U 100 Dark Blue Eagle Mask and Painting or Soft Sculpture

This Soft Sculpture is a bit bigger than the others so far. All the submissions must be under $100 and under 100 sq inches, so this is still within limits at 8 inches square. Its funny how my mask sales go in trends. Currently in my Etsy shop this fabric is one of the most popular ones, six months ago is was Grey Grunge. 

This art piece, is the fourth of my ten U100 pieces. A soft sculpture entitled DARK BLUE EAGLE

Yes it is a mask, but it is also a painting and a sculpture. The piece can be hung as is, for an interesting memento of this Covid year. Alternatively the mask part can be removed and worn and the matching painting hung on the wall. Another possibility is to buy the set as a gift for one person, or two. There are so many options.

A little about my masks.

I create masks all the way from XS to XXXXL. They are available in my Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/SEA2YOU  I have included a large sized mask in all my soft sculptures, it really does fit most teens and adults. The XL, XXL, XXXL and XXXXL masks are only for large men and large men with large beards. Thankfully I don’t need one of those and neither do most other mask wearers. 

You will instantly see a difference in quality when you examine one of my masks. They are couturier constructed with no loose threads or open seams. The fabric is top quality 100% cotton in most cases unless you have chosen one with white wicking lining: This is all natural, 40% cotton, 60% lyocell wicking fibre, 300 thread count as opposed to regular quilting fabric at about 60 thread count; the tight weave gives amazing protection and the wicking effect is amazing for those with glasses, active people or warm climates. Lastly the mask is fully adjustable head elastic, changeable to ear loops and interchangeable for your own cord or ribbon. Wow!

COLLAGE of 30 Day Challenge

IMAGE GUESSING COMPETITION WINNERS BELOW...

Four people managed to find the way to my blog or FB Messaging and send me some guesses for the photo below. Of course if you made it to the blog the answer was in the title, but kudos for putting in the effort. Out of four people three made two guesses, so I have seven answers to choose between. There were two correct guesses and five very creative.

Laurelle Cidoncha and Christine Brooks guessed correctly, that it was the dregs of my morning coffee, so you get joint first prize.
Sheila Delgado with Marshmellow Moonglow and
Corinne Bekker with Tolkeins Moria Mountain, both get a prize for most creative.

So you all win! PM me your addresses and your gifts will be on their way.

DAY 30 of 30 LAKE MORNING

LAKE MORNING (final) by Sea Dean 11x9 inches Watercolour and Graphite

 This was painted on competition paper that I don't usually use. It has a creamy look but not as cream as the images show. I’ve tried to lighten it, but when I do I lose the true colours of the painting which are beautiful. The graphite is also hard to photograph, but it shows quite well in this closeup. I really like the effect.

Final day of the challenge. Stay tuned for the collage of my submissions tomorrow.

 30DCG2020  and ODP

DAY 28 of 30 - TWIN CIRCLE NEST final version

It was tough resisting the urge to ring the nest with leaves, but I managed to pull myself away. To be honest I can’t figure out which way around I should mount this. I think the two on the right are my favorites, but that may change. I find that usually when I have this difficulty I end up choosing the way up that it was painted. What do you think?

I would be quite happy to keep this one, but at least I can enjoy it before it sells. I will have to find a spot for it. I will be posting it for sale on Artfinder ASAP.

30DCG2020  and ODP

DAY 25 of 30 - SPRING GOLDFINCH

SPRING GOLDFINCH 8 x 10 inch 

Almost the final version. I see some datk patches in upper right to eliminate and he needs a whiter dot in his eye. I should get to that today and then he will be posted for sale on ARTFINDER

30DCG2020  and ODP

DAY 24 of 30 - SPRING GOLDFINCH

Spring Goldfinch by Sea Dean 8 x 10 inch

Sorry about the quality of this image, it was late and dark when I finished and I couldn’t get the colours right. I will post a better one in the morning. I’ve been working on this on and off for a couple of years and it’s time for the little guy to fly away. Still have a few touch ups, but pretty close.

DAY 21 of 30 - NESTING CIRCLE (final version)

NESTING CIRCLE (final) by Sea Dean 

WIP

As I thought yesterday, the slight triangulation of the nest lying on a fork in the tree really helped the composition. It gave the eye something to settle on and understand, taking it from absstract and fantasy to reality.

