I'm back

I have been hesitating to post to this blog because all I have to write about is illness and pestilence!

We are all working through some kind of flu bug here that is working its way through a different family member each day. At my son's pre-K, they have had a student with a case of MRSA (that's a staph infection that is resistant to antibiotics and very dangerous.) The child who was diagnosed with MRSA had it on a broken blister on his ankle and it was always covered up with a sock, so I think the danger is minimal. However, the school wasn't notified until 1:45 pm Friday, and the class lets out at 2:30 pm, so that didn't give the teachers any chance to do anything other than issue a warning letter to all parents. I felt bad for the teachers - they were probably looking forward to leaving work for a well-deserved weekend, and they found out they had to sterilize a huge room. I wonder how long that took? I got my son in the bathtub as soon as we got home. I figured it couldn't hurt. That boy almost always needs a bath!

So that's all that's going on here. Leave a comment and let me know how you are doing.

Save the Hairspray for your Hair - here's how to keep pencil drawings from smearing

I was just on Nicole Hamilton's pencil portrait blog, and she mentioned that hairspray is for hair, not paper! I couldn't agree with her more.

Many artists and art students use hair spray as a fixative for their artwork. For the non-artsy reading this, a fixative keeps the graphite pencil so it will no longer smear. Once an artwork is sprayed with most fixatives, it cannot be erased.

There is a product made just for art: Krylon #1306 Workable Matte Fixative is a good product, and it's not expensive. One can will last a long time, and you won't have to pay more than $5 or so per can. It is "workable," meaning that it can be erased. I haven't found that it can ever be erased completely, so don't count completely on the workability. I have found that spraying art will darken the graphite. Sometimes this can be a side-benefit, but sometimes it's not good for the art to appear darker.

I only use it when I must...and I would like to caution all artists to really believe the warnings on the label and only spray outside or a well ventilated place. For a little while, I was lazy and would just spray in a room and leave for a little bit, but you can still inhale some of it. Now I tend to get bronchitis a lot. I know of several artists who have developed Lupus. I don't know if any studies have been done on this, but I strongly suspect that the pigments, solvents and sprays that artists use on a regular basis could be the cause.

So I avoid spraying artwork at all now. Besides the health risks, I don't really trust what the long term effects of Krylon are on paper either. Albrecht Durer's graphite drawings (this one from the year 1521) still survive...and clearly, he didn't have aerosol spray fixative in 1521. So your artwork can survive without fixative when properly cared for.

For me, the best way to keep pencil drawings from smearing is to work on the drawing from left to right if you are right-handed, and right to left if you are left handed. I am right handed, so I work left to right, and in a clockwise direction. I also use a clean sheet of typing paper to keep under my hand, forearm, or any part of my body that might touch the artwork. I also turn the paper to the best position while I'm working, so I don't have to reach across areas that are already done.

Are You a-Twitter-er?

Have you heard of Twitter? I didn't "get" the point of this new social networking site at all at first, but I had heard about it from the big cheeses at Squidoo, and the folks at Squidoo haven't steered me wrong yet so I signed up. It didn't hurt that it is also free to sign up.

Ok, right now, if you hadn't heard of Twitter before, you're wondering why I am mentioning it. It is an interesting way to network. I'll try to explain how it works.

Twitter allows you to post Updates of up to 140 characters into the field. Everyone who is "Following" your updates can see what's up with you. It can be major stuff - for instance, I announced that I had a new artwork published & I announced something as dorky as "I just made my first smoothie...ever." Some people may find the publication of artwork exciting when they read about it, and others might find the smoothie adventure more stimulating. It just depends on who's reading.

People can follow what you say, but you can also follow what they say. Just because someone chooses to follow your posts, you don't have to follow them unless you would like to do so. Even once you start following someone, you can easily click and un-follow them.

