Ravings and Illustrations by Bamcat

Raw Artists : Boston featuring Bamcat!

2012-01-25T10:54:00.004-05:00

Hey guys, fantastic news! I've been asked to participate in Raw Artist's Boston showcase this year! I'm one of a handful of artists picked for the event, and I'm sure it's going to be rad! There will be fashion, makeup, music, and my artwork will be on display throughout the night! It's at The Estate in Boston, which is BEAUTIFUL, so I'm getting really excited!

Click this banner to see my profile page
There's a link to buy discounted tickets here!

A couple of pieces I've been working on for the show, come see them in person!

What is this?

2012-01-12T15:50:00.004-05:00

It's a secret for now!!

Settle Down mini painting

2012-01-11T09:35:00.000-05:00

New mini painting entitled "Settle Down" available in my Etsy shop. Inspired by my new most favoritest song by Kimbra.

My friend Veronica was also inspired by her - you should check out her amazing blog post here! One of the girls in the music video influenced her Frankenstein graphic novel. She's someone you wouldn't want to miss following!

Oh and also the entire background of this painting is covered in glitter. IDGAF.

Puppy painting!

2012-01-10T09:33:00.003-05:00

I was asked by a friend's friend to make a painting of their parents' dog for Christmas. I used to do pet portraits all the time in high school (random, I know), so it was fun to do one after so long. I understand how important animals are as family members are, I've even painted one of my own kitty Gogo! (see : Gogo Fluff Deity)

His name is Beary! :)

Enjoy!

Pig on the Wing sneak peaks!

2012-01-07T09:02:00.000-05:00

Palette disaster aftermath

Just a couple of preview pics of my new painting. 18" x 24" acryla gouache on cradled clayboard. I'm hoping to finish it before the weekend's over so I can start a couple more pieces!

New jewelry pieces up on Etsy!

2012-01-06T17:06:00.004-05:00

Go check some of them out here - the rest to come this weekend!

Pig on the Wing sketch

2011-12-23T11:28:00.002-05:00

Here's the sketch for something that's been floating around in my head for some time. I've been listening to A LOT of Pink Floyd (as in every day for a month, including right this moment). The album "Animals" has been the favorite of our household, and these lines are really special to me:

You know that I care for you
And I know that you care for me, too
So I don't feel alone,
Or the weight of the stone
Now that I've found somewhere safe to bury my bone
And any fool knows a dog needs a home
A shelter from pigs on the wing
-Pink Floyd - Pigs on the Wing Pt. 2

So I wanted to create my own pig with wings, tweaked a bit for my own aesthetic. The eyes will be opal. The wings will be hypercolorful. And I want to make this one BIG! No wimpy little panel for this pretty piggy.

Happy Holidays if I don't post again before Christmas, guys! Take care, and thank you again for checking up on me. :)

Piranha Plant Siren

2011-12-21T09:49:00.000-05:00

A painting I made for our annual Design Dept. Art Swap at Converse! One of my senior designers, Eric Swartz, got to take her home!

Painting © Allison Bamford
Piranha Plants © Nintendo

Prints available soon through My Etsy Shop!

CVLT! ∴ The Ars Moriendi Project! ∴ Bamcat's Scary Sweet Custom Skull

2011-12-15T11:24:00.005-05:00

Casey Desmond's skull from the last installment!

Middlesex Lounge, Cambridge, MA

Oh hey!

So a few posts ago I previewed the life-size resin skull that I painted for the Ars Moriendi Project opening, hosted by CTRL+ALT+DESIGN. I wanted to share some photos of the opening and some photos of my skull! I'm stoked with the way it came out, and I hope you'll love it too!

Tonight! The Hundreds Show at LAP Gallery

2011-12-09T12:39:00.006-05:00

Click for the Facebook event page!

You can see my pieces!! <3 Cick the image to read the write-up in the Weekly Dig!

THE HUNDREDS SHOW
All Art is $100 // $200 // or $300

OPENING RECEPTION: Friday, December 9, 7-10 PM
Show Dates: December 9 - January 14
Gallery Hours: Wed - Fri 4-10 PM, Sat 2-8 PM or by appointment.

Lincoln Arts Project is pleased to announce The Hundreds Show. Featuring over 40 artists in a “everything must go” show. All art falls into of three price points - $100, $200, or $300. A great opportunity to get “cheap” work from some of Boston’s finest established and emerging artists.

FEATURING WORK FROM:

Adam LoRusso

Adam O’Day

Adahn Stewart

Adrienne Ginter

Aimee Belanger

Allison Bamcat

Amanda Fiedler

Bill Dunlap

Bradford Rusick

Brian Butler

Brian Hart

Caleb Neelon

Candace Corbin

Charlie Smith

Chelsea Dirck

Claudia Quigua

Cydney Gottlieb

Danielle Spurge

Dave Ortega

Dave Tolmie

Erica Aubin

Fish McGill

Gabbie Li

Ian Stewart

Jared Friedman

Jess Barnett

Jessica MacMillan

Josh Luke
Julie Weiman

June Levinson

Katie Loesel

Kenji Nakayama

Kevin Bucaccio

Kristina Carroll

Mel Blood

Mike Dacey

Princess Die

Raul Gonzalez
Ross Normandin

Sam Hayes

Scott Chasse

Scott Murry

Sean-Tremayne C. Lunsford

Sirarpi Heghinian Walzer

Steve Rand

LAP Gallery
289 Moody Street, Waltham MA
http://www.facebook.com/Lincol

nArtsProject

DIRECTIONS
Parking in rear of building, and on street.

Accessible by:
Commuter Rail (Stops in Porter Sq & North Station)
Buses
70, 70A (Central Sq/Allston/Brighton)
170 (Back Bay, Dudley Sq)
505, 553, 554, 556, 558 (Downtown Boston)

Phidias Gold : Distillation Show Opening 12/2/11

2011-12-06T09:41:00.000-05:00

show flier

Phidias Gold is a premium apparel brand for artists by artists. Taking after the 9 Greek muses which gave people the necessary inspiration for creating, Phidias Gold follows as the 10th Muse—The Muse of Visual Art. Phidias Gold is here to inspire art in the modern era by showcasing talented artists, and being the brand that creative individuals wear.

wall painting by Wesley Eggebrecht & help (this thing was taller than me)

©Leo Espinosa 2011

©J.R. Goldberg 2011
And then I proceeded to yell "Weenie Water" all night for the rest of forever laughing like a little kid

I see Kenji's bottle!

The place filled up really quickly!

You can check our more of Phidias Gold, as well as their recently launched winter line at http://www.phidiasgold.com

Congrats to Alex Dakoulas and Wesley Eggebrecht on such a successful event!

Woah! Busy week this past week!

2011-12-05T11:54:00.007-05:00

So these things happened this past week :

1. I collected my skull for the Ars Moriendi show by CVLT (opening to night!)
2. I painted said skull, my first 3D piece, and I LOVE how it came out

Just a preview! You'll have to come to the opening tonight or wait patiently to see the rest!

3. A collection of Converse shoes I worked on was featured in InTouch magazine (below!)

That's Gwen Stefani's baby Zuma!!

4. Another collection of Converse kids shoes I worked on was bumped up a season and is now available at Nordstrom for the holiday! Free shipping right now! :)

Available for sale here!

5. Boston's Weekly Dig released an article about me featuring a studio visit from Christina Lacoste. The article dropped online on Friday, you can read it here! (She left in all the embarassing parts even!)

That's my studio! You can see my kitty Gogo in my lap!

6. I attended the Distillation show with Phidias Gold, post about that coming tomorrow. (lots of great pictures!)

7. I celebrated my one year anniversary with Rikard! We went to the Swedish Jul Market in the South End. :) God Jul!
Thanks for looking! Lots of updates coming this week! :)

Bamcat's Upcoming Events!!

2011-11-30T11:28:00.005-05:00

I have plenty of pins to give you if you catch me at one of these events!

Howdy! I just wanted to keep you guys up to date on some of the things I'm working on/looking forward to. IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER EVEN! :D

1. CVLT! ∴ The Ars Moriendi Project! ∴12/5

Event flier, 12/5 8PM - 1AM @ Middlesex Lounge, Cambridge MA

Some work from the last Ars Moriendi segment 11/7, featuring work from several artists including Casey Desmond (artist/singer) and Robert McElaney (artist/event coordinator)

2. Holiday Mass Market craft fair 12/11

So excited for this! This will be my first craft fair ever, and I've been running around like a lunatic and not sleeping and working like a dog to get all of my product perfect and ready for the occasion. I have pins, prints, greeting cards, original art, hand-painted ornaments, handmade mini-stockings (that are just so punk rock) and TONS of jewelry and accessories featuring original designs by me!