The particular green that I’ve added to the leaves, Grumbacher Thalo Yellow Green, also gives the painting more depth. It seems garish when you’re using it and you have to have the courage to let it dry and settle, but it was a great tip learned from an artist and friend I much admire, Daniel Dearborn.  I like the softer green in the first WIP, but the final version is much more me.

30DCG2020  and ODP

DAY 15 of 30 - FLUTTERBY BIRDHOUSE

FLUTTERBY BIRDHOUSE by Sea Dean

I went to the ballet last night and took Valentines night off. The music and dancers were incredible and when I came home I just wanted to relax and relive the evening.

Today I worked on two more birdhouses. This one has under crackle of royal blue with blue glitter, White sparkly polymer butterflies and bronze acrylic paint over cream and grey chalk paint. So much nicer than it looks here.

30DCG2020 and ODP

DAY 14 of 30 - BEE LODGE in Progress

BEE LODGE by Sea Dean (Available by contacting me)

A work in progress. I have to wait for the crackle to develop before I wax and add details. The brownish looking painting is actually Golden Fine Copper Acrylic. The crackle roof has fine red undercoat and the rest is Chalk Paint.

The grey chalk paint is an experiment with powdered paint that you mix with water. I find its grittier and the pigment tends to separate, so needs constant mixing. Other chalk paint I use is Folk Art which has some interesting colors, and Canadian made Cottage Paint which is very nice quality and a different color selection.

I’m understanding how to make large cracks now, but it’s not easy, and always a surprise. I’m considering adding these to my next solo exhibition as they will go well with my proposed natural wood theme. I don't have a date yet, but as spring is fast approaching I’d better get my skates on.

30DCG2020  and 30DODP

DAY 13 of 30 - BIRDHOUSE BLING (final)

Yesterday I completed the front and today the back and sides. I think I’m going to include some color inside like beautiful lining in a designer coat. Just have to decide between red, green, turquoise or blue.

I also continued with some layers on three others that are not quite ready to show.

30DCG2020 - ODP

DAY 12 of 30 - BIRDHOUSE BLING in Progress

One of the things I love most about the 30 Day Creative Gathering on Facebook is that anything goes. It was set up for creators of every level and any media. Thats why today my entry is a birdhouse. We are encouraged to either complete, or work on something every day and it is very motivating and social.

This is not a fine art birdhouse, it is for regular home decor and will sell under my COUNTRY GIRL brand. At the moment the back and sides are a little bland, so I will probably add more. The front is finished and ready for move in. The spotty bits on the eves and base are sparkly jewels although they don't show up well here.

For sale by contacting me through email or comments. I have three more in process if you would like a set.

30DCG2020 - ODP

DAY 11 of 30 - SNOWY OWL

I’m currently taking part in two challenges, The 30 Day Creative Gathering and the Opus Daily Practice. Its nice to be able to half the effort by using the same art.

I’ve been struggling a bit this weekend though. Saturday is my busy day and I like to relax a bit on Sundays, so working through the weekend is unsettling. I also seem to be fiddling around with quite a few pieces that are not co-operating. Nevertheless I did accomplish quite a lot.

SNOWY OWL by Sea Dean

This is a little Snowy Owl painting that I’ve had on the side for months. Today I finally took him to task. I love the cheeky little guy now. Sometimes I just have to keep working away at it layer after layer until I get the right look, and this is it. Owls of course come out at night, so getting just the right shade of blue and the right treatment of the stars took several goes. His eyes were also challenging, because I wanted them to glow, but the effect wasn’t happening. Perhaps he's just shy.

30DCG2020 - ODP

DAY 5 of 30 - ROLLING VINEYARD with Butterfly - THE CUTE FACTOR

ROLLING VINEYARD WITH BUTTERFLY by Sea Dean

DUCKY by Sea Dean

COUNTRY MOUSE by Sea Dean

I find myself doing this too, I skim through hundreds of artworks on the internet and stop at very few. What stops me and makes me take another look could be an interesting composition, a curious technique or a stunningly real portrait, landscape, or still life, but what really gets me, is cute. And I constantly see this with my own work when I take part in a show, drifters remark on a variety of work, but what they are really compelled to buy are my animals, birds and butterflies; the cuter, the better.

by Sea Dean

MONCHO by Sea Dean

I totally admire artists that create cute effortlessly. With my animals the form is no different to painting or drawing any other subject matter, but the cute factor takes me forever to produce. Cuteness is often conveyed by elongating or squashing the body or humanizing by adding clothes or accessories like a human being. Beatrix Potter and A. A. Milne were experts at this. Often the cuteness is in the expression and particularly in the eyes. I find that with all my pet and human portraits I spend at least 10 to 20 times longer on the eyes than I do on the rest of the painting. A tiny speck of reflected light can make the difference between boring and interesting.

