Some Velvet Morning

Magazine Cover

2010-09-12T19:45:00.000-07:00

This month I was invited to illustrate the cover of Verdure Magazine on the subject: "Protect Our Libraries". This is a photoshop college with a scanned pencil drawing of Andrew Carnegie. CMYK Offset, 8.5"x11" Check them out here.

Portrait Mural

2010-09-06T05:16:00.000-07:00

These are some of the 44 people who's portraits' I painted.

The instructions for participation. It was very difficult for some people to pose without a smile.
I wound up taking more photos then I was able to paint in 8 hours.

I love how Jim's portrait came out. He has great hair.
In the upper right corner, I painted in Chinese the student's name. She kindly gave me a clear written sample to work off of. I hope it came out properly.

I love how the names came together in this part. It happened somewhat organically.
Order emerged out of chaos.

Charmaine was one of the artists in the show. Most impressively,
she used her feet as a drawing tool for part of a pastel mural.

Lisbeth, a student at the college was the first portrait in my mural.
She was most helpful and fun to talk to.

Satchi was a young and reluctant participant. When asked his name, he said "No Way!".
His mom helped me out.

This weekend I was invited to Allegheny College to participate in their annual 8 Hour Projects exhibit. Along with a dozen artists, I was given an area in the gallery and 8 hours to create my project. Over the course of the day, I took instant photos of the general public, artists and students that came to gallery to watch. Looking at those photos, I painted 44 portraits on the wall. It was SO MUCH FUN. The people were all so willing to participate and the energy of the gallery was extremely inspiring.

One real highlight of the show was seeing little kid's reaction to the instant camera. I guess they have grown up in an age with very few instant cameras and could hardly believe the magic of it. It's funny how old technology can remain so impressive. When asked how it works, my response:"Lots of chemicals."

Portrait Drawing!

2010-08-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

I'll be at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh tomorrow, Tuesday, August 31st drawing portraits from 10-11:30 in the art studio. Come down and I'll draw YOUR portrait. Free with admission.

Also...(!)

I'll be at Allegheny College this coming weekend creating a GIANT PORTRAIT MURAL on the wall. Come by and I'll make you famous! 8 Hour Projects in The Penelec Bowman-Megahan Art Galleries.

Portraits at the Children's Museum - Week 2

2010-08-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

Week 2 - More 3 minute portraits at the Children's Museum! Another sweet day of drawing young people.

Next up: collage portraits in the spirit of Cubist Art.

Portraits at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

2010-08-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

This past week marked the beginning of my five week engagement at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. I'll be there every Tuesday morning from 10-11:30 in the art studio doing various art activities on the theme of portraiture. Here are some of the images I created from the line of patient museum visitors in the art studio. 18"x24", compressed charcoal on paper. Approx. 3-5 minutes each. The pink hue of these photos is due to the cast light of a beautiful art installation over head. You can see an image of it here. I'll be at the museum again this coming Tuesday drawing more portraits. The following weeks will involve some hands-on portrait activities inspired by Picasso and Kara Walker. Hope to see you there!

Thanks to Angela Seals and Hallie Harger for support and assistance with this project.

Louise Bourgeois

2010-06-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

In memory of Louise Bourgeois, a French-American artist, sculptor & hero. 1911-2010. Gesso, pencil and charcoal on 100% rag paper from India.

Poster Show

2010-05-21T08:42:00.000-07:00

I went to Artist Image Resource last night and printed this two color poster on some nice French cover stock. It will be for sale in a poster show, "Steeltown Stock" at C Space Gallery. The show is being curated by Mundania Horvath of Steeltown Anthem. You can read more here and here. Friday June 4th (part of Unblurred) from 6-9pm
Location: <> Space : Collective 4823 Penn Avenue.
Hope to see you there!

Paper Marbling

2010-05-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

I went to a paper marbling workshop yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The process is completely engrossing. Ink dropped on water mixed with powdered sea weed and then manipulated with a stylus or comb(s). I marbled 13 sheets of paper and got to see how every student had their unique color sensibility and style emerge.

