cheers to a self-congragulatory websphere

Dear Friends! 

I'm going to make a very short and hopefully sweet post for you, but there are more exciting things to come very soon. There have been many happenings in my life over the past 6 months, that would be far too complicated and time consuming to write about. They are currently being expressed through 3 major (or minor depending on the day) projects I'm working on right now. They are as follows:

I've set several goals for myself. I have a deadline. This is probably the least exciting to you of the three "majors", but trust that it is monumental for me. Dealing with issues in mustering enough emotional and creative dexterity to actually start and finish a project has been my life as an artist thus far. I'm sure some of you can relate.

Next, I've become a beginner jazz music enthusiast. I found this book to get my feet a little wet. And of course the musical genius of my husband is always there to fall back on. I've already gotten about 40 records in mind that are going on every birthday and Christmas wish list for the next few years.

 

Lastly, but most certainly not least, I've been learning bass guitar. I have high hopes to also learn the upright bass and get into some jazz. I have blisters and I refuse to practice a lot of the time. But for some reason, I love it and its aloud me plenty of opportunity to collaborate with my husband and other musician friends. 

One of which is Hunter Stewart, whom just a few minutes ago put the finishing touches on his bandcamp webiste so that everyone can listen to the 5 songs that were just recorded in my living room over the past 2 weeks. I highly recommend checking out this music. The songs are beautiful, the sound is magical, and the artist is my dear friend. 

Here is his website with a free album download!

Hunter Stewart Bandcamp

I also did a few sketches for the track/album art work. 

You all are lovely! Go make some art and I'll see you back here real soon.

-dig

Millie takes a Walkies

Would it be really cheesy if I started this post by saying, wow I haven't blogged since last year? Guess it's too late now. 

I'll be honest and say that I don't feel like 2k10 was as productive for me as I'd hoped, artistically at least. But I have made some strides towards goals that have been looming like dark rain clouds over my head. Can't see any light yet, but the hope of light is good enough for me.  We moved to Austin, I'm applying to school, and making plans to travel and see the world. I'm breathing in as much of life as possible.  I'm also completely avoiding making any new years resolutions. Those are not for me. I do what I do and change when I please, or in the extreme case of needing to. I'm trying to be a YES person. *snickers at the cliche and absurdity*. 

Joel and I ended last year with a little Christmas present gift/project for all of our good friends and family. This was something we thought of on a whim. And it kind of shows that we executed it on a whim as well..but we think it's really cool and was a lot of fun. It's a stop motion animation of a girl with a dog head named Millie. Joel wrote the music and recorded it. He invited our good friend and Cellist to accompany his guitar part and wrote a beautiful and simple song. I came up with "Millie" by not so cleverly drawing our dog, who coincidentally is named Millie, and putting her head on a girls body. She's meant to be an awkwardly tall and lanky lad, but for some reason has been mistaken for a pregnant woman by a few people. She is pencil and ink on card stock paper, and not so neatly sewn together with needle and thread. I created the doll and took the sequence of photographs, and Joel did all of the film editing. We didn't have much time, as we were trying to finish this to present as a gift to our families by Christmas. We used a cheap digital camera and free film software from the internet, so it's a little squashed and distorted, but made with lots of love. We fully intend on sending Millie out into the world, and making more and more stop animations with her. I'm thinking a life size foam board Millie goes to the big city.. But I'll talk more about that another time.

Here's a few photos of the drawings and a you tube link to the video.

 

 At first we were going to film her on this lamp shade. But it didn't really work out, so we used the hardwood floor instead. Only a minor set back, but I'm thinking we'll do something with this is the future.

 

 

I was going to draw each position individually. But then I learned that that would be ridiculous so I made a version of her that would have movable joints. Thus the sewing.

 

Here is a link to the video on youtube. 

Millie takes a Walkies

I hope you enjoy this. We had a lot of fun making it together. We are so lucky to be a husband and wife that can create and collaborate together. Here is a link to Joel's tumblr where he will soon be posting music scores, recordings, and projects he is working on himself. Hidden Hymnal. I hope that this year brings love and creativity to all of you.