Ian Universal On Telesma Resurrection Poster

I am honored and excited to announce that one of my images was selected to adorn a poster, and promotional postcard for the band Telesma! The image above will be on the celebration concert poster called 'Resurrection' for the upcoming July 20th show. The band is raising awareness and funds for band member Ian Hesford. The postcard and poster were designed by the lovely and resplendent female vocalist of Telesma, Joanne Juskus.

This concert is now possible because of the astonishing story surrounding the multifaceted and vibrant musician Ian Hesford, who suffered a near fatal heart attack onstage on April 20th. The band is calling the 'Rams Head Live' concert in Baltimore 'Resurrection,' because Ian Hesford took a short voyage into the cosmic beyond, and returned again to bless us with his music, and kind spirit. It is an incredibly remarkable story of love, music, and manifesting the Spirit of life. Also a miracle that night, is that two members of the Telesma audience were trained in CPR! While one was dressed in a top hat, and the other in face paint, they jumped up on stage to revive Ian. His heart stopped for a full hour, but between the swift action of the audience members, and the EMT's who worked at resuscitating Ian for 90 minutes, his life was spared. The medical staff at Mercy hospital call his recovery miraculous. You can read a wonderful article about those people, and that night's events here in this City Paper article written by Matt Kelly.

After news of what happened to Ian Hesford was realized, the entire band, friends, and music community, surrounded Ian with constant love and light, infusing the situation with amazing compassion! It is a testament to the beautiful soul and nature of the members of the band Telesma, who stayed by Ian's side while he was in the hospital. They posted daily updates about how Ian was responding, along with their own personal thoughts and feelings. Telesma is a remarkable family of love. Everything now involves helping their band mate, along with celebrating his return to this world. They live the inspiration that is found in their unique music. And If you loved Telesma before, you really become heart connected to them after witnessing their real life response of love and caring for Ian.

That is why it means so much to me to have a small part in this awe-inspiring outpouring of love, and celebration of life! It is truly astonishing that Ian will be back up on the same stage, just three exact months later, playing all of his varied indigenous instruments! With all the fabulous artists and professional photographers who take part in the Telesma community, I am so grateful to be chosen to express this admirable concert event. It is my hope that the image I call 'Ian Universal' will help bring some attention to a very worthy cause, and an evening of phenomenal musical communication. You can also go to this link to make a donation to a trust fund that has been set up for Ian's medical expenses, called "Painted Talisman Of Miracles." The July 20th evening 'Resurrection' concert will also have silent auction items that you can bid on with all proceeds going to Ian's medical fund.

If you are not yet acquainted with Telesma music, get your mind, body, and soul, ready for some transcendence! They are an extraordinary and infectious band, capable of soothing your Spirit, and moving your body with their compelling primitive/futuristic tribal techno rhythms. You can read more about Telesma and their new CD "Action In Inaction" in this post by Ben, and my original post about experiencing Telesma for the first time here. Their new CD is a rare creation, because from the beginning to the end of this musical journey, they have your attention. Definitely something you will play over and over! Ben's post is from the viewpoint of a fellow musician that understands on many levels what Telesma is expressing.  

Ian Hesford and Ben Sherman at a Benefit for Ian at Cafe Nola

Being with Telesma live is the ultimate, because you will "feel" their musical vibrations, and those of the crowd as well. It all comes together in that divine space where you could be resurrected too!

To give you an idea of my thought process while working on my image of Ian Hesford, I used this original image from a photo I had taken at one of Telesma's events. I had worked up this one that I called 'Ian - The World Emerges.' While I thought it had appeal, I could not get past the feeling that it needed something. So "it happened" just as I submitted this first idea to Joanne. I pushed the button to 'send' on my computer, then turned my head and saw that Ben was looking at photos of the Universe on his computer screen. In that instant I knew, that Ian needed to be emerging from the Universe itself. So I wrote a note to Joanne that I was going to be sending her another image. I worked up about 10 versions till I was satisfied with the arrangement below. That image is the one Telesma used on the facebook event page for the concert. When I looked at the image again, I then thought to myself I need to Telesma-ize this image... and there is the final result, in the image at the top of this post, and on the poster. 

