KiWi

2012-02-03T06:31:00.000-08:00

2012-02-02T11:13:00.000-08:00

Fairy Tale Zombies: Dorothy of Oz

2011-04-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

I started a series of Fairy Tale zombies and The Wizard of Oz seemed like such a natural fit. I mean, they were on the hunt for body parts....

IF - Duet

2011-04-02T13:10:00.000-07:00

For this week's IF, I added my latest painting in my zombie fairy tale series: Hansel and (re)Gretel: a zombie vengence.

See the rest of the series on my etsy site

Mama's Guide to Surviving Junior High

2010-08-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

1. Be NICE

2. Don't Gossip. Gossip is evil and serves no purpose except meanness. You'll be happier and drama-free without it.

3. Don't Make Fun of What Others Like. Sure, you are entitled to your opinion but not to ridicule others who don't share it.

4. Care about Other People. Don't talk AT your friends, talk WITH them. Care about their feelings, their likes, their lives.

5. Don't take crap. Be respectful of others but don't let bullies and b*tches push you around.

6. It's not all about YOU. Don't drone on endlessly about something that only you care about. Save that for people who share your passion for the subject.

7. Take the high road. Just because others don't follow these rules doesn't mean that you shouldn't. Just think how nice it would be if they did.

8. Never hesitate to bring your problems to your parents.

9. Don't be embarrassed. Don't take yourself too seriously and you make it hard for people to tease you.

10. Avoid bad situations. If something feels wrong it probably is. Trust your instincts. Never be afraid to run from danger, drugs and bad ideas. See #8 for more information on what to do.

Follow these simple rules and school and hopefully life, will be easier.

IF - Breakfast

2010-07-17T19:48:00.000-07:00

In honor of this week's IF, I made this breakfast piece. I'm thinking of expanding it into a fabric design.

Breeze

2010-07-08T15:44:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's a new painting. I think I'm calling it 'breeze' . It's a little more photo-realistic than I usually do but I think I like that.

ART SALE

2010-06-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

I've marked down several of my paintings because, frankly, I need to clear away the old and make room for the new.

In the meantime, I'm working on some new pendant pieces. You like?

'Ninja Assassin' Trailer

2010-05-31T18:59:00.000-07:00

IF - Fearless

2010-05-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

I just finished this piece recently, called Taking Off. I thought it tied into the fearless thing because it's about letting go and starting to fly. What could be more fearless than that?

Hard at work

2009-09-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

do you ever feel like your life is changing faster than you can process the information?

I can haz brains?

2009-08-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

behold Zombie cat. so cute, so cuddly.

Madhouse Mauly

2009-08-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

the charming ramblings of MadHouse Mauly is a delightful blog read and I'd like to recommend it. And clearly, she has wonderful taste in decor. On Friday, she featured a piece on lil ole me. check her out.

big box of t-shirts

2009-08-10T16:34:00.001-07:00

...means much printing to do. I'm getting ready for show season. squeee.

Putting away childish things

2009-08-04T18:26:00.000-07:00

Eventually, even Alice must put away her childish things...

WINNER

2009-07-31T15:27:00.000-07:00

We have a weiner! My lovely assistant drew the winner's name out of the a bowl.......MADHOUSE MAULY! woo. I'll tweet the results as well since most entries were via twitter. Free Print for Madhouse Mauly. yea

Bad Hair Day

2009-07-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

Alright, I can't even give my artwork away? Only one person has signed up for give-away (and one other on twitter) sad.

Twitter give-away

2009-07-24T16:00:00.001-07:00

Alright, I'm going to try doing a print give-away by incorporating Twitter. How about I give-away an 8 x10 print of Public Art to one lucky commenter or twitterbug?

Leave a comment either here or on Twitter to be entered.

EDITED: alright, how about this, you pick any of my pieces for a free print? http://kiwicuties.deviantart.com/gallery/ Winner's choice.

temptation all I ever wanted..

