Newey Hap Year

Borrowed from another artists site and he borrowed it from someone else... Nice statement and something I have always found to be true. Hope everyone's 2013 is a very good year! 

Last Picture of 2012

I am pretty sure this will be the last picture I do this year (or finish at least). This is sort of a pallet cleanser, kind of like Muse treat but larger. I did this as something I did not have to do, did not have any goals for and did not have to do in any way other than whatever I felt like.
It was inspired by some works of Michale Parkes (not that it resembles anything of his at all). The working title (which may well change) is "Parke Elf". It is 7 x 13, Acrylic and Pro White on Canson board. Original and prints for sale. Picture 73.

Laws Don't Stop Crime! RIGHT!

Another well written, well argued point from a great writer and a smart man!

http://www.stonekettle.com/2012/12/bang-bang-crazy-part-four.html

Warm Wishes

Insane Holidays

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tTHn2tHhcI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvILFVJMPvY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G_iL6TRphg

I Wish The Hype About The Myans Was Right

Since even my friends, many of whom are not fans of guns are willing to make wild speculation about the shooters mental health, the problem with video game violence, bad teachers or any other reason than GUNS being the problem! I really wish the stupid hype that the world was going to end on the 21st was true! We should all DIE! If the majority of this country thinks that the right to own a gun is more important than ANY human life, then we do not deserve to continue as a species!

Holiday Doll Room

I still have a lot of work to do on the doll apartment, but this room is somewhat presentable for now. I have their Christmas tree up and decorated (it even has lights, they don't show well in the picture). I made the fireplace and angel on top of the tree.

Double Done

Provided the client does not want any changes, here are the two pictures I have been working on. These are each 16 x 20, Acrylic and Pro White on Canson board. Snow Leopard Lord and Lady. Prints available. Picture 71 and 72.

Double Trouble 2

Here is the updated progress on the picture(s), I am very happy with how they are coming out and still hope to have this done before Christmas. The bottom third of the male side is just covered in color, not at all finished yet! The fem,ale side is much further behind but the mountains will match those on the male half and her clothing will be colored most likely and will not be translucent! Each half is 15 x 20, all done in Acrylics. 

Double Trouble

I am working on a set of two pictures (prelim for the male half has been posted here earlier) and it is due for Christmas. The male half is almost done and I will post it when it is finish. The female half is not nearly as far along but I am hoping to have it finished early next week...just so you know I am working on a commission and that is why nothing has been posted in the past few days!

Back to work...

Death of a Patron

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/Bill-Shawcross-Remembrance-168770336.html

I just found out that William (Bill) Shawcross died! This happened in September but I just found out by email from someone handling his art collection and asking me for names of some of the pictures he has of mine.

Back in the 1980's Bill was my Patron, he bought more of my work than anyone else. He also commissioned a few pictures and was a supporter and friend. He at one time had more than 100 pieces of my work (I do not have an exact count but I am sure it was 100 or more).

He was always happy to critique my work, to give advice and to promote my work. Though I have not seen him in person in many years, he will be missed.

Quick Stained Glass

This past weekend was Darkover Con, I sold 3 pictures, not bad for this con.
I also got a commission to do a Blue Rose stained glass window and was inspired to do it ASAP, so here is "Blue Rose Window", 8 1/2 x 9 1/2, Acrylic on black Canson board. Picture 70. Prints available.

Cyber Monday Special

2013  Limited Edition Calendar
Only 20 have been printed and 5 are already gone. For Cyber Monday I will pay shipping myself so you only pay $20!!

This calendar would make a great gift and if you order now I will ship them out Saturday!

This is an 8 1/2 x 11 professionally printed calendar. The cost is $20 + shipping ($2 for regular shipping, $5 for priority).

Remember the shipping will be covered by me IF you order today!!

Another Gem from Jim

http://www.stonekettle.com/2012/11/its-racism-stupid.html

Prices

I have been asked about prices. The Snow leopard couple I am doing are $200 each and most of my larger (15 x 20 and larger) works sell for $200 to $500 on average.

