…but, I was able to stop by one and purchase a greeting card rack for an extremely low price. Like, exceptionally low. I look forward to using it at my next First Friday event. =) All of the good art books were already taken, which kind of sucked. Oh well! I also got myself a paper embosser with my symbol that I’m excited about! I plan to use it for my certificates of authenticity (once I get some nice silver stickers to go along with it) and for some other special things too.
I still feel like I’m a bit crazy for deciding to go for a new video and artwork every week. Too ambitious? I’ve kept it up for the past couple of weeks, but I wonder how I will fare in the next couple of months? Hmm!!
The online article is quite long, and pretty funny! =)
A photographer came by, I was surprised to see such a large color photograph!
My latest video I had a lot of fun with. (Probably due to the rabbits)
I put the painting up for sale on Ebay. I hope it goes to someone who will really appreciate it! Also, I’m still putting a lot of work into my new website, and can’t wait for it to be finished. Until then!
I’m really excited to announce that I’m one of the winners in the YouTube Creator Institute contest! Eep! I’ll be taking off in just four days, that’s Wednesday, May 25, 2011. I am going to miss my boys!!! I don’t know how I’ll manage without them, and I really wonder about their well being while I’m away. I’ve never been away from Jude or Jacob for more than a day. I’ll probably do my fair share of crying soon lol.
I’m so giddy right now, I’m just super excited. I really can’t wait. The other week I went out with a coupon and bought some of those Crest Whitening Strips. I have been a bit embarrassed with how yellow my teeth have gotten, regardless of how often I’d brush haha. It hasn’t been the full 20 days yet, but my teeth are a lot whiter than they were before. I feel a lot more confident actually. I’m also not sure who all I’m going to be meeting USC either, whiter teeth can’t hurt right? =3
My older brother Cole just graduated from Mesa State last weekend. =D A lot of my relatives were there actually. We all stayed in the same hotel for the weekend and even though it was just the weekend I had a lot of fun. =)
Well it’s time I get my bags packed for my trip. I’ll try to blog with my experience while I’m out in California!
A lot of things have happened this month, too busy to blog about them like I should have done!
My red dress I love
Smiling at our table.
My four year anniversary with Jonathan was on the 11th, Jonathan got me daises with four red roses to represent every year we’ve been together. I really wasn’t expecting flowers since we’ve been trying to be so frugal lately, and have to watch our money.
He really surprised me! Lol We had an amazing day, it really felt surreal since I was happy all day long. We went to Maggiano’s Little Italy for dinner, which is down by the strip across the street from the Wyn. I made him a cute little card and put a ribbon on it.
Then Jude’s third birthday came up. I made him a cake and decorated it with bright colors ad put Elmo on the top. His face lit up when he saw Elmo on top of his cake. =) We got him a slide, and he was just thrilled with it. I distracted Jude at the counter while Jonathan brought it in and kept it covered with a sheet. When he turned around he saw the sheet and was really excited about the sheet covering something lol. He’s really into covering things up and saying it’s a ‘ghost’
Cake made a super cute pose next to the Elmo cake that I made for him.
I knew he was happy with the slide when he got all embarrassed about showing how excited he was.
Smiling on his new slide.
I found out about a contest YouTube was hosting, ‘The Creators Institute.’ Basically, it’s to help teach YouTubers everything they need to know to make good videos, how to market them, build an audience, among other things:
Earn a paid YouTube Creator Institute experience including: tuition, round-trip airfare, food and rooming costs.
Learn from a newly-created new media curriculum while using new media tools.
Engage intimately with world-class faculty, industry leaders, YouTube leaders, and top YouTube stars.
Build a customized and upgraded brand channel, video blog on experiences, and start building a global audience.
Produce a single piece of work–whether it be a talk show, nature video, short film, etc.–by the end of the program, to be promoted by YouTube and its partners.
Find out more about it here. I made a video for it, and the winners will be announced on May 2, 2011. So I’m crossing my fingers for it!