2009-07-22T16:02:00.001-07:00

is it me or does the apple look less illustrationish than the rest of the piece?

issues

2009-07-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

Grrr. I've been having trouble updating my blog. So, here, feast on this cropped up scan of my newest piece.

Goodbye June

2009-06-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

This has been a terrible month for celebrity deaths. Peace out, David, Farrah, Michael, Ed and Billy.

Look To the Future

2009-06-21T12:35:00.001-07:00

The situation in Iran has been weighing on my mind lately. I'm sure that's true of a lot of people.

Unconscious

2009-06-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

Watched a movie last night with the hub, Unconscious (that's the movie title, not the state of my being). It's a 2004 spanish farce and it's the most charming movie I've seen in a while. Highly recommended.

Watch the trailer

I think I've got this now

2009-06-12T18:27:00.000-07:00

Meet Red Chibi. She's a combination of traditional and modern/classic and cartoonish/patterns and shapes. Love.

digital mock up

2009-06-11T10:37:00.000-07:00

I think the unified colors make this work

collage + silkscreen = awesome?

2009-06-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the ICA in Boston, I printed a copy of my geisha collage and then silkscreened and handpainted over it with a chibi style japanese image.
It's a start.

VACATION

2009-05-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

I'm shipping up to Boston this week. The shop is closed for vacay until next sunday. I've never been out east before so this should be fun.

spread the love

2009-05-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

My collage

2009-05-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

After decoupaging a display for my kiddo's history fair, I got the itch to make one using my own paintings.

I used a cotton rag paper because I thought it would be sturdier under the mod podge. So, whatcha think?

CONGRATULATIONS KRIS ALLEN

2009-05-20T19:37:00.001-07:00

Gilles may have lost on DWTS but Kris Allen is the new American Idol. Two years in a row, we got it right. Loves it.

more pendants

2009-05-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

it's a lousy pic but it's all gray and rainy here...for days and days. Hub says that my work is better when it's smaller.

Oh America

2009-05-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

I love it when you are right. CONGRATS KRIS ALLEN. woo!

Stupid sealants

2009-05-10T15:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, how does one use Diamond Glaze without getting annoying and jewelry ruining bubbles?! I don't shake it. I keep the tip submerged. I used a space heater to keep the humidity low. I don't know what else to do. I'd hate to go back to using resin. It's just so toxic. Is there something better? Or can you tell me what I'm doing wrong?

On a Green Morning

2009-05-08T19:49:00.001-07:00

Another stop on my little japanese imagery tour is On a Green Morning. I'm thinking that I might turn this series into post cards.

Does anyone still use post cards?

Kris Allen's pre-Idol music

2009-05-02T16:46:00.000-07:00

Kris Allen self-produced a cd back in college called Brand New Shoes. Honestly, I kind of love it.

The intrepid Rickey at Rickey.org has some of the cuts for your listening pleasure.

GO KRIS! Save the hawtness, save my Tuesdays.

Stop. Art. Theft

2009-04-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

I've been rolling this idea around in my mind for a while. I decided to model it out digitally and that lead to me finishing it as a digital piece.

VOTE KRIS ALLEN

2009-04-29T21:33:00.000-07:00

WHAT!? America, what's the problem here? Kris Allen goes top 2 at least! He's awes. Come on!

VOTE FOR KRIS

The before pictures

2009-04-28T16:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so here is the before and after for comparison. Waaaay more detail and apparently, lasik.

Another makeover

2009-04-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

While I'm bereft of ideas I've been giving makeovers to some of my older pieces. I think I've grown a bit over the past two years and I wanted to add a little more detail to some of my humble beginnings.

kris allen for the win

2009-04-24T20:25:00.001-07:00

I'm a reasonable intelligent person. Why do I love American Idol so? It's sucked me back in again this year.

Something about this kid makes my inner 13 year old go 'squeeeeeee'

ONE THOUSAND SALES

2009-04-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

I just had my one-thousandth sale on Etsy! HUZZAH! I'm so excited and humbled and freaked out and over the flippin' moon about it. When I started this shop, it was just to prove to myself that my artwork had some value to someone other than me.

