pop tart

new blog

2010-02-01T09:43:00.003-06:00

i have decided to switch my blog over to tumblr:

darrahdeangooden.tumblr.com

please join me there instead if you'd like!

to austin: progress coffee

2010-01-30T10:44:00.005-06:00

hey austin! just wanted to let you know that my work will be showing at progress coffee beginning february the 1st through the 28th. even if you don't stop by there to see my art this month, i urge you to try out progress at some point if you have yet to do so. it's a unique, local spot in east austin with many kind and happy people. i am thankful to be able to display my art on its tall walls.

these mountains are safe

2010-01-25T14:00:00.008-06:00

last week, the band that my husband is a part of, shapes stars make, released their first full length album entitled, these mountains are safe. and it is incredible! you can buy it on itunes if you wish. but, personally, i would recommend purchasing your own hard copy. artist and friend, chad roddy, created the whimsical mountain illustration that you see on the outer cover, followed by several more beautiful gems on the inside. it is worth the purchase and available at locations such as best buy and hastings.

to find out more about where to purchase the album click here.

to listen to shapes stars make on myspace click here.

enjoy!

daily candy

2009-11-13T17:18:00.009-06:00

i was surprised and honored to see my name mentioned in a daily candy feature this morning (and i couldn't help but chuckle about and ponder the fact that they referred to me as "new mom")! the gallery actually held its opening on october 1, the night of my newborn son, oscar's, birthday. needless to say, i wasn't able to be there, but i do have four pieces that are currently hanging in the gallery through the end of november. if you get a chance, you should stop by artisan style. i have so enjoyed working with the owners and appreciate their vision to share good art with the public and to humbly serve the artists that they work with.

snippets

2009-08-24T16:38:00.007-05:00

just a few rough close-ups from pieces i've been preparing for a show in tyler this week. it seems to have turned into the birds and branches show...

fancy dancers

2009-07-06T11:26:00.006-05:00

commission, 15"x22" (or so), acrylic on gesso board

another art deco-style piece that i was working on when i posted the one below a couple of weeks ago. it will hang near "beachy". i just never got around to posting it once i was finished.

beachy

2009-06-18T17:33:00.006-05:00

commission. 15"x22" (or so) on gesso board

i spent most of my day finishing up this piece. i wish i could have spent the day lounging on that beach. it looks breezy, peaceful...not too hot. all day while i was painting this piece i wondered if the woman on the far right felt excluded...no one is locking arms with her. or perhaps she was just enjoying the breeze, too.

*disclaimer: i did not come up with this design on my own. it was an idea already given to me to re-work. another art deco piece to compliment the others.

blank be gone

2009-04-07T18:34:00.006-05:00

commissioned triptych, each canvas measures 24"x36"

i've slacked on the picture taking lately, so i made a point to snap a quick photo of this piece before it gets delivered tomorrow. you might remember a series of paintings i created for a healthcare project last year...this is another piece that will be on display with the others. after hanging all of the pieces, the waiting room still had a remaining blank wall that really needed something on it, so we decided to go with a three piece that will coordinate with this.

hunting art prize 2009

2009-04-02T17:10:00.009-05:00

remember him? mister abrams. he's made quite the debut on my blog over the past year. and i am truly thankful and honored to report that i sent him away to houston, texas a few days ago, as he was chosen to be one of the 2009 hunting art prize finalists.

for those of you unfamiliar with this prize:

"the hunting art prize, which is sponsored by the international oil services company hunting, plc, is a prestigious annual competition open to established artists, talented newcomers, and promising amateurs. it's $50,000 award is the most generous annual art prize in the U.S. and has helped to build the reputations, raise the profiles, and support the careers of distinguished artists."

needless to say, i wouldn't mind taking home that prize, but at the same time am truly humbled just to get to be a part. a gala takes place at the beginning of may where all of the art will be displayed and the winner will be revealed.

in other news, i have been busy creating all sorts of commission pieces: people portraits, ranch houses, burros, dogs, zebras, trees and abstracts. if you are one of the few consistent pop tart readers, i apologize that i have been neglecting the blog lately. i am going to make an effort to step it up. thanks for stopping by!

i've been stalked

2009-03-12T10:12:00.004-05:00

this morning i received an email informing me that i have been stalked. click on the binocular wearing bird above to check out the etsy stalker site. today they featured a collection of chairs and "olive" made the cut. i am honored to be a part. thanks for stalking me, etsy stalker!

