Ali J Art & Illustration

365 Day Project - Day 162

Wow, I can't believe I'm already 162 days into my "365 day project".  It's been 105 days since I last blogged about what I've been up to with my business so I thought it was time for a bit of a round up.

Business Update

Christmas orders have started to flood in, so I'm on overdrive at the moment.  Luckily I'm now 5 months pregnant (as of this Saturday) so my energy levels have returned enough to cope with it all.

I'm working on a whole range of different projects at the moment, all with rush deadlines, all due to be completed within the next 2-4 weeks.  The great thing is that now I'm getting a whole variety of projects to work on and keep driving my illustrations to the next level. 

When I think of client jobs I will admit I do have a bit of a chuckle.  Just after I started illustrating back in 2007 I applied to various illustration agencies at the time and was told that they couldn't take me on because they didn't think I'd be able to get client jobs.  Well Mr Agencies.... look at me now!   I absolutely love client jobs/commissions.  (BTW - Applying to illustration agencies is once again in my future sights, but I've decided I'm going to wait for the baby to come first)

So.... I'm currently working on the following projects -

• CD Design
• Poster design for a series of community art courses
• Commissioned painting for a wedding gift
• 3 x character illustrations for a lifestyle website
• 3 x dating illustrations for a dating website
• wholesale orders
• proper multiple page spread & interview for a major magazine (eep!)
• graduation show

+ more jobs not yet finalised.....

I am a little bit panicked at being so busy during peak market season, I think I've got 12+ markets before January already!  I don't want to cut back on them though as this will be the last few months I'm going to do markets for a significant period of time.  Our aim is to earn as much as we can through the business so we can put as much $$ aside as possible for the baby.

My aim for the next few weeks is just to work, work, work and keep the flow going.  I've got so many plans for the future but until I know where life is heading, I don't want to overplan the business.

But great news - I've been accepted into the Life In Style trade show next year!!  My first trade show, and I'm super excited.  =)

Life Update

In 5 weeks time both myself and Mr R graduate from our studies.  Hooray!  Our plan once that has finished is to take a few days off housesitting to recharge before throwing ourselves into work again.

The downfall is that because our studies finish, so does our financial support from the government.  I won't be able to get help again until I give birth, Mr R's income from the army stops as well (they go on holiday) so it will be an interesting time relying completely on me and the magical artwork I can create.  He's applying for jobs in the interim period, but no-one seems to want to hire anyone right now.

We have our 20 week ultrasound booked for next week that we are SO excited about.  I can't believe we are already 1/2 way through the pregnancy.  Oh, speaking of halfway Mr R and I have our 6 month anniversary on Thursday night.  We are going to go out for a meal, so exciting!

We're just impatiently waiting now to discover if Mr R has a job teaching next year, and where that may be.  As soon as we find that out we'll organise a house, move into it, then set ourselves up.  I'm hoping that can be done in January as I'm not keen to move during the hottest month of the year - February where temperatures often sit at 40 degrees+.  Yuck!

Pregnancy wise everything is going great.  I have very little problems, just little niggly things that remind me of what I'm going through.  I feel like a dried out shell everynight.  I can't drink enough water and my skin, mouth and nose are bone dry.  I'm affected quite badly by hayfever at the moment, first time in my life.  My record of sneezing so far has been 21 sneezes in a row!  Other then that I've been keeping my fitness up by both walking and swimming - sometimes laps in the pool, other days in pregnancy fitness classes.  I really really miss exercising stronger, and I've been aching to run up and down sand dunes.  Of course I can't, so I'll just have to wait a bit longer.  Oh, and I've started to waddle.  But don't stare!  LOL

Last of all, I just wanted to share a sneek peek with you about an upcoming exhibition I've got one work in.  I really wanted to do more works for it, but had a reality check that time just isn't on my side.  This exhibition revolves around fairytales.  The story I was given is "Puss In Boots".  So here is a sneak peek.... when the exhibition opens I'll show you the full image and the story behind it.

Sneak Peek - "A Gift For The King"

Here is the exhibition poster.  It's been getting a lot of press, and it has been so exciting to see my name everywhere (including a mention in the latest Frankie magazine!)

So I hope your day has been going well.  Hopefully I can pop back onto here quicker next time with plenty of new things to finally share!

My first auction!

Last week I attended the Central TAFE art auction for college.  Whilst I've had my work in auctions before, I've never been in attendance on the night.  It certainly was a scarey experience!  Thankfully I had Mr R and Lauren by my side all night for support.  Thankyou to you both!  xox

My work sold, and I was very happy with the outcome.  =)  Here are some pics of the night -



the artwork goes up on the wall......



the room starts to fill up.....



oooh, look - here is mine!  =)  (thanks to Lauren for the great photo!)

