Great Design is Effective Indeed.

One of my nearest and dearest friends is starting up this graphic design firm. He's extremely talented.

Tweet, Tweet

Yeah. I’m on Twitter. Because that’s what I do in a day. You can follow me @ellieMac07. Trust me, I can be interesting. I won’t promise that I have fascinating things to tweet everytime, but most of it is worthwhile.

On the art front, I am inching closer to wrapping up the Toronto painting. I unexpectedly found the inspiration I needed to create the last bit of pattern to complete the painting. Now for the finishing touches.

Stolen!

Sad news to report tonight.

My work as a freelance graphic designer has now been drastically reduced because of the fact that my computer was stolen.  That’s right, I was robbed!  My laptop was removed from my bedroom late last week by a man who had been hired to do maintenance on the outside of my apartment building.  But for some reason, this man had no problem inviting himself into my personal space to take the ol’ five-figure-discount off of my most prized possessions.  And a handful of Quarters, which he replaced with an assortment of Nickles and Dimes.

Thanks a lot, dude.

Anyway, so until I can afford to replace my little MacBook, I’m afriad that the production of graphic art from me has come to a screeching halt.

A Full Work Day after a full day of work.

I just spent about 8 hours hunched on the floor in front of my painting. I had no idea that much time had passed until my back literally gave out. No amount of standing, stretching, leaning against the wall or singing along loudly to Andrew Bird would cure me. I had no other choice but to wrap it up for the night.

The painting looks great! I am so proud of my work, and will attach new photos when I am able. Can’t wait to see this one through.

Currently listening to: Armchair Apocrophy by Andrew Bird.

I’m Coming Down the Mountain

As promised, a crappy photo of my most recent work on canvas:

 

Toronto Sunset (working title)

Aside from the fact that this piece has drained the lifeblood out of my tiny 37mL tube of Titanium White paint, everything seems to be working out pretty well.  I have spent the last 4 days in a row with it, and I think we’re actually bonding.

Not to mention the kick-ass mix of music I made for the day.  My favorite song indicates that I am indeed the gay man everyone always thought I was.

Currently listening to: “Hazel” Junior Boys, Begone Dull Care

The Crux

I’ve reached a critical point in my my painting, when I know it’s time to re-evaluate the structure, balance and focal point of the piece. It’s never fun to make decisions.

On another note, if anyone is interested in purchasing any artwork from me, now is a great time to buy. I’m moving soon, and the less stuff I have to carry across town, the better. Please drop me a line at art@elliemcdonald.com.

“Any Old Lie Will Do”

Tonight as I squat with brush in hand in front of the canvas in my makeshift painting studio, the sound of Fleet Foxes‘ self-titled debut is streaming from my laptop.

Months ago, I was partial to “Quiet Houses” (Track 5) then later “White Winter Hymnal” (Track 2) which is as catchy a tune as ever was written.  But tonight, I find myself belting out the lyric “Tell me anything you want, any old lie will do,” from “Ragged Wood” (Track 3).  Beautiful.

The rest of the album is plenty brilliant, but I’ve sort of got tracks 1-6 on repeat for the time being.   Love it.

Currently listening to: “Ragged Wood” Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes

Appreciation is Funny Like That

As I am slaving away on my latest painting tonight, my hands sticky with medium and my jeans stained with pigment, I realize that my style has morphed into one undeniably similar to that of Richard Diebenkorn.  

Now, I don’t know if I am necessarily pleased by that fact alone.  I liked the work of Diebenkorn when I was first exposed to it in the lecture hall of my Modern Art History course.  The spaciousness and the colors appealed to me; the crude, expressive lines of his finished work and the communities of the West Coast as subject matter did not. 

So I’ve cleaned it up.  A role of masking tape does wonders for oil paint in the creation of a perfect rule .  But I struggle with one thought constantly: what makes a unique painting so special?  Its prefect symmetry an outstanding achievement of skill and technicality by the artist or the organic forms and flaws inherent of human expression?

I strive in my artwork for perfection, as far as the eye can see.  But maybe it’s time for me to let go.  Let a little Matisse in for a change.  To put down a brush stroke and leave it.  Aye.  This is going to be hard for me, but I am going to try.

Current project:  Toronto Sunset (working title)

 

Richard Diebenkorn, "Ocean Park No. 129", 1984

New Design

I’m currently working on a logo for Clever Bird.  I’m thinking Charlie Alan Kraft meets James Audubon in the form of a Great Blue Heron.  Ambitious, yes I know.  And after several failed attempts at sketching blue pencil on lined paper, I’ve decided to solicit help from my beautiful and talented sister Bridget. . . that is, if she has time.

Bird by Charlie Alan Kraft

 

This time, I feel that the company name will stick.  Happy Clam  was just bound for the bin from the start.  I’ve only ever seen the ocean a handful of times, never did enjoy it much.  In fact, my father once took me to Cape Cod as a child, where I idiotically wandered onto a jellyfish washed up on the beach.  My foot swelled to twice its size (even more hilarious when you consider the fact that this 9-year-old was already wearing a size 8 shoe).  Ever since then, I haven’t really cared for the nautical or ocean themes much.

I prefer inland waterfowl and fresh lake bodies these days.  The trauma of my beach-faring adolescence caused me to act out as a teenager, and my mother’s only hope was to take me to a Native American spiritual advisor, what you may know better as a “medicine man.”  I kicked and screamed all the way to the ceremony, but the choice was not mine.  Ron Geshick named me “South-Spirit Girl,” a name brought to me by the Great Blue Heron.  

As terrified as I was at that moment, the feeling that remains from that day 13 years ago is a sense of calm, of being at ease.  The same feeling you may have in watching a heron hunting in the lagoon on a steamy summer morning.

This is what I want my logo to evoke.  Strength, calm and easy and brilliant.