hearts and thoughts

2009-02-14T17:52:00.003-06:00

just a quick post since i've been such a blog slacker lately. i've been busy the last few weeks working on several projects. i'll try to post some pics soon. i've also been spending some time freelancing at a local flower/design shop this week as they needed help prepping for valentines day. it was a fun treat for me. good design and beautiful flowers.

thanks for checking in!

i will be back soon with some visuals...

modern

2009-01-28T23:12:00.006-06:00

Installation of Permanent Collection and Then Some from Modern Art Museum of FW on Vimeo.

i thought the above video was an interesting watch. it's a time lapse video depicting the installation of the permanent collection at the modern art museum of fort worth. this video and info can also be found on modernblog.org.

the music that you hear is by a denton band that i really like called mom. shapes stars make (my husband, michael's band) will actually be playing with mom, as well as a band called this will destroy you at the granada on february 25th. you should come if you're in town! for ticket info go to: granadatheater.com

here, yeller....

2009-01-20T10:43:00.007-06:00

commission, 16"x20", pencil on illustration board

i struggled to take a super photo of this piece, so i suppose this will have to do for now. the photo is also cropped down a good bit from the original.

a blue birch progression

2009-01-15T12:29:00.006-06:00

custom piece, 25"x37"x1.5", acrylic on canvas

this piece will actually hang near "lone red bird" that i posted about a couple of entries below. as i mentioned earlier, the home is decorated with lots of bold accent colors, blue being one of them. the owners really liked the original birch piece and wanted me to create something similar that complimented their home. i've painted a few different birch pieces, but never one with such bold color. it was a fun challenge.

etsy dallas

2009-01-14T11:02:00.005-06:00

etsy dallas does a little member spotlight once a week on their blog. this week i was surprised to see that they did one on dgoods, my etsy shop. the group has lots of talented artists and crafters. you should go take a look at their blog or site and peruse when you get a chance.

thank you etsy dallas!

lone red bird

2009-01-13T11:40:00.005-06:00

67"x37"x2.5", acrylic on canvas

this is a much larger rendition of a similar piece that i created a while ago. the home where this will be displayed tends to be decorated in an overall soothing palette that serves to compliment bold accents of color, hence the fire engine red bird on its branch.

new year, new deco

2009-01-07T22:33:00.012-06:00

13"x36", acrylic on board

happy new year! i hope you had a nice holiday. i certainly did. after taking off from painting for a good week and a half, i started back up on monday. i began by working on these two pieces. they will actually be featured with the other art deco pieces that i blogged about last september. like the others, i was given little images to work from that i then altered a bit. all that to say, i really cannot take full credit for what you see. these should be the last of the art deco series.

a good eve to you! it's nice to be back.

and a...

2008-12-23T19:35:00.004-06:00

merry christmas to you!

day 10 - and i'm done!

2008-12-23T19:23:00.003-06:00

commission, 16"x20", pastel on illustration board

this is actually the 10th and last piece of my countdown! yes, i know that i said there would be "12". but, during the twelve days, two of the project deadlines ended up being pushed back until after christmas (thankfully!). i started them, but eventually saw no need to push myself and finish when i didn't have to (save the countdown). i'm sorry to disappoint if you were actually following the countdown. but, thankful that i had a little more time to go christmas shopping and take care of things before tomorrow that i wouldn't have been able to otherwise. i'll post the belated two later on. thanks for following!

day 9 (ish) - longhorns

2008-12-21T17:24:00.006-06:00

commission, 30"x60", acrylic on canvas

the longhorns.

there are still some details that i want to change up in this piece. specifically concerning that far right cow, the background, and the grass. but, i thought i'd go ahead and give the longhorns a post, drink my mountain dew, and then call it an early night (mt. dew doesn't have much of an effect on me). good night!

day 8

2008-12-20T00:15:00.004-06:00

commission, pencil on illustration board

detail of a portrait that i'm in the process of finishing up.

day 7 - back in the saddle

2008-12-18T20:37:00.007-06:00

commission, 2'x6', acrylic on canvas

i just wrapped this piece up earlier this evening and even got to go out for mexican food afterwards. chuy's chips and queso. so nice. and day 7 is now really day 7 again! this is the final piece in the healthcare project. that feels so good to type. now onward - to the longhorns...

reworkage

2008-12-18T20:18:00.008-06:00

triptych, 3'x6', acrylic on canvas

i wasn't totally satisfied with how this piece was looking when i posted it a couple of days ago. i didn't feel like the colors were working great with the overall color scheme of the project. i also felt like it needed more texture and was lacking in a meatiness that i was struggling to pinpoint. so, i reworked it a bit this morning. i'm feeling better about it now, i think.

