It's been a while since I posted on my blog, but I have been busy during my absence. You will see a new tab located above called Wes Anderson-Inspired Series, this is a series of images from Wes Anderson's film THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS. They are all made with ink, pen and watercolor. I also made a Tumblr account for my work, you may follow me here. Enjoy!

Artist's Statement

Hi everybody!  For my independent study of screen printing this summer, my teacher is encouraging me to write and try to figure out my goals as an artist.  I have a long way to go, but my first assignment was to write an artist's statement.  She gave me a list of questions to consider and I answered most of them in this, my artist's statement.  All feedback is appreciated.

As an artist, I am most influenced by music—George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Florence + the Machine and Regina Spektor are among my most influential musicians.  Songs tell a story, as the singer tells it, I see pictures in my head; the above-mentioned artists paint the most vivid images for me in my mind’s eye.  After I see the image, it becomes my mission to get it out into the world.  It seems people forget to use their imagination when they grow up, by letting my mind wander and imagine while I listen to music, I get into a childlike state of mind.  It is my hope that my art will inspire people to look up the song that inspired the piece and let their minds wander where the music takes them.

My process, from inception to creation, is quite lengthy: I start with quick sketches while listening to the song repeatedly, trying to solidify the picture in my head—colors, details, scale, etc.—then I sketch it more, over a time span of days, weeks, and months (months being the more frequent scenario).   Eventually, I start creating the actual piece, but there is a long simmering process in my mind, as long as it takes to be motivated.  My favorite medium is spray paint, gold especially, I use it anywhere I need a lot of color I spray paint; I also use watercolor, acrylics, charcoal, graphite and, now, silk screen.  Recently, I have been researching screen printers for inspiration, but before, I looked to Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas for inspiration.  Vibrant colors are my favorite, and vibrant colors are what they do best, and what I strive to create. 

Spring 2012

Hi!  I have created a page tab for my school projects from Spring 2012, it is linked to my Facebook Artist's page where you will be able to see all the process photos as well as the final piece!  This semester I learned and became addicted to silk screen printing, so that was my medium for the past semester.  :D  And there will be more to come this summer!  Keep checking back--I promise to post more often.  Cross my heart.

Winter Break Creations

It was my goal this winter break to make some hands-on, no computers, art pieces. The first week I worked, this broke girl needed to make some money! Yesterday and today I created.

To see the Work In Progress photos click to visit my Facebook page ---> Mary E. Byrd.

Here are the final pieces:

I'm satisfied. I hope you like them. :D

Between Two Lungs

First Gallery Showing

My dear devoted friend Beth Hofmann has started a new acting/art company! Acting Up Productions is run by her, her husband Robert and their friend Brian! They're going to have a Grand Gala Opening on Friday August 12th! You can see all the details and all they have to offer on their website!It's gonna be great! Check it out! LIKE it on Facebook !! Four Square it! They're everywhere!

Fun Accessory!

I finally figured out the Like Button thing on Facebook! SO now, to your right, you will see a facebook box for taking you directly to my Facebook Artist page! Yay! Technology!

Finally...

Got my sketchbook project on here! (more like a photo/sketch book!) SEE SKETCHBOOK PROJECT TAB!

SPRING 2011

Classes start again on Tuesday! I have a painting class (thank goodness, I need it big time!), drawing 2, art history, and history of Rock N Roll! I'm super excited for painting and drawing, it should help me and make me DO more! So expect to see new things! Yay art school!!

Real Estate Online

I've got my name on a bunch of websites online, if you're interested check them out!

Etsy.com: search username veggiedanergirl (need to relist bracelet tho)
deviantArt.com: http://veggiedancergirl.deviantart.com/
Facebook: search Mary E. Byrd

I am having a lot of trouble starting my Sketchbook...hmmm...how to begin.

Sketchbook Project

My advisor at Herron emailed us about this Sketchbook Project on www.arthousecoop.com where you purchase a sketchbook and fill it up and send it back to the Art House people and they take it on a cross-country tour (one stop is in Chicago, I would love to have a group go up and check it out!). I'll be keeping a digital record of my sketchbook, because the original will be on tour, and then on a shelf in Brooklyn, Ny; I'm nervous about it, I like to keep my things I do. But this sounds like great publicity, fantastic practice, a good challenge, inspiring...All those things sound good to me so I'm gonna try it! I received my sketchbook today so I'll be starting soon! It's a really cool project! And I get a 'library card' that will update me anytime someone checks out my book to look at, so that's pretty cool, like my baby, I can check up on it!

Wish me Luck! Maybe I'll be enlightened!

Finished Work

Ok, so "Sketches" has become "Finished work", by request of my dear friend Beth I have taken pictures of my finished work, titled them and dated them!

NEW PAGE!

Ok so I just figured out how to make pages within my blog! Super fun! So check out my "sketches" page!

Off with His Head!

I'll be cutting off Jake's head soon, I've been thinking about what I want to do with it...I'm finding music very inspirational! More to come, I'll update with pictures! I may need to go canvas shopping. (taking a short break from the Andy project...at a point where I'm not sure it's working...may need to stop and go back later)

Art Therapy

alteration 1

alteration 2

alteration 3 (most recent, how it looks right now)

So to try and expel the anger, hurt, disappointment, confusion and greif that has ensued from Andy's disception and finger pointing I have been working on a portrait of Gerald....I've decided that Gerald murdered Andy and so he will now be referred to as "Gerald", a name Andy hated and now I do too. Here is the current progress, but there will be much more to come, this one's gonna take a while.



And cue fire and destruction... sorry it's a blurry picture...more to come...

attempt at water color

This is just all wrong, but it got a little better recently, still looks too cartoonized for my liking.
I added more color, you think this is rough you shoulda seen it before! and it isn't finished, I'm going to add a very Elton John-ish suit/costume

Discarded

A photographic study of a left-behind armchair in a field and playing cards found in the street near the upside-down armchair which I drove by and became inspired...and little creature found a comfy spot...

Double Time

Ok, seeing now that it takes 25 years for oil to dry enough so that I can add on without smearing the first layer, I have decided to have two going at once so I can work on one while the other dries! This is from a picture Charlie took in New York! I'm hoping it works out in the end. If anything, I'm definately learning patience, something I am not good at!! I also bought a new giant drawing pad yesterday at Michaels--40% coupon! So I'll let you know how that goes!

Oil: First attempt

Rough start
I'm just going to keep going...no matter how impossible it seems .

I know it looks like shit, it's very frustrating.