Extinction by Association

I've been given a wonderful opportunity to include some artwork in artist Jasmina Cibic's http://www.jasminacibic.org/  upcoming project for the European Capital of Culture in Maribor, Slovenia. "The project is based on the story of discovery of an endemic beetle living in the

northern part of Slovenia, which is in danger of becoming extinct solely because of its name." ANOPHTHALMUS HITLERI is the beetle and the project calls for no research on the insect.  I, and other illustrators are to create an image, a proposed perception, with only the Latin name to draw upon.  The beetle, due its politically sensitive and offensive name, has become an afterthought to many texts.  Bringing awareness of this beetle's near extinction, Jasmina Cibic wants to mirror the uncelebrated history of the creature in her instillation. 



Watercolor on Arches 140lb Cold Press



Anopthalmia or anopthalmus is "without eye".  Seeing as how having that word as part of the beetle's name, I deduced that the creature would be evolved into a blind, pale colored insect with long antennae.  I included some reds and dark browns to draw comparison to the Nazi desert uniform.  Although I found it unlikely that the beetle would have visual characteristics to Hitler, knowing it was named by an enthusiast, I included the desert motif anyway.

Sweet Relish

A trip to Antigua, some painting updates both in progress and finished, that is what we learn today.....Hurray for learning!  Anyway, I attended a wedding for my very close pal(heh heh heh) and Marine Corps family member in Antigua.  A very cool and interesting island it is, armed with adventure at every turn and some beautiful beaches and birds.  Adventure might be an understatement of what went down the first two days on the island but I'll leave it at that.  I'll let you amateur gumshoes dig that one up.

The wedding was beach side on the northwest side of the island which had a nice little collection of birds.  Of those were; brown pelican, laughing gull, lesser antillean bullfinch, black faced grassquit, bananaquit, white crowned dove, zenaida dove, common ground dove, green throated carib, magnificent frigate bird(and it is), gray kingbird, carib grackle, and more.  To be honest, my research of the birds on that island was secondary to why I was there and was in short pathetic.  I have a lot of work to do but the few I did see will prove very important for upcoming projects.

By the way, airport food is a disgrace.  I ordered a veggie wrap that took quite a while to make and turned out to be consisted of only lettuce, cucumber, and sweet relish(I hate sweet relish).  Cheese was additional.  I'm sorry you had to read that last part but let ye be warned.  Travel on a full stomach.

As I said before I am very behind in posting images of artworks in progress and finished...

Forks and Spoons

It would be great if I could find a way to get my mobile device to work properly with this site.  Most of my down time is away from the computer and when I'm between places.  These moments I wish I could spend blogging but instead, I'm experiencing a log jam.

The past two months have been a very interesting time.  I'm questioning whether I should continue my masters at this time or perhaps pursue another bachelors in a different but related field.  I'm considering zoology.  It would put me in the field with the creatures I paint and encompass areas I already make time for, mainly, research.  I could collect my data, take pictures, and enjoy much time outdoors while being paid.  All these things I do anyway minus the getting paid part (except for finished paintings).  On top of that, I'm considering taking several scientific illustration courses although I'm not too sold on the idea yet.


Regardless which route I take, I'll still be illustrating so swallow this....

Just one of the paintings from this past two months.  This one is a header for the children's author Artie Knapp and his website artieknapp.com.  It's painted in Adobe Photoshop.

The Beauty of Nature

If you happen to pass by the Tinley Park area, be sure to check out The Beauty of Nature Show at the Vogt Visual Arts Center.  The show features several American Academy of Art alumni, alumnae and staff including but not limited to Lindsay Sandbothe, Kristina Knowski, and myself.  There are about two weeks left for the show (info here: http://www.tinleyparkdistrict.org/Parks-Facilities/vogt-visual-arts-center.htm ) so go enjoy all the wonderful artwork and someone please purchase Lindsay's heron and Kristina's woodpecker pieces as gifts for me!!!

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Annual Members and Small Works Exhibit

I linked my websites blog into this post.  Follow it, what can happen?

Aaron

http://aaronmelendez.com/?p=360

Turtle Label Sale

I finished the Snapping Turtle in time to submit for the GNSI show this summer.  I finally prepped the painting for printing and web view.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I painting it.  This, along with several other prints are among the ones available for sale.



Watercolor on imported handmade rough paper



I recently accepted a job to do labels for a local start up brewery.  I am very excited about this opportunity and as much as I'd like to share some details, I'm afraid we will have to wait. 

Works in Progress and Sales

 I last wrote about the wash from the other day.  In case you didn't know, I laid a wash down and it was absolutely horrid.  I spent several hours on it before work for a couple days but it could not be saved.  I ended up pitching it.  Embarrassment has kept me from posting a picture of it.  I started two paintings today and had another one lying around as a work in progress.  When I wasn't playing Spider-Man with my son,  I was working these three paintings.  They are all based from things I saw this past summer. 

All three serve a teaching purpose. The American Robin is part of several paintings I've planned that comment on nature and it's assimilation into human development.  This particular piece was designed to work on producing mechanical objects.  The primary purpose of the Day Lily is to increase proficiency in washes and fading backgrounds.  The Snapping Turtle I plan to play with light and it's relationship with darkness.  These paintings should be done fairly soon and ready for photographing.

On a side note, I listed several reproductions on sale through ebay.  I wanted to see how things would go before I told anyone I know they were up.  So far I've had maybe 6 views total amongst the several "prints".  I'm working on a more attractive template to use for my listings in the future but feel free to check them out anyway.  Just search my name.  The views would definitely calm the anxiety!