Artist Release Template from Kayleen West

Below is a piece by an amazing illustrator and artist Kayleen West. I just found her blog today and I am so glad that I did! Such an inspiration, and great tips, tutorials and advice for other illustrators and artists.


Once thing I came across today was her post about Artist's/Illustrator's Model Releases. She has a free downloadable template to use here: http://kayleenwest.blogspot.com/2009/09/artistsillustrators-model-release-free.html

This is something I haven't really thought about, as most of the people I've used in images have been friends or family. This brings a whole other point I was not concerned about, but it's always good to cover all bases. Since one of my new years resolutions is to do a lot more oil painting this year, and my main medium is oils, it makes sense to utilize this resource.

Thanks Kayleen for the information and template!

Follow our Beenznrice Art Facebook Fan Page

There is a lot of great updates there and way more interaction than here on blogger.

The Forgotten Garden

I just finished reading The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton last night. I spent 3 hours finishing it up, I just couldn't put it down. It is an absolutely beautifully tragic and hopeful multigenerational story that revolves around lost ties, a hidden magical garden, and the magic of fairy tales. I highly recommend it.


That being said, it has inspired me to start sketching fairies again, and to experiment in styles similar to those of Arthur Rackham and other fairy tale artists of the Golden Age of Illustration.
MAGICAL!!!

The Sketchbook Project: Works in Progress

I got my sketchbook in the mail last month for The Sketchbook Project and am so excited! Here are a few works in progress...

My apologies...

So, I just looked at my last post and realized it was in July! Wow! Time has just been passing us by! Here is my apology post to say sorry for keeping you waiting for more Beenznrice goodness. I will be posting lots more work soon, as I've been fairly busy with personal work as well as lots of freelance and of course the bread and butter fulltime job. But I will no longer neglect you my faithful blog followers!

I've also rejoined EBSQart.com again, and I hope to enter some upcoming shows, which I will link here of course! Here's a link to the show I did on EBSQart.com way back when:

How to Price Your Artwork: Amy Wilson

Here is a great blog for artists who are unsure how to price their work...

Preview: Another sketch for my inspired by The Killers' music series...

Illustration Friday Topic: Shaky

My image for Illustration Friday is on Flickr today. Check out the Illustration Friday link viewer for my and other great illustrators' work on the topic!

http://illustrationfriday.com/linkviewer.html

Art Tour 3: Leo Carillo and Fourth of July work

The following sketches are from the 4th of July...



The following are from Leo Carillo at the Art Tour 3 stop. Here are some quick oil sketches of a tree at the camp site and the beach.

Painting finished: The Blue Lady

I really need to get my camera fixed, this is off of my phone, but I finally finished my painting, the first oil painting I've finished in YEARS. I've named her The Blue Lady.

N

Art Tour Stop 3: Leo Carillo and Explosions in the Sky

So some work from Leo Carillo will be coming soon, they are quick oil sketches, so I have to wait until they are dry enough to scan (don't want to ruin my scanner). Here are a couple of shots from Explosions in the Sky. Very low quality shots from my phone, but there was something about the abstract effect of the lighting along with the music that was very cool to me. So I thought I'd share.

N

15 Things a Designer Should Never Say on Artbistro

"ArtBistro asked several career designers: what should a designer never say?" They give some truly great advice. Many of the things a Designer should never say, we have already been guilty of. So I'm posting this article, which can save a lot of our fellow designers, especially if you're just starting out, some heartache (and headache)!

Illustration Friday Topic: Worn

Another oldie but goodie. This was from a submit to do a graphic novel, which we didn't get, but the pieces Carlos did for it were great. Here's our Illustration Friday submission for the topic: Worn.

Artwork inspired by the music of The Killers...

So I know I had entitled another post "Soul and Romance" but was on the fence about naming it that. Well, here's my latest work in progress, and this one will be called "Soul and Romance" (referencing lyrics in "Human") and I will have to name the other piece something else. The last one was inspired mostly by "Human" and "I Can't Stay." I will be posting my progress on this, as I add color, which I'm not completely sure about yet, as far as color palettes go. I've also started a piece while listening to "While You Were Young" after watching part of "There Will Be Blood" which I will post once I'm done with the drawing phase.

