WINEFEST

I have mentioned the creative aggregate known as The Factory Arts Studios previously in other blog posts, but now I have an event to write about. If you are in the area make sure you stop by, I promise you will not be remiss.

Let me give you the lowdown on what the factory is:

 The Factory is not simply an art shop but is the meeting place for people like us who think that art is also a lifestyle, it is a growing community of artists, artisans, and craftmen located in a building enveloped in history.  

One of the resident artists is Nick Beery of the beery method fame "The Factory Art Studios is a great incubator for local central Illinois artists to come together, be creative and have a venue to display and sell their work," he says. "We strive to push a greater appreciation for the arts and create awareness in our community through the catalyst that is the arts collective and our monthly events. Every artist on the floor brings something different from the next."

I could not agree more. The importance of art in a community is something that few people understand. 

It does not matter which preference towards art you are inclined to I think we can all agree that something this wonderful deserves to be acknowledged and exposed. Please take a moment to visit and maybe like their Facebook page, look at the artist's creations and  give them some feedback.

If you are In the Area make sure and stop by.

The Factory Art Studios Facebook

And check out some local tv coverage.

CILiving Part1.

CILiving Part2

In the following weeks I will be doing other posts about The Factory Arts members and their specific talents.

Procrastination

Life is what you make it and procrastination may be holding you back, but you have to realize a few things before you can conquer it.


#1: Admit that you are the problem.


Because you are. For whatever reasons led up to this point, you caused them. It might hurt the ego, but given that you've already failed a few classes, you shouldn't have much of an ego anyway.


#2: Drop the "Smart but unmotivated" bullshit.


Because ultimately, it doesn't matter how smart you are if you can't bring yourself to do something. You could be Stephen Hawking, but without the motivation to stare endlessly at the stars and perform feats of physics while simultaneously being effected by a crippling chronic disease, you're the equivalent of those theoretical kids who get D's and F's because "They just don't get it."


Fun Fact: Public High school and Middle School work isn't meant to be hard. People that fail them are most often irresponsible rather than stupid, and it's still a reflection of yourself. Don't disassociate yourself from your grades by feeding the delusion that you're "smart and unmotivated."


#3: Acknowledge what is causing your problem, then deal with it.


Professional writers are notorious for having procrastination/distraction problems. They overcome it by acknowledging what is causing the problem, and then dealing with it. This often means doing things like disassociating themselves from their vices(gambling, drinking, gaming, internet, etc.)


Video games causing you a problem? Uninstall them from your computer. Thinking about not uninstalling them? Uninstall them anyway. Still not sure? Do it anyway. Fight it. Got a console? Unplug it. Put it in your closet, preferably in a box or multiple boxes. Make it harder for you to start a game than it is to start your work. Take the game discs and put them in a single case, and give them to someone you trust to keep them away from you.


Internet got you down? Disable your access in your computer. Can't do that? Uninstall your preferred browser or delete shortcuts to your browser from your desktop and menus. Block Reddit. Filter Imgur, Youtube, and Facebook, and social media. Make it harder to procrastinate.


No, this is not easy to do. Do it anyway, because you have something to prove.


#4 Swallow your pride.


Because you really don't have anything to be proud of right now. You're a C/D student who is easily distracted. Congratulations, you're 60% of lower to middle class males in that age range. Quit telling yourself your smart, or "you could do that if you really tried." No one cares about 'what ifs'. They care about what it is you've actually done, and whether or not you're fit to do it again, or do something more.


Someone with cognitive disabilities who simply tries is more impressive than someone who doesn't want to do the work. These days, people aren't limited by their intelligence or education as much as they are limited by their drive.

Dead Head

"Dead Head" 11"x14" Brush and India Ink.

CLICK TO VIEW FULL SIZE

No sleep brings weird shit to my mind. I am going to color this and post that one as well, but I just couldn't wait to share it. I will be offering prints of the colored version in my shop later this week, also the original will be for sale for $160. The next Piece that I will do in this style will be a tutorial so I hope you are looking forward to that, because I am.

Tattoo Art.

Ever since I was thirteen years old I have been interested in tattoos. The interest has only grown as time has passed, but where I was thirteen and saw it as a rebellion against social norms, I have come to appreciate it as an art form.

From time to time I will do tattoo designs for friends and family (often for free) and really enjoy it. I aspire to someday try my hand at actually tattooing, but with the anticipation of my first child's birth and the amount of work I have had lately it will have to wait.

I have not posted any of my tattoo designs so I figured now would be a good time.

This is some line work for an unfinished personal piece. I sketched it out with a regular HB pencil (I  use Dixon Ticonderoga; I have tried a lot of different pencils, but these ones have a very nice graphite grade, and they sharpen well) then I scanned it in and went over my lines in Adobe Illustrator. 

Still trying to figure out how I want to color it digitally so I might do it digitally then color it with colored pencils or watercolors or some other traditional medium.

 I look forward to posting more tattoo art, as well as having you look at it.

N-Kay

Ok, guys I have been under a lot of stress and emotional burden dealing with a recent tragedy in the family so I have not been able to work let alone paint for the blog. I do not think this should keep me from providing well established content, so I have come to a compromise that will hopefully balance things out.
Some of you may know of Nicholas Kay, if not let me give you a lil' reference.

Nicholas started using Photoshop around 2001 and professionally as an artist in 2007. Last year he obtained a MA in Game Design.

His original style consisted of heavy line art, but he has experimented with different styles.

He has worked for

• 40K Radio


• Alderac Entertainment Group


• Bell of Lost Souls


• BySwarm


• Dark Art Miniatures


• Disney


• Electronic Gaming Monthly


• Fantasy Flight Games


• Game Night Productions


• Lone Shark Games Inc.


• Miniwargaming.com


• Neverstop


• Paizo Publishing


• Pixar


• Qubop Inc.


• Say Design


• Sephora

• The Creative Group

Most importantly though Nicholas is bringing his knowledge and experience to any one who is interested by sharing tips and demonstrations through livestream sessions, which he then posts to youtube. 

I have not been able to attend one of his livestreams yet, but I will soon. Allow me to share a few with you now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sTWGnM43ss&feature=plcp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5_nwYW_s3k&feature=plcp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjAIW6fAlYk&feature=plcp

 Also be sure to look at his other work you can visit  his website: Nicholaskay.com

Thank you for viewing and hopefully I don't lose too many viewers to Nick, peace out, word to your mother and other outdated ways of saying goodbye.