Deadpan Alley

Down The Rabbit Hole...

2011-03-09T18:30:00.004-07:00

"Carried Away" oil on Birch 2011 11x14
"Moving Day" oil on canvas board 5x7
"Me and My Shadow" oil on canvas 18x24

These are the pieces I have completed recently while learning to paint in oil. I have a feeling this is going to be a really fun year...

If you make yourself honey the flies will eat you...

2009-04-27T18:44:00.005-06:00

So I decided to give away BOTH illustrations.
I mean, there were so many people that participated and I got such a kick out of the nursery rhymes that I really wished I had MORE to give away. Plus, I really love Lucy and Larry and only 4 people picked that one so in the end I just did a separate drawing for it. :)

I had my husband pick the names out of his dapper hat for me so I wouldn't be tempted to peek. heh.

The winner of "The Lovebirds" is Rachel. "Lucy and Larry" go to Sugarcain.

This was great fun for me and I hope I have a chance to do it again after high season at the gallery is over.

Thanks for the nursery rhymes everyone! I've been giggling over them for days. *giggle*

*giggle*

*giggles uncontrollably*

*gasp*

*thud*

*twitch*

Til next time, loves...

110th SALE GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-04-21T15:43:00.006-06:00

Instead of belatedly celebrating my 100th sale and seeming as though I just never got around to it in time, I decided to celebrate (prematurely) my 110th Etsy sale by giving away some free artwork. I just like it better that way. Don't question, just enter to win the damn prize, ok? heh. Actually, there are TWO prize choices. When you win, you may pick either the adorable "Lovebirds" OR the slightly ambiguous "Lucy and Larry". The choice is yours. To enter, simply go browse around my Etsy store (take your time, darling) and tell me in a comment on this blog post:

A) Which item in my store is your FAVORITE.
B) Whether you would prefer to win "The Lovebirds" or "Lucy and Larry".

For an ADDITIONAL entry, also include:

C) The oddest nursery rhyme you can come up with. I just happen to like nursery rhymes...

I shall randomly draw the winner on Monday, the 27th of April, because that happens to be convenient for me. hee.

Good luck all!

The long delay...

2009-04-14T10:21:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to pop in to apologize for not posting for a bit. i have not been feeling well, but will return soon with new artwork, i promise!

best,

Liese

There has been something lurking in my mind...

2009-03-27T20:54:00.004-06:00

something about ink and watercolor and anthropomorphs...you know how ideas for paintings and things sort of scuttle about in the squidgy corners of your mind when you are trying to sleep or listen to a radio serial from the 70's or some such thing and they grow and grow and growandgrow and GROW until....they sort of DEMAND to be made or else they take your mind hostage and you can't get the bills written out or read that nice-smelling book you found until they've had their way?

this was one of those times, so i hope you enjoy "Beatrix".

Is Beatrix showing off her naughty knees? Or is she startled to find human legs beneath her skirt? She's so hard to read...

Au Revoir.

Just take it as read that I commented on your blog today...

2009-03-26T19:50:00.002-06:00

I am just a LITTLE frustrated with the fact that all the comments I have been posting this afternoon have been eaten up by the blog monster. I so rarely get the time to read people's blogs but I had a half-day due to snow and...I just can't bring myself to do it all again. *sigh*

At any rate, I finished this ACEO. I'm not kidding, I need a nap now because I'm all grouchy. Heh.

Vintage doodles and Other Miss-Takes...

2009-03-22T13:52:00.006-06:00

So here's the latest Miss-Takes and my new Pinstripes, you can click on the images for more info, I'm having such a blast with these vintage-inspired images! I can't...put down...the pen....*scribble-scribble-scribble*

The treasury thing...

2009-03-22T09:42:00.004-06:00

So I got featured in this treasury, called I'VE GOT A SECRET. Also featured in this treasury, called WELL, WELL, WELLL...AND this one, about BIRDS.

