Artist Block Sucks!

Welcome back folks. As you can see from the title of this here "rant", I'm slightly off in my game.
How many of you have had sever cases of A.B? (Artist Block) I know I can't be the only one. The purpose of this blog post is to reach out to other artists, interact, and get some helpful feedback. First thing's first, let's break down the current situation at hand shall we?!

A few days ago, I began participating in a 30 Day Art Challenge. My first couple of days went well. I had an original concept in mind. I knew exactly how I wanted my final image to turn out. Color schemes and everything. First entry was a total success. Check it out below:




This is "The Elk Eldress." She's made up of  pencil,colored pencils, and ink on regular printer paper. Nothing too fancy or spectacular. Just small drawings for the daily challenges. This is where we run into the A.B problem... After completing her, and seeing how well she turned out, I had the "brilliant" idea of sticking to this exact style and theme. BIG MISTAKE. My goal was to make my drawings from the 30 Day Art Challenge into a small coloring book or a storybook for my daughter. An original just for her. However, I think developing a good story with solid characters is what threw me off.

Okay so obviously from looking at the first character, I wanted this to be woodland inspired fairy-tale of sorts. Since that seems to be the phase of girlhood she's going through at the moment. Fantastical creatures, magic, romance, blah blah blah (^_^) My issue is trying to come up with other characters to link up with the Eldress. Also working my daughter in as one of the main characters herself. So now I'm stuck trying to figure it all out.

Here's where you beautiful creators come into play. What do YOU do to counteract A.B? Any tips you wanna share with me and the other readers? I'd/We'd really appreciate it. Let's throw some ideas around. Show me what you got!


Keep Creating,
Karii J.

Long Time Coming...

I understand that it's been quite some time. I haven't blogged about anything since my trip to Ohio last year for the art festival. I had an amazing time there. You can read all about that in my previous post. I hope to go again sometime soon. Anyways... back to more current events...

HOW HAVE YOU ALL BEEN? That was of course directed towards the few readers and followers that happen to stop by from time to time. I've missed being able to blog on a regular basis. I forgot how much fun and slightly therapeutic this could be. 

Well let's get back on track... Since the last time we've interacted, I've showcased at numerous places locally here. Also, I want to add a new milestone that I can check off of my accomplishment list. I finally got a chance to showcase at The Phelps Mansion as well as the Connelly Gallery. THAT'S RIGHT!!! Your girl made it on Artist Row!!!!

My style of artwork has slightly changed, but that comes with experience and experimentation. I've finally fallen into a comfortable and recognizable place with my style. I'm still well into my "Fantasy Feminism" styling of work. However; I've somehow managed to incorporate afrocentricity into my work. So now, I'm known as "the girl who paints the Afro ladies" lol. It's cool, I don't mind. I actually love that. Especially considering that I haven't come across any other artist locally who does black art. I wish there was a larger black art community here. 

You know what they say... "If you build it, they will come." So needless to say, I'm trying to get an artist guild started here in my area. The BCBAS (Broome County Black Arts Society). I'm doing what I can as far as networking and mingling with the community.. rubbing elbows with the "who's who" of the binghamton art scenes. Just stay tuned... If you're local, you'll be seeing and hearing a lot more of me. National? It'll seem like I sprouted out of nowhere. International? OH BOY!!!! I'm about to take this world by storm. 

Until next time my beautiful readers, peace and love.

Keep Creating,
 Karii J.