Crystal Studies

Over the past couple nights I've been livestreaming a series of crystal paintings that will be shown this weekend in the Tarot, Mystics and the Occult Show at Light Grey Art Lab. I'm really happy with how they're turning out and I'm really excited to do more!

Here are five of the eight I'm hoping to put in the show. The whole process for putting together this show has been really interesting. It seems my life has taken a turn for the mystical -- in that I've been spending a lot of time researching some of the meanings and symbolism that's come with the project.



While I was visiting my parents this summer I went to a local gem shop and bought this fantastic book filled with gorgeous photos of crystals and rocks of all types. I've always had a fascination with gemstones. Francesca was with me this time and (because of the upcoming exhibition) our gem-radar was on and becoming ever more fine tuned.



As far as I know, people have been using gems for a million and one uses -- besides their symbolic use as birthstones and besides wearing them as jewelry, there's a whole universe of energy, healing and mystery around them.



For the show I've got these studies paired with their healing properties. I'm hoping that we'll all find one that can help us out a little, whether it's for creative, love, energetic, calming purposes or to bless us with successful endeavors.



I'm really looking forward to it. If you have a chance to visit these (and me!) in person this Friday, you should come on over! We're throwing a big party for the reception of the Tarot, Mystics an the Occult Show. It's from 7 - 10pm this Friday, October 26th. Just in time for the holiday.

If you're interested in seeing a livestream of the last two crystals. Here you go!
You can see a little of my process!

Watch live streaming video from paperbicycle at livestream.com

Rose Quartz Livestream

Watch live streaming video from paperbicycle at livestream.com

Lapis Lazuli Livestream

Illustration Bootcamp with Meg Hunt!

So, for the last couple weeks, the amazing Meg Hunt and I have been chatting back and forth trying to get something together for Light Grey Art Lab's travel sessions!

I am SUPER excited to announce that Meg is coming to Minneapolis to teach a two day intensive art workshop called Illustration Bootcamp with Meg Hunt.

Shes got two amazing days planned to help get people inspired, share advice on the business side and the creative side of being a working illustrator, she'll lead some in-studio creative sessions, and we'll be headed to some awesome off-site locations for meet & greets with other professional individuals in the arts as well as a great fieldtrip to Minneapolis's Kerlin Collection - a vault of children's book art that will blow your mind.

This workshop is open to anyone that can make it to Minneapolis! It's $160 for locals, and we have a workshop + hotel package for people coming from far away lands!
I hope you guys can make it! I can't believe it! It should be awesome!

Help us spread the word if you can!

Daily Pattern: Writing Utensils

Even though I'm surrounded by nothing but art for my entire life, it still works out that I can never find the writing utensil or art-making tool when I need it.

If I'm sketching I only have pens and x-acto knives. If I'm need to make a mock-up, I only have pencils. If I just need to jot an important number down, I don't have anything.

Anyway, I started this pattern thinking about these work utensils that have messages about being a working artist written on the side instead of brand names. Unfortunately it became super hard to read at a small size, so I ended up making the type a little bigger and bolder than I was originally planning.





I think if I were to actually use this pattern, I'd take the words out, but hey, they were important to the brainstorm.