The slug Log

Illustration Friday - Prepare

2012-01-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

A painting for Illustration Friday's topic "Prepare"
The Chefs are Preparing a meal.

Skunks galore on Etsy for fun!

2011-10-21T22:41:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Lisa Comperry of Lcomperry shop on Etsy "The Wandering Shutterfly" for adding my "Skunks' Laundry day image to her treasury of skunks on Etsy (a great place to buy unique handmade gifts) here's the link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjQwMzgyMnw5Mjk2NDYwMzY/nose-to-nose-with-a-skunk?ref=pr_treasury

I love skunks, a little torn over the skunk fur mittens, while I'm not opposed to fur, hard not to think of the little skunks that made em.

Illustration Friday - Subject: Fuel

2011-10-21T22:32:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday's theme, "Fuel" I pulled out a little painting I did. "Last Chance for Gas".

"Asleep" - the topic on Illustration Friday this week

2011-05-29T11:11:00.000-07:00

Makin' Sock toys

2011-05-08T11:06:00.001-07:00

Having fun making some plain white sock animals, now courageous enough to branch out and make some colorful ones. I got a great book that has inspired me to venture into three dimensional plush art... "Socks Appeal" by Brenna Maloney. I'll picture her book when I succeed in making one of her patterns.

"Checking In" or "Highway Host"

2011-01-04T18:51:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year one and all. This is what I spent the first half of December working on for a collector who commissioned it, thanks Jen! A very large work that has inspired me to go on to more large format story telling. Please let me know what you think. I wish it was possible to show in all it's large glory, here's from sketch to final, though it's tinyness on screen doesn't do it justice.

Illustration Friday - Burning

2010-11-12T10:17:00.001-08:00

For Illustration Friday's Theme: Burning, I thought I'd share my favorite tarot in my deck. Still working to complete the remainder of the major Acana, and have stalled in shopping it to publishers. Better get back on that.

IF - Transportation

2010-10-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday Entry - "Transportation"
This is a commission I did for a couple who's pets were moving with them from one city to another - in style!

2010-09-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

September's slipping away, - time to think ahead to the fall season's festivals, and the gift giving season. I'm opening my schedules for commissions and planning new shows. Contact me for small, medium or large custom made paintings at reasonable affordable art prices.

Illustration Friday

2010-09-05T20:02:00.001-07:00

"The Pigeon Pie Maker" - really she's making a dessert pie!!

Alamo Square Flea market a blast!

2010-08-31T21:12:00.000-07:00

Well, it was cold and foggy, but we had a good time anyway at the Alamo Square Flea market. I was over on Fulton St. with the hard core junk and antique vendors, we had lots of fun talking to folks, watching the great outfits walk by, and chatting to each other while wearing hats, scarves, and mittens in August. The nice folks at the booth next to me gave me an awsome copy of the Constitution of the United States, Illustrated!!

Thanks for all those folks who stopped by and bought a print, or an original piece of art! I had such a great time chatting with you all, and was really encouraged by the sales, got all stoked for the coming holiday season and harvest time! (Though I wish Summer would visit a little longer here in fog city).

Illustration Friday - Breakfast

2010-07-17T12:46:00.001-07:00

The folks down at the Pine St. Station Coffee shop are enjoying the breakfast menu on a typical morning.

Grand opening and Artist Reception

2010-06-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

This weekend I'll be at the Opening party of the second Rabbit Ears shop in El Cerrito, a pet supply, and rescue for small companion animals, mostly rabbits and guinea pigs.

Their new store on Fairmont Ave in El Cerrito, just down the street from the Kensington shop on Colusa, has ample room for animal artwork, and I've got bunches of my art up for this opening party and kick off of the new store. Champagne, food and music will round out the party!

This month, and for the remainder of the summer 10% of the profits from all my art sales will go to the Marine Mammal Institute and their efforts to help animals suffering from the spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Come on by on Sunday, June 27 for a look around the new Rabbit Ears, explore Bunnies without Borders - the non-profit rabbit rescue, and see my latest art! 1pm-5pm 7523 Fairmount Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530: 510-356-4233

Illustration Friday - Trail

2010-06-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

Here's my "high plains drifter" for IF's Trail. Hope you enjoy.

illustration Friday - Equipment

2010-05-17T21:56:00.000-07:00

Here's the IF entry for this week - a little late. I've had some experiences recently with "equipment". Specifically refrigerators. First my sister's fridge broke, the motor just blew out and melted the plastic inside the fridge. Then my own fridge crapped out after months of making high pitched loud hum that drove me nuts. So this picture commemorated our season of household appliance shopping and having apartment furnishings replaced.

IF - Fearless

2010-05-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

IF- Ahead

2010-04-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

IF- Detective

2010-04-16T14:28:00.000-07:00

This is my Pigeon Detective, his name is Phil.

IF - Subterranean

2010-03-12T10:13:00.000-08:00

Moles on the Subway

IF - Frozen "Freezer Isle"

2009-10-17T13:18:00.001-07:00

This Horse is browsing the frozen section at the supermarket.

IF - Strong

2009-09-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

I created this for a physical trainer's website. He's a very strong pigeon.

You can see my other animals working out at website.http://workoutsf.com/

IF - Caution

2009-08-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

"Use of caution is advised if you don't want to get caught playing illegal dice games in the back alley."