Here's a pic of my first design.

HEY BLOGGERS

2009-04-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, I need your help. I'm considering submitting my work to a magazine that specializes in artists from my region of the country. If you were me, which piece would you submit? To get a good look at my current portfolio, check out my deviantart page.

Illustration Friday: Impossibility

2009-04-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

After a certain age, you trade your wings for roots.

Illustration Friday - Impossibility

Sumos are cute, right?

2009-04-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

Everyone likes a cute widdle sumo cartoon. Don't they? They do if they are cool.

Now, I want dumplings...

Robot tea party

2009-04-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

I can't explain it but this idea came to me the other day and seemed totally logical. Why wouldn't there be robot tea parties?

Insert Stake Here buttons!

2009-04-06T20:27:00.000-07:00

Woo! I added my 'Insert Stake Here' button to my arsenal and just to make it special, I added a special black vamp button. Oh yeah. Let the right stake in.

Illustration Friday - Talisman

2009-04-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

She relied upon her butterfly talisman to ward off evil spirits.

Happy Illustration Friday

I wish I knew how to quit you...

2009-04-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

oh, Idol, how could I let you suck me in again. Especially after last season. And yet...

Ella on the wall the remix

2009-04-01T21:04:00.000-07:00

So, I've been going back to some of my older pieces and 'remixing' them...making changes...adding to them.

I kind of wish I had this wallpaper in my living room.

obsession

2009-03-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

I'm so weak.

Illustration Friday - Poise

2009-03-29T07:07:00.000-07:00

Poise - the ability to not freak out when a bird lands on your head.

Tea for Two...the remix

2009-03-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

I took one of my old pieces and gave it an 'I'm better at my craft' makeover. More detail, more subtlety, better colors. You liiiiiiiiiiiike?

Illustration Friday - Legendary

2009-03-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday, meet the legendary warrior. Japan's greatest female ronin.

Heartless 2

2009-03-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

The tear has been amended photoshopically. Better? More natural?

Heartless

2009-03-11T19:41:00.000-07:00

Don't let the sun catch you crying...

DH thinks the makeup tear is too much. What say you?

St Louis Handmade Artist Profile

2009-03-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

Who's got two thumbs and is the current artist profile on STL handmade? THIS GIRL
Show me love humans. Do it. Do it now.

Damask and Dark

2009-03-08T19:14:00.001-07:00

My cage has many rooms

Damask and dark

nothing sings here

not even my lark

Based on a line from the Sweeney Todd song Green Finch and Linnet Bird, I present to you, Damask and Dark. That damask pattern took forever to hand paint. Hand cramp!

Illustration Friday - Intricate

2009-03-06T21:07:00.001-08:00

The theme is intricate for this illustration friday and I can't think of anything better than an ornate hair-did. So, allow me to introduce Reinette. Don't ask about the eye patch.

Dragon

2009-03-03T17:27:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or is this loooong winter just sucking the energy out of everyone? I need a red bull latte with a mountain dew chaser.

Best Friends, the t-shirt

2009-02-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

one of my newest illustrations is being burned to t-shirt-y goodness. Yea! I love the smell of new designs in the morning.

Breezy - Illustration Friday

2009-02-27T16:42:00.001-08:00

In keeping with the theme of 'breezy' on Illustration friday, I decided to bring out 'Windy'.

This is one of my fave pieces that I've ever made. I was thinking of turning it into a postcard print.

what do you think?

Dollhouse

2009-02-24T08:44:00.000-08:00

what if there really is a dollhouse and everyone who thinks they have past lives or repressed memories is just an inactive agent?

Six word memoir

2009-02-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

Successful artist without the successful part.