Portraits

2010-05-05T03:38:00.000-07:00

A few portraits of a small friend I haven't yet met who lives in Olympia, WA. Pencil and water color pencil on Khadi 100% recycled cotton rag paper, 6"x30" accordion fold.

Abstract Expressionist Stamps

2010-04-15T10:47:00.001-07:00

These Abstract Expressionist stamps are on sale now at the post office. They are beautiful and quite large. The Pollock stamp is almost 2.5"x 1.75".

5 Minute Portraits at Artists Image Resource

2010-03-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Ray

Shaun

Leslie

Jon

Darrell (we found out that we're neighbors!)

(Bill making a funny face)

(Bill making an even funnier face.)

Speed Portraits at AIR was a success! I was there for a little over two hours and created 20 portraits. I was quite surprised to have so many willing participants for this event. Extra thanks to my friends who came out for a portrait and to Jenn and the AIR crew for having me there. Another unexpected treat: next to my chair, I had an activity center: a table with face photos and paper and colored pencils to encourage visitors to try their hand at portrait drawing. I'm so pleased to say that I was gifted four portraits from the visitors - some of whom are very skilled! Also, in the spirit of trade, Darrell gave me a lovely print, part of a set of prints that will be for sale at Fast>>Fwd Gallery on Saturday, March 27th starting at 8pm. Stop by and buy some art. It'll make you happy.

5 Minute Portraits!

2010-03-15T18:49:00.000-07:00

Dearest _______________,

Happy Almost Spring! I hope you are doing well. I am writing to invite you to Artists Image Resource this Thursday evening. I will be there from 7-9pm drawing 5 minute portraits. The portraits are free. They may or may not be flattering. This event will be happening in conjunction with A.I.R.'s open studio - so you could come for a portrait and then stay and tackle that silk screen project you've been meaning to do or if you haven't ever silk screened, bring a drawing or design with you and learn how. It'll be great.

All the best,
Cara

p.s. Please tell _______________ that I said hi.

Artists Image Resource Inc

www.artistsimageresource.org

518 Foreland Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212-4911
(412) 321-8664

--------OPEN STUDIO NOW TUESDAY AND THURSDAY EVENING-------- AIR's Open Studio offers emerging artists and students access to equipment, ideas and a community of working artists every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 to 10:00 PM. For a nominal fee artists can access printing screens and workspace.

Duane Hanson

2010-02-19T16:46:00.001-08:00

Duane Hanson is one of my very favorite sculptors. His work is associated with the Pop Art Movement as well as the Superrealist/Hyperrealist Movement. These photographs are from an installation I spotted in the Fort Lauderdale Airport in Florida, USA. Hanson lived and worked in South Florida and I felt it was a good omen for my trip to find such a prize upon landing.

Thank You Collages

2010-02-03T19:07:00.000-08:00

Two collages, both 9"x6", cut paper and tape on cover stock. These are the covers of two thank you cards.

Mural Complete - New Exhibit Open at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

2010-01-30T17:32:00.000-08:00

The mural is complete and the new exhibit, "Yinz Play" is open at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. It was so much fun to watch kids interact with the mural. Here are a few photo from opening day. You can read about the exhibit as well as Amanda Long's installation "Funny Faces" in the Post Gazette here and visitor info for the museum here.

Facebook Portraits

2010-01-24T07:37:00.000-08:00

I have a large artwork hanging in a group show at Future Tenant Gallery this month. This show is about the effects of technology on communication.

"My Facebook Friend is..."
13'x4', Colored pencil and watercolor pencil on paper

I find myself simultaneously repulsed and drawn into Facebook. By logging on, I can see new photos and read updates about my friends’ lives. It’s a good way to stay in touch with friends
from far away but sometimes, I get sad when I realize that I am interacting with my friends much more often through this interface then in real life. I rarely call my friends anymore and have come to substitute phone calls with emails and facebook messages. My behavior is in keeping with the shift that is happening in our society that is moving us away from face-to-face contact and towards less direct, electronic communication methods. It scares me and at the same time, I’m a willing participant.

