Stop! Hammer Time.

Keeping with the beat of my last post about irrational fears... here's an odd little tidbit into not really understanding what makes me tick... to be honest, I don't even know.

My mother always told me that my fear of the ocean has always been a strange one. She explained it to me as having an extreme fascination with it and yet being very frightened of it. One of my favorite stories that she used to tell me about being a wee one was the story of how I died in my past life.

Mama-san had read somewhere that if you ask your child (around the time they start to speak) what they did in their past life, that they will straight up tell you. Well, mama asked and I gave it to her straight - "I was totally eaten by a blue whale mom." I may or may not have added some flair to that statement...

She kind of laughed it off for a bit thinking that I was talking about a cartoon blue whale (that or she thought I was cray-zay) and not really registering with the fact that there is an actual blue whale. She asked me a couple more times, and my story stayed the same: I was eaten by a blue whale. It wasn't until I was watching Pinocchio that my words kind of sunk in for her. According to her account of that fateful viewing, wee Kailee terror ensued. It was my first time watching it and I was doing great, loving it in fact, that is right up until the moment that stupid wooden puppet and his gramp-father got themselves stuck out in the middle of the ocean on a life raft. Apparently when those two animated idiots got eaten by that P.O.'d whale, baby Kailee fa-reaked out. I was just screaming and crying, so she shut it off and I never watched it again... until I was older of course. I still don't really like it all that much, but more because the idea of a puppet coming to life just creeps me out.

So, I was eaten by a whale in my last life. There you have it. That's the truth as it has been foretold by me - the mini me. Its funny that the unlikelih

ood of getting eaten by a salt-water inhabiting fish in Montana, the land of no ocean, is enough to keep a grown woman of out of the water. Imagine what 6ft of panic attack would look like if faced with the actual ocean... I shudder at the thought.

Now, I don't have a problem with whales as much as I have a problem with sharks. However, even though they may scare the bejeezus out of me, I actually have a favorite... that's right, I have a favorite shark. I am all at once deathly afraid and oddly fascinated by them. Its all tied into my fearscination with the ocean. New word alert! 

Fearscination: to be at one moment both fearful and fascinated; thrown into or being in a state of frightful awe; fearfully flabbergasted 

Kailee invented, mother approved. Boom. 

My absolute favorite sea beast is the mighty Hammerhead Shark, or Sphyrnidae Sphyrna for my nerdy peeps. Talk about one ug-ly fish. I think that's what I find so appealing... their ugliness. I've always had a soft spot for things most people find undesirable. The uglier the better. If I see something that I initially think is ugly and I say I hate it out loud, within a 6 month time period I'm usually hating myself for loving it...

I learned a few interesting facts about Monsieur Hammey here while doing research for a few paintings I'm working on. That's right, hammerhead inspired art! You were probably wondering how I was going to bring this thing full circle so it related to art... win.

The Hammerhead is a solitary species, rarely seen with other sharks. Kind of like an artist, no? Tell me that you don't have to be somewhat of a loner to do the things an artist does. The hammerhead is the loner artist of the sea! Although certain species of Hammerheads, the Scalloped and Smooth hammey heads, like to get their social on and migrate in schools. I'd have to compare myself to one of the more sociable flat heads, and it is most definitely the Smooth. Cause I'm smooth like butta yo'.

Images like this one are a-mazing to me... and primarily what inspired my latest workings on.

These things can get to be humongous. They've been measured up to 20 ft long... imagine facing that times a 100+ of these carnivorous sea beasts. Gross.

Cheerio!

Avast Ye Scalleywags and Scurvy Dogs and Batten Down the Hatches

Today's inspiration is a tad bit naughty... or rather, Nauti-cal. The big boat, a white uniform, and some sweet militia hat hair was calling for one of my figure interpretations. 

I've been thinking about the Navy a lot lately. On Thanksgiving this year, my dear sweet grandfather passed away after being sick for a very long time. He had spent a part of his youth in the Navy and after looking over some old photos of him and his buddies on their ship it got me pondering what one of my ladies would wear if she were to join the armed forces...

