First and foremost, let's keep up our news intro energy by kicking things off with the giveaway announcement for this month's drawing! Druuummmmmmrroooolllllllllll ...................................................... *cue home laser light show* ..................................................... *build suspense* ................................................................. ................................................................. *little more suspense* ................................................................... ..............aaaannnndddd........... the winner is! |
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Huge congrats to Christopher Farrell (full last name didn't fit on the ticket) and to those of you who have yet to win a giveaway please know how much I appreciate you sticking around and feeling like my newsletter is prize worthy enough to keep on reading! In fact today's newsletter has some really exciting updates you won't want to miss! FYI some of the pictures and videos may buffer while loading. Please refresh the page if needed! Btw how are you? I hope things are well in your life and if you'd like to share any of your news with me, or just say hi, then send over a reply to this email so I know how you're doing :) Okay let's proceed... |
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#cane-yo-fail-it I'm not joking today's newsletter (blog post essentially) is packed full of updates and progress I want to share, so if you're in a time crunch right now I'd advise that you flag this email and read it later after your day has slooooweed down a bit. Maybe read it with a cup of tea, milk, decaf coffee, or wine. Do your thing! Regardless I wouldn't want you to miss any of the juicy news! However, before I can begin sharing the cool progress I had last month, I must first come clean and admit that my attempt to fill a 5.5" x 8" Moleskine sketchbook before the end of April was a miserable failure. *cue dramatic somber music* In an awakening moment of epiphany I realized by the second week that I was absolutely, without a doubt, in no way going to complete the challenge and admitted defeat early. I chose to forfeit my attempt, like a coward I know, and leave the majority of the book untouched. For the sake of this email's energy I figured why not sandwich this bad news between the laser lights giveaway announcement and the rest of the good stuff to come. Hopefully that was the right choice. In case you missed the hoopla surrounding this awesome sketchbook challenge it was started by a member of the Cane Yo community @kstan_art If you get a chance to look up their art on Instagram please do! Also check out the many artists who completed the challenge by searching the hashtag #caneyofillit |
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The rules were simple: just fill an empty or nearly empty sketchbook during the month of April. Usually, and most of you can back me up, I'm a big advocate for physical sketchbooks. So when the challenge first caught my eye I was ecstatic to participate plus it gave me an excuse to order a new Moleskine sketchbook (at a size I hadn't tried btw - adding even more excitement since I like to nerd out on supplies). But for a few reasons I just couldn't get into this sketchbook and every time I drew I felt the art was forced solely for the challenge. Another reason I chose not to draw in the Moleskine was that I've been sketching most projects digitally on my iPad lately. In fact, later in this newsletter I'll share a cool project I was asked to submit concept sketches for which were all designed digitally. Part of me wishes I would've done those concepts physically in the Moleskine, but I was on a time crunch and felt the digital tools would better fit my needs. Therefore, minimal sketches were made in April in any physical sketchbook I own. Even though I didn't fill more pages with ideas I'm proud of, I feel better knowing I didn't spend hours forcing content into the book. For those who still want to see the few drawings in the book here's a 6 minute video of me flipping through my progress. Before I gave up, I had created an Instagram story asking for reference material. Thanks to everyone who shared photos! I'm still planning to fill the rest of the sketchbook but without a deadline. :) |
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Before we continue, this is a gentle reminder for my collectors out there! Have you requested access to the Collectors Circle page in my shop yet? If you own a piece of my art, then please reach out to me so we can get you access to this private page. This also includes people who have hired me for commissions! If you know someone who owns my art check with them too so they can benefit from exclusive content, sales, and promotions in the Collectors Circle. I'm working hard to keep my clients as pleased as punch! (a phrase I picked up last week from Megan who picked it up from a coworker and now you can say it to someone so it stays in colloquial rotation). |
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Speaking of Commissions! One of the biggest projects I've had in April was designing a landing page for services I provide as an artist. Being a small business I understand the flexibility required for successful artists to grow. Luckily for me I love to do many things with my art. So I'm announcing my new Services page which is live now! (acunaarts.com/services) On this page you'll find images/links to six HIGHLY detailed services for hire I've developed over my career. These include: *cue party music and laser lights* Portrait Commissions Home Commissions Album Art/Illustration Live Event Painting Mural Commissions and Private Teaching Workshops! In a way I've been offering most of these services over the past 6-7 years, but never with their information shared on my site. I don't know why its taken me so long to get this info into one organized place. Who am I kidding I couldn't even fill a sketchbook in a month of course this has taken me forever to organize! Now visitors on my site can find all the info they need for custom projects or taking private art lessons. I chose to sit and spend a week creating this part of my site because I received numerous inquiries for some of these services in April. Each time I get emails about making custom art I have to dig through old files to find information and pricing which made communication less efficient. Now anyone can see what it would cost to hire me for a variety of services, see past commissions, and read testimonials from happy clients! (huge thank you to my clients who agreed to share testimonials <3) Make sure to take a moment right now to open my services page so you can browse it after you've finished this newsletter! While we're juggling tasks now might also be a good time to refill your drink too, just sayin, do your thing homie! (here's a direct link to the services page!) |
