Featured Artist Page on ArtsyShark

Here's the FAP on ArtsyShark you've all been waiting for! Enjoy.

Winter Mass Group Show @ OW Gallery

I will be exhibiting two new paintings at the Orchard Windows Gallery's Winter Massive Group Show that's being held from December 2011 through January 2012. Come see me and all the artists during opening night, chat and purchase from local artists.

Animation Updates

This month's theme was condoms on Loopdeloop.org for AIDS awareness. We recently submitted so check it out and vote! Be sure to check out previous animated loops we created on the site. Enjoy!

Old Dreams

I had a dream about two wolves or coyotes a few months back before the summer. They were sick or starving. I remember in the dream that the news said not to let them in or to feed them. It was like waiting for a storm. I looked out my mother's window. I saw them going through the garbage. I remember them seeing me and feeling so bad for them. That all they needed was love, food, and kindness. I said to them as I petted them, (feeling stupid afterward that I did since they could have pests or diseases I could catch) "I am so sorry... I wish I had food for you but we have nothing and I would gladly give it if it were mine to give." I was worried my mom would scream at me for feeding them since they were wild. She was already freaking out that I was petting them thinking I was dead at that point. They spoke to me in my mind, "Because you're open and pure we will pass over your house. Now close the door and bar your windows. You will hear things. Don't get involved." We did as we were told. They entered a neighbor's home through the windows. We heard screams, howls and growls. We heard flesh being torn and everything being eaten up. We tried to cover our ears but it didn't help. I heard heart beats...thumping...drums. I couldn't banish the noise. It went on what felt like forever. Then it was over.

Samhain Recipes

My name was Eve (Lilith) By Mani C. Price

I am powerful 

I answer to no one 

My blood boils and my womb quickens 

My thighs grow hot and my lips wet 

You enter me and you know what home is 

I am in your thoughts and make you burn in your dreams 

To know me is to know ecstasy 

I am a goddess 

Perfectly flawed with no care

You never had it so good 

So you call me names…

a demon 

a harlot 

Whore…but I am your whore 

Who cares about anything but now ?

My loves are many like the stars 

I am endless 

I am eternal 

you cannot escape me 

I was the first and I will be the last

This is my blessing … and my curse to you

Spirits within, when the stars are right...Decemberween most unexpected

Hello. I know it's been awhile. I owe you an update. Well since we are experiencing a snow storm during this Halloween / Fall season early, it seemed a good time as any to sit down and get to business. I am recovering from an illness so I am fairly weak but gaining strength ... and feeling a bit restless. As a magic practitioner and artist I am a little disappointed my illness has made it impossible to clean, participate, work and create during this wonderful cosmic season. 

I recently went to Sleepy Hollow (like I do every year) and apple picking with friends. This time it felt very different. Very solemn and awe inspiring like a pilgrimage. After the site seeing we sat for a picnic near the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Creek with our haul. We paid our respects and took some water from the Creek and bid the site farewell.

This is called a woolly bear. It's a tiger moth larva. You can tell it's going to be a tough winter this year by the color bands. It's amazing my friend Katelan had a sweater the same color when she found it!

I wonder if it's because the veils are thinning, just the season for this kind of thing, my mind playing tricks, or me being sick but strange things have been happening this month. Maybe just more open to it or aware. Dreams are coming in every other day. They feel very shamanic in quality. I've never worked with or dreamt with native american spirits. Maybe it's because of where or who I am hanging with and I'm picking up on it? I dreamt recently that I was a man on a quest. All I had was a sack and staff. I was told by an elder to go North. That if I followed the Northern Lights, others will be waiting for me at the end. I get images. Some feel like dreams. Others feel like memories possibly.

Benedict Family's mausoleum. 

The door is beautiful and the energy coming from it was unbelievable.

A few nights ago when a relative on Jason's side came to visit, I had a vision. Maybe for them? I was in an cave or mountainside dwelling. I spoke to a fire creature. Its body was made of wax and could move independently. It had a throne. It glistened. Where a wax head should have been was instead fire on a wick. A candle man? There was no genitals. It was an "IT". It spoke about wishes and desires. It spoke about keys and using them to open doors. How to use them and not to loose them. Spoke in pops, hisses and whispers.

