Happy Holidays & Happy New Year

It has been awhile since I have updated here. Happy Holidays (a little late) and Happy New Year!

Just Things

CD Single Cover Art

I am pleased with how this turned out.

Here is a link

The Sketchbook Project

I am participating in the Sketchbook Project. "It's like a concert tour but with sketchbooks"

Look out for it in a city near you.

Details

More Cover Art

I have had artwork previously in an issue of Revue 3rd Millenium magazine. I was quite surprised when they wanted to used my artwork for the cover of issue No. 97 .

SHOWS

Busy busy!

Small Packages Show

Reception: Friday, November 5 · 5:00pm - 7:00pm

The Small Packages Show Fine Art from our Guild Members in the Roush Family Gallery and the Galleria . November 5-December 17, 2010. A holiday art show and sale.

Carrollton Cultural Arts Center

Carrollton, GA

Aidaduo in Small Packages from Italy

Friday, November 5 · 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Carrollton Cultural Arts Center

Stefano Vagnini, is composing original pieces of music inspired by the work of local artists. Georgia Ragni, his wife, is a gifted opera singer who will sing various soprano arias throughout the concert. The Vagninis are visiting here from Italy and are delighted to share their musical gifts with the citizens of Carrollton. Participating artists include Tom Nielsen, Susan Clayton, Don McWhorter, Ron Free, Melissa Crawford, Alice Jackson, Bruce Bobick, Ozzie Binion, and Seth Fitts.

Holiday Show

Holiday Open House

Friday Meet the Artist Reception

Nov. 12th 5PM ~ 8PM

Illusions Gallery

122 Lee St. Carrollton - 770 832-2240

Cotton Mill Farmer's Market Holiday Gift Bazaar

Saturday, November 20 · 9:00am - 3:00pm

Indoors at the Carroll County Ag Center

900 Newnan Rd

Carrollton, GA

Whew!

Happy Halloween

It's also Books For Treats Day, Nat'l Caramel Apple Day, Nat'l Knock Knock Jokes Day, Nat'l Magic Day, Nat'l UNICEF Day, and Samhain

Mecca Fest & Busy

Mecca Fest art festival is over (a week ago) for this year. We had a decent turn out and sales were moderate for many. We were pleased with the sales we had. I met some cool artists, traded for some great art, and got a merit award to top it all off.

Now I'm busy making work for upcoming holiday season shows. I hope to remain sane, well, as sane as I am now.

Below, some images of my tent at Mecca Fest

Me getting questions about how to make one's artwork better.

Here's another view of the tent. That's Alfred on the easel (my critic).

My wife's panels helped the look of the tent immensely. I was a blasphemous nonbeliever at first. I couldn't picture what it would look like and I was unsure how stable it would be.

I think the panels helped me get that merit award I spoke of before.

Busy and Sketchbook

Wow it has been a little while since I have posted anything. I am not neglecting this blog, I have just been very busy with life and trying to build up an art inventory for some upcoming art events.

The sketchbook.

I truly enjoy sketchbooks. I like the smell of a new one, the various styles and papers in which they come. I like to explore other's sketchbooks because it gives me some insight to how the artist works and lets me see their mistakes and sometimes reveals how they think (and I love scribbly, sketchy, extra lined drawings). Sometimes I feel it is a borderline addiction, these sketchbooks. I have several lovely sketchbooks in my studio that have not been used and yet when I see one in a book or art store that I like, I am compelled to buy it and add it to my collection.

I am currently turning some old books into drawing/sketch books, either as a new interest or something to curb my sketchbook wants. Pictures of these altered books will be taken and posted sometime soon.

I thought I would share a couple of finished sketchbook drawings. These drawings were done little by little over the course of a couple weeks while I was waiting, at the Dr.'s office, at a restaurant, or in the car while my wife runs in the grocery store for a few items.

Two Sisters: Orchard

Rabbit: Spiral Collar

Drawing or Painting?

I came across someone's blog/journal entry the other day posing the question that if one colors with markers, like the Copic brand stuff, is it painting or drawing? I found it complex to give an answer. How is one to know if a piece is drawing or painting when the medium is in question?

I first considered using markers as drawing for the fact that it is very similar to ink and brush artwork. After saying that, I decided it also depends upon the level of usage. Example, if I draw something and put a touch of color on it with say... watercolor, it is considered a drawing. If I draw and then apply watercolor to the point it obscures the drawn line then it is most likely considered a painting.

The dictionary says:

"Draw- to produce (a picture or diagram) by making lines and marks, especially with a pen or pencil on paper.

Paint- to produce (a picture) by means of using paint."

Simple, no? NO!

Now this brings up the pastel issue. Pastels come in various forms from crayon to pencil. How does one discern between the two? I have seen pastel work to be considered both painting and drawing (look at Degas' work). What makes a painting a "painting"? I think it depends (ha ha! It always depends!) upon how the medium is used. One thing I have figured out is if there is layering and a building of textures then most of the time it would be considered painting. AAAAH! But then again I have seen fantastic drawings with layering and layering of line work. Oh woe! There always seems to be exceptions to the rules. Share your thoughts with me on this.

