WiLD and WaCKy

I know I promised lots of "work in process" photos, but I haven't stopped painting long enough to post here - but that is about to change!

The large "BiG HeADs" project is complete (scroll down to previous posts to read all about those)and they are in place - as well as the 14 smaller 25-inch portraits. I will be back soon to update you all on the outcome (so far so good - very positive feedback)...



In the meantime I have switched gears to some arty projects that are less room-consuming: arty doll jewelry assemblages which I will be posting soon as well! They are DELICIOUS!



joy in the journey,
katey~D

www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com

more Baby Love

This is my update on BaBY LoVE

(click the link to see the previous Work in Progress photos)





24" square / acrylic on gallery wrap canvas


find my affordable art at

http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/

~katey

** these interpretive portraits are part of a collection for display purposes only and are NOT FOR SALE**

"Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

from Nehemiah 8:10

BaBY LoVE

Baby Love: Diana Ross and the Supremes

I had to take a break from the BIG HeaDS and move onto the second phase of the commission - the 24" square canvases.

I began with
DIANA ROSS

See this post for progress on Jim Morrison: People are strange and this post where I introduce the BiG Heads project...and for progress on Steven Tyler click this: DREAM ON

And do stop by my ETSY store where my smaller art is always available affordably.http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/
Joy in the journey,
Katey

** these interpretive portraits are part of a collection for display purposes only and are NOT FOR SALE**

Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing.

~Ps 100:2

DREAM ON

** these interpretive portraits are part of a collection for display purposes only and are NOT FOR SALE**

In this, my second WiP (works in process) post, I am featuring Steven Tyler of Aerosmith - not because I am a fan, but as I have said, for the unmistakably interesting and recognizable mug he has. I don't dislike him, but Aerosmith has not been in my top-100 list and I even found it a struggle to come up with an accompanying youtube for this feature. Methinks I am a bit of a prude.

So here I am again ~ revealing my vulnerable self as I show unfinished work in the process of becoming something better. I see all the flaws and warts. This is not a cry of self-deprication in hope of gaining praise... I see the value, but I know what it needs to become and it isn't there yet. Perhaps it won't get to where it needs to be. Creation is more about the process than the product I am told (though as a goal oriented graphic designer type, I have goals and I aim ruthlessly -- and while I surprise myself when I enjoy the ride, it is the destination that gives me the greater hoot).

I will show final photos when the art is hung in place.

See this post for progress on Jim Morrison: People are strange
and this post where I introduce the BiG Heads project.

Aerosmith: DREAM ON with an orchestra

Steven Tyler - NOT just another pretty face, in fact, a very unusual, almost malformed face. Fans love him - he is unmistakable.

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

As I struggled with him looking like a muppet baby, a gorilla, or maybe himself with a pinch of Tarzan tossed in...I also realized it is true that his eyes are close set and deep set - his nose is petite, and his trademark mouth is gigantic.

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

Check back for more features on this series.

And do stop by my ETSY store where my smaller art is always available affordably.
http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/

Joy in the journey,

Katey

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. ~ I Samuel 16:7

People are strange

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

I have to concur, but define “strange”.

This is the first update on my Works-in-Progress series (see the previous post “BiG HeadS” for the introduction…)

http://blueyeduckstudios.blogspot.com/2009/01/learning-to-say-yes-again.html

I am featuring Jim Morrison here today - who makes me feel uneasy…

I experience nothing but sadness when I think about his music and his life and even the memories I have of someone who adored him (insert “The Way Back Machine” ) from my high school daze.

People are Strange - The Doors (Jim Morrison) September 1967

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_Are_Strange

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

I found JM easier to paint than a few of the other faces in this first series.

He was truly beautiful in appearance…but what a torn and tattered soul inside.

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

(c)2009 blueyeduckstudios.com / katey-D [WiP]

PEOPLE ARE STRANGE:
“According to its 'ALLMUSIC' review, the song "reflects the group's fascination with the theatrical music of European cabaret. "The song is about alienation and being an outsider, and, as the aforementioned review also notices, Jim Morrison may have addressed the song both to the hippie culture, to outsiders in general, and/or to users of drugs such as LSD. The song was written by guitarist Robby Kreiger after he and a depressed Morrison had walked to the top of Laurel Canyon Drummer John Densmore believes that the song was the manifestation of Morrison's "vulnerability". "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Currently I am working on details of Stevie Nicks - I have had to use a combination of photos to capture her (she keeps leaning towards wanting to look like Meg Ryan). I am doing final touches on Freddie Mercury, Steven Tyler, and Phil Collins.