Pardon the crummy photo quality. This is still in the planning stages... The idea is to put her in front of the boat on the pier. I also realize she's is wearing the wrong kind of cap... but this one is much cuter and suits her fabulous hair a lot better, which I may have taken inspiration from my mother's amazing coiffe. So, thank ya mama. I also envision this painting in steely blues, a few teals and red, red hair.

I even returned to a few of my older design concepts about clothing. I kept my lines cleaner (minus the hair) and tried to use Nautical elements as base elements in the uniforms design... her skirt is suppose to give the allusion of an anchor.

When I think about the Navy I always think about the Cary Grant and Tony Curtis flick Operation Petticoat... man I love that movie. Cary Grant... mmm what a silver fox! And that pink submarine? Ha HA! I thought the use of a phallic symbol in cinema in the 1950's would be condemnable! Boy did I peg that era wrong...


I suppose if I were to join any branch of the military... it probably shouldn't be the navy. I say shouldn't instead of wouldn't because I have an irrational fear of large bodies of water... Its not so much being in a boat or anything, I love boats, so let the record state that: I, Kailee, do not like to swim. I almost hyperventillate when I can't get out of the water fast enough. I also have this rather childish fear of getting eaten by a shark... in a swimming pool no less. As a child, I was fairly positive that my local swimming pool housed a species of chlorinated water sharks at the bottom of the pool. They were housed in jail cells and were unleashed, via remote control, upon unsuspecting children who swam into the deep end. No one had to tell me this, I came up with that golden nugget all on my own. An overactive imagination comes with the job of being an artist I guess. Even as an adult I still harbor an irrational fear of swimming pools...I also can't stick my hand in a fish tank for fear the Goldie's will gnaw my paw off... hey, it could happen.

No, I would probably be an Air Force girl. I absolutely love to fly and I've always fancied myself a badass fighter pilot... However, I'm not sure that'd work either. I don't think I have the stomach for the loop-de-loops... If I throw up after a few turns on a merry-go-round I'm pretty sure a flip-a-what at Mach 3 would make me up chuck something more than my lunch. Huh... Sounds like a military career is out of the question for this kat...

Cheerio!

Traveling Art and the Non Traditional Canvas

Traveling. . . probably my favorite passion besides art. So much so that I've even made a "Trucket List" to be accomplished before... well, we won't get into those morbid details... get it? Trucket? Travel - Bucket... you get it. Solid gold.

As it has been foretold (by me) many many times, I simply adore people. What better way to love new people than to experience a different world than the one I live in? Cultures of the world are fascinating to me. Unfortunately I think I have two very strong opposites to my personality. There is the homebody that loves staying in and keeping her roots planted firmly. Then there is the over-anxious, go-getting Gypsy that just won't shut the hell up... she's the one that tells me I need to do things NOW and go for a drive at 3 o'clock in the morning. She gives me itchy feet... but not literally. That's gross.

Airports are so exciting to me! Bigger = better = more people to observe. International one are the best. When I was a measly 20 years old, I went to Budapest. It was my first international trip and I went it SOLO... not as scary as one might think. I was going to my Hungarian Sister's wedding (she was our exchange student in 1999) and to stay with her and her family for a few weeks. It was an absolutely fabulous adventure! But before I left I had an itchin to do some serious overhaul on my suitcases. Yes, suitcases...

When I graduated high school, my ever loving grandmother bought me a fabulous luggage set. She knew I had the travel bug and got me the one thing I had high hopes of wearing out with over use. Fortunately, for me, they were patternless. 5-pieces of blank black canvas waiting for some serious pizazz... it took me a few years to work up the nerve to actually paint something on one and when I did this is what came out...

I started with my carry-on bag. For those interested in doing this - beware: suitcases soak up paint like no other. I had to paint 30 some odd coats of a base primer in the shape of my design before I could even start. That was the longest prepping session ev-er. When I could finally rock them with some color  I had a blast! Of course I had to put in my favorite fish - the Black Moor - which is just one of the umpteen billion subspecies of Carassius auratus... AKA the goldfish.

