Space 242 : Revenege of Freeky Fright Nights Review

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!

Two gallery openings this week!

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!)

Siegfried Sketches

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!

Heroes and Villains: The Return of Ku*Chi*Ku

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

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!

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!!

Robot Sketch #2

"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

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

Yay!


Next part to premiere in a couple of days.

Ewoks and Ice Cream and Machines to Be Raged Against

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!

Cat Ghosts: Upcoming

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"...

Pet Monster show coming up, along with Artist Talk!

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!

Updates after Space 242

Just a little thing I did before the Space 242 show last night, which was AWESOME!!! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who took the time and the gas to come out and support myself and my lovely artist associates. It was one of the best times ever, and I'm so lucky to have such great friends and family. The show is up for a month, so if you didn't get the chance to come at the opening, let me know and I can give you a private tour!!


Aside from that, working on a cover for the Boston Phoenix's "Silencing Free Speech" issue. The cover will run from Boston to Portland (meaning you can pick one up, Jared!), and I couldn't be more excited. Final sketch done, onto color comps. More updates on that in the next day or two.

I bought 4 more wooden plaques/panels at the Goodwill store with Alex today, and I can't wait to start painting! I'm really digging the whole plaque thing - it feels much less sterile than painting on a square or a rectangle. So yay! Lots of new work coming up for the Paint Pens in Purses show in August.


Thanks for watching my blog, and thanks again to everyone who made it to the gallery and contributed to the creation of the event, especially Ami Bennitt, the gallery director. I've been asked to do my own show sometime next year, and I already know the talented folk I'd like to be apart of it.

And one final Thank You to Veronica and Andy for giving me the opportunity to be in the show with them. As two of my favorite artists and people, I'm honored to be able to show my work with yours, and the motivation you both had for creating work for the show gave me the inspiration and motivation I needed to make 10 paintings in two weeks before the show. Thank you so, so much. <3 style="text-decoration: underline;">

Off I go!

Atomic Hearts and the Electrical Brain

It's finally here!!!! I'm so excited!! It's going to be a fantastic show, filled with awesome, awesome amazing art by some of my best friends, and I hope some of you get a chance to be there!



Click the picture for information about the show and to rsvp!!


Also: I'm currently designing a cover for the Silencing Free Speech edition of the Boston Phoenix! Watch out for it!

The Bubble Demon and the Sponge Alien

Here are the last two monsters I created for the Space 242 show: The Bubble Demon and The Sponge Alien. This completes a series of 6, which you'll be able to check out at the opening next Friday, the 26th.



The show was hung today (HUGE HUGE thanks to Ami and Gavin and crew!), and I have to say I'm at a lossfor how relieved I am. When you've been working at a steady constant for so long, it's hard to take a break. I'm very proud of the work I made, and I'm so impressed with all of the other work. The show is going to be amazing (one of the best yet, if I may be so humble), and it's so wonderful to know I get to show work with three of my most favorite people. (Lindsay, Andy, and Veronica.)

Next on the menu: papercraft toy for Speakerdog, and another gallery in August for Paint Pens in Purses. And, possibly on the horizon, Pop Euphoria II? I'm so excited, and this is shaping up to be a very good summer, full of wonderful opportunities to make and show my art.

The Littlest Ghost Clown

Here is the 4th of 6 smaller paintings I'm doing for the 242 show. Just simple, 3- or 4-color paintings with silly characters.

Couple more little guys

Here are two more characters for my little painting series for Space 242. We have 9 days until we hang the show! Yikes!

Mr. Grin-Grin, Original Bomb Clown

The Rabbler alien

Aside from that, I was accepted to be apart of another gallery show in August for Paint Pens in Purses, an amazing group of female illustrators from around Boston who put on awesome shows around the city. I'm really excited to be working with such talented people and finding other artists with a similar style to mine. Go check out their website here! Paint Pens in Purses

ALSO finished the painting of this piece today. Took me less than 20 hours in all, which is good. I'll post a picture of it at some point. OR MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO TO THE SHOW AND SEE IT! Go ad go!Artwork ©Veronica Hebard 2009.

Also, I got a twitter today. Nothing important on it yet, but here you go:
Bamcat's twitter

BetsyBop the Space Clown

A silly little character I made up for a silkscreen. <3


(Thanks for the help, Veronica!)

Muska

Alien monster number one: Muska



Thanks for looking!

Character sketches!

Sponge Alien

Rabbler Alien

Muska Alien

Littlest Ghost Alien

The Bubble Demon

Here are the sketches for my series of aliens that I'm painting for the show. They I just wanted to do something fun, and I started drawing these on the trainride back from Worcester, when I was freshly inspired by Andy and Veronica's awesome work. :) I wanted to do something for the show that I thought was unique to my style, and making smaller paintings is very relaxing to me. I could make a million of them (and maybe I will). The last one of 6 will be my bomb clown, Mr. Grin-Grin.

They'll be painted in gouache on 6" x 8" panels. ...maybe bigger if I decide to buy more board... I'm so confusing! I can't commit to anything, hahaha.


Less than two weeks until the show, and I have 6 small paintings and 3 big ones to make. If those guys can do it, I can do it too. :)




Also! A special thank you to Alison Cowell who is lovely and bought one of my paintings and a couple of prints from my etsy. She's pretty awesome for someone with only one "L" in their name. <3

Paintings and adventures and thanks!

Herro! My computer is all set, no viruses, and running faster than ever. HUGE relief. Special thanks to Jared for being my tech support and diffusing my computer-not-working rage. <3 style="text-align: center;">(Basil kitty!)

AAAAANNDD one more GIGANTIC Thank You to Andy and Veronica for taking care of me and feeding me pancakes and burritos while I helped them with Space 242 stuff yesterday and today. I'm so impressed with everything they both have made for the show, and in general. I know it's all going to look fantastic! I had a lot of fun staring at all of their interesting toys and playing with their kittykitty and swooning over their beautiful artwork. I didn't even bring my sketchbook! Ugh! It made me very antsy not working on something while they both worked so diligently.

Their work motivated me to come home, buy 4 new boards, make 3 new drawings, and create a painting based off of a previous piece I had made for the show. I'm super pumped to get the rest of my work done! Here's the final line-up:

4 Ku*Chi*Ku paintings, gouache, not digital anymore (from 11" x 14" - 16" x 20")
4 Clown pieces (shown here previously) (from 9" x 12" - 12" x 20"
4 small clown pieces (6" x 6")
and 6 small character/alien pieces (5" x 7"


AND last but not least, a small painting of Rainbow Brite that's going up on my etsy! Give her a nice home! She loves you!