bold color | Niya Christine 365

by niya christine

December is Word & Image

Mixed Media by Kathleen McCloud. An example of what I'm going for in December 2013.

IMAGE: Mixed Media by Kathleen McCloud.

Those fish were fun. And Thanksgiving holiday rocked this year. I hope for you too.

What to expect from me this month? A lot of errant tears. ; ) Actually, I’m so excited about this theme, it’s hard to shed any tears, just yet. I’ll wait for the inevitable in January.

This month’s daily paintings will combine image and word. Is there anything more primal? The hub of useful communications comes from the inception of this combination. From hobo’s to sophisticated signage in our cities. I’m most excited about the emotional language that is possible in between the lines/in the negative space between prose and pattern. Words are things, shapes, designs that a bit more than their singular definition when composed.

You can expect to see words from various sources in short series. Passages from authors that are well known that move me in some way. And passages from talented friends with works in progress. As well as a few passages from old journals or works of my own if I get brave enough.

I have missed words this year. And before this year, while writing stories, I missed painting. So this month promises to be bliss!

A few announcements:

I will write a larger article in early January that reflects on this project 2013. This is just the beginning. I’m feeling great about the body of work and the possibilities ahead. I’ll publish a monthly newsletter for subscribers to keep you in the loop as it grows.

PRINTS AND iPHONE CASES FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS

There are 2 exciting ways to purchase art from the galleries. You can purchase 8.5 x 11 inch prints directly from the PRINT SHOP. Everyone gets 30% off the 8.5 x 11 inch prints in December to say Thank You for your support this year. Just enter code: xmas to get your 30% discount.

The other way is at FINE ART AMERICA. You can purchase framed prints, canvas prints, iPhone cases and more. I’m filling the galleries daily. If you don’t see your choice there. Email me, I’ll get it there within 24 hours. You can preview all art from the year in thumbnail view at the PRINT SHOP. I’m excited that I can offer larger and framed prints, greeting cards and iPhones from FAA. It’s been one of the main requests all year. And it’s guaranteed for 30 days. That makes me feel great about it.

In case you missed it, there are 2 new articles: Archeologist of Joy published in Skinny Artist Magazine. And the Redhead + Rabbits Road Trip. This chronicles the adventures this past summer in San Francisco and the Southwest when I took the project on the road with my critters.

And as usual, I’ll be taking another art class this month. I’ll be learning how to create handmade story dummies to express a few of the children’s book ideas that have come out of this years painting stories. I’m pretty psyched about this new tool.

So that’s it. I’m just rip roarin thrilled to have my loyal subscribers — their comments, insights, support. And the social media fun and buzz. It’s all just so good! Lucky redhead, that’s me.

in December | Word & Image / Project 365

by niya christine

Goldfishes

#314/365 Paintings

Honestly, I should be painting goldfish every day this month in repentance for how many I’ve killed. Accidentally. But still. They are so peaceful and so, well, golden.

So this is a partial tribute to goldfish and the children they’ve made happy. They sacrifice in grace.

in November | Fish Fabulous / Project 365

by niya christine

Fish Secrets

#310/365 Paintings

Fish! They wouldn’t want us to know how much goes on at the bottom of the sea. And it gets really interesting in those portals to the center of the earth. Down deep in the sea, they so beautiful our minds can’t get a wrap on it. And, they talk more. It has something to do with what they hear through the walls of the earth. If you think your family, housemates, visitors can hear things! They have nothing on fish. Fish hear from the edges of their gils all the way through every little atom in their beautiful little bodies. But they won’t tell anyone. They are secretive because they have no use for the information.

Since, I’m painting them, I felt you should know.

in November | Fish Fabulous / Project 365

by niya christine

Parisian Fish

#307/365 Paintings

What’s the difference between a fish born and raised in Paris vs. the States?

… Ahem! Well, here’s the short list:

They are popular to eat and milk it for what it’s worth. They make you earn any interaction with them.
They cuss in all languages. Paris is a a highly traffic’d International center. They’ve heard it all. They pick stuff up quickly.
They are as amorous as the French without the ego. They take ‘pretty’ for granted. They are admired and sought after by all brands of fish and gender.
They spit on you before you kill them to eat them.
They are picky about what you feed them. They know a good meal.
They love their mothers like a religion.

Well, that’s the short list. The long list would drive you bananas, so I’ll spare you.

in November | Fish Fabulous / Project 365

by niya christine

City Fish

#304/365 Paintings

Ever wondered what fish do in our cities when we aren’t looking? Which is a lot, given how busy cities can be. Here’s a peek. But don’t tell them your source. Fish are more fierce than you might imagine. And, you don’t want to lose your daily painter do you?

……….

Project notes: I was in the hardware store looking at paint chips and took a bunch home. I wanted to learn how to mix new color combinations. I got lazy and glued the chips to my paper and painted over them. ; )

in November | Fish Fabulous / Project 365

by niya christine

It’s a Jungle in Here

#303/365 Paintings

“Fred I can’t find Georgia.”

“Just look for the orange-like-pink sparkle.”

“Oh, I think that’s her. No, another coral reef. Damn Fred, I’ve been at this for days.”

…….

Fish have all this color but no color coding system. They are mute genius’s the way they scout around — lumps of kaleidoscopal beauty.

…….

Project note: Everything in this painting was a new discovery—from materials to happy accidents. What a thrilling day.

in November | Fish Fabulous / Project 365

by niya christine

Salmon Having a Good Day

#302/365 Paintings

This salmon is obsessed with dragonflies. He even wears a dragonfly pendant. He’s young, he’s cool in his school. And we have a very terrified dragonfly. I want to save the poor thing. But such as life with salmon who wear backwards baseball caps and glow orange and handsome at sunrise.

in November | Fish Fabulous / Project 365