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and so now he has a tail.
I'm probably too tired to write coherently about this. The tail is canvas and has a cute little tassel tip. It is sewn in segments so that it curves. To soften the line where the tail joins the pin I added an extra spine piece and two canvas stripes.
When I go back in and redo the paint, the line will fade and blend into the body. There will probably also be more stripes/spots on the final.
The pin has been primed and so now we move on to the color. This year's pin will be an orange-y red sort of color. I used a layers of two different reds and then dry brushed a light orange color on top. The result is below.
The dry brush layer always picks up the scars and imperfections in the pin. I try to leave some of them so that the history of the pin is still visible. Now on to the additions. These are done using a combination of canvas and fabric. One of the questions I am repeatedly asked, is how I get the canvas to match the paint on the bowling pin. That is actually the easiest thing of all- I paint the canvas when I paint the pin. I make sure I use the same paint colors in the same order.
Above are the little canvas "pants" I made for the front feet. The canvas additions are attached to the pin using an acrylic adhesive caulk. Do not fear- the caulk is completely paintable. I will go back in once it dries and paint it to match everything else. I've even learned not to fret about the caulk getting on the sections that are already painted. Its just another surface texture and always ends up looking just fine once its touched up.
I should also mention that I am not much of a seamstress but I try to make my extremely basic skill work for me. The sewing is all done by hand and progresses sloooowllllyyyy. Oh, and the colors in these photos are off. Once the pin is finished there will be actual photos with decent lighting.
Now its time to make a tail.
Remember how I used to actually update this blog? I mean, I've never been a consistent updater but lately I've been extremely neglectful. So to get myself back in the habit I've decided to let everyone follow along with my latest project (or projeckt).
The Pin Projeckt is an annual auction that benefits the Troika Music Festival (http://www.troikamusicfestival.org/#home). Each participating artist is given a retired bowling to transform in any way they like. The pins are then sold in a super fun live auction. If you'd like to see my previous pins click here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/JHooverArtwork/PinProjekt2006?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/JHooverArtwork/PinProjekt2008?feat=directlink
So that brings us to this years pin. I have most of an idea together but I am not sure how it will ultimately work out. With this project in particular, past and present, I rely on Mickey to help with the logistics of getting pin together. Basically, I tell him what I want to do and magically he comes up with a way to do it. Crazy!
So this is the pin as it arrived. I didn't think to document this until we had already made the first cut. There were some extremely deep gouges on the neck that I wasn't quite sure how to deal with. Luckily Mickey had the answer, in epoxy form. I used the epoxy to fill in the holes and then as it was drying I carved away the extra.
I wanted the head re-attached at angle. This was accomplished using dowels and and some wood glue. Next came the legs. This process took a little while and if you want to see more of the pictures, then please click here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gyJvCpr0kC17wlJOOjisvw?feat=directlink
At any rate, here is my base. Next comes priming and figuring out how to make this look like something someone might want to own. In case anyone is wondering, yes I do have a sketch. I have already drifted away from it a bit, but I'll probably scan it soon to share.
Last week Mickey and I made a very last minute decision to attend the New York Beard & Mustache Competition. I was reluctant to go for several reasons having to do with a work overload and feeling that I could use some rest, but the main reason was that it was being held the night of our four year wedding anniversary. Now overall, I have been extremely supportive of beard related endeavors and not very princess-y about wedding stuff (we got married in Vegas after all) but who wants to spend their anniversary in a packed New York bar with a ton of bearded dudes? Apparently I do. In the end I was glad that I went. The competition was a huge success, very very well attended and a ton of fun. Since the on-line registration had filled for the full beard categories before we made our final decision to attend and so Mickey had decided not to compete. A choice I was relieved he made when we arrived I saw that the full beard judging wouldn't begin until 1 am. There are limits to my good nature and my ability to stand on concrete.
