blood spattered comfort food

Dear Artist,

We invite you to participate in the WisCon Art Show.

WisCon is the pre-eminent feminist science fiction convention in the
world. We believe that Art is an important aspect of SF, and that an
exciting Art Show is an important part of any convention. We strive to
make the WisCon Art Show a continuing success by integrating the art
show with the rest of the convention.

Art show focus:

Work by women artists
Work by regional artists
Work with feminist themes, whatever that may be

We don't plan to define feminist themes. That's up to you. We do,
though, plan to continue to have popular awards for the Most Feminist
and Most Outrageous items in the Art Show, as have for the past
several years. We are interested in original work by the artist, which
may include 1 copy of limited edition reproductions. For additional
print sales, you are welcome to participate in the WisCon Dealers
Room, or make an arrangement with one of the dealers. We also have a
small print shop for items with fixed sale prices; let us know if you
are interested in participating, since space will be limited.

Please complete an application at www.wiscon.info/artshow.php now!

Artists must have completed the application process and have received
an acceptance notice in order to enter art into the Art Show.

In order to include more new artists, we require all artists to submit
an application and photos of their work to the Art Show Staff by
February 6, 2010.

Completed applications must be submitted by February 6, 2010. On about
February 15 we will notify accepted artists and about May 1, we will
send forms, check-in and shipping information and other details.

If you attend, you will need to purchase a WisCon membership. Please
register at the website or mail in your registration form if you plan
on attending. Note that there is a $20 refund available if you
volunteer and work 6 or more hours on the convention (ideally, in the
Art Show) or participate in programming. Program information is
available at www.sf3.org/wiscon. If you are interested in
participating, you should go to the site and sign up.

While we are not charging for space, we do need to know in advance how
much you will need. Our standard hangings are 4' square pegboard.
Artists new to the convention may reserve 1 4x4' panel; for continuing
artists, the maximum is 2 panels. It may be possible to get more
space, but only at the discretion of the art show director based on
the space available. Last year, we filled up quickly, so more than 3
panels is unlikely. Table space is available as well, up to a full 6'
x 36" table. Please include your space needs when you apply for
entrance into the Art Show.

Convention members will have the opportunity to vote on the Art Show
awards again this year. WisCon 34's Art Show will continue to focus on
feminist art, art by women, and art by Midwestern artists. For art
show information please check the box on the registration form, email
artshow34@wiscon.info or visit the WisCon web site, www.wiscon.info

You can write the art show at the WisCon address. We can also be
reached at artshow34@wiscon.info. I would be happy to answer your
questions.

Sincerely,
Jane Washburn
WisCon Art Show
artshow34@wiscon.info

So, this year! I have 3 resolutions. This is good, because usually I only allow myself one. :P

1. Read something fiction everyday. Even if it's just a page or two. My usual one resolution a year is to finish one book past chapter 3. D: and I did it in 2009! I read 2 books! omg. ヽ(´▽`)ノ This year, I just want to read one thing every day. (probably online as books mess with my eyes. stupid dyslexia. which means I'll be leaving comments on old fic if folks don't mind. ^_^)

So far I've read *4* chapters in Clive Barker's Abarat! whoo! past ch 3! (and re-reading totally counts for me! and also it's in English! omg the apocalypse is nigh.)

- reading is hard for me and yet very addictive. I have little impulse control and will read to the exclusion of all else and not get things finished that I should be finishing. I fix that by feeling MASSIVE GUILT AND ANXIETY whenever I try to read something that is not for reference or that I'm obligated to and therefore I just don't read anything. I'm working on that. I'm still not a book-o-phile, working at a bookstore smacked that out of me, but I'm at least dipping my toe in again.

2. Be more social and (slightly) less of a hermit. I'm gonna try my hardest to actually post and comment and be online more this year! And I also want to start having salons at my studio. (art parties!) But still give myself the space and time to recover from such. I am *very much* not an extrovert in person. :/ Putting on that mask exhausts me and takes a while to recover from. and that being said, I want to attend 2 conventions this year where I'm *not* working or volunteering or anything. Something just for fun!

and finally,

3. I want to make myself better. I want to continue to be healthy, make decisions that make me happy and weed out all the things that are unhealthy and anxious in my life. Which means I need to get things finished on time, Stop procrastinating and get my shit together. Argh. Fortunately, I had a good start 5 years ago and I just need to keep on keeping on on that one. It's a looong looooong road.

****

There. I think these are achievable, even though they're hard! I know I'll still go all hermity at least once a month and will still make bad decisions, but it's easier to just keep going when I've got a list. So yay list! :P

And speaking of lists, I should totally post my updated Mission 101 list! But not now. Now I must go and finish the shoveling I've been putting off while it's still light out. *sigh* oh shoveling, you are my bane.

I think I've figured out my sleep schedule! omg. Apparently that whole listening to my body thing is highly underrated. :p

***

It looks like today is going to be sunny again! *soaks it up like a cat on a windowsill*

***

Awesome Arts I've come across this past week:

Ryohei Hase Really surreal and creepy half animal people

Awesome wasp sculpture made form mechanical parts. :D

An interview with Juan Molinet Aah! I love his stuff!

Box Animation by Jordan Clarke

Music Creatures! :D :D

Hand Painted Shoes! :D My favorite! ^_^

and last but not least, The monster at the end of this book starring loveable furry old Grover. (my first love.) yus.

