My King of Hearts

Happy Halloween!

The T-man is Ready with a capital R!  He had a trial run with his costume at preschool on Friday, but he is very anxious for some serious trick or treating tonight!

Here is what the front and the back of the costume look like - you may remember the idea from last week's sketch.  Since I am totally intimidated by the thought of sewing (I am always so in awe of all the fabulous fiber artists I see), I had to rely on a pillow case, iron-on adhesive, and good 'ol paint!

I'm sorry to report that I have no sketch to share this week.  Between Halloween and 30 in 30 for 30 preparations, my sketchbook is feeling a little bit neglected... But never fear, my friends always have lots of fun sketches to share over at Sophia's Blue Chair Diary! (I'll definitely have lots of sketches to share next Sunday because the painting starts tomorrow - eek!)

I'm off to Sophia's, then to carve a pumpkin...

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

P.S. This has been a week filled with computer learning (not my forte)... I finally figured out how to set up a facebook page for my art.  If you're on facebook, be sure to stop by!

Halloween Traditions and a Thank You!

As I've said before, I think it's very important to step outside the studio to "recharge the creative battery", so to speak.  This week it meant a visit to one of our favorite Fall haunts: The Pumpkin Farm.  From the time T-man was 3 months old, sitting on the haystacks and taking a family photo has become a Halloween tradition.

2006 (3 months old)

2007 (1 year old)

2008 (2 years old)

2009 (3 years old)

2010 (4 years old)

 

I can't believe how big my little man is getting!

Another Autumn tradition is sending a Halloween care package to my brother Ronnie who is away at college.  Every year I paint a Halloween-inspired box then my mom and I fill it with all sorts of goodies.  Ronnie is super-duper smart and works super-duper hard... he definitely deserves some treats from home!

 

I would like to finish this post with a heartfelt 'thank you' to all of my blog friends who have been so supportive of my 30 in 30 for 30 project - your kind words and encouragement are so motivating!  Seeing my blog button on your sidebars is so amazing, I appreciate it more than you can imagine... Thank you!

Monsterpiece Theatre

Presents...

30 in 30 for 30!

You're invited to opening night:

November 1st, 2010

(Bring your friends!)

The current theme over at Creative Tuesday is curtains.  Since I have Halloween on the brain (and 30 in 30 for 30, of course)  this is what I came up with.  Be sure to stop by Mr. Toast's blog to see what other curtain-inspired artwork was created!

I've had some fun suggestions for 30 in 30 for 30, but I'm still trying to think of some more ideas.  If you think of anything let me know... the painting starts on Monday (yikes)!

Sunday Sketches

This week, in addition to trying to get ready for 30 in 30 for 30, I am working on T-man's Halloween costume.

To say that T is obsessed with board games, card games... actually games of any sort, is a bit of an understatement.  (His favorite shows are not cartoons - he likes Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, Minute to Win It... I'm sure you get the picture.) 

So, when he said he wanted to be the King of Hearts for Halloween it didn't come as a big surprise.  Since card costumes for four year olds aren't exactly easy to come by, I'm making it myself.  (Wish me luck... I'll post pictures!)

Be sure to pop over to Sophia's blog to see what some of my talented friends have up their sleeves (in their sketchbooks) this week!

Art, Heart & Healing Journal Pages

Let your fears fall away... be brave.

This is my first journal spread for Tam's Art, Heart & Healing free online course.

I have to say, I found this first lesson quite therapeutic... Facing my inner critic and literally turning my negative thoughts into something positive was surprisingly satisfying.  Let the healing begin!

If you have any demons, artistic or otherwise, I definitely recommend Tam's course... there is still time to join in the fun.

(Only a week & a half until 30 in 30 for 30!)

S is for Spooky

This week I've had "spooky" on the brain because of Illustration Friday's theme...

Tam's free class "Art, Heart & Healing" started on Monday.  Since then I've been working on mixed-media portraits (with a "spooky" twist).

Z is for Zombie

And for fun, I drew a left-handed zombie on a scrap sheet of paper then used Paul Klee's transfer method to add it to my sketchbook.

Why am I zombie crazy?