A Comedy of Hair-ors

2009-02-18T06:34:00.001-08:00

So, I, a gadget addict, purchased the latest hair removal fad (which shall remain nameless) that advocates ‘sanding your skin with sandpaper’ essentially. Sounds GREAT, right? Painless hair removal…..it is neither painless nor did it remove hair. But, it did leave me with a rug-burnlike rash. NOW, how much would you pay? Itchy, you say? Why not try a certain anti-itch ointment advertised on tv? Alrighty….I haven’t learned my lesson yet. So, I slather the ointment on my itchy legs and go to bed. Then I roll onto my side….holy crap. When did I set the mattress on fire? I hop up and sprint to the bathroom. My legs look (and feel) sunburned. Red, inflamed and throbbing. ARGH!
Wonderfully, you can’t just wipe away ointment. You have to hop in the shower….at midnight….on a Monday. Afterward, I apply milk to my chemical burn to try and neutralize the intense burning pain. Oh, and I still need to shave.

Zibbet?

2009-02-17T16:53:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd try selling my paintings on Zibbet. Since no one seems to want them on Etsy. It's a free listing so...what the hey...

Made for me

2009-02-16T20:35:00.000-08:00

If I added a little salt shaker, this could be our family portrait. I've got this in button form up in my shop. I wonder if it would translate as a t-shirt design. hmmm?

Watchmen

2009-02-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

I'm so ready for this movie (squeeeee!)

The Pre-Teen Keen Team

2009-02-01T18:40:00.000-08:00

It's the Pre-Teen Keen Team featuring

Wonder Gal!

Mega Miss!

Kid Awesome!

and Lil Speedy!

2009-01-31T19:56:00.000-08:00

Hey! Thanks for the shout-out from Stlhandmade site. Check out the Saturday showcase.

Earthbound Mermaid

2009-01-30T17:48:00.000-08:00

My DH doesn't really 'get' this one. Does anyone? well, I do but that might not count.

so sad

2009-01-27T18:35:00.000-08:00

computer go crash....artwork go bye bye. BACK UP YOUR FILES! I lost my most recent work because I hadn't recently backed up. And I work for a software company....I know the importance of backing up files. wah.

Calypso

2009-01-25T11:03:00.000-08:00

So, with all the button making, surely I haven't been painting still, right? wrong-o, buddy. I just put the final touches on Calypso, the sea nymph. Yeah, mythological characters usually aren't my beat but I was sort of inspired this time.

Alphabet City

2009-01-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

So, I had this idea about making an alphabet poster with cute cartoon girls from around the world. The thought was that I'd print these in 12 x16 poster size for little girlie bedrooms. I wonder if I should do a matching boy poster?

What do you think?

More buttons!

2009-01-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

Alrighty, more little pop stars! woo and stuff.

What do you think of the pop star theme?

Still on that button kick...

2009-01-13T04:45:00.000-08:00

Raaaar....scary monsters. oooooo, soooooo scary. be afraid. oooooo aaaaaaaa oooooo aaaaaa ookay, I'll stop.

Button button...who's got the button?

2009-01-11T16:53:00.000-08:00

Woo! I finally got the hang of my button press and thus, button packs. I've got 4 sets of 3 'music' themed buttons with Japanese writing.

Next up: Monsters!

Sneak Peek 2009

2009-01-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

oooooo, someone got a button maker for Christmas.... :)

If you want to destroy my sweater...

2008-12-30T15:47:00.000-08:00

The black cable-knit duster had seen better days. It was a cheap acrylic cardigan that I kept in my desk drawer for when it was cold. It was always cold. So, like a ratty old bathroom, I drug this duster around my office. pilled and frayed, the belt long gone, it was black and long and warm. That was, after all, the purpose. Had my Mother been wrong about everything not being a fashion show? But now, armed with a little Christmas money, I purchased a new sweater. Black, to be sure, and cabled as well. It was also cheap and acrylic but thick and warm. The belt stitched onto the side. Buttons! My old duster had no buttons. Already an upgrade. It had a shawl collar instead of a hood but really, outside beckoning for Obi Wan Kenobi (he's my only hope) how often did I need to wear a hood indoors? This was a time for renewal, after all. 2008? I'm so over you.

Maybe I should have named her Bella...

