"The gallery presents "Stimulus," a group exhibition of works by local artists to stimulate the mind and the economy. All works in the show will be priced at $500 or less, many at limited-opportunity prices. Participating artists include John M. Adams, Sondra N. Arkin, Joan Belmar, Anne Bouie, Molly Brose, Lenny Campello, Mary Chiaramonte, Anna U. Davis, Jenny Davis, Thomas Drymon, Stirling Elmendorf, Pat Goslee, Emily Greene Liddle, Laurel Hausler, J. Ford Huffman, Rosalind Kennedy, Mark Parascandola, Anneliese Sullivan, Ming Yi Sung Zaleski, Ruth Trevarrow, Claudia Vess, and Ellyn Weiss."

The opening reception will be Tuesday, June 16, 5:30-8:30PM.


Masquerade #4 (Detail)

Second Thursday at the Torpedo Factory (Studio Time)

I will be in Studio 15 at the Torpedo Factory Thursday, May 14. It's Second Thursday at the Factory, and this month's theme is All About Dogs - so I'll have some doggie artwork up, along with a few portraits. Come visit me and my talented mom in the studio, meet our four-legged mascot, and enjoy free refreshments!

From the Torpedo Factory Art Center:

Second Thursday Art Night
All About Dogs
Thursday, May 14
6-9pm

Browse open studios, meet the artists and their canine companions, and enjoy refreshments, available for both our two and four-legged guests at this free event. A map of studios with artwork inspired by man's best friend will be available for guests.

Experience the urban contemporary art scene first hand in Target Gallery from 6-8pm with the reception for the show FRESH. DJ Phill provides tunes in the gallery from 6-8pm. At 7pm, hear a gallery talk from the juror about his selection of work for the show.

From 6:30-8pm, The Art League Gallery hosts the reception for the All-Media Membership Show and Progression , Suzanne Yurdin's solo show.

Give a home to an animal in need at a pet adoption event sponsored by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Help contribute to animals in our community with a donation to this vital organization.

Enter a free prize drawing for a chance to win artwork by Lisa Schumaier. Enjoy fun activities throughout the night!

Freedom!

I finally finished all my term papers and final exams, and have - for the first time in a long time - absolutely nothing to do that's not art-related. It's a wonderful feeling! Graduation's Saturday, and meanwhile I'm painting and drawing to my heart's content. I'm almost done with my current portrait commission (will post a picture soon). I've also been working on some dog art (which will be in Studio 15 of the Torpedo Factory this Thursday).

Here's a digital painting I've been working on in the evenings - it's really coming together and I love that I've actually had the time to do it.

More Frogs!

Finally got around to photographing my favorite book that I made last fall. Here are the illustrations:











These are all linoleum block prints on Arches cover white (signatures of the book) and buff (end papers). I'm still amazed at how perfectly the Crane Attack image lined up - it's printed on two separate signatures, so I had to cut the plate in half and print each half separately and hope they aligned correctly when I sewed everything together. (The photo I posted earlier of the Crane Attack is of a print I pulled before I cut the block.) Anyway, I'm really pleased with how the book came out and I would love to do more book making one day.

Michael

This one's about 1/3 to 1/2 way done. I should be able to get it finished in the next few weeks, or as soon as my homework load eases up a bit.

Rebecca (Finished)

Finished this one a few weeks ago.

Crane Attack

I felt guilty not posting anything in so long, so here's a linoleum block print I did in November. Did it as part of a final project in my Book Arts class. If I had the finished book and a working camera here with me, I'd post more pictures. (One day I will photograph the whole book--and its companion--and post it.)


Anyway, this is from my retelling of "The Frogs Desiring a King," one of Aesop's fables. It's 7"x10."

Also, I updated my other site with another digital painting. Go see.
:-)

Rebecca

16"x13"
It's about 1/3 of the way done.

Incidentally, sorry about the lack of posts lately. Been exceedingly busy, even over break. Hopefully things will improve and I'll have more time to paint (and post) this spring.