Now, the front piece is an original design by me, but the back... well I borrowed that. I say borrowed because the design is not like I found it, I tweaked the design to suit me. This little geisha was originally a fairy... lame, I know. I've never been one of those girls that was into fairies. As a child, Barbie was awesome and mermaids were definitely plausible as far as I was concerned, but never fairies. A human-like creature one billionth the size of a leprechaun with the power of flight? Inconceivable!

I viewed the back piece as being more of a coloring book opportunity for my suitcase, and I absolutely adore coloring books. The image is a little juvenile sure, but hey - I was barely out of my teen years. Just be thankful I'm not dressing like a Hello Kitty doll... today.

Cheerio!

Masterpiece Making Means Mindful Melodious Music

I sat down this morning to paint after waking up not 10 minutes beforehand. When I want to get to work - I work. However, before I can sit down and line out my "plan," I usually have to figure out what kind of mood I'm in, i.e. what kind of tunes am I going to have as the backdrop to my creative process.

Am I in a that dirrty rap mood? This usually involves my quick painting process, spontaneity, disregard and pure messiness.

Am I in the classical mindset? I usually turn this one when I'm calm, not stressed and just want a nice few hours of carefree doodle time... or canvas prepping.

Am I in the teeny-bopper pop music state of mind? This happens when I just wanna dance, sing to myself and pretty much make a total ass of myself, for myself behind closed curtains. Thanks for letting me "Party in the USA" Miley Cyrus... People, don't judge me. You tap your foot when you hear it too...

Am I in the need for electronic-techno music ambience ? This state of painting mentality is pretty similar to my Pop music category, however my demeanor is much more serious. I still dance a little, but it involves planted feet, more shoulder rolls, and beat following head swaying as opposed to that full on jumping in a circle and rockin that solo with my paint brush microphone.

So what lucky musical fancy was my creative calling in today? Hopeful - the stuff of lyrical inspirations and symphonic optimism...

Cheerio!

Kailee

Weebles Wobble but They Don't Fall Down... Really? Watch This...

People are just... weird. We're so odd looking. Then you throw in our personalities which are almost directly reflected by how we clothe and groom ourselves. Its fascinating! We are the ultimate paper doll with all the same "underwear." Not to mention the million different paper clothes cover-up options! All of which are based on our likes, dislikes, interests, mood, weather... oh its so delightful I could turn the most brilliant shade of fuchsia with my enthusiasm!

With that said, this delightful little diddy was inspired by my acknowledgement of just how cool I think winter sports enthusiasts are. My "cool" refers to how laid back and chill these athletes are, all while at the same time being utterly devoted to getting a decent amount of snow down ones pants. You can always spot a ski bum. Well, I like to think you can, or at least I like to think I can. Plus, I love beards. Ski bums have them, hippies rock them and if you know my dad - he's got one to rival good ol' Saint Nick. This was also a good excuse to do some goggles. I simply adore goggles.

"Ski Bum"

I actually did this piece a few years ago. I did it as a fun little doodle while in Lithography, and ended up painting it for the Art Students League Annual Art Auction. I was put in charge of organizing that delightful little event while simultaneously trying to piece together my solo show, but I felt it necessary to take some time and put a little somethin somethin of mine IN the auction. I made a little coin off of it... like $42.50! Not too shabby! Considering I only got half... that's right folks, 85 big ones.

So, back to Ski bums, and how to spot them. I generally find during my field observations of this particular breed of humanoid, that they have a very distinct swagger... I can't get enough of it. It's comprised of a lack of wanting to pick up the feet (probably from lugging heavy gear attached to their feet for shredding it), a natural rolling of the shoulders, and they are typically sporting a cheesy ass grin. To a novice bird watcher, they might think this a direct reflection of laziness, but to the pro - its clear indicators of complete awesomeness wrapped in blissful exhaustion.


Not only do these weebles wobble - they completely flip their shit. Sometimes going umpteen miles an hour 15ft in the air. They land, sometimes fall and eat enough snow to make 30 snow cones, and then get back up and hit the repeat button. I have nothing but admiration shadowed by a tinge of fear of these creatures. 

First of all, I have an enormous fear of falling down. Sure, they can design a toy with a delightfully round bottom that won't fall over no matter how tipsy its turvy gets, but put a little junk in the trunk of an almost 6ft tall woman and wobble her and you'll see a face plant faster than you can say Bob's your Uncle. 