A FACE ONLY A MOTHER COULD LOVE by Sea Dean

KITTY by Sea Dean

Some of these originals are still available by clicking on the links. As with all art the artist retains the copyright, so once I have sold the original, I create limited edition prints. Therefore if you love my work there are opportunities at every price point. I am gradually adding limited editions to my Artfinder collection here, but if you don't see the one you like please contact me by commenting or clicking my email link. Or simply commission me to paint your own pet.

30DCG2020 - ODP

Day 4 of 30 - LAKE MORNING and Oscar Feedback?

Josephine has left home and my thoughts have been drawn to my next victim, sorry, project. Since acquiring this manikin over a year ago, he has been known as “Oscar”. I think he got the name because he has a hint of the movie award about him. He is big and beautiful, exuding a strong but peaceful aura. I often give him a hug (at 6 ft 2 inches and 33 inch waist he is the perfect size).

I have two ideas rocketing around my head...

1. Josephine sported many quotes from famous artists, so to add Oscar as part of the series I could cover him in the top 100 movie titles, famous actors and movie quotes such as “I’ll be back” TERMINATOR, Arnold Schwarzenegger - “Raindrops on Roses” THE SOUND OF MUSIC Julie Andrews or “Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn” GONE WITH THE WIND Clark Gable. Another option is to stick with Oscar winning movies and stars.

2. Alternately, his white base paint is just crying out to be covered in traditional Maori tattoos with no text except my signature.

As my main market is south, I think #1 would be more attractive to buyers and I like that it continues the series, but is all over text too much? (Josephine had text and abstract painting). Another question is that if I go with #1, should I paint his skin gold, which is tricky and currently not super trendy? I love the look of black or grey writing on white, but should I write in gold??? It’s a quandary, but if it’s #1 I should market him during Oscar season which starts soon, so he needs to get underway now! Also I cant leave him in his briefs for ever, or can I?

HELP! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Please comment below.

DAY 4 - LAKE MORNING Work in Progress
Note that I photographed the color version to show the silvery additions of graphite pencil, in the birds, water and distant landscape. The pencil line is blackish, but glistens silvery in raked light. I’ve never done this before, but I love the effect.

LAKE MORNING (watercolour and graphite) by Sea Dean

LAKE MORNING (noir print) 

LAKE MORNING (in incandescent light)

 30DG2020 - ODP

Day 3 of 30 - SILVERY NEST

SILVERY NEST by Sea Dean

This sweet two tone nest with bird is about 5” across. I’ve displayed it with NEST FOR THREE from earlier in the week to show the difference in size. The bird is crafted from polymer and feathers. I will include the acorns for shipping within Canada, but I don’t think I can ship them over a border as they are real. I think the sculpture is just as good without. The purchaser could always collect some natural objects of their own.

Steel, copper, polymer and feather.
Available in my Artfinder shop artfinder.com/sea-dean

 30DG2020 - ODP

SILVERY NEST a and NEST FOR THREE by Sea Dean

Created on 02/02/2020 a rare eight-digit palindrome (reads same, forward and backward) the only one of its kind this century.

The previous eight-digit palindrome was 11/11/1111, 909 years ago.

We have to wait another 101 years for 12/12/2121

Art Production and momentum is Key

I recently read a blog by a very knowledgeable and experienced gallery owner who talked about the role production has in becoming a successful artist. I also believe that production is the key to results and I was struggling before I gained the realization.

When I first returned to art full time I struggled to produce 20 paintings a year. I doubled that figure in the second year, but my problem was that I was trying to be perfect and match those who had spent a lifetime honing their skills. I was sloooooow! The third year I set a goal of 100 small paintings and attained 114. In the fourth year I stepped up my game to one small painting a day, but I needed time for marketing so towards the end I dropped the goal to one each week-day. That year I created a total of 282.

