Vent art

Venting.



http://leopardwolf.deviantart.com/art/At-the-end-of-my-rope-389812091

The State Of Things

There hasn’t been much nice to say, which is why I haven’t said anything at all. I haven’t had the heart to reply to much, and for that I’m sorry. I do read, and I do care. Just when my mental state goes where it is right now, it’s best I remain silent and watch.

I’m so sadly disappointed in my art and creative abilities at this point, that the more I think about it, the more I am considering selling off all of my art supplies… all the gemstones and beads and findings I have collected over the years, all the clay and sculpting mediums, all of my fur/hide/bone materials, fabrics, everything.

Just to try and get the money we need, now more than ever. All the majority of it is doing is sitting in supply bins waiting to be used, but due to lack of interest it keeps waiting and collecting dust. I just keep looking at it all thinking of how bad we need the money, and knowing most of it would easily sell and bring in a nice chunk of cash.


When we moved to Minnesota, there were numerous job opportunities. Sadly the employers we came here for keep putting hire freezes in place and laying people off, so the higher paying jobs we need and have the skills for are not available.

You simply cannot survive on minimum wage anymore, with the way cost of living has skyrocketed over the years. Our current situation is proof of that. As soon as we got laid off our Mayo contract jobs, everything went downhill again.

If things do not improve within the next few months, we won’t be staying in Minnesota.  I hate to say that because we have met so many wonderful people, been exposed to so many amazing opportunities and local communities and groups, have access to beautiful wilderness and to so many things we love.


But as for a means to support ourselves and be able to pay our bills, there is nothing left for us here. We’ll probably have to move back to the East coast and stay with family.

Cooking humor

I'm beginning to think our smoke detectors just don't like our cooking. We were broiling steaks, and there wasn't any visible smoke, yet they still went off angrily declaring "Fire, fire!"

Interact and Share

If you'd like to help me, or any artist for that matter, one of the easiest and best ways to help, is to interact with me and share my work on your pages. Comment on the art, +fav / like, and share it on your own journals, feeds, etc. The more people who see it, and the further it goes, the better. All it takes on your part is a few minutes of your time and clicks of buttons.

Struggling

Been busy with work, and in my free time working on art. Encouraged with progress and ideas for the new art techniques. Afraid it probably won't make a difference quick enough. Running out of time to find alternate means to pay everything I need to pay by the end of this month. Need to come up with about $2,000 to pay for my phone, car insurance and yearly renewal ( also need to bring it in for service, past due but haven't had extra money for it ), utilities, and rent is due again, and we still need to catch up being short from last time. Ember is also due to go to the vet ( the cats are too but it can wait a little longer ) and I need to buy a new mobility harness for her to work in. I'm working to the point of making myself repeatedly sick again, and have nothing to show for it. Just more struggling. Keep hoping we'll catch a break that will last, but I have been hoping that for many years now and it still hasn't happened.

Art Challenge

I am trying to step outside of my comfort zone and experiment with new art and learning new techniques. I need to improve on certain skills. I want to be able to better translate anatomy to my work, and draw better what I see in my mind's eye when I imagine wonderful things. More dynamic poses and capture of physical interaction.  I want to learn better digital art techniques and approaches for painting and different coloring and texture styles.

Any recommendations for reading or good tutorials is welcome, or if any fellow artists might be inclined to let me watch them work or let me pick their brains one on one, especially in reference to better using the graphics programs I have, that would be very kind.  Streaming art seems to have become very popular, and is something else I am very interested in.

I also need examples of work for commission references and such.

It means a lot of practicing and drawing, and that's where I need some help.

I have a wild and vivid imagination, but I'd love to hear from other people, what you might like to see me try and draw.

It would help greatly to have people respond with a comment for something random for art inspiration. You can also email me at leopardwolf@gmail.com with the info, if you'd rather. Just put "Art Challenge" or something else obvious as the subject.

Just a short description - "A dinosaur drinking tea", "A mountain climbing critter", "X Y Z eating ice cream at the park", or something similar.

I am even inclined to welcome you to link references to your avatars / characters, and a theme or scene you might like to see them in.

At this time I would rather focus on living creatures and organic things, real or imagined.

I plan to try everything from icon size, up through things that may later develop into art depicting characters and scenery in full detail.  It may be traditional art, it may be digital art, or it may be both.

I make no promises to draw everything that is suggested. I make no promises to offer any estimation in completing such things. I may mix and match suggestions, depending on how they inspire me. I may take a suggestion and run wild and elaborately with it, or I may not.

This will be random creative process in between other art projects and commissions.

If you like the things I come up with, and wish to help by supporting my artistic efforts, tips / donations are always greatly appreciated and can be accepted via PayPal ( leopardwolf@gmail.com ). It helps me pay bills and afford my art supplies so I can keep making neat things.

Off I go to draw!

A fall

Supposed to be keeping track of how often this happens. Fell down the stairs last night. Slid down them, actually. My ankle rolled as I was heading downstairs and I lost my balance and down I went. I was flat to my back, so it was more like being on a bumpy slide. I somehow managed to catch myself, by grabbing the railing I think. Mike and Ember were already downstairs and immediately came rushing in when they heard the crashing thud. I was all sore and swollen, iced it all. The swelling has gone down and been replaced by bruising, but I am still stiff and sore all over, especially in shoulders and entire back, and my right hand is pretty banged up. Seem okay otherwise. Thankful thus far I have been able to get up and walk away from it when it happens.