You can send messages to another Twitter user just by putting the @ symbol right before their username. Your message shows up on their list. Your username is clickable from that other person's list...and that's where the networking magic comes in. As more @username messages fly with news of interest, your username gets more clicks, and therefore attention can be drawn to your Twitter Profile page. If you have a business, then that can bring traffic to your site. You can use Twitter to announce new blog posts or different features and special offers you may have on your website. Just don't constantly promote your own websites. That's a good way to get un-followed, and fast.

For artists who might feel only driven to networking sites like MySpace and Facebook that you can post artwork to, Twitter may not seem like a place you want to spend any time. But you can link to an artwork. If your URL is too long, then you can use a site like TinyURL to shorten it. The 'http://' isn't necessary within Twitter. Just the www. in front of the URL will make it clickable. There is an add-on to Twitter called Twhirl that allows attachment of photos/artwork. I haven't tried it yet though. Twhirl apparently gives the user the ability to get notification of new messages, which sounds like a very handy tool to have.

I think it is really impossible to effectively describe Twitter. I think the best way to learn how to use it and how it works is just to do it. At first it seems actually kind of well, stupid. I didn't see the point. But after using it for a few days, I am seeing the value of it. The messages from certain people you really want to keep up with can be sent to your mobile device.

Imagine if you could trade quick info and tips with hundreds of people in your industry? Imagine if you could share business items of interest with all your colleagues within seconds? If you can imagine that, then you can start to understand the wonder and majesty that is Twitter. Uh... "Wonder and majesty?!?" Oh okay...now that's going too far, but Twitter is pretty neat.

By the way, the smoothie came out quite yummy.

If you'd like to follow me,
just click here: Follow ddixonart

Article and Artwork of Shaun Blue Published on Christian Science Monitor

My artwork of 1st Lt Shaun Blue is on the
Christian Science Monitor website -

The article was written by Shaun Blue's good friend Luke Larson, and I did the portrait at the request of another good friend of Shaun's - Jeffrey Buck.

Luke and Jeffrey delivered the artwork to Shaun's parents in a frame that Jeffrey Buck custom-made to hold the Bronze Star on one side and the artwork on the other.

The size of the original artwork is 8"x8" and I was honored to be able to create this custom portrait for Shaun Blue's family. When you read the article, be sure to have some tissues handy...it is a very moving tribute from a good friend and I know you are probably very busy today, but make some time to read it.

Special thanks to Christian Science Monitor's Opinion Editor, Joshua Burek. Josh was one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure to communicate with in a long time.

Pet Portraits from Photos - How To Take a Great Reference Photo

Connie Bowen is a very talented painter. I found myself nodding in agreement and understanding as I read her article about how to take a great pet portrait for use as artistic reference material.

Usually my clients send me photos they have taken themselves, and occasionally I have taken the photographs of the pets (and one geriatric dog tried to pee on me, and missed me by a mere 1/2 inch!) Oh that lil bugger was fast all right, but not fast enough! ;-)

I love drawing pet portraits too. Some of my pet portraits can be found here, and Connie Bowen's pet portraits can be viewed by clicking the links at the end of this well-written article, republished here by permission.

Pet Portraits from Photos - How To Take a Great Reference Photo
By Connie Bowen

The old adage, the better the photo, the better painting certainly holds true with pet portraits. As a pet portrait artist, I am continually perusing through photos that people send to me to find the perfect pose to use for a memorable portrait.

The very best view for the photo is to be eye level with the animal you wish to photograph. Try to have their nose tipped downward slightly, otherwise the camera may distort their nose and jaw making them appear larger than they really are. For smaller dogs or cats, I like to place them up on a couch or chair, so that I can be eye level with them. The furniture also makes a nice backdrop to the painting. Even larger dogs look adorable and comfy lounging on a couch, chair or bed. I sometimes use a little squeak from a dog toy to cause a dog to prick up his or her ears. This can backfire, however, if the dog wants to play and leaves his pose for a lively romp!