I won’t post FINAL WiP photos until they are hanging in situ at the restaurant! Do check back for more features on this series though!
And do stop by my ETSY store where my smaller art is always available affordably.

http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/
Joy in the journey,
Katey

** these interpretive portraits are part of a collection for display purposes only and are NOT FOR SALE**

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
~Romans 3:20-24

BiG Heads

FREDDIE: "Work in Progress" - katey-D / blueyeduckstudios

Who Wants to Live Forever ~ Queen

Jim Morrison: "Work in Progress" - katey-D / blueyeduckstudios

I need some good old fashioned "Time in Bottle" ala Jim Croce.

So anyway - here I am in the middle of unending projects and school work and life and death and all the stuff that happens no matter what day it is or what the weather is or what the body feels like ...

and I not only do I say YES to painting 5 (or more) Rock Star Portraits larger than life... I actually was part of the brainstorming that birthed the idea...

These and more will be hanging in a Rock 'n Roll themed restaurant/bar near Cleveland.

You are seeing the washes of gray that is the foundation for all the vibrant color that will follow...
The "stars" were chosen for a combination of reasons: recognizability and the way light and shadow worked on each face...

Be kind - these are in the first stages of being born...

STEVEN TYLER: "Work in Progress" - katey-D / blueyeduckstudios

As ALWAYS - find my art at

www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com

~katey

:)

** these interpretive portraits are part of a collection for display purposes only and are NOT FOR SALE**

HoLD oN TigHT To YoUR DReaM

.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·::·.*.·::·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.

www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com

Hold on Tight To Your Dreams - ELO

Hold on tight to your dream

When you see your ship go sailing

When you feel your heart is breaking

Hold tight to your dream.

.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·::·.*.·::·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.

www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com

It's a long time to be gone

Time just rolls on and on

You need a shoulder to cry on

When you get so sick of trying

Just hold tight to your dream

When you get so down that you cant get up ~ And you want so much but you're all out of luck

Accroches-toi a ton reve ~ Accroches-toi a ton reve. Quand tu vois ton bateau partir. Quand tu sents -- ton coeur se briser. Accroches-toi a ton reve.

When you get so down that you cant get up ~ And you want so much but you're all out of luck

Hold on tight to your dream

Hold on tight to your dream

When you see the shadows falling

When you hear that cold wind calling

www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com

Hold on tight to your dream.

Oh, yeah

Hold on tight to your dream

Yeah, hold on tight...

To your dream.

.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·::·.*.·::·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.

www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com

In the last couple of years I have walked a road that until I did I would have never thought I would have survived... and what I know now is that

I have

I can

I will

I have walked through or near heart wrenching betrayal, blasphemy, hate, abondonment, death, disease, suicide, and murder... and I know that in the morning Joy still reigns. I know that my Redeemer lives. Yes.

"I know that my Redeemer lives! * What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, he lives, who once was dead; He lives, my ever living head! * He lives triumphant from the grave; He lives eternally to save; He lives exalted, throned above; He lives to rule his Church in love. * He lives triumphant from the grave; He lives eternally to save; He lives exalted, throned above; He lives to rule his Church in love. * He lives to grant me rich supply; He lives to guide me with his eye; He lives to comfort me when faint; He lives to hear my soul’s complaint. * He lives to silence all my fears; He lives to wipe away my tears; He lives to calm my troubled heart; He lives all blessings to impart. * He lives to bless me with his love; He lives to plead for me above; He lives my hungry soul to feed; He lives to help in time of need. * He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend; He lives and loves me to the end; He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing; He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King! * He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly friend; He lives and loves me to the end; He lives, and while he lives, I’ll sing; He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King! * He lives and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death; He lives my mansion to prepare; He lives to bring me safely there. * He lives, all glory to his name! He lives, my savior, still the same; What joy this blest assurance gives: I know that my Redeemer lives!"

.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·::·.*.·::·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.·:*:·.


Featured Art: you can find this affordable art in my shop on ETSY at www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com . I have made prints from my original illustrations on "Bogus" artist paper (textured, brown, recycled). I hand colored and embellished each one for one of a kind results. Bright colors and delightful subject matter on antique childrens' storybook pages. Signed and Dated.

~katey

Fractured Fairy Tales

The Fisherman Wishes - Fractured fairy tales circa 1959-1961


Here is a mixed media series - my latest creations...

