A Warbler. Getting ‘out of my head” is causing me to go further into my head…still no solution for my current carving issue.
Untitled “Semi Relief” | In progress | Images Copyright © 2011 Mel LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
This is what she’s looking like so far. Slow progress and rough looking progress, but progress nonetheless. I’ve taken to carving a little here and there in the wee hours of the morning before the little one wakes up to begin his day. Other than the birds chirping, it’s super quiet at 6am, which is nice. Just me, a cup of coffee, and a kitchen table full of wood shavings :)
Untitled “Semi Relief” | In progress | Images Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Doing some feathering. I hadn’t planned on doing any…but it’s happening. Carvings tend to take on a life of their own, and with that life comes personality…and opinions. So yea, my Hawk wanted defined feathers, so I was more than kind enough to oblige him.
More progress shots coming sooooooon.
Hawking. Yes friends, new madness has begun.
My mother kept every little scrap of paper I ever drew on. I found this gem the other day while rummaging through the pages of one of her many Bibles. Apparently when I was three years old I dictated a card to her. From the looks of the handwriting, I dictated it to her directly and she wrote it, lol. Randomly finding things like this makes me happy. Little hellos from the other side :)
3 bits of concept sketches for next painting. There will be a few really cool focal points in this one, so I’m pretty amped to get started. Once the idea is finalized (yea, fat chance) and all the images are layed out properly, I can then begin the transfer to wood. There will also be a nice little story to tell about this piece upon it’s completion. You shall enjoy :)
On another note - I’m SO happy to be out of the Ochun haze. I think my eyes were bleeding yellow and gold for a solid 2 months. I mean, Jeez Louise! Getting back to the gloomier side of life makes me feel alot more comfortable.
La Caridad De Ochun • Details | Retablo | Image Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Semi relief on 7x10 Birch panel, with hand cut & hand painted frame.
This piece was definitely a challenge, and I must say, I’m pretty proud of myself. Of course I see little areas here and there that could have been tweaked, but that’s just the nature of the game.
I presented this to a good friend of mine who was being crowned Ochun, on Sunday July 3, 2011. We all gathered in this house…somewhere in Brooklyn. A little cowrie-eyed Eleggua head greeted us at the foot of the entrance way. Our heads were all covered, we dressed in white. It was hot and humid…and loud. They drummed and sang for hours for each of the Orishas. The house’s Godfather cleaned a few of us, and the spirits took many (my count was at around 15 heads) Never in my life have I been part of such beautiful madness. It was so effin’ intense.
I’m so happy I painted for Ochun and was able to experience the things I did. She will mark one of many more Retablos to come.
*Sorry for the watermark! Folk tend to reblog an artists work and not give credit.*
(Detail shots of this painting will be re-uploaded with crisp pictures once I can steal my photographer friend again)
La Caridad De Ochun | In progress | Image Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Oooh u can’t see much… teasing u all pleases me so! Final piece will be posted after July 3rd (Ochun drumming?) - Stay tuned!
Practice Blocking.
Feeling a little under the weather today. In an attempt to lift my funk and get out of my head a little, I took out this little bass block and did a few sloppy cuts. It did it’s job - I’m funkless for now.
La Caridad De Ochun | In progress | Image Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
I can take pictures of my artwork with *fancy* phone camera filters toooo (that was dripping with sarcasm) But yea, its a nice guise since I don’t want you to get the full effect of the piece yet…plus I fear of otherworldly repercussions for showing this too early. Eep!
Jerusalem Rosary | Details | Images Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Here are a few detail shots of the final piece. Full view here: Jerusalem Rosary
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(final images re-shot by the very awesome & photo handy Lata Dyal - Thanks Lata!)
Bird (re)progressions as of yesterday. Pardon my brush stroke eff ups…Eh, screw it - they’ll be too tiny to notice anyway ;P
This is my Influence Map.
An artist friend posted his recently, and it got me thinking - this is a really great idea! I have this nasty little tendency of forgetting the very things that inspire and encourage me to create. Weird, huh? Well, I’m sure that having this file handy will help a lot in the future. Yay :)