I also managed to curate one, ZOLTAR SAYS...something about a dark winged bird...

Treasuries rock. Off to make art...

The Custom Giraffe...

2009-03-20T19:34:00.002-06:00

Hey. So I know I haven't posted in a bit. Been busy taking over the world and drawing curly hair and cutting out fabric and stuff. But here's an image for Brian who likes wine. I like wine too. So here you go, Brian...if you want it let me know. The paper is about 5.5 x 8.5 inches, 'cause that's what I had in my sketchbook :) 25 buckaroos if you want it...

Best,

-Liese

Miss-Construed...........My New Miss-Take.

2009-03-15T16:21:00.004-06:00

Out of the 500 billion things I had to do today...this was the one I REALLY enjoyed. I still have roughly 300 billion things to do, but please meet Miss-Construed, my new Miss-Take. She is ink and acrylic on wood, and she's not happy. :)
If you feel inclined, you can see close-ups and such HERE.

I'm not sure where this is going, exactly, but it beats painting cardinals on mailboxes. *sigh*

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, folks!

-Liese Marie, mailbox/house painter in a pinch

I went crazy again today...

2009-03-11T18:35:00.002-06:00

That's how I wound up curating this treasury.
Oh, and being featured in this treasury, this treasury, THIS TREASURY...AND THIIIIS TREAAASURY!!!!!!!!!!

I've become obsessed, I think...this can't be healthy, can it? D:

Hee-hee. Fun with etsy addiction! Anyway, my eyes are bleeding from clicking on so much beautiful etsy merchandise, so I must away...

I guess I'm as forgetful as I am well meaning...

2009-03-10T07:45:00.003-06:00

I really MEANT to take a picture of this inkblot before I started working on it in black ink...it's just that I was waiting for it to dry while watching Monty Python's Flying Circus (on VHS, by the way!) and somewhere between Spam and a semi-nude pasty white man in lingerie, I got distracted. Anyway, here's the start, the next 2 blots have been properly scanned beforehand. anyone see where this might be going? I'm not really sure myself...

My first TREASURY! FINALLY!!

2009-03-08T18:54:00.002-06:00

I got my first treasury on Etsy! I had a great time picking from all the talented artists to make this collection. :D I tried to take a screenshot, but I wasn't able to. Tips on that welcome. Anyway, you can see it HERE.

Off to play some more!

*wanders off*

Awesome finds in broken books...

2009-03-08T14:04:00.003-06:00

I really hit the jackpot yesterday with the torn up old books I found! One of them is just too precious to deconstruct, even though it is a mess. It is the Junior Instructor, from 1918, a homeschool book. Hilarious. The others have spurred a new batch of birdies in my etsy store. One is a book filled with Kanji, (if you know which language, PLEASE let me know!) one is a text on learning shorthand and this one is from a book about musical composition.

Off to do some more ink work and painting!

Telling Secrets...

2009-03-05T08:14:00.003-07:00

I finished this new inkblot painting last night, and am working on another in my watercolor sketchbook. That one will be too large to scan, but I'm sure having a blast with these. I love looking at a character I've drawn and wondering if he's going to wind up reading a book or pulling a turtle's tail. You can get a better look at "Telling Secrets" HERE.

I've been roped into the Chamber of Commerce dinner tonight with the owner of the gallery I run. She HAS been nominated as business-person of the year, so let's hope she gets picked! :) Gotta run...

I Wish I could Fly...

2009-03-04T08:58:00.005-07:00

This is an experiment for me, inspired by something I saw on the web somewhere late at night-(I really need to take notes! If I find the amazing artwork that got me thinking about trying this, I'll post the link, promise!) I made a design in watercolor paint, folded the paper to create the inkblot and then I used what I saw in it to guide my drawing in ink. This was a TON of fun, and I will definitely be doing more of these Rorschach paintings. If you love it, you can buy it HERE. :D

Psychoanalysis welcome!

If you go to sleep in the sky, you will wake up cousin to the birds...