I created a series of hand-colored/embellished prints - taken from my original paintings on antique storybook pages...

with fond memories of a childhood favorite

FRACTURED FAIRY TALES

affordably listed in my shop on ETSY...

http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/

thanks,
katey

There ought to be clowns...

~ Send in the Clowns ~

(Judy Collins)

(Press the PLAY Arrow to LISTEN)

NFAC = Nibblefest Art Contest. It is a fun monthly event put forth by eBay artists according to a theme. This month (beginning January 20th) the theme is WINTER WONDERLAND! All art begins at just 99-cents! Wow!

You can find one of my little potted clowns listed there ("Juggling Snowballs" is his name). The others will be listed on etsy and on eBay at my regular, affordable gallery prices soon. ~ thanks!

THE NFAC EBAY AUCTION: BLUEYEDUCKSTUDIOS

MY ETSY STORE: www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com

Yours

STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN

http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/

I walk the streets of London
and notice in the faces passing by
something that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry
Where is the hope for London
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
as I’m reminded every street in London is Yours

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
and they’re waiting for a cure no one can find
And I hear children’s voices singing
of a God who heals and rescues and restores
and I’m reminded that every child in Africa is Yours

It’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor
and it’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
You’re the maker and keeper, Father and ruler of everything
It’s all Yours

I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I brush by the beggar’s hand and the wealthy man
and everywhere I look I realize
Just like the streets of London
for every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation, this is our Father’s world
It’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor
and it’s all Yours God, Yours God, everything is Yours
You’re the maker and keeper, Father and ruler of everything

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God
You’re the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

And it’s all Yours God, Yours God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky to the depths of the ocean floor
And it’s all Yours God, Yours God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours
It’s all Yours

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

It’s all Yours, God (my life is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God (my heart is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God (my hands and my feet)
It’s all Yours, God (every song that I sing)

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

It’s all Yours, God (all gifts are Yours)
It’s all Yours, God (all our dreams are yours)
It’s all Yours, God (all our plans are Yours, God)
It’s all Yours, God (this whole earth is Yours, God)

It’s all Yours, God (everything is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God (everything is Yours)
It’s all Yours, God

It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God
It’s all Yours, God

The Gargoyle Father

"Sahara" by NIGHTWISH

press the PLAY arrow on the video to listen while you look around this "work-in-progess" post

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Gargoyle Dad

I have been noodling around with some ideas of a gargoyle-person-creature by request...

here are the very first inklings of where it is headed... although there is much more work to be done...

I have a specific person I am incorporating...

a certain "Dad" person

(and by the way, Dad's are the best... love yours all the days you are given to love him).

I am using acrylics on a gallery wrapped canvas

(measuring 8" x 8" by 1.25" deep).

I began with a light pencil sketch for placement and then began to add a gray-scale form...

I check for perspective and scale every now and then using the reference pic of "The Dad"

... it is really cool in my head though I know you all can't see it yet... but soon you will I hope!

I will be adding details of stone/brick... cement-ish qualities...

"The Dad" will have pointy ears and maybe horns or horn bumps...

To check out more of my arty things go to my shop on ETSY at www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com and my arty bio page at www.blueyeduckstudios.com

~katey-D / blueyeduckstudios

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!


Enjoy the listen :)





Great gifties for ANY time always available in my shoppee!

Etsy Buy Handmade blueyeduckstudios

wintersong

for any one and every one who knows loss

peace to you this holiday season and always

xo

~katey

My Dad. My Veteran.

Unforgettable - Nat King and Natalie Cole

IMPORTANT:

Press the ARROW symbol ONCE on the screen to play while you are visiting this post ~ thank-you.



He was born in 1924. He marked his years by quarters. He died 23 days ago at age 84 and 3/4s. He was not ready to go, but he walked through the veil into eternity finally surrendering to the Hand of God mere moments after he had dinner and he had a day of visitors in that hospital room. He had a procedure scheduled the next morning. This wasn’t suppose to happen.

God is sovereign. I am not mad at Him, but I am mad at a few other things and people. I didn’t really want to blog about this, yet I have thought of little else lately. I have addressed about 150 envelopes so far, I have become friends with Bud the headstone salesman, Mike the Funeral Director, and a small cast of other characters I never knew existed 23 days ago.

