Art Swap Guild

Hi all.

I've been keeping pretty busy with random art jobs, all pretty simple pieces and I'm just dying to do something for me! Hopefully this weekend I'll start on a painting and post some WIPs!

I'm a member of the art swap guild on DeviantArt. My swap was for a painting of someone's WoW character, the description was really sweet. I didn't have time to finish it, but I think it turned out pretty sweet anyways.



I will post my ASG image for each month. Still waiting on the judging for the Zimeta's Nivvixian Commtest.


Nivvixian Inventor: While there is a constant demand for new inventions from the royalty, he derives the most pleasure from tinkering.



The Nivixxian Coroner
Tenderly wrapping the deceased in a silk cacoon, Polistes fuscatus (The paper wasp) takes great pride in it's duties. While the creature is encased a scribe creates a lifenote, a record of the deceased deeds.

The wasp takes the enveloped corpse into the woods to the Great Web. A dangerous task, but the coroner does not mind. He has been trained to know the very hour and manner in which to approach the nest.

He leaves feeling privileged to have helped his nest-mate into eternity.

~For Eternity

An unusual school

In case anyone was wondering what I've been busy with ;)



View the animation

This is just a sampling of the many fish I've done for Powerpets.com 's new Aquarium feature! Its a somewhat rushed job so I was only able to infuse personality in a couple of them :(

That's one spastic hammerhead!

****EDIT****
A little puffer was excluded from the preview, but he's fully animated (puffing and unpuffing) in the swf!!

Migrant Camps

My sister Alisa (Her gallery) and I went with a friend and his mother to the migrant camps south of town. She works with the counties educational system to provide educational resources to those whenever they're here for the season. It's actually pretty amazing, they are the only group in the state who provides the migrants with a mobile classroom.



It's wonderful to see how excited the kids got when she pulled the large gutted out motorcoach into the farms large circle driveway. Despite the bitter cold and threats of rain they ran out, excitement beaming from most.

Before they head south for the winter the migrants (children and parents alike) are treated to a picnic day. There were hot dogs and hamburgers, new shoes donated by a local church, cookies, cupcakes, watermelon, sooo many different foods. This time, Alisa and I came along to give the children a special treat. Some face painting! This kept them out of the adults hair as well ;)

I've included some pics of the kids. Spiderman was the top choice, some robber masks... not a whole lot of creative choices but what can you do ;)



I had a good time, hopefully we can do it again!

Art-A-licious!

Art-A-licious was a short but very entertaining festival. It took all of an hour to walk up one side of the block it encompassed and down the other. When I say block, I don't mean it covered four streets surrounding a block. Nope. One side of the block. It was tiny! I heard rumors they had trouble blocking off the streets for this. They had to section of one block of Maumee st? Must have been taxing.....

Anyways, despite the size Alisa and I had a good time. We took a couple friends and hit the fair first early Saturday afternoon with both husky's in costume. They looked great. They behaved really well, and there was very little costume maintenance. I was pretty proud of our pups. The kids LOVED them, but I was really impressed with how many adults actually stopped us wanting to see Mischief and Gandalf, wanting to know their names and how are dogs behaved so INCREDIBLY WELL in their costumes. They were angels, they really were. (For anyone who knows them, this isn't common public behavior.)

It was pretty hot so we kept them on the shaded side for the most part, and they were treated to a frosty boy cone on they way home with a dog treat on top. It was adorable :)

The adjustments I made to the costume made a huge difference. I tightened the cap and it survived head shakes much better, the elastic connecting the two leg bands helped to keep his leg bands up. I also made a few decorative additions to Mischeifs costume.




Mischief's costume by Desiree Joy Bradish






Gandalfs costume by Alisa Bradish





The afternoon trip wasn't particularly productive for viewing and buying so we went back in the evening. It was a bit cooler then, and there was a Patsy Cline cover band playing the whole time. I'm not a huge Patsy Cline fan, but the lady put so much enthusiasm into it, it was impossible not to enjoy.

