Busy House

"House of Observance"

 Things have still been quite busy at home and the studio. As I mentioned in my last blog entry, we've been making repairs and renovating our home (chaos!), I had a surprise show at the Carrollton Cultural Art Center (September),  participated in Mecca Fest Arts and Crafts Festival (Oct. 13-14th), participated in Chiha Arts and Crafts Festival (Oct. 27-28th), and now have the Carrollton Cotton Mill Farmer's Market and Holiday Bazaar to attend this coming weekend (Nov. 17th). in addition, I am VP of the Carrollton Artists Guild and VP on the SCRAP Bin executive board. I am thinking I may have spread myself a bit thin.

So just a reminder if you are reading this blog, come see us at the Holiday Bazaar on Nov. 17th at the Ag Center in Carrollton, GA.

A Brief Update

      I said I would keep up with this blog better but things have been quite busy since this past Fall. Several commissions, one being large made up of many smaller pieces. Once I had most of the commission work done I started working on building up an inventory during the Summer for art festivals in the Fall. I was in a comfortable position with my inventory level and then received a call asking if I could fill in for a cancelation of a show. I said yes but then found myself hustling to make enough artwork to fill the space. I already had about half the number needed (15 pieces) but it was still an effort to make the need amount in about a month, yes it was a short notice too (I was able to complete around ten more pieces, working up to the day I would begin to hang the show). The reception had a great turn-out and I enjoyed seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones.
     Now I am again hustling, trying to create enough artwork for two upcoming art events this Fall: Mecca Fest in Carrollton, Ga and Chiaha Festival in Rome, GA. I hope I am able to get enough work completed! After these two events I then need to focus on the Cotton Mill Farmers Market Holiday Gift Bazaar & Farmers Market located in Carrollton, GA. As the name implies it is an arts and crafts event with farmer's market goodies. I have not received an invite to this event yet but I don't doubt one will be in the mail sometime in the near future.
     So, back to work for me. If you are local to any of these events I hope to see you there!

Pet

"Pet"

Acrylics and dry media on reclaimed fibrous board

11x14 inches

I really had no strong plan when starting this piece. Well, I seldom do have strong plans when creating a piece except for what the subject might be and what color I use depending upon my mood. This piece just so happened to be a cat. The cat shape just sort of happened and so I followed through. I then became stuck. It was as if I could not bring myself to work on this piece any more so I set it to the side to work on other things needing to be done, like commission work!

When I found time, I came back to this piece with new eyes. I recommend this for others who are having trouble with working on a piece. Often looking at your work with new or fresh eyes can tell you what to next in the piece. So, with new eyes, I added a key to the cat painting and stewed over what to do next. The painting was set aside again.

Many days had passed when I found myself looking at this painting again. I was almost going to paint over the whole thing when I had the idea of adding a little bird. Then I had the idea of a pet. Which animal would be the pet? The bird? The cat? I like the idea of either one of the animals being the other's pet. I actually see this painting both ways, some days the bird is the pet and other days the cat is the pet of the bird.

 This also makes me think of people and their pets. Who is really in charge? Who is really the pet?

No Legs

 The Snake Charmer: St. George and the Dragon

   

