Kelly Howlett

new sketch

2009-11-22T06:41:04Z

It's hard to believe the semester will be over in less than a month. I still have a few papers to write, but no scary finals to worry about. I'm trying to plan out a schedule to get more work done this spring so I can finally do a few shows.

The sketch above is for an order I'm mailing out. It's going to a very good home.

new studio and imac coming next week

2009-07-26T23:46:41Z

I'm very excited that I'll have a new place to work and a new iMac next week. My old iMac won't turn on anymore, but I'm pretty sure I have most everything backed up. I'll probably end up selling it on Ebay, since all it needs is a new power supply. The new studio space is going to be amazing, and I'm going to get painting again as soon as I can. Pics to come!

I started a Fan Page on Facebook. Please add me:

Kelly Howlett on Facebook

not exhibiting this summer...

2009-06-10T23:04:51Z

Thought I'd make the announcement that I won't be at Wizard World Philly this year. I am also NOT exhibiting at Wizard World Chicago this year. I know, crazy isn't it? I've been exhibiting for almost ten years there, but not this year. I probably won't be at Reed's convention in Chicago next spring either.

I may have some announcements later this summer... I've been getting invited to a lot of art festivals, but I just don't have the work right now.

I'm back in Green Bay, and I think it's safe to say I'll be here for at least a year. I've got quite a bit more space to work now, but it'll be a while before I'm set up again. Once I settle in, I'll be making some more resin pendants, getting the Etsy store restocked, and I'm working on a print-on-demand color sketchbook.

*sigh* ... I had been hoping this would be a convention heavy year. I had plans for MoCCA, Philly, Chicago, Baltimore, and SPX. *doh* It's a little more difficult now that I'm not on the East Coast. However, this trek back to the Midwest is a very good thing for me.

Wow... what's been going on with me?

2009-03-18T04:29:55Z

There are a lot of changes at Wizard. The Congers office is closing, and Dylan will start taking the train to the Manhattan offices for work. It's too bad, because I really enjoyed carpooling and having lunch with Dylan everyday.

I'm actually not even sure about what is happening to the store, but I've just assumed that once we shut down the Congers warehouse, I'll be looking for other work. I'm really bummed about it all, mostly because I just enjoy everyone I work with so much. In any case, I know that I'll at least have a job for a few more months. For that reason, I'm not turning down any hours I'm offered.

Things are going pretty well considering, even if I am showing a bit of worry.

Here is more envelope art from a recent order:

sometimes I remember to scan envelopes before I send them

2009-01-13T06:49:10Z

something I drew on the envelope for someone that ordered a book from me:

didn't have time to fix the image much... but I thought I'd share a sketch since I haven't in a long time.

I wasn't able to make it to James Jean's show. Too cold and snowy. ...but the cool thing about living in NY is that you can't feel too terrible about missing awesome things, because there are always more awesome things to do. I feel bad though. I wanted to hang out with Sarah. She is also awesome.

kellyhowlett @ 2009-01-06T00:36:00

2009-01-06T06:13:06Z

The only thing making me feel a little better about not keeping up with blogging is that no one else is either. I guess everyone is taking a break for the holidays.

My temp deal at Wizard is still going. I still haven't officially accepted the full-time position I'm in, but I keep showing up for work. I just don't really know what I want right now. The position takes up an extraordinary amount of time, or at least enough time that I just don't have it in me to come home and create art and do all the other business-y things that a business requires. This trade might be worth it though, as it might be best to stick to a sure thing rather than depend solely on art during harder economic times.

One thing I'm really excited about is this weekend. I'm going to attend James Jean's show in Manhattan. I'm assuming there's going to be a big crowd. David Choe said in his blog that he'll be in attendance and that also makes me smile. If I can find a camera (not dylan's big camera for work) I'll take pictures to share with people who can't be there for the opening.

Now only if I had something to wear...

my head is fuzzy.

