The State of Lovers and Firearms

I'm down in Virginia for the next few weeks. There's a gallery in the area that's interested in showing my work for their re-opening reception. I'm meeting with people from the aforementioned gallery in the next few days. I'll keep everyone updated.
My other business matter I'll be attending to while down in the state of lovers and firearm's is this: I'm looking for artists/art collectives/galleries based in the Richmond/Yorktown/Hampton Roads/Norfolk area who would like to interviewed for an upcoming Unbound Culture article. I usually cover the art scene in Philly, but I'm taking advantage of my current location to write my first trans-state piece.
If you're in the Virginia area, and would like to either attend the reception OR are interested in being interviewed for a piece in the arts section of Unbound Culture please send me a note or reply to this entry.

Sketch Challenges.

I was inspired by the IndieVisual blog to start sketching more often, and to start posting them more often on this much neglected art journal.
My first round of sketching is from a seasonal job at the mall: During the month of November, when things were slow, I filled up an old sketchbook.
Here are some of the sketches from that time period:





In early December I had an arting day with my fellow Clouds For Sale members (To see more from Clouds For Sale check out their Flickr Page.) Here is some artwork created from then:


Stay tuned for more information, including the finished version of a painting inspired by a Neutral Milk Hotel song and news of a gallery show in the works.

The Black Of The Blackest Friday

Corporations aren't the only one's in need of revenue this holiday season. Us independent artisans and artists are participating as well. From 12:01AM to 11:59 PM on Friday, November 27th (that's tomorrow!) if you purchase something from my Etsy shop you'll receive a 25% discount with the coupon code "BLACK." I also just debuted my new line of naughty ornaments in the shop. If you're at work, please be advised.

Etsy Buy Handmade KirstenAshley

Now Accepting Commissions.

COMMISSION WORK-
I am officially open for commission work. I am available for book illustration, book cover illustration, album art illustration, and fine art (such as portraiture, landscape, still life, surreal, etc) Depending on the size and detail of the piece, it should take about 2 weeks. If you're interested in a commission please contact me by emailing heartshapedscarz @ gmail.com (sans spaces) or posting a comment to this blog. I will be taking on up to 3 projects a month. Reserve your spot!
OTHER NEWS-
I have also fully embraced all that is artfire.com. You can view my shop HERE.
I have also finished a bookmark for an art trade with a Deviantart member. Here is my bookmark for my half of the trade:

New Piece

"In Search Of The Poison Apple"
8.5 by 11 inches
Colored pencil on paper.
"And now Snow White lay a long, long time in the coffin, and she did not change, but looked as if she were asleep, for she was as white as snow, as red as blood, and her hair was ...as black as ebony."
- Grimms Fairytale's Snow White

If you're interested in buying the original or a fine art print please comment below.

Where Is The Bailout For Artists?

I'm a little more starving than I previously was with the news of some horrible bank trouble today. (Despite a 79 million dollar bailout, the banks have some bullshit about how *they're* hurting from the recession, and feel the need to trump up asinine charges. Basically, I didn't spend more money than I had, and yet I still owe the bank money that keeps accruing. Add my school debt, paying out of pocket for my prescription for the medication for my anxiety disorder because of no insurance, with no job prospects to the list.)
In any case, if you're in the mood to own an original piece of art or a fine art print from me, I'd greatly appreciate it. Now more than ever. 8.5x11" Prints are $20 each or 2 for $30. I can take commission work for fine art, portraits, illustration. I make handcrafted bookmarks as well. Just post a comment or send me a message. Or if you'd even like to donate a dollar or two to the Kirsten-Is-A-Starving-Artist fund my paypal address is heartshapedscarz@gmail.com. (This would, of course, be reciprocated with thank you gifts of art in the near future.)I'm also taking offers if you see anything interested on my albums up at MYSPACE or FACEBOOK.