There were most types of art; woodburning, ceramics, oils, knitting, beading, metals etc.. etc...

I really enjoyed a metal work booth that had sculptures entitled "Dreams" and "Rift" and things of that nature that were really amazing. Dreams was my particular favorite. It was a metal plane taking off from a large rock, an anchor was tied to it and hooked into the rocks. The fuselage of the plane was a house. It was extremely interesting. All of the metal work seemed to focus on the home in one way or another. I'll try and go back tomorrow to get the name of the artist!

There was another amazing section, called "Lost Arts" that captured my eye. I liked the concept of it! I love finding hidden treasures, and if I were going to that seemed like it'd be the place! There I found Steve Cameron's windharps. The amazing instrument played by the wind. If you don't know anything about them I definitely recommend you visit the site. They're beautiful and produce the most engaging haunting beautiful sound you're likely to hear. I have worked with Steve as his web designer, as a woodburner, customizing the harp for customers, and was recruited by him for toastmasters. Luckily he had a copy of his Lenawee Magazine article there for me to view, as I had not had the chance to yet. It is not in the online archive yet, but hopefully it will be there soon.

View the footage of the festival online!
(unfortunately our timing didn't coincide with the recording so no air time for the dogs :()

http://globalworldtv.com/index.php

Upcoming Contest!

Currently:
I am working on an entry for the 9 contest being held by DeviantArt. I've decided to do a combo of a sculpture and a sketch. The idea is to create a "creature" that could inhabit the world of 9. This means found/common objects, mechanical, purposed! I'm doing a harvester, it's sole job is to find and capture the steampunks, and any other small creatures it may find.

It doesn't look like much yet, but I think it's awesome. It has a cage with old halves of hinges as doors. On top of that is mounted a PVC tube that contains the batteries all wired together and the main flood light. There's a small wire that comes out and holds a teaser light. This works like an Angler fish. The device hides in the dark with this small light on, so it looks like an exit. It lures the creature right up to the cage. Then it turns on the flood, blinding them while the arms (not yet attached) shove it in. If this fails, it is equipped with a front roller and it just steam rolls whatever it finds!

What I was doing:
I worked up a website design for my boss, but I can't show you that... I did 20 or so animations... can't show you that. Ugh! I did however do some chalk pastels which you can view. These were a collab with my sister. Who's gallery can be found on DeviantArt as well.

Cable or DSL?

Sorry about my absense, I feel like I say that a lot. Well no more! I think we're going to be switching to DSL.

Thankfully we're really close to the office so it should be just as fast as Comcast. The brand new modem they gave us is junk, it dies every two hours if I'm lucky, every 15 minutes if I'm not. It constantly needs reset! I'm actually on one of the longer stretches of it working right now.. so who knows, this may very well never get posted....

We at least have them through the end of the month since they're paid up. So if anyone has any comments on DSL or TC3net let me know? I've always had cable. Anyways, a little venting, now I'm done.

Well my power cord died so I had to wait a week or so for the new one which arrived today!!! YAY! And since just the tip was broke on the old one I have a backup one now (since I can take the end of this and put it on the old one. (Provided the tip doesn't break again ;)) So I'm back to work.

EAP has had a little done but I'll have to type it up, I've scribbled up my printed copy of it. I will be getting you guys a script soon. There may be some extra sound effects I'll need and I'll post a list of those as well. I'm going for a more modern approach to this so it should be exciting!

I have a lot of animating to do since I've had no access to my computer to do my paid work. But I will be getting to some art I can actually post here.

What's going on...

I realise I've gotten a bit behind as of late. With the birth of my nephew (my first!) and this almost "money-pit" falling down around us, I have found it difficult to keep up with my artistic aspirations. Most notably in the 11second club. I was unable to finish it. I became disheartened with flash in general (UGLY UGLY lineart!) and I stepped back for a while. I think I'll finish it depite the contest having finished, just because it'll be a good show piece if I ever get it done. I have a light box now, and will try and figure out ToonBoom to create some hand drawn stuff!