Yesterday morning I parted with the sketchbook I put a lot of time and effort in. It was sent to New York for the Sketchbook Project 2011! I plan to make a video about the book fairly soon.
Showing off my sketchbook before I send it off.
If you haven’t heard of the project you can check it out here. Basically, my sketchbook is going to be a permanent part of the Brooklyn Art Museum after it travels around the country to be checked out by the public.The theme I chose was ‘And then there was none.‘ So, the drawings inside the book have a bit of a darker and sadder tone to them.
I’ve also received a new 132 set of Prismacolored pencils as a gift. ^__^ I’m very excited about them and can’t wait to try out all of those new colors.
132 Pack, 24 Pack (I got these as a teen), and Free Pens
I’m
So Many Pencils!!!
trying to think up of some new ideas specifically for these pencils as well. I’m thinking some sort or portrait maybe? One thing that I do need to get is some colorless blenders or other sorts of extras for colored pencils now that I think about it. I’m also thinking about trying out a graphite drawing with a colored aspect to it rather than it being completely colored pencils? So I can get to know how to work with a lot of these new colors first. It’s hard at this point in time to figure out what medium I want to use to create a piece since I’m delving into so many more new types that I really enjoy.
So in other news, I’m still saving up for my camcorder. I realized that I’ve had my head in too many big projects and really need to focus on just one or two things. Making videos and art remain on the list, but I feel I should get into gear with these tutorials. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.
I’ve got a lot of art to get done before Christmas this year. Though out of all of it I managed to get our family photo taken this year, and I must admit I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. I set up the timer, set the camera on my tripod, moved my drawing table out of the way. =) I have a little bit too much on my plate to fully sit down and rant out a blog, so this will have to do for now.
My birthday is next week, and I’ll be turning 21, the magical, fun, and special age as some people like to call it. Though I’m not planning to use my new age to go out to parties, drink or gamble the day of (I’m sure most people do when they turn 21 in Vegas, it doesn’t sound fun to me at all really). instead I’m going out to see Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1. I saved up and traded a lot of Pop Tart codes to get two free movie tickets, yay to being frugal!
I bought some new paper that I’m excited about, printing paper at that. I’ve been searching for a heavy weight glossy paper for many months for my online shop products. I’m redesigning all of my stuff and plan to add new products even. I’m even making a custom font just for it all. I’m trying to put a lot of thought into my products and make them a bit more special than your average greeting card or bookmark. I think it’s a pretty boring topic for most people to be reading, but it’s been on my mind A LOT, so I had to write a little something.
Last week Jonathan got into a car wreck. A car ran into him from behind, luckily no one was hurt. This means that we can’t drive out to Colorado for any holiday this year until we get a new car, so maybe we might be able to drive out for the Christmas holiday time. I’m kinda sad because I really liked our bright red Jeep Cherokee, and I know Jonathan really liked having a Jeep too. He took care of it and worked on it a bunch.
Jude & Jacob are doing everything boys their age do, acting like cute angels being funny one minute, then crazy imps the next. They make me happy. =)
All in all, I have a lot of thoughts revolving around redoing my website, shop, and products on my mind, not to mention what to do for this year’s holidays.
To start off bluntly, I had my first miscarriage early this morning.
I was apparently 10 1/2 weeks pregnant. I had some nasty cramps all of last night, and woke up bleeding. In the end, Jonathan took me to the hospital where I stayed for several hours while it all passed. I came home around 7 in the morning, the people that were at the house including my boys Jude and Jacob were still sleeping. It feels pretty surreal right now. I am sad, I guess…more in a state of shock right now.
Jacob laid with me last night before I went to the hospital or knew what was really going on.
I know I’ll probably be more upset about it all in a day or 2 when it all starts to sink in. Jonathan and I both said we were very sorry for it to have happened. I know that I’ll be able to move on, and so will he. This experience has only brought us closer, and makes us want to spend even more time loving the healthy kids we have right now. My body already looks different, thinner. We lit a candle when we came home, and I took a nap to make up for all the sleep I lost in the night. ( I wasn’t able to get to bed until about midnight due to the cramping, and awoke only 2 and half hours later.)