It’s not necessary to be too concerned with the background in the photo. One nice thing about paintings is that backgrounds can be easily changed. If the perfect photo has a less than perfect background, a more meaningful background can be placed into the painting. If your dog loves the beach, the mountains, backyard or wherever, this background can be painted into the portrait. One woman wanted her father’s Miniature Pinscher named Lucy placed in a Texas theme. The reference photo was of Lucy on gravel pavement with picnic supplies behind her. I changed the background to a grassy area with a blanket behind her hanging in the wind that contained the Lone Star of Texas symbol on the blanket. Lucy’s red scarf against her black fur added that special touch to the portrait.

I remember photographing a Shih Tzu named Bailey outside on his bed which was placed low on the rock patio. I laid flat on my stomach for that photo. Bailey was experiencing the last few weeks of his life, was incontinent and couldn’t be photographed inside the house or on any piece of furniture. The day was warm and sunny and Bailey looked his best in his green bed smiling a greeting among the red carnations growing in pots behind him. He had a very long and comfortable life and I’m so honored to have met him before he passed on.

Fortunately, it is possible to combine photos for the animal, as well as the background. I remember a Merle Australian Shepherd named Annie. Her Mom sent several good photos to me of Annie sitting in her backyard. “The photo I love best,” she told me, “is the one with her ears back. I wish her ears were more forward. Otherwise, this would have been the perfect photo.” One of the photos she had sent to me were showing Annie’s ears forward, so I just combined the two photos into one painting, painting Annie’s ears forward from the one photo and using the body posture and expression of the other photo. Annie’s Mom was delighted!

I remember one visit to an aged Rottweiler’s home. The dog’s name was Ginger and she was very gray around the muzzle and had a problem with arthritis. Ginger’s Mom was unable to take the photo because of a tremor in her hands. Ginger was utterly terrified of the camera. Every time I took the camera out of my pocket, Ginger would meander behind some piece of furniture or turn her head away and hide behind her Mom. We decided a chew toy would settle her down and Ginger promptly hid under the dining room table with her prize as she began to gnaw on it. “Now’s my chance,” I thought to myself.

Knowing she had arthritis and wouldn’t be able to scramble away from me in a hurry, I slowly moved the chairs out of my way and climbed under the table! “I’ll either be killed or get a great photo,” I thought to myself. Not hearing any growling or other warning signal from Ginger, I lay flat on the floor in front of her. Just then Ginger’s Mom called her name, Ginger looked up and “Click!” I got a truly great photo. I did thank the angels that day as I drove home with my prize photo waiting patiently in my digital camera. For the painting, I just deleted the furniture around her and added a lovely background. I painted out the gray on her muzzle and also added a young, fresher appearance to the golden tan of her face and body.

Cats are extremely photogenic. They seem to be striking up a pose no matter what they do. I love window shots especially. There’s just something about a cat peering out the window that makes a lovely composition for a painting. One of my favorite reference photos was of a cat named Tillie lying amid her mom’s scarf. The scarf was a maroon color with an interesting pattern and looked great against Tillie’s black fur. The same rule of thumb applies to cats, too, of being sure to be at eye level with them. Even cats that are sleeping make great photos. I especially remember two cats in a basket curled up together that made a lovely painting. You could hardly tell where one cat started and the other one stopped!

With these tips for the best photo angles and explanations of how portraits are painted from reference photos, you’re now ready to capture your pet’s likeness in a way that will contribute to a lasting memorial treasure - a pet portrait either for yourself or a special gift for your friend or relative.

© Connie Bowen. Pet Portrait Artist and Professional Illustrator Connie Bowen creates stunning pet portrait paintings on canvas from photos. Specializing in capturing the spiritual nature of dogs, cats, horses and other animals in a realistic fashion with impressionistic backgrounds as seen on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s TV show, Art Beat. Over 200 pet portraits completed and counting! Visit http://www.conniebowen.com to view exquisite samples.

SafetyTat - neat invention!

Nicole from Keylocke Services shared this site with me.

