This is a piece that I did for a painting class project where we were supposed to make a collage out of old magazines, then replicate the work on canvas. Needless to say I kept the vintage, pre-Jaws, 1968 National Geographic on Shark behavior in tact (by that I mean stuck it in my purse and took home). How could you possibly be expected to cut that up for an art project?! Or not steal it, for that matter? All in good taste. I did, however, cut up some more recent magazines to create a scene with an octopus tentacle taking down a fishing charter. What else would you expect? I had to alter it a bit to make it more realistic….. because I’ve seen this happen in real life, of course.

Ok, so I just started thinking about Halloween and realized that all of the competitions are happening in, like, a day. Ooookaaaayy. I need to get moving. I came up with a last minute idea to be the unstoppable force of Sharknado. I am tirelessly creating makeshift sharks. I wish I could find those goofy little shark gummies to add to the mix, but no go. I am hoping to add Los Angeles on the bottom, but we’ll see. My young brother is going to be a classic, scary Diablo. Pictures to come soon! Happy Halloween to all.

Ok, so I just got back from my live painting gig in Montreal. It was amazing! Being in a new country, new city, new….everything… by yourself is, let’s be honest, massively intimidating. Live painting is definitely a skill, and I’m not there yet. There’s no “waiting to dry” or “sleeping on it” to change it. What you do then and there is it. It was challenging, but I am proud of my image and getting over my fear of people seeing me in my process. Here’s to learning, growing, and painting through it.

I’m finishing a piece that is completely authentic to what I do. I’ve been working on a picture of a polar bear, (one of my biggest fears), and I’m giving it extremely girly qualities. I’ve used iridescent, snow flake sequins and Swarovski crystals. It’s obviously just killed something, as blood is pouring out of its’ mouth. I don’t know why I love having something so evil made out of something associated with beauty and girlishness. It’s the polarity of it.

-ALW

I just added my newest piece titled “Mandrill” to my gallery. I love it. Right now I’m in the process of completing one involving a polar bear, as bears are the animal that have scared me more than anything. Give me sharks, tigers, snakes, and I’ll be fine. When I was 5 years old I went to the zoo, and I was looking at the grizzly bear exhibit. A giant Kodiak stared me down, slowly got up, and came barreling at me, full speed. Growling, drooling, galloping. I was screaming at the top of my lungs. It stopped within 5 feet of me. The only thing between us was a trench and some glass…… and a future dinner date that would never come to pass, or at least I hope. So I have developed a disdain and fascination for the creature because it does what few things can really do. It scares me.