2009-01-01T04:11:11Z

I hit my head at work yesterday and got a case of the "wah-wah's", as my friend Matt and I call them. There are many ways to get a case of the "wah-wah's", but the results are the same: confusion, disorientation, and remembering your thoughts as if a second was actually a few minutes.

*bam!*
"I need to sit down. Right now. Here? Yes, right where you are. You need to sit down now. Should I cry? I should cry. NO! You're at work. Don't cry. Don't cry? I'm at work. Good. I know where I am. No obvious signs of concussion. I'm okay. MAN that smarts. Heh. Smarts is a funny word."

Sometimes the "wah-wah's" also come with that effect where reality around you doesn't seem right... exactly like the effect Neo had on the Matrix at the end of the first movie.

So, today, I found a lump on my head like I'm some sort of cartoon character that got hit with a mallet or anvil... and my head hurts a lot.

more wizard work

2008-12-16T04:38:48Z

huh.
found this on Lying in the Gutters:
"Instead of hiring seasonal employees to handle the Wizarduniverse.com online store orders, all Wizard employees have to take a couple hours out from their regular duties everyday to box up items or get more inventory. Editors, designers, upstairs business people, all doing the work of warehouse workers."

I find this to be pretty funny. I guess I'm just surprised it's considered gossip worthy. At any rate, I worked another 54.5 hours this last week, and I can't wait for this week to be over. Wizard has talked to me about possibly staying on after the holiday, but it's hard for me to make a decision about it right now. I haven't touched a paintbrush since I started. I miss making stuff. ...but going to work with Dylan is fun, and I love the staff.

still tired.

2008-12-10T03:22:53Z

Last week was my first full week working at Wizard. 53 hours. Plus an hour for lunch and an hour commute everyday, and my life is pretty much in Congers, NY at this point... in a sort of "how did this happen?" kinda way.

Frequently, I would ask Dylan, "How did I end up in NY?" Then, he would say, "I'm very smooth."

this week's blog recommendation:

2008-12-06T04:41:41Z

Stella Im Hultberg. Love love love. I don't need to say much; she just comes up with the most amazing work.

2009 calendar

2008-12-03T10:54:32Z

Veronika's calendar is available now.
I think I'm the month of May? That would be cool. My birthday is in May.

sleepy kelly

2008-12-02T04:33:30Z

oh dear god.

so... I've been working 7 days/week with my three jobs, and it's like as soon as I get home, I'm working on something else, whether it's packing up an art order, replying to email, household chores, or just figuring out what I have to do. because it never stops. I'm burnt out. I'm holding up okay though. I'm just sad that I can't make any new art until some of this dies down. I also miss daytime talk radio.

Things are going well though. I ordered some more bezels so I can make more resin pendants with my art. If there's a work you'd like me to make into a necklace, let me know.

ugh. tired. bed.
later.

the weekly update and TWO blog recommendations

2008-11-24T05:06:14Z

So... I'm way behind. I've got 214 messages in my inbox that require some sort of action before they can be filed away. Orders are out on time though, so that's a plus. My other jobs are going well, and I expect all this craziness to slow down after next month.

Blog recommendations...
I'm doing two today... one for last week and one for this week.

First:

Camilla d'Errico

I still owe Camilla a drink, since she bought me quite possibly the stiffest drink anyone has ever bought me at SDCC '07. I asked her if she was hitting on me and she said, "I'm sorry. I'm Canadian. I'm just nice." I was so amused, I think I actually worked that exchange into one of my works. Anyway, you should check out her work because she's a clever girl who is going places. And because she's nice. I really love how lush and dreamy her works are.