Simple Picture - smaller than 8 1/2 x 11 start at $30 and go up. Badges - 4 x 5 (simple start at $15) More detailed are $20 (these can be with or without lettering).  Detailed pictures - 8 1/2 x 11 start at $50 and go up. 15 x 20 detailed pictures start at $100 and go up.

Victorian/Steampunk Christmas

Trying to get some new small things done for Darkover http://darkovercon.org/ This is "Santa's Balloon", Acrylic and Micro pen on 3 inch wooden round. It is a Christmas ornament. Original SOLD, prints for sale. Picture 69.

Commission Continues

This is an early step on my next set of commissions. There will be a male and female snow leopard picture that are a set. This is just the early grey scale of the male figure. 16 x 20 Acrylic on Canson board. 

2013 Calendar Now Available

I just got the calendars from the printer, they look great! Another word of praise for Endeavor Printing, they did a great job as usual and got them to me in a week!
I only have 20 of these available and 3 are already pre ordered, so if you want one, order soon!

http://vampyre-nmp.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-calendar-almost-ready.html
This gives you pictures and prices!

New Card Done

I now have the second design for our Christmas cards done. This is very inspired by the works of Brian Froud. This is  "Frost Sprite", 8 1/2 x 11 Acrylic on blue paper. Original SOLD, prints available. Picture 68.

Next Card Please

I am still trying to get a second Christmas Card design done so I can get them printed in time to send out to people. Here is the Work in progress for the new card . "Frost Sprite", 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylic on blue paper. 

This is NOT My Hobby!

I am a professional artist! I do this for a living NOT just for fun!

The reason I am making this post, which I hope most of you think should be unnecessary, is because of comments like these;

"That price is pretty steep for my wallet. I'll wait until the new year and pick one up for cheap."

 "OK I can wait till Feb. $5 is OK for what I can spend. Tnx."
I explained that is less than what I pay to have them printed so he says;

"OK. Well that's just too much for my pocketbook. I'm a musician who don't make a lot of money. Can't you make an exception for a poor guy just this once?"


THEN he asks for a FREE ONE!

"Well could you sell me one of this years calendars for cheap? We got less than 2 months left so maybe you can make me a deal."

I sell my calendars for $20, I just started doing the "normal" year calendar, but I have done one for Pennsic from Aug. to Aug. for the past 10 years or so and I have charged $20 for it for as long as it has been in color! I have not raised my prices and I have done my best to improve quality and reduce my costs so I CAN leave the price at $20!

I do NOT do this as a HOBBY!! I am an artist and I sell my art to make a living. I appreciate EVERYONE who likes my work and I even charge less than I should to my friends or people I feel are not able to pay for originals at the price I should charge...BUT I do this to make money so I can buy things and live and I will NOT lower my already cheap prices on prints! They cos me to make and I can not sell them for less without losing money!

If you think my work is to expensive, good luck getting this quality cheaper from another artist! 

Marriage Equality WIN

28 years ago, 3 days before Christmas, I moved from Illinois to Maryland to be with my "partner" Don. Now, finally, as of January, we will be allowed to be legally married here in Maryland! Now if the Federal Gov. will just recognize that Gay or Straight, ALL marriage is valid and should be recognised we will have a sensible policy in this country!

I am SO happy to be wrong, since I was sure Maryland like all the others states that had voted on Gay rights to marry, would vote against it...but not only did they not vote against it, Maine and a couple of other States voted for Equality!! So I publicly and happily say I WAS WRONG!

Now to figure out when and how we will make the 28 years officially legal!

Holidays Are Here Again

If my other half agrees, this may be one of the Holiday Card designs I use this year. "Reindeer; Winter' Breath", 8 x 10, Acrylic on Canson board. This was inspired by  http://ishaway.nabyn.com/. Their versions of this style are way more complex than what I did, but their art is what inspired this picture. Original and prints for sale. Picture 67.

Swimming New Work

It is another not on my to do list pictures, but at least I did something! Finally finished the merboy picture. I am still not happy with the title, but unless someone gives me a better idea, this is "Smiling Merboy". 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylic and Prisma Colors on Canson paper. Original and prints for sale. Picture 66.