Here's a drawing I did for a series called "Bunnies gone Bad" This one didn't make the clients cut, but I quite like it, perhaps I will revisit taking this one to full paint.

IF - Impatience

2009-08-09T17:56:00.001-07:00

IF - Worn

2009-06-26T15:20:00.001-07:00

Here's my entry for Illustration Friday this week, "Worn". This piece is called, "Dressing room" or "Rabbit Boudior".

IF - Drifting

2009-06-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

Well, after a long Ill. Friday Hiatus, I thought I'd jump back in again with this. This depicts Gloria and Roxie, my Guinea Pigs, Drifting around California with their backpacks. This was really a last summer image, as this spring, sadly Roxie has gone to the big hay pile in the sky. Gloria is staying home during my summer vacation this year, to sit in her rocking chair and knaw on carrot sticks. But life was good in those rambling days.

IF - Theatre

2009-04-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

Here's my offering for Theatre. This was done for SWAN day 2008, Support women artist's NOW!

IF-Fleeting

2009-04-10T12:53:00.001-07:00

This is one of my frequent, although fleeting pleasures...

IF-Talisman

2009-04-04T12:24:00.001-07:00

Here's another of my Tarot Card series, the High Priestess with her talisman, the "Scroll of Secrets".

Bunny-Licious! Easter show with new bunny art

2009-04-02T22:46:00.000-07:00

My new bunny art is available for viewing and purchase at really low prices in the fantabulous and fanciful downstairs gallery at Eclectix in El Cerrito! Stop in and find interesting art books, wild jewelry and cool accessories, vintage cloths and wacky art - She's got it all over there! Our opening party was fun, but the show is running through the month and especially fun for Easter weekend! Get on in there and check it out, all new art not yet available anywhere else!

IF - Poise

2009-03-27T19:31:00.003-07:00

sick piggies! Oh no.

2009-03-24T23:35:00.000-07:00

Both my little guinea pig models have gotten ill recently. I'm doting over them and they have both pulled themselves out of it for now, but it's making me think it's time to do some portraiture of my two little girls while everyone's still spunky and bouncy - Stay tuned for some new painted portraiture of my Gloria and Roxie.

IF - Legendary

2009-03-14T23:08:00.001-07:00

Along for the ride in the search for the legendary Oceana (the mermaid), Olaf the sailor, Fish and Fishy, Squirt the dolphin, and Dr Phineus.

Intricate - Illustration Friday

2009-03-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

The plot of her dream was intricate, and mysterious.

The book is out!

2009-02-25T17:12:00.000-08:00

How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting : 52 ways even a nerd can be heard, by Geni Whitehouse. Geni is a wonderful presenter, and not nearly as nerdy as she thinks she is. I did some illustrations for her book, which has great points and simple instructions on how to entertain an audience while making a dull subject fascinating. My simple line art is presented in this copy of the book, and more illustrations will be in the second printing. Get it now on Amazon.

Illustration Friday, Instinct

2009-02-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes instincts are confusing.

2009-02-17T21:01:00.000-08:00

Here's a drawing I did a while back for a tenative book project I was playing around with.
This year again I'm revisiting the idea of doing a graphic novel style book, or a book with color and black and white illustrations. Just getting back into writing and drawing is an interesting time.
Wish It was easier to pull away from all my day jobs and get into creation time, but I manage somehow. March promises 12 new paintings for a show in El Cerrito, some small works for City Art and Artist's Xchange, and a big poster for the TV of Tomorrow trade show.

How to make a boring subject interesting

2009-02-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

A new illustration for Geni Whitehouse's book, "How to make a boring subject interesting, 52 ways even a nerd can be heard."

Celebrate - IF

2009-02-13T10:32:00.001-08:00

I love to Celebrate, with a day out at FunLand! To see the details larger, click on the picture.

IF Time

2009-02-08T11:10:00.000-08:00

Ok so I'm late this week, but here it is, "Time" to get up!
I'm down in my family home in LA so "Time" got the best of me and I didn't get this up by Friday.

Etsy Stalker Guinea Pig Picks

2009-02-01T12:12:00.000-08:00

I've been mentioned on Esty Stalker's Guinea Pig Pick Page, what an honor! Curator Beatrice has picked my Framed Limited Edition Print of my painting, "Guinea Pigs Bowling" for an honorary mention, along with some other fantastic hand made guinea pig items. I think I may have to purchase one of them, I love these Hand made Guinea pig stuffed animals! Thanks Beatrice and Etsy Stalker!
By the way, this original painting is still in my studio unsold, and I'm offering it for just $200.00. It is on Canvas at 12"x12" in Acrylic. Or you can by a print in a frame at 5"x5" for just $35.00 in my etsy shop. Link is to the right.

"Tickle Torture"

2009-02-01T09:50:00.000-08:00

Just digging through all my older paintings and found this one from the February Erotic Art show in 2004. So here you go, this is my idea of eroticism. Shheeesh.

Illustration Friday, Flawed

2009-01-31T09:37:00.000-08:00

Can you find the flaw in this extra special sad horse? It's not easy to see at first.
I think it's actually his greatest asset.

IF - Climbing

2009-01-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

Here is my Fool card in the Tarot Deck I'm still working on, it's the only character in my collection I could find that is "Climbing" with his faithful friend the bird, high up on the cliffs.