I can't wait for you to see them! You can preview some of the selection at my Etsy shop!

3. Worcester Roller Derby presents : CRAFTERSHOCK!!! 12/18

This will be my SECOND craft fair to date! haha! I love Worcester, and I LOVE roller derby, so I'm stoked to combine those two things with the other thing I love : artsty crafty stuff!!

Really looking forward to this, and I'll have a better sense of which products of mine appeal to people the best. All learning experiences are good ones. :)

Other than that, I'm creating a t-shirt graphic for a Boston animal-friendly brand (not telling yet!), working on a tattoo design for a friend, and working tirelessly and endlessly on my Etsy shop to make it wondrous and sparkly shiny. Oh and working at Converse too! ;)

Thanks for looking!

Wright Building in Rockland : Open Studios 11-19-11

2011-11-29T09:45:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I spent some time at the Wright Building in Rockland MA for Open Studios. It was my mum's birthday, so we decided to meet her there (getting lost in the mazes that are hallways there).

I've always had a soft spot for the Rockland studios, as they used to be in the Codman Building back when I was in high school. The Codman building was an old shoe factory, so it was dark, dirty, dingy, winding, and amazing. But artists should probably be somewhere clean, so everyone was shipped to the Wright Building and Codman was turned into condos.

I started attending open figure study sessions at the Codman Building at 15, and it was the best! Drinking chai tea and sitting on the floor of Scotty ???'s beautiful studio, playing with the resident cat, cranking Coheed and Cambria on my discman and feeling like an adult.

I was happy to meet so many new artists at the Open Studios, and I even made some new friends!! Take a look!

Getting lost in the maze!

works © Eija Heward

I love looking into artist's work spaces!

works © Eija Heward

©Meghan Dinsmore Dinsbots 2011

Dinsbots! Meghan Dinsmore runs Dinsbots, painting and printing different series of robots wearing chucks, robots hanging out with birds, robots with mustaches, all the best robots!

Check out her Etsy shop here!

Another incredibly talented artist I met - Heather Beck. She is an amazing metalsmith, and she's also a beekeeper! She sold out of all her home-made honey in only a couple hours!

You can check out her site here!

Thanks for looking! :)

You can find the Fourth Floor Artists Blog site here!

Happy Cyber Monday - Git Some!

2011-11-28T10:28:00.005-05:00

Hey dudes!! I'm offering 25% off at my Etsy shop TODAY ONLY for Cyber Monday!

Too good to pass up! Also I love meticulously packaging up everything all cute, so stock up!

Thanks!! New fall posts coming this week!

Support small businesses this holiday season!

2011-11-23T09:23:00.003-05:00

Put down the DVD and pick up some home-made soaps or a monogrammed quilt made with loving hands from local craft fairs, holiday markets, and online communities like Etsy! :)

Evolving

2011-11-21T13:39:00.006-05:00

New pin sets!

As you might have noticed from my last few posts, I've really been making an effort lately to redesign myself as a business online and shine the best light on myself and my work. I'm looking more into connecting with my audience and working to please them while doing my artwork justice in the process. (Website in progress!)

New Holiday banner on Etsy!

I've been reading up a lot on social marketing and online success, soaking in all the information I can from as many resources I can find. There's so much knowledge online through so many different people - I'd be foolish not to seek help and advice!

Before I re-shot my pieces, colors were off, no detail, no context for my pieces. No sense of scale, lighting, or a feeling of actually "wanting" them.

I've been spending a lot of time on Etsy Success, and the Et sy Seller Handbook reading up on different ways to relate to customers and how to show my pieces in their best light. Getting things ready for the stage, so to speak. This video was a FANTASTIC inspiration for re-shooting my artwork. I'm really happy with the way things came out.

Neon is HARD to photograph, so it's best to show it a few different ways! You can see the lazer engraving SO much better in the new photos!

We bought a new camera as well, which really helped! Nikon Coolpix L105 - I'm in love! <3

Holiday Narwhal painting, Acryla gouache on bristol, 8" x 10"

Anyway, I'm hoping that everyone loves my new photos as much as I do, and I feel better knowing I'm presenting myself and my work in the best light possible. I'm creating new product all the time (every night when I come home, I dive back into a project), and I'm always looking for ways to improve. If you have any links you think I should check out, I'd be happy to do so!

Converse Infant Transportation Pack HO 11

2011-11-18T13:47:00.004-05:00

Hey guys,

I've been working my buns off for my favorite company in the world, Converse, for the last year and a half now. We work REALLY far in advance, so a lot of the things I'm working on won't come out for another year and a half! So it's all secret for now!

But now that these are out, I don't have to keep them a secret anymore!

Know someone this holiday who's pint-sized and car-obsessed? Pick up some NY taxis, some firetrucks, or some old school police cars! I know a couple of little girls who've got a firefighter for a daddy, so I'm excited to pick up some for them!

AVAILABLE FOR SALE THROUGH CONVERSE.COM, CLICK HERE!!

So excited that I was able to work on this project, and I look forward to showing you more projects as they come out. This is just the beginning! Thanks to everyone at Converse who I see every day and to all those who've mentored me through the footwear process thus far. I'm excited to learn more every day. <3

Influential Ladies PT. 2 : Britteny Rose

2011-11-17T16:28:00.006-05:00

2. Britteny Rose

Photo ©Cannibalized Photography 2011

Britteny Rose is an up-and-coming singer from the south shore with a voice like a hellcat and an attitude that switches from sweetest princess to hot rock chick in a split second. She's the front lady of my favorite band, Oilhead, and she's premiering as the new leading lady for cover band Groove Juice, another cool band who found her at a perfect time in her singing career.

Britteny designs her own tops!
And I design her tattoos sometimes! Meow!

Britteny has always had star quality. There are some people you meet in the world who can turn a room toward them without saying anything and make a friend out of anyone. She's fun, enthusiastic, can pound a beer with the best of them and doesn't mind acting a fool as long as everyone's having fun. Not to say she's irresponsible - she's a manager at the Independence Mall Hot Topic and puts a lot of hours into that place. She's definitely made a lot of fans there!

Oilhead Press Kit
Photo ©Cannibalized Photography 2011
Design ©Allison Bamcat 2011

I met Britteny at a weird time in her life : when she had brown hair. (And I had short yellow hair...) We became friends slowly, realizing we were both No Doubt junkies and knew how to bleach roots like a pro. She's been making her own clothes and sewing for years (taking courses at the Mass College of Art in Fashion) and selling her ready-to-wear custom goods online. She also debuts her creations at her shows! She's also dabbled in modeling and being a brand ambassador and works closely with the ever-talented Cannibalized Photography for a lot of her shoots.

Photo ©Cannibalized Photography 2011

As I've watched Britteny grow into the performer she is, I've learned a lot about confidence, coming of age, mistakes, success, and the ever-present need to be famous. I get to live vicariously through her awesome stage performances because I know all the words, and I'm happy to be Oilhead's graphic artist too. I can't wait to see where her talent will take her, and I'm lucky that she's so supportive of my art as well. (She has my drawings as tattoos! haha) Love you lady. <3

Britteny and Bamcat, Warped Tour 2007

Check out more about Britteny Rose and Oilhead at their facebook page!

Influential Ladies PT. 1 : Casey Desmond

2011-11-14T10:44:00.009-05:00

Lately, I've been focusing a lot more on personal branding, fashion, and trends. I'm always IN the fashion industry, and I can't help but be inspired by so many amazingly creative people around me. I'll be posting over the new few days about some of the ladies in my generation who really inspire my work personally and give me something to aspire to.

Sorry boys! You'll get your spotlights soon enough.

1. Casey Desmond

Casey Desmond is a Boston musician with an eye for fashion and everything electric. Her performances are out of this world, and she's truly a talented singer with amazing vocal range and technical ability. She creates a world when she performs, full of props, blacklights, glitter latex and mesmerizing projections. Along with the beautifully unique handcrafted outfits she creates, she's truly irreplaceable and one-of-a-kind in the Boston scene.

©Photo Rich Bettencourt 2011

She made her tv debut this past year on ABC's The Voice, working under coach Adam Levigne of Maroon 5 (so dreamy). And though she sounded AMAZING, I feel like there's just something so much more special about her more intimate stage performances. It's always easier to connect with someone when you're not in a massive theater, I feel. (Though I wish her all the massive theater performances she deserves!)

Hair: Denyse Dipietro
MUA: Vanessa Bennett
© Brit Woollard Photography, all rights reserved.

Casey is really intuitive when it comes to sewing and creating her costumes. She has so many sparkly fabrics in her studio, it'd give Rainbow Brite a seizure. (And enough keyboards to hold a class!) She gave me the opportunity to be a model in her fashion for for OhDeerGod, and it was one of the most fun and empowering experiences I've had. (Thank you!)