These portraits were created from photos and status updates posted by my friends on Facebook. These status updates create a strange, ever changing news feed of almost random information. Without any direct contact, I now know who is sick, who is eating a hamburger and who is on their way to the apple store to buy a new laptop.

My hope is that this body of work carries my questions about privacy, intimacy and relevancy into a public forum. The communication change that is happening is inevitable but I feel that it is essential for us to question and dialog about the significance of where we are and where we’re headed.

Book Cover in Paris

2010-01-24T06:28:00.000-08:00

S. Williams and I flew to Paris for a week of sightseeing this winter. The Latin Quarter is home to Shakespeare and Company, an English bookstore with a rich history. Surprises we found inside the store include an enclosed, cozy typewriter booth for visitors to use for impromptu compositions (pictured), as well as a poetry book with a cover I designed (pictured) as well as another that S. Williams designed.

Mural in the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

2010-01-24T06:09:00.000-08:00

This month I am working on a mural for a new exhibit in the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh on the theme of the City of Pittsburgh. It will be interactive, with phrases and quotes on plastic signboard that visitors can hang on the talk bubbles in the mural. It is a big undertaking, the wall is 25'x12' and I am endlessly thankful to have the assistance of artist/illustrator Steph Neary. The wall will be complete soon, by Jan 29th. Completed photos to come.

The Catacombs of Paris

2010-01-01T05:06:00.000-08:00

"The Catacombs of Paris or Catacombes de Paris are a famous underground ossuary in Paris, France. Located south of the city's former "Barrière d'Enfer" city gate (at today's Denfert-Rochereau), the ossuary fills a renovated section of caverns and tunnels that are the remains of Paris' stone mines. Opened in the late 18th century, the underground cemetery became a tourist attraction on a small scale from the early 19th century, and has been open to the public on a regular basis from 1867.", Wikipedia

This was my very favorite historic site to see in Paris. We waited an hour and half in line to get in and spent about an hour walking through the maze of bones. A spiral staircase 86 steps tall led us down into the caves. It's hard to see in the photos but the bones were covered with mold and water still drips from the ceiling. It was a profound experience to be reminded so overwhelmingly of my own mortality.

You can see more photos from this set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clvk/sets/72157622988182605/

And the website of the catacombs: http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm

Tiny Collage #1

2009-12-06T13:09:00.000-08:00

A tiny collage made on a sunny Sunday morning. Perhaps the first of a series. Paper, tape, glue and ink on chip board.

Precious

2009-11-07T13:39:00.000-08:00

Art on Exhibit

2009-11-05T15:52:00.000-08:00

A small selection of my portraits are on exhibit through the holiday at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. You can find them in the Quiet Room.

Autumn Leaves

2009-11-05T13:53:00.000-08:00

Leaves, pencil and melted beeswax on cover stock. Approx. 7"x4".

Leaf Portraits

2009-11-03T16:48:00.000-08:00

Here are some leaves I gathered yesterday on a walk through Frick Park. I used pencil to draw the faces and an x-acto knife to cut them out.

Web Design & Illustrations for Seagrape Wines

2009-10-23T05:29:00.000-07:00

A great wine shop on Hudson Street in the West Village. They wanted a site that reflects the fun atmosphere of their wine shop combined with bright colors reminiscent of contemporary surf culture. You can visit them online HERE.

New Design and Illustrations

2009-10-16T15:35:00.000-07:00

These are the two web pages I designed and illustrated for Maid Mariam Muffins. She sells her muffins from her bike in Prospect Park.

3 Minute Portraits at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum - Day 5

2009-10-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Bella pointed out that I had forgotten her beauty mark. How could I have forgotten that? I added it and she declared:" Now it looks like me!"

Grace has a lovely presence.

Luke's response: "Awesome."

Lauren's request: "Please don't include my braces."

Saya sat quietly eating pea snacks from Trader Joes while I drew her.

Mikayla instructed me not to sign her portrait; "Don't write your name on it."

