Scherenschnitte 4, Advent Day Three, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink on watercolor paper“Joy is the true gift of Christmas, not the expensive gifts that call for time and money. We can communicate this joy simply: with a smile, a kind gesture, a little help, forgiveness. And the joy we give will certainly come back to us.…Let us pray that this presence of the liberating joy of God shines forth in our lives.”
Pope Benedict XVI (12/2005)
Scherenschnitte 3, Advent Day Two, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and ink on watercolor paper “Advent is the perfect time to clear and prepare the Way. Advent is a winter training camp for those who desire peace. By reflection and prayer, by reading and meditation, we can make our hearts a place where a blessing of peace would desire to abide and where the birth of the Prince of Peace might take place.”
Edward Hays
A Pilgrim’s Almanac
Scherenschnitte 3, Q. Cassetti, 2011, pen and inkWild wrapping and drawing. All the plates are spinning. And, just as things start whomping up, my computer decides to go finicky in the email department. Jeez.
There are pubs to be corrected. Pubs to be laid out. I love the work these days—because production methods drive the design. So many publications I am working on these days are output to pdf or even (god forbid) word docs that are sent to individuals to output to their little pokey desk printers. Will our local offset printers become rarer and rarer with this type of work just being printed locally—and the idea of bleeds and delicate tints thrown out the window with the blunt tool of the cheap desk printer. Will excellent printing go the way of jobbing out typesetting (with all the kerning and proofing that the old typesetters used to do)? Is the graphic designer now just going to be the technology arbetor?
As you can see, I am bitten by the land of scherenschnitte…only my ink version of it. There are many miles in these pix, and they will evolve as my advent project in black and white—with maybe a half dozen of them in color. I like taking this up again as the images are a bit better designed…and I can bring animals and flora into the images to make it more mine. However, I love these Swiss trees, and want to imprint it on my brain and hand. Squirrels, raccoons, bear and deer. Leaping cats and daffodils. The little Swiss cottages need to change to Greek Revival farm houses with fences and chimneys. Someone commented on the Home Sweet Home images wanted to know why the windows were light versus dark… worth looking into. Maybe some musical instruments too?
I got 4 boxes out yesterday with another 3 filled, wrapped and addressed (ready to go). I dawdled with this stuff until around nine last night. I only need brown paper to get the other significant things out. And then, cards…and chez Camp presents. Need to get going. December is two and a half quick weeks. Yikes.
Cyber Monday with my Etsy stuff (we knocked 25% off everything) yielded someone buying a stack of tattoos. Jeez. I did mine with Etsy (something for Kitty and something for a resident of Camp Camp this summer). The dachshund card, however, is blowing out this year. We are selling multiple packs of cards at a clip. Also, big Cyber news, Fat quarters on Spoonflower is a great price (twofers) this week. Could be cool if I had a minute to spare. I want to make some Qillos pillows.
Scherenschnitte 2, Q. Cassetti. 2011. pen and inkRob got up and out very very early. He is off to points south with new trousers and a presentation in hand. I know he is going to do a great job and the world at Musecon will love him. He looked very de rigeur in the new duds. I hope he has some fun!
I am getting some packages out today. A few more tomorrow. Would love to have the bulk out before we split this week. So as we rush into December (which is already gone to my thinking)—I can take a bit of heat off my back. Holiday cards may need a bit more time. My list is needing a bit of refinement. I need to think about what I need to wear to a fancier holiday dinner (as the Missus)—that I have been requested to attend. Oy. Hate that. I need to keep in mind that R’s rule of look for me is to remember I am an artist—and there is a different set of requirement for we artists…. but oy.
There is a landslide of project work needing attention. It is that time of the year. Right? End of budgets, end of time to get the promised work done to make the hoped for bonuses. We are the bonus making machine. Time to dive deep…and see what we can do to move things ahead.
American Illustration (AI AP) Show and Spectrum has just sent out a notice as a call for entries. I guess I didn’t get anything into the Society of Illustrators (NY) this year. Still waiting for Society of Illustrators (LA), and Creative Quarterly. I am hopeful…but you never know what hits. I have been beyond blessed in projects and promotion this year, so I should reflect on all the wonders from 2011. I have been so lucky. The shows do not drive me to draw, but the pleasure does. If I can get recognition for moving my pen, so be it. If not, it shouldnt slow my in the least bit.