 It was a dark and not so stormy night. My wife and I were settling down for the night as we were quite tired and she went to make one more bathroom visit before we went to bed.  Upon entering the bathroom my wife noticed the water was still running from the previous visit she made.
   "The flapper must be stuck", she thought and proceeded to remove the toilet tank lid reaching in to unstick the flapper. She had her hand half way in the tank when she saw this dark substance around the flapper hole and as soon as she thought "what is this?" she saw a head to her left.
   "OHMYGOD-OHMYGOD-OHMYGOD!", I heard. I began running in her direction thinking she had hurt herself. I met her half way to the bathroom when she informed me "There's a snake in the toilet!".
   "What? Oh no!", I exclaimed, among other things not repeatable. I made my way into the bathroom and slowly lifted the lid to get a peek at the creature. Sure enough there was a snake. It didn't look too big but it was bunched up in one corner, near the workings of the tank, and I could not get a good look to see if the snake was poisonous or not.
    So, we stood there trying to figure out what to do. As it was 12:30 AM there was hardly anyone to call for help. We decided to try calling an animal removal service but there was no answer, even though the telephone book ad said "24 hour service". My wife remembered her sister had a grabber tool excellent for helping one with back trouble to pick items up off the ground without bending or squatting but not for grabbing snakes as we discovered later. On her way to get it she also called the local police to see if they knew of someone that could help with removal of the snake. The kind police officer offered his services and if he couldn't help, he would try animal control.
    It felt like an hour had gone by, really probably only 10-15 minutes, when my wife and the police officer showed up simultaneously. She came down with the grabber tool and he pulled a paper bag out of the trunk of the police car, yes a paper bag. They came in, we asked him to excuse our mess (renovating and repairing) and he and I stepped into the bathroom.
    The bag was set onto the closed toilet seat and I removed the lid. Yep, the snake was still in there. I took the grabber tool and proceeded to try and grab the snake. If you didn't know, snakes seem quite slippery when wet. I could not get a hold of it! Suddenly, the snake grew tired of me trying to grab it in the tank (with the tool of course) and suddenly began coming out of the tank!

   "Whoa! Uh oh!", I exclaimed. The police officer jumped back as the snake came out of the toilet tank. What was originally thought to be a smallish snake turned out to be a near 4 foot serpent! The great beast hit the floor and was leaving the bathroom. I was stunned but snapped of it and made my split second decision to grab the snake with my bare hands! I swooped and grabbed the end of the snake and picked it up. There I was with 2-3 feet worth of snake extending out from my hand and another foot or so hanging down past where I was holding the snake.
   "What do I do now?!", I thought to myself. I was stuck. Would it turn around and bite me? Would it slip from my grasp? I got my wits about me and slowly started moving my hand and the snake towards the paper bag, which was standing up and open waiting to help out. Amazingly the snake, still extended from my hand, went along with my motion and went into the bag. Once I put the rest of the snake in the bag, I quickly rolled the top down securing the snake inside. Whew! The police officer told us if we duct taped the bag, he would take it and release it down at the local river.
     Many questions come up about this incident. How did the snake get into the toilet tank? What kind of snake was it? Why did the police officer have a paper bag in the trunk of his car?
     Well, we did some research and discovered snakes, among other critters, can come up through the plumbing. Not the supply line but the other, "exit only", line. Alarming, yes. What still baffles us is how it got into the tank of the toilet, the tank not the bowl. We speculate it could of squeezed through an opening from the bowl to the tank. Snakes do not need much of an opening to get into a place they want. We also learned this was a type of Rat Snake, this one being a juvenile. I think I would have moved out that night if it was a full grown rat snake. The adults can reach lengths of 8 feet! As for the paper bag, it remains a mystery to me and my wife. I am just glad I had the bag and the help that came along with it.

"DogWolf"

graphite on lokta paper, approx. 6x8 inches.

Seth Fitts, 2012

As I look at this drawing I think back to what was on my mind at the time. This image started off a a bit of an automatic drawing and then a dog figure began to take shape (I should note this drawing was worked on little by little while I would be waiting in the car while my wife went into a store or waiting for the dinner we ordered at a restaurant). As the drawing progressed I thought it would be interesting to blur the line between dog and wolf by giving the figure a mixture of features from both species. So, it is a dog or is it a wolf? I feel it is its own being. 

Blue Bear by *SethFitts on deviantART

I had this idea of a blue bear while gathering artwork to send to True North Gallery in South Hamilton, MA. I do not really know why blue. There are multiple reasons I suppose: blue is a spiritual color; blue can be symbolic of the sky or the waters; depending upon how dark the blue, it can represent the many days of night that occur in the far north; blue is also symbolic of cold or coolness.