Here at Casa Dudish we like to sing silly songs.  We get a kick out of changing the lyrics to well-known tunes.  Over the weekend T-man and I replaced the words in Cookie Monster's "C is for Cookie" song.  With what?  "Z is for Zombie", of course!

Z is for Zombie, that's good enough for me

Z is for Zombie, that's good enough for me

Z is for Zombie, that's good enough for me

Ohhhh... Zombie Zombie Zombie starts with Z!

Add some cool zombie dance moves and you have a crazy good time!

In case you've never heard the original "C is for Cookie" song, here is the video:

(Less than 2 weeks until 30 in 30 for 30!!!)

30 in 30 for 30

Crazy?  Quite possibly.

A Challenge?  Most definitely.

Fun?  I sure hope so.

So what is it?

Simply put, 30 in 30 for 30 is:

30 paintings in 30 days for 30 dollars.

The longer story:

When I heard about the Art Every Day Month challenge hosted by Leah Piken Kolidas, I was intrigued.  I love the idea of creating a piece of art every day and I started thinking maybe this might be a good opportunity to finally open my etsy shop.

While mulling the idea over in the car this week I passed this sign:

Okay Universe, message received - decision made.

So, to kick start the opening of my etsy shop on November 1st I will be:

- Creating an original painting every day for the entire month.  It might be on canvas, it might be on wood... It might be 8 x 10, it might be larger... It might be mixed media, it might be an acrylic painting.

(Since I want to keep this fun, I am going to do what I love - play!)

- Posting each new creation on my blog and listing them daily in my etsy shop

- Only charging $30... yes, an original painting each day for only $30!  It doesn't matter how large or how detailed, for the entire month of November every original creation will be $30.

There you have it:

30 original paintings

30 days

30 dollars

If you would like to help spread the word, I've created a nifty little button you can put on your blog:

<center><a href="http://kristindudish.blogspot.com/2010/10/30-in-30-for-30.html"><img border="0" src="http://i924.photobucket.com/albums/ad85/kristindudish/Blog/blogbutton150.jpg" /></a></center> Thank You! 

P.S.  I welcome suggestions... Feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email with something you'd like to see me paint!  (This could be fun)

Kristin Dudish Presents: Hitchcock Style Halloween

Good Evening...

Today's tale begins simply enough -  A single bird doesn't pose much of a threat...

But as Alfred and Tippi know...

A sky full of birds...

Can be the sign of serious trouble.

I hope the rest of your day is a scream!

Make sure to stop by A Fanciful Twist to see what other Boo-tiful Blogs are playing along.

And, take a trip over to Harrington Manor... if you dare.



I am Over the Moon Happy...

...which is why I couldn't wait to post this!!!

I wasn't planning a post tonight.  Tonight was family movie night.  Bob, T-man and I watched the Disney film "Bolt" - cute flick (but I'm getting off track)...

After the movie was over and we put T to bed, I turned to Bob and asked him if he had gotten the mail today.  He hadn't, so he got up to go get it.  When he came back he handed me a package...

It was a package from the wonderfully generous, beautiful, and talented Kelly Berkey!  You may already know Kelly from her mixed media artwork, drawings, paintings and her "Stretching to Sketch" challenge.  In addition to that, Kelly is a remarkable jewelry designer.  And, I am (over the moon) happy to say that I am now the proud recipient of one of her fabulous pieces.  I will treasure it forever.  Thank you so much, Kelly!!!

If you want a beautiful necklace for yourself (or would like to buy one as a gift) you can find them in her etsy shop... There are lots of fantastic designs to choose from - be sure to check it out!

Splotchmonster 379 Has A Sweet Ride

An Out of This World Homecoming

Who is Homecoming Queen?  Splotchmonster 379, of course.

This illustration is a perfect example of what happens when all of those random thoughts that are swirling around in your head come spilling out onto the page.  This week's Illustration Friday theme is 'transportation'. Pair that with the monster happenings at Nutty's challenge and you have the beginnings of a crazy collage.  Add to that a trip over to Steve Loya's blog where '379' spoke to me, my continued obsession with left handed cats, and a desire to draw on a newspaper that was lying around and you have yourself a very quirky piece of art.

So, I guess you could say I'm kind of all over the place in my creative space today.  (If you'd like to see what other artists have been working on, be sure to pop over to Kirsty's blog!)