These are from day five of speed portraits at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. It was one of my favorite days. I drew approx. 30 portraits in 2.5 hours. The line was never too long so I felt comfortable taking more time to talk to the models. Compressed charcoal on paper, 18"x24"

Exquisite Corpse

2009-09-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Exquisite corpse (also known as "exquisite cadaver" or "rotating corpse") is a method by which a collection of words or images is collectively assembled, the result being known as the exquisite corpse or cadavre exquis in French. Each collaborator adds to a composition in sequence, either by following a rule (e.g. "The adjective noun adverb verb the adjective noun") or by being allowed to see the end of what the previous person contributed. (From Wikipedia)

These are just a few of the almost 60 drawings we created in my classes today.

Pittsburgh Children's Musuem - Portrait Collages

2009-09-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

The (very) young artist that created the portrait above was quite proud of it. The strings are "my guy's arms and legs. Look how good he is!"

Above, the most symmetrical work that was done today.

Above, a very minimalist color scheme and composition.

Here are some photos from another wonderful afternoon at the museum. Today I assisted museum visitors with creating portrait collages using mixed media as well as copies of body parts that I drew. I was really surprised by how they came out. Lots of really bold, abstract portraits. Cheers to Angela Seals at the museum for coordinating this and picking out the black paper. The black really brought them together in a great way.

Downtown Art Shows

2009-09-19T15:09:00.000-07:00

There are two good art shows that I got to see this weekend that I recommend visiting. "Dividing the Goose" at Future Tenant (see giant chicken feet above) and Jen Cooney's The Secret Lives of Stories at 707 Penn Gallery.

Figure Drawing

2009-09-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

These are some images from a free figure drawing session at Carnegie Mellon University. Here is the info in case you're interested in going too: http://news.art.cfa.cmu.edu/?p=721
18"x24" compressed charcoal and conte on paper. My favorite is the all blue one, second from the top.

Speed Portraits: Part 2

2009-09-13T07:11:00.000-07:00

These are photos from Day #4 of Speed Portraits at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. Approx. 3 minutes per person, 18"x24", compressed charcoal on white paper. The pink tint of the photos are from reflections of an amazing overhead art installation in the room. You can see an image of it HERE.

Speed Portraits!

2009-09-10T03:27:00.001-07:00

I have been awarded a residency at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. It is called the F.I.N.E. Artist Residency and I have been working in and with the museum to develop programing around the theme of portraiture. These photos are selections from a two hour session of speed portraits. I let each kid pick a color of chalk pastel and then I do a 3 minute portrait. 18"x24" This is the third time I have done this and it's been a blast each time. I love interacting with these kids and focusing on their beautiful faces.

Ganesha

2009-08-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

4"x6" ink and watercolor pencil on paper. An image of Ganesha I created as a gift.

From wikipedia: "Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom."

5 Minute Portraits

2009-08-09T15:26:00.000-07:00

Karen by Cara, 5 minutes, 18"x24", compressed charcoal on paper.

Karen by Stewart, 5 minutes, 18"x24", compressed charcoal on paper.

Jim by Stewart, 5 minutes, 18"x24", compressed charcoal on paper.

Jim by Cara, 5 minutes, 18"x24", compressed charcoal on paper.

Some photos of portrait sketching at the Pillow Project. It was a great time. We used a kitchen timer to time the 5 minute drawings. It was surprisingly easy to find willing subjects and especially fun to draw in tandem and compare results.

New Neighborhood Silkscreen Studio!

2009-07-31T06:32:00.001-07:00

There is a new neighborhood silkscreen studio in the Braddock Library and they need your help and donations. You can read more about it here.

I went there last night for an artist talk presented by two members of the Transformazium art collective including a talk by artist Swoon.

Pittsburgh Children's Museum!

2009-07-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today I visited the Pittsburgh Children's Museum for the first time. There were many unexpected delights there including (but not limited to) interactive art displays, a giant display of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood including puppets and props, great typography and wayfinding design and the most beautiful use of hand dryers I have ever seen.

Waiting for the School Bus

2009-07-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Here is a drawing I did for artist, John Megas. This was commissioned art, as part of a mutual trade. You can see the painting he did for me here on his blog.

