Blood Spattered Comfort Food

Hihi. I am still moving. urgh.

I've got about 30 boxes, 2 light bookcases, a few fold up tables, a kitchen table, three kitchen chairs, a light wooden rocking chair, my plants and my roots left. It shouldn't take very long at all if there are enough folks?

I would *love* to have this finished tomorrow. I could use as many hands and vehicles as available and can order Glass Nickel around noon?

I'm moving from the Atwood area to Fair Oaks, so it's not far and this is just the last bits that I couldn't move last week. (I hurt my knee and my back the first day of moving and it threw my schedule way off. :/ I'm better now! but I'm still a bit leery of hauling stuff without help. :(( )

pretty please? ^___^

comment, email me at jane@bleaknimue.com or call 608*622*5006 for details and all that. ^___^

***

Also! My birthday is Wednesday and I can't decide what to do! D: Help me internets! What should I dooo??

1. Sushi!
2. Bowling!
3. Dressing up as sushi while bowling!
4. Other!

^_^

And stuff. ♥

Dear Artist,

We invite you to participate in the WisCon Art Show.

WisCon is the pre-eminent feminist science fiction convention in the
world. We believe that Art is an important aspect of SF, and that an
exciting Art Show is an important part of any convention. We strive to
make the WisCon Art Show a continuing success by integrating the art
show with the rest of the convention.

Art show focus:

Work by women artists
Work by regional artists
Work with feminist themes, whatever that may be

We don't plan to define feminist themes. That's up to you. We do,
though, plan to continue to have popular awards for the Most Feminist
and Most Outrageous items in the Art Show, as have for the past
several years. We are interested in original work by the artist, which
may include 1 copy of limited edition reproductions. For additional
print sales, you are welcome to participate in the WisCon Dealers
Room, or make an arrangement with one of the dealers. We also have a
small print shop for items with fixed sale prices; let us know if you
are interested in participating, since space will be limited.

Please complete an application at www.wiscon.info/artshow.php now!

Artists must have completed the application process and have received
an acceptance notice in order to enter art into the Art Show.

In order to include more new artists, we require all artists to submit
an application and photos of their work to the Art Show Staff by
February 6, 2010.

Completed applications must be submitted by February 6, 2010. On about
February 15 we will notify accepted artists and about May 1, we will
send forms, check-in and shipping information and other details.

If you attend, you will need to purchase a WisCon membership. Please
register at the website or mail in your registration form if you plan
on attending. Note that there is a $20 refund available if you
volunteer and work 6 or more hours on the convention (ideally, in the
Art Show) or participate in programming. Program information is
available at www.sf3.org/wiscon. If you are interested in
participating, you should go to the site and sign up.

While we are not charging for space, we do need to know in advance how
much you will need. Our standard hangings are 4' square pegboard.
Artists new to the convention may reserve 1 4x4' panel; for continuing
artists, the maximum is 2 panels. It may be possible to get more
space, but only at the discretion of the art show director based on
the space available. Last year, we filled up quickly, so more than 3
panels is unlikely. Table space is available as well, up to a full 6'
x 36" table. Please include your space needs when you apply for
entrance into the Art Show.

Convention members will have the opportunity to vote on the Art Show
awards again this year. WisCon 34's Art Show will continue to focus on
feminist art, art by women, and art by Midwestern artists. For art
show information please check the box on the registration form, email
artshow34@wiscon.info or visit the WisCon web site, www.wiscon.info

You can write the art show at the WisCon address. We can also be
reached at artshow34@wiscon.info. I would be happy to answer your
questions.