Today I woke to a woman stroking my arm up and down as to soothe or calm me. I of course got up angry and told her go away in a not so nice manner. She giggled and put a finger to her mouth and left my bed room slamming the door. My bedroom is always off limits. So this surprised me. They know to communicate with me, they must come through gently through dreams for me to take them seriously. Like humans, spirits lie but it's harder for them to if you have your protections up.

Us at the Sleepy Hollow creek and bridge site.

I've been thinking a lot about magic. I hadn't done it in years since I felt content, was busy, fell out of grace, etc. so it was the farthest from my mind. It took a friend to get the magical dialogue going again and now I've been thinking of incorporating it into my art more instead of just "observing" it. During all this, my friend Ken who's a mortician will be visiting me while on a business trip in the city. I haven't seen him in years (since he lives far away) so it kinda apropos he's here on Samhain while doing "a job".

Photo reference of Justin as Lovecraft reading a book for a painting I'm doing.

My friend Kat is crazy about W. S. Burroughs. His life ... his afterlife, his artistic life, his magic life, etc. Me and a group of friends in the past knew about him, the drug usages and his writing work. We were more interested in Burroughs the magician. So chaos magic was what we focused on. I start comparing. It's this childish thing I do. Who do I love or admire in that way? I used to love certain writers and artists but then I stopped enjoying them at some point and started hating them or ignoring them. They felt too mainstream. Everyone adored them whether for right or wrong reasons and it didn't feel personal anymore. I couldn't connect.

My tastes had changed. I wanted something more ... mature? Evolved? Darker? Dangerous? I'm not sure. I keep thinking about Lovecraft and the dreamer's key stories. I have 3 paintings I need to finish. The remainder of the year I'm going to just be cranking out work and attending friends events and shows. I also need to sit down and sort out a plan of some sort. I did many years ago and then felt it just dissolve in the glare of the Wall Street sun god. So plans weren't for me. I've been going with the flow so I don't stress. I feel I need a focus of some sort. I need my North Star.

DAF Promo

DAF Promo is here. and The festival's new website is here. It's beautiful. They redid the space and it's amazing. This weekend is going to be awesome!

2011 Digable Arts Festival

Sorry I haven't posted much up lately. I have been super busy getting ready for the Digable Arts Festival, which I hope to see you all there. I've recently met some awesome artists (like Ryan Thompson from VTF) who will also be attending the event. I am very excited, looking forward to it... and nervous. I will be having my first interview on camera. I have no idea what to expect. I am preparing as best I can. My new business cards will be showing up sometime today. I am wondering how they'll look once in my hand and if it was anything I pictured in my head. I worry a lot. It's what I do. I hope I painted enough to fill a 10x10 feet space. I doubt it, but I'm only one person so I can't be too hard on myself.

The quest "for baby" continues along side family drama and I've been exploring my magical roots and jewel crafting. Also forcing myself to "fill the well" by going to events, shows and hang out with friends so I don't get creatively blocked or burnt. Right now I've hit a wall since my apartment is chaotic and I can't think when my space isn't clear. It's just the way I am as a creative. I am waiting to hear from another gallery if I'm in the group show or not. Fingers crossed.

After october I have no idea what I'll be doing since I've been going almost non-stop. Maybe this is a good thing so I can actually take a breather and paint more. Maybe find a theme to thread everything together. I know this is my weakness - the quantity of work. Quality always comes with practice but quantity is difficult to achieve when you're a perfectionist or realist...or both. Actually if you're both you're fucked. Don't ask me. Don't even look at me. I will look the other way, man. Really. I know for most, the opposite is true, but we are talking about me.

I am looking back at my blog right now though and realizing, "wow... another year is almost over and gone. That was so fast." 2011 has been a very good year and a year of change. If you don't believe me, look up #occupywallstreet. There is definitely an awaking of the spiritual kind and well... people are just fet up. I am glad it is catching on and I expect good things to only happen now that all the "evil" is exposed to the sun rays of "truth". But enough about the apocalypse! Back to making art.

The Fringe Festival

My animated loops I submitted to loopdeloop.org will now be showing at the Fringe Festival in Melbourne, AU. If you are able to go, please have fun, let me know how it was and send pics!

Submitted to Artsy Shark's e'zine

Aiwass portrait WIP #2

On metal (like copper) materials as surfaces and foundation for oil painting and more...