Pigeon Noir

2009-01-22T23:27:00.000-08:00

Just watched "Murder my Sweet" with Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe last week. I'd only seen him in the Busby Berkeley stuff, so it was a shock to see him hard boiled. I kept expecting him to burst into a love song and dance off. In honor of the San Francisco Noir Festival at the Castro Theatre, and my own love of the genre, particularly Raymond Chandler novels and the like, I'm creating a mini comic series about Pigeon detectives and reporters, set in the 1930's. Here are my main characters, Phil and Jake.

2009-01-16T22:14:00.001-08:00

This ink drawing is done for a book of tips for professionals on how to give presentations. The theme is "Cold".

IF - "Pale"

2009-01-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

My entry for the topic "Pale" on Illustration Friday.com.
Also, one of my first topical

cartoons

with a caption.

IF - "Contained"

2009-01-09T17:18:00.000-08:00

"Contained". Use the word in a sentence.
"The Elephant is contained by the newsstand."

On the subject of Lazy, a favorite book of mine,

2009-01-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

Highly Recommended reading for creative people!

The Lazy Person's Guide to Success, changed my life! Well, not really, but I found it right when I decided that I was going to "work" part time in order to support my other real work, creative work, which I do in all the time I'm not "working" for the man. or woman.

So this little Gem just affirmed all my previously held ideals, and gave me numerous valuable tips for how to accomplish my goals. I devoured this book upon starting my freelance career, and gave a copy to some friends. Now I use it as a kind of daily affermation book. It reminds me of my credo that life is too short to be miserable all the time.

Cow Tricks

2009-01-08T23:48:00.000-08:00

A little line drawing to tickle the funny bones.

The Duke Fightmaster Show

2009-01-08T23:28:00.000-08:00

I accidentally stumbled upon this Awsome Website - weekly Talk-Variety show, hosted by an old aquaintance, Duke Fightmaster. He and his lovely wife Lesley moved to Laguna Beach several years ago, from SF where I knew them before they even started dating. I recall an old roomate of Mrs. F. said of them when they first got together "They are in her room all the time, just sitting on the bed, SINGING!" Well, looks like they are still doing that, and lots more. They appear to be having a ball and constantly creating. Kudos guys!
So I thought I'd feature a link to the show, as it's the perfect place for the lazy to avoid work.
Cheers.
The Show

New Year, New Resolutions

2009-01-04T21:16:00.000-08:00

Ah yes, a new day has dawned. Time to get my ass in gear and make my mark on the world and the page, yes, I'm going to do everything on that list this year, I'm going to, "Yawn", where's my coffee, um gotta find those keys, um what was I doing in here? Oh yea, the list so I think I'll just rest for a minute, zzzzzzzzzzz.

Craft Extravaganza at City Art, shop this Sunday Dec 14

2008-12-11T00:36:00.000-08:00

City Art Coop is having it's first ever handmade and crafty art fair, at the Gallery this coming Sunday, Dec 14 from 11am to 4pm. Come by for browsing, hot chocolate, and lots of fun one of kind and few of kind items, or just to see some friends.

Holiday Cards

2008-11-18T04:01:00.000-08:00

I'm completing a set of holiday card images, tiny little paintings that are quite sweet I think. I'm insomniac tonight so I'll post one here.

IF - "Pretend"

2008-11-14T17:19:00.000-08:00

Here's this friday's entry for Illustration Friday. This is a recent painting sketch that just fit in with the theme. This little deer - thingy hails from "Sunny Imagination", which is what it feels like here in San Fran today - as they put up the Macy's Christmas tree in Union Square, over the ice skating rink, in the 89 degree heat!

IF - Wise

2008-11-07T12:24:00.000-08:00

Here's my version of the topic "Wise" for Illustration Friday this week! "The Old Dolphin's Almanac" is a phrase that popped into my head some time ago, and I finally visualized it.

Last few days, Sacred show at City Art

2008-10-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

This is the last few days of the October "Sacred show" up at City Art, 828 Valencia, SF between 19th and 20th street in the mission. It's a great place to get my framed prints for the holidays and birthdays, with no shipping cost to you, otherwise you can buy them online in my shop. Also, the big red bird is up there, he's only 600 bucks, don't you want him? Lots of other artists there too, and Sunday is the take down day for that show.

City art is open Wed through Sun this week, from 12 noon to 9pm. I'll even be there behind the desk this Wednesday night.

Jack o Lantern time!

2008-10-25T23:54:00.000-07:00

My sister, her b-friend and I made these handsome jack-o-lanterns down in So Cal last weekend, hope they aren't moldy yet, there's another week till All Hallow's eve. I'm headed down to half moon bay tomorrow for punkin patch picking and corn maze running. Yea. Mine is the mean looking one.

Gloria and "friend"

2008-10-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

Home sweet home, back from a trip down to my other home in LA, the family homestead. My guinea pigs don't appear to have missed me much, they were well fed by "friend" in photo. I think they are due for another trip to the vet for de-miting.
Ahh, money comes in, then it goes out.