The day I ate my hat...

2009-03-02T17:59:00.003-07:00

Anyway, here's a detail of "Feeling Fancy". You can find her HERE. I hope you enjoy the plumage... :D

I'm having WAY too much fun digitally coloring my drawings...

2009-02-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

Just to be able to say, "Yes, I can do something similar with brown/green/puce instead...no problem!" I LOVE it. Hope you do too. :D

2009-02-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

The new mixed media piece, "Rose"...buy it HERE. Now off to work with me!

The Fountain Pen...

2009-02-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

So I grabbed this fountain pen while I was out yesterday, and I have to admit that I didn't want to go to bed last night, I was having too much fun drawing! I think I'll be needing replacement cartridges soon... :/ Here is the link for the one print I have up on Etsy. I know my store has a lot of different styles in it, but I just love experimenting!

Off to get ready for work, but I'll be thinking about coming home to play with ink...

8 ACEO'S in a handbound book!!! "Hungry Moon"

2009-02-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

We've been slaving away for days to produce the first run of my book containing 8 frame-able ACEOs. It's called "Hungry Moon" and is now available in my Etsy store! You can find it here:

That's only $2.75 per ACEO plus a hand bound book! :D

I hope you enjoy these, they have a deliciously sick sense of humor...

who else has a job where drinking wine at work is a requirement?

2009-02-21T17:54:00.000-07:00

Hee-hee. Today was Carnivale in Manitou Springs. We had a great day of sales and people were in a fantastic mood. With the exception of the EXTREMELY heavy stump table I carried down the stairs for a customer with my bad knee screaming, it was a grand day. Sold some of my copper jewelry, and one of my liquid nude paintings. I don't think I have ever posted them here, so I will post one today. I think they are my proudest moment in painting, since they are the most original thing I've ever done...

Enjoy the evening folks.

2009-02-19T04:25:00.000-07:00

I guess I finally hit on something with this cute but visually simple collage and ink piece, Amelie. I got tons of hits and a few hearts on it on Etsy, and she was featured in this treasury "Without Rhyme or Reason"
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=40631
I guess I'll just keep on trying! Today is my last day of my mini-vacation and I worked all the way through. :/ My husband had a 3:30 am wakeup, but I think now that he's off to work I'll try for another hour or so of shuteye...See you later, folks.

Insomnia and the tiny art...

2009-02-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

So I think it is a sort of sickness. I get something into my head that I want to create and it explodes into dozens of spin-off ideas and before you know it...I'm up in the middle of the night using my exact-o knife to cut collage pieces and things and *click-click-click* I'm listing on Etsy and I have scraps of paper strewn about the living room...

I guess at least this time when my husband stumbled out into the living room squinting into the light I didn't have the blowtorch fired up....that man has some serious patience. heh. At any rate, enjoy my evening's sleepless creation, I really have to try to catch another hour or so of sleep, so much to do today! Meet Cordelia.

I gave in to the tiny art craze....

2009-02-16T13:33:00.000-07:00

and started making ACEOs. :D I have been having an obscene amount of fun making these tiny little illustrations with collage papers and ink. I'm thinking I'll have to do more in the red since everyone seems to react to that color. I really should be painting other things right now, but I just can't stop! *runs in a circle clutching tiny scraps of paper to her chest*

I hope these are a seller!

Human and Animal Animals .........

2009-02-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, I just have to take a minute to mention this seller I met on Etsy. His sculptures are cool, beautiful, UNIQUE, odd and inexpensive. Plus, they have cool names. His pieces are grouped into lovely categories like "Human Animals" "Animal Animals", "Human Substitute Animals" and the ever popular "Human and Animal Animals". heh.

His store is at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6143875 and he has no clue how good he is. The photo is of "John, Paul, Jingo, Sage and Rye" and is an awesome deal at $30.00. Visit him, see what kind of "animal" suits you....

Fevered dreams...