Dali: The Late Work

I have had the privilege of seeing the Dali exhibit at the High Museum in Atlanta, GA, Dali: The Late Work, and I must say WOW! There are so many pieces there to see and among those pieces are several famous pieces of which I have only seen in books. Works such as "Christ of St. John of the Cross" and "Assumpta Corpuscularia Lapislazulina" were something to behold in person. The size is deceiving when one, such as myself, is used to seeing these paintings in smaller printed form. Needless to say the immensity of the work left quite the impression on me. No tears but I had a bit of a lump in my throat.

If you are considering seeing the exhibit I definitely recommend it!

_____

Little Bird: Repose

Solo Show: Presence Pics and Thanks

I thought I would share a few pics of the reception. Thank you again to all who came to the reception and thank you to all who support me and my work.

Below is me and the continuous art piece before the crowd arrived.

Another pic before the crowd.

The turn out was better than I had expected. I am very thankful for all the support.

Solo Show: Presence

PRESENCE

A Solo Exhibit by Seth Fitts
July 9-30, 2010
Galleria of the Carrollton Cultural Art Center
Reception July 9, 2010
5-7 PM

Ascension: Three and July 4th

Ascension: Three

Happy July 4th!

Last night we had a cook out with friends and lit several fireworks. All fingers and toes are accounted for! We had a couple of close calls. One of the larger bottle rockets exploded while it was still in the pipe launch pad thing we made... I had to check for holes on that one. Our finale display looked like it might of set the trees above on fire. It went higher up than we had anticipated. Anyway, all was fun and exciting.

I hope all who celebrate the 4th have a safe holiday and mind your appendages.

Be well!

Drawing Demo- "Rabbit, Ready"

Hello all!

I have had several people request I create a demo. Since this is my first, I thought I would keep things simple and make sequential photos of the process.

For this piece, I am using a 9x12 inch heavyweight drawing paper made by the Bee Paper Company.

I start off with a sketch using Conte pastel pencil No. 7. After I draw the preliminary sketch, I smudge and smear with a paper towel and then brush on Golden matte medium.

Once the matte medium is dry, I then add highlights with an acrylic titanium white.

I choose a darker pencil, this time a B9 graphite pencil, and darken in shadowed areas.

I smudge,

apply another layer of matte medium and let dry. Note, at this point, I add more highlights with white acrylic paint.

I darken the shadowed areas more this time using a Conte Pierre Noir 2B pencil.

Apply matte medium.

I re-highlight where needed and apply more matte medium.

Lastly, I apply a glaze of Golden burnt umber acrylic over the entire drawing.

The multiple layers of matte medium and drawing media help give the image depth.

The final layer of glaze further adds to the depth and aids in creating atmosphere.

The final image scanned.

"Rabbit, Ready"

Busy

I've been teaching classes and workshops for the past few months. The latest was an encaustics workshop and it went very well. It helps to have good students.

New acrylic classes begin in June. Check out or call Rome Street Gallery for details if you are interested.

I've been busy with commission work and working on the children's book I am developing for Aladdin/Simon & Schuster. Coming up with ideas is simple enough but writing the story is quite a challenge for me. I hope to come through for myself and Simon & Schuster.

Only other news I have is I have a solo show coming up in July at the Carrollton Cultural Art Center. The reception will be July 9th 5-7 pm. More info to come for the show.

The Studio

Many are curious to see other's workspaces so I thought I would share mine. For years my "studio" was in my house (living room and bedroom). I now work in a fine studio space offered by a friend and patron. It was her late husband's workshop and is about five minutes from my house (driving). Plenty of trees and birds inhabit the area along with some neighbors and their dogs. I feel I am very fortunate to have this place in which to do my artwork.

Encaustic Station

Work Sub-Station

Main Work Station

From the Outside

Art Theft

I recently was made known of an alleged art theft of a tree image of mine.

This image was taken and put on Facebook. My name was cropped off of the image and there was no credit to me. This event, though minor, has me second guessing posting work. I will continue to post work but it will be with apprehension.

After messaging the "borrower" requesting credit for the drawing, the image appears to have been removed from FB.
Art theft, I don't understand it but it happens.

Posts of work in progress will be coming soon. I like seeing WIP as do others, I have learned.

Be well.

Day One

After waiting for so long, I have finally decided to go ahead with a blog. Why? I thought this would be a better venue to post my ramblings and ideas for others to muse over instead of Facebook or DeviantArt.

For those unfamiliar with me or my work, I am a freelance illustrator/artist currently developing a children's book for Aladdin/Simon & Schuster Books. In addition to the children's book, I am illustrating and developing some personal works for a couple of writers. Who knows, maybe these will be published eventually. We shall see.

I am also currently working on artwork for an upcoming solo show to be held in July. I hope to have enough work completed for it!

Be well, do good things.