Customized Notebook

Just finished customizing a notebook for an upcoming exhibition -

In the original plastic wrap

The full spread when you fold the cover out.

I'm not quite sure what was going on with this work, I haven't been able to figure out the hidden meanings of it.  I just kind of drew and let my hands do the talking.  My head is full of clutter and stress which I'll chat about later.

A hiccup of sorts

Sometimes we create things that never see the light of day......

and yes sometimes we even fail.

I was asked a few weeks ago to customize some products for an upcoming exhibition in Perth.  I finished them, delivered them, then went away on my holiday.  Unfortunately I had some bad news when I returned.  The paint that I used for the products didn't adhere to the surface enough, and had started to come off (even when sealed).  Which I'm totally distraught about.

So now I feel awful, and really guilty about it, and I try to remind myself that I'm human and sometimes things go wrong - but I still feel bad that these items have had to be withdrawn from the exhibition because they are so fragile.

So whilst you'll never get to see these items in real life, at least you can see the photos of them.  Not quite the same, but I guess I have to make a 'positive' out of this experience somehow?

The theme for the exhibition was "Winter".  I was given an alarm clock and a bottle with an open brief.  When I think of winter I think of snow and ice which is funny because we don't have  much of that here in Perth (and I've never seen snow!).  So I decided to illustrate a nomadic story.  A scene of two girls escaping on whale back with their pet penguin as the ice of the seas melted - a futuristic winter where it is warm everywhere and they try desperately to save the last cold part of the world. 


Moving their igloo home to colder waters......


and then moving the ice to join it......



I'm going to have a customized notebook in this exhibition (image coming in a few days), but unfortunately these products won't be in it.  =(  It has certainly been a learning experience and I'm so graciously thankful to the organisers for their understanding!

Famous When Dead Gallery

Just a reminder.  I've got 3 x artworks in a group exhibition in Melbourne that opened on Friday night.

"The Essence of Pleasure"
25th June - 12th July

Famous When Dead Gallery

207 Victoria Street
West Melbourne 3003 Australia

The photo is of two of the artworks in the exhibition, I wish I could be there.  They look amazing!

I Am An Endangered Species

 I'm happy to introduce to you the last new painting  for the upcoming group show "The Essence of Pleasure" at the Famous When Dead gallery in Melbourne.



"I Am An Endangered Species"
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x 60cm x 4cm

Who Is The Hunter Now?

I'm excited to reveal yet another new artwork.  This is  for the upcoming group show "The Essence of Pleasure" at the Famous When Dead gallery in Melbourne.   (There will be three works in total)



"Who Is The Hunter Now?"
Acrylic on canvas
50cm x 60cm x 4cm

Group Show = Picture This

I've got a work in a group show in Joondalup, officially opening tomorrow (Friday) the 11th of June.

9/June - 21/June "Picture This" Blender Gallery, Perth, Australia

This artwork was the one I dropped off on Monday night, just on time.  I 'babysat' the gallery tonight, and to my ultra surprise the first artwork you see when you walk in the door is mine!!!!





(sorry about the slight glare from the camera flash!)



I couldn't truly capture the colours, they are a bit more vivid.  It is always hard to take photographs at night!  This second photo is more true to the actual painting.

"A Breath of Fresh Air"
mixed media on canvas
76.5cm x 61.5cm x 4cm

I know people always want to know about each painting, the whole story behind it.  However I like to leave a lot of the interpretation up to the viewer.  Have a go at working out what the story is.

The Essence Of Pleasure Group Show

Flyer for the upcoming group show that I'm totally panicking about.  I've got a 3m x 3m space to fill and I get to have the fun of shipping all my artwork over to Melbourne.  =)  I won't be there personally, but hope you can make it (and send me lots of pics!!)

Love is My Velocity Exhibition

On Friday night the Love Is My Velocity cookbook was launched.  I couldn't make it to the opening night, so popped in today to check out the exhibition.

It was okay.  One thing I have a concern with in general is the lack of good exhibition space for upcoming artists here in Perth.  This venue the exhibition is in has been used a number of times for various 'emerging' shows, but doesn't always do the artwork justice.  I don't know how to find a new venue though, but it is something I'm keeping an eye out for the future when I put some of my own curating plans into action.

I was a bit disappointed with this exhibition - primarily in regards to pricing.  So many artworks were ridiculously cheap $40  - $60.... it really devalues the other artwork in there by actual established artists.  I can understand that sometimes people just want to create art for the fun of it..... but I can't survive on $1 an hour for my work, I have to pay bills and eat food too.  :)

Anyway, the exhibition is on for a few more weeks.  Go check it out, there are some very talented people in there.  Don't forget to make a comment of how ridiculously cheap their work is. 