That quick moment of clarity, in knowing that Ian needed to be projecting from the Universe, is one of those fun moments when you feel connected to the Source of all creativity, which leads you to the answer...and you say...yes! Finally my image fit the theme of the trip Ian took perfectly, so I named it "Ian Universal," because he had been there and back again.

You can join the Telesma facebook community here.

UPDATE: Just found out that the band 'Tool" has posted the Telesma Resurrection Poster on the News Page of their website. Cool.

Tips For Painting Childrens Murals

My favorite murals to paint were always the ones for children.  Whether you desire to create a mural for your own child, or would like to do this as a career, there are a few tips included in this blog to help get you started. Think about it... don't you wish someone had painted a mural in your room when you were young?

I loved the excitement a child would show about the unique artwork that was created just for their room.  That is why I always included the child in my design questions when planning a mural for a children's room.  If you are painting a mural for your own child you can certainly do this in your early planning stages and bounce around some ideas together.  When you are planning professional murals it may depend on the client situation during your first meeting. Some people have a very difficult time visualizing anything and getting the child involved at this point confuses the parent even more.  You have to feel out the situation, but when possible ask the child's opinion.  

The age of a child can range from a baby to a teenager, so of course you would have a difficult time getting an infants opinion. haha! Most times the mother and the interior designer, often have a basic idea of what they want in the room.  Many clients relied on my portfolio of past work for inspiration.  Having a full portfolio of examples or bringing reference materials is very helpful.  Do not leave your books overnight with the client unless you absolutely know you will be coming back to that home!  I had to replace a few great reference books because of trusting new clients at first meetings. 
I always treated the portfolio of my faux and mural artwork photos like gold! Only the inner sanctum of the designer I worked with ever got to keep that baby overnight!

To get good reference materials and ideas: The children's library is a fantastic place to find large picture books for inspiration. The newsstand section of a store like Barnes and Noble carries many interior design magazines that feature children's rooms and murals.  Any kind of art or design trade publication can be an inspiration. If you are going to do this as a career you must invest in all kinds of reference books on many kinds of subjects. Collect animal, architecture, nature, sports, and fairytale books. Get picture books like "The DK Children's Illustrated Dictionaries." Purchase books specific to showing mural examples which usually have how-to information in them as well. It is always best to have the theme around something the child has a passion about because they will live with this artwork for many years.

Once the subject matter and the style has been determined for the mural then you can proceed with the very important step of 'prepping the room.'  I always allowed a day just for purchasing supplies, taping out the room with the beautiful blue or green painters tape, removing items from the wall, repairing any holes, setting out the tarps and moving furniture. This way I could come in fresh the next day to begin painting and creating. Also be sure to ask the client where your clean up area will be.  Sometimes they have a sink in the basement, and other times you have to bring your bucket of brush mess home sloshing in the car. Before I left each night, especially when there are children in the home, I cleaned up my work area very carefully. Water buckets are emptied, paint cans are closed tightly, paint and glaze tins are covered with aluminum foil. Then I would cover the entire area with a folded tarp to hide the contents from little eyes.  Leave no temptations behind.

 
When I began painting the walls in a child's room I found the children were usually curious, liked to watch for awhile and ask many questions.  That is a perfect time to find out what you can add into the mural to make it extra personal, and make them feel like they had input into the design. This could be as simple as the addition of their favorite bug, animal, their pet, putting their name on a banner or a locker door. Every situation is different.

As an artist I usually free-handed everything I painted right on the spot. I rarely did detailed sketches as it was all in my head, and I made sure I did a good job describing what I would do to my clients. If you are not so comfortable painting in that way you can prepare a preliminary drawing and then do a pencil sketch on the wall first.  If you cannot draw at all you will need to get an overhead projector that will place your design on the wall for you to outline first.