10th anniversary show and party at City Art Gallery

2008-09-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

City Art Cooperative Gallery is excited to celebrate it's 10 year anniversary party this month, to celebrate, we are having a big opening party this Friday, the 5th from 7pm to 10pm with food, drinks, entertainment, and approximately 100 artists showing, including me! Because we are so proud to be a part of San Francisco's thriving art scene for 10 years, introducing emerging artists to emerging collectors at reasonable prices with lots of variety, we are having a second party on Sept 27th, 7-10pm in case you miss the first one, with fun and prizes and food and entertainment for all!
Aside from yours truly, artists showing include, Trish Tunney, Hillary Williams, DK Haas, Katie Gilmartin, Glenn Hummel, Biff Moshe, Dan Pask, Matthew Johnston, Richard Dodds, Glenn Caley Bachman, Marisa Escolar, Leslie Moore, Kate Knuvelder, Amy Levine, Garrett Robinson, and many many more, too many to list! Please check it out and stop by one of the partys, we just wanna celebrate. I helped hang the show myself and have to say, it looks damn good.

Routine

2008-08-23T01:07:00.001-07:00

This weeks Illustration Friday topic is "Routine". I can't think of anything more routine than doing the ol' laundry, can you?

Find my prints at Urban Color

2008-07-25T23:36:00.000-07:00

Kendra Lock has asked me to show and sell some of my prints at her cute little new shop on Arguello Ave, between California and Clement St! It's called Urban Color, and she has lots of neat handmade gifts, art and unique home decor items by Bay Area designers and artists! I've got several of my framed 5X5 inch pictures there, so stop on in and visit, and maybe pick up a little Urban Color!

Marin County Fair!!

2008-07-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

Had a wonderful time at the fair yesterday, it was perfect whether, great company, I had corn dogs, sweetcorn, smoothies, and cotton candy. Saw my old friend there, and saw a pig race, and lots of goats and cows, it was Dairy Day! Saw a goat being milked, and rode on the twister, and the tilt-a-whirl. Heard "America" do "Horse with no Name" as the sun set and the lights went on. Lots of great pictures for my painting inspirations.

Felting

2008-07-06T11:58:00.000-07:00

I'm trying a new thing, felting. Got some nice wool at the Knitterly shop in Petaluma and made this, my first little felt animal!
Not too bad for my first try...
The long holiday weekend was kicked off by the City Art July art opening, where I've got originals, prints and cards. Please go have a look, prices are nicely lowered for the sucky economy! I'll be showing July, August, September and October there, with work rotating around each month. Now working on new stuff.

July 4th in San Francisco

2008-07-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

San Francisco didn't disappoint, as usual, it was completely fogged in all day here. Earlier I had the rare experience of driving over the Golden Gate bridge, which I couldn't see even while driving over it, the towers were completely obscured by thick dense fop. Here is the view from my window while I heard the fireworks going of in the clouds down by the water. Not sure what those floating bubbles are that my camera picked up, maybe photo people can tell me. To me they look like ghosts.

Updated Fishchild

2008-06-22T22:39:00.000-07:00

Yippie, I used my day off to update the ol' website! I still have some work to do on the "New Works Page", as that's not really up to date, but the whole site got a spiffing up and I'm pleased with it. I hope you enjoy!

Another Dairy Drive through

2008-06-17T18:43:00.001-07:00

Here's one up by where my brother lives. I think it's called Joe's Ice. I've included a snap of the Ice machines. I bought a Coke in a bottle there, like them better because no high fructose corn syrup.

Alta Dena Express

2008-06-16T22:42:00.000-07:00

To continue with my new obsession with the Dairy drive in's, here is one near my home town stomping grounds. I went there to buy a milk, discovered I left my cash on my bedside table at home, and had to leave. They had all the stuff a corner store in San Francisco might have, but here you could drive in, and the clerk will serve you at your car window. While I was there a gal bicycled in, got an icecream and left, and a man came in on foot, one car drove through, and I walked in after parking on the street. It's signage isn't the classic, but the building is a prime example of the ones I see all over here.

Interest in Dairy Stands

2008-06-15T21:47:00.000-07:00

I've got more time on my hands lately, so I've been mulling over the idea of blogging my guts up all over the internet. I decided to just stick to one blog, and I guess this is it, other than the Pig Page, where my pets get the spotlight.
New obsession: Alta Dena (and other brands) Dairy milk stands. They are all over in the suburbs here in west of LA. They look alot like 30's, 40's and 50's gas stations, but with no pumps out front for gas. They are open drive thru thingys, where you can drive or walk up and get your milk and other cold drinks. I've never patronized one, but I vow to start while I'm doing the LA time. I'm going to start snapping their pics too. Here's one from yesterday, not a perfect example as this one is bigger than most, but it's the one I drove past yesterday.

Fishchild Shop on Etsy now updated

2008-06-14T19:59:00.000-07:00

I spent some time updating and my Etsy shopand there's unframed prints galore up there for sale at the nice price of $15.00! Check it out.

Slugging around, but, Now on Flickr

2008-06-13T21:29:00.000-07:00

Hello, strange blog, I've been absent for a while, being a white slug. Lounging in the LA summer sun, getting tan, eating too much fast food, and trying to "get it together".

My "break" from work has turned into something of an adventure away from the normal world - and into a different kind of work. To be less vauge, my mom died and I get to be doing non work for pay stuff for this first whole half year. So far, I've not been so successful at "getting it together".

I did do a show of new paintings in May at City Art. My "Sad Animals" were a grief exploration, none of the originals sold, I guess no one likes watching cute animals sob.

I also did an event in Marin, the "Babes and Babies" Event put on by Appell and Frank. The turn out wasn't so good, maybe everyone was at the Maker faire that day.

I've re-bonded with my child hood mother substitute, the television. Though now we have DVD to rent thank god, cause I've found nothing but a wasteland on network TV. Thank god also for UHF channels here in LA, where one can watch "I love Lucy" all day and "Get Smart" all night.