Second, I abhor temperatures that fall below 50 degrees. Being cold is something I detest and something my feet are no stranger to. When you're cursed with the foot circulation of an 80 year old man, you tend to shy away from activities that immerse said appendage into temperatures that are less than desirable, snow falls into this category.

Third, I've never been on ski's, a board, snow shoes and the last sled I was on threw me into the side of a a very hard piece of dirt. Promptly ending my dreams of being an Olympic gold medalist in the Ace Hardware Crappy Plastic Sled for A Rocky Hill category. 

I think these snowy mountain top craving individuals can smell my snow sport inexperience when I walk towards them. So for now I'll just be in awe from a distance and depict them the best way I know how... in caricatures.

Cheerio!

Have You Ever Painted An 8ft Buffalo Only To Have It Paint Balled By A Gang of Bikers?

... I have.

Mr. Buffalo

This masterpiece was one of the last creative projects I did before I left my job at Harley-Davidson. That job was one truly sweet gig, not only because I got to create crazy off the wall stuff like THIS ^ all day but because I worked with the most awesome group of individuals to ever ride on two wheels (or 4 to you Hi-Mountain punks I also worked with!) Having just finished my last semester of college as a Studio Art Major (not to mention the most labor intensive semester) and working full-time as in-house graphic design/marketing and event coordinator... I was burned out creatively. Me and my passion for art were making some serious waves. It felt like the equivalent of water and oil, I couldn't touch it and it wouldn't come near me. Sad day in Kailee land... but before that, Mr. Buffalo was that one last burst of creative juice before my sad departure from the BTHD.

That is one sweet hiney!

The whole point behind this was during the 2009 State Bike Rally, which our dealership graciously hosted, we were to have fun daily events for the bikers. This one was meant to be pulled off while on their hog. Mr. Buffalo was meant to act as a sacrifice to the ever popular "paint-balling while on a motorcycle." Never heard of it? Really? Me either.


I painted this on an 8ft piece of MDF in acrylics. It was done in the conference room on top of some file boxes while I too sat on a box... an artist can work in the most extreme of conditions... I probably painted this thing in a week, if that. Which if you really understand just how slow I work, that's saying something.

Most choice Buff hair

Now, when I was in high school I was ALL about realism. It was like, the coolest thing ever. Why take a photo when I can paint that photo? Everyone wants a mad skill like that. I know I did. I did a few things that I thought were pretty bomb, and I stayed true to that aesthetic up until about half-way through my freshman year of college before I realized just how boring it actually was. I discovered three things: 

1.) No one on that level cares if you can copy something exact.

2.) If you can't copy it exactly and they know that's what you're going for, prepare to sit through a grueling critique and some ridicule from some fellow students.

3.) realism just can't quite compete with a truly whacked out imagination.

Wacky is just so much more interesting to look at. So, I had to start from creative square one and prepare myself for that long and arduous journey of trying to discover who I wanted to be as an artist. I think I may have my sights set on the right target, so let's hope upon further inspection that I don't find myself looking down at a cardboard antelope when I was shooting for a 1200 lb. buffalo...

Animals can be a tricky demon to paint. They're covered in hair, have awkward body parts, and when executed poorly - show every flaw. And not to toot my own horn but when I attempt one I usually come out victorious. I never show my failed attempts, but considering I don't draw many animals that number is incredibly small. I do think this Buff is pretty sweet looking though. Not too shabby for my first. Besides, its probably the size of a real buffalo! Okay, so its probably the size of a baby buffalo... big deal. My point is its comparable in size to a real life and dangerous wildebeest! I totally dig it. I hope you do too.
Cheerio!

The Artful Revelation and the Act of Secrecy

My approach to my artful revelations isn't always fun, sometimes its just plain obnoxious...for myself.