If this is your first time painting on a wall pick a smaller sized mural and a simple design.  Use small cans of water based house paint.  Benjamin Moore is my favorite brand because it is so thick and creamy.  They also have a glazing liquid to make your paint transparent when needed. Some people only use the small plastic squirt bottles of craft paint when doing a smaller mural. You can squirt the paint into small containers like those plastic cups you get to put ketchup in at fast food restaurants. Remember most importantly it is all just paint, so do not be afraid of it!  If you do not like what you painted the first time.  Lightly sand any thick edges you made, paint over it with your wall paint, and just start again. 

 
Be sure to have a nice supply of good brushes and a bucket of water to start.  Keep rags and paper towels handy for any drips.  Buy a few sizes of real artist acrylic "filbert" style brushes from the art store, along with any detail brushes you may need.  I used a plastic tool box with the handle in the middle to carry my brush collection.  On one side was the brushes and the other side was various tools such as knives, scissors,tapes, rulers, measuring tape, laser levels, pencils, kneaded erasers, paint can opener, chalk, etc. You can tape any reference photos or tear sheets right up on the wall with painters tape, and move them around as you go. Have all the reference pages in books already tabbed and notated so you can find your place easily.

A child's room is a place for their imagination, their dreams, and a place to have fun! Be expressive in your painting! Be colorful! You can even paint on top of a stool or over the closet doors as I did for a sports locker room look. Also don't forget that special effects paints are perfect for children's rooms. You could use chalkboard paint for the area under the chair-rail, put day glow paint on the moon and stars so they shine in the night, and use glitter paint to make a castle and fairy sparkle! Now turn on some music and start painting!

 

To see more examples of my past children's mural work in homes, commercial settings and volunteer work, go to my Gallery Portfolio at Crystal Visions Art.

Seeing Through To You

I am still in here...you know... inside your computer......

Isn't that where we all are? 

Quite happy here... creating. That is what keeps me going... the love of creation and seeing what comes through after the spark of an idea. I love playing with all the new things I am learning. Emo Phillips once said to me..."Crystal I see right through you!" (Brilliant!) I am taking a moment to look out to you, and say that I have not been posting on this blog because I am inside this mysterious place working on a huge art project. I am redesigning my husbands secret new website. It is like working on 15 pieces of art at once, and there is not much time for anything else. I do not use templates, so all the pages are pieces of art I create digitally just for the website. I have eleven web pages finished, and I am feeling really good about how everything is looking. Then there are the pages I re-do, because new ideas take over during the process...and that is usually a good thing. My  wonderful Ben is working on writing the code for the website in between doing taxes. I must say both things cause grumbling and gurgling sounds at times!

Eventually I will come to the photo editing part for the photo gallery page and that will be a large project in itself! Although when I am done I will have more pics for my new Flickr account. Oh I forgot to announce...."Hey! I have a new 'The Painting Queen' Flickr account!" 

Anyway just wanted to peek out to Blogville and say hello! I am hoping to squeeze in a colorful post next week that I had started a few weeks ago. It's magical! Got to go bake up some Cini-buns to keep my sweetie cheerful during tax time! See ya! For realz!

Credits: Artwork Copyright 2011 by Crystal Sherman/Crystal Visions Art

Elements: Frame - Shadowhouse Creations, Textures - me and Studio Gypsy (retired)

Technicolor Motor Home Inspires Babylon Sisters

There is a new band in town, a 'Steely Dan' Tribute band named 'Technicolor Motor Home' and they are truly amazing!  It was due to this new band that I was inspired to create this funky digital collage art piece called 'Oh Those Babylon Sisters!' Constantly for weeks, I had an earworm in my head singing "Babylon sisters...shake it!" Anyone who knows the song may recognize some of the symbolism from the lyrics in the image. I had a fun time creating this artwork, even though right now the earworm is starting up again singing, "You got to shake it baby. You got to shake it baby. Shake it!" Yes, I certainly foresee more song inspired artwork to come! Ideas are already formin' in me head! (Click images to view larger, then hit back button.) (Credits for collage elements I used at bottom of post.)