My new TV favorites are: "The Wire" O how I love the Wire! "The Office", could watch the Office all day, and when I'm really sad and depressed, I do, The Bernie Mac show sometimes makes me laugh.

Gearing up to "hit the ground running, I've been prepping a new studio in LA at my family's homestead, and maintaining the SF Studio.

So tonight I updated my Flickr site to include a wider portfolio, including 60 of my archive portfolio images, examples of my art print products and later will include fun pictures I just plain snap for image research. Fun! Also a way to do something with all this detrius that comes out of my camera.

Also going to update my Etsy shop, that was abandoned long ago. I've got a new high end printer to do some really great limited edition prints and can sell those cheaply on Etsy and elseware, possibly Ebay.

Kat and I went to Silverlake district yesterday and I'm hoping to find some artsy vendors for my cards, prints and paintings down here too. Not to say hanging out by the kiddie pool and the beach won't be good grist for the painting mill later this summer, when the oils actually come out of hiding.

Fishchild Studio's 2008

2008-02-17T12:06:00.001-08:00

My hiatus is coming to an end, and I'm currently in the process of re-inventing Fishchild Studios.
I've opened a Southern California location, at my family home in the San Gabriel Valley, so some great new artworks will be coming out of beautiful Alhambra!
A joint venture with my sister hopefully will produce some neato art objects!

Currently you can see a preliminary of my Pidgeon Blues book on Ink Tart an online women's comics journal. More in the Pigeon vein is coming up in the March City Art show in San Francisco - Pigeons: explorations in worldly suffering, as well as some reflections on grieving. Not the usual springtime fluffiness, but oh well that's life.

Also, I've finally completed the Swan illustrations for International SWAN day (Support Women Artitists NOW) which will be launching as products on Monday this week, will blog it tomorrow.

During the fall I also completed some illustrations for personal trainer Heather Robinson, at WorkoutSF.com

So even though I've been out of commission, I've still been doing commissions! More coming soon.

Bazzare Bizarre - won't be there

2007-12-13T22:26:00.000-08:00

Sadly, I will not be showing at the SF Bazaar Bizarre this year -http://www.bazaarbizarre.org/, because of family business that needs to take precidence right now. I feel crumby about missing it, some of my favorite artists and crafters will be there, I was honored to be selected along side them in this great juried event. I will hopefully participate in the next one, and invite everyone to that, I think there is a spring event for them.

Also not doing City Art Cooperative Galleries affordable art month this year. I'll be available in the new year to serve the art loving public again.

My Mom's favorite

2007-10-31T22:12:00.000-07:00

My Mom has been having a hell of a year, she's been very ill of late, and I have been very involved in being with the family, so blogs will wait. Here, in honor of mom, is a jpg of one of her favorite paintings of mine, "High Plains Drifter".

New Blog featuring- The Guinea Pigs!

2007-08-18T10:47:00.000-07:00

Glo and Rox have a new blog of their own! The pig page is called funwithpiggies Check it out if you haven't had your fill of fuzzy cuteness lately.

Show up in Rockridge!

2007-08-17T22:43:00.000-07:00

My new show hung at Christensen Heller Gallery on College ave has started, and there are lots of new work hanging Wed through Sun through Nov 10th. Located two blocks north of the Rockridge BART Station on 5829 College, near the corner of Chabot, it's a little art and jewelry gallery with lots of neat gift art and quirky art items. It was hard work, but now I can take a week off to enjoy some summertime fun before prepping the studio for fall projects.

Illustration Friday, Discovery

2007-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

My interpretation of "Discovery" for .
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Hard work and no play

2007-06-29T02:04:00.000-07:00

Talk about burning the candle at both ends! Is there no end to the hours and energy that has to go into earning the rent and enough to get by? To pay the tax bastards and the credit card swindlers and the health insurances extortionists?

Excuse the rant please, but seriously folks, all I want to do is sit still and draw some pigeons for my new comic strip. That's all. An hour free of slaving for the man! Plu-eese!

But alas! "It's a hard life." That's the title of my new comic booklet. And here is a sample drawing. Hope this is enough of a teaser.

Of course if you would like to ease the hard-ness of it all, you could buy some art from me...

The Mouse and His Child

2007-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

The Mouse and his Child

This is one of a few books that I read when I was a child that I have looked up and ordred or bought now as an adult to re- read . Partially I wanted to do this for nostalgia, to re-live the delight I had in the first reading or in this case, it had been read to me. The other motive I have is to discover if the book holds as much magic as it did for me as a child, or if it 's not as good reading as an adult. The last reason is to find my way back into that enchanted land part of my brain where ceratin ingredients from each of these books lurk as peices of a magic puzzle. They spark the way down the secret passageway from the land of the half remembered to the world of the partly imagined. From this place, most of my inspiration for paintings and stories comes, I would like to pull from here my own story, that I can write down someday. I just finished reading this book again. Actually, it was the first time I read it, because the first time it was read to me by my mother when I was little. It holds up very well for an adult read. This story had stuck in my head, but not everything about the plot, I could only recall little prize peices, like "The last visible dog" and Bonzo dog food, and moods from the story, but didn't know what was going to happen next and how the end played out along this second reading, so it was fun. There were parts I hadn't remembered at all, like the Woodchuck who was into abstract mathematical thought, and the fact that nature is so brutal in this story, in the first part of their journey a rat gets eaten by a badger, a whole army of shrews get eaten by a couple of weasels, which promplty get eaten by owls, and further into the story nature continues in this brutal circle of life type plot twists, something I 'm pleased to see is not considered to rough or graphic for children's book material.

