The Things We Do To Stay Sane

It's been a busy year so far, and we're only a month into it. I've got a lot of irons in the fire, too many perhaps. There's a wedding to plan, two art shows coming up, a whole batch of images swirling in my head just waiting to get out, and I recently discovered the hazards of shipping paintings.

In a valiant effort to allow each painting time to develop, dry, evolve and layer, I ended up starting a second one, a third then a forth... numbers five and six are scratching away wildly behind my eyes, begging to be put to canvas, but so far, I've held them at bay.

Was doing my daily photo entry -- found here for those interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christenshaw/sets/72157622993073285/ -- and thought I'd share today's picture on my ever neglected blog... here are the four paintings I've been working on in various stages of completion, from color blocking to done (or almost, I keep futzing with the last one).

For now, time to feed the dogs...

Siren Song

In 2010, I am determined to be less impatient and allow paintings to unfold at their own pace... here's the new one. 

Short Story Published!!

My first short story, which may have a little something to do with one of my favorite story topics ZOMBIES, has been published and is available online at ipulpfiction.com
(click the post title to link to the site)
You can read it for a mere 75 cents, what a deal!!

Thank you all. I will be sitting back to rake in my millions now.

Day One

New Years day... a fresh start, a new decade... a day of recovery from the gluttony (cupcakes for lunch, pizza for dinner) and eleven hour drinking binge (a bottle of wine with a friend at 2pm, beer and tequila shots from 7pm to 1am at a friend's rock show at El Corazon) that was New Year's Eve.

Resolutions for the coming year:

1. No more eleven hour drinking binges
2. Get off my ass and get in shape for Hawaii trip in May
3. Stay in shape for wedding in October
4. Make afore mentioned wedding actually happen this year
5. Take more time for my art, music and writing
6. Keep up on my blog and photo journal
7. Be more patient

I was going to be ambitious and add "quit smoking" to the mix, but hey, let's not push the envelope (besides, that has to be the most cliche resolution on the planet, right?).

Tonight, off to lands farther north for yet another rock show where tequila will definitely be avoided.

People Eating People

Today, I emailed off the album art for the infinitely talented Nouela Johnston's solo project, People Eating People. The album comes out November 3rd. You can check out some of the tunes on myspace.
This is the cover, the image and name were created using Corel Painter X. The texture was added in Photoshop.

Enjoy!

A review from the Fremont exhibit!

While at the opening for my exhibit at Fremont coffee I met Anthony, a local art blogger, and his daughter, Natalie. He wrote up an excellent review of the show. I am reposting a snippet below.

"Do you remember horror movies before the in-your-face death and destruction and bloodletting that began with Alien, perhaps, or maybe Halloween? The horror then was psychological, and always perceived, than shoved in your face.

That is the type of art Christen brings us. There is no way to label her work other than dark. Dark, is a given. But the questions that her work poses - what is going on here? - are much more potent and thought provoking than what lies on the surface...."

You can visit his blog by clicking the title of this post to read the whole review. If you are a fan of local art, enjoy Seattle's frequent artwalks and/or just want to know what's happening in the art world, I recommend his blog. It's both informative and all encompassing.

Artwork is Going Up!

So the crazy heatwave that hit Seattle has passed. I survived, barely, and it is mercifully cool and overcast. Perfect weather for hanging some art!

I will be at Fremont coffee this evening hanging a selection of paintings - some from the Fear & Phobia and the Age of Innocence series, a few of my older works and a brand new painting, not yet posted to my online gallery!!

The art opening happens Friday, August 7th from 6-9pm in conjunction with the Fremont First Friday Artwalk (follow this link for a map of participating galleries: http://directionsfff.blogspot.com/ ).

Please come on out, say hello and enjoy booze, coffee, snacks and art!!