And to top it all off, she's an artist too! Jeez! Here's a couple of pieces from the LAP Gallery's recent gallery show, Bostonia Collectives as well as her custom skull from the Ars Moriendi Project opening last week.

Check out Casey's new video for Rocket Lover and be her facebook friend! You won't regret it!

More on Casey at http://caseydesmond.com/

Etsy Showcase

2011-11-08T10:05:00.002-05:00

I'm showcased in the Etsy Illustration section today!

Click the image for a link to the page, and CLICK HERE for my Etsy Shop page! :)

Hope your Tuesday is a good one! I'm loving this beautiful weather, though I'm not loving the 5 'o' clock sunsets! (booooo)

Two new holiday paintings to show you tomorrow!!!

Central Printing : Malden MA

2011-11-04T13:33:00.004-04:00

Recently I've made a few big changes in my branding and the way I market myself. I've changed my logos, my postcards, stickers, products, revamped my online presence and made a point to start taking myself seriously as an independent business. I've done tons of research and created business plans to achieve goals and make sure I'm using the best, most efficient, and price-conscious vendors.

It's not easy or cheap to do this on your own! But I'd pay any price and lose sleep any night to get up those first couple of steps. I've become really complacent in working all day and coming home and working all night. I feel so productive, like I'm accomplishing something.

I've been selling work through my Etsy shop, and I've found that my customers are really gravitating toward my prints more than anything. However, I'd previously gone to Staples or Kinko's, and, like many other chains, they've stopped using small format Inkjet printers to keep cost down. (Not to mention horrible customer service at every Staples on the planet.) So I was on the hunt for someone else.

Shop front, Central Printing

I passed this place every day on my way home from work for the last year, never paying much attention other than staring deep into the gaze of feather-lady as I avoided crazy Malden drivers. It seemed to be easily overlooked. I knew that I needed a printing vendor, and why not gamble on a local company rather than an online corporation?

I checked it out today, and not only was the staff (currently on deck print specialist Eric) very polite, but he was incredibly helpful, genuine, happy to show me options and made me feel like the professional I am. We spoke the same dialogue and he showed me how they can print on plastic and every kind of card/vinyl you can think of. He even said he liked my work and that the colors would truly test the printer's capabilities.

Lo and behold, they came out AMAZING, and I'll absolutely be going back there again for business cards, postcards, banners, and whatever else I might need. The quality is unmatched from what I've seen, and it's such a comfortable environment that I can see myself in there quite often. (Plus the price is right! I paid $80 for 108 prints on 24" x 36" heavyweight matte stock, and they also have an ad for 1000 business cards starting at $99 on NICE stock.)

So thanks Central Printing in Malden! You have a new loyal customer!

Here's a link to their site!

Space 242 : Revenege of Freeky Fright Nights Review

2011-11-02T13:53:00.005-04:00

Me in my silly Halloween costume getting interviewed for the first time ever!
And I sound like a nervous valley girl, haha

My friend Christina Lacoste from the Boston Weekly Dig wrote up a great review of this weekend's event. SO much AMAZING work, it was truly a Halloween feast for the eyes. This is my favorite time of year!

One of my professors from MassArt, Bob Maloney
with his "Cow Simmons" piece

Thanks so much for the mention, you guys!

Click here for the rest of the article!

Loooots of new swag!

2011-11-01T10:19:00.003-04:00

Updated my etsy with TONS of new stuff :
*new paintings
*new HOLIDAY paintings
*new keychains, old keychains
*jewelry

Really stoked that I finally have everything up. Looking forward to Mass Market and getting my table and my crafting on!

Thanks for looking!

Happy Snowy Almost Halloween!

2011-10-30T13:44:00.002-04:00

I bought this little dude at a craft fair a few weeks ago, and, while I commend the valiant attempt to capture the spirit of Halloween in the original, I had to make my own improvements.

BOO!

Two gallery openings this week!

2011-10-25T11:24:00.007-04:00

I'm lucky to have been accepted into two different gallery shows this month, both with MANY of my favorite artists! I'm really excited to see so much new work from so many talented people.

First up :

Lincoln Arts Project & Fish McGill present A Collection of Bostonia Collectives

Lincoln Arts Project, 289 Moody St, Waltham MA

I'll be showing as part of the Paint Pens in Purses Collective, showing off two of my newest paintings : The Demonicorn and These Ghosts They Know Me

I even had a quick minute to contribute to one of my favorite collectives, Brian Butler's Ice Cream People!

Second up :

Revenge of Freeky Fright Nights! Annual Horror Ho-Down
hosted by Space 242 at the Fourth Wall Project

Space 242 was on hiatus until now for the past year, so naturally I was STOKED to see they were holding another opening. And for my favorite holiday : Halloween! I've got one of my spookiest paintings up for the show, and I'm looking forward to the opening reception!

Come out! To both! You'll love it! Can't wait!
(also free beer at both events!)

Some quick mini-paintings.

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Cupcake Kitten, Cosmic Eyeballs, Heartsongs, and Are You Forgetting Me? preview

Looking to showcase these at the Mass Market holiday fair! I found out today that I was accepted. How exciting! It's December 11th at MassArt, you should come out!

Zombie Cupcake follow-up! Holy crap!

2011-10-20T09:21:00.002-04:00

Art ©Me, Tattoo done by Raechel June at Triumphant Tattoo

How rad is this?? Someone would pick my work for a tattoo! She loves it, and I'm really happy for her.

I'm happy she didn't trust me with the tattoo machine!

Zombie cupcake!

2011-10-19T10:14:00.000-04:00

Drawn from a suggestion. Thinking of putting him on a greeting card or as a screenprint! :)

©Allison Bamcat 2011

Social Media Warriors @ MassArt

2011-10-18T22:59:00.004-04:00

Can you find me?

Tonight I attended a seminar at MassArt to address the importance of social media in promotion for creative businesses. This was truly one of the best things I've done for myself as an artist, and I wish I'd taken more opportunities to learn about this sooner! I feel like I have a better understanding about what will showcase my art in the light I want and what's just yelling, "Look at me! I sell art!"

Thank you so much to Kaitlin Maud of Rain or Shine Media, Danielle Spurge of Merriweather Council, and Cassidy Quinn Brettler of Boloco. And a special thanks to the Boston Chapter of the Graphic Artists Guild for hosting this event!

Overall, I feel much more informed about my wrongs and rights, and I know how to better utilize my talent and my online presence to help my followers find me!

Let's Grow Old and Fat Together : Flux-boston.com

2011-10-17T15:19:00.005-04:00

I didn't realize until now that one of my pieces had made it onto this site! What a nice surprise - thanks Flux!

For a series of clip-out valentines available in the Boston Phoenix this past Valentine's Day, created by lovely ladies Paint Pens in Purses.

The rest of the valentines are located here!

And the Paint Pens in Purses Book release show was also mentioned here!

New painting and header!

2011-10-13T14:29:00.004-04:00

Mr. Cupcake, 16" x 20" acryla gouache on canvas

Close-up

Finished this guy up last night! I'm really digging him! I started this painting a couple of months ago and became frustrated painting on canvas. I'm used to working on super-smooth surfaces with my paints, so it was difficult to use all these fine-tipped 00 brushes on such a toothy surface.

But I fell in love with again this week and vowed to finish it in between work and kickboxing and shipping and printing and working on all my other projects. I'm really happy with it - it was worth it to give it the time it deserved. :)

Also, new header! New products to come! And I'm looking forward to a marketing/branding seminar next week to learn more about my audience and the skills I need to create my own brand. Very excited!

New items in my etsy shop!

2011-10-12T10:53:00.004-04:00

Come check it out! I've got new work, new prints, and tons of new stuff coming! Pin sets, shirts, bags, stickers, keychains, and more! I'll be sure to keep you updated. ;)

Thanks for looking, guys!!

Collectives Show, 10/5 - 10/29

2011-10-03T11:32:00.006-04:00

New piece for this show!! Come out and check out some amazing art this month!

"These Ghosts They Know Me," 11" x 15", acryla gouache on antique wooden panel

So stoked!! I can't wait! It's a costume reception so be sure to dress up as your favorite ghouls and ghosts!

New paintings!

2011-09-26T11:46:00.005-04:00

But you only get to see one right now!

Demonicorn, 13" x 12" acryla gouache on antique panel

For a Collectives show in Boston coming up at the LAP gallery, hosted by the ever-cool Fish McGill.

Also, my friend Tofusquirrel was recognized on Little Chimp Society for her National Portfolio Day poster! I had Fish's NPD poster hanging up in my high school locker for two years - I'm sure her piece will inspire tons of aspiring artists looking to make it into art school. Check it out!