Sincerely,
Jane Washburn
WisCon Art Show
artshow34@wiscon.info

DW

So, I bought 3 pounds of Braeburns at HyVee and a bag of fresh cranberries the other day and this afternoon I started a batch of Cranberry Apple Cinnamon Sauce. mmmmm... With Vietnamese cassia, the kind that smells like cinnamon red-hots and a dash of Mexican vanilla to fancy it up. It's been simmering in my big cast iron kettle for the last hour and a half and omg *_*

Half of it I'm gonna leave chunky and the other I'm gonna puree and save to use as a fat replacer in cupcakes :D :D

Also, for lunch I had steamed broccoli, baby spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and green onions with sage, tarragon, parsley, ginger and soysauce over Kashi 7-grain Pilaf, topped with a poached egg. And smashed acorn squash and sweet potato with a little butter and brown sugar on the side!

ヽ(´▽`)ノ OmnomnomnomnomNOM!

I've getting better at cooking for one! I'm already pretty good at scaling recipes up, but there's some odd changes to consider when scaling down. (like adding a bit more liquid as things tend to burn faster if there's less of htem.)

But yus. Breakfast tomorrow is gonna be Kashi 7-grain Pilaf, 1/2 banana sliced up and Awesome Sauce with some vanilla soymilk a touch of honey and a cup of green tea. (and maybe a little extra cinnamon! omg ♥ cinnamon!) :D :D

DW

So, this year! I have 3 resolutions. This is good, because usually I only allow myself one. :P

1. Read something fiction everyday. Even if it's just a page or two. My usual one resolution a year is to finish one book past chapter 3. D: and I did it in 2009! I read 2 books! omg. ヽ(´▽`)ノ This year, I just want to read one thing every day. (probably online as books mess with my eyes. stupid dyslexia. which means I'll be leaving comments on old fic if folks don't mind. ^_^)

So far I've read *4* chapters in Clive Barker's Abarat! whoo! past ch 3! (and re-reading totally counts for me! and also it's in English! omg the apocalypse is nigh.)

- reading is hard for me and yet very addictive. I have little impulse control and will read to the exclusion of all else and not get things finished that I should be finishing. I fix that by feeling MASSIVE GUILT AND ANXIETY whenever I try to read something that is not for reference or that I'm obligated to and therefore I just don't read anything. I'm working on that. I'm still not a book-o-phile, working at a bookstore smacked that out of me, but I'm at least dipping my toe in again.

2. Be more social and (slightly) less of a hermit. I'm gonna try my hardest to actually post and comment and be online more this year! And I also want to start having salons at my studio. (art parties!) But still give myself the space and time to recover from such. I am *very much* not an extrovert in person. :/ Putting on that mask exhausts me and takes a while to recover from. and that being said, I want to attend 2 conventions this year where I'm *not* working or volunteering or anything. Something just for fun!

and finally,

3. I want to make myself better. I want to continue to be healthy, make decisions that make me happy and weed out all the things that are unhealthy and anxious in my life. Which means I need to get things finished on time, Stop procrastinating and get my shit together. Argh. Fortunately, I had a good start 5 years ago and I just need to keep on keeping on on that one. It's a looong looooong road.

****

There. I think these are achievable, even though they're hard! I know I'll still go all hermity at least once a month and will still make bad decisions, but it's easier to just keep going when I've got a list. So yay list! :P

And speaking of lists, I should totally post my updated Mission 101 list! But not now. Now I must go and finish the shoveling I've been putting off while it's still light out. *sigh* oh shoveling, you are my bane.

DW

I do decree that Chamomile Lavender tea is now and henceforth to be called Tasty Insomnia-Be-Gone...zzzzzzzzzz...

DW

I think I've figured out my sleep schedule! omg. Apparently that whole listening to my body thing is highly underrated. :p

***

It looks like today is going to be sunny again! *soaks it up like a cat on a windowsill*

***

Awesome Arts I've come across this past week:

Ryohei Hase Really surreal and creepy half animal people

Awesome wasp sculpture made form mechanical parts. :D

An interview with Juan Molinet Aah! I love his stuff!

Box Animation by Jordan Clarke

Music Creatures! :D :D

Hand Painted Shoes! :D My favorite! ^_^

and last but not least, The monster at the end of this book starring loveable furry old Grover. (my first love.) yus.

