Experiment in Funding.

Hello!

These are turning into monthly updates, LOL. It can’t be helped. 

For the past month, I’ve been trying to get some extra funds through crowdfunding. I selected GoFundMe because it seemed like the easiest to use and rather flexible.  I’ve sending the link to my Twitter feed and Tumbler blog, but I haven’t gotten any donations yet. I suspected it would be difficult. I even tried to make it more appealing by offering custom artwork for certain donation levels. Still nothing. Now, the thing with GoFundMe is that you can’t even show up in the searches until you have at least $100 dollars donated through the site (you have the option to add donations that were not given online).  And then you have to meet the approval of the administrators of the site. 

I knew it would be difficult to raise money for myself because I had hard time raising money for a 5K run/walk for Cancer and I was asking my friends. Not a one could bother to donate even a dollar. So, even though my GoFundMe is connected to my Facebook page but I don’t share that page…..

Now, why would I need extra funding. Because in this economy, we could all use a little help. Being a fulltime artist is hardwork, it is stressful. You do what you can to supplement your income, but when you “supplement” job starts to take over your life, then your work starts to suffer. No one likes that.  On top of that, I have one parent battling cancer and another with mobility issues (in addition to my own health problems), so my presence at home is almost always needed…especially in the afternoons and weekends. So, yeah, this life is hard and difficult..and I never imagined that it would be like this but it is what it is. My expensive art school/training gave me lots of knowledge, skills, and tools (and debt)…that most people in a capitalist society have no need for. HA!

But I find peace in my work and in my faith.

This is one of my most recent digital paintings.

 

Sweet Journey, 2013

by K. Brown

Digital Painting

Watecolor Sketch – Wind Spirit

This is a watercolor concept sketch I did a while back. It depicts a windspirit. I thought that would be fitting on such a marvelously cool day in July.

Inside Out

Abstract Surreal digital painting
by K.Brown.

Splashes of Color

Digital Painting, 2013
by K. Brown

 

 

 

This is a free flowing concept painting of a single life. The painting was completed on January 17th and is digital media.

Inspiration..

What inspires us? If we write, why do we write? If we draw, why do we draw? If we take photographs, what makes us take that photograph?

These questions went through my mind over the Thanksgiving holiday. I’ve been feeling stagnant in my work and felt the need to sit  and try to understand what I am missing my life that should be giving me a drive to create better works of art. To paint better more interesting subjects. To take more dynamic photos. To take more chances and really put myself out there.  This life a lonely one. But I suppose it doesn’t have to be.

I present my most recent Artrage painting (done on iPod touch).

Digital Painting by K. Brown 2012

New Paintings

Hello!

I apologize for the delay. I didn’t want to post anything until I did some new paintings.  My mini memoir is coming along…slowly. Yet, I am still very excited to be doing it.

I added some more necklaces to my shop. I think they are very nice. I have some earring ideas I’m still working out. I have to go to the craft store for more chain.

Back to my new paintings; these were done on my iPod touch using Artrage. I did one in a very sculptural style that I am going to explore more.  The first one I did is called Sunny Sea. The second is titled Shimmery Tree. I really like them both.

A digital painting done on iPod Touch using Artrage. By Karmen Brown

Shimmery Tree by Karmen Brown
Done on iPod Touch using Artrage. 2012

Much Love,

~K

New Art Master Post

Hello Again.

I’m happy to report I have been busy creating. Lately, I have been using Artrage on my iPod Touch. It is really a tool/resource of convenience. It is easy to expand on an idea or act on inspiration when on the go. On the fly art!

Floral Fire by KBrown, 2012

Shimmer by KBrown,2012

Misty Morn by KBrown, 2012

Setting Sun by KBrown, 2012

Misty Garden by KBrown, 2012

The Distant One by K.Brown, 2012

Who are you?!

I’ve been doing more digital painting with some apps for my iPod Touch.  I’ve mainly been using the Artrage  app (I also so own the program on my laptop). I do believe that such apps for mobile devices are a very legitimate medium for this day and age. One thing that needs to be remembered is that when doing art on a digital platform is to sign and/or watermark your art. (Which i can forget from time to time). So on you mobile device, it is good to have a photo editing app so you can and your own stamp and watermark.

Here are some recent paintings done on my iPod touch:

Actual paint vs. Digital paint

Lately, I haven’t been doing any *actual* painting but I have been doing painting with computer programs. I’m fine and very confident working with vector programs, but paint programs like Corel Painter or Artrage baffle me a little. I have seen some excellent pieces done by other artist who are very comfortable with the programs. I’m not as comfortable with painting programs because of some block in my mind about the genuine-ness  of it all.

The following are some digital paint pieces I’ve done my iPod touch.

Heat by Karmen Brown 

Sunrise by Karmen Brown

On the jewelry making side, I have been doing some up-cycling or re-purposing of items for necklaces and earrings.

New stuff….

I have always wondered whether or not it is smart to show my works in progress. I enjoy the creative process but I wonder if someone will see something I’m doing, incorporate that into their work and then accuse me of copying them or something. I may just be paranoid.

BUT, I’m working on a series featuring patterns and rhinestones and tissue papers. They are small pieces of individual paintings, but will all work together to tell a story. Perhaps six to nine panels. Here are two the panels now:

Opulence is an Illusion by Karmen Brown 2012

and here is the other

Affordable Opulence by Karmen Brown (2012)