©Elizabeth Siegel 2011

Working on a few things

2011-08-31T13:15:00.004-04:00

Quagaår the Lion Serpent
9" x 9", blue pencil

Hey guys! Just wanted to give you an update on what I've been up to recently :

I've been doing a lot of drawing, sketching, branding, and graphic-making. I'm working with a very good friend of mine on my website (bamcatart.com), so we're in beginning stages on that. I'm so excited to truly have a website!

I'm trying to organize myself better as being a brand. There are a lot of things I'm doing alright with and a lot of things I need to work on. I've been surrounded by so many wonderful professionals lately with positive reinforcement. It's really pushed me to try harder and get the ball rolling on a lot of things.

Things in the works : New paintings, new post cards, a book for sale at conferences/fairs, more gallery shows, my website, merchandise, prints, apparel, and working on creating a vinyl toy!!

I'm excited about so much - can't wait to show you guys!

Busy Busy!!

2011-08-18T22:20:00.003-04:00

Getting so many projects underway!

I recently had my work at the Hourglass Tattoo Shop in a group show with Paint Pens in Purses. We're a group of all-female illustrators, and PPIP was premiering their book! I had so much fun making pieces for that show! (Shown above : new piece for show, "The Gogo Fluff Deity," Acryla Gouache on antique panel, 9" x 12")

My VERY talented friend Corey Norman is going to help me build my portfolio website! I've really been needing one! He and his wife are allowing me to compensate them in paintings of cupcakes. :)

I recently switched teams at work, so I've moved from Kids-exclusive products to all across the board now. I'll be focusing on our in-store customization graphics as well as accounts such as Journey's and Nordstrom. I'll also be working very closely with DC Comics for our collaborations, and I had a great time at their offices in L.A. a couple months ago.

Online shop coming soon! Custom toys available around the holidays! Looking forward to great things!

Failure : Dodgeball

2011-06-21T10:18:00.000-04:00

My friend and fellow artist Karl Stevens recently documented one of our epic dodgeball games in his weekly comic, "Failure." I'm honored to be immortalized in one of his comics!

You can check out Failure in the Boston Phoenix every week, and the Dodgeball episode is available in this week's issue! Pick one up!

And don't forget to check out Karl's brilliant drawings and paintings at www.karlstevensart.com

(Also pictured in this comic : Alex Carlson, Fish McGill, Cheryl Pace, Jamie O'Brien, and some other awesome people!)

Phidias Gold Paper Toy Show

2011-06-20T10:13:00.003-04:00

I was recently invited to make a papercraft toy for my friends Wes and Alex's brand : Phidias Gold. The gallery show was also the launch for PG, and for a launch, I have to say that they did a FANTASTIC job. It's really great to see such professionalism from a start-up company. Totally legit. I'm really glad that I could be apart of this.

www.phidiasgold.com

Boston Phoenix : Rapture Pets comics

2011-05-19T09:17:00.002-04:00

Pick up a copy of the Boston Phoenix today!! I have illustrations in it with cute animals living in the torturous hell that is Earth after the Rapture. SO kawaii!

More about the Rapture at the Boston Phoenix website.

Minnie

2011-05-10T16:55:00.002-04:00

Here's a sketch I did a little while ago. I really like her expression, and her hair pieces!

Cat Deity Painting

2011-05-05T22:55:00.002-04:00

Cat Deity, 4" x 12" Acryla Gouache on antique panel

I've been sick beyond reason, so to stay productive I've been painting.

Bad photo - I'll get a better one soon!

Thanks for following!

Sick Day/Painting Day

2011-05-02T18:43:00.004-04:00

So I pretty much have some form of the plague. This calls for a lot of resting, and painting is very relaxing for me. In fact, I get anxious when I haven't painted something in a while.

So here's one of the paintings I made whilst sick. (I made another, but neon colors don't scan so I'll have to wait for a camera.) It's a Fortune/Lucky Bunny. It just now dawns on me how funny it would be if he was missing a foot. Oh well.

Sketch

Final

Painted in acryla gouache on a small wooden plaque, 4" x 6". I painted a few layers of paint onto the plaque and then sanded down the edges to expose the underlying colors. (Another neon color in there that you can't make out, grr.)

Thanks for following!

Book launch: Siegfried Goes to the Hospital

2011-05-01T04:09:00.005-04:00

I recently launched my first children's book: Siegfried Goes to the Hospital. This is a sequel to the original book, a story of Siegfried the dinosaur having to take his first trip to the hospital to investigate a tummy-ache. Turns out, he'd eaten too much junk food! So let that be a lesson to you. Siegfried had to learn it the hard way. But in doing so, he inspired many children at the UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, MA.

Cookie reading the book

Signing copies of the book with Cookie Nelson, the author

This was such a wonderful experience for me. Regardless of the many personal problems I had throughout the process (I was sleeeping on a couch for a month due to a tumultuous roommate situation), I always remembered that this was an opportunity for sick children who deserved comfort and fun through their imaginations.

It really brings things into perspective when you have to put aside your problems to recognize so many hardships that children go through during hospital visits. These little warriors deserve more recognition that I can give. Thank you, to all the kids who inspired me and to all who showed up at the book launch.

Thank you Siegfried. You became a big outlet for me in my life.

Thank you to everyone involved in this project. This includes all who helped make this happen and made the opening a huge success.

And, most importantly to me, thank you Andy Fish. This book wouldn't have existed without you. Thank you for everything.

Sketches!

2011-05-01T03:49:00.003-04:00

Here are a few sketches I've made in the last few days:

Converse Design Dept. Art Swap

2011-04-19T14:33:00.003-04:00

Girl with Mask, 14" x 17", Acryla Gouache

Back during Christmas time at Converse, our design department decided to do an Art Swap, like a Yankee Swap. I was incredibly sick and couldn't make it, but I spent 10 hours on my piece. It's the first piece of artwork I'd made in my new apartment, so it was hard to part with it. But here it is!

My coworker Jess's boyfriend picked it, and they reframed it for their apartment! I think it looks absolutely beautiful! Thanks for taking care of it, Jess!

Scarecrow

2011-04-01T12:33:00.002-04:00

I drew this about 6 months ago:
A sad scarecrow in a hot air balloon that is being shot down.

Bummer, man

Cat Ghost #74

2011-03-31T12:56:00.003-04:00

A sketch I made yesterday.

I find it easiest to create when I'm channeling some kind of inner feeling.

Carousel Clown Horse

2011-03-02T21:25:00.002-05:00

Drawing I did tonight. I’m off to transfer it to heavyweight bristol to paint it.

I want to do a series! I’m seeing a candy/ice cream horse and a Chinese dragon that has a looong body and two poles! It’s so fun to create elaborate drawings. I feel the patience and concentration my job demands allows me to think through my drawings better and get better results from that.

I've been working hard at Converse, and I've been working on several designs for my friend Britteny's band Oilhead. I'm looking forward to creating their cd booklet for their first album!

Other than that, my children's book is premiering soon! More details on the book launch soon! (It's April 7th at the UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester!)

Return of the Bam

2010-11-07T14:14:00.004-05:00

Hello loved ones! So many things have happened in the last few months, it's legit ridic.

I moved, and I'm moving again at the end of the month to be closer to work. My best friend had a BABY! Hooray! I got hired at Converse Inc. as a kids footwear designer, and I'm STOKED. I love this job! It's all secret now, but I can't wait to show some of the stuff I've been working on. :) Other than that, I've been finishing up my children's book: Siegfried Goes to the Hospital. We're getting down to the wire, and I should be working on that rather than updating my blog...

Other than that, I've been working out details to start my own apparel/accessories brand. The title has had a lot of variations, but I've decided on BAMcatastrophe. I want to play up the cute character/terribly tragic aspect of my work. This will be my big project for the winter + beyond.

Character above is the Blamcat. He's my unofficial icon for BAMcatastrophe.

More news soon! Thanks for hanging in there! ALSO I MADE A NEW HEADER. The duder will be on my new business cards. :)

Return of the Jellofish

2010-07-03T14:52:00.000-04:00

Jellofish & The Legend of the Pirate Rabbits, 18" x 24" Digital

Color study for my "Jellofish & The Legend of the Pirate Rabbits" painting I'm working on. It's going to be 18" x 24" when it's finished, a size I don't work at normally. I've been working on painting larger lately.

Lucky Cat Ghosts, 12" x 24" Acryla Gouache

ALSO ALSO ALSO Please look in this upcoming week's Weekly Dig for an illustration of mine. It should be the big spread in the middle of the magazine.

Ta!