2009-02-15T15:33:00.000-07:00

Just the beginning of a few days off...Trying to prioritize my artwork. Still stuck on figuring out a combination of materials that will make these characters "pop"...

time for tea... Enjoy "The New Dress".

You can Hope he turns into a Prince...

2009-02-14T06:25:00.000-07:00

So we treated yesterday as Valentine's Day. Kris and I went to see Coraline in 3-D, got some sushi, exchanged gifts and yummy chocolate. It was a great day. Kris also gave me a stack of valentines all made out like they were from different people in my school class. :D He's a very inventive gift-giver. It was incredibly sweet of him to spend all that time on making me smile.
He also gave me a hand with decision-making on my new illustrations, and was very patient since I was working on them all day as we drove around town and had lunch. The result is posted here, still going for a free look, hope you enjoy it!

ink drippings...

2009-02-12T22:52:00.000-07:00

So I'm still after a more spontaneous look in my inkwork, and I think this evening's work was productive. The 8 or so sketches I did before the one shown here will have to go into the shredder (if I can get them past my husband) as soon as possible. I guess I'll see what the reaction is to this one. I'm thinking tomorrow I may get out the ink and the watercolors and see what happens...Here's to a productive tomorrow! Hope you enjoy "Flora".

Danced along a colored wind...

2009-02-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

The light up here in the mountains is seriously inspiring today. If only it were not below freezing I would love to go for a walk...Hey Spring! Hurry up, damnit!

Anyway, I'm still playing with deadpan character ideas...trying beadier eyes this time, like the birdies have. Maybe...
Just realized more time has passed than I thought! This computer has stolen at least an hour from my morning I had not planned on. Off to work!

crawling out of my cozy cave i find...

2009-02-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

I have a horrific sore throat this morning. Bleagh. Time for a giant cup of echinacea tea with a big 'ol teaspoon of honey. I think I will still list something new today for sale on Etsy. Because I'm just that stubborn...

As I'm watching the sun creep over the hills here I am SO thankful we live in natural surroundings. The quality of light reminds me of a walk along the Canal Saint Martin though...*sigh* I did love Paris...

I dangled from a rope of sand...

2009-02-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

Each day I sell on Etsy is a learning experience. I realized that I had to come up with 3 more FREE illustrations to send with the shipments this morning. *panic* heh. I think it's worth it. My Etsy customers are really helping take the stress out of my husband being laid off right now, so they really deserve my extra effort. I am enjoying it all so much! With the exception of my obsessively checking my myspace, facebook, twitter, Etsy store, google analytics etc. HA! This blog is all I need, right? One more thing to check a hundred times a day? I guess it's a good thing I have a day job to keep me away for the afternoon.... :D

That certain something....

2009-02-10T16:01:00.000-07:00

Today I'm working on trying to figure out what people want from my deadpan illustrations so I can come up with some more lines that people will like. Is it the bold colors? The simple lines of the birds themselves? The look in their eyes? I'm really not sure what exactly makes them a hit. The one pictured here is a new listing I just put on www.deadpanalley.etsy.com . I hope you like it! Feedback is always welcome!

Better a handful of dry dates and content with that, than to own the gate of peacocks and be kicked in the eye by a brooding camel...

2009-02-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

I got the day off with my husband! Yay! We worked all day of course, but we did it TOGETHER. Kris cut me a bunch of mounting stock for my illustrations, and is almost finished knitting me a soft, silky, cranberry scarf. :D I made and posted 2 new pieces in my Etsy store, www.deadpanalley.etsy.com I also packaged and mailed out some Etsy orders and did some research online.
We went out to lunch at our favorite Chinese place and now we are listening to "Moon Over Morocco", (one of my favorite radio serials) while we work on various things.

It is incredibly windy outside but the fire is starting to make it rather cozy in here.

Life is good.

Yes, indeed.

DeadpanAlley Originals for a...song. cough

2009-02-08T20:26:00.000-07:00