Grate Face, Q. Cassetti, 2011I am always looking and seeing faces surrounding me. I am sure this is something everyone does—but it is such fun. And its always great to see a good one when you have a point and shoot in your hand. I bought a brand new grater at Maines on Saturday and in the great unpacking of the bags, put it down on our stainless prep table…voila. And now you can have him smile at you this morning.
I am inking on trace today. OOOOH. Love it. Thick trace, the really meaty stuff with layers of india ink is pretty much the max. I was working with photoblue and light vermillion prismas on trace last night with the blue being the preliminary sketch and the vermillion being the firm up. Now the inking. I am cranking out a stack of these babies for a fun sketch project I am working on. Thus, the photo a day program right now.
I am curious about the trendy, color projections. Do you know if they project out one/two years so that the fabric companies and fashion companies can develop product/collections using these predicted colors?
Nidhi Saxena has a blog on color, patterns and designs>>
Fall and Winter 2011-2012 Color Trends in Fashion>>
Pantone View Color Planner Fall/Winter 2012/2013
“Refocus also examines Colour Movements - tones that are becoming more important, less important or shifting in hue and intensity:
- Lighter blues and navy increase in importance.
- Leathery brown becomes more important as a basic.
- Oxblood grows in popularity as browns, in general, adopt a redder hue.
- Olive becomes stronger.
- Purple and purple hues are still evident.
- Brights have a singular status for winter.
- Camel evolves into cappuccino and creamy hues.
- Yellows become softer and less sporty.
- Reds are becoming more orange.
- Traditional winter darks and berry colors are more mid-toned and less blackened.
Rob and Kitty had a great trip to Utica and then to get the doors at Croghan Mills. The millwork is great and David and John are here installing them today!
Repent! The End is Near, Q. Cassetti, May 17,2011. pen and inkThis is tailor made for me! No more bunnies for now. I have a few more to post, but between now and the 21st I have a mission.
Yes folks. The end is coming, at least according to Harold Camping, radio host and prophet. Mr. Camping has studied the Bible and has come to the conclusion that May 21, 2011 is the day that the Rapture is going to happen. The Rapture is described by Wikipedia as:
“The Rapture is a reference to the being caught up referred to in the Biblical passage 1 Thess 4:17 when in the End Times the Christians will be gathered together in the air to meet Christ.
The primary passage used to support this idea is 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, in which Paul cites “the word of the Lord” about the return of Jesus to gather his saints.
… and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.1 Thess 4
There are many views among Christians regarding the timing of Christ’s return (including whether it will occur in one event or two), and various views regarding the destination of the 1 Thessalonians 4 aerial gathering:
One event or two
Some Dispensationalist Premillennialists (including many Evangelicals) hold the return of Christ to be two distinct events or one second coming in two stages. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 is seen to be a preliminary event to the return described in Matthew 24:29-31. Although both describe a return of Jesus, these are seen to be separated in time by more than a brief period. The first event may or may not be seen (which is not a primary issue), and is called the rapture, when the saved are to be ‘caught up,’ from whence the term rapture is taken. The ‘second coming’ is the public event when Christ’s presence is prophesied to be clearly seen as he returns to end a battle staged at Armageddon, though possibly fought at the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The majority of dispensationalists hold that the first event precedes the period of Tribulation, even if not immediately. (See chart for additional Dispensationalist timing views);
Amillennialists deny the interpretation of a literal 1000 year rule of Christ, and as such Amillennialism does not necessarily imply much difference between itself and other forms of millennialism besides that denial. However, there is considerable overlap of Amillenialism (such as in most Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Anglicans, Lutherans, Presbyterians (PCUSA), and others), Postmillennialists (such as some Presbyterians, and others), and Historic Premillennialists (such as with some Calvinistic Baptists, and others) with those who hold that the return of Christ will be a single, public event. Those who identify the Rapture with the Second-Coming-to-Earth are likely to emphasize mutual similarities between passages of scripture where clouds, angels or the archangel, resurrection, and gathering are mentioned. Although some (such as some Amillennialists) may take the Rapture to be figurative, rather than literal, these three groups are likely to maintain that passages regarding the return of Christ describe a single event. Then some may also claim that the “word of the Lord” cited by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 is the Olivet Discourse which Matthew separately describes in Matthew 24:29-31. Although the doctrinal relationship of the rapture and the Second Coming are the same in these three groups, Historic Premillennialists are more likely to use the term “rapture” to clarify their position in distinction from Dispensationalists.”