Jellofish + Ghost Bunny Pirates

2010-07-01T22:18:00.004-04:00

Jellofish & The Legend of the Pirate Rabbits, 11" x 14" Pencil

Basically my most brilliant drawing ever. I'm going to turn it into a big painting - still considering whether or not I want it to be lit by daylight or have everything glowing like at the deep depths of the ocean. Opinions?

Aside from that, I have work in the Boston Phoenix this week! 10 illustrations - my largest editorial endeavor so far. Also, if you read the "Failure" comic strip by the incredible Karl Stevens, I totally took the picture of him with the geese in this week's issue. Look at his amazing shit! He has a show coming up this month at the Carroll and Sons gallery in South Boston.

Wilnar, 4" x 5" Ballpoint Pen

Also, another little sketch that I did this week - soon to be another painting. I'm feeling inundated by freelancing and need to keep creating my own pieces to stay sane. It's what keeps me breathing during rough weeks like these.

Siegfried Sketches

2010-06-21T23:10:00.004-04:00

Hey there, long time no post!

I just wanted to show you a couple of concept sketches for a children's book I'm working on for UMass: Worcester entitled "Siegfried Goes to the Hospital." It's about a stegosaurus named Siegfried who eats too much junk food and gets sick! Silly Siegfried. I'm having a lot of fun working on this project, though, so I wanted to share Siegfried with you.

I also had an interview at Converse shoes two weeks ago for their girls/womens footwear line as a designer. Wish me luck! And thanks again to the beautiful Lindsay Small for all her help and support. Speaking of, pick up the newest comic anthology Detour! Her artwork is featured on the cover! Artists include the great Andy Fish, Veronica Hebard, Derek Ring, and others.

In sadder news, a local gallery I frequently show at called Space 242 is on hiatus currently because of a break-in at their building. No artwork was taken, and I'm glad. What a tragedy it is to lose a piece of artwork. TV's and iPods and wallets can be replaced, but not personal artwork. So I understand the need for a break with the gallery, but I'm so sad that the current opening has been cancelled. I had two pieces in, so since you can't see them there, here they are!

Thanks again for looking. New things up on etsy soon? I believe so. :) Look for more updates on Siegfried in the coming weeks!

New Business Card!

2010-05-14T01:26:00.002-04:00

Working on redoing my portfolio and creating some new branding. I lost my other business card design with my old harddrive, so I wanted to have fun and make a newer, more bizarre one.

Enjoy! Lots more news on the horizon!

Heroes and Villains: The Return of KuChiKu

2010-05-07T01:14:00.006-04:00

Ku*Chi*Ku bust

Ku*Chi*Ku VS Giant Vampire Octopus

Howdy. Recently, my favorite gallery, Space 242 has opened up a call to artists for a heroes/villains theme. With this, I've decided to revive my character from last year: Ku*Chi*Ku - Pretty Girl Space Lady. She's adorable and has a giant hammer and wears a space suit. I really wasn't thrilled at how some of my concepts for her came out - I had been very rushed last year when I had to make 4 pieces with her in them, and I'd redo at least 2 of them if I was able to. So I've decided to make some new pieces starring her to improve my portfolio and to fit the gallery theme.

So here are a couple of sketches I've done of her. I'm excited to see how these transform and what will actually end up as a base for a finish. I need to remember: BACKGROUNDS BACKGROUNDS BACKGROUNDS.

Also: Here's the final linework I've created for my last tattoo for the tattoo book. I was going for a Dia De Los Muertos theme - I'm hoping to bring that out in the colors with a lot of reds, warm yellows, light blue, and darker tones.

Thanks for looking!

Skull Tattoo Sleeve Design

2010-04-30T10:53:00.005-04:00

Skull Sleeve, 22" x 30" Acryla Gouache

This is a design I made for Quarto's tattoo book, a book I've so far made 6 designs for. Working on ideas for my 7th now. I'm so exciting! This is one of the largest projects I've ever worked on, and I've had a lot of freedom with the subject matter to create pieces that really represent my style. Thank you so much, Andy, for including me in this project.

This is the largest piece I've created for the book thus far. It's a sleeve design, where the background would wrap all the way around the arm. The actual piece is around 18" x 24", making it a pain to photograph. I spent a looot of time painting this piece, and I truly love how it came out.

The next piece I'm working on is a shoulder piece with a Dia de los Muertos theme. More skulls ahoy!! Updates soon!

ALSO!! Don't forget to swing by Space 242 in South Boston tonight for the Circus Freaks show! 6 - 8 PM at 242 E. Berkeley St, South Boston. I have 3 pieces in the show! Please RSVP at www.space242.com.

Back in Action!

2010-04-28T01:11:00.004-04:00

Hey there, I'm back and in 99% fight mode after my surgery two weeks ago. I'd had surgery done on my left wrist to take care of a problem I've had for a few years. They feel the surgery was a success, and I'm looking forward to full mobility in my wrist soon. :)

I have several pieces in a show coming up this week at Space 242 (242 E. Berkeley St. in South Boston). The first opening is this Friday, April 30th from 6 - 8, and the second opening is next Friday, May 7th, from 6 - 8. I hope to see you there! RSVP here!!

I've also been working on a few more pieces for an upcoming tattoo design book I'm apart of. Here's the linework for a sailor's grave illustration I had done.

ONE LAST THING!!! Tomorrow, Wednesday April 28th at Blick Art Materials, we're celebrating our 100th year anniversary by giving every customer 25% off their entire purchase. I'll be there with bells on (and sweet boots), and we'll be giving out free food, prizes, coupons, balloons, and Starbucks/Chipotle! You should come visit and let me dazzle with your knowledge of art supplies!!

Bamcat Goes to the Hospital

2010-04-10T13:06:00.004-04:00

Hey guys, I won't be able to post anything this week due to my surgery yesterday. It was only wrist surgery - I'm fine and spending lots of time at my mum's house eating her food. Expect updates early next week. I can't wait to tell you what I'm working on!

Also, my cast is huge and makes me look like I have a Megaman gun arm. Pictures to follow.

Have a good week!

What to Wear: copied from Veronica

2010-04-01T16:38:00.002-04:00

My friend and former boss Veronica has a beautiful blog filled with lovely colorful photos and illustrations, and she's been posting doodles of her outfits all week. She's so fancy and her outfits are so stylish, so I decided to show off how chic I truly am.

Allison Bamcat: Fashion Forward

:D Yeah laundry!! :D

Little Bitty Yummy Post

2010-03-31T01:20:00.006-04:00

I made a new header for my blog combining my favorite things to draw: desserts, ice cream cones, cats, skulls, and hearts. Yay! Had fun coloring digitally - I've been doing so many paintings lately, it was nice to not have to clean up anything after, haha.

Also, a couple of little baby graphics I'll sprinkle around my blog layout soon. Enjoy!

Thanks for looking!!

At Least I Did My Best

2010-03-28T08:38:00.000-04:00

At Least I Did My Best, 8" x 11", Marker & Ink

Here's the final tattoo design for an upcoming book I'm going to be in. This was the first design I had created as a test to be included, and I'm so grateful they liked my work enough to let me be apart of this project. I'm greatly honored, and I can't wait to tell you more about this book as the weeks go by!

Big news for me is an upcoming surgery. I've had an ongoing wrist problem for several years now (first spurred by a large woodcarving I did of a Blood Brothers poster). This will be my 3rd corrective surgery, and if this one fails as well, I'll have to live with my injury. So if anyone can send me your good luck and channel your healing powers, I would greatly appreciate it!

Also, my good friend Sarah Zuckerman is doing a Doodle Project where she creates an original doodle each day and sends it out to friends. I'm so impressed by anyone who can have an ongoing daily or even weekly project that they keep up with. It shows great commitment and character. Contact her at artsygurl220@hotmail.com if you have any questions about her project and tell her I sent you so she won't get creeped out.

(The doodle she sent me! I love it!)

Lucky Cat Ghosts Are Where It's At

2010-03-25T08:59:00.000-04:00

Lucky Cat Ghosts, 12" x 24", Acryla Gouache

Fortune Cookie Cat Ghost Tattoo, 12" x 18", Acryla Gouache

This is a double whammy! I have for you another of my tattoo designs for an upcoming book, as well as a piece I finished last fall and have saved for physical viewing - UNTIL NOW!! This larger painting took at least 30 hours to complete, from concept to sketches to finish. I love this piece, and it's one of the rare times I actually included a background. I tend to stray away from backgrounds and only create character designs, so it was fun to create an environment for my characters to live in.

I have an obsession with lucky cats, and I have a small growing collection of them. The represent good fortune, which I could definitely use. And I just love kitties, so it works out. I also have lucky cat tattoo designs floating around in my head for myself as well.... I also have a thing for dessert illustration and am still contemplating a dessert-themed show in the future.

Enjoy!

