How can I...

...make a full-body cast of myself on a completely limited budget? Hm.

UNTITLED

"Untitled"
by Dani Selvaggio
2012
(sketchbook/sold)

NERD LOVE

"Nerd Love"
by Dani Selvaggio
2012
(sketchbook)

Nerds in love. 'Nuf said.

MARAVILLAS

"Maravillas"
by Dani Selvaggio
2012
(for sale)

Here is the finished version of the DIA DE LOS MUERTOS piece that I had been sketching out in September of last year. Initially I had planned to have it done in time for Dia de los Muertos, but of course - work and other time constraints prevented me from being able to sit down and actually finish it. Incidentally, it all worked out for the best because I definitely needed the practice with watercolors that I hadn't had the time to develop.

At any rate, it's done. My goal was to make something that was very visually "Californian." I think I achieved that with the color palette (to me, California = dusty), but there are other things I would have changed, knowing how it's come out now.

Enjoy!

FIREBIRD

"Firebird"
by Dani Selvaggio
2012
(sketchbook)

When I was little, my dad spent a lot of time in the formerly-known Soviet Union on business. When he came home, he'd always bring a little souvenir for me and my brother that was very Russia-esque. One of my favorite things was a book of Russian Folktales and I very quickly became obsessed with the story of Prince Ivan and the Firebird. When I started this sketch, I intended for it to be completely firebird-centric. It quickly turned into a sketch of my favorite symbols that I remember from the book.

...I have no idea what happened to that book. Hm.

KEYBOARD

"Keyboard"
by Dani Selvaggio
2012
(sold)

Happy 2012, everyone! My resolution this year is - once I've gotten through my long list of commissioned projects that I'm working on - to do more art for myself. The last few days have been especially fruitful: I got a new set of watercolors for Christmas and just played around with them all weekend. The next couple of posts will be some examples of what resulted from that...mostly just playful sketches, nothing of too much depth!

First up is KEYBOARD. I've started calling it that because everyone who has seen it starts referring to it as "that one with the keyboard." Well, why not? The sketch was outlined with ink and then I used masking fluid before applying the watercolors. I also used a technique of defining some edges with tape (just good ol' scotch tape leftover from Christmas wrapping) and did a sort of layered watercolor application.

To say that I feel like this at work a lot is an understatement. Art is life...I can't even begin to explain how suffocating it is when you're trapped in a little box without any windows in sight for the majority of your waking hours.

...not to worry, viewers! The next few posts are not so angsty-dramatic! Enjoy!