8/May - 20/May

"Love is My Velocity Cookbook II"

214 William St, Northbridge, Perth, Australia

Love Is My Velocity Cookbook Launch

not long now until the cookbook launch for Love Is My Velocity.  I'm peachy keen to see how my illustration in the book turns out.  Will take some photos when I get my hands on a copy.

opening night for dRaw

 On Wednesday night myself, Niina and my best friend Claire went along to the opening of the group exhibition dRaw that I had a few pieces in.

It is really weird when it comes to being myself in real life.  I find that all these openings I keep going to... well.... it is just like being back at school because I just don't fit in.  I'm just not cool enough, I feel an art outcast.  I'll admit a lot of it is my own fault because I'm kind of shy & reserved, but at the same time it would be nice to let myself go and just chat to others.

My aim was to go to the opening night, then the VIP party afterwards but I admit that I chickened out.  The room was packed, hot and noisy, and in the end we ducked off down the road to The Moon for a drink & some dinner.  (which was delicious BTW!)  I do feel a little bad that I didn't stay longer or go to the after party but at the same time I feel like that dorky child on the school yard that no-one wants to play with.  Perth can be a very small place sometimes and I'll admit that I don't know enough people yet, or well enough, to be able to join these secret circles.  I feel like such a beginner and not quite good enough.  Oh how I want to be part of one of these circles!  Just once.....  I don't know why but I have this secret desire to know that someone might like me & that another illustrator/artist might admire my work in some way.  Silly huh?  Just goes to show how much more I still need to grow up.

Good thing is that I'm inspired to create new work that is a little bit different, a little looser, a little more raw, a little edgier, and with a lot more of me in it.  It's given me heart to really push my  potential that little bit further.

Now I just have to find the time for my work to truly bloom!

Here are a couple of photos from the opening -

packed room (only about 1/4 of the crowd I could get in the shot)



My work.  Which I've been told by my lovely friends is too small and I should work bigger.  =)  I agree.



A print of one of my works besides a print of Jodee Knowles.

drumroll for dRaw exhibition

I have a group exhibition opening this week.  I'm very excited.  :)



dRaw exhibition

15th April - 1st May

214 William St, Northbridge

11am - 6pm daily

free entry

Opening Night - 15th April, 6.30pm, $10 entry (pick up the free arterial exhibition mag and then grab some Coopers beer or Madfish wine!)

check out the website or facebook event page  for more info

I've got four artworks in the exhibition.  All are available for sale at the event, and limited edition prints of each (5 I think) will be available.  I've also got a bit about me in their magazine which is being released on the night.

 

"Beauty Is My Middle Name"

14.9cm x 21.9cm

Mixed Media on paper - Ink, collage, marker, graphite, pencil, acrylic

2009

 

"The Next Brad Pitt"

14.9cm x 21.9cm

Mixed Media on paper - Acrylic, graphite, marker, ink, collage, acrylic

2009

 

"An Honest Portrait"

14.9cm x 22.1cm

Mixed Media on paper - Ink, graphite, collage, marker, coloured pencil

2009

"Escaping For A Few Hours"

29.6cm x 42cm

Mixed Media on paper - ink, marker, coloured pencil, acrylic

2009

"Charisma" by Megan Isabella

This week I popped down to a delightful exhibition at Keith and Lottie (276 William St, Northbridge) called "Charisma" by Megan Isabella.  Megan and I first met through myspace in 2007 just after I had started doing what I do.  She went overseas for a few months and then upon her return went to study Graphic Design at college, where she currently is now.  We've helped eachother out with bits and pieces over the years, and it is great to see her work change and grow.  It's also great to see another Perth artist finding her feet!

If you get a chance, pop in and see her work. 

"Charisma is the fist solo exhibition for Perth illustrator Megan Isabella. Charisma is a collection of illustrations revealing Megan's fascination with people and their ability to charm and allure.  Open now until the 17th of April."





I wish I could have bought one of her large prints because I just adore them!

an update on the Mentoring for National Youth Week

I mentioned last week about Amy Church, the young emerging illustrator I've been mentoring in a program for PropelArts, Beyond Blue and National Youth Week.  Well the exhibition just finished and I'm like a clucky proud mum.  :)  I'm really happy with what she exhibited!  It is just unfortunate the space was so small and she didn't have a wall or partition she could have pinned her work up on.  It is just so beautiful and passionate and raw!  Her imagery is strong and has a definite style.  I look forward to what she creates in the future and I love that she creates it out of necessity to function.

Sorry I couldn't get a proper picture of the final work.  She was setup right next to a TV crew, and I had to ask super politely for them to move just so I could get this photograph at least.  :)