Instead of painting an actual species of bear, for this image I was thinking of what is the essence of the animal. I was thinking of their mass and size, their shape, stance and the way they move. Then I tried not to think and let things happen. The results were children's bookish, of which I do not mind, and a bit sweeter looking than I had intended. I like it none the less.

We are Headed North by *SethFitts on deviantART

Going to True North Gallery

 in South Hamilton, MA

White Bear with Crook by *SethFitts on deviantART

Rustic Red Bird (Tin) by *SethFitts on deviantART

Still Busy Times!

Things are still busy! I still have a few commissions to be finish. I have recently just taken one on that is to be rushed. I hope I can deliver!!! I am also working on smaller pieces and am about to send some work to True North Gallery in South Hamilton, MA. I am pleased to have another venue to show and sell my artwork. You know, to be so busy, I do not feel I am getting things done. 

I am also taking on the role of VP for the Carrollton Artist Guild (Carrollton, GA). That is if they vote for me!!!! I look forward to the next year with the Guild. Great ideas are being tossed around!

I addition to the Guild, I have agreed to be the VP for a local nonprofit organization, SCRAP Bin (again, if I am voted into the position!). SCRAP Bin is a Source for Community Recycled Artistic Products that encourages creative reuse. The organization collects donated materials from businesses, artists, and individuals and redistribute them at low cost to teachers, artists, students and the general public. By breathing new life into old objects, we reduce the amount of materials going to crowded landfills. 

SCRAP Bin is also attempting a world record with building the largest plastic bottle sculpture, this particular sculpture being a dragon. We are excited about this!!!

So, as I said, busy times!!!

The 2012 tour has begun! Check the listings for a local tour destination!

Tour Dates

Spring Art Walk

Annual Spring Art Walk

Friday, March 23rd

5pm-8pm

Come out to downtown Newnan, GA and enjoy a night of strolling art galleries.

Refreshments served.

Fine Lines Art and Framing's featured artist is

SETH FITTS

From Three to Five

From three to five is four... or eight.

Occasionally I give clues to some of the meaning in my work. The clues below are not strictly representative to the work but give an idea as to what the symbols in the work could mean. I urge the viewer to come up with their own meaning and symbolism of the piece.

Three Multiplicity; growth; The "power of three" is universal and is the tripartite nature of the world as heaven, earth, and waters; it is man as body, soul, and spirit; birth, life and death; beginning, middle, and end; past, present and future. Three is a 'heavenly' number representing the soul as four is the body.

Four From four the first solid figure is produced; it is the spatial scheme or order of manifestation; it is wholeness; totality; completion; the body; the Earth. There are four cardinal points, seasons, winds, sides of the square, elements (west).

Five The human microcosm; the number of man; five is a circular number as it produces itself in its last digit when raised to its powers, thus it shares symbolism and meaning of the circle.

Eight Regeneration; resurrection; renewal; felicity; perfect rhythm; Eight (8) can also be representative of the lemniscate meaning infinity.

Bird Transcendence; the soul; a spirit; spirits of the dead.

The above mentioned meanings of symbols comes from research done by me and from J. C. COOPER'S AN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TRADITIONAL SYMBOLS, copyright 1978 Thames and Hudson Ltd, London.

Just an Update

Some of you may have read this

Hello all! I just thought I would give and update on what is going on here at the studio.

Okay, during most of 2011 I've been busy illustrating for a few children's books one of which is an alphabet book featuring birds (the other books have had no interest from editors). The writer of the ABC book has sent dummy books out to editors and so far no nibbles but three rejections. At least we are hearing back from them. The first time I sent out packets I never heard back from anyone.

I have also started a large commission from New Acropolis. This means you will be seeing a lot less personal work from me being posted.

In addition to the New Acropolis work, I will be working on another book cover. The subject matter of this book, simply stated, is of Kierkegaard philosophy.