Because I left my camera battery at home, I don't have any pictures of this particular event although I am sure I will be able to get some from friends. To appease those that may be dying for more information here are some links. Please take special note of our friend Leon Lutz from Lancaster, PA who won in the sideburns category. He's a fellow Oil City competitor and all around good guy. For those who watched the later parts of the Today Show and the first part of Regis and Kelly, you might have seen him forced to explain on national TV that his full beard was transformed into sideburns about two weeks ago due to a tragic fire pit accident....go ahead laugh, I certainly did. Sorry Leon, I can't help it. Here's to turning tragedy into a rousing success!
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/03/14/2009-03-14_harried_contestants_brush_with_fame_in_n.html
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/around_town/the_scene/Beard_and_Mustache_Bash.html
http://english.ntdtv.com/?c=258&a=8357
I keep meaning to write something about the opening last Saturday but somehow it just didn't happen. I have been busy, I suppose. Grad school stuff had been sadly neglected and I needed to catch up, I also had a real illustration gig (more on that later) that I needed to complete but mainly I just felt too tired and overwhelmed to write about it. But don't let that fool you, the opening was AWESOME! I had a great time. It's always a thrill to see people that I haven't seen for awhile and to meet new people who are enthusiastic about my work. The show will be up until April 26th so if you didn't make it to the opening, swing by and check it out.
Hooray for embedding images!
This weekend involved too many events for me to post about all at once. We started out the weekend attending the Alexandria Beard and Mustache Contest in Alexandria, VA. We had a great time, met some fabulous people and Mickey even won a tiny trophy. You know I thought that I would write more, but I think I'm just a little too brain dead. Instead, enjoy photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/JHooverArtwork/AlexandriaBeardAndMustacheContestMarch2009?feat=directlink
I was having some trouble with my camera taking clear pictures due to the low light. I didn't want to use the flash because of a film crew taping for a student documentary on beard competitions and specifically the beard related enterprises of our friend Matt aka Beardzzz. I kept some of the blurry pics just because I enjoyed the shapes.
For those of you reading this on Facebook, I have also posted a few pics on my profile but they don't seem to be loading correctly. I don't feel like uploading them for the third time so you'll just have to click on the link....
Hello all- By now I hope that all of you have received your 2009 Valentines safe and sound. If you didn't send me your address before, I still have a few Valentines leftover so it's not too late to get yours before they are gone.
As I mentioned in my previous Valentine email, I am having a solo show opening in just under TWO WEEKS at Minas Gallery & Boutique, http://www.minasgalleryandboutique.com/
The details:
They Don't Often Bite: Drawings and Prints by Jodi Hoover March 7th - April 26th, 2009
Opening- Saturday, March 7th 6-9 pm
Minas Gallery & Boutique 815 W. 36th St. Baltimore, MD 21211
I will be showing some new drawings and prints as well as some (slightly) older work, some of which, I have not shown for awhile. Since I broke my leg in July, I've had to re-work and re-think how I work in my studio. Basically, I have not been able to sit on the floor and work, which is how I usually produce the larger ink drawings. So I have been working smaller and with more detail than I have in the past. Showing these drawings with the others will more clearly express how I think about my drawings and my work as a whole. This show will have a wide range of Jodi stuff in a variety of price ranges. In other words, art for all budgets!
For those that will not be able to make it to the show, I will be posting images either just before or just after the show opens here: http://picasaweb.google.com/JHooverArtwork I'll also post a link in the NEWS section of my site.
After this show, I have a pretty open schedule art-wise and I'm hoping to keep it that way for a bit. Mainly because I need to finish grad school without going crazy but also so that I can take the time to work on some larger book and printing projects. Don't worry, I won't disappear completely but I will be taking a break from the drawings.
As usual, those who are on my mailing list will be receiving postcards the show soon. For those who I am in contact with via a variety of electronic means, I am sorry for the multiple times you will be invited to this show.
I hope to see many of you at the opening!
Jodi Hoover www.jodihoover.com
http://www.new.facebook.com/editaccount.php?networks#/profile.php?id=1216972742&ref=name (now also on Facebook, except I don't know how to make a neat little link to my account like on myspace......so many ways to be my electronic friend!)
http://www.myspace.com/jodihoover
PS- For those who have been keeping up with Mickey's beard competition activities, on March 6th we will be here: http://www.waterfrontgourmet.com/ in Alexandria, VA for the Alexandria Beard and Mustache Competition. "Attitude adjustment" begins at 6:30 pm and the contest starts at 8!