2008-12-29T15:53:00.000-08:00

DH thinks that the girl looks like Kristin Stewart from the Twilight movie but that is strictly unintentional. I based her off of one of the first paintings I ever did but using a chiaroscuro technique. Well, I'm no Caravaggio so it's a kiwiscurro technique at best.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-25T16:47:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!

I hope you are enjoying a lovely day.

The Stranger

2008-12-22T19:31:00.000-08:00

Just so you don't think I haven't been working during this holiday season, meet The Stranger. A story on The Moth podcast inspired the background china cabinet of acid green crystal.

If you haven't checked out The Moth, do so.

Japanese Cute Shirt - the remix

2008-12-16T18:17:00.000-08:00

Alright, so everyone hated the overlapping except me. (Fine, I still got mine that way so nah) So, here is the remix version. I especially like the red lips.

A new design

2008-12-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

So, tell me...is this new design full of win or made of fail?

still working on those pendants

2008-12-09T20:29:00.000-08:00

I'm so slow about getting out a new product. I'm just hesitant that perfection is expected. you know what I mean?

Anime

2008-12-09T06:35:00.001-08:00

Upon request by my little dumpling, I made this anime version of her for her grand re-decoration. It's not really my strong suit but I think it turned out pretty cute.

Before and after

2008-11-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

I gave one of my old paintings a make-over last night while watching WKRP in Cincinati (Turkey's Away). I think it shows the kind of progress I've made artistically when you compare the two.

TAGGED

2008-11-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

The rules:* Mention the rules on your blog.* Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.* Tag six others* Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they are tagged.
Quirky yet boring eh?

1. I listen to copious amounts of NPR.

2. I read Wikipedia for fun
3. I have a boomerang shaped birthmark on my right leg

4. I've never left the country

5. I have a palmaris longus muscle.

How do you like them apples?

Now, to tag.....

Riding on the Metro

2008-11-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

She reminds me of the Berlin song The Metro from back in the 80s. I should have given her an empty glass.

So, did I achieve the rain on window effect that I was going for? Or does it look like a melting city?

The Internal Circus

2008-11-20T20:14:00.000-08:00

I present to you The Internal Circus. I'm starting a series about the imaginary hoops through which we think we need to jump on a daily basis.

The concept is that we oppress ourselves with all the pointless crap that we think we need.

Happy TuesDavid

2008-11-18T19:47:00.000-08:00

I got mine. Did you get yours? Happy David Cook cd Drop Day.

Pendants a-plenty

2008-11-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

My first...well, second really, batch of scrabble tile pendants. Like mini works of art hanging from your neck.

yay. I love them but they are kind of like my babies to begin with so I'm kind of biased like that. You know how I do.

Three Guesses

2008-11-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

Can you guess what I'm working on? hmmmm.

That's right, Empty Envelope, it's scrabble tile pendants. Although that taj mahal thing is tempting...hmmm.

A revision of vision

2008-11-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

I revised this older piece with a little more detail and cleaner lines.

What do you think? I like it.

Reinette

2008-11-08T07:04:00.000-08:00

Variations on a theme...as always. after I did Antionette, I wanted to push the concept a little further so I created Reinette. Bigger hair, more ornate and my lovely white eye patch. I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

Zombie Crossing

2008-11-07T17:15:00.000-08:00

Another new design! Zombie Crossing...beware. The print is a little distressed because...well, wouldn't you be?

New t-shirt designs

2008-11-04T19:46:00.000-08:00

New designs...new concepts. What do you think?

Antoinette

2008-11-03T17:17:00.000-08:00

I think she needs an embroidered eye patch...don't you?

Do I Need an Agent?

2008-11-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

So, if a gal wanted to get into the illustration market, should that gal get an agent? How does that work? Anyone have an agent? Has anyone done any commercial illustration?

oh, hai, David Cook....what are you doing here? being awesome? I thought as much.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

2008-10-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

The winner of the inaugural print is Tessa at The Milkshake. Woo! Leave me a comment or drop me an email to let me know what you would like. So exciting.

Hello, Winter

2008-10-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

It reaches 20 degrees and I'm painting winter scenes. Buh-bye red leaves, hello red noses.