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A peek at some recent illustration work! So I mentioned a few inquiries hit my inbox recently. One of these projects you might have seen online already. I'm referring to the album art I created for my UWSP buddy and king of work ethic Emmitt James. Emmitt is a full time hip-hop artist, among other creative endeavors, based in Los Angeles. Emmitt recently released a project called "Jazz Cavities II" which is out now and can be found here: https://www.emmittjames.com/ Take a second to open his storefront and enjoy this amazing merch many of which he manufactures by hand!!! When Emmitt reached out to me with the idea for this cover I was pumped to work with him. I've admired his vision as an artist and commitment to pushing his own creative bounds. People like Emmitt are always great to work with because I get to feed off of their passion for art. We spent a few days messaging drafts for the work and then I began the final oil painting. You can see my process for the painting in my new Album Art/Illustration page! *cue jazz music and dim the lights* |
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I love the way the painting turned out and it brings me a lot of pride knowing it will move in the world with Emmitt's music. I feel very lucky that he thought of me for the project and I hope my readers/followers will choose to give his music and art a chance. You can't beat a DIY artist or musician whose hands help to mold everything they produce and share. Unbiased - I think the drive to manifest our ideas is a trait we refined as students in Stevens Point! |
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While working on the commission for Emmitt I received another inquiry about an illustration based project. Who would've guessed it would've appeared from another Pointer! UWSP is one of the best communities of alumni who appreciate the arts. Man did I luck out! This message was from my friend Max who introduced me to his friend, lets name him Obi-Wan for the sake of confidentiality and one last pun in honor of May the 4th: Star Wars day. Obi-Wan is an engineer and first-time author whose in the process of publishing a book based on his journey through the Appalachian Trail. Me being an eagle scout and fan of the outdoors, camping, hiking, adventure, and funny stories was very intrigued to learn about his story. Right now Obi-Wan is reviewing submissions from artists before he selects one he wants to work with. He asked that I submit a few concept drawings for the cover so that he could compare entries with other artists he's found. Obi mentioned that he'd end up hiring the chosen artist to also make small drawings at the start of each chapter. I received all the details and a copy of the book in an email from ObiWanKenobiHikes@gmail.com *cue lightsaber sound effect* The email outlined the process he'd like me to follow. First he asked that I read the book. So I did. Its not a long read and its in an early draft, so within three days I was finished. It was that entertaining! While I was reading I took notes of each chapter so I could develop little sketches later. Here are the chapter sketches I came up with. Based on these illustrations would you read this book? |
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Since the book art commission is far from being a guaranteed gig, I'll only share the chapter sketches for now. I want to respect Obi's story and allow him to have anonymity with his story whether he chooses me or not. Once his decision has been made, I'll plan to share my process from when I designed my covers in April. I ended up sending 5 cover designs which were really enjoyable to create. Let's hope he likes one! |
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Another highlight from April was the fact that I made 21 sales in my shop! Selling my art seems to happen in waves and April has been the best month of the year so far! Let's hope this wave keeps going! Initially I had promoted a spring studio sale in my shop after my van's windshield was smashed by a rock as I was bringing Megan back from the Detroit airport. Sometimes life really throws a big stupid rock at you for no reason. Windshields are not cheap to replace. Fortunately my supporters, fans, collectors, and subscribers decided to purchase some art and help me redeem this financial loss! Thank you so much to my new and repeat collectors! |
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So far May has been fairly smooth in terms of financial catastrophes. Instead the big expense this month is some overdue dental care and getting the bonding on my chipped tooth fixed up. I feel like I have my smile back after 2+ without bonding. Any sales this month will definitely offset those costs. *notice the irony of Emmitt's commission now* |
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Take a look around my shop and maybe you'll find something you like at a price you like even more! Many paintings and drawings are listed on sale right now and don't forget orders of $30 or more ship free in the US :) |
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Last Minute Art Path In the summer of 2019 some of you may remember that I participated in a Lansing event called Art Path. I created an acrylic mural titled "Robin" which was inspired by my sense of home in Wisconsin and Michigan through the symbol of the shared state bird. Sadly my mural only lasted three months before it was tagged with distasteful graffiti. What was worse was that I happened to be the person to discover this and inform the organization of the event. Most of the mural was then covered with a neutral gray and a few bits of my painting are visible along the top. |
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To make a long story short, I decide to apply after much consideration to this years Art Path with hopes of mending my feeling towards what happened in 2019. Here's the design I came up with which is called "Life in Lansing". |
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After a month passed I received the news that my design was not selected in part for a lack of wall availability and the high numbers of murals submitted. I was bummed! For months I had been dreaming about the chance to redeem myself as a local artist in this event and I hadn't been chosen. In all honesty up until the month of April, the year 2021 has been full of applications for opportunities that haven't been selected. Art Path stung a little more than the rest though since its an event I have some history with. After a day of building panels I came to accept the results and started to move on (a process I've been working on since March 2020).