I have recently completed another sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project. This is a fun project and I enjoy seeing what other artists have come up with their chosen themes.

Another project I am involved with is Howl for UWG(University of West Georgia). This is similar to the Cows on Parade project. Wolf statues will be painted by selected regional artists and then placed around the school campus and the town.

I am also working on a couple of personal commissions (one of which I am being paid with a supply of farm fresh eggs!) and am building a support to mount a pair of works on paper that was recently sold.

We've recently had an addition to extended family as well. My sister gave birth to my nephew Hawkins Gideon Pierce. We are all excited to have another person to corrupt!

So things are busy. I hope I haven't left anything out. Okay! Back to work!!!!!

Ho Ho Ho! I hope all have a Happy Christmas!!!

Busy Times

I have been working hard making Christmas ornaments (I made 50 of them using playing cards) and medium to small sized works for a couple holiday shows, one which we just attended this weekend (great turn out by the way!).

I have also been working on illustrations for a couple of children's books written by a local writer. I have just finished the images for one of the books, an ABC book featuring birds, and the dummy books, similar to a maquette for sculpture, has been sent to a handful of editors... fingers are crossed!

Now I'm thinking of taking a few days off from studio work to focus on work needing to be done around the house (leaves to rake! grass to cut!).

I hope all have a great Thanksgiving!

Doorway Warden

Hello! I thought to take some photos of the process of making Doorway Warden.

Hopefully I will think of a way to set up a camera, that's not in the way, and make a short film of the process of a future piece.

First I found an image in a magazine I liked. Instead of just cutting out the model, I envisioned her standing and so cut her out accordingly.

(I am working on illustration board)

After the clipping is glued and dried I applied Golden matte medium, let it dry, and started applying shadow to develop a light source.

I then start applying dark values blocking out the print from the magazine clipping.

After the dark values dry I start applying some light values.

A few glazes of color are applied to the highlights I applied on the dress.

Keep in mind I only envisioned her standing. From here I let intuition take over.

I painted out the pattern of the dress and added my own. I also decided the hair needed to be longer and drew in the hair adding highlights to give some form.

More highlights, adding the left arm and applying a glaze over the entire image to tie in what I have done so far. The skin of the model had become darker from the drawing and glazes of paint so I added white to lighten.

At this stage I draw in the arched doorway and other details (relying on intuition).

I again add highlights where I see fit.

I add glazes of color.

I also add my name and tone it down with glazes of color.

I continue applying glazes of color until I get to a point I like.

Index Drawings

A couple of weeks ago someone brought over a couple of boxes of old business index and business related books to the studio for me to use. The books date back to the 1970's, even further back, and are a mixture of hardback and paper back manuals. I have been thinking of what all I could do with the books, some will be altered books, some cut up for collage, and others I decided could be sketch books. So, my family and I went to Virginia to visit with my Grandmother and I took one of the index books along to just doodle and play. I wound up filling most of the book and saw a bit of a style change as I flipped through all the doodles.

Here is one: Index Drawings: Studious Lake Monster

Dreaming Nefertiti

Been very busy work on the Birds A to Z book and building inventory for upcoming fall arts and crafts events. One of the pieces I have been working on lately is one of Nefertiti, or a figure resembling her. It has been a challenge but I like how she turned out so far. Hopefully I will be finished soon.

Vader

Sad news to report. Our dog, Vader, passed away last night. He was only 3 years old but had suffered from seizures of which I am sure had a hand in his sudden passing. I often teased my wife and kids saying he was their dog but truly he was the family dog. Though short it was, I feel Vader had a good life filled with bacon, belly rubs and back scratches.

Good bye little black curly haired dog. You will be missed.

Edit:

Well we got the Little Guy in his resting place, a good bit of shade and a nice view of the yard where he would run and play. Placed with him a toy he loved, a bonus toy from a friend of ours, rosemary and lavender... And in just like in those films where there is a funeral it began to rain.

Rest well, Vader.