Second:

Juxtapoz Magazine

This is a really good blog for art news. You will read about everyone else I've recommended, plus see reader art and other cool stuff that doesn't appear in the magazine. They send out a few posts a day, so it's a nice blog to have on your RSS feed reader if you like frequent updates.

nyc art show in feb during nycc... and 2009 calendar

2008-11-19T20:44:37Z

Wow. I am a busy geek. :-)

On top of my art business, I picked up two seasonal jobs. I work at a Gamestop, and tomorrow I start at Wizard Entertainment. Both of these are just temp jobs, because I couldn't possibly keep this up. Today, I began my day at Gamestop and now I'm working on art stuff, trying to prepare orders before the post office closes tonight.

I want to get another batch of resin pendants done in time to ship for Christmas, plus I REALLY need to start on some new originals for the gallery show in Brooklyn this February. The gallery finally decided on a name, FLUSHNIK, and it's sort of a collective of studios with a community space for live music and art shows. You've heard me talk about my composer friend, Kevin... he made the octopus t-shirts. He lives downstairs. I was asked to do a solo show, but since I won't have time to make enough to fill the space, I've asked some other artists to show with me. We're scheduling it to coincide with the New York Comic Convention, but we haven't decided on a date yet. What's the best day to have it?

One other thing to report: Veronika Kotlajic has been the subject of three of my paintings. One of them has been selected to appear in her annual calendar. It's not for sale yet, but I will post when it's available. In the meantime, this is her website: http://perfectmuse.com

New Etsy Listings!!!

2008-11-18T00:41:00Z

Etsy
Buy Handmade
kellyhowlett

t-shirts!!

2008-11-17T19:12:26Z

Octopus shirts!
This is what I have:
1 small olive shirt
1 medium red shirt
1 large red shirt
(all 100% preshrunk cotton)

If you want one, let me know... once I give the okay, please paypal me $5 to cover shipping.
Yay Kevin! Thanks for making the shirts! ...kinda gives me ideas for making more.

EDIT: Just to reiterate, I only have three shirts, and no plans to get more.
***the medium is now reserved for Jenni.
***the large is now reserved for Jeff.

blog recommendation #3

2008-11-14T20:51:27Z

Well, forget what I said about Monday being blog recommendation day.... but I'm not giving it up either... I'm still getting one recommendation done a week. If you haven't checked out my first recommendation, check it out! She just added a bunch of new updates.
http://i-seldom-do.livejournal.com/

This week, I'd like to recommend Daniel Hyun Lim. http://www.danielhyunlim.blogspot.com/

I marvel at how prolific Daniel is. He caught my attention by doing a series called "1000 Drawings", describing his intent to produce 1000 drawings to be sold at $100 each. YAY!!! Affordable original art!

WW-TEXAS

2008-11-05T22:51:52Z

Quote from last night:
Dylan - "Whoa! Virginia went to Obama!"
Me - "Real Virginia or Fake Virginia?"

GAH! I AM SO BUSY!!!
AND I leave for Wizard World Texas tomorrow! I'm excited, but totally not prepared. I have so much to update about, but it's gonna have to wait until I get back next Monday.

Oh.. and pretend it's last Monday for a second so I can do the the Blog Recommendation for the week. and I don't have time to do anything other than hotlink, so hopefully when I get back, I can fix this...

So this one you'll need your RSS reader for, and again, I recommend Google Reader.

Jim Mahfood is one of the most talented artists I've had the pleasure of meeting. Jim has an enormously positive vibe and is simply just remarkably cool. AND he gave me a quote for my book. He posts a lot of photos of live art events, hip hop and gallery shows... and you should at least pick up his book "Mixtape" or my favorite, "Stupid Comics". If you admire someone that can make art in his sleep, subscribe to his blog.

Also, if you have your RSS reader out, I found out you can add Etsy stores. Go add your favorite stores! It'll be on your reader page when new items are added. Mine is http://kellyhowlett.etsy.com

more on resin jewelry...

2008-10-28T01:43:02Z

Three out of six of my resin pendants turned out. One had a last minute bubble that appeared out of no where. One had a drop of water (from the straw) ruin the surface. One had a piece of cat fur dry into the surface. Of the three that didn't turn out, I could easily pop out the resin out of the pewter bezel without much effort. I had been concerned it wouldn't be so easy.