Otters

2007-06-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

I've drawn some otters for a potential projects, here is a sketch. I think I like working with the colored pencils, more to come.

Today - a sketch

2007-06-05T23:32:00.001-07:00

I thought I'd post this watercolor sketch I've done for a commission, it's a variation on the rollorcoaster theme I've previously done, this time with Giraffe's, and a friend of the Girraffe's.
Had a cold this week, but still plowing along at the day jobs and this here after work work. No rest for the wicked.

A gift from NYC!

2007-06-03T17:18:00.001-07:00

My friend L.S. just got home from a breif New York Trip, and has brought me this wonderful little framed print of a New Yorker Cover.

She knows just what I like. I have it hanging over my standing lamp now, to remind me of my goal, New Yorker cover in the next 5 years!!!

Drawings to be posted later tonight.

Friday's Painting #8 - Art Show Tonight!

2007-06-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

The opening is tonight, June 1st at 7pm at City Art Cooperative Gallery, all the art stars will be there! I have to change and get going, but wanted to post this little deer cleaning the bathroom, something I greatly look forward to doing tomorrow. Yea! Saturday and Sunday, day of garbage emptying, dish doing, grocery shopping and laundering! Yea becoming exhaused cleaning the house then taking a nap rather than working in the studio - but NO! I must, I must, I must prepare this weeks little paintings for my one blog reader, YOU! I can't let you down again, I just can't.

Pleas come out tonight and buy all of these, so I can continue to buy Guinea pig food and hay.

Thursday's post on Friday - painting #7

2007-06-01T18:15:00.001-07:00

Thursday - a dull day. I got up late, went to work, worked till 4:30, came home, fed the pigs, downloaded four episodes of This American Life podcast/audio books from I Tunes, and the new Saltbreakers album by Laura Veirs and the Saltbreakers - formerly the Tourtured Souls (I liked that name better), but MAN!!! What an Awesome song Pink Light is, you can hear it on her myapsace website. Good album altoghther, definatly my favorite musical artist of the last two years.

But I digress, I wanted to say confessionally that I think I'm addicted to This American Life and possibly to the sound of Ira Glass's voice. The whole gang, Ira, Starlie, Josh, David Sedaris, I can't get enough of them, they are my new Seinfeld gang, but smarter and funnier. One episode per week won't satiate me anymore, I am now going into the archives and buying the ones I haven't heard from YEARS back. This can't bode well.

Anyway, having the podcasts made it bearable to walk back to work at my evening job, after eating a sloppy joe, while all my friends were out to Pakistani food and later Charlie Chaplin movies, I got to go do A/P at one of my bookkeeping gigs. More on trying to eek out a living later.

100 paintings revisited - painting #6

2007-05-30T23:58:00.000-07:00

Hi all. Sorry I let you down. I am a Slug you know. It was too much for me to start two new "day jobs" in May AND do a painting a day for 100 days.

Now that the dust has settled, I still want to be your paint slave. So how's this idea. I keep drawing, I keep painting. I post a painting almost every day. There will still be 100 total, they will still be offered to you the public for $100.00 each - some may be on wood, some on canvas, some on paper - hey supplies aint cheap I gotta scrounge sometimes.

On days when I'm too pooped to paint, I will still post. I can post a scketch from my daily lunch sketches, so you can see the ideas as they form, maybe see the evolution of one of your favorites.

Hey by the way, they are for sale, please contact me by phone or email to buy - two of them are SOLD already, the earthworm one and the Vespa Bunny Babe. I can be reached by finding my contact info on FISHCHILD.COM

Today's painting is already for sale at CITY ART Co-op Gallery in the Mission (828 Valencia ST.) and the opening is at 7-10pm this Friday night, June 1!! Come on down and buy it. It's slightly more than 100 because of costs of showing it through the gallery, but essentilly, I'll only get 100 for it. (It's still a bargain).

Enough about money, just enjoy the daily posts, as I hope I will.

Mary-slug

100 in 100 Painting #5 - SOLD!

2007-05-07T23:17:00.000-07:00

Ok so this one is on a canvas, rather than on a wood block. And, I cheated and didn't quite do it this week. But - it is 8"x8", original art and for sale for $100.00

This challenge I've given myself has already defeated me. I guess my life is a little too intrusive to do a painting a day. So, I am changing the rules a little. I can have weekends off. If I want. And, if some nasty little life thing comes up, like my mom going to the hospital (true story no lie) this weekend, well, I don't have to paint.

That said, I am committed to completing 100 of these suckas, and if there are a few blips so be it. I intend to make up for Sat and Sunday's paintings with a Kentucky Derby themed pic - I just love that a one-eyed horse ran the race, and another.

Ok so here's another confession. I'm taking another couple days break while I take care of some serious buisness outta town. I'm not beating myself up, cause I now have three (3) count em day jobs, and am working on painting commissions, and have two shows up and a neighbourhood trunk show in NOPA _ Pan handle district on Saturday for pre Mom's day shopping.

So I refuse to make myself feel guilty that I'm not posting a painting a day right now. Most likely catch up paintings and daily ones will resume next week. Thanks for caring.

