Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. X

The next plan on my agenda is to wrap up some more stories born of illustrations I compiled between 2009 and 2010. I intend to keep writing and showing new work in galleries, as well as taking on a tattoo apprenticeship. My goal is that by the end of 2012, I can once again be financially independent enough to live on my own. Whether or not I decide to stay in San Diego is still a mystery to me- I’ve had inclinations to move up to LA or even San Francisco for a period of time, maybe even tool around the east coast or other countries, if they let me in... It might even be interesting to write a vaguely detailed story documenting the decisions and actions I've taken to willingly place myself in this predicament- then pray that my awkward bumblings will potentially translate into enlightening efforts and inspire those of us that are less inclined to blindly dive into our passionate interests.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. IX

Recently, I've heard more and more voices ask me how I manage to persist in the brutally demanding career of a DIY artist, given the circumstances of our current economy. Once again, I wish I had a good, rational answer to explain a tangible formula of sorts with a step-by-step plan of action. But the truth of the matter is that I'm figuring out new ways of maintaining this artistic path with the advent of each coming day. I’ve sacrificed a number of relationships due to the demanding and often erratic schedule, as well as making the decision to move home with my family and build financially from scratch. I can’t really say if there’s a right or wrong way to go about any artistic or independent path, everyone has their own lessons to learn. I think it just boils down to what you’re willing to give up in order to gain some semblance of emotional, psychological, or physical freedom in the wake of a society that has so many predisposed expectations of you. The interesting thing about sacrificing though, is the occasional realization that you never really needed to hold onto certain things to begin with...

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. VIII

In terms of my longevity, I was at a point in my life where financial freedom, a healthy life-style and a consistent stream of new work to show weren't exactly lining up in the way I had originally imagined. A number of serendipitous factors had opened some very fortunate doorways for my self and my work, but I quickly learned that every new turn came with a set of unforeseen obstacles- either bent on destruction or unparalleled development in the wake of this chaotic field we all choose to participate upon throughout various points in our lives.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. VII

To my surprise, I could have never anticipated such an overwhelmingly positive welcome from the crowd I once migrated amongst between the aisles. People began inquiring about the work, its process, its meaning. How long does it take you to finish a piece? (A fair amount of time.) Why are you using only a ballpoint pen? (It was available at the moment.) Are you on any illegal or prescription drugs while you're drawing? (Absolutely not.) What are your plans for the future concerning your artwork? (To keep going.) I had responses for most of these questions, but some answers were not as straightforward as others...

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. VI

My first Comic Con experience as an exhibitor was packed with many mixed emotions, ranging from lightheaded giddiness to crippling anxiety. I was so afraid that my work wasn’t good enough to show at such a prestigious, world recognized event- but if the artwork had taught me anything, it was that “there is no such thing as a mistake” so long as you choose to follow through with your decisions once you’ve made them. All I could do was bring what I had to the table- a couple of sketchbooks filled with drawings and the play I had finished in February. 

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Sketches II

I started this drawing about a year ago while I had my art studio on Ray Street. There was an open wall space in the parking lot adjacent to the San Diego Art Department and I had the chance to paint it with one of my illustrations. The illustration depicted today was the first mock up I came up with for the wall. Unfortunately, my time and efforts were driven into different directions so the wall painting never came to fruition and the drawing remains unfinished. Since that time, I've put it on the shelf for a while, partly because of all the other shows on my agenda, partly because I'm not entirely sure how to finish the artwork. 

 

 

 

 

Maybe one of these days the muse that originally inspired the piece 

will decide to come back and tell me how to finish it...

Until then, take care... 

Tim Shelton : Everything Went Black : Work in Progress II

I don't think the development of this piece could have been any more ironic. Turns out I didn't budget enough time to finish the original drawing for Tim Shelton's "Everything Went Black" show. So at the last minute I decided to draw something up on the fly- 200 dollars later, we have an overnight delivery slated to arrive one day before the show opening... genius. Hopefully I don't piss too many people off as a result of this debacle. But either way you can still enjoy the fruits of my last minute labor via this blog or my Facebook page.

Caption: 
"At last! I am one with 

the greatest philosopher poet 

of our modern world!"

Title: "LOL, Henry Rollins!"

Size: 10"x16"

Medium: Black Ballpoint Pen, Blue Colored Pencil,

Shellac Ink and Gold Ink on top of a Walnut Ink Stain.

 

The show opens this Saturday, March 10th at The Pretty Pretty Collective located in San Francisco's Mission District. I would give just about anything to be there and mingle among some of Tim's hand picked artists. Once again, I am greatly humbled and honored to be part of such an amazing event with so many incredibly talented people.

If I get invited back next year, maybe then I can attempt to finish what I had originally set out to accomplish- it's my own fault for going overboard once again. And so, it seems as if my experiment has proven that I am still not mature enough to handle overly ambitious projects... dammit.

Thanks for checking in, I'm sure I'll figure it out one of these days... 

but until then, take care.

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. V

A few months after my show at the Tin Can Alehouse, I was invited by Randall Christopher to share a table at San Diego’s Comic Convention International. Since the age of ten I had religiously attended the Comic Con as a spectator with my father, and now I was given the chance to finally play a part in the convention experience as an exhibitor. It was childhood dream that had finally come true and a part of me still can’t believe that I get to participate in something so spectacular. I’m grateful for every moment I spend in that convention center and I hope that in the years to come we can sustain a substantial presence of independent artists and publishers. Those were the pioneers of San Diego’s Comic Con International they remain the heart and soul of graphic novels/comic literature.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Thinkspace : Picks of the Harvest : Work in Progress III

Finally finished with my piece for Thinkspace Gallery's "Picks of the Harvest" show, opening this Saturday, March 3rd from 5PM to 8PM. The artwork took a little longer than I had originally anticipated, but it was well worth the effort in the end. I will continue to explore colored pencil in conjunction with the ballpoint pen- I was really pleased with the last minute decision to add another medium, and even more impressed by how nicely they complimented one another. I can't thank Andrew Hosner and his wife Shawn Hosner enough for being so patient with me during this process, they've put a lot of effort into this show and I am deeply humbled by the caliber of artists slated to appear in this art event. I'm still blown away by the fact that they decided to include my work...

The following photos show my conclusion to this
long and drawn out process (no pun intended)...

Title: "Composing Shadows"

Size: 14" x 24"

Medium: Ballpoint Pen,

Shellac Ink, Walnut Ink Stain
Gold Ink and Colored Pencil

 

 

 

Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at 

Thinkspace Gallery's "Picks of the Harvest" show on opening night!

Take care until then...

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. IV

In 2010 I was introduced to Kelsey, manager of the Tin Can Ale House, who offered me the opportunity to show in the bar Valentine's Day weekend. This turned out to be the debut show for the illustrations featured in my first play, SKETCH. It turned out to be an incredible evening with amazing bands (hand picked by Kelsey), and a packed crowd excited about good music and artwork. I ran into a lot of old friends as well as making some new ones along the way. I was also lucky enough to have a very talented friend of mine, Ian Cuevas, photograph the evening.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!