I Scream Cone

2010-03-23T09:19:00.000-04:00

I Scream Cone, 9" x 12", Acryla Gouache

Here's another piece that I created for a step-by-step tattoo design book I'm apart of, soon to be published by Thunder Bay Press. This was my favorite piece to do! I'm actually seriously considering getting this as a tattoo of my own... I love drawing ice cream, and skulls, and weird creatures with weird faces, so I definitely had a blast coming up with this one.

Attention local Boston artists! I work at Dick Blick Art Supplies over in Fenway, and I'm officially the official curator of the pieces we hang up in the store. I'd encourage anyone with large to larger pieces to get their work hung up in our store! A lot of people in the area come in to check out our artwork, and we can give out your contact information to potentially sell pieces, with no cost to the artists. It's a great way to get exposed, regardless! And your artwork will be in safe hands with me. Let me know if you're interested!

More work to come soon! Thanks for looking.

Tat2 drawrings

2010-03-21T00:11:00.008-04:00

Slaying Samurai, 12" x 17" Acryla Gouache

Hey there, here's a few tattoo illustrations I recently completed for a book coming out by Thunder Bay Press. The book will be published with all of the process work leading up to finish, so it's bound to be an amazing book! One of my most favorite artists/MassArt faculty members Mister Reusch will also have work in the book! I'm so thrilled to get to have work in the same place as his. I'll post a new one every couple of days, along with some other work I've been doing currently.

It's been busy busy lately! The warmer weather inspires me to do more paintings! It's easier to hold a paint brush steady when it's not frozen to your numb, shaking hands. Hooray for winter being over!! I will not miss you, winter.

Also, I approaced MC Frontalot about possibly doing some artwork... He encouraged me to make some fanart and see how it goes. ALSO thrilled as heck about that.

Updates soon!

Recent Sketches

2010-02-25T20:21:00.003-05:00

Lots of new fun things coming up: Another Space 242 call to artists means more new work for me. The theme is all circus performers and sideshow freaks - I'm doing a triplet of stilt-walkers! I've always wanted to learn to walk on stilts. Also a book project I'm working on with some great people. More to come on that.

Thanks for looking! More updates soon.

Robot Sketch #2

2010-01-03T22:48:00.004-05:00

"How I Feel About You Pt. II" Pencil, 11" 14"

Here's the other sketch for my robot paintings, for the upcoming Space 242 "I...YOU...WE ROBOT!" show coming up this month. This is the match to my last drawing - the two are a couple. They represent each halves of the excitement and pain that love brings. I hesitate to post this type of art sometimes because, for me, it's something deeply personal and emotional that I'm not sure most will understand.

I'll post the finished paintings after they're completed.

Business card sketch, Pencil, 12" x 9"

Also, here's a sketch of what could become my new business card front. I figure sometimes it's hard to put a name to a face, so I'm just making it easy for everyone. Also, who wouldn't want to stare at my pretty face all day? DERRR

More updates this coming week with previews for my spring show: Guilty Pleasures with Doug Poole. Go check out his work if you get the chance!

And submissions for the Robot show are due this upcoming Monday, January 11th. I encourage anyone with a love for anything robotic to submit something!

Robot Sketch #1

2009-12-28T22:37:00.003-05:00

One of a two-part series for Space 242's next opening: Robots!

Yay!

Next part to premiere in a couple of days.

Happy Holidays!!!

2009-12-24T15:41:00.002-05:00

Hope you all have a good holiday and eat a lot and drink lots of wine. <3

New updates soon!!!

Ewoks and Ice Cream and Machines to Be Raged Against

2009-12-05T18:40:00.005-05:00

Ewok Sundae, 16" x 20" on archival watercolor board.
Available for purchase through artasylumboston.com.

First off, the lovely Lindsay and Caroline were kind enough to point out my artwork featured in the Art Strikes Back show was featured on the front page of the i09 blog last week! Feel free to check it out here!

Aside from that, my opening for the Post This! Rock Posters of the 90's show at the 242 space premiers this upcoming friday, December 11th. I hope you can make it! There is a PLETHORA of AMAZING work there - totally worth it to go!

Oh! And I got hired at the Whole Foods in Woburn as their Lead Sign Painter/Graphic Artist. I'm really excited about it!

Pearl Jam concert poster

2009-11-08T02:59:00.006-05:00

Pencil + Photoshop, 16.5" x 24"

This is my submission for the Space 242 90's rock posters and beyond project. I'm really hoping to push out another one tomorrow (Marcy Playground), so we'll see how much sleep I really need to function before I get to that. Working digitally strains my eyes greatly, but at least I have a new, beautiful 23" screen to work on.

I love Pearl Jam, and my plan is to one day have a purple '94 Toyota Tercel with a "PRL JAM" vanity plate. It's going to be amazing.

Anyways, I hope it makes it into the show - I love doing events with 242 and the people there. I always have a wonderful time at their openings, and I've met a lot of great people there.

Also: THANK YOU to everyone who came out to the show, and those who had me in their thoughts! It was a great success in my opinion, and there were so many wonderful works there. I was greatly humbled by the caliber of work there. So much talent - AMAZING.

The gallery is open Monday - Friday until about 6 or 7 for the next month, so if you didn't get a chance to catch the opening, you can still take a look. It's definitely worth it.

Group Show Opening tonight!

2009-11-06T12:10:00.006-05:00

Robotsicle, Acryla Gouache 8" x 10" on cradled board

Hello everyone. I was invited by Art Asylum to be apart of their current exhibition: Art Strikes Back, featuring Star Wars artwork from at least 30 artists, including some really well-known people I've been a fan of for years. Here's one of my smaller pieces that's up for sale - you'll have to come to see the rest!

Some of the other artists being featured in this show are Scribe, Sucklord, Spencer Davis, Arvik, and Matt McGuire. I'm stunned by the caliber of work that I've seen, and I absolutely cannot wait.

Opening is TONIGHT, Nov. 6th, from 7 - 9
at the Old Gas Station Gallery at 1301 Boylston St. in Fenway
(call for directions if you need them!)
Free admittance, $3 for a bracelet for drinks
Hosted by the Fourth Wall Project
and Art Asylum

I hope to see you there!!

Here are some examples of some of the artists' work:

Spencer Davis Booty Babes

Scribe (I'm such a big fan)

Matt Maguire (Illustrator of Heavy Metal)

Arkiv

Hope to see some of you awesome people tonight!

Oilhead: Finished design

2009-10-19T22:09:00.005-04:00

Hey guys, I just finished the t-shirt design for my friend Britteny's band Oilhead.

I'm really happy to have gotten to do some apparel design, and I can't wait to see them printed. It was a nice challenge to have to work around the printing process (whites under colors to make sure they pop out on black) and solving some technical issues via Photoshop. Did I mention how AMAZING it is to work on a computer that works?? 600 res files? Pshhh, my computer can handle that. In fact, it can handle several.

I also finished that mural for Blick - if you happen to be in the Fenway area in Boston, you should stop by my store and check it out! It'll only be up for the next week or two, but I'm really pleased with how it came out, especially the mum. (Don't pay any attention to the wayward maple leaf...)

Thanks for looking! More art updates soon.

October is Art Month

2009-10-15T23:44:00.004-04:00

New window mural sketch for Blick for a contest.

This will be approximately 12 feet by 12 feet on the middle glass window at Blick, facing the street.

I also made little cutouts of leaves that I'm going to hang from the ceiling on the sides. I think it's going to look pretty!

It'll be started and finished tomorrow, so come by Fenway and check it out!

Thanks for looking!

Oilhead Tshirt Concept

2009-10-13T00:11:00.004-04:00

Here's a tshirt design I'm working on for my friend's band Oilhead. Their band has really good energy - very upbeat, hip, trendy, with a good edge. All of the members are very level-headed and professional, and I can appreciate the technical background they've all come from.

So here's my first sketch for them, for a one- to two-color shirt print.

Thanks for looking!

Bats!

2009-10-11T08:26:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple of small bat paintings I made in spirit of the season. I used to hate fall (California = always summer), but now I can truly appreciate riding my bike with a bit of wind chill and appreciating all things candycorn and pumpkin beer. Halloween is my favorite holiday.

So here are a couple of bat buddies. Just something easy while I couldn't find my pallet.

Materials used: two 4" circle wooden panels, layered with paint and sanded down, characters painted in acryla gouache and finished with Holbein rub-on comic transfers. I'm planning on putting these two little guys at my next gallery show (stay tuned!!)

Portrait Portrait

2009-10-09T08:23:00.000-04:00

This is my work area at the moment, until I can get another desk.

I work at my computer desk with two screens, the big one for freelance/editing. I can't believe I ever worked without it, before. Ugh.