Here are the words I was given as a point of reference for my drawing: "I wake up at 5:30 every morning to get my son, Theo, ready for kindergarten. I usually let my wife, Beth, sleep because she works longer days than me. I live in Minneapolis where the days are very short and cold in the winter. Theo catches his bus at 6:40 am. Half of the year it is still pitch black at this time. In January, we walk to the bus stop and it's usually dead quiet, and looks like night, the stars and the moon are out. It's often well below zero and snow may be piled waist high next to the sidewalks. No one is out. Sometimes we are so cold, we jump around. Sometimes we look at the sky and talk about how far away and big things are.
Sometimes it's unbearable to be out there so tired and frozen. But it is also beatiful."

Sketches from a Summer Road Trip

2009-07-27T16:23:00.000-07:00

Here are some sketches from a summer road trip. A campsite in Mammoth Cave National Park, a lake in Daniel Boone National Forest, a pool at the YMCA and a motel in Asheville, NC.

Typewriter

2009-06-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

11"x8.5", ink on paper with Photoshop color

Typewriter Font

2009-06-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

This is a scan of the type from the typewriter that used to be in the Downtown Business Branch of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. I first noticed this typewriter's existence while I was walking through the library and heard the familiar but rare clickity clack of an electric typewriter. To my surprise, behind the rows of computers was a small, elderly woman typing away. I waited until she was gone to type my sample alphabet. When I returned a few weeks later, the typewriter was gone.

Experiments with Cut Paper

2009-06-20T20:13:00.000-07:00

A few experiments using cut paper with a focus on repetition and motion. These were created by arranging pieces of paper on my flatbed scanner - three records of three moments in time.

Collaboration - Book Alteration

2009-06-06T05:23:00.000-07:00

A work in progress. I am collaborating with two other illustrators on a triptych of altered books. We will be taking a turn with three books and passing them around until we have each contributed to all three books. My co-collaborators are Steph Neary and Andrew Scott, two great illustrators/artists/designers. I've only just started on my first book but I'm plenty excited about it already - the unpredictable outcome is especially appealing.

West Virginia Penitentiary

2009-05-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

You can see more photos from this trip here: my flickr set
I highly recommend a visit. It is beautiful and creepy and wonderful: visitor info

Collage

2009-05-10T11:25:00.000-07:00

A collage triptych I created this morning. Materials: craft paper, paper patterns, line tape, pencil, colored pencil and cut paper. 5"x12"

David Sedaris Poster

2009-05-10T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here is my two color silkscreen print of the David Sedaris poster. There were some beautiful imperfections that came out in the printing process, unexpected textures and blurred text. 11"x17" on natural white stock.

Illustrations for Goldie

2009-05-09T07:48:00.000-07:00

A few illustrations I did for my little friend Goldie.

Book Cover

2009-04-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

My first book cover illustration! Seen here at St. Mark's Bookshop in NYC.

Magical Glass of Water for Karen

2009-04-15T18:37:00.000-07:00

Magical glass of water for writer Karen Lillis who you should go hear read tomorrow night:

YIV discovers its Inner Beatnik as we continue our FREE monthly poetry & literature series on with a poetry reading that will feature Karen Lillis. Following the reading, other poets, writers & artists are invited to take the Vagabond stage to present their work. Held every Third Thursday in Pittsburgh’s most eclectic coffeehouse & performance venue, the Poetry Caravan is a place for new and emerging writers from all literary disciplines to hone & showcase their writings in front of an appreciative & supportive audience. Interested writers should contact YIV to reserve a time-slot.

Karen Lillis is a writer of poetry and prose currently based in Pittsburgh; she has also lived in Brooklyn, Virginia, Texas, and Paris. Her books include the poetic novels “i, scorpion: foul-belly-crawler of the desert” (Words Like Kudzu Press, 2000), “The Second Elizabeth” (Six Gallery Press, 2009), and the illustrated novella, “Magenta’s Adventures Underground: A Fable for the Police State” (Words Like Kudzu, 2004). Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Arabesques Review, Avatar Review, Long Shot, nthposition, Poets Against the War, Potomac Journal, and others. She has read her work extensively to audiences in New York, across America, and in Paris, and she once went on a cross-country reading tour by Greyhound.

