Finishing Friday.
As I mentioned, I have art that I am working on this week. In addition to that, I have a list of contests and literary magazines, and publishers to submit writing to. There are two upcoming art shows that I will be participating in – the black and white portrait I posted is for the first show.
I mentioned on twitter last week that I seem to have a hard time switching hats. Either I am a writer, or I make art. I have a harder time calling myself an artist than I do a writer.. I suppose since I have at least one finished novel, it’s a little easier to say ‘I am a writer’. Even if I am an unpublished writer. I suppose after this first show, I will feel more inclined to say ‘I am an artist’ as well. We shall see. (No, I don’t have confidence issues AT ALL.)
My focus tends to be narrow when creating. I am either focused on writing (plotting, drafting, editing, etc), or I am focused on art (sketching, shading, painting, experimenting, etc). But I can’t seem to switch back and forth easily between the two. When I’m doing one, the other sounds hard. So I like to stick with what I’m doing, keeping with the groove I’m in. It has been my goal, of late, to change that. I’m getting there.
I have deadlines rubbing up against each other now. This means I have to work on art and writing together. Like, on the same day and stuff. Eek! So far, so good.
Last week I finished up a submission that was due April 30th and sent it off. Then I got to work on sketching ideas for the upcoming art show – Portrait of an Artist. I have been working on those for the last week and then realized I have another story submission deadline on May 1st. Yikes! Only a few days left to edit a story for that one! And the story happens to be unfinished.
I generally write better in the morning, but I can do art pretty much any time. So I have been trying to get my writing done in the morning, saving the afternoons for art and the evenings for either editing or more art… or just hanging out with the husband.
So yeah… anyway. It’s working. Yay! I have to finish up the story today so my editor (hi, Keith!) and I can polish it up tonight and tomorrow and I can send it off on Sunday. I’m editing/finishing the series The Other Girl and submitting it to a contest. Some of you may have read that one, back in the day.
Enough boring you with details of my process.. pictures!
Here is the picture I am drawing from (this is D Ryan Allen, a local artist who drew some of my favorite coloring books! zombie coloring books!):
The outline sketch:
After the first session of adding in charcoal:
After another session, finishing filling in and adding highlights to hair and shirt:
At this point all I have left to do is some shading on the face and in the background. I do like it a lot as it is, but I think with at least a little shading in the face it will have a bit more depth. And I have a bit of time still, so if I totally screw it up I can start over. Once it is finished, I will spray it thoroughly with fixative and then mount it on a board. I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Today? I will finish drafting the short story, and finish up this picture… I hope.