What a brilliant idea this mom, Michele had to keep kids safe! They are tattoos like the play tattoos kids love, but they carry an important safety message and stay waterproof. Here's the story from the company's website about how the idea of SafetyTat was born:

"SafetyTat was born of necessity one weekend at an amusement park. On Labor Day Weekend, Michele and her husband, there with their three small children, felt out-numbered. To stave her panic, she quickly wrote her mobile phone number on each of their arms with a ballpoint pen. " ........."Throughout the day of fun, Michele had to rewrite the number several times as it smeared or washed off. Several parents in the park, stopped her to ask if that was her number on the kids' arms. Each time, they loved the idea. The day was a success and the idea for SafetyTat was born."

Hobby Lobby Savings

If you have a Hobby Lobby store where you live, when you sign up for their email alerts, you will receive a link to be able to print a coupon for 40% off a single item and will be alerted to future sales deals and more printable coupons each week. Hobby Lobby e-mail Subscription Link

Ollie Johnston, Disney Animator 1912-2008

"Ollie Johnston, the last surviving member of Disney’s legendary “Nine Old Men” of animation, has passed away at the age of 96."

Animation Magazine

Model Release Question

"I am interested in taking portrait commissions. Do you recommend, when either taking photos for reference or using a customer's photo, using a signed model release? I want to avoid any possible legal problems in the future."

Thanks for your email!

When you present a parent or guardian with a release, it seems to me that it makes them realize that there is a danger in the child being shown on the Internet. Well, there is a danger of that but it's extremely minimal, especially if you either only post the child's first name and not the last name at all...or to totally avoid using a name...ie giving an artwork a title like: "Portrait of a Young Lady." I also don't list the child or family's location.

I have on my website that I will use the artwork on my website or promotional materials unless I am asked not to do that. Most of the time, people are honored and excited for the portrait art that they commissioned to be on the website/blog/etc and it's great for an artist when they are excited, because they can proudly send the link to all their friends and family...so it ends up being free advertising for the artist.

But to be perfectly legal, there's nothing wrong with using a release. You might find it easier to form a LLC (Limited Liability Corporation)...especially if you want to do a lot of things with the photos/artwork and you want to protect yourself. I have thought about this but haven't done it yet. If anyone ever has a problem, I would remove the image ASAP and not argue with them, so I feel my risk is extremely small.

I prefer candid photos rather than photographer's photos. With professional photographer's photos, I prefer a release, but I do tend to change the photo by at least 60% from the original image, so I don't think there is a lot of risk there, either.

However, I do avoid drawing celebrities or professional athletes - there's not only the person's image to consider, but also in the case of an NFL player, there would be copyright by the NFL and by the photographers. If I draw an athlete or celebrity, the portrait must be for the client's personal use only and not for reproduction, and I identify it as "fan art." I would advise, if you want to produce art like this for reproduction, definitely get the necessary permissions, and form an LLC.

I hope this helps! Keep in mind I'm not an attorney or anything, I just go by my gut feelings.
Keep in mind that this is just my opinion about how to go about this. Please contact a copyright attorney for further information before taking my advice.

Negative self talk

Yesterday, I blogged about my favorite songs and how they really help me keep up my drawing momentum.

Today I thought some more about why music helps me so much, and I realized it isn't just that the speed of the music keeps me going. The music also helps me because it helps me block out negative thoughts.

My negative thoughts while I draw are often things like:

"this is all wrong, I don't have the likeness"
"his mother isn't going to like it"
"it's not good enough - the customer is going to reject it and I'll have to draw it all over again" "This portrait isn't good enough - I'm not good enough,"

...and so on.

But the music allows me to sort of 'zone out' and blocks a lot of that stinkin' thinkin.'
As I enjoy the music, I don't pick on myself, and I go into sort of a trance state where I focus in on all the shapes and contrast. Then I get it right.

If I allow my negative self-talk to prevail, then I would never get an artwork done.
The music isn't a necessity, but it certainly is an important tool for me.

Portrait Competition

Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition.

The National Portrait Gallery invites all
over America to answer the question:

"What is Today's Portrait?"

Enter your portrait June 2 through July 31, 2008.

Finalists will be included in an exhibition and will
have a chance to win cash prizes up to $25,000.

Open to all visual arts media.

