I realize that it's been a while since my last post. Things were a bit hectic over the last few weeks with my 'mad dash' to complete everything for the local convention, Big Lick Comic Con, the first weekend in August. Thankfully, I managed to get everything done... except for stickers. Bleh. I bought a new sticker-cutting machine, and while it works, it doesn't work consistently. So I think there's a 'user error' issue, and I'm not doing something right half the time. lol So instead of fighting with the machine to read the registration marks, I decided just to say "eff it, I'll deal with this later". Which I still have yet to do. Haha.
While at the convention though, I met a wonderful "booth neighbor" who was across the aisle from me, and she created beautiful originals with a chemical process in the most vibrant blues. Her business is called Blue Zinnia Studio, and her name is Tricia Lynn Peery. It's always wonderful to meet new artists in the area, and she and her husband were so very sweet to talk to all weekend. I couldn't resist purchasing a greeting card with a Luna Moth design that I'm going to frame and put up in my studio.
There was also one other artist at the convention that I wasn't able to meet in person when I stopped by their table, MaryAsheDraws, but I did purchase an adorable owl print of theirs. And I have to say, their table set-up was beautiful! Gothic, whimsical, and... inspiring.
The convention went pretty well, as far as conventions go. Nothing crazy happened, everyone was genuinely nice and helpful. Overall, it was a pretty good weekend.
Though I will say that several of my products that I thought would sell better, didn't. And the ones I wasn't sure if anyone would like, they sold pretty well. Such is life... you can never predict what will speak to people. But, just going by what sold, it was more of my original work than fan-art-related items. Also, bookmarks were what sold the most throughout the weekend, only selling a few prints on Sunday. This gives me a bit of hope that I can start moving more into my own designs, and worry less and less about fan art. (Yay!)
I was so inspired by the Luna Moth print by Blue Zinnia that Saturday, after getting home from the convention, I started to sketch a Luna Moth. Not knowing where the sketch was going, I just felt the urge to draw it. The following Monday after the convention, she was completed. Which, is unusual for me to finish a drawing in just a few days. But, what can I say? I was inspired. And soon after that was finished, I decided to also sketch a Comet Moth and a Hercules Moth... and both were finished by the end of the week. Within a week, I had completed 3 Moth designs - the muses were working overtime, I guess.
And there are still more Moth designs coming. I'm working on three more at the moment and they will be revealed soon enough as I get them completed.
As for the title of this post, "Metamorphosis" it's referring to the internal changes that I've been feeling for the better part of this year. After losing my Mother in January, I will admit that I've felt lost this year. You're never prepared to lose a parent if you know it's coming or not. I've been exploring different types of art styles and subject matter, but none of them really "clicked" or felt right. Even my Pin-up art, which I usually love to draw and paint, has felt a bit stale to me this year. These Moth paintings are the first thing has that inspired me in a long while, and I don't exactly know why. All I can come up with is that it must be time for a change because I'm going through a change. I still feel like me, but not. It's hard to explain.
When I was younger, in my teenage years, I was drawn to just about everything paranormal or occult and pagan. I was, and still am, into Tarot cards, hauntings, and witchy stuff. For a long while I've kept that side to myself mostly. Except for my husband and our close friends, of course. But I don't want to "hide" that side of myself anymore. I guess you could say that I'm coming out of my cocoon... like a moth or butterfly. I feel the pull to go in directions with my art that I haven't done in years, or that most people haven't seen before. Portraits and Pin-up art are great, fan art is fun, but at the end of the day, it's not really from me - it's representing things that I like, yes. But it's not from my soul. And looking back it just feels lacking - at least from this stage in my life.
I want to be more authentic to myself. Create more original art, in whatever subject matter that looks like. I'm going to be listening to my muse a lot over the next few months, and getting back in touch with my younger self, so to speak. If you'd like to accompany me on this journey, I welcome your presence. You can sign up for my email newsletter at the bottom of my site to get updates monthly for new art and more. Thank you so very much for reading this far, and I look forward to sharing new art with you all very soon!
LLAP & MTFBWY
Jenn
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