Char Reed Illustration – Helping animals in the gulf
Char Reed is offering the beautiful artwork above as prints and greeting cards, with 100% of the earnings being donated to these two very worthy charities:
The International Bird Rescue Research Center
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies
It’s a beautiful artwork and a generous offer of help to where it’s most needed right now.
Please visit Char Reed’s Blog to read more about it, and help spread the word.
June 19, 2010 2 Comments
A Sneak Peak
I’m finding these days that instead of just being able to upload recently finished artworks to show what I’ve been up to, I have to actually write about what I’ve been up to. It’s very different.
As some of you probably already know, my current project is a large one. I’m illustrating a complete oracle deck of about 50 cards, which means about 50 seperate illustrations.
It’s a BIG job.
And while I’ve worked my way through a fair chunk of the work, I’m not yet able to share what I’ve been doing – I can’t only release the images after publication. So it’s going to be a while still.
The good news with a project this size (aside from the obvious benefit of stable work) is that I can really immerse myself in it. I’m noticing I’m learning a lot rather quickly, and have REALLY learnt a lot about speed and efficiency while working.
And I CAN show you some sketches and half finished paintings that didn’t make it!
June 17, 2010 Comments Off
Comfort! Yes! Yes comfort!
My cat has no issues with comfort
This might seem ridiculous. This might seem blatantly obvious.
But!
I’ve come to the realization that I should never under estimate the importance of comfort on my ability to actually get work done.
I mean, aside from the obvious issues of good ergonomics, I found I tended to overlook simple comfort.
And, often, overlooked good ergonomics too. But shhh! That’s all in the past!
But here’s the thing – when I’m uncomfortable, I’m distracted. But when I’m not distracted, I work better.
June 14, 2010 2 Comments
Strength in numbers
We all know about the importance of being part of an art community for support as an artist, and the importance of customer/client support to keep us going.
That said, some of the best support I’ve gotten didn’t come from other artists or even my clients.
Some of the best support I’ve gotten came from small business owners who know what it’s like to do it tough, and generously offered me a helping hand.
[Read more →]
June 12, 2010 Comments Off
Resolving my issues with motivation
I’m a little OCD. Ok, a lot.
I analyse everything with the (possibly slightly unhealthy) belief I can apply a system to it, tidy it up, organize it, control it.
And then maybe blog about it a little…
The good news this time, dear reader?
I believe I have finally figured out what, for me at least, causes a major motivation crisis.
Aha!
And, maybe, just maybe, forewarned is forearmed. And I can avoid pounding the desk with my forehead.
It’s all about motivational equilibrium!
June 10, 2010 Comments Off
Stretching the freelancing dollar (or, being a stingy bastard to survive)
Image by jpre86
Money as a freelancer is often, shall we say…sporadic.
One day week working on a job, raking in $1000, the next you’re twiddling your thumbs and wondering if the electricity company would accept payment in stale breadsticks swiped from that Italian restaurant a month ago…and if so, what the hell are you going to eat?
We’re all trying to save money, but the freelance lifestyle makes it especially vital for freelancers to learn how to bargain shop.
So how do you do it?
June 7, 2010 1 Comment
Another time lapse video
Still learning to use time lapse software!
This time I’m painting a dog in photoshop. I’m unable to show the full image (or the finished image) just yet, but you can see bits of what I’m doing here, and the finished image should be available for release reasonably soon.
May 21, 2010 1 Comment