I’m going to try to finish my painting later today. Regardless of everything that’s happened, I feel determined to keep up with my goal of making that art and that video every couple of weeks. Besides my entire loving family, that’s all I have to try to work on and look forward to during this time. I know we can get through this.
Always,
Lauren
We took this picture a couple months ago of us
The photo I could get of Jude and me while trying to hold the camera! Taken not too long ago
I’ve never made any type of film before, until now. I’ve always wanted to make a short film, but wanted to be sure to really avoid the short film stereotypes lol. Now, I never thought that I’d only have 15 days to make my film…^_^; Quite a challenge if you ask me. It became even more challenging when I decided to incorporate hand animation into the picture. If you know how it’s made, you can guess how many hours it takes just to make 30 seconds of animation. (My hands are screaming)
So far I have yet to see a short film that’s has all these elements done by one person, the only exception in my film is that Jonathan helped record some moving scenes for me when I could not.
Written
Directed
Recorded (with the exception of Jonathan in some scenes of course)
Hand Animated
Rotoscoped
Acted
Painting
Drawing
Edited
Etc.
I’ve seen a lot of really great short films made mainly by one person but without the art. So I hope these are elements will help to set my film apart…maybe? =P Maybe trying to do all of this myself in just two weeks is a crazy idea, I’m only about halfway done with it so far, and have 8 days left. All I know is, is that when I’m finished with all of this, I’m taking the longest bubble bath possible, and eating a nice piece of chocolate. Enough with my short rant, I must work!
Tell me what you think of my short film ideas so far if you want. =)
I have made a couple of announcements in my most recent video, which I’m excited about.
Firstly, I’ll be posting a new video every three weeks as compared to every two weeks. I’ll still be posting on Fridays as well. Personally, it takes me quite a while to make a complete painting, not to mention all the steps that go along with it, such as building the canvas (that itself if a lot of work!) coming up with a concept, doing research on the concept idea, setting up to paint, cleaning brushes, applying varnish, and the list goes on. It also generally takes me a couple of days to edit my episodes. This extra week will definitely help me simply because art takes time, and extra time is very beneficial =)
Secondly, I’ve been wanting to make actual tutorial episodes. I don’t think it’s sufficient enough to try and teach someone how to draw or paint through my blogs for one. I actually want to spend a lot of time editing and refining these 30 minute episodes to really help someone learn how to approach and make art. I’ve always been one to look for art tutorials myself, and sadly I’ve been pretty disappointed with most of what I’ve found (except you Bob Ross =P ) Most of the time people will teach how to make something only one way, when I believe there are many ways to paint a flower and many ways to draw a face. I hope to create tutorials that can help guide others where to what, what they can do to start, some techniques they can implement and even learn to change techniques and styles and come up with their own. I don’t want, “Draw Just like Lauren in 30 Minutes!” Art is used in so many aspects of life besides making your typical fine art. So, on to how I want to make and distribute this idea. To make the quality good enough for your standard television I want to purchase a nice pro camcorder. More specifically I was looking at the Canon XH A1S, the new Canon XF300 would be the one I’d truly want, but it’s really way up there in price, hey I can dream lol. I don’t have the money for all the things necessary to make these episodes so I came up with Creations for Donations. Basically it’s a fundraiser to help me save up for this camera, now I don’t like to receive without giving something back. So I painted a donation painting specially for this fundraiser.
Everyone who donates regardless of the amount will be given special thanks in the credits of all the Transient Art Tutorials episodes!
$10.00
Every time you donate $10.00 or more you’ll receive a special edition bookmark.
$25.00
Every time you donate $25.00 or more you’ll receive a special edition greeting card, individually wrapped, with a matching envelope along with the special edition bookmark.
$50.00
Every time you donate $50.00 or more you’ll receive a hard copy of the first volume of Transient Art Tutorials when they’re completed, along with the special edition bookmark, and special edition greeting card. These tutorials will be on DVD’s for you to watch in your own home.