For more information see www.portraitcompetition.si.edu

$25,000 would buy a lot of bagels and cream cheese...

If you are an artist, are you going to enter? What are you going to enter?
Should I enter? I don't really have very many pieces of original art...my clients
have the originals!

Favorite songs for drawing

When I listen to music, I can get more drawing done. It helps me keep momentum. I've found Playlist.com to be an easy way to set up a collection of music. Try my collection and see if it helps you draw faster! Or, just enjoy it. At the time of this post, there are 25 songs in this playlist, but it will change as I add or remove songs.

Evil, tricksy printer, we hates it, we do

I have a truly horrible, evil little printer. It was inexpensive, but where they 'getcha' is in the printer cartridges. It's an Epson printer and really great for photos, so that's probably why the printer ink cartridges are so expensive. If I buy all 6 colors needed at the same time, it's easily a $100 expense.

The main issue I have with it is that if you run out of one of the colors - (just one!)....it won't print anything. Sometimes I can prod it along and go to Advanced printer settings and get it to print only in black and white and it will work.

But, of course - when you really need it to work...desperately, of course it won't work. I was out of Light Cyan, but I had an unused regular Cyan and tried to use it in Light Cyan's spot...nope, it wouldn't fit. It's been designed so other print cartridges can't fit.

I needed to print out the Illustrator's Agreement for the Christian Science Monitor - I needed to print it and get it faxed quickly. I called the UPS Store and asked John if I could email him the file and get it printed and faxed there. He said "sure!" ... so I was so glad to be able to use them as my office away from home. It really worked great.

This is really something not really worth blogging about, but I just want to say...don't be fooled by an inexpensive printer. An inexpensive printer will probably mean very expensive ink cartridges.

It's good to be drawing again!

Last night I finished a pencil portrait of a little boy, and I started on a portrait of his brother (they are twins.) The boys are in the reference photograph together, but their pencil portraits will be separate. I think that will be very nice for them. I was glad to finally have a little time to get some artwork done.

It has been hard to find time to work with the kids out of school for spring break here. Drawing must do a lot for me psychologically, because when I can't get time to draw, I feel all "out of sorts." That's the best way I can describe it. I just feel better when I have been able to do some artwork. It helps me feel more in balance.

I received big news yesterday. A posthumous portrait I drew 1st Lt. Shaun Blue may be included in a news story that will be run in some Indiana newspapers, and perhaps even the Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor is an International newspaper. Lt. Blue's friend wrote an article about the loss of his friend. The article will move you to tears. I will post the link to the article if it is published online. It will be interesting to see what happens.

I signed up with LifeLock

I signed up with identity theft protection service LifeLock a couple weeks ago, and I'm really glad I did. It's a huge weight off my back. I know that I could do everything they are doing for us myself...but the fact of the matter is that I wouldn't. I might put the fraud alert on my credit file one time, but there's no way I would remember to renew it right on time every 90 days like Life Lock is going to do. I certainly couldn't get it going and keep renewing it for everyone else in the family. It's kind of like oil changes for the car. Yes, I could do it myself, and probably should do it myself, but it's a heck of a lot easier to have someone else do it, because I might never get around to it.

I have the whole family covered. I don't want my kids to find out their identity and credit rating has been ruined by some criminal. It is really hard starting out when you get out on your own anyway...I remember when we had no credit and it was really hard. Imagine someone else ruining your credit before you even get started. It would be hard to jump over that hurdle.

If someone tries to open new credit in our names, the company who would otherwise approve the credit will call us first...even our cell phone numbers will be on our credit report. We will also stop getting the pre-approved credit card offers. That is an extra measure of protection...I don't have to worry about someone getting one of those out of our mailbox and using it.

I had someone use my credit card for some minor identity theft - he signed up for AOL and for a site of sexual nature...both the charges were $30 or less, and the credit card company helped me clear it up so it wasn't really a big deal -- but even that required a couple days' worth of phone calls and paperwork a week or two later to clear it all up. So I certainly don't want to deal with a major case of identity theft. I would have to spend days working on that mess instead of working my business, so I feel that LifeLock is like a good insurance for my art business too.

