Clown Portrait Commission

Whelp, I’ve thought long and hard, and I think I’ve decided to give it all up for clown portraiture…

I just dropped off my latest commission yesterday and what an exciting spot it was indeed! My mom’s neighbor tapped me to repaint the badly damaged doorway portrait of Toby the Clown, who is the namesake of a local clown museum and school. It was my first time in the building and wow, I can honestly say I have never been in the midst of so much clown art in my life!

Although this is definitely one of my sillier commissions, I’m actually very honored to be asked to repaint this portrait because although Toby has passed away, he is beloved by many folks, including lots of other local clowns, and the folks who’ve seen the painting already say his warm and friendly personality really shines through, which means a lot to a portrait artist who has never met her subject in person.

They were super sweet and gave me a special surfing clown figurine since they knew I’m still fresh from the island life - so adorable. I was actually nicely surprised with the quality of some of the paintings. Check out the two portraits on the left in this pic, they were done by Red Skelton!

Below you can see the damage done to the original painting by the outdoor elements. I repainted it in oil, which will hold well but the gals down at the clown museum understand the face will probably need to be repainted every 3-5 years no matter what.

It’s definitely not what I’m used to, but I’ll take a great learning experience any time! I can officially add ‘Clown Portraiture’ into my repertoire now - ha!

Literally a few thousand figurines in the collection! Not exactly where I’d want to sleep at night, but totally awesome nonetheless!

5.28.2020

Daily Vlog, Day One

I had an amazing epiphany when trying to dive in and figure out what my particular audience wants so that I can figure out how to give it to them, which is, in a nutshell, how all successful creators get to be as such.

I’m not going to post them here or on YouTube, you can only find my artsy advice and real world rants, tips, and musings on my Instagram. I’m posting a new 3-5 minute vlog every single day, just as a way to check in with my patrons and supporters.

But just because I want to make sure you know how silly candid Caleigh can be (and to dangle the ole IG carrot just a lil..) I’ve uploaded just the first introductory vlog in a secret video that can only be viewed here.

Enjoy! If you mention this blog post to me on IG I’ll make sure to follow you back! xo

5.27.2020

Painting A Beach Mural at The Arc

Woo Hoo! My very first beach mural! Actually, it’s my first landscape mural of any kind and I learned a lot!

Trying to incorporate oil painting skills with mural painting technique definitely still has me on a bit of a learning curve, but hopefully you will enjoy these mural tips that I was able to figure out already.

I used interior house paint for everything which has a delightfully smooth and pigment rich consistency, although I do look forward to trying out actual mural paint one of these days.

I felt really fortunate to be able to work with the Ridge Area Arc in particular because, although the facility has been shut down for a few months due to present world circumstances so I was alone while painting the mural, I was able to meet a few of their clientele on a previous visit and they were so sweet and friendly and excited to meet me. It feels really good to be able to create upbeat artwork for folks who will really look at it and enjoy it every day.

Read more about the Arc’s mission and our project in the local paper. That’s right, this Birdie had a featured article for her mural project! Yay!! (click to enlarge it)

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5.22.2020

‘Fern Tummy’ in Her Perfect New Home

Any of my fellow artists understand that when a client brings a piece of your work into their home it is a very meaningful transaction and a little piece of your heart goes with each piece you create.

So when another artist whom you love and respect so much decides to collect your work, feelings of gratitude and warmth abound, especially when you get sent a photo like this one of your work born on the ridges of the Ko’olau mountains on O’ahu, and now at home in the cozy woods of New Hampshire.

Ferns with ferns forever… :)

Seana is one of my fave muses and biggest supporters and becoming a closer friend every day. Check out her gorgeous self photography and one of my paintings of her, and then find Seana on Instagram @theillustratr and look at her beautiful artwork.

5.20.2020

Help Name My Next Painting

Well this lil lady is getting pretty fancy! This first shot does not have any resin in it, it was the culmination of my brain storm last night. But this morning I poured the first layer… So exciting!!

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It’s hard to see in the first photo, but Kenna actually has an entire row of real ladybugs marching in a line across her chest and shoulder. These, among more that I still have, are from my artist residency in Tennessee. We had the most adorable infestation of ladybugs. Apparently it’s a naturally occurring thing that ladybugs come inside wood houses during the winter and then when their natural life cycle ends, you’re pretty much left with piles of the cutest corpses ever.

Here’s a few of my dried specimens.. aren’t ferns so unbelievably perfect?!?! If you click to enlarge the one on the left, you can see the most glorious and delicate inner veins in each leaf.

