stuff about artstuff.

Labor of Love.

This is something that's been in the works since last summer, and I have been absolutely dying to share with you all this time. But then when it was published, I was deep into a heavily introverted hibernation state so I'm fairly late to the party when it comes to sharing it with you, my lovely blog readers (sorry about that).

Lori Siebert is someone I've respected for years: a super talented artist, Art Licensing powerhouse (you totally know her art . . . see?) and all-around cool person with great taste. When she shared her idea for this project: a peek into the lives, studios, homes, and minds of creative people, I knew it would be something really special. I'm more than honored to be included in the first issue.

 I mean look at these other amazing creatives in this issue: Billy Lambrinides, Tom Haney, Sue Zipkin, Joel Nakamura, and Steffanie Lorig. Wow! I'm truly in awe of these super impressive creatives, their spaces, and their work. Seriously this is just about coolest thing ever.

And then, there's me.

I had a blast pulling together the goodies for this piece. Ginormous credit goes to my amazing friend and talented photographer (and designer and art director and singer/songwriter and guitarist - seriously this girl can do it all) Rhonda, who shot a lot of the photos you see there. She showed up on the hottest, stickiest day of the year last August with camera and tripod in tow and we had a blast trying to capture steady shots between the uncontrollable giggles. And sweating. I mentioned it was hot, right? Yeah. It was hot.

So if you like pretty pictures, eye candy, inspiration, studio and home lust, food porn, cool art, and all sorts of other goodies, I think it's time to pour yourself a lovely beverage and curl up all cozy with your computer (or buy it in print here!) and pour through this awesome magazine. And if you're wondering just how late to the party you are as my invited guests, well, ahem (contemplates navel and sheepishly scuffs floor with her toes) you can already indulge in Issue 2 as well.

Enjoy!

xoBeth

Illustration Friday: Hatch

...as in cross-hatch.

Last month I was thinking about my hero Maurice Sendak, and the amazing worlds he has created in humble pen and ink - as a little kid I would (and still do) soak right into the pages of my picture books and just exist inside them. I played with my friend Little Bear in the woods, I frolicked with monsters in faraway places, I knew and deeply loved every single character. Even when it is used, color is never at center stage in his drawings, like it is in almost every single thing I've ever created.

It got me thinking about cross-hatch work. Something I hadn't even tried for decades. So I pulled out the little Moleskine and started sketching Molly wandering in a quiet woods, a very Sendakian place I suppose. Not the greatest cross-hatching ever, as I was reminded that cross-hatch is not for the faint of heart. Or those of us in the slightest hurry. Seems to be more of a Zen thing than I was really prepared for when I started sketching.

My hand started to get a little tired. So as the sketch extended into the other page (I've always drawn from right to left to minimize left-hand-drag) I went for a simpler more instant-gratification style...

In retrospect, each style suits each animal appropriately. Molly sort of is a serious assemblage of straight little lines. Thoughtful and slightly mysterious. Flossie, on the other hand - fluffy, friendly, not very practical or realistic.

You know ... I don't do yoga, I haven't really meditated for-real in years - I'm thinking maybe I ought to take up cross-hatch drawing as a regular spiritual exercise. And then, once I've reached that illustrative astral plane, I'll go totally hard-core and revisit pointillism. Ooh!

Yeah, no. I probably won't. But it's a nice thought.

Now You've Got Me Thinking About October Already.

We could all use something to look forward to about now.

This one worked for me today. Hits me deep down in my very middle, in that part that's really hard to get to. Even if you aren't usually a link-clicker when you read my posts, really, go click this one.

Then click Trailer 1 to watch it as big and HDish as your monitor and system allows. Go on, do it. If you're anything like me, it will at least make you smile.

It looks like they've got it right, and I'm very excited. These guys have been very dear friends of mine for a long, long time.