A few pieces for sale:
All prices exclude shipping

Hollow Eyed- $45 or best offer currently on hold for Daniel Pevar


Do It Yourself- 7x9" acrylic painting- $45 or best offer on hold for Tony Mallory


Nature Of My Circuitry- 4x6.5" matted original mixed media piece (Was designed for Alphane Reality Generator's album 'Nature Of My Circuitry') - $50 or best offer


8.5x11" fine art prints- $20 each or 2 for $30 (Full listing of prints at www.kirstenashley.etsy.com)


Sleeping In The Sky hand painted wooden trinket box (sealed with acrylic sealer)- $10 or best offer


Moon Tears hand painted trinket box (sealed with acrylic sealer)- $10 or best offer

Handmade Bookmarks- $5 each (I can make custom bookmarks as well)

Updates From The Handmade Market Show

The morning of July 25th was the first Handmade Market event, hosted by and located at Memphis Taproom in Fishtown, Philadelphia. I was in attendance, along with about 50 other artists, writer's/editor's, graphic designers, jewelry makers, and even bakers. Highlights include mingling with other artists, especially my neighbor in vending, who recycled vodka and red stripe bottles into functional glassware (And his adorable puppy). I ate a delicious vegan cupcake from Deceptive Desserts. (This carnivore was surprised. That was the first vegan treat I've eaten that had any taste to it!)
Below are some photos of my space, among other shots from Handmade Market:





My leftover stock has been listed on my Etsy shop. I have prints, handmade bookmarks, and some vintage cookbooks.

Etsy Buy Handmade KirstenAshley

Handmade Market In Philly This Saturday

I'll be selling artwork, prints, and handmade bookmarks at the Handmade Market tomorrow. It looks like it should be a fun event. It even got a write up on Philly2philly.com HERE
Here is the info for you Philly area people:
Handmade Market at Memphis Taproom

Saturday, July 25th, 10am to 3pm

2331 E. Cumberland Street, Philly
(Corner of Memphis + Cumberland)
215.425.4460
www.memphistaproom.com

Unbound Culture

Despite internet ramblings to the contrary, I've always had an ardent love affair with words. The fact that I've begun to pick up writing again is simultaneously intimidating and thrilling. (Which is not to imply I think I'm prolific in any way.)
In fact, I've become a "staff writer" for the online zine Unbound Culture. My first piece, a story on Philly artist Jessica Izzaguire, is up now. Read it HERE.
Check out the rest of Unbound Culture. It's a great little zine.

A bit of cross promotion

Uglyshyla and I are doing a bit of cross promotion. We're exchanging links to widen our audience.

Uglyshyla is a Louisiana based artist who makes spooky fine art dolls and reconstructed clothing, and does a bit of alt modeling. Here are a a few of my favorite modeling shots and dolls from her:

Find Uglyshyla:
www.uglyart.com
www.uglyshyla.deviantart.com
www.uglyartdotnet.etsy.com


If you're interested in cross-promotion with me get in touch with me!

Memphis Taproom

I will be showing/selling some art at this event. I'll provide more details as the date gets closer.

The Mix Tape In Your Heart

Or rather, mix CD. I adore making mix CD's with handmade art/liner notes. I only do so for people who either reciprocate, or appreciate it for the beautiful art of sharing music and sentiment that it is. (I've had people who disregard it or don't "get it", unfortunately.)
Recently, I had occasion to practice the art again. It's titled the "Dead Flowers Mix" ala the Rolling Stones song, so I made a cover from watercolor and dried flowers.

The Porcelain Doll's Black Void

A fun little piece done in crayola.

Recycled Art

This is a mirror I found from the garage at my house and revamped a while back. It was my sister's mirror she junked. Originally, it was painted white with butterflies on it. I sanded and repainted it to this:

Black Dove

My first foray into origami:





I have horrible 3D spacial relation. The fact that this came out looking like it was supposed to impressed me!

Failed Attempts At Tea Painting

I attempted to paint a wash on paper with black tea. In my head, it stained nicely, giving the paper an aged affect. In practice, not so much. The tea wasn't dark enough to stain the paper to my liking. It would have been a nice recyclable art material had it worked. (I get black tea when I order Chinese, but I don't drink tea.)
Instead, I took a bic to paper. And here is the end result:

Title- Burning Memory
Execution- Lighter, white drawing paper, colored pencil,micron pen.

Long Time No Blog

Expect a more detailed update on my art happenings in the very near future. I've been on an experimentation hiatus.