Hello all- It's that time of year again! Time for my annual Valentine sending/mailing list clean-up. For those of you who are new to my email list, blog or social networking endeavors - allow me to explain.
For whatever reason, I am never able to get myself organized and together enough in December to mail holiday cards. I love getting things in the mail and I love mailing things so just ignoring the tradition was not an option I could be happy with. A few years ago I decided that I would and could send Valentines. I almost went with Groundhog's Day, but let's face it- there are only so many ways to draw a groundhog.
Besides pleasing people on my mailing list, the Valentine mailing allows me to keep my mailing list current. If the Valentines make their way back to me then I can delete that person from the list and not waste any more postage sending postcards and such out into nothing.
So if you are on my mailing list you get a hand printed, limited edition, signed Valentine. It's just that simple. How can you tell if you are on the list? If you received a postcard with information about my show in October then you are on the list. Unless you have moved between then and now. In that case, you should send me your new info. If you did not get a postcard then I don't have your snail mail info. If you would like to be added then please send your info my way. Just to be super duper clear, anyone can be on the list. It doesn't really matter how you know me, if you can read this and are interested, I will send you a Valentine.
But wait! There's more! Are you missing the previous monster Valentines? Perhaps you would like to share them with other monster appreciators. Monster Valentine cards sets now available here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5376389 or just click on the handy SHOP link on my website.
Save the date: Saturday, March 7th my solo show at Minas in Baltimore will be opening. There will be new drawings, new prints and most importantly-cheese cubes. Detailed information will make its way to you very soon.
Thanks to you all and I hope to hear from you soon,
Jodi Hoover
www.jodihoover.com
PS- Here's a picture of the Valentine prints on the drying rack. Stage one of production is complete!
My friend Lisa wrote this really balanced and thoughtful article about the current conflict between Gaza and Israel. If you get a chance please read it. http://www.commongroundnews.org/article.php?id=24656&lan=en&sid=1&sp=0&isNew=1
I just figured out that I can play my Pandora radio station on my iPhone. Which means I can play it in my car. wheeee--AT&T network, prepare to be tested! In other news, I'm working on two new drawings that are coming along pretty well. The screen printed elements are combining with the overall drawing in a way that I really like. I've had variations of these drawings in my head for so long it's a huge relief to finally be working on them. I still can't work as long as I would like to before my leg starts to bother me but I'm feeling much better overall. Its tempting to ignore the holidays altogether so that I can take full advantage of the break between semesters to spend all my free time in the studio but I suppose that's too grinchy even for me.
My contribution to the family (Mickey's) Thanksgiving dinner is dessert. The dessert is supposed to be in pie form but not pumpkin because apparently I'm the only one that likes pumpkin pie. Now while I am perfectly capable of making a pie, I don't really enjoy it and I don't have the time so this evening I went to the PA Dutch Market (http://www.padutchmarket.com/indexc.html) near my house. Although I hate grocery stores, I love the Dutch Market. The shoefly pie,tapioca pudding, chow chow, whoopie pies and way too many kinds of pretzels all make me miss my grandmother and make me slightly homesick for Lancaster, PA despite the fact that I've never lived there. The pie buying expedition was more than successful. I traveled home with an apple pie, half a red velvet cake and a very tiny pumpkin pie.
In other non-food news, I've been prepping screens and images so that I can pull some prints later on this weekend. For the show this spring I want to work on a series that combines photographic images with my drawings. It feels good to be in the shop again. I can finally stand for long enough to accomplish things. Hooray! I'll post images of the new drawings as soon as they are far enough along to allow such things.
This weekend I will also be writing a paper about the importance of Deed of Gift letters in dealing with the legal issues surrounding materials donated to archives. But I'm pretty sure no one wants to hear more about that....
Remember how I said I would post pictures of stretching the big drawing and then I never followed through? Well finally here it is for those that are interested. In a perfect world I would have had someone else taking pictures of stretching the drawing but I didn't really want to be in the photos nor did I feel like talking Mickey into taking them. The results are slightly less than informative but you should be able to get the general idea.