*disclaimer - photos taken inside under globe light again

day 6 (a little late)

2008-12-18T09:31:00.005-06:00

commission. 2'x6', acrylic on canvas.

it's thursday morning and super-drizzly outside, so i had to take another rough indoors shot. this is the fourth healthcare piece.

notice the tree skirt that i "made" (aka: a white fitted t-shirt sheet). at least he's not bare now. also, notice the two presents under the tree. those are for me. i have been advised not to creep on them, though. hence, i am not allowed to do any type of poking on the presents. realistically, michael is at work today. i could poke all i wanted and he would never know. but, i won't. i did give him my word, and i really do like to be surprised. it has also been suggested that i remove my glasses this afternoon when fedex comes to the door to deliver another package. that way i will not be able to read the return address on the box.

day 5 on 6

2008-12-17T15:46:00.005-06:00

commission. 20"x48", acrylic on canvas

a day late. i'm blaming it all on the icy weather we've been having here in dallas. i'm working on day 6 right now and will try to give it a post later tonight.

day 4

2008-12-15T21:34:00.010-06:00

triptych, 3'x6', acrylic on canvas

a super rough photo taken inside at night underneath an overhead globe light. this is the third healthcare piece that will hang amongst the others. honestly, i don't know what i think of this one yet. i really haven't stepped back to look at it much until now. it is helpful for me to see it on the screen and think about it for a bit, although the colors look somewhat different in person - a little less saturated.

day 3

2008-12-14T19:11:00.006-06:00

3'x4', acrylic on canvas

this is the second of five pieces that i'm working on for the healthcare project that i wrote about earlier. it will be hanging in the same newly re-modeled office as the piece down below. three more to follow soon...

AND many many thanks to jason and his wife, joy, for building an outrageous number of wooden canvas frames for me over the last couple of months. they are not woodsmen/women by day (although they could be because they have impeccable woodworking skills), but have been so kind to help me out by building a number of custom frame sizes, many of which do not exist in an art store. they have been a huge help to me. not only is the construction quite time consuming, but it takes skills. carpentry skills that i do not possess. thank you so much, jason and joy! i really appreciate you.

day number 2

2008-12-13T13:47:00.011-06:00

commissioned triptych. 3'x6' (when all three hang together), acrylic on canvas

this is the finished piece created from the samplings that i wrote about a few posts ago. the color isn't great because i had to take the photos inside (as you can tell by looking at our little bare bottomed faux tree. i keep intending to make a skirt for him...).

day number two in the attempt and still going strong.

12 days 'til christmas

2008-12-12T23:19:00.009-06:00

11"x15" commission, charcoal on illustration board

it is a busy time for me right now and for that i am very thankful! today i realized that it is the 12th of december. and upon realizing it is the 12th of december, i also realized that i have 12 commissioned pieces to be completed by christmas eve. yes, 12. yes, i am feeling a bit overwhelmed. but, at the same time truly glad to be so busy. in all fairness, i did get a head start earlier this week on a few of the pieces. the first one is posted above. it is a house portrait created to be given as a christmas gift.

so, i thought i'd attempt to do a countdown every day until christmas eve by posting each new piece as it is completed. *note* - i will attempt...

happy 12th of december to you!

two gray cats

2008-12-02T16:19:00.007-06:00

two gray cats (and the birds that taunt them). commissioned pieces created on 8"x10" canvas using acrylic paint, ink and paper.

samplings

2008-11-20T17:43:00.010-06:00

these are three little sketch-painting samples within a series of eight that are being presented for possible use in a healthcare makeover project. if you line them up side by side, they all flow together. each sample is only about 4"x6" on paper. the final pieces will be 2'x3' on canvas and painted with lots more density and texture.

tagged. i'm it!