Hello Mani,

Our Metal Line Panels have been prepared leaving the surface in a raw state. The metal panels have been sanded leaving an open tooth and cleaned ready for your choice of medium.  Leave the wrapped metal panel in it's original packaging until you're ready to paint.  Copper and Brass metals have an increased sensitivity to moisture, oils and it's environment.  We suggest that you handle the panel wearing gloves, because oils in skin or natural elements in the environment could leave blemishes.  Some Artists will paint directly onto the surface of the metal.  Some Artists do some grinding and easy hammering creating different effects.  If copper is left untreated, Artists will be able to create beautiful patinas on the copper surfaces.  

We recommend using a clear primer.  Once a primer is applied the metal can be touched or left open in your studio without worry of tarnish.  Many fine art stores can offer you information depending upon your type of paint manufacturer.  If your brand of paint does not make a primer for their paints there are many products on the market such as: Krylon, Golden GAC 200, Lascaux, as examples.  We prefer using an industrial product: X-I-M 400 Clear which is a primer, sealer and bonder in one.  The spray can is easy to use and the application leaves an even coat.  This product can be purchased via internet.  Most all mediums, oil paints, acrylics, enamels, inks are compatible with metals.  If you're using the metal panel as an ink jet print format there's a product called inkAID Clear which is an excellent printing primer product.

When your Artwork has completely dried use an UV  Varnish.  Try a fine art store to purchase a varnish to suit your needs.   Or a fine hardware store in your area should be able to assist you.  Should your artwork be mainly the metal that you are working on use an UV Varnish, such as Copper Shield, Permalac Spray Lacquer.  Follow manufacturers instructions and apply at least 3 - 4 coats to front, sides and back of your artwork.

Don't be afraid working on our metal panels.  If an area is not coming out very well, use an painting knife to scrap off paint, OMS, or even a very fine sandpaper can remove paint down to the original metal surface.  For some blemishes/finger prints try using a metal cleaner such as, Brasso Metal Polish which cleans and polishes quite well.  Use a soft clean cotton cloth and use the product on the blemished area end to end.  Do not submerge the panel in water, over saturation will compromise the substrate.  If further assistance is needed with this we can resurface the Metal Panel for you for a nominal fee.  

Capture the nature beauty and illuminate your subject matter as not other canvas can do.  So enjoy the experience painting on metal as the ultimate of all substrates.

Please don't hesitate to call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Barbara 

Duho Studios, LLC

Fine Art Panels

Extreme Wood Branding

So I got the Dremel Versa Tip off Amazon for like $20 something and it arrived today in the mail. I tore into the packaging like a lion on a limping gisele and proceeded to fool around with it for an hour to get a feel for it. Softer wood seems to yield better to it. Make sure you have a well ventilated area to do it. My kitchen now smells like Rhode Island in October. It's a very sugary burn smell. Doesn't bother me but other people it might. It came with a bunch of tips and can work with plastic and metal (not just wood). The markings are deep so it's safe to say that no one can claim your work with this in your belt. They would have to chip it out without destroying the art. No need to thank me. Purchasing my art will do.

 

Here's the back of the purpleheart panel (Ochun's Pregnant) signed and dated. I messed up the date so I just added the one...Oops! Ya, I need more practicing but it's pretty cool. Also you can now see how the varnish looks vs unvarnished in the pictures below. Again, I encourage feedback and a dialogue from other fellow artists. And if you have a story or product you're so happy with that's made your artistic life easier, please feel free to leave a comment or contact me. 

Beautiful Package from Duho Studios

In conjunction with my three 5x7's of maple, purpleheart and bloodwood, my 10x20 maple and 5x7 copper panel came in today from Duho Studios along with sample panels of all kinds! They were nice enough to add it to fool around with at my leisure. Awesomeness! I am so happy Audrey Kawasaki recommended them to me ^.^

BTW! Quick tip before I forget. When I was using the purple heart, the varnish I used to seal my charcoal drawing (Ochun's Pregnant) was Krylon's UV Archival Varnish Gloss. It made the blacks and whites pop and the purpleheart deeper. I sprayed 3 coats waiting 15-20mins in between to dry. The wood is very dry so it absorb the first coat fast. It left a very nice shiny finish and best part - I don't have to worry about the drawing budging. You can run your hand over it all day and it be fine.