100 in 100 Painting #4 - SOLD!

2007-05-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hi there, here is today's painting - a bit early. I have to be at the City Art show tonight, so I have to post and run. It's another obscenely priced piece of original work - 100 dollars. This one is for Tracy, who likes earthworms.

If your interested, shoot me an email and I can arrange a payment method through paypal, or I accept payment via credit card over the phone, or cash or check.

100 in 100 Painting #3

2007-05-03T22:53:00.000-07:00

I'm preparing a page for these to be archived and viewed together on Fishchild.com, that's to come soon. Had a good night tonight. Tomorrow work, work and more work. Tomorrow night is the opening for City Art May show. I've sold a piece before the opening and am working late tonight to provide a replacement for that peice. However, here's my third entry in the 100. Enjoy.

I will be offering small giclee prints of each of these, unframed, on fine art paper for $20.00 a pop. Just let me get squared away with the rent first, then I can buy the paper.

Originals, only one of it's kind, again, are only $100. Buy it now!! (Help me purchase next weeks planks to paint on!)

100 in 100 Painting #2

2007-05-02T21:47:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the fabulous and beautiful second in the series....Ta Da! Buy it now!
These babies take a while to do, are all original one of a kind, and lower priced than something similar of mine, usually this size goes for 195.00 Here, now, it's offered as a series 100 in 100 for 100, execept for sales tax for CA residents, and shipping and postal charge in the US of $8.00. Again, contact me if your local and I'll arrange a cheaper way.

Cat picture on the Cat Art Gallery Blog!

2007-05-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hey cool! Renata over at The Cat Art Gallery Blog has posted one of my little paintings! That same painting is available for sale, at City Art Gallery in the Mission right now! Mosey on over to The Cat Art Gallery blog for your fill of cat art galore, looks like she's showing no signs of stopping either!

Mary

Starting.... Now! 100 Paintings, 100 days, 100 dollars each

2007-05-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

Here it is folks, May day, the beginning of a new month, time to start this thing off, Here is the first of 100 8"x8" paintings, done on Artboard, particle board, with a groove in the back for hanging. They are acrylic and varnished. Hope you enjoy, check back daily for a new painting! If you want to buy it, you can pay by credit card through Paypal, see below. Also, I accept credit cards over the phone, just give me a call - my contact information is on my website Fishchild.com

update on daily paintings

2007-04-15T01:23:00.000-07:00

How bout that! Just as I commit to a daily painting, I get a whole bunch of freelance work! But, never fear, the insane commitment isn't going completly by the wayside. I have completed about four drawings and readyed them on the wood blocks, so I can catch up with the painting part on the freetime I have. So stay tooned. Tomorrow sometime when I get a sec I'll post the drawings, and maybe I can still hit my mark of 100 in 100 just there will be some days I don't get one finished. I want to stay working so I'm going to try it and see how it goes.

100 in 100 for 100

2007-04-09T00:04:00.000-07:00

Ok, so here is this insane challenge I've just given myself. I, miss sluggo who's turning into more like Slug-go-go-go am going to start doing small 8"x8" paintings on blocks of artboard, one per day, for 100 days. Each small original work will be priced at the insanely low price of $100.00! I don't know where I will try to market these things yet, but if they don't kill me they will make me stronger. And keep me painting a couple hours a day. Seeing as I'm not in "Proper work" right now, it's something to do. Aside from the 4 art shows a month, running a website shop, a blog, searching for freelance work, keeping house, etc etc. I will post the results here for all to see, along with my agony of creation. Wish me luck. I will start this insane project: tomorrow.
Happy Easter everyone!

Guinea Pig Tote and T's

2007-04-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Alright! I've got a new Guinea Pig Tote bag and T shirt up at Cafe Press-Fishchild, I wish they weren't so pricy, but untill I earn some operating cash for the Studio, I can't yet afford to do it up t-shirt style with a nice print run or silk screen, so that's to come. For now, contribute to The Girl's upkeep, help me keep them in Hay! More GP pics to tug at your heartstrings. Also, see my comment posted on the Gloria's vet visit post for the follow up to that little adventure.

This week - Fun, Music, and shopping!

2007-04-08T13:48:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! This is going to be a big week for me here at Fishchild Studio! I'm working as an easel artist at the Sausalito Artwalk, on Wednesday night, April 11 from 5:30 to 8:30pm. Follow the link for a map. I will be with a group of artists on the sidwalk at 1001 Bridgeway, painting away, in front of Top Paws that will have some dog and cat pictures by me at it. there will be a musician of some sort there too, so it'll be like a party!
This is my "Open Air" open studio, as I'll have some good stuff from my studio that has to get cleaned out to make room for new. This will include two large banners from the Beach Boardwalk" sets that I did last year for a show last year. Please come on out and see what I'll be working on, see how embarrassed I can get as I paint in front of people, and see my pet portraits at the pet store.

Also, on Saturday, April 14th, it's clubbing and art shopping at the Ultra-hip venue "Space Gallery-Bar" in the Loin, real near Fishchild Studio itself. I'm a vendor there and will be selling my teeny but neato art prints in frames, some art jewelry, and some orignal panels I'm craning out right now.