2008-11-12T14:28:00.021-06:00

i am so honored to have been "tagged" by illustrator, vanessa brantley newton at oohlaladesignstudio.blogspot.com. she really is an amazing artist and i love looking at her work. i wish that i had her imagination. you should definitely take a trip over to her blog and look at all of her fun and inspiring illustrations. i am normally horrible at following through with tags and chain e-mails (you could actually add that to my list as number 8), but i was so honored that vanessa would think to tag me, i wanted to do it. AND i want to see how those friends that i tag might answer as well. i can only imagine. they are each very unique and special and funny and i certainly like them:

kelly: abouttheharps.blogspot.com

jen: patrickandjenhaney.blogspot.com

robin: robinfeathers.blogspot.com

marci: timandmarci.blogspot.com

meridith: lifenotforbreakfast.blogspot.com

virginie: therantreturned.blogspot.com

christy: abouttheogdens.blogspot.com

here are the rules:

1. link the tagger and post the rules

2. post 7 random facts about yourself

3. tag 7 friends and link to them

4. let them know they have been tagged by leaving a nice little message on their blog

so, here are 7 random facts you might not know about me:

1. i love to eat pure-sugar sweets like rock candy (or just pure sugar by the spoonful).

2. i visualize numbers in color (ie: "5" is sky blue, "6" is pink, "7" is yellow, etc...).

3. i would like to live in london again one day.

4. i've always wanted to write and illustrate at least one children's book.

5. i haven't eaten at taco bell since 1988.

6. i'm fascinated by the local restaurant, egg roll hut (see visual above), but have never been inside. i doubt i ever will. i took that photo one afternoon.

7. i loved watching "little house on the prairie" when i was small and still compare my circumstances to laura ingalls wilder when i think times are tough. just think of how tough laura had it out on the prairie...

alright, be tagged!

what i worked on today

2008-11-11T19:51:00.006-06:00

commissioned portrait in pastel/conte, 18"x24"

i tried to take several quick photos by sunlight as i worked on this little guy. there are a few details that i need to tweak before finishing. i'll try to post a better image with good lighting once it's complete.

never made the cut...

2008-11-10T20:30:00.006-06:00

i never did get around to posting several of the pieces that i created in preparation for the art show last month. so, tonight i thought i'd pay tribute to some of those that never made the cut. you can see these and more if you'd like, in my online store: darrahdeangooden.bigcartel.com.

a good night to you!

treasury

2008-11-03T12:38:00.005-06:00

thanks so much to ARThiel for including this portrait in her "treasury" on etsy. a treasury basically features and promotes different artists work. ARThiel picked several portraits and grouped them together to be featured. i am honored to be a part! click here to view them all.

ps: the listing will expire in 3 days.

an octopus

2008-10-29T13:03:00.005-05:00

8"x8", black ink on paper

a friend of mine asked me to draw this octopus. she is planning on turning it into a tattoo. i can't take the credit for it, as she gave me pictures to work from. but, i think it's an interesting image and had fun creating it. so, i thought i'd give it a post! my favorite parts are the multi-circular suction cups (or whatever they might be called).

glitterati +

2008-10-21T08:08:00.012-05:00

25x48x1.5 acrylic/paper on canvas

this week i've been wrapping things up in preparation for two art shows. one is this thursday night in tyler at a private residence. if you are in tyler and interested in coming, please e-mail me for directions: darrah@darrahdean.com. i'd be glad to get to meet you.

the second show is this sunday afternoon at the tiferet israel synagogue in dallas. it's called the "glitterati holiday boutique". it's put on by the altrusa club of dallas, and a percentage of all sales are given to the service organization. it is my first year to be a part of the glitterati, but it looks like there will be lots of unique and creative vendors there. i'm quite curious to see for myself. click here to see more details about the event.

perhaps i shall see you at one of the two!

mmMMMmoooooooOOOOOOOOOoooo!

2008-10-19T22:39:00.006-05:00

48"x61"x2.5", acrylic on canvas

such funny creatures...

all bark. no bite.

2008-10-13T16:44:00.003-05:00

3'x4', acrylic on canvas

untitled

2008-10-09T21:56:00.009-05:00

just experimenting with an idea in my head. 4'x4', acrylic, paper, and thread on unprimed canvas. i'm planning on adding some more threads...at least.

whilst on a walk...

2008-09-25T20:29:00.011-05:00

24"x36", acrylic on canvas

yesterday morning i took a walk around my neighborhood. i see this scene almost everyday and have always been attracted to the rusty old arrow sign in front of the little building*. whenever i pass by it, i imagine how i might go about painting that sign on canvas one day. there's just something about it. the rust. the teal-ness. so yesterday morning, with the early-bird sun illuminating the sign to its fullest, i decided it was time.