For more on Mr. Camping’s predictions, his website: www.endoftheworld2012.com. Just to get a peek at where you fit on the saint or sinner scale, there is a naughty or nice to determine if you are a “good person”.
All quiet here. Kitty is settling. Alex is unnerved. Rob is working late. Gloria is on her way!
India inspired Sirin, Q. Cassetti, 2011, sharpies on moleskineBrilliant Shadows, blue on the snow in the bright light. It is quiet and mild (unlike last night when the light snow continued apace). The weather rumors say that we are up for a big snow tonight through Tuesday, so we will see. We have plenty of coffee and milk, so we can hole in for a few days.
Just got off the phone with my little glimmer of light, Kitty. She is in fine form thrilled with everything, her social life, her studies and the new add to her whirl, contra dancing. She is charmed (and I am sure charming). We went through the people, places and things…and things have changed a bit to make her happier as there is more fun in her life. As I am her mom, I want the best for her and from her…and I hope she is keeping pointed in the right directions and stays on center for her work, her studies, her self discovery.
We had overnight guests which was fun. I made some quiche and we hung out and talked. Rob and group went to Ithaca for the Chili cook off—and have gracefully left me to write, layout my new cover for 3x3, and get more branding work done for our client (all due 4/6).
I am a bit panic’ed so….
Need to get rolling.
Positive and Reverse, from the body of work inspired by Ganga Devi, Q. Cassetti, moleskine and sharpies, 2011This is a line drawing from my notebook. It is inspired by the Madhubani artist, Ganga Devi, her work, her use of line, and her strong design use of black and white. This was drawn in verithin blue line, then inked in with a sharpie pen on the large format Moleskine book. Then, it is scanned into the computer (600 dpi) and manipulated in photoshop with chunks of reversed out art slid into replacing the positive spaces with dark/reversed shapes.
Yin/Yang
Positive/Reverse
Black/White
Dear Deer, Q. Cassetti, 2010, digital.It has been cold and rainy…a bit dreary. But here we are, on a Friday afternoon, and there is a beautiful, high blue sky with Maxfield Parrish clouds rising out of the brilliance. Can make a girl giddy.
I am going to morph back to being ink girl again. I am not charged up by this graphic stuff. I am intellectually, but emotionally, its not grabbing me between the ears…and after posting the Home Sweet Home image, I got all shivery about how much I love this technique and need to take it further. I am a bit concerned about the shows coming up for the next year. I have not been cranking the vector portraits recently, so my handful of show hopefuls are more limited as I have been stretching out a bit more as a decorative illustrator, and not as the vector Queen that I have been in the past. I should get my eye back into that— freshening up my viewpoint, and building that book back up. Granted, I have some new images for the Hangar that could be submitted, but frankly, I am a bit concerned about not getting into the shows with the more diverse body of recent work. I did get some of the advent calendar work in American Illustration (a decorative approach) that was the hint that the Memento Mori work could take off (the willow skull got in American Illustration and Society of Illustrators (along with the traveling show to universities). So I should have some hope that the decorative stuff may possibly get recognition as well. It comes out of the same head and out of the same hand. Different technique..but still me. We’ll see.
Phone is ringing with new work. Some paying. A lot not paying. I got a wild bundle of “due immediately” work from the theatre (a quarter page, a small poster, a large poster, two banners, a playbill cover) and I whomped it out yesterday. Not much time to pfutz the details..but its all done and at an okay level. Another rushmo was a package for some flourbased mixes (a canister layout) that will link to the bread bakery in a way…so the need for a levelset was there. Albeit is was very quick—I am pleased with the general direction that is going too. And! Two pieces for Cornell is happening. And, a brand new something for Ithaca College too. Bizzzy me.
Alex is wild with school, training and hanging with the bros. There is a cookout/tailgate party post training today associated with the soccer game. Rob and Bruce are knocking off early to go to Watkins Glen for the antique/ vintage cars. Kitty news from Facebook reads:
Kitty Cassetti The professor is this adorable little old lady who kind of threw us into the class first thing. It was pretty marvelous.
So, she is good…and loving it. Already has read a play for Theatre class. I need to go work on relaying out a brochure (miscommunication from the client). Ah well.
More later.