Merry Christmas....

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!!  And a Happy New Year!!!  This card was designed for two really awesome people....Ed and Louise, and homage to Rat Fink.

4.03 GPA semester grades!!!

A, A, A+, A and finally A.  I did it!  With a little help from my friend.  Hallelujah!!! 

Pictures of My Grandson.....He's So Cute!

These are some pictures I took from my son's facebook of my grandson.  He and his wife are very bad at sending photos, so I lift them from their facebook - too funny and kind of sad, but you got to do what you got to do.  My grandson is a cutie. 

New Character - Dan D. Bear

So there will soon be a new line of characters - Dan D. Bear and Co.  So far, I have three in the menagerie Dan D. Bear, Dotty Otter and Dudley (the dog). 

Introducing - Dan D. Bear:

More to follow soon...

A Little More Happy News...

I was just informed that two of my paintings will be in the LUX Undergrad Review magazine.  This will be my third year in a row.  It's kind of fun – you get some fancy snacks, get a little dressed up and see your work in print.  I was again surprised that two of my works were selected, one is my painting Rose Colored Glasses (Self-portrait), and the second is my painting titled Boy Behind the Glass.  I've provided the images below: 

I had to Leave Early and to My Surprise!

I was at the Undergraduate Juried Show but had to leave early.  I was not feeling well.  Little did I know, I won a juror's award!  I had been painting all day in the studio and was feeling blue and icky.  I saw the show, all of the art is amazing!  But I really couldn't stand another minute on my feet.  In fact, I am home sick now recovering from this semester – I only found out by reading my email informing me of the win and by a fellow classmate who left a comment on my blog also congratulating me.

My Work was Accepted into the Undergrad Show!

I made it into the show.  I will close out my time at ASU with this final show! 

Wrapping Up Fall Semester

Fall semester is almost over. 

Besides Applying...

Besides all the work and hours it took this weekend to get the MFA stuff uploaded, I also finished writing two essays for my Art History class and also completed nearly half of my Marketing Class final.  Eddy and I also ran around buying postage, cds, dvds and all other important items to finish out the vital steps. I have to upload my artwork portfolio onto a dvd for my senior exhibition class (done).  The letter, artist statement, bio, and CV have been printed, trimmed and ready to go for that class.  I now need to find a nice black presentation folder, so today we are off to Staples after class.  I will also be meeting with my Professor to review the last two paintings that I have been working on.  On Friday I was so sick, migraine, but I went ahead and painted.  I came home just sick as a dog.  I rested that night and moved on to the other tasks at hand.  Persevere - always persevere.  I'm not sure what the professor is going to think of this new work, but I really enjoyed getting some of it out of my system, out of my head and onto the canvas.

MFA Programs - I Applied...

Well it took nearly two years of research, writing my statement of purpose, getting my images together of a good body of work and picking out schools to apply to.  I finally narrowed it down to six.  I was able to get through all of the steps in one weekend.  I just now have to send out some stuff through the snail mail, order transcripts and get the letters of recommendation from my professors on their way.  No matter what happens, if I don't get an offer from any of the schools, I at least took the leap, invested the time and tried.   And Eddy helped on all fronts, thanks Eddy.

Temptation further along...

I worked another five hours on the Temptation - My Inner Monster portrait.  I worked up the shadows, finally was able to get a foundation down for the fingers and fingernails.  The eye is much more detailed. 

This Next Painting is Still in Progress...

This painting is titled Temptation - My Inner Monster.  It is a nude, but it is also a monster.  She is tempting all who view with a red apple (biblical reference -Eve).  It is still in progress; I was happy to paint this much out in five hours.  I will go back and glaze the apple, put in the fingernails, and add more shadow.  I really like this monster theme and might continue with it.  I am pleased with the brushstrokes and fullness of the body.  I hope you enjoy it too.  I will post more as I work further on it. 

This Painting is Disturbing - Please View with Caution...

This painting is titled The Violation.  It is for all that have witnessed abuse of a child and refused to speak out.  It is a painful image and would caution all who view my blog.  Kathe Kollwitz's composition titled The Rape is a strong influence, and Edvard Munch's The Scream as well. 

Totally Unique and Different Path...

I will be starting two new paintings.  They are as stated above, unique and different from any of my previous work.  The direction is more of an emotional response, but continues to be autobiographical in nature.  I am hoping to focus more on brushwork and color, rather than rendering a representation of someone.  As the work progresses, I will post pictures.

