Dragon Con withdrawals

Sorry it took me so long to blog about Dragon Con, there is always so much stuff to catch up on after a long vacation.
Well I’m glad to report that Dragon Con went smoothly. A great deal less hectic then last year. I think it went really well. I sold some prints and a bunch of my Myxies found new homes along with there dragon pals. The trading cards I was working on are all gone now so I’m probably going to start doing those every year, people seem to really like them. Also I was extremely excited to sell a painting and a scratch board in my gallery. YAY!
As always I met a barrage of interesting people. The artists that attend D-Con are always generous folks that willingly give me all kinds of advise. So are the people that stop by my booth, I seem to have the most colorful conversations with them. As always thank you to everyone that stopped by to see me. I got a lot of feedback that was greatly appreciated.
While I was there a met a few ladies that run FroliCon an adult SiFi Convention that is held every Easter weekend. http://frolicon.net/default.aspx They really enjoyed my work and they asked me if I would be interested in doing the concept art for their 3rd year. It’s so exciting so I’ll let you know how that goes. I also got to met a talented artist Peter Steigerwald who works for Aspen Comics. He gave me some advise and tips on my art, I’ll admit I went a little fan crazy on him. There was some nerd-dom…it was embarrassing. :P
All in all my 2nd year at Dragon Con was a success I think so I will definitely be signing up for it next year.

Thanks everyone!
Caralyn

It's GO TIME!

Wow Dragon Con is only a few days away. It is going to be very exciting this year. I have a Ton of new stuff. I have done about 20 new pictures that will be for sale in the Art Gallery. They are all original paintings and scratch art. I also have brand new Myxies for the auction. Including a few “special” sculptures like a Centaur and Harpy. I’ve got some prints of my newest PhotoShop pictures that I have been blogging about, they will be at my table along with new dragon sculptures. I’m a little nervous this only being my second year in the Dragon Con art show but I’m really excited to see the turn out. I’ve been working really hard to get everything prepared and now It’s GO TIME :P
It would be super awesome if you all came by to check out my booth…or just to say HI, I will be there for 4 DAYS so you can stop by to see how I’m holding up :) Thanks to all of you who take the time to read my crazy blogs and I hope to see you all at the D-CON!!!
http://www.dragoncon.org/index.php

P.S. I’ll be out of town for about a week and before that I don’t think I’ll have much access to a computer so it’ll be a little while before you hear from me again…I know it’s heartbreaking :P but I will tell you all about it when I get back. Wish me Luck!

Have a great week Everyone!
~Caralyn

It was Summery AND Shady at Grant Park!

Well I’m back from my weekend at Summer Shade and I’m in one piece. YAY! It wasn’t a bad show despite the sky falling. It rained almost the entire time Sunday! So of course the turn out wasn’t as big as expected but surprisingly there were a few brave souls that battled the rain to look at some art. Thank you folks for being as crazy and as wet as I was this weekend :)
Saturday was LOVELY however. Nice and cool, sunny but not the “Good God my skin is burning” kind of sunny…the nice kind.
We had a pretty good conglomeration of peoples. Both buyers and potential buyers…they are gonna buy they just don’t know it yet…but the Myxies will call to them…Oh yes my darlings just you wait…..ANYway, I was nervous about two big shows back to back but this weekend went well so I’m gung ho (whatever that means) and ready for Dragon Con…maybe.
Well thanks everyone that stopped by to see me and I’ll see you next weekend!

Tootles!
~Caralyn

Working Like a Dawg

I’m actually almost done with everything I had to do for Dragon Con. I’m finishing up the little dragons, I only have about 7 more to go…and they don’t take long…and after that I won’t be doing anymore art until Dragon Con is over.
I have frames for everything now and I’m working on hanging them. My sister has generously volunteered to make a special frame for one of my larger paintings. The painting is my rendition of Alice in Wonderland so the frame is going to be made out of playing cards…Cool huh? I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Other then the framing I will be matting some of my prints to sell and updating my portfolio. I have only two weeks before the Con so I’m hustling to make sure everything is ready not to mention getting ready for a two day show the weekend before Dragon Con…what was I thinking scheduling them so close…Oh well. The Show is Summer Shade festival in Grant park. I will be selling Myxies and prints so you should all stop by to see me :)
http://gpconservancy.org/summershade

Anyway I gotta get back to work…I’ll try and post again before D-Con so check back.
~Caralyn

Exclusive You Say...Sounds Important

Hello Friends!
I have alot of ideas for new art that I want to get done but right now I have absolutly no time to go finding new projects to add to my list. I'm still going crazy trying to get ready for Dragon Con though my list is starting to get smaller and smaller...but there is one extra thing I desided to do for the Con...but it's just something small that I thought would be neat. I found these fun little canvases...yeah they are like trading cards but you paint them yourself. Cool huh! So I got 10 of the little buggahs and I'm making some special "con exclusive" drawings. They are coming along nicly and todays was exspecialy fun to draw that is why I wanted to share it with you. I thought it was cute.
Oh and don't worry about me not having enough time to finish my new pictures...I'm doing them while I am bored at work...so I have plenty of time :P
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1474921&imageID=30905807

Getting really close to D-Con but I'll keep trying to post updates of my work.