Critiques, comments, feedback are all appreciated!

N

3rd Stop on the Art Tour: Leo Carillo in Malibu

Do you remember the beach scenes in The Karate Kid? Well, that's where it was filmed. So was the beginning scene of Grease, and some scenes of Point Break. It's awesome there. There lots of sea critters on the rocks when it's low tide. There's even a cave you can crawl into when it's low tide and all the water is out of it. It's a beautiful place. And it's Carlos' family reunion.

I am definitely bringing my sketchbook and some good pencils and pens. I am considering bringing my oil paints and just painting right in my sketchbook. We'll see. I pack tonight, so whatever I feel like lugging along will be what I bring.

We are also going to take a break from "roughing it" (I didn't mention we're camping at the state park there, also beautiful. and hot!! yay tans) to go to the Hollywood Palladium to see Explosions in the Sky! We've been wanting to see them for a while now! So we get to be inspired by their music and then go back the next day to nature and the beach. Oh, I will be getting some artwork done that's for sure. I will scan and post next week. Everyone enjoy your weekends!

My 100th Post! New Progress on my painting-Almost done!

So I need to work out her eyes still, they look crossed, and her nose and mouth. Other than that, I'm loving the limited color palette (which was a happy accident of having an old yellow that was hardened over).

Comments? <3 Naomi

Illustration Friday Topic: Craving

Hi Everyone! Here we have an oldie but a goodie! This is an illustration Carlos did in school, when we were first learning how to paint with Photoshop. I thought it would be suitable for "Craving" because the characters seem to be craving a bit of danger with their ice cream!

More work on the painting...

I am really happy with how it's turning out! The colors are coming together, and it's building up the same look I had in mind when I created the drawing. More progress later...

N

Art Tour Stop: The Getty Villa

So the Getty Villa was wonderful! The kids had a blast, which is part of the reason I didn't get to do any sketching or even take many pictures (I have to get most of them developed-yes developed, my digital camera is broken). But here's me and Carlos in the amphitheatre section there after lunch. As soon as I get more pics, and scan some images from the Getty Villa, I will write a more in depth blog about it.

Thanks!
N

Illustration Friday: We both have contributions!

This week's topic was "Cracked" and we both had illustrations that went along with the theme. Here's the link to the Illustration Friday site, and our links are together on the left side: http://illustrationfriday.com/entrysubmit_p.php

To see the pieces individually, click on the following buttons:

A bit more work on my current painting...

So I haven't used my oil paints in a long time. It's a true shame because some of them are completely ruined and old, while others I, and even Carlos, couldn't open because the lids were sealed shut on them, that's how old they are. Nonetheless I got them out and just started painting. Not sure I like the results so far, but they just felt really good. I had forgotten how much more I like working with oils than I do with acrylics. Time to go to the art store and buy some new paints, and...oh yeah...I forgot to mention that I was out of turpentine. I resorted to getting as much oil paint off my brush and my hands with...extra virgin olive oil. Don't think it worked to well, luckily, I always buy cheap brushes.

Heavenly Skull made the Etsy's Dark Side Team Item of the Day!

Yes that's right! And it came as a big surprise because I haven't been at all busy with Heavenly Skull in a very long time. Looks like I need to start up again! This is great incentive and inspiration to move forward.

Artist I remember admiring when I was still in highschool...

I randomly went on artwanted.com during my lunch break to just browse through what people are doing and lo and behold, I ran across a piece by Patrick Pierson. I recognized the artist's work because I had often gone to Downtown Disney when I was in high school and of course, went to the gallery every single time. My favorite pieces were always these very beautiful yet strange portraits of fish people in extravagant, very renaissance fashion and poses. They were amazing to me and the colors were so vibrant you felt as if you were in the fish peoples' spaces! Well here's one of a newer series he's doing based on fairy tales. I can't wait to see more!

Illustration Friday Topic: Contagious

Didn't get to quite finish it...but I'm happy with it. I leave it up to YOUR interpretation!