Over the next 5 years I completed “30 paintings in 30 days” many times to keep me inspired and on track. I found that even tiny ACEO paintings helped immensely with improving my skills and discovering what buyers did and did not like. Sure, some of these paintings were hurried and I could have fussed more, but many were wonderful and now I had plenty of inventory ready to sell to my ever growing

When I was confident in my painting skills, I returned to my first love, 3D work and now often work on series that include painting, sculpture, carving, collage etc to exhibit a full and congruent gallery show. These days I paint and sculpt larger and far less, but those high production years of small works gave me a great foundation in just getting on with it.

My best tip for momentum is to work in series. Sometimes I work on a series concurrently, such as different views of the same type of bird using the same background. Other collections follow on from each other over time, each one developing the idea further, like my Frida series. Most importantly, when I create a ‘one off’ I let my audience know they are purchasing a rare version of my work, which is quite a draw to some patrons.

For those that suffer to produce a few works a year, I advise you to participate in a variety of work and play shops. Loosen up and have some fun throwing some paint or plaster around. Stop worrying about being perfect and the opinions of others. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish!

In February my friend Sheila Delgado is hosting a second online creative gathering which will help us all get back in the groove for 2020. Follow my blog for more details closer to the date.

DUCK DELIGHT - Day 2 - 30 in 30 Challenge

Western Canada and specifically B.C. is a tourist mecca. Back in the 50’s entrepreneurs started to realize that tourist attractions were big business and creative people set up adventure parks throughout the province. Often these parks were decorated with gaudy 50’s style signs which had a tendency to use larger than life representations of wildlife, fruit and local heritage symbols. They are disappearing fast, but I snapped this one near Hope B.C.

There is something charming and innocent about these signs and I think they should have preservation orders placed on them. I tried to show just how big this sign was by photographing close up from below and framing with trees. As a rough estimate. I would say the duckling is at least 10 ft tall and the whole sign at least 30 ft.

I can remember when Hope was a tiny backwater of a village with mainly wooden, fading buildings and a roadside cafe. It’s main attraction was being able to pull over, down some soup in the all night cafe and rest up from the hair raising and difficult Trans Canada Frazer River route. Now it’s a bedroom community for Vancouver 100 miles away and the new Coquihalla Highway makes it so much easier to get to the Okanagan from the lower mainland.

Over the Lake

Over the Lake

For those unfamiliar with my digital work, my drawings are created in the simple notes app on my iPad. The app is very basic wih only three types of line, a rule and an eraser, so I’ve had to come up with new ideas to make it useable. I’m constantly working on ideas and currently I’m fascinated by the ability to layer colour with the highlighter tool. With my knowledge of pigment from painting, I can build some interesting colours.

This one finger drawing is available as small prints and an art card.

My sister’s Garden - Three

This morning I woke to the first blue skies since I arrived. Above, pelicans and eagles were circling, enjoying the updraft. my sister’s Gardn took on a glow as each leaf discovered it’s own hallow of light.

This series will be posted for sale in my shop eventually, but currently you can purchase by contacting me directly. They are painted on 140lb Acid Free 4” x 6” Cold Press Finish atercolor paper. Each comes with a certificate of authenticity and ships in a stiff card envelope for protection.

A great way to get a jump start on your holiday gifts. October Special price $50 including shipping within North America. Items will ship October 30th in plenty of time to beat the rush.

Also, remember to check out the sales I have currently at Artfinder. I’m thrilled to report that I made the selection for small sculptures in their holiday collection. Yay! That’s out of thousands of art works. Take a look here

#30in30 - Day 26 - MINI TEX Bluebird

MINI TEX Bluebird 3”x4” On Pollonia Cradle $35

Finally another finished crackle piece. Isn’t he sweet? My little bluebird has a laser cut branch and glowing metallic feathers. I love the contrast between matte crackle and metallic acrylic.
On sale now at Daily Paintworks here

About 100 new paintings are posted on the blog each day. Some artists are painting daily and others have few spare hours so post when they can. There is a core group that manage to create a new piece each day and they should be applauded. Visit the challenge blog and see the amazing variety produced.

https://www.saetastudio.com/september-2018-30-in-30-paintings

TIP - Click on the images you like and it usually takes you to the artist’s own website so you can see more of their work, or for the more organized, to a page where you can buy them. I’m just happy o get it posted without missing a day:)

Check out what’s on sale at Artfinder this week, here. artfinder.com/sea-dean