Tootles
~Caralyn

The Headache of the Week

Man, Dragon Con snuck up on me…I was thinking I had plenty of time and then BOOM it hits me that it is only a month away. I still have so much I need to get done before the show. I’m sure I’ll have time I just HATE running crazy the last minute. I was hoping to have everything done at least a month before. Alas it never goes as smoothly as I plan.
The headache of this week is trying to get frames for the art I am hanging in the Gallery. I have gone to numerous stores looking for the right frames for each piece…the problem is some of my art is not a traditional size so frames are almost impossible to find. You have to have them custom made and that can take awhile and as I said I’M RUNNING OUT OF TIME! I know, I know, I should’ve started earlier well…one like I said I thought I had more time and two I come from a long line of procrastinators…it’s in my blood, not my fault. So the race is on, I’m scrambling to get this stuff done while finishing my art and working full time. Good Lord I need a vacation. But underneath all the stress I’m super excited about the Con this year. I have bunches of new art for the Gallery and PrintShop. Also have an auction table this year for a few special sculptures. And since I did it last year I will know a little more of what to expect so it’s not so stressful. But it’s still crunch time so I will get back to haphazardly preparing for Dragon Con.
Keep checking my blog for updates of my work and my stress level :P

~Caralyn

Please Help the Fight

I’m sure your life has been affected by Breast Cancer or you know someone who has. To help the fight, I am having a charity auction to raise money for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.
In honor of a very strong women Phyllis French, that lost her battle to breast cancer earlier this year. Her daughter Holly is trying to raise money to walk the 3-day this year... every bit counts. 100% of the proceeds from this auction will go to Holly French Smith to help in her walk.
In support of Holly and her journey, I have designed a one of a kind Myxie sculpture in memory of Phyllis. Her name is Hope, and she wears an outfit of pink ribbons. Additionally, we will match the winning bid dollar for dollar up to $250 dollars. Please take a look and whatever you can give is greatly appreciated.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140336815061

If you want to sponsor Holly French directly, go here...

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/AtlantaEvent2009?px=1551061&pg=personal&fr_id=1291


Thank you for your Support.
~Caralyn

The Steps of Myxie Making

Good Day all,
I am steadily working on new Myxies for the up coming SiFi Convention Dragon Con. I have already got a few completely sculpted and baked and just have a couple more to finish. While I’m working on them I thought you all might enjoy seeing how my little creations get made.
I start off with a long piece of craft wire. I then twist the wire in certain places where it needs to be more sturdy such as the upper arms, legs and the torso. Then I cover the wire with polymer Clay around the torso and thighs and mold it in the shape I want. Using rubber tipped tools I sculpt the details before adding the legs and arms.
I then sculpt the feet separate and slide them on the wire. After the feet are attached I CAREFULLY bend the whole thing to the position I want. I left out the steps where I mess up and yell and whine profusely….but that is a major step in making a Myxie :P
There are a few more steps before it is complete but I will post them later. For now here are a few photos to show you what I’m talking about.

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1828666&imageID=30553563

Thanks for looking, keep checking my blog for more updates on my Myxies.

~Caralyn

I'm Myxielicious!

Hey!
So I finished the paintings I was working on for Dragon Con and have started on brand new Myxies. It has been about 6 months since I have scultped anything so I'm feeling a little rusty. The 1st one I worked on took me 6 hours to sculpt compared to my normal 4-5. Also I find myself having to start over a bit more then normal. But I have only finished a few, I plan to make at least 12 to 15 in all so I will have plenty of time to pratice. But I'm not just going to make my traditional Myxies the goal is to have a large verity of mythical creatures to sell at D-Con. I plan to make a few pans, mermaids and maybe something new that I haven't tried before like a Centaur. I don't know how well it will work out yet and it depends on how much time I have.
I have been taking a few photos while I sculpt my Myxies that I was planning to post for you all, but alas my computer is still acting crazy so no photos today.
Keep checking my blog for updates on what I'm working on for Dragon Con.

Tootles!
~Caralyn

The Quest Begins

I’m FINISHED! I’m finally done with my Fantasy Painting. I filled in the hair and eyes of all the creatures and darkened the lines and shadowing. I used mostly acrylic paints and painting took me about sixteen hours. My goodness what a chore :) I have named it “The Quest Begins”…I know what you are thinking…that’s the best name ever...you don’t have to tell me :P
Well here it is, let me know what you think.
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=201883352&albumID=1828666&imageID=30074530

I am now going to get started on new Myxies, I will try and keep you updated on how it’s going and maybe post a few progress photos, so keep checking my blog.

Have a great day!
~Caralyn