This section of Polk street used to be hustler heaven, but all the riffraff has been infiltrated by a combo of super-bar-fly nightlifers (Lush Lounge)(R-Bar), cutting edge art scene folks (new to neighbourhood soon- (Strangeco), and Saturday night band-bar gig goers (Hemlock), hot yoga "">Funky Door) along with some great thrift store shopping - (Salvation Army shop) and Out of the closet at Polk and California.
This hood is a bit different than it used to be, when the Hemlock was the "Girraffe" where my old freind M. used to be a fag hag with the real alcholoics, and the Locker Room (Gay adult videos) and Front Lyne (more gay adult videos) were the center of the scene. Still, the hood retains its seedy hustler petina and flavor despite the hip crowd, you can still buy crack and use it on the street with narry an eye batted.

It's a great place to spend a Sat night, but if your more the sofisticated type, head out Wendesday to the Sausalito thing, much more refined.
Hope to see you at one of these fab events. Anything you buy will help me pay my rent which is overdue!! Yea!

Gloria went to the vet today

2007-03-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

I discovered some lumps on Gloria's belly, so I took her to the vet today. I took Roxie too for a check up. So far the doc says it may just be fatty deposits, cause Gloria is overweight. Or, it could be something worse. They aspirated the lump with a needle and are sending out to the lab to review it. Hoping for the best, cause the lab test and doc visit set me back a bit funds-wise, so no telling if there is something wrong if I'll be able to afford to treat it. Keep some good "thoughts" or "vibes" or "prayers" for Gloria. Any ideas on how these guinea pigs can earn their keep around here? I am thinking of doing a Guinea Pig T shirt that I'll put up on Cafe Press - any other ideas? How can Guinea pigs make a buck these days?

Inspiration at the MOMA

2007-03-15T00:40:00.000-07:00

We went to the SF MOMA yesterday and renewed our membership. We checked out the Picasso and American Art - Modern American artist's reactions to Picasso's first exhibitions in the US, very interesting and engaging for me, a student of Modern Art, but LH who was with me said it was over his head and he didn't get much out of it, though he admits there is something about a Picasso in person that is just, well, something more. I love Picasso's work, and was really interested in the effect he has had on just about EVERYTHING that has come after him.

We then headed over to the SECA award winners, to see what the young contemporary artists were doing, maybe Picasso has had an influence on them...ha ha. Actually aside from complete lack of technique, there wasn't alot of Picasso influence. We agreed with the exception of Leslie Shows, whom we liked, there was only one or two in the show that we thought would be "meritous" in a graphic design final project, but agreed that the work in that group was just not impressive.

Then we stumbled into the Henry Wessel photography exhibit, which was a happy suprize. I loved viewing this show, almost every image warmed my brain, with recognition. His small bungalow photos, wide expanses of parking lots, scenes from S. California, (where I grew up), Las Vegas, and N. Cal, well, and road trips elsewhere, it's just the landscape of my memory and a lot of this scenery is what I draw on as story imagery in my own work. Too bad the book of the exhibit didn'thave the same effect of the work on the walls in front of you. Very worth checking out althogh it's hidden sort of.

Glad to have another year membership at MOMA.

Art Shows Galore

2007-03-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Gang. I'm showing this month at three different venues in the City:
City Art Gallery at 828 Valencia St. in the Mission, between 21st and19th st
Artist Xchange Gallery on 16th between Gurerro and Valencia and later at Exclectix Gallery-shop in El Cerrito opening March 29th. Please come to one of these galleries and buy some art. If you can't do that, check out the link in the last post, and buy direct from me!

Next month: Alternative Press Expo (APE) at the Concourse Exhibitition Center in SF.
Hopefully at the Bizarre Bazarre in May, keep fingers crossed they accept my entry.

Fishchild Shoppe Now open for Business!

2007-03-11T23:01:00.000-07:00

Here you can purchase prints, original artwork, notecards, and accessories, from my art Studio.

Sierra Oaks Holiday Boutique was FUN

2006-11-12T04:14:00.000-08:00

I had a great time this rainy Saturday meeting all the folks up at Sacramento's Sierra Oaks Elementary School annual Holiday Boutique! There was some really great and inexpensive stuff available, super food, and it seemed like everyone was enjoying a chance to shop out of the rain. Thanks to all those who admired my art, I had a big day selling and now it looks as if there will be gifts under the tree after all for me and mine, thanks to your generous art - buying frenzy!!

I was particularly impressed with all the moms who were involving their kids in art purchasing decisions, it's good to know that even though our schools have cut back on art, music and even sports, that wonderful parents continue to value the arts and pass that along to the kids. Too bad about the soccer game getting rained out.

I hope to be back in Sacramento with my work soon. Wow! Was it georgeous up there when the rain stopped, the trees were in their full fall regailia, it made me long for the suburbs from whence I sprang.

Thanks to Greta for inviting me!

Now for a well deserved day in bed, I caught a cold.

I am a bad Blogger

2006-09-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hey, I know I'm a lousy blogger - but I'll give it a shot again. I just work too much and never have time to look around at anyone's stuff, much less blog about it. My friend Lynne invited me to join MySpace (the horror) which I've been avoiding, but if your into it, now I'm up there with no friends. Please befriend me at: www.myspace.com/fishchild.

Otherwise, This October there will be a new group show opeing on Oct 6, Friday from 7-10pm at City Art Gallery in SF, 828 Valencia St. The theme in the back room is "Transformations" where I will debut a selection of the major arcana cards of the Tarot that I am creating as we speak. You can purchase prints of them at the show or at the gallery all month, along with prints and original work by me in the front room. Hope to see you there!