2013 Calendar Almost Ready

Since last years calendar sold well I am doing one for 2013. I am taking preorders now! Again I tried to do a nice cross section of my work, all G or PG at worst. This will be an 8 1/2 x 11 professionally printed calendar. The cost is $20 + shipping ($2 for regular shipping, $5 for priority).

Good Picture Bad Title WIP

I started this a while back and recently got inspired to try and finish it. The working title is "Happy Swimmer", I am not that fond of the name so any ideas would be appreciated. This is a work in progress and is 8 1/2 x 11 Acrylic on blue Canson paper.

Trevi's New Clothes 2

This post if for the seamstress who made the clothing for Ian (Japanese and perfect) and the nice but to large clothing for Trevi. This is to show how thy fit him/show scale.

Trevi's New Clothes

Well we tried again. I ordered clothing for Trevi and it was to small, so the lady redid them and they look lovely...but, they are to large! The boots fit best bu could be cut down a bit and be perfect!The pants go up to gis armpits and will fall off him if I don't find a belt. The shirt/tunic are just to big and he swims in them. I love the material of the shirt and the tunic..but :( it does not fit!

Old Art For Halloween

I love Halloween and wish I could do something new art wise for it, but things are just not working that way this year. So here is an old black and white I did for my Darkness & Light; Demons and Angels book. It is representing Lucifer or at least a dark angel and I have always been happy with how it come out. Dark Angel, 8 1/2 x 11 Micron pen on Bristol. Prints for sale.

Happy Birthday Son

Well, 28 years ago today my son was born. Inspite of the hell he has put us through and is putting me through right now, he means the world to me and always will! I wish him all the love, peace and happiness he deserves! I love you Joe!

Glass Experiment

Here is another attempt at doing a cloisonne look with paint on glass. This was done by putting tape on glass, cutting out each area and spray painting each color in different tears. It does not scan well, and it worked fine until I started taking layers of tape off after painting...some paint came off that should not have. Overall I think it has some good points but is far from what I was trying for. The dark background was hand painted and so not as good as the sprayed color areas but I had no color that would work for the background in spray paint, so that is why I had to do the hand painted part. I may try again with different tape and more spray colors. "Glass Flower", 2 x 2 spray paint on glass. It will be in a metal locket frame, for sale. Picture 65.

Artistic Insects

We have stone covering most of our house and I love it, it is in a red brown/beige/grey combination and just looks cool. Well near our front door we discovered that some form of wasp/mud dauber had built a nest and it is perfectly designed to match the 3 colors in our stone. Amazing and very pretty I think. So here is a picture of the nest/hive (empty or dormant now.)

Experimental Jewelry

OK, I had this idea and it sorta worked. The problem is it still needs work and the finished piece does not scan or photograph well. This is "Black Koi", 2 x 2 Acrylic and gold leaf on glass. I painted the colors on glass then scratched out the lines and gold leafed the other piece of glass, put them together and you get a very interesting effect. Again, the scan just does not show it well at all but this is the best I have of it right now. Original for sale. Picture 64.

Finished Scroll, part 1

I just finished this Byzantine/Viking style scroll for a friend...but I think I have to make this a two parter. The book box/book cover idea was a good one but I think I will do a "normal" velum scroll to go inside as well. So this is the outside scroll. This is a Court Baronage scroll for my friend Talorgen, it is 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 1 1/2, Acrylic and jewels on wood. It is all metallic gold (doesn't show well in the photo). Picture 63.

The Measure of a Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wztuqskio8

                        The Garden
                              Rush

In this one of many possible worlds
All for the best, or some bizarre test
It is what it is and whatever
Time is still the infinite jest

The arrow flies when you dream
The hours tick away
The cells tick away

The Watchmaker keeps to his schemes
The hours tick away
They tick away


The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned

In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect
In the rise and the set of the sun
To the stars goes spinning
Spinning 'round the night
Oh it is what it is and forever
Each moment of memory aflight

The arrow flies while you dream
The hours tick away
The cells tick away
The Watchmaker has time up his sleeve
The hours tick away
They tick away

The measure of a life is a measure of love and respect
So hard to earn, so easily burned
In the fullness of time
A garden to nurture and protect
(Its a measure of a life)

The treasure of a life is a measure of love and respect
The way you live,
The gifts that you give
And the fullness of time is the only return that you expect

The future disappears into memory
With only a moment between
Forever dwells in that moment
Hope is what remains to be seen

Forever dwells in that moment
Hope is what remains to be seen

In the fullness of time a garden to nurture and protect
(Its a measure of a life)
It's a measure of a life

SCREW FurAffinity

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3888732/

They compalin when I post stuff and label it one way and if I try and label everything adult to be sure I am not in violation, they say that is also NOT allowed! So screw them I have removed almost all my art from the site and will eventualy remove it all!