Also, if you zoom in, that's a recent painting I made. Lots of sad times lately, but I'm working through them. Bean a champ.

I just really liked this picture, and I rarely like looking at myself, so enjoy.

I know you love the flip flops.

Skulltree

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

Sketch for an upcoming painting I'll be making on a wooden shelf sconce-holder thing that I got at an antique shop. This thing is just screaming for a 3D centerpiece, and it's what I'm going to give it.

Planning to create a sculpture of this skull for the shelf part of the piece and paint designs/a narrative on the rest of the panel. I've had this idea in my head for quite a while now, and I'm really excited about it.

Skull = pencil sketch. Panel = unfinished wooden panel + neon yellow stain, hot pink acryla gouache + black acrylic, with a distressed finish.

Thanks for looking!

Back from the Grave

2009-10-06T00:47:00.005-04:00

Hey everybody, I'm back from my leave of absence. Lots of things have been going on, including adjusting to full-time at Blick and learning to bike 50 - 60 miles a week without wanting to die. (I'm getting muscles!)

I've been doing a lot of prepwork for pieces, but I'm still working out the main compositions for a lot of new pieces. I've been collecting old wooden panels for the last 6 months off of ebay, from goodwill, second hand stores, outside sales, antique stores, craft stores, and yard sales. I've been painting and sanding and spray painting and ruining my lungs as much as possible.

I got to do a quick demo at Blick for the Blick acrylic paints - I had 5 colors to work with, and I had a ton of fun. I got to talk to a lot of pre-art school artists, and it was nice to get a first-hand feel for a product I sell. I really like knowing the ins and outs of art supplies - I've got all the information I would ever need to do art-related stuff.

Now I just have to make more art!

More updates over the next couple of days. Thanks for watching!

Better ____ Best

2009-09-13T08:09:00.000-04:00

Part of a small series of 4 6" x 8" paintings I'm working on, focusing on female characters and the phrases "Better Went Best," "Better Meant Best," "Better Said Best," and "Better Knew Best." To come: mopey portrait of myself.

I'm really digging the color scheme in this one, as it's bright like the rest of my work, but more strange colors I wouldn't normally use. I also wanted to experiment with just drawing onto a board and creating the painting from there, as opposed to using transfers to paint sketches I've already created.

Along with that, I wanted to showcase my knowledge of anatomy with exaggerated features. I wanted to show my understanding of light and value with only paint, and I feel really strongly about this piece and my use of text as an element. More to come from this line (including a portrait of Alex Carlson).

Cat Ghosts: Upcoming

2009-09-11T08:06:00.000-04:00

More sketches for a series (or several) that I'm working on. My cats are going to be red, and there will be chocolate chip cookies for the mushroom tops. Also: koi fish ghosts in the background, with lots of bamboo reeds. The finished piece will be 12" x 24" on 2" cradled gesso board.

I can't get enough of Ampersand boards! There are lots to look at on the Blick site, including a lot of odd sizes we don't carry at my store that I'd like to order... mmm, 18" x 36"...

New sketch: Girl and Bird

2009-09-09T08:04:00.000-04:00

A new sketch for a series of character paintings for an upcoming show or two.

I'm truly digging character portraits, and I'm beginning to feel that's where I really shine. I'm thinking these characters need backgrounds - a world to live in, which is something I'm still working on. I'm open to suggestions!

Where do you think Bird Girl and Bird would live?

New art for sale + Phoenix cover!

2009-09-08T00:43:00.002-04:00

Hey there, sorry for the lack of updates. There was moving + weddings to be had, both of which were very enjoyable (especially the wedding).

I have a ton more original artwork up for sale on my etsy. Go check it out!

Along with that, I have a big cover piece out for the Boston Phoenix right now, which can be found in the inside section. Pick one up, and maybe I'll sign it for you.

Aside from that, I've been working on new concepts for new paintings (such as the character above) for a possible upcoming show or two. I'm going on a ghost/character/conceptual/cookie theme. Fewer clowns in this series, but with the same amount of excellence.

I'd also done a little drawing for the bride and groom (my friends Haley and Corey Norman) for the reception, but I didn't get a picture of it - maybe it will resurface on this page one day.

Thanks for looking!

Update!

2009-08-25T00:42:00.005-04:00

Hey there, kidlings. I've been very busy lately! I moved into my new apartment in Jamaica Plain (with lots of help from the Jared) and am now officially set up for living. So expect new work from me! I'm currently working on a painting with cat ghosts and cookies and whatnot. Also, to further exemplify my nerd-dom, I officially have two monitors running side by side, a 15" and a 23" to do my work on. Ooh yeah.

Also! I have a new Pheonix sub-cover (the big story cover on the inside) coming out this Wednesday, so if you're anywhere in the northeastern area, pick up a copy!

Aside from that, I'm revamping my entire portfolio and getting myself in check. Professional time = now.

Bikes Not Bombs Anniversary Party

2009-08-14T15:39:00.003-04:00

Recently I finished an invitation design for Bikes Not Bombs, a local nonprofit dealing in the sales/repair of bikes, as well as teaching classes and developing youth programs for kids. They're a fantastic group, and working with them was wonderful. I'm so happy to have been a part of something so important for their company. This was also a nice exercise for drawing hands, too.

This is their 25th birthday/anniversary as a nonprofit, and tickets are available through Bikes Not Bombs, tickets starting at $50.

Working on redoing my entire physical portfolio as well as taking more steps to get my website up. Also moving into the new house this upcoming week. Working towards figuring out a lot of things right now.

OILHEAD!

2009-08-13T08:00:00.001-04:00

Hey, check out my awesome flier, and then check out my friend Britteny's awesome band OILHEAD at Harper's Ferry next week! They put on a SICK show, and I'm really happy to be helping such a chill band full of talented musicians. Posters available! Email OILHEAD at oilheadband@gmail.com for inquiries about merchandise.

You can check out Oilhead at http://www.myspace.com/oilhead

Look out soon for pictures of the new mural I'm making at Blick on the front windows: SPACE. AND ROBOTS. AND AWESOME. YES. PLANETOID is playing at our Blick Madness Sale! Coming soon to the only Blick near you!

Radiohead - Kid A

2009-08-12T10:59:00.003-04:00

This is my entry for the Beck's Music Inspired Art contest 2009 via Flickr. I chose to redesign Radiohead's Kid A, as it's one of my favorite album of theirs. I had a lot of fun with this one, and I wanted to make it look as bizarre as possible. I feel as though I've been making a LOT of work since school let out, and it'll be easier now to build a strong portfolio with pieces I like instead of having to pick from just a few pieces.

If you'd like to check out some of the other entries, head here!!

Oh, come now father dear and turn this blood to choice.
You know I think these young are spent & have seen their day.
My back bares the scars of work while my sweat has cut the cost.
If my word to God isn't bond then I'll be damned to say.

This can't be so bad
Only I sure did love the way she danced.

-The Prize Fighter Inferno - Accidents

Dear The World,

2009-08-10T02:53:00.005-04:00

Harvey Danger! I got to meet all those cool cats!

(My stuff there in the middle! Next to the lovely Veronica Hebard)

FRIDAY NIGHT, I got to see HARVEY DANGER, for one of their last shows EVER on the east coast. Not only did I have the most fun of my whole life during the set, but I actually cried during the last song. My buddy Mat Malone gave me the opportunity to meet the band after the show. I got to speak to every member of the band after the show and gush over knowing every single guitar/bass/drum entry in every song as well as being able to tell them how their band led me to 9 years of vocal and instrumental training. This ultimately led to my love for physical art, Illustration. I'm so grateful that I got to tell them how much the experience meant to me.

I couldn't feel luckier, and after having my gallery show that night for Paint Pens in Purses, I was floating on cloud 9. I got to be showcased with some fantastic female artists as well as being able to hug the lead singer of my favorite band for the LAST TIME EVER.

Bikes Not Bombs and Pet Monsters!

2009-08-03T19:31:00.005-04:00

Hey there,

I had a busy birthday week! Thanks to everyone who came to visit for my birthday (especially those from out of state) and to everyone who sent me warm wishes. I had a great time, and I love having a birthday in the summertime.

Updates! This Friday night is the opening of my Pet Monsters show at the new Trilogy building in Fenway. It's going to be sweet, and we're being sponsored by Karmaloop, PBR, and a lot of other companies, so this should be pretty swank! I'm really looking forward to being in a show with so many talented ladies. I'll have to put on some lady clothes that evening. If you're interested in attending, please send your rsvp to paintpensinpurses@gmail.com.

I've also been working with Bikes Not Bombs out of Jamaica Plain and helping design invitations for their big 25th Anniversary party. I had no idea how much BNB has contributed to the community along with other nations and the army, sending bikes to those in need of a form of transportation. They rule! And they know how to fix up bikes like no tomorrow, so support your local bike repair shop and youth program here.