Cost: FREE & BYOB! All Ages.

More info: http://www.yourinnervagabond.com/calendar.php

Mysterious Bike Part

2009-04-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I was in the middle of a bicycle mechanics class at Free Ride, a community bike education shop in Point Breeze. We were learning about how to clean out our hubs and repack our ball bearings. While taking apart my wheel to get to the hub, I found this mysterious part attached to my spokes. No one in the class nor the instructor could identify this part. Do you know what it is?

David Sedaris

2009-03-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

This is a poster design/illustration I created to promote David Sedaris's upcoming visit to Pittsburgh. It is designed to be printed as an 11"x17" with bleed, two color silkscreen on natural paper. I went to A.I.R. this evening to print the background color but a ghost image showed up on my screen so I'll need to go back next week and give it another try. Cheers to the helpful and knowledge staff.

A Trip to Artist Image Resource - The Silkscreen Shop

2009-03-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my first trip to A.I.R. (Artist Image Resource), a great community printmaking studio on the Northside in Pittsburgh. We were able to burn screens and print all in one evening. They have open studio hours on Tuesday and Thursday and prices are very affordable. The shop has a nice feel to it and I got to watch and meet some friendly artists at work including the owner of Boxheart Gallery and artist Kyle Ethan Fischer who will soon be having a solo show there. Pictured here is Stewart W. at work on portrait print edition. Also pictured, a selection of impressive posters line the walls of the work area.

PMS 130U

2009-03-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

Pantone 130
Sad and Alone in Dust Bin
color of solus

Click to see Publicide's blog for background history of this illustration HERE.

Faces from Facebook

2009-03-07T05:40:00.001-08:00

22"x30", pencil, acrylic ink and watercolor pencil on Rives BFK

These portraits were created from photos and text posted by a few of my friends on Facebook, a popular social networking website. I find myself simultaneously repulsed and drawn into Facebook. By logging on, I can see new photos and read updates about my friends’ lives. It’s a good way to stay in touch with friends from far away but sometimes, I get sad when I realize that I am interacting with my friends much more often through this interface then in real life. I rarely call my friends anymore and have come to substitute phone calls with emails and facebook messages. My behavior is in keeping with the shift that is happening in our society that is moving us away from face-to-face contact and towards less direct, electronic communication methods. It scares me and at the same time, I’m a willing participant.

Three of the portraits shown here include a list of text. These lists are from a Facebook fad that was popular recently called “25 Things”. People are invited to list 25 things that their friends might not know about them. When my friends started posting their lists, I was instantly fascinated.

Many questions sprung to mind while reading these lists: Do I know my friends better now? Would I have ever found out about these things without the list? Was Rachel really struck by lightening twice? Can I ask Jennifer about her boob job? And how did my most depressive, pessimistic friend write a list that makes her sound upbeat and adventurous?

The other two pieces here include text posted by my friends about their current status. When you log on to Facebook, it offers you the chance to post your current status by answering the question (Your Name) is ....? Facebook takes this information and offers minute by minute updates about my friends’ status. This creates a strange, ever changing news feed of almost random information. Without any direct contact, I now know who is sick, who is eating a hamburger and who is on their way to the apple store to buy a new laptop.

My hope is that this body of work carries my questions about privacy, intimacy and relevancy into a public forum. The communication change that is happening is inevitable but I feel that it is essential for us to question and dialog about the significance of where we are and where we’re headed.

Art Show This Friday!

2009-03-01T18:28:00.000-08:00

I'll be exhibiting five pieces in this show- portraits on the theme of facebook identities. I'm interested in how we represent ourselves and what information we chose to share (or hide) in our online profiles. There will be art by seven artists as well as music and poetry too.

See you there?

xo,
Cara

Friday, March 6th, 2009
Doors at 7pm
Show at 8pm
$5 suggested donation

Garfield Artworks
4931 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh, PA

What to do when your dental floss cutter breaks:

2009-03-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

For Illustration Friday on the subject of intricate.

Climbing (for Illustration Friday)

2009-01-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

Pork

2008-12-17T18:02:00.000-08:00

Inspired by my fortune cookie...