In other news, I received a fantastic package in the mail...

Isn't it beautiful?  It's even more spectacular in person!  The very creative Robin Norgren crocheted this bag for a giveaway at the very cool Making this Home blog... and I won!!!  (I am certainly a very lucky lady)  Thank you Robin and Katie!

Make sure to visit Robin's etsy shop if you would like a fabulous bag of your own. 

Art

Mr. Toast's Creative Tuesday theme is "Art".

"Art" means many things to many people, is created in many mediums, and is made for many reasons... I have to admit that the limitlessness of this theme made me a little bit nervous.  In the end, I just decided to lighten up, play, and create some art for art's sake.

Speaking of art, the very talented artist Jenny Blair is having a very generous "Giveaway of Goodness" over at her "love and peas" blog.  (Don't you just love that name?!?)

And speaking of generosity (and art), the amazing Tam (a.k.a. Willowing)  is hosting a free (yes, free) art course on her ning network.  If you haven't already checked out her site and beautiful artwork make sure to stop by and show her a little blog love... and while you're there be sure to sign up for her fantastic-sounding course "Art, Heart & Healing"

Sunday Sketches

Flying Buffalo Evolution

You may remember that I started sketching buffaloes last week.  They started out as studies to see their actual shape.  After I got their real forms down, I simplified them and broke them down into basic shapes.  Then, I drew them on cardstock, colored them, and cut them out.

Next, I added them to a mixed media background I created & added some more paint.  But that's a post for another day...

My friends always have lots of cool sketches to share - be sure to check them out at Sophia's blog!

A New Obsession

Lots of Left-Handed Cats

I have a confession to make... I have become obsessed with drawing with my non-dominant hand.  It started out simply enough - a few left handed cats drawn in bed ( Curious?  Check out this book!)  Then it was left handed cats in the waiting room at the doctor's office, left handed cats in the car (not while driving, of course)... It seems like any time I have an extra minute I doodle a quick cat with my left hand.

There is something very liberating about drawing with your non-dominant hand.  The pressure is off... No one expects you to be able to create something great with the hand you don't normally use.  It's freeing and fun!  The bonus:  I think the cats I've drawn with my left hand actually have a lot of character.  I'm thinking of turning a couple of them into larger art pieces.

If you'd like to learn more about where my new found obsession came from, be sure to check out Carla Sonheim's book Drawing Lab for Mixed Media Artists...

and

Join my friend Nutty's Challenge!

Drawing with my Sister

Photo of Stevie  (by Stevie)

In my family, I am the oldest (by quite a bit) of five.  Today I'd like to introduce you to my sister Stevie.  (I will save tales of my other fun and quirky siblings for future posts.)

In addition to being an artist, Stevie is also my connection to all things cool (and she is definitely as much fun as she looks in the picture above)!  Once a week, the art school that Stevie attends holds life drawing sessions.  Last night I went with Stevie for some much needed figure drawing practice...

Going into the life drawing session, I had these grand illusions (more like delusions) of creating wonderful finished pieces to post on my blog today.  The reality of the situation is that I discovered I am very rusty and my figure drawing muscles are in need of some serious exercise!

After returning home and looking over my drawings I added a quote to this sketchbook page:

"Never neglect an opportunity for improvement."

-Sir William Jones 

I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to work on my skills with my sister (and friend) - I am certainly not going to neglect it... Stay tuned for more figure studies!

Sunday Sketches

Well, my four year old son 'the T-man' (a.k.a 'T-dog' or sometimes just 'T') and I have been under the weather this week.  As a result, not much art has been happening around these parts.

I did manage to do this quick sketch and color study for an upcoming painting...

And, this is what the sketchbook page actually looks like.  If you read this post then you might remember that I only keep 1 sketchbook at a time and it holds everything - sketches, notes, my calendar, doodles, ideas... everything!

 When I post a sketch from my sketchbook I usually edit out all of the distractions.  I crop and delete all of the surrounding noise (my notes, doodles, and unrelated thoughts).  Since I love looking at how other artists create, I thought it might be fun to post what a typical page from my sketchbook really looks like before I 'pretty it up'.

Be sure to check back to see what these flying buffaloes are the start of...

And don't forget to see what some of my friends are up to over at Sophia's blog!