If you live in the Maryland area 'Technicolor Motor Home' is a must see event!  Wowie Zowie!  The excitement for this powerful 10 piece band was felt by everyone at their incredible debut performance at the Recher Theater in Towson Maryland Feb 25.

When you listen and watch the video's posted down below of the bands premier performance you will not believe that they only had a few rehearsals, due to snow and ice storms occurring every time a rehearsal was scheduled. 'Technicolor Motor Home' persevered by drawing on the mechanized hum of another world. And now I can have more crazy fun playing with motor home images like the one below! I see a trend happening....

The success of their debut performance is a sign of the supreme musicianship and talent recruited for this band by the perennially barefooted Glenn Workman, who put this project together. Glenn plays keyboards, and sings most of the songs in their repertoire.

Steely Dan music is difficult and challenging to learn, because of the deep jazz influences and constant changes occurring during each song. You really need to know your stuff to do this material correctly. The musicians in 'Technicolor Motor Home' are well known as some of the best in Maryland, and you will see many smiles in the crowd for 'Technicolor Motor Home', as they really do justice to these great songs. As amazing as this band is now, it is going to get even better!

The horn section of the band is powerful and adds a fullness to the sound, recreating the Steely Dan songs as they were meant to be played. During the concert the hard core Steely Dan fans appreciated the sound created by Jim McFalls on Trombone, Dave Makowiecki on Trumpet, and Barry Caudill on Saxophone.

The backup singers Meg Murray and Kelly Butcher provide the authentic details that this music requires.

Mark St. Pierre on drums, and Anthony Setola on bass, play the perfect Steely Dan riffs and rhythms.

Ben Sherman and Bryan Ewald, both incredible guitarists, add the spark to the infamous Steely Dan guitar solos. Along with playing lead guitar Ben Sherman also sings lead vocals on some SD songs.

This is the band to see in Baltimore! Keep an eye on the 'Technicolor Motor Home' schedule for the word is out on this powerhouse band!

'Oh Those Babylon Sisters!' are ready to rock and highly recommend you enjoy the following two videos of 'Technicolor Motor Home' Live!  

Visit the colorful TMH You Tube page for more great music videos! You are invited to be a friend at their TMH facebook page here.  

Note: This is only the second time I tried using a hand held video device which is Kodak's version of a Flip. I think the visual quality is pretty good for web. The sound is from the live mixing board at 'The Recher Theater' by Keith Nachodsky. Next time I hope to try out the zoom button! (For anyone who may not know, the awesome guitarist Ben Sherman is the Painting Queen's King! Love to hear him play!!!)

Credits: 
Photos and videos by Crystal Sherman,
Babylon Sisters Artwork Copyright 2011 by Crystal Sherman/Crystal Visions Art
Elements used in digital collage: Tumble Fish Studios - (Jubilant, Ethereal, Splendor), Rasberry Road Designs - (Domestic Goddess, Grungy Alpha), Deviant Scrap - (Beth Rimmer (Romance), Finecrafted Designs (Zetti Revamp) Holliewood Studios (Random Alpha) SherrieJD (License Letters), Texture: Shadowhouse Creations - (Odds and Ends)

Over The Paper Moon For My Valentine

 Just like the old fashioned days of yore, I made a Valentine Card for my sweetie. Since we are both just finally getting over a nasty flu that kept us down for two weeks, I had not been out to buy a store bought card. So I thought a little something handmade by me and photoshop would be nice. Hope you like it my love...

I have to say that I am happily married to the kindest most thoughtful man I have ever met. We are truly soul mates that enjoy every moment together. I feel grateful and blessed everyday to be with my King! Saturday we had an early Valentine celebration at a favorite restaurant with my daughter, her man and our grandaughter. Our little big girl (she is three feet tall haha!) Aowyn, just turned two and the restaurant staff did a little cake, candle, and singing, which put a look of surprise on that baby's face that was totally priceless! We enjoyed sharing our romantic Valentine dinner with family! Spreading the love around! Everyone had suffered this flu bug and we were all so glad to get out from under our sickly cabin fever!