*i also noticed that the little building is now for lease. www.3723greenville.com. a perfect place for my new studio! not that i've been looking for a new studio. but, i think this building would be perfect for it. if only...

no, really...sit

2008-09-23T11:23:00.005-05:00

3'x3', acrylic on canvas. this one was a bit of a stretch for me. i know it might just look like another chair, but it was a challenge for me to create. i'm trying to get better about not over-working my paintings. i painted this one all in one sitting and used a lot of loose brushwork. i also worked in soft whites and pastels...a color palette i'm not used to working with. looking at it now in the photo, there are a couple of perspective issues i might want to work on...but, maybe i shouldn't let myself....maybe...

sit, please

2008-09-18T18:44:00.007-05:00

30"x40", acrylic on canvas. soon to be for sale. i'm creating a body of work for a show next month. this piece is a part of the body. i'll try to post more pieces as i create them...

art deco continued...

2008-09-05T13:25:00.005-05:00

a few months ago i wrote about some art deco samples i was working on for a residential project in north dallas. these are three more pieces that i completed this week for probable use.

oh, and i did not come up with these ideas all on my own, but re-worked some ideas that they gave me. i cannot take the full credit!

gallery 211

2008-08-15T12:05:00.009-05:00

tomorrow (saturday) night, august 16th, is the opening reception for "portraits of john abrams" at gallery 211. i blogged about john abrams earlier (see below). that portrait and 18 other portraits of john will be on display at the gallery....some photographs, some sculptures, some drawings and paintings. i heard that one of the pieces depicts john as a seahorse. i'm curious to see all of the other work and plan to be there saturday night. so, if you're looking for something to do, you should come out! it ought to be interesting. the address is on the flyer above. it's located somewhere between deep ellum and fair park. just let me know if you have any questions...

harper happiness

2008-08-06T11:25:00.010-05:00

if you know me, or have even read my "favorite books" section on my profile, you might recall me mentioning charley harper. i only recently discovered his work, but i am overcome by it! truly. i have seen a lot of good art in my day, but something about charley's work speaks differently to me. it inspires me in ways that few pieces have. and i am so happy to announce that i am now the owner of charley harper: an illustrated life, thanks to my very special friends, becca and casey.

yes, those are the same two friends that i stood up a few weeks ago at the bath house. and they still took me out to scalini's for a belated birthday dinner last night and then presented me with this book (as if scalini's weren't enough...as if just hanging out with them weren't enough)! these two know me well. i spent several life changing months with them back in 1999, crammed in a 500 square foot london flat. we didn't know each other beforehand. and we didn't know anyone else in all of london either.

we made some pretty stupid decisions back then, too. this was the time before cell phones were common enough for us to carry around on an overseas stint....so we didn't bother with things like letting anyone else know that we'd decided to fly to switzerland for a weekend in december and hike up a snowy mountain at night in our GAP jackets and tennis shoes to stay in a sketchy-filled hostel with no food or drink, or place to buy food or drink. we didn't seem to mind though. someone gave us a loaf of hard bread. my time with these two could have turned out horribly. but, it was quite the opposite. i lived a lot with them in a short period of time and i'm so thankful. and i will miss you, becca, when you make your move to chicago in a few days!

finale

2008-08-05T22:29:00.006-05:00

well, i never did post the completed piece. after i finished last thursday i suddenly became unmotivated to blog about it anymore. so there he is! i think i'm finished, anyway. i'm contemplating touching it up in a few spots. we'll see...

lots of you have asked me to tell you the backstory on mister abrams...why i am painting him. i actually do not know him. i do know his first name is john, and that he is an artist. i was given a photograph to work from. he is sitting in front of an old crusty, rusted wall that has some sort of written logo flaking off of it. i think the writing might read "weatherking". but, that is just my guess. the reason that i'm painting this is for an opening show at a new gallery called "gallery 211". each artist is creating a portrait of john to their liking, using different photographs. those are the only details i know thus far. i'll fill you in when i know more!

almost...

2008-07-30T20:18:00.003-05:00

almost there. i had hoped to finish today, but the canvas got too wet to keep layering. i should be able to finish it up tomorrow. until then...

little mister.