Typographic Self Portrait

2008-12-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

This is my Holley Portrait as inspired and created for Daniel Eatock's brilliant website which you can find right here. Here are the instructions if you'd like to do one yourself:

Instructions:

Write a short text about yourself (300 words min / 500 words max) include interests, likes, dislikes, future plans etc.

Using black ink make a careful print from your thumb. Enlarged your black and white thumb print to approximately the size of your face.

Using a clean sheet of A3 paper, handwrite your text following the contour lines from your thumb print (you can use tracing paper, or thin copy paper)

Final result: You should have a combination of your own words, in your handwriting, in the pattern of your finger print forming a personal self portrait.

Email your finished portrait to daniel (at) eatock (dot) com

Telephone Calendar

2008-12-07T20:15:00.000-08:00

Here are six months of the desk calendar I designed on the theme of the telephone. This project was inspired by an assignment I gave my 2-D design students to create a calendar based on the elements and principals of design (line, shape, color, balance, repetition, etc.)

Braddock

2008-11-30T18:06:00.000-08:00

We went to Braddock, PA for the first time this weekend. Our only indoor destination was the library, where we were treated to an in-depth tour of both the Museum of the French And Indian War and the library building itself home to endless beautiful rooms, a decaying tile pool, a bath house converted into a pottery studio and a breathe taking auditorium. Across the street were a couple of works by swoon.

Obama

2008-11-11T18:30:00.000-08:00

8.5x11, pencil on paper.

Miriam Makeba, 76, Singer and Activist, Dies

2008-11-10T04:24:00.000-08:00

A tribute sketch to a woman that changed many lives.

Autumn Sketches

2008-11-09T10:56:00.000-08:00

Four quick sketches, the top three are done from photos I took of children who were tick or treating on Squirrel Hill on Halloween afternoon. Pencil with and without acrylic ink on paper, 8.5x11

Barry McGee & Handmade Arcade

2008-11-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Here are images from two different venues I went to this Saturday. The top three pics are from Barry McGee's hallway in the Life on Mars show at the Carnegie Museum of Art. His hallway was the only part of the exhibit that allowed photography. What I enjoyed so much about his work was that it was light and playful. You can tell he enjoyed making it and wanted it to be fun. The rest of the images are from the Handmade Arcade craft show that took place at the armory in Shadyside. The very best part: seeing some artists from Artists Image Resourse (AIR) an artist collective doing these wonderfully giant silkscreens of the front page of the local paper announcing Obama as president.

ZEE[RANGE] - Wood Street Galleries

2008-10-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

I happened into the Wood Street Galleries for the first time today and was delighted to experience this immersive environment created by New York-based Austrian artist Kurt Hentschlager. The photo here does it no justice. It was a light and sound experience that I found to be unique in that it was simultaneously thrilling and relaxing. I'm definitely going back again soon to spend more time with this piece. I highly recommend a visit.
You can find more info about this exhibit here: http://www.woodstreetgalleries.org/home.html

Ice Cream Zombie

2008-10-15T16:08:00.001-07:00

This is my contribution to http://www.icecreampeople.org/

My ice cream person is a zombie that attacks people eating frozen yogurt.

Ice Cream People is a project organized by Brian Butler. Some info from his website:

The intent of this project to get the Ice Cream Person recognized among the greatest of supernatural beings, (right up there with Bigfoot, Lochness, and UFOs).

Right now I'm collecting artist renditions as evidence. I'm mailing postcards with a cone template printed on it, for fellow advocates to complete and return. The postcards will be archived online at IceCreamPeople.org, and I'm planning the real-life exhibition now.

If you'd like to get involved, e-mail icecreamfriend@gmail.com with your mailing address.

Thanks!
Brian Butler
Ice Cream Person Research Coordinator icecreamfriend@gmail.com

String for Illustration Friday

2008-10-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

A few quick sketches for illustration friday on the topic of string.

sugary

2008-10-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

A sketch about sugar for illustration friday.