Thanks for looking! More updates and new paintings soon!

Happy Birthday to me. :)

2009-07-29T02:13:00.003-04:00

Time to go do Big People stuff!

First tattoo today.

2009-07-27T22:46:00.005-04:00

(Top of my left forearm)

Today I got my first tattoo. I waited 3 years to get this specific tattoo, as rabbits have deep symbolism in my life.

My design, colored by the AMAZING Ben Pease at Pino Bros. Ink in Cambridge. I wouldn't go anywhere else. They treated me very well, especially for a first timer, and I found out Ben graduated from the illustration department at Mass Art. Here's an example of one of his paintings. Go check out his work!

Kid A cover and presents from Veronica!!

2009-07-25T22:46:00.005-04:00

I'm working on a reinterpretation of Radiohead's Kid A album through a request for art by Beck's (the beer, not the musician) Music Inspired Art 2009. 100 albums were chosen from Pitchfork's Top Albums of the Decade, and most were already gone by the time I saw the list. But Kid A was still available! That's one of my favorite albums by them.

The album reminds me of being a teenager, walking home in the snow, developing photos in the darkroom at my high school. It reminds me of lonely. Of okay with lonely.

On a lighter note, Veronica made me presents!

(artwork ©Veronica Hebard 2009)

They're so lovely. When I was in kindergarten, the called me "Allison Wonderland," which, looking back, wasn't so bad of a nickname. Thanks Veronica! You're so supa talented and sweet!

Pet Monster show coming up, along with Artist Talk!

2009-07-24T00:23:00.003-04:00

Helloooooo!!!

Two nights ago was our Artist Talk at Space 242, featuring Andy Fish, Veronica Hebard, Lindsay Small, and myself. Using the same picture that Lindsay used, this illustrates all of us talking about our art/grievances about the Boston art scene and opinions on digital art VS. physical art. There was a great turnout! And I got to chat it up with my buddy Tak Toyoshima, art director of the Weekly Dig and comic illustrator of Secret Asian Man.

Aside from that, I have this show coming up! It's super RSVP only, so email paintpensinpurses@gmail.com with your full name if you'd like to attend that night. It's only up for one night, so it's gonna be special! Also, I live about a block away from there, so drinks afterwards if you like! ;) (I'll be all birthdayed up by then.)

Aside from that, I'll be doing some work for Bikes Not Bombs, a non-profit over in the Jamaica Plain who fix up bikes, refurbish bikes, sell bikes and parts, and teach inner city kids and others how to ride and maintain bikes. They helped fix up my lovely little pickle Alex Carlson's bike, and the fact that it's all run by bike enthusiasts makes me excited.

I'll also be purchasing a new bike soon - old Behemoth is too heavy for my crappy wrist. So long, my beloved.

Other quick announcements!!!
-Lindsay Small is giving away art for free on her BLOG!
-I've updated my FLICKR!
-Original art works by me still for sale in a past POST!

Phoenix Cover and Other Lovely Things

2009-07-20T13:14:00.005-04:00

Hey guys, I haven't been around for a bit. I was visiting the wonderful Jared Flynn up in Maine. I had the best time ever!!! <3 He's fantastic. :)

This past week, I was on the cover of the Boston, Providence, and Portland Phoenix. I've gotten a lot of comments about my work, and I'm really happy to have gotten the chance to do another cover. It's a little more racy than the rest of my portfolio, but that's cool with me! It gets people talking. ;)

Tomorrow night is also the Artist's Talk for the Space 242 show. Andy Fish, Veronica Hebard, Lindsay Small and I will be talking about our processes for our art and answering questions. Visit www.space242.com for more details and to RSVP! Hope to see you there!

Aside from that, I'm getting ready for my Pet Monsters Show at 1301 Boylston Street on August 7th. I have to make a bunch of paintings asap! Yikes! But it's going to rock! I'm really looking forward to it. I'm planning on putting this piece in:

I also still have paintings available for sale in my last post here. I'm
also available for custom work as well!
(Those kitty paintings went quick!)

All Art For Sale!!!

2009-07-12T02:58:00.012-04:00

Hey guys, the auction system seemed kind of confusing, so I'm just going to post everything up here with a price.

Leave a comment in the comments section telling me which piece you'd like! All pieces are marked as is OR BEST OFFER.

Methods of payment accepted:
-Paypal
-check

Thank you so much!!!

1. Peculiar, 5" x 5", marker $10

2. Basil, 5" x 7", gouache SOLD

3. Mushrooms, 4" x 5", gouache $10

4. Eyeball Disco, 4" x 5", gouache $10

5. Worried Chocolate is Worried, 5" x 7", goauche $15

6. When Kitties Fly, 6" x 8", gouache SOLD

6. Dessert Pair, 4" x 4" each, gouache on mounted panels, $30

7. Nightmare, 11" x 14", acrylic $50

8. The Original Teacup Clown, 16" x 20", $100

9. Octoclown, 11" x 14", goauche, $200

For any questions or inquiries, you can leave a comment below or email me at allison.bamcat@gmail.com

Thanks!

First piece up for auction!

2009-07-10T00:05:00.006-04:00

Here's my first original painting up for auction! Ice Cream Blobs, starting at $3.

From here, you can either bid starting at $3, or increase your price as bids get higher. If someone has already bid $3, you must bid higher than that. And so on and so forth. You can leave your bid via my comments section (click "Post a Comment") or email me your bid and I'll add it to the list.

Thank you SO MUCH in advance!!!

THIS BID WILL END AT 12:00 AM ON 7/12/09. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

EDIT: ALL OTHER WORK WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE OBO AS OF TOMORROW!! Thank you!! :D

Blog auction starting TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT!!!

2009-07-09T12:00:00.002-04:00

(A piece of original art up for sale)

Hello everyone! In an effort to ease financial stress regarding a surgery I need, I'll be listing art for sale on this blog for the entire month of July!!!

The way that this will work is:

ALL PIECES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ONCE! Each price is marked or best offer. Thanks!!!

Some of the pieces available for sale!

Here is the creative mess I've been living in! I've made 7 new paintings for this auction so far, and I have several more on the way. At the end of the month, higher-priced items will be up for bid, including three large scale pieces never posted on this blog.

I'm officially off of my health care now that I've graduated, and I need surgery on my left wrist more than ever. I'm hoping to ease the financial strain on my family and the physical strain on myself through this auction. I'm also available for requests and commissioned work.

I'm truly looking forward to this! It's gonna be fun!

Art Pick 5

2009-07-08T08:00:00.001-04:00

(example of a Bamcat original!)

Here's your chance to get your own Bamcat original before they start costing millions of dollars! Here are the rules:

Whatcha get is whatcha get.
What I create will be special just for you.
It’ll be done by the end of this year (2009).
I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world, not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful.
In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
Send me your mailing address after I contact you.

All you have to do is leave a comment stating, "Pick me!" and the first 5 commentors will get a free original piece of artwork. BUT you MUST post this in your blog as well and commit to the rules to be eligible for your free art.

Yay for free paintings! <3>

Also, don't miss my auction post starting 7/09/09. I'm raising money for surgical expenses to have an inflamation removed from my wrist. My health care = nothing right now, so any contribution or request for paintings are truly helpful for me right now. So look out for the auction post tomorrow! It's for a great cause! Keep Allison creative!

(Look at this poor, unfortunate creature!)

Ice Cream People!

2009-07-04T19:00:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July!

This cool kid named Brian Butler featured me on his Ice Cream People blog! Go check it out here! Ice cream + clowns is where it's at. This is the piece that I made for his series of Ice Cream People postcards. You can check out the rest on his blog:

www.icecreampeople.org

Ice cream is people too. <3

Speakerdog: Series 6

2009-07-03T19:00:00.000-04:00

So about a month ago, I spotted a request for artists to join Ben the Illustrator's new series of papercraft toys: Speakerdogs. I absolutely LOVE papercraft toys (see: the Papercraft Paradise blog), so I jumped at the opportunity to learn to make my own and have them printed. They accepted my submission and gave me almost two months to create my own Speakerdog papercraft toy.

I've taken this as a great opportunity to do something fun and simple, but with a little extra, because papercraft toys are great to look at, but more fun to build.

So look out for updates on my new toy! The series is set to premier July 31st - check out the other series at their site until then, featuring past artists such as Shin Tanaka, Fubear, Project Detonate and Ben the Illustrator himself. www.speakerdog.com

Sketch: I Love You Less

2009-07-02T19:00:00.000-04:00

A sketch I made recently. I wasn't feeling sad or anything - I just wanted to illustrate a feeling in a moment.

Blue pencil + mechanical pencil + photoshop.