DW

OMG y'all! American Mcgee posted to twitter just a little while ago:

"RT@americanmcgee: #alice2 level art review revealed some truly disturbing assets. tentacles and meat walls, oh my."

TENTACLES AND MEAT WALLS. *______________*

I need to go find my old Alice icons now. *______*

DW

My Etsy Shop's been updated! Imps and skellieones and hunters oh my. :D 20 of them! whoo! ^___^

And I still have 4 skellies and 5 hunters to add, but I need to go play in the 17 inches of snow we got last night. D: :D

OMG SNOWPOCALYPSE! :D :D

DW

Here's some of what I'm putting up on Etsy tomorrow.



They're Redwinged Blackbirds in Bluejeans! :P *cracks herself up*

OMG I AM LOOPY AND MUST GO TO SLEEP.

Also, SO MANY DOLLS! Clicky for big pic. (there's 28? 29 of them? I don't even know. *dies of tired*)



DW

I am having Midnight Art in my studio if anyone wants to participate? ^_^

COME MAKE ARTS WITH MEEEEEEE!! YUS. (also I have cupcakes. and tea. :D)

And it's very warm here. yus!

DW

Thanksgiving was fun although exhausting. I basted the turkey in plum wine this year. It turned out good. ^_^ I also sent all the leftovers home with people and threw out everything else. (I kept some sweetpotatoes and pumpkin cake my mom made, but just a little bit and I already ate those. :P) I still have a ginormous bottle of riesling in eric's fridge. :P

Today is rather gloomy but I apparently don't mind as much. ^_^ I've got to head out to do errands in a few minutes and if it wasn't so cold I'd ride my bike. EDIT:(and by *as much* I mean I'm actually moving around and communicating a little today beyond necessity? D: I wish to live in a sun-filled house all year long! Why is this so hard? :(( )

I had Chicken Curry and Chocolate Cupcakes for breakfast. :P It was Very Yum.

My studio definitely needs more wall art. D: mebbe I should do something with those doors and windows instead of just hanging them on the wall...

I spent the weekend putting everything right and dragging my old futon mattress down from the attic so I have more than a comforter to sleep on this winter. I am very happy with this! ^___^

Leeloo is having issues and has decided to be in my lap all the time. This is problematic when I'm standing. yus.

And last but not least, Basilisk armature is almost finished! Now I can start sculpting the head. ^_^ In my clean studio with the heat vent under my workbench! :D

Now I go finish catching up on my frist and go clean a house. :D

DW

So I decree that tonight me and the kitties are having a DANCE PARTY. YUS. :D :D :D

And I'm making chicken curry, rice and a million triple fudge cupcakes! :D :D

*dances around the house* WHoo!

Also, I'm totally saying screw stuff I need to do, I'll finish them tomorrow. I'm playing video games tonight. I won't get anything else done anyway. :P YUS. *decrees it*

TAKE THAT NOVEMBER! Yus. ^_^ (yey december? hopefully?)

Questions from strangemodegirl:

1. How did you discover your talent for creating such creepy, and wonderful creatures?

Trial and Error, honestly. I've always loved making dolls, but it took a lot of frittering about and playing with stuff to come up with the techniques and designs I'm using now. (and about 10 years. :P) D: I think a little bit of everything I learn ends up in my dolls at one point or another. ^_^

Creepy wise, ummmmm... I like to put a little bit of asymmetry in everything I do? and I like worn and used things, so I try and make my stuff look lived in and alive. ^_^ (also, I like teeth. yus. :P)

2. What drew you into the world of anime and Japan in general?

I love learning Japanese! ^__^ I took a class back in '97(?) because it was available and the teacher was fun and kinda just took to it. ^_^ I've been taking classes and doing self study off and on since then. (so, like 12ish years? O_o;; dang time flies!) I've been thinking of taking the JLPT next year if I can brush up enough. We'll see.