Scrap Stuff Photoshop Tutorials

Don't be fooled by the cutesy look of most of these tutorials. Even Carlos, who likes to create monsters and zombies half the time, will find very informative and solid Photoshop recipes and tutorials in this blog. Shawna is the creator of this blog and she makes it very easy to follow along with each tutorial. You can take each recipe and apply it to your own artwork. She creates these dimensional clean illustrations that are difficult to do in Photoshop if you do not have a recipe. Also some photo manipulation tools, like how to create a puzzle from an image, or how to make an image look like it's on old paper. There are a lot of different recipes to use. She also has a word document available for purchase with ALL of her tutorials, for $10. Not a bad thing to have. Check out her blog: http://scrap-stuff-photoshop-tutorials.blogspot.com/

The Little Chimp Society

LCSV4 The Illustration News Portal

What a great site for illustrators and people interested in illustration! There are interviews, great tips for illustrators from emerging to established, a huge links section for your perusal, etc. etc. etc. It did not take me long to sign up for both the newsletter and to be a member of the site. Being a member allows you to both comment on articles, as well as submit news. This should help us stay current with other illustrators and illustration dates, shows, events and other sites. Let us know if you joined, too!

Art Blogging...

So part of art blogging would be to post lots of blogs having to do with art, correct? Well, I haven't been doing enough of that. Shame on me! So I will be more consistent with that. I really want people to follow our blog because it is a great source of inspiration. So that said, here are some really great artists!

Jeff Soto

Audrey Kawasaki

International Fiction Club

Our view in Vegas-Pacquiao Hatton Trip

I somehow forgot to post these before, oh yeah I was sick and tired after that trip, but VERY excited! Here you go, enjoy vicariously...

Naomi

I actually started painting yesterday!

For anyone out there who follows me on facebook, you could probably tell that I was frustrated. I felt like I was in a destructive art mood, but then as soon as I put the kids to bed and had a 30 minute window (with breaks in between telling them to get back to bed) I busted out a half broken easel, dusted it off, and decided that I would use it until it completely collapsed. I put on some music I bought myself Saturday for my birthday present to myself, Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career, and started painting over a horrid painting I had started probably more than a year ago. It always feels liberating to destroy something you've done before. I also had a drawing I did during the day when I was frustrated, so I started just to paint, based on the drawing (I'll post the drawing later). This was the result. I'm not finished, not by far, but it felt really good to just paint again, and not worry about the consequences or about making money by the action. I'll post more progress as I go along.

Naomi

Art Tour: The Getty Villa

So the art tour has been on hold for a while, but it's back for the summer! The first confirmed stop is May 23 at the Getty Villa. I've always wanted to go there since I was a kid seeing the commercials on TV, but never got a chance. I've been to the Getty Center a few times, but I keep hearing that the Getty Villa is more beautiful and breathtaking. I can't wait. I really would like to see if they have a book that I helped with the design of at the book store there, too.

Some pending dates...
-Tomorrow, May 9 at the Ventura Pier. We are definitely going for my birthday, but I don't want to be too focused on anything, just a good birthday and family trip. But, if I get inspired, I may get some art out

-May 15 at the Camarillo Boys and Girls club They are having the FIRST LEGO League Expo. Our daughter designed the shirts of one of the teams!

-Sometime in May, Circus Vargas has come to town. The Circus is always a great Visual inspiration.

-Late June, Carlos' family reunion at Leo Carrillo State Park and Beach in Malibu. Lots of sketching to be done there.

That's it for now, but there will be more!

Naomi

Soul and Romance: First Piece of my Series Inspired by the Music of The Killers

As most of you know, my very favorite band is The Killers. I started on a series completely inspired by their music. This is the first installment. Each piece is not necessarily inspired by a specific song, but more the feel of certain sounds. I will be adding more as I complete them. Sorry for the watermark btw, but I have to protect my work. I'm just starting to be a little more cautious.

Thanks!
Naomi

Ian Fleming CD arrived!

OK this post is a little late because we got it a month or so ago. But here it is in all its glory!!! We are so proud! And the music is pretty darn good, too. Check Ian Fleming out at www.ianflemingmusic.com

Illustration Friday Topic: Impossibility

So it's been a while since I've done any faerie artwork, but I am totally inspired by the season to start it up again. Here's the first go. She's not completely finished because of the time constraints, but I like her so far!