When it comes to my creative process, I can be very secretive. I always want the things I make to have an element of SURPRISE when they're unveiled. You know, that ridiculous taste explosion of visual awesomeness that leaves your senses confused and your toes feeling tingly. However, keeping with the fact that I get too excited about most of the ideas I'm mulling over, my "secrecy clause" I enter into with myself usually doesn't make it past the rough draft phase of my design process. Before I know it I'm yelling "Hey you! Stranger! Come here! I have something very exciting to tell you as it pertains to me and only me, but please - don't give me your feedback. I just need someone to tell, because I can't reach my mom on the house phone, she doesn't have a cell, my dad is at work and I'm too embarrassed to tell anyone else that might actually have a personal reaction to what I'm about to tell you as it relates back to me. Also, anything you might have to say might lessen my excitement and the future outcome of this project and I can't risk your shadow of negativity lessening my boisterous enthusiasm." Well, maybe its not exactly like that...but its pretty much exactly like that. Critiques, of any kind, can be a total bee-hatch. 

I would prefer I have a more subtle approach to talking about my art, but I think that's just never going to happen. Playing it cool has never been my forte. I'm more of the awkward hello, nervous chuckle, and walk away type of player. However, in exposing my social art sharing neurosis, I've decided to go against my art secret keeping impulses, step out of my comfort zone and share this:

For those of you that aren't aware, I'm a huge cartoon fan. Disney Classics are by far my favorite, but are not the only ones I treasure. I've always felt that my images have a cartoon-ish look to them, so I thought it was about time I do a spin on some of the more popular characters in the Disney films. So, this is my version of Alice in Wonderland. This piece started as a spontaneous doodle at work while in between folding and mailing invoices and talking to disgruntled contractors looking for tractor parts.

Everyone knows Alice originally wore blue, which I always hated. She wears blue in almost every adaptation. Green is a far superior color and much too overlooked by those in the animation business.  Green isn't just for backgrounds people! Every freaking Disney Princess I can ever think of wore blue: Cinderella, Bell, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, that dude in the Sword and the Stone... ok, so he wasn't a princess, but who's really keeping track?

This fascination with blue can be very frustrating to a small child with an instantaneous love affair with the color green. When Disney animators clothed that awkward screwup fairy in Sleeping Beauty in green, that was so refreshing. Although, I have always thought that feisty little fat one would've pulled the color off better... but what color did they put her in? BLUE!  ¡Ay, caramba!

Anyways! Back on track... So, MY Alice is wearing green, and she looks fabulous. She's also sporting an umbrella-esque skirt, an abundance of toule under said skirt, an ostrich feather corset, and the mad hatter's hat. She's both the clinically insane character and the heroine. Plus she finally caught that darn bunny! Très magnifique!

Obviously this piece is not quite finished. I think its still missing that... umph! thing. I have an idea for some additions to the white rabbit, but its unfinished in another aspect: the background. I've always struggled with the background aspect of art, and by "struggle with" I actually mean "do not like to do." I get waaay too caught up in the foreground and the subject of whatever I'm working on, so much so that my backgrounds always feel like an afterthought. Backgrounds always make me feel like I'm working on a landscape painting, and I do not like landscape paintings.

You should always start from the back of the painting and build it forward... obviously I did not, I never do. Apparently I'm a rebel. The female James Dean of artistic protocol. Nay sayer to the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule of art that is, I always always treat others how I want to be treated. Good manners are just good manners. 

With this piece I don't want to put anything in the background that may distract from the figure. I was toying around with the idea of a large checkered background - in black and maybe a bit of white but keeping most of the pink. Something abstract, bold and busy, but non-focal. I thought it would compliment what I have so far while tying it into that crazy world of Wonderland, but that almost feels like it won't be enough...cats that talk, oysters with feet and Dodo birds with slightly enhanced brains? This calls for some drastic artistic measures.

With that said, I think I'm willing to ask for suggestions on it from YOU! Be forewarned: I'm extremely picky, detail oriented (or so I'm told) and anything but the word I'm desperately trying not to say when it comes to drawing and planning my creative execution. I hate to say it, but I'm very frustrating. However, the creativity connectors in my brain are quickly approaching an expiration date on this painting so any awesomeness you can conjure up from your own noggin would be just dandy! And keeping with the Golden Rule (as it pertains to people) I'll be nice. Reward for the most clever: a virtual pat on the back and two digital thumbs way, way up!

Cheerio!