My Etsy Shop's been updated! Imps and skellieones and hunters oh my. :D 20 of them! whoo! ^___^

And I still have 4 skellies and 5 hunters to add, but I need to go play in the 17 inches of snow we got last night. D: :D

OMG SNOWPOCALYPSE! :D :D

I am having Midnight Art in my studio if anyone wants to participate? ^_^

COME MAKE ARTS WITH MEEEEEEE!! YUS. (also I have cupcakes. and tea. :D)

And it's very warm here. yus!

Questions from strangemodegirl:

1. How did you discover your talent for creating such creepy, and wonderful creatures?

Trial and Error, honestly. I've always loved making dolls, but it took a lot of frittering about and playing with stuff to come up with the techniques and designs I'm using now. (and about 10 years. :P) D: I think a little bit of everything I learn ends up in my dolls at one point or another. ^_^

Creepy wise, ummmmm... I like to put a little bit of asymmetry in everything I do? and I like worn and used things, so I try and make my stuff look lived in and alive. ^_^ (also, I like teeth. yus. :P)

2. What drew you into the world of anime and Japan in general?

I love learning Japanese! ^__^ I took a class back in '97(?) because it was available and the teacher was fun and kinda just took to it. ^_^ I've been taking classes and doing self study off and on since then. (so, like 12ish years? O_o;; dang time flies!) I've been thinking of taking the JLPT next year if I can brush up enough. We'll see.

I actually watch way more dramas and movies than I do anime. ^_^ It's a good way of picking up pronunciation and picking out dialects and stuff. (especially when I watch them with the subtitles turned off.) And there's some really fun stories. ^_^ (and mythology/historical/documentary stuff is always fascinating, too. ^_^)

3. You have so many amazing talents (cooking, baking, sewing, doll making, tarot reading, best friending), what is your favorite? What do YOU think you do best?

Ahahaha... ummmmm... I'M REALLY GOOD AT BEING ME. yus. :P and hostessing with the mostesting. ^__^ Although Thanksgiving is giving me anxiety this year, but that's pretty much just this year in general making me anxious. :P

4. Once and for all, which is your absolute FAVORITE Doctor?

AAAAAAAAAAAH!! Eight! no, Nine! no, Seven! But Six is my favorite Audio!Doctor, but i like Five in the audios toooo AAAAAH!!! WHY DO I HAVE TO PICK JUST ONE?? D: D: D: I like the Doctor. He's a hoopy frood who knows where his towel is(usually).

5. Describe your ideal vacation if you had no time or financial restrictions.

Ooh! Ummm, I would take 5 years off to go vagabonding around the world and thruhike the AT! Totally! And try and hit up a bunch of international art/craft workshops along the way. ^___^v There's an awesome sculpture workshop in Italy I've had my eye on for a while and making ball-jointed art dolls in Japan would rock! ^____^ oh! and then do Penland. :D I DON'T WANT MUCH REALLY.


Ask me for questions and I shall give you some. (although depending on my quality of sleep, I can't guarantee for the quality or silliness thereof! BEWARE! :P)

So about a year and a half ago, upstart_crow asked me to make a basilisk for her. And I said sure! I'll look into it! and then I'd start a piece and hate it, and talk to her a bit and write stuff down and start another piece and hate it and almost finished a piece and hated it and... you get the idea.

But Wednesday evening I decided that DAMMIT I WAS GONNA FINISH A BASILISK! D: D: D: So I sat down and called karadin for moral support and made an AWESOME armature that I am happy with! ^____^ YAY!!

She's got the Armature 2.0 design and is a little over 15" tall right now. Her tail is completely articulated as are her arm, leg ankle and wrist joints. ^_^

Whoot!!



BasiliskYAY!

( Read more... )

Hey y'all. I'm working on putting together this year's Call For Artists and I'm looking for fabulous artists to add to my list!

Is there anyone you think is an awesome artist and might like to participate in the show? Let me know! ^____^ (and let them know! I'll be posting the call as soon as the reg form is active and y'all lovely art people can start sending me your jury pics. ^__^)

Man, this year is gonna be FABULOUS. ^_^b

We're looking for a lot of diversity in feminist scifi/fantasy/speculative/interstitial/gloriously arty themes of all descriptions and interpretations! We'd especially love to see a balanced mix of mediums both 2D and 3D by both established and emerging artists. ^__^

And *I'm* looking for places where I can find such awesomeness! So pretty please with all kinds of sweetness on top rec me your favorite artists and art sites so I can add them to my promotion list and send them the info?

*bats lashes*

XOXOXO ♥!

Jane aka wiscon art show person. :P

I realized this morning as I was sorting out my flickr account that I haven't posted WIP pics for the CE yet. D: soooooo... here they are. ~_^

I didn't take very many this time around being as I was more concerned with creating then documenting, but I think I got a couple good ones. ^___^



( Here are 10 pics with talking! whoo! :P )

She was 4 months of work (amid other projects) and took about 115 hours.

and just for completion sake, here are links to the other two detailed WIP posts I've made:

How to make an Imp: Goddess Doll Tutorial

Anatomy of a Root Thing: Oh it's been so long since I've made one of these.

My brain she's been eaten by this handsome dude. He's about 12" tall and is an all terrain beastie. As usual, I bemoan my lack of photo skills. I'm getting better, but I have yet to discover the trick to making them look as nice as they do in person. *sigh* one day...

( Plus 9 more )