(Edit - I should say that I didn't have a difficult time removing the resin because I did it within 24 hours. This resin has a soft cure at 24 hours, and a hard cure at 72 hours. If I tried again now, I don't think I'd have as easy of a time. They seem very strong and durable.)

So... my next try was with the "translucent" liquid sculpey. I would say that was a total failure. I was quite excited about the sculpey because it's safe to use indoors, and the cure only takes 15-20 minutes. It must be baked though, and during the baking, the artwork curled out of the bezel and the sculpey bubbled and never became clear. Also, Resin looks and feels like glass. The sculpey has a real spongy quality about it.

Tomorrow, I'm going to pick up some cord and ribbon to make the necklaces for the pendants. I really can't decide what's better, some sort of chain or a ribbon? I'll probably try a few things. Then I'll hand them over to Dylan to photograph. (My camera is ANCIENT and not good.)

I'd like to have them ready for Wizard World Texas... and I'd like to get a batch up on Etsy before the end of next month.

Blog recommendation #1

2008-10-27T19:58:20Z

So... I promised I'd start recommending a blog a week. Again, if you have suggestions, send them to me.
First, I'm gonna set everyone up with an aggregator or RSS reader.

Here's a list of aggregators, but I recommend Google Reader. SUPER easy and works great. I use Live Journal's built in aggregator for reading the blogs of LJ users, and I use Google Reader for everyone else.

I'll give the quick sum up explanation. An aggregator is a tool that gathers up information so you don't have to manually check 30 different sites for updates. All you must do is plug in the sites you'd like to watch, and the aggregator collects the updates from those pages and makes a page for you to view all of them in order of when they were posted.

Once you set up your aggregator, remember to add me!!!! http://kellyhowlett.livejournal.com

My first blog recommendation is: http://i-seldom-do.livejournal.com/

Audrey Kawasaki is one of my favorite artists.
You can see more of her work here: http://www.audrey-kawasaki.com/

I'm most excited about this blog because I'm so excited to see every new piece she makes. There are many pictures which illustrate her process, and I am also one of those people that love to see where an artist works. I'd say that Audrey has been influential in my work, mostly because I picked up working on wood because of her. I really hope to own one of her pieces someday.

resin casting

2008-10-24T21:37:03Z

Well... I have some resin curing at the moment. I would not say my first attempt is a success. That's okay. Resin is expensive, but this is not discouraging me. I'm quite excited about what I'll be making when I can get the technique down.

First mistake: it wasn't nearly warm enough outside. The resin had lots of bubbles and was cloudy. Second mistake: no control in pouring. Gah. I got better with that immediately. Third mistake: I know they don't recommend the straw method of removing bubbles because you might breathe in the vapors, but I found another reason to avoid the straw method. Water vapor in the straw condensed and ended up on the resin. I need a hair dryer.

There were things that really encouraged me though. Bubbles are not as much of a problem as I expected them to be. Also, I'm going to look into liquid sculpey (upon the recommendation of rustdangel) and Diamond Glaze, which can both be used indoors.

Oh... for anyone wondering. Yeah. I'm gonna make butterfly necklaces.

Also... in an effort to blog more and also be useful to my community... From now on, I'm going to post a blog recommendation every Monday. If you know some to recommend, send them to me. I'm going to focus on artist blogs, but there will be others to throw in if I think people will like them.

commission rates

2008-10-22T18:56:41Z

Still too cold and rainy to cast the resin. Friday is looking good. It's supposed to be sunny and 60 degrees. The ideal temperature to work is 70, but I'm planning a few tricks to keep the workspace a little warmer. I can't wait to try it out.

Later today, I have an interview for seasonal retail day-job thingie. I'm still looking for something in social services (at-risk youth) like the work I did through Lutheran Social Services, but I've found very few postings around here. It sounds like the funding has dried up a bit for those agencies, and it's a terrible thing to think that people that need help aren't getting it. But... the retail thing sounds fun. I'd imagine less emotional and stressful than answering the crisis/suicide hotline... but you know, I really miss doing that.