The Blissfield Center for the Arts is holding an event "Art at your Feet" for street painting! I will hopefully be participating either way I will post photos of it on my deviantart.

I am currently working on building a set of Audrey II sculptures for use in Little Shop of Horrors. Right now I have the smallest one constructed, the hand puppet is nearly finished (construction wise), and I've got the frame mostly worked out for the largest. Lots to do yet, but it'll be cool once it's complete. I will post pictures within the next couple days.

So right now I'm working on paintings, sculpture, and animation! (Not to mention the odd logo/mascot design that pays the bills ;)) I promise you guys something better to look at soon!

~Desi

Catching up!

I apologize for the lull in posts, I've been working full tilt on getting artwork and animations around for my application for masters programs. That's right, I am going after my MFA! Right now I'm looking at a couple different programs one of which is highly selective and very local. This is the program of my dreams, If I made it in I might very well die from sheer overstimulation. So everyone please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Let's see, so what's been going on...

I have updated my youtube account to get rid of some of my stupid channels, and actually uploaded a few videos there.
http://www.youtube.com/user/WytherianDesireeJoy

Right now it contains my graduation Demo Reel (terrible! That class was terrible.), my Galaxy Quest Speed Synch (Speed lip synch), and a wip for the 11 second Animation club contest! I've wanted to enter it for years, so I decided to just knuckle down and do it!!!



I would love to hear some critiques! Hopefully at the end of today there will be a new one up. I've come a long way since I uploaded this one. I've learned I need to learn a little more about compression and making videos out of flash anims.... Regardless of the troubles, I'm very excited about this project, and while I doubt I'll win on my first entry, you never can tell!

I have created a fb group called CreateLenawee! which will hopefully eventually have a web page. I'm trying to bring together local Lenawee County artists to do some major collaborations, either in the realm of movies or murals or sculpture!!!

If you are on faceboook feel free to friend me, if you'd like to work on a project together get in touch! I'd love to do more collaborative projects!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1343847810&ref=profile

Alright let's see, not much else, just of course the 30 in 30 is going slow.. but I'm gonna get them done!!!

Keep in touch,

and in the words of some wierd guy,

"Keep on arting!!!"

Progress in Adversity

Well my version of progress is at least getting windharps.net updated, It has a swf banner now, a little swf for introduction to the historical collection, and so I am going to stop using it as an excuse not to get work done on my projects!

I would like to apologize in advance for the possible incoherency of this blog, I've been feeling pretty sick the last couple days and finding it extremely difficult to concentrate.

I don't know how many of you are familiar with Dr. Horrible (If you aren't GO SEE IT!! drhorrible.com It's FREE! Then go buy it. Support awesomeness! I did!) But when it first came out, unbeknownst to me, there was a contest to make your own submission to the Evil League of Evil. I was very disappointed to find out about it too late to make an entry. But my sister and I have decided to make an animated entry ayways. We need to come up with a character and a voice actor. We were thinking of making siamese twins but still haven't really fleshed it out! Anyone with any suggestions, comments, etc would be appreciated. :) P.s. Another reason to check out Dr Horrible, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS. I'm not easily impressed, but the man rocks, he just rocks all too hard. If I were a man, I'd marry him! (Providing this country steps up to bat on it's real equality)



I'm going to post some sketches up in the next few weeks of possible characters... I'm not looking forward to the songwriting portion but I have high hopes for Alisa's score. I'm much more of a lyricist. :P

Anyways, anyone think this sounds interesting and want to be involved, feel free! We'll be posting this on YouTube, FB, MySpace, this blog... my website, and anywhere else we can find! It'll be fun!

Goals - Accountability

Well they say writing things down is the best way to hold yourself accountable... well that and telling others. So I figured with this blog I would do both!

So here are my goals for 2009!