I actually watch way more dramas and movies than I do anime. ^_^ It's a good way of picking up pronunciation and picking out dialects and stuff. (especially when I watch them with the subtitles turned off.) And there's some really fun stories. ^_^ (and mythology/historical/documentary stuff is always fascinating, too. ^_^)

3. You have so many amazing talents (cooking, baking, sewing, doll making, tarot reading, best friending), what is your favorite? What do YOU think you do best?

Ahahaha... ummmmm... I'M REALLY GOOD AT BEING ME. yus. :P and hostessing with the mostesting. ^__^ Although Thanksgiving is giving me anxiety this year, but that's pretty much just this year in general making me anxious. :P

4. Once and for all, which is your absolute FAVORITE Doctor?

AAAAAAAAAAAH!! Eight! no, Nine! no, Seven! But Six is my favorite Audio!Doctor, but i like Five in the audios toooo AAAAAH!!! WHY DO I HAVE TO PICK JUST ONE?? D: D: D: I like the Doctor. He's a hoopy frood who knows where his towel is(usually).

5. Describe your ideal vacation if you had no time or financial restrictions.

Ooh! Ummm, I would take 5 years off to go vagabonding around the world and thruhike the AT! Totally! And try and hit up a bunch of international art/craft workshops along the way. ^___^v There's an awesome sculpture workshop in Italy I've had my eye on for a while and making ball-jointed art dolls in Japan would rock! ^____^ oh! and then do Penland. :D I DON'T WANT MUCH REALLY.


Ask me for questions and I shall give you some. (although depending on my quality of sleep, I can't guarantee for the quality or silliness thereof! BEWARE! :P)

DW

I've got so much to post! Basilisk pictures! Organized studio pictures! Music stuff! Question meme stuff! omg.

But tonight I'm tired and this is about as much brain as I can manage. *sigh*

so, I think I'm gonna go fall asleep to watch the new Doctor Who instead. :P

*♥*

DW

So about a year and a half ago, upstart_crow asked me to make a basilisk for her. And I said sure! I'll look into it! and then I'd start a piece and hate it, and talk to her a bit and write stuff down and start another piece and hate it and almost finished a piece and hated it and... you get the idea.

But Wednesday evening I decided that DAMMIT I WAS GONNA FINISH A BASILISK! D: D: D: So I sat down and called karadin for moral support and made an AWESOME armature that I am happy with! ^____^ YAY!!

She's got the Armature 2.0 design and is a little over 15" tall right now. Her tail is completely articulated as are her arm, leg ankle and wrist joints. ^_^

Whoot!!



BasiliskYAY!

( Read more... )

DW

One more thing! And then I stop spamming y'all's frists.

The bidding on the Child Empress ends today!! Get your bids in if you're looking to have her for yourself! ^___^

Also, she's apparently a bit scary before coffee. :P :P (and I am quite amused. ~_^)


And! Connie Toebe and Laramie Sasseville also made pieces inspired by "Child-Empress of Mars" by Theodora Goss! ^__^ And I want both of them! yus! ^___^

(and and and the beeeeeeeeeeee!! D: D: So Much Love! :D :D)

DW

Hey y'all. I'm working on putting together this year's Call For Artists and I'm looking for fabulous artists to add to my list!

Is there anyone you think is an awesome artist and might like to participate in the show? Let me know! ^____^ (and let them know! I'll be posting the call as soon as the reg form is active and y'all lovely art people can start sending me your jury pics. ^__^)

Man, this year is gonna be FABULOUS. ^_^b

We're looking for a lot of diversity in feminist scifi/fantasy/speculative/interstitial/gloriously arty themes of all descriptions and interpretations! We'd especially love to see a balanced mix of mediums both 2D and 3D by both established and emerging artists. ^__^

And *I'm* looking for places where I can find such awesomeness! So pretty please with all kinds of sweetness on top rec me your favorite artists and art sites so I can add them to my promotion list and send them the info?