2008-07-30T11:33:00.007-05:00

hanging out with michael last night on the front stoop...

mister abrams

2008-07-28T21:48:00.008-05:00

meet mister abrams.

i started working on this piece earlier today. it's oil on canvas and measures around 24"x36". he still has some miles to go before completion, but he's getting there. i have some ideas on how to finish him out (color, background, detail, etc.), but not set on a direction just yet. hopefully i'll finish him up by wednesday, so check back soon to see the mister morph!

the commish

2008-07-26T22:34:00.008-05:00

because a good bit of my work is commissioned, i find myself experimenting with lots of different subjects and painting styles. some clients come to me with little vision in mind and prefer that i come up with whatever i feel for their space. while other clients come to me with more specifics. some projects have very personal meaning, while some projects are fun, and then some, just funny! i'll let you be the judge....

start with this:

and blend it with this:

(but with a cigar instead of a cigarette)

then maybe add this:

and this:

to yield something like this?:

**ps: this piece actually WAS created to be "funny". i certainly hope he thought so, too.

a tribute

2008-07-21T11:39:00.004-05:00

to my good friends, becca and casey, who tried to surprise me at the bath house opening reception last week...until they realized that i was not at the bath house to be surprised. who knew anyone would actually read my blog and show up?? oops. i did stop by the reception after attending a birthday party, but only caught the last 15 minutes. sadly, by then, they were long gone. but, i did receive this lovely photo of the two of them sitting beneath the chair legs. thanks so much for making the effort, my friends!! i'm sorry i missed you!

the bath house

2008-07-08T17:22:00.007-05:00

this little number...or slightly large-ish number (36"x48") will be featured at a "salon style" art show at the bath house cultural center over the next several weeks. opening night is this saturday, july 12, from 7pm to 9pm. it will be a coffee and dessert reception and will feature all kinds of art and artists. some of the artists are unknown (like me) and some show their work more often. so, if you're needing something to do this saturday eve, stop by the bath house to eat a cookie and view some art. or, if you happen to be running around white rock lake during the next few weeks, run into the bath house!

for more info: www.bathhousecultural.com

just a few balloons...

2008-07-08T16:53:00.007-05:00

...added to etsy today

anemones round 2

2008-05-30T16:40:00.011-05:00

yep...more anemones are on the loose! i decided to work with this idea a bit more. this one was painted on wood board. it measures 30 1/2" x 11". and like the anemones of old (see below), these anemones are currently being hoarded by me and my sparse walls. i didn't intend to do so, but halfway through this piece i found myself inspired by the colors that are in my bedspread. right now i'm sitting on my bedroom floor and the anemones are propped next to me atop my dresser. they fit well there. although, unlike the other anemones, i went ahead and posted these in my shop. so, if they sell, i will delightfully let go of them. be on the lookout for a round 3 and maybe even 4.

art deco?

2008-05-16T17:26:00.005-05:00

this is one of three mini-samples that i created for a future development in dallas that is wanting "art deco style" decor. the pieces will be presented for possible use in the development next week. i'm still in the process of finishing up the other two samples. we shall see how they turn out!

anemones (ah-nem-oh-knees)

2008-05-16T17:08:00.004-05:00

i created this piece just for the joy. and for the blank walls. i have been living in my house since september and have just recently started hanging things on the walls. i would prefer to hang other artists work, but haven't started collecting yet. anyone out there want to make a trade?

(more) fun with birds!

2008-04-08T08:43:00.002-05:00

well, i seem to be on a bird kick lately! it's interesting to me, because i'm really not even that fascinated with birds in real-life. i don't dislike them, they just don't capture my attention in the same way that illustrated birds do as of late. illustrated birds seem to be the trendy thing in design these days. i suppose that is the reason why i've been so inspired.

*collage and acrylic paint on 30"x15" canvas

what i'm working on today...

2008-04-08T08:26:00.000-05:00

this is a little commissioned piece that i've been playing around with lately. it is a wedding gift. i met with the bride and she gave me photos to work from. it only measures one foot by one foot, but it's been a bit of a challenge for me. sometimes when i draw/paint portraits i am able to capture personalities and faces more quickly than others. this one is more of an "others". i left it alone for a while in hopes that i would be able to discern its finality. i'm still contemplating it this morning...

a plug

2008-04-03T20:31:00.001-05:00

just a quick side note entry to promote my husband's band, SHAPES STARS MAKE. they just finished creating a new cd and are having their release party this saturday night at sons of hermann hall here in dallas. so, if you're reading this and you're in the area, come on out! it should be a good time! you can find more info about the show and the band by going to their website and/or blog.

p.s.: my husband, michael, is the standing yellow-haired bear...yep, that is the one that i love! i'm so proud of him.