Vent

Fur bristled for many different reasons. Tasted so much blood for biting my tongue for so long, to keep quiet and hold my peace. Tired of being used and seeing my dreams suffer and fall short because of the selfishness of others.

Corvus Caelestis - Celestial Corvids

 This was quite a challenge.

I had to recreate it several times on account of Murphy's Law causing things to go wrong and ruin the foundation as I experimented to try and get it just right.

This piece was a commission for my friend Candee, who asked for a nature-spiritual reflective piece. She wanted something with a pentacle, but something that blended so the average person might not notice it, in the form of woven vines or something similar.  She asked that I include black birds, which have always been good luck for her.

Thus the piece came together in the form of a tree of life with woven branches to form the pentacle, a small scrying mirror to make the moon, then corvids and celestial heavens incorporated into the imagery, with Labradorite stone inlay and glow to finish it all off and make it whole.

 

Viewed in normal lighting, daylight.

Detail of the larger corvid and it's Labradorite eye.

 Detail of the smaller corvid with a good look at it's Labradorite eyes and spirit stone inlay.

Another angle of the smaller corvid.

 Behold, it GLOWS!

Mixed media on wood base with natural bark edges. Measures about 14in x 9in.

Currently accepting commissions.

This and more of my artwork can be seen at my DeviantArt gallery: http://leopardwolf.deviantart.com

 

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Metaphysical Properties And Symbology

Raven and Crow

Raven and Crow both have strong medicine as spirit guides and totems. Walking between the worlds, gatekeepers between physical and spiritual realms. Seekers of ancient lore, guides on the path. They are normally black with iridescent hues of blue and purple shining on them, depending on the light. Their color is symbolic of creation, of the void or what has yet to take form.

Ravens and Crows are known as keepers of secrets and teachers of mysticism in many cultures, and viewed as symbols of good luck by some.  They teach us about life mysteries and magick. They aid in meditation and communicating with worlds beyond, offering heightened awareness and greater understanding of our consciousness. They carry the power for deep inner transformation.

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Labradorite

I used Labradorite inlays for the eyes, and one has a Labradorite spirit stone set in its back. Labradorite is highly mystical and spiritual, a stone of transformation and change. Labradorite has a calming and harmonizing effect. It purges negativity, bringing well being. It also has pain relieving properties. Labradorite is said to provide quick relief from anxiety, hopelessness and depression, replacing them with enthusiasm, self-confidence and inspiration. It is said to dispel negativity and to bring clear understanding by enhancing clarity of thought. Labradorite is also said to give perseverance, strength and enhanced intuition during times of conflict and change.

Labradorite heightens intuition and enhances psychic abilities, making it great for working with the Third Eye Chakra. Intuition and intellect are balanced by Labradorite. Illusions are dispelled and true intentions are seen more easily with its use. Labradorite is also very protective against negative energies, balancing, strengthening and protecting the aura and sealing it from energy leaks. Labradorite enhances strength of will and feelings of inner worth. It is useful for bringing up and healing old memories, including past life issues. Labradorite can aid in communicating with our highest self and with the creator.

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Space / Astral / Celestial / Glow

Finally, I chose to blend in the mysterious void of space, reflective of the corvids and their coloring, and of the concept of creation being birthed among the stars. The swirling of the nebula seemingly unending.

The glow represents pure spiritual essence within, like a quiet river running deep with the flow of the universe into the astral realms beyond.

Art incoming

Technical difficulties prevented me from uploading and posting art yesterday, so I am doing so today. Will have it posted and share shortly!

Gnostic Reflection

The spirit world is all around us, within us. It exists just beyond the physical realm, through the veil. Ever present, yet unseen by most. Some have the ability to look beyond the surface.


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This is one of the big traditional media pieces I was working on.


A commission for my friend Kyle, of his wolf self wandering the southern swamps and marshes.


This is the detailed line art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is a lot of different meaning and symbology in this piece. I tried my best to make it a blend of physical and spiritual essence that exists in everything, and to express the subtle shift between these things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then I took it a step further. I made it GLOW!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It can also be viewed in my galleries at DA and FA.

To art or not to art?

I am a sucker for torture. Sitting here considering working on more art, but the last piece took a toll on me and my body is a bit angry. I have a digital piece I have been working on that I really need to finish already. Just haven't been satisfied with some parts of it.  I also really need to redo my commission info and work on my website. But that involves coding, and thinking.

I really need to do some reading and catching up on posts and comments too. But that also involves thinking. I need spicy brains to fuel me.  Please send help!

Take that, ML

*Finally* finished with both of those huge traditional commissions I have been working on. Had to redo both more than once because of Murphy's Law ruining things.  Waiting for everything to dry and set. One is already uploaded to DA and FA. Waiting for tomorrow to get some decent pictures of the other.

Crunch

I'm still alive. Been busy working on art and commissions, finishing what I had in my que. We are in desperate need of the money. Missing work because of my back injury left us about $300 short for rent which is due tomorrow, so that's a huge stress because we want to stay on good terms with the property management after all the past drama we dealt with and having a feeling they are trying to screw with us again. Currently accepting commissions for art and anything else.