$100.00
Every time you donate $100.00 or more you’ll receive a fine art print of the painting printed on high quality archival royal jazz paper that will be numbered and hand signed. The print will also come with a certificate of authenticity hand signed by me at the time the print was made. You’ll also get the special edition bookmark, special edition greeting card, and the first volume of Transient Art Tutorials on DVD.
Above $100.00
I would love you forever and ever! You’ll get all of the above mentioned products, but also the person who donates the most will receive the original artwork, framed, hand signed, with a certificate of authenticity!
These products are all special edition and are only available from this fundraiser, once the necessary amount of money is raised these products will never be released again!
I plan to make most of these episodes free to everyone on my website for viewing and self improvement, and to also sell these on DVD’s. Now I bet some people will be like, “Ah! Lauren trying to sell yourself??? They should all just be free!” Sometimes people forget I have a life and family with two young sons, and I desperately want to help provide for them and hope that we can have our own house someday. I know that art is my best asset that I know of in providing for my family =) Teachers get paid for their expertise, people get paid to design things, I always wondered how some people separate fine artists from all of this sometimes, no joke. I’ve met others who say I’m selling myself simply because I’m selling a bookmark version of my painting, even for marketing my art through videos and a website so that others can see it! Being me, I of course had to pick an expensive hobby -,- Painting gets very costly, especially considering the fact that I choose to use quality materials so that my paintings will last through time. (I’ll dive into the whole controversy about creating art from cheap or expensive materials and the difference it makes another time lol)
This piece is a continuation of the piece, “Key to My Heart.” The backgrounds match in both paintings and have the same heart as well. Though the door on the heart in this piece is slightly open, and even the raven is holding the key in it’s beak. I view myself as the tree in a way, and have my own plot of land on the side of the fence. My house in the background has a single light lit in the window. The rabbit was always a favorite animal of mine growing up. It’s running into the hole in the tree, in a way it’s a representation of growth, like my older innocence retreating and going away. The raven is a spiritual animal to me and it sits in the branches bordering the fence in a mocking manner. It can easily up and flay away with the key and touch the tempting moon. The moon itself is dripping all it’s goodness and light onto the earth, and it you notice, some of it is dripping onto my side of the fence. I personally feel that I’ve been touched by something greater in my personal life. The moon is also in a waxing stage, symbolizing growth. I hope that others who look at this piece can also think of the changes that maybe they’re going through deep in them as well. =)
So finally, if you guys aren’t able to donate really, don’t worry about =) Let others know if you think they might be interested in this small cause, especially if they’re interested in seeing some quality tutorials in the future. Seriously, thank you to everyone who has helped support me in making my videos, whether you gave me a direct opinion on it or simply watched and rated my videos, thanks so so so much!
Yeah, I just got home after sitting in a bunch of traffic with Jude in his car seat. He was excited because I was taking him out of course, only to become very upset when I had to haul him back to the car when I realized the stupid library was closed…I just wanted to pick up the book I put on reserve! Lol, sooo I guess maybe I can go back tomorrow, oh well.
Tomorrow is Mother’s Day and I’m wondering what’s in store for me. I know we’re going to head to Art in the Park, which is a local art fest that I enjoy going to a lot. Personally I would love a nice breakfast in bed (Jonathan if you’re reading this you’d do best to take the hint ;D) Nothing fancy, just an egg or two and it’d really make my day, I don’t need flowers or a card, though cards are nice from the kids. =P So I’ll be uploading my next video tomorrow, in it I painted some flowers that Jonathan gave me last week. ^_^
Holding the flowers Jonathan gave me.
I love the flowers that Jonathan got for me!
I’ve been reading the House of Night lately and have been really wanting to read the next one. They’re not the greatest but I enjoy them lol. I think I would’ve loved the books a lot more if I was a freshman in high school in all honesty, kinda makes me wish they were available at that time actually. I’ve been keeping an eye out to purchase the next one maybe. I’ve also been wanting a pink book light, I read so much I’m seriously surprised that I’ve never boughten one for myself in all these years! Sorry this is kind of a boring blog =/