You'll also note that I have finally watermarked the final images of drawings and such that I have online. I should have been doing it for awhile but it seemed too complicated and so I ignored the potential problems. However, I ran across a great program a few weeks ago that made watermarking a breeze. For more information visit here: http://www.scriptsoftware.com/iwatermark/ It only cost 20 bucks and was super simple to use.
In other news, Friday was my last day of physical therapy! Hooray! I will miss the people though. PT became my default social outlet for awhile. Mainly because I couldn't really get anywhere else. Overall it was a great experience and I would be in sad, sad shape without them.
At work yesterday this memo arrived in my in box. It went out from the President's office to all faculty and staff. Ignoring the creative spelling, doesn't it seem like there could be a less creepy way to phrase this? My inner librarian is shrieking about all sorts of privacy issues......
Re: Impact of Economy on Students and Families
In my recent memos to you about the economy, I mentioned that I was concerned about the way the economy would affect our students and their families. Recently, I have heard anticdotally that this has started to happen.
If students mention to you that they are considering transferring because of these issues, I hope you will do two things:
1. Encourage students to talk with D Prn, Director of Financial Aid
2. Personally send an email to D at ------------ with the students name so she can follow up.
We are committed to try to help these students and can’t do this if we don’t know there is an issue.
Okay, I can't ignore the spelling. As a terrible speller, I know there is an email function that automatically checks such things before they are sent. Why oh why wasn't it used?
We had a great time in Oil City this weekend. The rain cleared away and the event ended up going really well. We met some really amazing good people that we hope to see again soon. People traveled from Lancaster, Philadelphia and even Michigan to be there. I posted the photos here: http://picasaweb.google.com/JHooverArtwork/PABeardMustacheChampionshipsOctober2008?pli=1#
Mickey did not win but his picture did make it to the front page of the local paper! Ok so it was a group shot but still, front page of the paper. In Baltimore you usually have to commit a horrible crime to make front page news.
Oil City the town was extremely charming. I have gotten used to being somewhat anonymous in my urban surroundings, so it was strange to be somewhere where people could immediately identify you as an outsider. There were a couple moments of uncomfortable staring and one almost bar fight (we thankfully had just left) but overall people were super nice. Confused that people were willing to travel to participate in a beard competition, but nice.
Three cheers for Dave Grams for organizing the event (http://usabeard.blogspot.com/2008/09/oil-city-publicity.html). We are hoping to return in 2009.
This weekend Mickey and I are in Oil City, PA to attend the PA Beard and Mustache Championships. The drive up took about 6 hours mainly because 83 was closed completely just south of Harrisburg. Everyone was funneled off and left with no directions or detour options. I think our next technology purchase will be a GPS unit of some sort. So this morning is super rainy but it looks like it will taper off soon. Out hotel is adjacent to the park where the festival and competition will be taking place. It also overlooks the Allegheny River and beautiful mountains. We already met Dave the organizer and several over competitors. It seems like it's going to be a fun weekend. Later there will be a KISS tribute band and drink specials at a local bar. Apparently the local tattoo shop is giving discount tats to beard and mustache participants....
I will update with pics and results later!
The show is up and opens tonight. The show looks great and I'm really excited about it . I'll post pictures and such later on but for now here's one of the drawings that will be there-
I also stretched the big drawing and I have some photos of the process that I will also post sometime soon.
Hello all-
Please consider this your official invite to my upcoming show at the Brewer's Art! This year's format is a bit different. I invited two other fabulous artists to show with me and I think the combination of work is going to be outstanding.
The facts:
Adrienne Figus (www.robotslovedinosaurs.com)
S. Philip G. (www.spgville.com)
Jodi Hoover (www.jodihoover.com)
October 20th - November 16th, 2008
The Brewer's Art (www.thebrewersart.com)
1106 N. Charles St.
Upstairs back dining room
OPENING: Monday, October 20th 6-9 pm
If you are on my snail mail list, the postcards went out yesterday so expect them to arrive soon! This will also be my last show at the Brewer's Art, at least for awhile. I love the space and I love the people but I think it's time to give up the yearly slot. So hopefully I will see many of you at the opening and we'll raise a plate of rosemary garlic fries to the ever fabulous Brewer's Art.