I reconmend Nabyn or almost any site for art OTHER than FurAffinity!

From Chair to Fireplace

I have been working on a bed but got sidetracked to make a fireplace. This is not finished but it is at a place I felt I could show it. This is a fireplace I made for my BJDs. It is 14 1/2 x 15 x 4, it is wood (except for the tree detail on the front). It is made mostly from a recycled dining room chair.
As I said I was working on a bed (a 4 poster for the dolls that is still far from done) and that is why I was taking old chairs apart, to get parts to use on the bed. As I was cutting things apart I realised how well the parts could go together to make this.
The front arch/decorative part and the sides are from a chair. The area with the carved leaf swirls, those swirls and the mantel are all separate parts. I added a thin flat piece of wood behind the arch and put separate leaf swirls on it. I cut a piece of wood for the mantel and painted it to look like marble. I had to sand and stain (with Acrylic paint and Acrylic varnish) all the wood to match.
Overall I am very happy with how this looks. I still have to put a grill area on the front bottom, do trim on the bottom edges, add a hearth and logs and work out some lighting to make it look like the fire is lit when I want it to be. Eventually I will get the shelves/apartment done so it will go in a room!

 

Finished Commission

Finally a finished picture and even one I was supposed to do. A commission for Dasher Whitetail on FurAffinity. "Dasher and Anubis", 8 1/2 x 11 Acrylic on Canson board. Prints available.  Picture 62.

Commission Continued

I had hoped to have this done today but that is not happening. So here is the current state of my commission for Dasherwhitetail from furaffinity. "Dasher and Anubis", 8 1/2 x 11 Acrylic on Canson board.

Chick-Fil- LIES

Yesterday several friends on Facebook posted the news that Chick-fil-A had changed their tune, had said they would no longer contribute to anti gay groups and would not discriminate against gays! My friends called it a victory and thought it was such great news. I told them ALL that it was a lie, that these people had not changed that they only did this for PR because they were losing business because of the boycott! Well, here is news from today; http://www.advocate.com/business/2012/09/20/chick-fil-raising-money-very-week-anti-marriage-equality-group#.UFtIR7bmHLY.facebook

Commission Start

I did this a few days ago but did not decide to post it till now. This is a commission for http://www.furaffinity.net/user/dasherwhitetail/ from FurAffinity and while not the next in line, it is the one that was coming out, so I need to get something done and this is a good start. He likes this and I am already much further along. The finish picture will be posted by the end of the week I hope. This is "Dasher and Anubis", 8 1/2 x 11 Acrylic on Canson board. This is just the grey study underpainting, full color and background coming soon!

Small Fail

OK, I tried to do a miniature portrait of my grandson...but I ended up with a cute little redhead but NOT a good likeness of Logan. So, here is the miniature it is 1 1/2 inches round and will fit in the lockets have been using. Done in Acrylic on Canson paper. Original for sale in locket. Picture 61.

Old God

Here is something I did back in 1990. It is a small nametag/badge based on a clasical statue. "Apollo", 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 (I think), Acrylic on Canson board. Prints available.

Birthday Gifts

Well, for my birthday I got a round and oval matt cutter (yeah!! Finally I can cu them myself). I got several blank white paper and bamboo Japanese fans to paint. I got a book of art by Stephen Hickman. I got a circular saw and bifold doors (to cut and make shelves out of). I think I got a few other things but can't remember right now. I bought myself a miniature violin for mt BJDs (it is in a case and very detailed and nicely done), got them a miniature silver Samovar, and a lovely wardrobe/chest of drawers. Pictures of some of these will betaken sometime soon and posted.