Two weeks went by and then out of the blue I received a text from one of Art Path's founders. Before I knew it I was being offered a spot in the event, sadly due to another artist's misfortune/family emergency. Of course I accepted the gig and now May is looking like a month with a mural in works! The space for my design is an old 8' x 7' wooden sign under Michigan Ave. I've walked and biked along this part of the trail probably a few hundred times so I can't wait to see my art back in the community! It feels well timed since Megan and I are going to be moving out of our apartment in June and back to Wisconsin, and my design is a reflection of my time in Lansing.
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Warm weather means Plein Air painting! If you've been following my art for a while you've noticed one of the ways I enjoy painting is by working on location outdoors. "En plein air" is a French term translating to "outdoors or open air". There are various challenges when painting your subject from observation out on location. First you have to deal with the weather. I try to avoid this challenge by only working on sunny and warm days. Second, you have to deal with your subject changing in color and light throughout the time you're painting. Landscapes and architectural spaces always hold interesting shapes and colors but the longer you work you'll find these colors and shapes will move. I actually like this aspect of plein air painting because it motivates me to work quickly and train my eyes to absorb visual information faster. Lastly, another challenge among many, is that you need to carry or transport your materials to the location you want to paint. When I lived in Arizona, I spent a lot of afternoons painting on trails. Back then I only had a wooden French easel that could easily get up to 10 or 15 pounds with all of my materials. I'm happy I asked Megan to photograph those strenuous walks so you don't have to imagine what that's like. |
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So the last thing I'd like to share in this newsletter is about a new tool I built specifically for my plein air painting setup. The reason I wanted to build this is because a few weeks ago I registered for my first plein air painting event. It was something I discovered through online searches for something else and fortunately it aligned with my summer timeline in June! I'll wait to share the details of when and where this is happening, but I wanted to give you some context about why this tool needed to be built. I've used other boxes for smaller painting rigs before. The image on the left gives you a look at this growing collection of plein air boxes! |
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I've seen these foldable palette boxes hanging off other artists' easels for years. I never knew where they were sold or how handy they actually were. As I mentioned, I've always painted with my big heavy French easel which most of the time has worked well. I also mentioned that I like to nerd out on my materials. This also means that I enjoy problem solving for my process and figuring out solutions for how to make more/better paintings. I've been dreaming about a rig that I could build specifically for a backpack or my bike so that my hands could be free and not full of an easel or wet paintings. I came across a YouTuber/Artist named ChamberlainPaintings who has a video which shows you how to build a foldable palette box. It was so easy that I was able to put it together within a day while working on other building projects last month like these 21 cradled and primed wood panels for future paintings! |
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June's Newsletter Giveaway! When I first started announcing these monthly newsletter giveaways I didn't know how long I would keep them up for. I still don't. But lucky for all of you subscribers I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Next month's giveaway drawing is a portrait of @seb Charcoal on Bristol 500 Series Paper 5.5" x 7" 2020 |
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To conclude this long and dense newsletter I'll leave with another "studio nugget" or ramblings about something I've learned recently. Sometimes I hesitate to share progress or news of uncertain projects/gigs in case they don't pan out. But at the same time I feel the uncertain projects like the book cover are just as real as the projects that become gigs. Artists are constantly working to refine their craft, find opportunities, and make new connections with many of our efforts going unseen. In a digital world where most of us are bombarded with the success of others, my hope is that me sharing progress of uncertainties can balance out the ways we understand and learn from social media. No matter what happens with the Appalachian Trail story, I'm thrilled to share this and other news with you. Plus who knows maybe there will be a book cover gig in my future after all! Feel free to keep your fingers crossed for me! Stay creative! And a huuuuuggggggeeee thank you for sticking with me to read about what's new in my pocket of the universe! P.S. I was serious about replying to this email and saying hi! I hope you will :) |
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