Photo of The Queen is from our wedding and taken by Robert Smith Photography. I had to piece together four different shots to include the entire dress that is hanging down from the moon. I think I faked it out pretty good! The awesome vintage paper moon background was provided by Kpauli on Flickr. Texture used over all was a gorgeous tone from Jerry of Shadowhouse Creations.

The Mentality Of Being An Artist

I have been asked many times to speak or write to college age people who want to pursue creative fields. Usually it is about 'becoming an artist' because that is what I am associated with in my career. What I have to say may not be what they are expecting to hear. I think my sage old wise woman advice really is for anyone, at any age, or stage, in this life. Certainly it comes from my own experience and is coming from the viewpoint of my life circumstances. That being said, it took years to be the person I am now. Most often people need to live through things for themselves to "get it." Still I hope a few thoughtful breadcrumbs will be of help to someone out there. So I've added the page link above under my blog header called 'On Being An Artist' to express my thoughts on that subject. I actually wrote this piece in October 2009 for a Squidoo lens. It has been sitting there unpublished for various reasons. I decided to add it to my blog to celebrate my new dot com status!

Because I have been a creative person in my employment for my entire working life, I have been called "brave." Am I? What I believe about being a creative soul comes from the core of my being. I have always known I wanted to be an artist in some form since I was a child. Period. No doubts. 
In high school I was called "lucky," because I already knew exactly what I wanted to study. For me the answer is that "it" was already there before I incarnated. It is Spirit. 
It is being who I really am.

You see that digitally altered portrait up there of that little first grader...she was getting these artzy ideas in her head back then. In fact my parents for some strange reason had sent my tiny school photo to a company that hired artists in France to paint real portraits from photos. A very unusual thing for my parents to do. They then shoved the rolled up canvas in a drawer and there it sat for most of my life. Now that was more like my parents. I think their Spirit prompted them to put this painting in my reach, even if in a drawer all bent and cracked. I would as a child pull out the painting and be in amazement at the artist who could paint such reality. 
I studied this painting, and I thought it was made by the greatest artist in the world. Yet there was no signature. Around ten years ago I got that painting and put it in a frame to hang near the oil painting I painted of my own young daughter. I thought it was time to give that unknown artist and the child in the painting some respect.

Has this choice to be a full time artist been easy. Heck no. The other people in my life and family made me pay for my choice over and over. Did you hear that? It was other people. Not the choice. Not the art. Whether I was working as a 9-5 corporate art director, or running my own mural business, it was numerous people in my life and their "good opinion" of what "they" thought I should be doing instead of art that caused any problem. There were a few times when 
"I allowed" their thoughts into my life...their doubts... about who I really was and what I was doing. Once I took a temp agency job during a slow period to please someone else. They claimed since I did not make a certain income, I was a bad mother. 

I always felt you can learn from anything, even if it's a fork in your road. This period taught me basic computer skills which led to my working in the television industry. 
I continued doing some faux-finish jobs on the side. I was back being an art director of sorts working on nationally known Television programs in marketing and promotions. 
I also made some wonderful life-long friends while in those positions. In a few years I did return to my own mural and faux business full time, and you guessed it...living on my own again with my children. Huge lesson: It's so much better just to say "no" to some people and their "good opinion." Happiness and kindness matter.

So my take is not the usual how to become an artist...it is how to remove the obstacles to being an artist. This comes from someone who fought the good fight of many other peoples opinions about my "job" for thirty years. It always felt better when I was true to myself. You are born with "IT." But do you believe "it"?  As a single mom raising two children with all that brings, I was able to do it, with hard work, however difficult financially at times. Only when living with people who did not know who I really was, came the problems for me. When I stayed focused on 'my vision' new doors always opened, and the next job was always there!

For anyone who wants to become an artist, or work in any creative field of endeavor check out my in depth article on the tab page above called "On Being An Artist." I have included images created from my own artwork and photography to illustrate this article.

The Gypsy Nomads Make Out

Recent news is that "The Gypsy Nomads" have changed their name to 'Frenchy And The Punk'. The two talented and much loved musicians are on the road spreading the magical gypsy punk vibe of their own original song list most of the year!  Just look on their facebook page to get updates about what part of the United States they are currently driving!
 