So far it has been a nice day and I am learning to live in the day and not dwell on the past of worry about the future.  

New Balloon

OK, not really a balloon I guess but oh well. Another sudo Steampunk picture. I got a nice little oval frame and decided to try doing something to fit it. Not in my list of things to do, but I am still trying to kick start my art...I like it and  hope I can soon start working on things I should be doing. The idea of this is that it is an astronomical observatory dirigible, the upper section is all glass. This is "Star Gazer", roughly 9 x 12, Acrylic on Canson board. Original and prints for sale. Picture 60.

Long Live the Queen

In Honor of Freddie Mercury's 66 birthday (almost 10 years exactly older than me) here are some of my all time Favorite Queen Songs!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckRX0k9owAY This ends abruptly here because it blends into "Funny How Love Is" on the album.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EYUqsfl7gE&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7-9eAal_x4 and this goes right into "Nevermore"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXKiixkdKyU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhqM_oyWGJ8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGMY88aNoLs&feature=related

And this is possibly their greatest masterpiece as far as I am concerned!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZjjsrn9FY4
And this goes into "Love of My Life". "Night At The Opera" and "Queen II" where most of these come from are complete albums that flow from one song to the other seamlessly in many cases. I highly recommend listening to the whole of each if you never have. They show the genius of Queen better than any one song!

Happy Birthday Freddie, I really miss the music you never got to make!

Death of Joy

So, I had almost a year not really I guess from late November till August when I was happy because my son was back in my life. Because I had a grandson and looked forward to seeing them both at soon point soon. Well, my son has shut me out again with no explanation or reason.. I have heard from others that he is angry with me but no one can or will tell me why! He does not respond  or communicate with me at all now.

My grandson may also be lost to me since his mother and her mother, the only connection I had to him have stoped communicating as well...I am not happy, I am not sure how I can get myself out of this depression. I am getting nothing done and have people I owe art, but I can not work when I can barely function at all due to how I feel right now!

This is a picture of Logan, my grandson...I still hope that someday, while he is still a child, I will get to meet him and be part of his life.

Poor Attempt

Well a friends birthday is coming up and I decided to try and do a locket for her of one of her favorite characters from the Inuyasha Anime. I will never capture the anime style but I tried, I hope she likes it. This is "Sesshomaru", 1 1/2 circle, Acrylic and micron pen on Canson paper. Picture 59.

  

Yet Another Locket

Trying to work on things I need to but can't concentrate or get things to work. My son is upset with me apparently and I have no clue as to why, so I am upset and worried about him. Anyway, I am doing these tiny pictures to just do some art. This is "Cthulhu in the Round", 1 1/4 round, Acrylic and Micron pen on Canson paper (his eyes are metallic gold but they don't show up well in the scan). For sale. Picture 49.

Odd Lockets

I thought I would post a picture of the blank lockets I am filling with the odd shaped pictures I have recently posted.

Tiny Tenticle Tickle

I actually like how this came out (though the enlarged scan shows all kids of imperfections I hate). I just doodled the sketch for this and once I inked and painted it I was pleased. Mixing the Steampunk love of Balloons and my own of Tentacles I get this! "Tentacle Attack Locket", 2 x 1 1/4, Acrylic and Micron pen on Canson paper. This will be in a silver tone locket, For sale. Picture 48. 

Tiny Lockets

Here are two new locket pictures one is 1 1/2 inches round and the other is 1 1/2 x 1 x something...Acrylic on Canson paper. "Crane in Flight" and "Lemon Flower Dirigible". Both in silver colored lokets. For sale. Picture 46 and 47.

Cover Finished

So here is the finished picture I plan to use as the cover for my "Sons of the Sea" merman book. "Son of the Ghost Shark", 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylic and Pro White on Canson paper. Original and prints for sale! Picture 45.

One Fish Two Fish...

OK, not realy, just one fishy figure. Again I am trying to come up with a cover for my merman book "Sons of the Sea". I realy like this so far and maybe this one will get done and become the cover. The last one I started as the cover is still unfinished and while I hope it will be done sometime, it just isn;t looking like a cover to me. Thoughts and oppinions welcome. This is 8 1/2 x 11, Acrylic on Canson paper.