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Now here’s where you come in…

I’ve been calling this painting ‘Shroom Season’ because of the funky fungus growing out of Kenna’s head, but since planning the plant additions, I’m thinking of changing it to ‘Primavera’ (the Italian word for ‘spring’) after this exceptionally rejuvenating and ethereal painting that I’ve been fortunate enough to visit twice in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy by one of my most favorite painters of all time, Sandro Botticelli.

What do you think?

I’m taking a vote on the name today (Monday) here, on my YouTube, and on my Instagram. Drop me a comment or chime in on one of my official polls on my Instagram Story or my YouTube Community tab to cast your vote. Thanks!

5.18.2020

Elevator Pitch for Artists

Do you know why it is important to have an elevator pitch as an artist? Do you have one prepared right now?

If the answer to either question is no then pull out your pen n paper and get ready to spend some of that quarantine time practicing being your best, most exciting, artsy self in front of a mirror!

This is important because you want to make sure that when you have the opportunity to talk with someone who could help boost your art career, or show your work at a gallery or art fair, or maybe even offer you a grant or artist residency, you sound confident, capable, and collected enough to make an excellent first impression in a super short amount of time.

Elevator Pitch Steps

1. Your name + main medium

2. Your mission + how you perform it

3. Why they should care

4. Ask lead-in question

5. Develop contact plan

Tips + Strategy

• Be concise but exciting

• Speak conversationally but with a few interesting adjectives

• Remember it’s a pitch, not a monologue

• Practice, practice, practice until it sounds totally natural

• Have a business card + art examples ready

• GIVE THEM A REASON TO CARE!!!!

Happy pitching friends!

Hey, if you’d like a career artist to help get started or to run your pitch by and help brainstorm improvements, I’m always here for one-on-one mentoring. Check out my super low temporary pandemic rates here.

5.15.2020

How to Sharpen Pencils for Drawing

When you first learned how to sharpen pencils as a small child in a classroom, remember how much those metal gears used to grind your pencil down? Yikes!

Luckily we have grown up from that and now treat our drawing pencils much more kindly by sharpening them without a sharpener, but instead with a knife or razor blade and sandpaper. With this method you can get your pencil lead as long as you like it for variety in shading abilities. Enjoy!

If you get a sanding board from this link it helps to support my channel, thank you:)

Nitram Pencil Sander https://bit.ly/35Rhuq5

5.8.2020

Mirror Self Portrait Drawing

I didn’t post the full ‘Mirror Self Portrait’ on my blog post yet, so just in case you missed the video last week, you can watch the entire drawing process as well as the crazy way I had to film it here. This is the most accurate self portrait I’ve ever created and I’m super proud:)

chalk pastel, 18 x 14 inches, drawn from life

5.6.2020

Mirror Self Portrait

Now this mirror self portrait was a fun one to create! It is a serious exercise in really trusting in yourself to please your toughest critic - yourself!

Drawing a self portrait is something I haven't done since grad school and I am quite excited to share this process demo, including not just a timelapse of my drawing, but letting you in on how I had things set up in order to get the up close camera shots that are literally between me and the mirror.

Here are the materials I use to draw. If you purchase anything through my special links (even if you choose different colors!) it helps to support my channel so thank you!!

White Chalk Pencil: https://bit.ly/3d3COLh

Parisian Blue Carbothello Pastel: https://bit.ly/2KNxmjD

Pencil Extender: https://bit.ly/2uCRQqC

Kneaded Eraser: https://bit.ly/2VC4qBB

Map Eraser: https://bit.ly/2wgzoop

Mono Zero Eraser: https://bit.ly/3885Fej

And I don't remember the brand of this paper but this is my other fave kind for use with pastels or charcoal: Canson Me Tienes in Steel Grey: https://bit.ly/3f8uqff

Make sure to tag me on Instagram if you create your own mirror self portrait - I'll share it in my story!! @caleighbirdart

5.1.2020

Making COVID 19 Masks

Perhaps you’ve noticed every seamstress around has been focusing her super powers on mask making to protect our communities, and this lil Birdie has now joined the ranks.

Through a little research I discovered that quilter’s cotton batik is an especially good material to use due to it’s tight knit so I was able to purchase a little this week and have been watching the mask orders flood in.

Because I’m offering three sizes in four patterns and my cloth supply is limited and going fast, I’m literally assessing inventory after each order is placed, rather than having products in my store that may overrun my available fabric. If you’re interested in a mask for you or a few for your family, your best bet is to catch me on Instagram @caleighbirdart where I’m taking orders through direct message and updating my progress.

Be safe out there folks! xoxox

4.28.2020