*bats lashes*

XOXOXO ♥!

Jane aka wiscon art show person. :P

DW

So yay!! the Child Empress is up for auction!! Go! Check it out! Tell them how awesome you think she is! ^___^ (and bid if you want her, too! ^____^)

And Interfictions 2 is out! ^____^ Go! Buy it and read the AWESOME story by Theodora Goss that inspired me and get many more awesome stories as well!! ^______^

Here's the press release for the auction:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Interfictions 2, the second anthology of new “interstitial” fiction from the Interstitial Arts Foundation, will be released by Small Beer Press on November 3rd, 2009. The anthology, edited by acclaimed authors Delia Sherman and Christopher Barzak, further explores the interstices of genre and form, drawing ever-changing maps of what literary art can be.

In honor of their first Interfictions anthology, the IAF held a jewelry auction in the summer of 2007: each piece was inspired by stories within that pioneering collection, which critics hailed as “odd, deep, delightful…”. Now, in 2009, the Interstitial Arts Foundation is crossing their own previously-erected borders and has opened the auction up to all manner of portable art.

A wide array of artists – dollmakers, painters, jewelry-crafters, knitters, and more – were invited to create pieces inspired by the border-crossing works in the first and second Interfictions anthologies. Through the alchemy of word and imagination and raw materials they have created over 30 stunning pieces, ranging from an evocatively alien sculpture by Jane Washburn (inspired by Theodora Goss’ “Child-Empress of Mars”), an eloquent necklace by SToNZ (inspired by “Valentines” by Shira Lipkin), complex and exquisite handmade art books from Wendy Ellertson and Erzebet Yellowboy (of Papaveria Press), a hat that can be both worn and read from Kate Schaefer, and many other intriguing pieces that are themselves works of interstitial art: illustration and handcraft, fine art and utilitarian . . . all and none of the above.

The online Interfictions Auction is set to begin on November 1st and will run through early December. All of these pieces make excellent holiday gifts. Opening bids will range from $10 – $50, though of course the value of many is much higher. All proceeds go toward supporting the Interstitial Arts Foundation and its projects.

( Read more... )

Also, Here's a link to the previews and schedule for all of the awesome art that'll be going up for bidding this month. AAAH!! I want everything! ^___^


Bidding on the Child Empress ends in a week, so if ya want her put your bid in! ^____^

DW

I realized this morning as I was sorting out my flickr account that I haven't posted WIP pics for the CE yet. D: soooooo... here they are. ~_^

I didn't take very many this time around being as I was more concerned with creating then documenting, but I think I got a couple good ones. ^___^



( Here are 10 pics with talking! whoo! :P )

She was 4 months of work (amid other projects) and took about 115 hours.

and just for completion sake, here are links to the other two detailed WIP posts I've made:

How to make an Imp: Goddess Doll Tutorial

Anatomy of a Root Thing: Oh it's been so long since I've made one of these.

DW

I dropped suibhne_geilt off at the airport this afternoon. I'm sad I'm going to miss WFC. :(((( Hopefully I'll be able to make it next year! I miss you awesome people!! *clings*

*****

I've added Octave and Lina to my Etsy store. And I think I've figured out my lightbox background problem, so hopefully there will be a few more later. (as I've recently been on an insomnia kick, my sleeplessness = more productivity?? and I've got 10 dolls waiting to be properly photographed before I can post them around. ^_^)

*****

I was just bemoaning the fact that I was feeling feverish and exhausted and nauseated and hoping that I wasn't getting sick when I remembered that the last time i ate was... 12 hours ago? and am most definitely dehydrated due to the same. D: D: D: Some times I am not so smart. :PP

I am about to remedy that with some chicken fried rice. :P (and by "chicken fried rice" I'm referring to rice fried with bits of chicken, not batter fried an served with white pepper gravy. :P :P)

whee and stuff!

DW