If you have been considering an identity theft protection service, you might want to check them out. Compare also to TrustedID, another company that offers this service. I chose LifeLock in part because it has been around the longest.

Crisis Cleaning and Tantrums

I am feeling better, and Little Guy was able to go to Preschool today, so WHOO HOOO! I know he will have fun.

So today I have been doing a "Crisis Clean" to catch up on all the household mess that has occurred in the past week while we were all sick. I am here to tell you that the Flylady's method of crisis cleaning really works! Click on that link and read all about it. I don't do the bathroom part as part of a crisis clean, because I clean the bathroom while the boys are having their baths, so I stay pretty caught up on that. But the kitchen and the living room were a wreck. I've put 30 minutes into cleaning (15 minutes in the kitchen, 15 minutes in the living room) and have seen noticeable improvement. I found a fork behind the sofa and half of a taco shell next to another chair. (shakes head)

Yesterday, I planned to have a nice quiet day, but by 9:30 am, my daughter called from school to say her eyeglasses had broken, so I picked her up and made an eye doctor appointment. It was not easy getting through that appointment. And, the winner in the category of Pitching Fits and Annoying Everyone in an Opthamologist's Office is: Little Guy! (applause)...there was a lady there with her well-behaved children. Little Guy had a LOUD tantrum over the other little boy's Magnetix toys. The mom had a tee shirt that proclaimed "HomesCOOL Mom".... and now I wonder if she has a home school blog. Wouldn't it be embarrassing to see your child's bratty behavior written about in someone's blog?!? (other than your own, I mean)...well he is just a typical 2 - 1/2 year old. Now I know I should buy him Magnetix when he is old enough for them.

Well I must get back to work. I need to put another 15 minutes of housework in, and then spend about an hour doing art.

Arts Advocacy Day

Here is a letter I received from Americans for the Arts.

Dear Darla,

Today, hundreds of dedicated arts supporters
from across the countryhave come together in
Washington, DC for National Arts Advocacy
Day, a united effort to tell Capitol Hill
how important culture is to our communities,
how much arts education means to our children,
and how much the arts improve our daily lives.
87 National Co Sponsors have
helped us shape this united arts message to Congress.

This year, Arts Advocacy Day will be busier than ever,
and not only because of the record number of
advocates attending. Americans for the Arts
has once again been asked by
House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee
Chairman Norm Dicks (D-WA) to organize a special
hearing on the arts on Arts Advocacy Day.

We are very pleased that our President &
CEO Robert Lynch will be joined by several
other national leaders in the arts,
including actor/director Robert Redford,
musician John Legend, and actress Kerry Washington,
to testify at the hearing.
The Subcommittee is expected to webcast
the hearing live starting at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.
A link to the webcast can be found on the
House Appropriations Committee website

Even if you're not able to join us in Washington,
you can still participate in Arts Advocacy Day
by asking your Members of Congress to
support the arts. By visiting our E-Advocacy Center ,
you'll be able to send a message directly to your
Representative and Senators telling them why
the arts are important to you
and your community. We've provided bullet points
covering our eleven key Arts Advocacy Day issues,
which you can use in the sample letter that we've
drafted for you. We also encourage you to
write your own unique story to illustrate the
importance of the arts to your community.
Using the E-Advocacy Center, you can create and send
your letter to Congress in less than two minutes.
We urge you to send your message to Congress today
to coincide with our office visits to the Hill.

Last year we sent out a similar message
and over 4,300 messages were sent to 445 Capitol Hill
offices within hours, greatly increasing
the visibility of the arts supporters visiting
with their Members that day! We hope to have that kind
of impact again this year. Visit this
website to send your message: LINK

Need more information?
Browse the 2008 Congressional Arts Handbook
for issue briefs, voting records, latest arts research and
trends, relevant Congressional committees,
and Congressional contact lists.

Thank you for your continued support of the arts!
Together, we are making a difference!