Professional:
Get Storybook finished, illustrated and sent out to publishers!!!
Animate a short (Perhaps Gentle?)
Get my art on Side7, Artwanted, and any other gallery I can get my hands on!
Complete one comic - at least 5 pages! (Pogen or Nuclear? or AID... or heck any of my millions of ideas!)
Be involved in at least TWO collaborative projects!


Personal:
Go to Chicago (I miss u!!!!) and NYC!
ROAD TRIP!!! (May involve above)
Lose 20lbs (That's typical isn't it?)

Updates and such...

I have spent this weekend making my site xHTML compliant, re-arranging pages to make it more readable, adding more images etc.. Tomorrow I will be working on windharps.net, the client has made a lot of big decisions in the last few weeks on how he wants his marketing to go. We're refocussing on selling the kits online and drawing attn to Steve's new designs. It's gonna be something else. He's also having a month long gallery show at the Croswell this April featuring the debut of his historical collection!



On a non art note, I've been training the husky's using the "Perfect Dog" program you may have seen on one of those late night infomercials. They're extremely difficult and stubborn, but they're really catching on. We're only having a problem when they're around distractions.



Wytheria is getting a complete overhaul very very soon. You can read details about it up and coming in Wytheria's new blog. Wytheria.blogspot.com Jacqui Cameo and I will all be submitting to that.

Anyhow, on the art front, let's talk about contests. Contests are a great way to get your work seen. Even if you don't win these contests you will get exposure. I personally have gotten quite a few commissions this way. So if you're an artist looking for some popularity or paid work, entering contests is a nice way to do this. And of course, if yo u win them, there might be a good prize involved.

Have a good one! :)

P.S. I miss fallout3 and my laptop, they should be home tomorrow by 4:30 according to fedex..

Snow Leapord Trust

Slightly off the art vein I know, but I signed up and so should you!

For ever subscriber to snowleopard.org enews the Kearsley Fund will donate $2 to the Snow Leopard Trust's found raiser!

They are close to raising their goal of 6000 dollars, just a couple hundred people short! They're receiving a lot of support from DevArt and Facebook, let's keep it going!

sign up

p.s. This picture is why I don't draw animals....

What's been taking you so long!?!?!

Alright I sadly do not have a lot of progress to report on my WIP of Shylock, I've tried a few different tattoo designs but have hated all of them. Anyone know some awesome places for design ideas, plz let me know! Tattoo art is not my forté. He has power over pestilence so that should somehow be incorporated. I have decided on a small shadow badge over his left pec and three claw marks symbolizing his loyalty to Tsunami, on his shoulder. I'll keep working on it.





Here's a random battle enemy for Wytheria. I realise the perspective is a little off, but I still am amused.


I've also been working on one of those 25 expression sheets. Ideally I'd like to do one for all of my characters, but this is taking some time! And this guy isn't even my character!?!?! This is Alisa's Bob Russel, a well intentioned if occasionally "out of his league" politician.





What's been taking up the bulk of my time (and why I haven't gotten anywhere on these projects) is Windharps.net It may not look as amazing as it could, but I've added a blog there, that uses rss to syndicate to the site, as well as to facebook! I've been updating the blog. I tried to make a wiki page but that failed as it got deleted because I accidentally submitted it before it was done, rather than previewing. Maybe later I'll have the energy to do it again, but I spent forever and lost it all. I'm pretty irked with Wiki. We're featuring a new upcoming exhibition of some really awesome harps. I have seen them in person and they look wonderful! It's of course a secret until they're revealed at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian Michigan for Steve Cameron's solo exhibition!!! (All of the month of March) So go there, but make sure you buy your harps through the website ;)

This is it for this blog, I promise these will be better thought out and written in later posts! I'm kind of overwhelmed with all of this windharps stuff and learning about how amazing RSS is! Now if only Myspace would let you import blogs... stupid Myspace... -.-

:) As always, I love critques on my art! post your thoughts!

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