Pittsburgh Bus

2008-09-17T02:50:00.001-07:00

After having been caught in a thunderstorm last friday on my bike, I decided to explore the Pittsburgh bus system. I have found it to be quite pleasant. There is bus that gets me downtown in 20 minutes. A nice amount of time to sketch.

shoes

2008-09-13T05:40:00.000-07:00

Contour drawing of shoes. (These are my bike shoes.) Approx. 30 minutes, pencil on paper.

The Warhol Museum

2008-09-13T05:25:00.000-07:00

We went last night to the Warhol Museum to see Robert Forester play songs of the Velvet Underground. The whole night was really sweet starting with a walk to the northside over the Andy Warhol Bridge which leads right to the museum. The museum was open and we got to see four floors of art and history. I even snapped more then a few photographs before I was gently informed of the no photography policy.

Letterpress Business Cards

2008-07-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

I designed some new business cards and sent the files off to Dolce Press, a great letterpress printer in Ithica, NY. These images are from their blog.

Alaska Brown Bear

2008-07-16T08:12:00.000-07:00

pencil on paper

Giant Squid Attacking A Sperm Whale

2008-07-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

Pencil on paper.

I Love New York

2008-07-13T13:41:00.000-07:00

10"x14" Monotype, vinyl stickers and colored pencil on paper.

Bookmaking!

2008-07-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

I went to a great open studio night yesterday at Booklyn. We were focusing on hand folded books done without stitching. I met some wonderful artists, made five little books and started sketching in one on the way home. If you're interested in book making I highly recommend a trip here.

Stencils!

2008-05-30T12:49:00.001-07:00

Street art in Berlin.

Some sketches from Berlin

2008-05-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Pencil Portrait

2008-05-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

18"x24" Pencil portrait I did this Sunday at the Spring Street Studio at a portrait drawing workshop. One of the things I love about drawing there is that it's in the heart of the SoHo shopping area. There's something so redeeming about dodging through the loud tourists and shoppers to sneak into a dark basement to draw. The studio itself has a very dusty, overgrown feeling to it. Very 1970's art hippie. I feel at home there.

Sculptures at the Met

2008-05-05T09:51:00.001-07:00

Went to the Met this Saturday to draw the European sculptures.
Unexpected treat: seeing Gustave Courbet's L’Origine du monde.

Chelsea Sidewalk

2008-05-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Andy

2008-04-17T11:03:00.001-07:00

A ten minute drawing at my office.

Bears

2008-04-16T09:46:00.000-07:00

New Collage

2008-04-12T05:58:00.001-07:00

Some collages I'm working on for an upcoming show at BWAC.

sketches

2008-04-08T11:59:00.001-07:00

Thug on the A Train

2008-04-08T11:58:00.001-07:00

Head zap #2

2008-03-30T11:10:00.001-07:00

10"x7" pencil on paper.

Head zap

2008-03-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

10"x7" Pencil, ink

Lady

2008-03-30T09:27:00.001-07:00

Ink and compressed charcoal on paper. 10"x7"

Pet Peeve for Illustration Friday

2008-03-19T14:06:00.001-07:00

I should have known better.

Print

2008-03-11T14:18:00.001-07:00

Paper lithography and monotype on Reeves BFK.

Subway Sketch

2008-03-07T19:00:00.001-08:00

Uptown on the A train on a Friday night. I had the pleasure of finding myself sitting next to a fellow subway sketcher. His art and illustration are wonderful. Check it out.

Roach Portrait

2008-03-06T09:35:00.001-08:00

Black ink on paper, brown fill in photoshop.

A little worried

2008-03-05T14:08:00.001-08:00

Shaun

2008-03-05T14:03:00.001-08:00

Keyboard Portrait

2008-03-03T06:07:00.001-08:00

A drawing for the newest rough draft of my website. Ink on tracing paper.

Yuta

2008-02-27T06:44:00.001-08:00

Yuta is a landscape architect that I work with. These two images of him are the first of a series of portraits of my coworkers. The portraits will be done from both live modeling and photos. This one is 9"x12", ink and beeswax on paper.

Yuta

2008-02-21T11:08:00.001-08:00