Another image of my latest painting...

This is a better image of the entire composition.

Nearly Completed...painting #4

This is painting number four, and it is nearly completed.   The first image will show the girl but the hat wasn't filled in yet; the next two pictures show the hat details almost completed.  There are a few minor details to be added, and I would say it is done.   I have been told that my work is irrelevant (insignificant - unimportant - immaterial) to the times.  You may want to look and decide for yourself.  Thank you to all that do look and read about my work - greatly appreciated.   It is titled: Happiest Place on Earth? And honestly, it has nothing to do with Disney. 

New Painting in the Works.

I have just started a new painting.  I will continue to build on the same work as before - a mix of color, black and white, realized and fantasy.  Below is a peek into the beginning stages...

An article in the State Press regarding our BFA show, Close Proximity.

This article is written by Monica Fidura.  She was great to work with and share our thoughts and feelings on our work, art influences and the show.  http://www.statepress.com/2011/10/18/up-close-and-personal/

The Monster is Back....

I worked on this painting over the weekend as well- I am pleased with the effects of a strong background, middle ground and foreground. It gives an awkward feeling to the painting-which is exactly what I wanted to achieve.  I made the baby a little more intense - almost creepy.  The whole canvas is not in the bottom image; we will try and get another photo of the entire painting.  And a side note: I don't want to paint anymore babies.  It is way too difficult.  I had to use a great deal of purples and pinks to give depth and shadow to the skin, using more neutral tones and browns aged him and just didn't work . Oh and as a reminder, this canvas is 4' x 6', so it's one big baby. 

Close Proximity - photos of the opening night

So we had a great opening night, but it was a small crowd.  Eddy took some pictures.  There is an awesome shot of the front of the building all lit up at night.  My work was a little harder to photograph due to the narrow space, but the art looked awesome!

Another Painting Finished!

I spent a total of fifteen hours painting over a two day period.  I finished the "Pressing Matter" painting.  I am pleased with the color and vibrancy.  This painting is a mixture of spray enamel paints, acrylic, oil paints and Krink ink paints.  I had a blast working with spray paints.  Toxic indoors though!!

This is a photo of my two paintings in the studio - Alter Ego and Pressing Matters.

Been Away Too Long...

I have not been able to get any painting done this week or over the weekend.  I am in the middle of getting the group BFA show together.  It has been very trying and exhausting.  I am looking forward to our opening, but am also looking forward to everything being done, so I can get back to what is MOST important to me...painting.  I also have to squeeze in a couple art history essays on Monday.  It will all get done though.  Wish me luck. 

New Website in the Works

A new website is in the works.  It is so user friendly that I can make almost all of the changes myself.  I updated the news link, and rearranged the artwork again on the portfolio page.  I really like this website.  Please check it out.  Keep in mind it is in the early stages not all the information and links have been added. Currently the work is set up in a mosaic format, as time permits, it will continue to change and improve.  But personally I like the mosaic set-up. 
www.LBellaBryson.com

Put in More Hours.

I put in another five hours today in the studio.  I am tired, but it's a good tired.  There is a lot more definition and detail in Caleb's face and hands.  I will try and get some pictures posted soon.  I also had a great critique with my professor.  He gave me some good feedback.  It sometimes takes another set of eyes to see what you're missing.  The painting of Caleb and Mason is really still in the very beginning stages.  I would say there is easily another 20 to 30 hours left to get it at a good stopping point. It was funny when I took a step back and really looked at Caleb's body alignment, it looked like he was in a magic act that went wrong, like the box was sawed in half, but he just wasn't quite right when put back together.  His legs were heading downward into the couch and his upper torso was heading straight along the line of the couch - too funny.  That has now been fixed - wallah!   I had posted the photo of me working in the studio on the Caleb, Mason, little monster painting on facebook, and Caleb noticed it.  He liked it so far, but asked his ol' mom to pencil in some shorts.  I replied...hmmmm.....nope. Too funny.  Soon I will have to switch gears and start working on the zipper head.  I need to put in the graffiti elements.  It will be a great deal of tedious taping off of sections, spray painting and hand painting.  I''ll get there.

Working in the Studio-

This is great photo Eddy took of me painting in the studio.  It shows the large canvas I am working on, and you can also see Eddy in the window reflection taking my picture.  He always gets the best shot.  I recently had a wonderful person remind me that it is about the journey as much as it is the destination- I needed that little reminder- loved and appreciated. 

The Monster is Back....