My Dad was not sick. In the days before this happened he insisted on making Mom drive their van around the block just to see if she still could. He made it clear he wanted me to ‘handle things’ and made an official appointment to be sure I did. He made several other eternal gestures that previous week that make us all now stand in stunned silence in hindsight.

"Twilight Regatta" acrylic n canvas board

Maybe it is weird, but inside each thank-you being mailed I tucked in a print of one of my Dad’s paintings. It is certainly one of my favorites. It showed what he was really capable of. It was done as a 4”x6” on canvas board when I had him painting postcard size. I wish it were 4 foot by six foot! I pushed him along through all my own art phases… artist trading card 2.5” x 3.5” size, postcard size, mini inchie size and so on - he always eagerly jumped into whatever whim I presented to him.

He loved the process of making art and waiting on the praise. You see, as artists that is what we do somehow. We make it and wait to see what the world says. Part of the lesson is learning to make it no matter what anyone says, but we still really get charged when there is the tiniest accolade awaiting the other side of the making of it.

My Dad was without question my biggest praiser. My art walked-on-water to him - even if it didn’t. He saw into it - the gift behind whatever I was making. Even if it was only a whiff of an idea… a plan to be rolled out and I was dealing in pieces and parts of a greater thing… he saw the thing too. He got it.

My Dad never made ‘proper’ art that we ever saw growing up, but he was unmistakably an artist. He was constantly moving and making. He was forever tearing apart a car, painting a wall (again and again), painting a car, buying a car to tear apart or paint, building something… dreaming. He rarely finished anything. He could see the end in his own head and sometimes that was enough. He made small pencil sketches when asked by a young daughter (me) or later, young grandson… we knew. Yes, he was an artist always.

Around his 81st birthday I set him up with ‘real’ art supplies. He was championing me in my eBay art selling endeavors and he was just bubbling inside. When he had his own paint, brushes, and the right sizes and kinds of papers and canvases he went to work quickly and prolifically. Many years of dreaming came spilling out. He made it then waited quietly for the praise. I wanted him to be content in the process regardless of praise (or none) - but he found plenty of applause from everyone and his small format art sold well on eBay when I offered it!

He painted nearly 2 years until potential changes in living location prompted his art supplies to be packed away. He struggled with his things gone, but slowly gained them back and bought new things, and began painting again as much as he could. I stopped selling his work after that initial pack-up of his studio since I didn’t know when or if he would paint again. I felt the need to hoard his work after that time knowing it was so limited. It was never the same as in those first two years he painted and made messes so freely, but it was clear once again he was an artist and no one could take that from him.

You can take the studio away from the artist, but you can’t take the soul out of the artist. You were expecting “you can take the artist out of the studio, but you can’t take the studio (art) out of the artist”… but I like my first version better.

The morning my husband was ironing my Dad's clothes for the funeral he noticed red paint on the nice white shirt Mom had given us for Dad to wear. I had to smile as I glanced up at myself in the bathroom mirror near where the ironing board was and saw green paint on the cuff of my own white sleeve.

I am the youngest of six. He was different with me. That is just the way it was. I have observed that where a teenager might have discord with his parents, he finds a special bond with his grandparents. Sometimes I wonder if Dad and I were more like that. We were past the kid-parent contention and more into the grandparent-grandchild magic - maybe because he was 40 when I was born and maybe because I went away to college and didn’t move back to our hometown for such a long time. Maybe it was because I 'got' him (I didn’t agree with him a lot but I got him… and he got me). When we did share a view point (especially about people) - we were like amalgamated metals.

I became the family historian and genealogy researcher about 15 years ago. Dad’s war stories became my war stories. I asked and listened over and over to get them inside of my head. This past July we set up a 10’ x 20’ tent at a local air show - featuring our collection of WWII photos and memorabilia - with Sam telling his experience live-in-person. He was fantastic and he was given the respect and praise so deserved.

He flew 38 missions over Europe in the belly of a B-17 Bomber. He was a waist gunner as well as an occasional tail gunner. I could go on for days telling you his stories.

He was honest. He was fair. He was sensitive. He was blunt.

I really only wanted to say that I miss him and I always will.

He called me Jayne.

~katey~D
http://www.blueyeduckstudios.etsy.com/

Read more about Sam from my previous blog posts.... please look

I wrote a little about him here (personal WWII photos): http://blueyeduckstudios.blogspot.com/2007/10/world-war-ii-thank-you-ken-burns.html

And I featured a little bit about his art here: http://blueyeduckstudios.blogspot.com/2007/06/d-day.html