We first met up with hard working musical couple Samantha and Scott at 'Faerie Con' in Philly. Ben and I strolled into the colorful second floor bar in Philadelphia's famous 'Trocadero' and were immediately captured by the dynamic presence of 'The Gypsy Nomads' as they performed on the old vaudevillian burlesque stage. Wow!

An incredible energetic couple... they sang, danced and played their way into our hearts. We began spreading the word about this gem of a duo that belonged on the main stage of Faerie Con! Truthfully... I really wanted to 'be' Samantha pounding out those rhythms!

French born Brit Samantha Stephenson and Scott Helland of 'Frenchy and the Punk' have since become one our favorite acts on the festival circuit. The New York duo have created a unique musical style all their own that pulls you into their web of swirling rhythms! 

A unique mix of soul stirring tribal percussion, french cabaret singing, multi-layered acoustic guitar riffs, with a lot of Celtic spice, this gypsy flavored theatrical music takes you back in time.

Scott is the only other acoustic guitarist, besides Ben, that I have seen, who is able to use a looping pedal to it's full potential; playing, self recording, and creating on the spot multi-layered sound, making for a powerful richly textured musical experience. Scott also does his fair share of pounding on the drums and singing!

The mystical tribal beats of the 'Gypsy Nomads' percussion vibrate across the crowd. Musically and visually mesmerizing, Samantha and Scott encircle everyone with their rhythms.

Scott and Samantha playfully interact with each other spreading their joy and laughter into the audience. The duo's on-stage chemistry expresses their enthusiasm for their nomadic musical profession. Unable to take your eyes off of them, "Frenchy and the Punk" will charm you with their musical stories and move you to dance. 

 

This kinetic couple is a must see, if you find they are scheduled for a show in your area, go enjoy them live!  And for readers of this blog in other countries, "Look Out!" they are headed to Europe in April. Dates are already booked for France and England. 

We have enjoyed seeing them on stage in Pennsylvania at the awesome 'Spoutwood Fairy Festival', and every year at 'Faerie Con' and 'Mythic Faire' which are both now held in Maryland. Gypsy Nomads play a long list of creative festival events all across the country.

The Nomads are home for the holidays in New York this month, and the couple is running an auction every day on EBAY to raise funds. They are even going to write a song for someone! You can go to their facebook page to see the activity of that online event in which they post a quirky photo racing the next item to the post office.

If you do get out to a venue to see "Frenchy and the Punk" perform live, visit their merchandise booth where you will find items they have designed with Scott's own intricate graphic artwork. Their t-shirts and guitar shaped sticker designs are really very cool. 
When you talk with them you will find these Gypsy Nomads are quite friendly folk, and the kind of warm souls whom when talking with you, are totally in the moment. Truly kind joyful spirits.

Inspired by Samantha's chanteuse spirit and British/French roots,
I created this digital collage artwork of her channeling the old world muse. You can click on this image to view the details much larger. 

There is Ben with Samantha and Scott when we saw them at 'Renn Con/Mythic Faire' last year. We introduced their music to my daughter and she also immediately bought a CD and a guitar sticker at the merch booth. Our little granddaughter Aowyn was happily dancing to the rhythms... yes, we all were twirling in our skirts!  
Well not Ben. Twirling in his skirt I mean. Oh what a giveaway!

Visit the "Frenchy and the Punk" website for more information and to purchase their CD's. There are wonderful photographs of the vivacious duo on their website that are also well worth checking out! They just released a video of one of their original songs "Make Out" that you can enjoy below. Your toes will be tapping.
 


All Photos and Images Copyright 2011 Crystal Sherman, 
AKA The Painting Queen

Credits: Photography and Digital Backgrounds - The Painting Queen,  
Textures - Jerry of Shadowhouse Creations, and The Painting Queen, Ephemera - Marie's Freebies and The Graphics Fairy, Glass Negative - Christina Renee Designs