nest

2008-04-02T08:46:00.001-05:00

bits and pieces of trash found around the design studio were recycled on a whim to create this piece. i like to call it "nest".

bits include: chicken wire, pink wire, thread, ribbon, newspaper, packing shreds, purple moss, safety pins, faux leaves, black bird feathers, white-out tape

the piece is actually framed in an old black frame that i spray painted from gold. i just didn't snap a great picture of the frame to post. i'll put all of it up on etsy in just a bit.

a good day to you!

beginning to end

2008-03-07T11:44:00.000-06:00

the above photos document my progress on a commissioned piece that i've been working on for a client in tyler. she has a blank wall in her dining room in need of some art. she gave me a swatch of fabric that the dining room chairs are covered in for inspiration and lots of photos of her friends and family that we decided to include in the piece. because the photos i was given to work from were primarily smiling faces from the shoulders up, i had to get a little creative with the bodies and clothes (i do hope that they like what they're wearing!).

this piece was different than any other that i've created before because i used paper collage, acrylic paint AND oil pastel all in one. it was also a stretch for me because i'm used to drawing/painting realistic portraits. i've trained myself to work until i get an exact likeness of the person i'm drawing. it was definitely a challenge for me not to concentrate too much on facial detail, but to go with more of an abstract representation of each person, experimenting with color and composition.

the entire piece measures 7'x4' and is broken up into three canvases.

and more pastels...

2008-03-07T11:18:00.001-06:00

i'm still on an oil pastel kick (see posts above and below). here is one of my latest little pieces on canvas. i'm contemplating whether or not to add another color into the mix. my critics (friend and husband) have already told me to leave it alone. i'm trying. i'll post this one on etsy as well!

red shoes.

2008-01-30T16:59:00.000-06:00

i pulled these heels out of my closet this morning, desperate to just get something down on paper without having to think about it. sometimes i think too much. plus i've only worn these shoes twice so at least they'll get worn on paper. i used a small piece of cardboard that i cut off of an old christmas gift box and a set of inexpensive oil pastels. i like oil pastels because i can be hard on them. it reminds me of coloring when i was little, holding the crayon with a fist and pressing down as hard as possible to get all of the color out. it was nice and freed me up to think about grander projects that i'd like to create in the near future.

kung foox

2008-01-30T09:37:00.002-06:00

the kung foox collective is a group of artists based out of tyler, texas that i've recently gotten involved with. they have been hosting art shows in tyler and around the country for the last several months. david and jessica foox are a husband and wife team that had the great idea to bring artists together and help each other in their passion. i met them at one of their art shows in the adidas store at northpark mall back in november. the next big show will be in tyler at the end of march. you can take a look at the website, www.kungfoox.com. they are still in the process of creating the artist bios and gallery. keep checking back for new art and updates on upcoming shows. it should be fun!

a portrait

2008-01-30T08:35:00.000-06:00

the portrait above is a commissioned piece that i am working on. the piece is on a 16"x20" piece of white illustration board and created with pencil. for some reason the scan of the original photo doesn't read well on this post. it seems like the photo image is even slightly elongated (and i'm not just using that as an excuse!). i can't figure out why it's copying that way.

stepping back from this portrait, there is still a bit of shading i'd like to do that will soften him up a little more. i'd also like to build up the detail in his clothes. i'm still contemplating any other changes that might need to be made. once i get some feedback from my client i'll be able to finish him out!

for now

2008-01-25T12:06:00.000-06:00

i have several images to post, but don't have access to my camera today. michael is using it at the recording studio. so, for now, i will direct you over to the 'shapes stars make' blog where the camera is being put to good use. check back for images soon!

www.shapestarsmake.com/blog.html

finished

2008-01-13T23:43:00.000-06:00

new site is up:

http://www.darrahdean.com/

thank you, michael!!

happenings happening

2008-01-12T16:06:00.000-06:00

todays work in progress is my website. it's actually been a progressive work since january 25, 2007. that is when michael first started re-structuring it...and then stopped. life just got busy. all that to say, nearly a year later, michael relocated the bones of the site and started working on it again and i'm happy to report that the site is about to be complete!

i've spent the last couple of days weeding out photos and finding new ones to post in the "gallery" section. i've decided to keep the amount of work in the gallery minimal to start with and then add new work as it is created. my hope is to consistently update pop tart with photos of pre-gallery work...in other words, that work which is still in the process of being worked on. that is the goal, anyway!