This is a larger composition (48" x 72") that I am currently working on.  It is a painting of my son, my grandson and a little monster in the background.  This has many interpretations; it is what you see and take from the experience.  The images will show the different stages.  I have nearly completed Caleb. There needs to be some final touches, smoothing out, but he is looking strong.  This painting has been a real struggle.  The canvas is extremely rough and my white paint is thick and difficult to maneuver.  Mason will be painted in color, creating a strong sense of foreground, middle-ground and background.

In this photo, the monster, Caleb and Mason are still in outline only:

 

This photo Caleb and the monster are obviously painted- I am pleased with the texture on the wall in the background.  You would not believe that it took me nearly two hours alone building up subtle texture to the walls; I will have to add more at later stages of the painting:

 

This is a little closer look.  I need to add highlights to Caleb's hands to bring them out more from the couch.  This painting is starting to reflect the kind of film noir I desire to emulate.

 

 

This is a nice close-up shot of the monster's hand.

Some Detailed Shots of Zedie and Buildings -

I find this painting humorous.  Eddy has provided some really nice detailed shots of the Alter Ego painting.  What you are looking at are the little Eddys and one Lisa in the windows of the buildings.  These are the photos I reduced down and added as collage elements.  This painting is biographical and autobiographical- of course in a humorous tale.  I hope you enjoy the little people.  I also have a nice close-up of Zedie and the buildings in the background.

Arriving Soon!!!

Zedie Cityscape is Looking Good

I am going to post pictures showing small progressions of change.  This is very nearing completion and I'm very pleased with the composition.  I recently added some fun surprises- that will be posted in the near future.  Thank you Lou for following my blog - Love you and appreciate your support.

This first picture shows most of the buildings and Zedie in place.  The space ships are up in the right hand corner waiting to be completed.

Next you will see the space ships painted in place. Plus I have now added Zedie's moon planet up in the left side of the canvas. 

Now, I have painted a strong beam of yellow light power - to give Zedie his strength to fight dark crimes and the monotone grayness of life.

 

I think that the yellow beam of light really helped to balance out the composition and keeps the eye moving through the image.  There are also little added touches to the windows and the bridge now has little head and tail lights on the bridge to give the sense of traffic.  I will try and post some small detail shots later.   Also, the buildings wrap over the edges of the canvas and the moon planet is completed at the top edge of the canvas, so from any angle of the work, you can be a part of the story. 

The Progression...

So I am working on the two paintings, Zedie-Eddy and the Graffiti Eddy.  Both are coming together quite well.  I thought I would update the progress of the paintings.  The first is the Zipper-graffiti Eddy.  First images are of the face without the hands finished, the next image shows the hands and zipper in place, but the zipper is still in gray tones.  The final photo of this painting shows the zipper in the beginning stages of color.  Just a side note: hands and ears are very difficult to paint!

Hands not painted yet - just the face:

The hands are now in place- I am very pleased with them.  I really like the fingernails.  

The zipper has now been fully incorporated into the head and color has been added.  I will probably add a few more really translucent layers of color on the zipper, but it's pretty close to being completed.  I don't want the zipper to become the most important element in the image, but rather the battle going on between the top portion and bottom portion of the composition, and the personal battle going on in the mind of the subject (portrait painted).

The next photos are of the Zedie-Eddy.  I have finished the face (I think), and am currently working on the Zedie scene on top of the head.  It is going to be a very slow process as I have to go over the buildings several times to smooth out the paint.  I am using acrylic paints for Zedie and his city.  It's interesting going back to acrylics after all of this time working in oils.  I forget that I can water down, thin and smooth with just water mixed in with the paints - no toxic solvents needed; however, the paint isn't as easy to blend and smooth as it is with oils.   Zedie will be in bright vivid colors, but the scenery will be primarily in grays and black as they are in the night/dark of the story line.  I think the Zedie and space ships will really "pop" once the color is all in place.  I can't wait to see this one done!  I have a long road ahead on this one though.  I will most likely start a third painting to allow for drying time on these two in progress. 

The buildings are blocked in - but not completed.  I have to block in all of the buildings, paint the black background and then once all is dry, outline them with a sharp line to give a more comic book feeling. When I get all of them in and am happy with the results, I am thinking of adding little elements in some of the windows.  We'll see.

Close-up of the top portion of the composition.  You can see that the buildings are getting blocked in (roughly); I will then go back and smooth and outline them.  But I like how it feels and looks already.  The buildings also wrap around the sided of the canvas.