Duho recommended any UV or fixative sprays will work if you want to keep a matte finish instead of polished. This is the one they tested for me:
Sennelier's Fixatif Delacroix Fixative Spray - "It worked great. The purpleheart did darken when we sprayed it on but then it dried to the normal appearance and sealed the charcoal so that it does not smear...good stuff." -Brian Duhovich


Brian also recommends:
"No, you do not need to gesso the wood before starting, but we do recommend a UV varnish when you're done.  Just do not over saturate the wood with solvents and such. Some artists like to put a clear gesso on before they paint (for tooth), but it is personal preference. I think this is done mainly because the wood will darken a little when a liquid is applied, changing the tone a bit. To give an idea of what the wood will look like when the varnish is applied, get dab of water and rub it on the wood. Don't worry the wood will dry back to normal, but it will give you an idea of what the wood will look like after the varnish is applied."

Aiwass portrait WIP

Digable Arts Fest

I will be vending this year at the DAF with all my paintings. Hope to see you all there ^.^

Ochun's Feast Day

"Kallisti" 12x12 acrylic painting is done...

Kallisti's Progress Pics

First video blog attempt ...

I am hoping to open a dialogue with fellow artists both pro and hobbyist about products and their opinions on how they effect their work. I got the idea from NecessaryMakeUp blog and Hans Wolf to do this. I see these girls that do reviews on makeup so why shouldn't artists do the same and recommend good companies and show off techniques they learned to do with said products? I know I quickly glossed over everything but I'll go into detail here...

First is the wood debate: 

You can use almost any wood to work on BUT you need to suck the moisture and resin out which is why most are kiln dried. Now if you're like me and stuck with white pine wood or any wood from a hardware store instead of an art store because you're trying to save a few bucks then this is what you could do. You can bake it in the oven if it's not too big on low and watch it closely for warping (I will have what temp soon from Duho Studios).
Then sand it and gesso the whole thing with white or clear gesso and paint as normal. To keep from warping you can have it framed later or cradled. Or you can use it as scrap wood to play with. You'll mostly want to purchase hard woods not ply or soft wood since they hold more moisture and resin (not necessarily since purpleheart has a lot of resin). I spoke to another artist veteran and gallery owner who said in the past it was the galleries and the collectors job to preserve it but since the market is changing this responsibility is now back on the artist. Wood is organic keep in mind and will warp with age but depending how well are your attempts it should be minimal.

Second up is the art literature review:

I recommend these books/magazines for resources and valuable information on career to product reviews.

Starting Your Career as an Artist by Angie Wojak and Stacy Miller

The Artist's Magazine September 2011 issue Thanks to this, I am considering playing with copper as a painting surface! I know it's been used for centuries by master artists, but used today still? That's kinda awesome. I will post pics of this progress.

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron I can't recommend this enough.

Third is my experiment on ebay with the PennyAuction:
First try was a failure despite the amount of views (200+) and 3 watchers. Second attempt was a success I think in part due to me changing the shipping price. I am excited to ship my painting to a loving home on Monday but I can't help but feel it's the shipping that makes people feel put off. There's nothing I can do except give as best an accurate shipping rate as possible but I don't want all profit to go to that. I will figure something out to make the auction process more fun. I am happy though that my internet business is expanding and looking forward in creating a dialogue with art lovers and fans in the future.

Fourth and final is a private commission:
I was contacted by a private collector via facebook to do an erotic commission piece. I'll be posting progress pics of that as well before I ship it out.

I am also leaving the transcript from the group #fridaynightartdorks below for learning purposes only and to give background to those just tuning in. Enjoy and be safe people!

Collectors Art Summit, Inc.

I was accepted as a visiting artist in the Collectors Art Summit.

OK save the date! Next show I'll be in is on 9/3/11 @ Tropical Gallery 527 W 125th Street, from 2:00 - 6:00 PM. Now I gotta find a way into the city for drop offs...

It's here! It's here! CoSM's NEW Journal !

My art is published along side other visionaries. 

Go BUY it now on CoSM's Web Shop!

Warped Innovation (Pics from opening!)

More pics from Warped Innovation July 2011 here.

How I looked before the opening with my new hair cut...

then after picture which was around towards the end of the reception. This is what the summer will do to you - greasy hair and strip down. The air was so thick and muggy.

Pics of me, Dino Eli (owner of Orchard Window Gallery and new friend) and Hans Wolf (fellow artist and friend). Kaliptus Arts took all the pictures.

Chet Zar Seminar @ Visionary Tattoo Arts Festival (Pics!)

visionarytattoofest.com