In other news, as some of you know and others can read about in the NEWS section of my site, I spent an unexpected stretch of time stuck in the house this summer. However, I finally had time to completely organize all my digital files. How does this benefit you? Well I am now offering high quality digital reproduction of some of my work on my Etsy shop.
Basically, no artwork leaves my house without being documented in photo form. This means I have a tremendous archive of digital images. I recently had time to make sure these images were properly saved, in correct formats and to play around with different manners of reproduction. I decided to start with reproductions of some of the tiny paintings I produced for the Artomat project (www.artomat.org) and more recently for sale at the Minas Gallery in Hampden (www.minasgalleryandboutique.com).
I love the way these turned out. At 5x7 they are larger than the originals but are every bit as charming. Check them out using the handy new SHOP link on my website (thank you Eric). You may either purchase them through the site or contact me directly.
I also will freely admit that the idea for these came about through a conversation with Paul Friedrich, who's artwork you should check out. The MERCH link on his site appears not to be working, so here's a direct link to his Etsy shop, http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5901208
Until then,
Jodi Hoover
www.jodihoover.com
Life with a broken leg is going as well as can be expected. I've gone back to work and even back to school in College Park. Mainly, I'm tired of being slow. I've been back in the studio a little bit this week and that has brightened my outlook quite a bit.
In more exciting news, Mickey is now an official member of Beard Team USA!
He will be competing in the World Beard and Mustache Championships in Anchorage Alaska in May of 2009. He's been growing his beard out since October of last year but delayed joining the team because he was worried about making it through the summer. For more information about the contest and it's history visit: www.worldbeardchampionships.com/
I can't tell you how excited I am about the contest and my Alaskan vacation. The people involved with the competition seem really nice and it seems like it will be an amazing event. There's even a Parade of Beards! Last year the competition was held in Brighton, England and here is video footage of the parade. It involves costumes and dancing......it may have changed my life.
For more beard related fun check out The Beards, a band from Australia. They sing songs about beards for people with beards (and I suppose for beard enthusiasts as well.) www.myspace.com/thebeardsclub They will be playing in Anchorage and I must say, I'm looking forward to it.
Enjoy the bearded fun and I'll keep everyone up to date on Mickey's progress.
Mickey and I set out on July 6th for our NC beach vacation and motorcycle road trip. The first part of the trip was great. We had perfect riding weather and no traffic issues. We spent the first night with my sister and then headed to beautiful Atlantic Beach where my Mom and step-father have a timeshare. After three days there we packed up the bikes again and headed to Winston-Salem. We stopped in Raleigh to have lunch with a friend of mine and thats where the whole trip took an unexpected and painful turn.
I completely mis-judged a turn in a parking garage, hit the throttle when I should have hit the brake and slammed into a concrete wall. It was completely un-glamorous and completely rider error. My knee hit a curb when the bike went down and I broke my upper tibia in four places. The good news is that because of having good riding gear that is my only injury. The bad news is that it is a hell of an injury and required surgery.
I won't go into my NC hospital adventure except to say that overall I can recommend Wake Medical Center as a pretty good place to be injured. Oh, and that ambulances don't fit into parking garages and that presents several special problems that can significantly delay the arrival of EMS.
Having a motorcycle related injury is sort of a weird experience. Number one, I'm pretty embarrassed about how it happened. I feel like I'm a much better rider than that and hate that I made such a dumb mistake. The weirdest thing is telling people how you got hurt. As soon as you say "motorcycle accident" people get a funny expression on their face and you can almost hear the "What do you expect since you're involved in such a dangerous activity.." in their voice. I suppose that's fair enough and the chances of you being injured on a bike are greater, but it's an uncomfortable feeling nonetheless.
And so friends and neighbors, I will be spending the rest of the summer and a bit of the fall on crutches, wearing a fashionable leg brace. I had to drop my summer class and I'm a little worried about keeping up with my other art related commitments but I'm optimistic or perhaps that's the narcotics talking.....