 

Question about my books

Art question; I have self published 6 full color books of my art "Mythic Men" (out of these need to print more or redo), "Animalia" & "Fierce Symmetry" ( both anthro), "Bestiary" (animals), "Fey Folk" (elves), and "Faerie Dust" (faeries). The last has sold only a few copies and is the newest (came out early this year or late last , I don't remember).

Right now I have the money to print a new one and have several lined up to print. "Sons of the Sea" is what I would like to print next (mermen), but I have a couple others almost ready as well. "Goddess Incarnate" (females) would be great but I still need more art for it).

Since none of these have sold as well as I had hoped, is it worth it to bother printing new ones?

Fish of War

This is not my work, but I own the original and am posting thsi so the artist can see how the scan came out. Theddy, my friend and co owner of "The Magic Mirror" did this amazing picture and I just had to have it after looking at it for over a week and realizing I wanted it for my own.

This is "Black Moor God of War" by Theadeaus Shaffer, 8 1/2 x 11,  Micron pen, watercolor, colored pencil on art paper. Prints available.

Not Working

OK, I have several commissions and SCA scrolls I need to get done but I am NOT being productive at all! I can't seem to get started on anything! Pennsic was great for my health but now that I am home and indoors all the time and alone most of the time, I have NO energy and just feel sleepy alot! Any ideas how to jump start my muse and make the little brat get back to work?

Help For a Friend

My long time friend Jon Westcot just lost his wife! She died after several years of serious medical issues and he is also suffering from heart and other serious problems. He has almost no money and the funeral costs are HUGE!

Jon is one of the kindest, sweetest, most generous people I have ever known and he kept me alive for a year back in the 80's when I was homeless and in bad shape! Without him I would NOT be here now!

Any one who donates $20 or more will get a free 8 1/2 x 11 print of ANY picture I have done that you want! Please send donations to my paypal account paypal@vampyre-nmp.com and put "for Jon" on the payment. 100% of this money will go to help him with the funeral costs!!

Thank You!


http://www.facebook.com/#!/jon.westcot/posts/3865880044015

This is my friend Jon, I drew him many years ago when he was in college.

Suprimacy

http://www.owldolatrous.com/?p=369

Disagree with the Christian parts, but other wise it is a good article with good points!

Back from War

Well, Pennsic has come and gone again. This was my 28th Pennsic War in a row and my shop, The Magic Mirror has been there for 27 and is a fixture. We did well this year though it was slow and seemed like things were not selling. I still have Pennsic to Pennsic Calendars left (I almost NEVER have more than a couple if that left over). I will add pictures to this post (if they came out) once I have put them on the computer. Over all hot and wet (at the end), but mostly drama and issue free.

Well, I guess I got very few pictures at war s here is one of the few worth posting. This is Wolffie (Wolfgang), the son of one of the helpers I hired for this war. His mother was a GREAT help and he actually helped clean up small things at the end. He was overall a good boy and I loved having him around.

Now back to commissions etc. 

Back in Two Weeks

Finished Maybe

Well, I feel like the brown area needs something...knotwork maybe, but I can't decide. So fro right now, I think this is finally done. "Hern, Lord of the Green" (yes I changed the name), 16 x 20, Acrylics, Watercolor colored pencil, Prisma Color and Pro White on Canson board. Prints available. SOLD. Picture 44.

Funny Kids

http://www.danoah.com/2012/07/my-kid-said-that-2.html

Continuing

Continuing the picture...not even close to done yet. Two weeks till Pennsic and lots to do for it...

Insanity Reigns Supreme

Not just a good motto, but how I feel sometimes. I am continuing the Hern picture and spending hours and hours more on a picture that I know will not be liked by the person I had hope would want it and I am also sure it will end up as just another useless unwanted picture hanging in my house with no reason to be! I have so many unsold pictures as it is that I should stop painting...but Insanity Reigns Supreme, so I paint on! Here is the Hern picture as it was a few hours ago...

Should I Give Up?

OK, I love the face but I fear I messed up the body...so, should I finish this or just scrap it now?