I see I have a few new followers on Twitter. Yay! (add me! my user name is kellyhowlett) Looks like a number of Etsy users have found me. I'll be updating my Etsy store soon, because it's getting close to holiday shopping time. Speaking of holiday time, if you want a COMMISSION from me, now is the time to ask.

Commission Rates(includes cost of shipping):

B&W (acrylic on masonite)
example: Her Eye On Other Things
8x10 - 250
12x16 - 350
16x20 - 500
18x24 - 750

Color (acrylic on masonite)
example: Leah
8x10 - 300
12x16 - 550
16x20 - 750
18x24 - 1000

Color (acrylic on wood)
example: Asking With Her Eyes
8x10 - 350
12x16 - 600
16x20 - 850
18x24 - 1150

***the values are in inches and USD, however, I'll ship to anywhere in the world at no additional cost.
so... get 'em now before I come to my senses and raise my prices.

update with terrible photography.

2008-10-20T04:16:35Z

I'm back from my road trip to WI!

New project:

Many of you have heard me talk about my interest in working with resin. I found a neat tutorial online for making resin jewelry, and have decided to try it out. This is a picture of what I have before pouring the resin, and I'll let you know how it goes. It's starting to get too cold outside to work, so I'm hoping for a few more warm weeks. If these turn out, I'm going to start selling them on my website and at conventions, but I can only make them when conditions are right for casting.

Kevin's project:

This is the t-shirt Kevin made using the octopus from Substrate. If you'd like one, let me know and maybe Kevin will make one for you.

Also, I'm going to be at Wizard World Texas! It'll be my first time there.

kellyhowlett @ 2008-10-07T13:29:00

2008-10-07T18:53:02Z

I didn't make it to Baltimore. I got really sick after spending two days in NYC, and ended up in bed for three days straight. Ugh.

Of the two new paintings, Asking With Her Eyes has already sold. She'll Get Her Way is still available, and prints are available for both.

I'm leaving Thursday for a week long road trip and visit home. Hopefully, I'll be stopping in Columbus to see some friends I'm not sure I've seen since Gen Con in 2001. In fact, I think Don said that I should paint more fairy art so I can come back to Gen Con. It's not a terrible idea, since Gen Con is a really great show. However... I'm not so up on the fairy art. I'm not anti-fairy... in fact, sometimes I suspect I'd be selling more prints if that were my product. However, it hasn't felt genuine, so I haven't tried it. I feel guilty enough when I paint butterflies, as if putting a recognizable and popular image in your work is some sort of cheap trick. hmmm. Maybe I should rethink this.

I guess Brian Bendis makes fun of Dylan in the introduction to the next Twisted ToyFare Theater collection. That ought to be interesting to read. I've been told there's a good section about "that guy that plays with dolls" and what he's like at home. I will tell you later if any of the things Bendis suggests are true.

weekend plans....

2008-09-24T19:34:44Z

Well... it looks like I might be going to NYC tomorrow to hang out with Kevin and then go to a release party for Brian Wood. Then I might be going to Baltimore for a convention. Might. I'm waiting to hear back from three different people to find out if I have a place to stay or exhibit space at the convention. I am REALLY impatient. So, I might be staying at home all weekend... or I might be traveling through three states and spending a couple hundred dollars. or I might make a couple hundred dollars. I don't know!
...and the suspense is killing me.

In other news, I lost Dylan's cat. I let her outside Monday morning and she hasn't been back. She's used to going outside, but usually doesn't go anywhere other than the neighbor's porch across the parking lot. She's 18 and a half. I feel pretty bad about it, and I keep looking outside thinking I'll see her in one of the three places she likes to sleep. She hasn't had her pills in three days now, so, I'm thinking she's probably not coming back. :-(