The Rogue Palette

I've Moved

2012-01-26T03:47:00.000-08:00

I've moved all my posts to my website, www.FleetingStates.com . If you would like to follow me, come on by to the new haunt.

Hey, it's snowing..... kind of

2010-11-24T01:25:00.000-08:00

I can tell the holidays are here because it started snowing yesterday, not much, but enough to remind me that they're on their way. That's good too, because it reminded me to write this blog.

We are going to be at a few Holiday Markets and events this season. As always, you can find us at our usual spot at Skidmore Saturday and Sunday Market right up till Christmas Eve (Take the Max to Skidmore Fountain and you have arrived). We will also be at the Christmas Bazaar starting Black Friday! It's at the Portland Expo center, November 26th - 28th and December 3rd -5th. We will have a bit of a Holiday sale as well.

The 28th Annual America’s Largest Christmas Bazaar
@ Portland Expo Center
Nov 26th - 28th & Dec 3rd - 5th
Open Friday & Saturday, 10am-6pm, and Sunday, 10am-5pm
located just south of the I-5 Interstate Bridge. Take exit 306-B from I-5 north or south.
View Map

Next we have Portland Saturday Market's "Holiday Artisan Market", where you can find your favorite Saturday Market Artists during the week, for one week only, December 7th - 12th. Visit us at Pioneer Courthouse Square!

"Holiday Artisan Market",
Pioneer Courthouse Square
December 7th - 12th 11:30am - 6:30pm

701 SW Sixth Avenue
View Map

Relativity Exhibit November 4th - 20th

2010-10-02T23:51:00.001-07:00

It's been a pretty long time since I've last posted a blog. I guess I've been keeping busy.

Well, I have something to blog about, so here goes:

Our little company, FrogFaith Media Group, is partnering up with the classy, AM Living, in downtown Portland for an exhibit this November. We're calling it the "Relativity Exhibit". Tab and I are showing a new collection of work in AM's beautiful showroom. My collection is "Here and Now". I have a series of Math and Science scratch board etchings (many of which you have seen, but a few that you have not), as well as the continuation of my Perpetual Motion series on time and living in the present. The new "Evening" series focuses on moments to cherish once the sun sets and ranges from 6pm - 6am. I will be showing a collection from this unfinished series. All but one of these pieces will be revealed for the first time at the exhibit.

There will, of course, be a wide selection of prints, and the possibility of some special limited editions.

The Math and Science series has become a new fascination with me. My aim is to capture beautiful or amazing aspects of our world (and possibly beyond), and draw them with the information that makes them function in such awesome ways. It's like pulling back the first layer, and seeing all the glorious information teaming beneath. Reason, patterns, numbers unfolding into the beautiful images that fill our lives.

For each piece, I do hours, days or weeks worth of research, and while much of it is based on subjects I had at least a loose understanding and interest in, much of it is new for me, and has allowed me to continue learning and pushing myself forward. As an artist, I'm sure you can understand that I am not predisposed to Math and Science. Conceptually, sure, but we artists have rarely been associated with left brain thinking. That doesn't mean I have to like it, and it doesn't mean I have to stick with it.

This world is fascinating, and every time I learn more about it, I am pushed on to learn more.... also it does have the dull effect of realizing just how little I know now, knowing that there's so much to learn. Research Scientists, Physicists and Mathematicians are constantly redefining their field and data and seem to be skimming the surface of the full range of what's going on in this complicated universe. Given that, it's obvious that I have light years to go.

But the process is wonderful in itself. I am often eager to draw, feeling that compulsive need to put "pen to paper" (often an obsessive need that's hard to ignore), and I find myself having to reign myself in and finish researching first, but I enjoy it just as much.

I've become a Documentary Junky.
I'm pretty busy with our little company, printing, market and drawing new pieces, so I don't have as much time as I'd like to research, but I get it in as much as possible, and when I don't have time, I find I miss it.

Oh right, news. I should back to talking about the show.

Tab, my wonderfully talented husband, is creating a series specially for the show. His series is called "Far and Away", and centers around his fictional company "Watson Positronics" and it's new Luxury Space Ship, Phaeton One, on a trip through space. He's creating this in Blender (always open source), and will be showing a collection of these pieces at the show.

We will have live music, wine, cocktails and prints. It should be a lot of fun and we're excited to show the new work.

The pertinant dates and info are below.

Come see us November 4th - 20th at AM Living in the Galleria!

AM Living in the Galleria

600 SW 10th Ave and Morrison

Portland, OR

Soft Opening: Thursday, November 4th, 7pm - 11pm
GRAND OPENING: Saturday, November 6th, 7pm - 11pm
*This is the day we are revealing all the new work*
Live music by Cassia DeMayo
Special Event: Saturday,November 13th, 7pm - 11pm
Closing Gala:Saturday, November 20th, 7pm - 11pm
*Live Music by Trashcan Joe *

Siren Nation - Live Painting Auction

2010-08-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

A live art auction and live paint featuring 30 of the Northwest’s greatest artists.
Music by DJ Safi and Calico Rose.

The Jupiter Hotel in Portland, Oregon
Thursday, August 12 | 7-10pm | $10

(I stole the above ad from Bret Superstar's blog, because it's rather rad).

Tonight, Thursday August 12th, at the Jupiter Hotel, in Portland Oregon, I am making my first ever Live Numberism Painting for Siren Nation's "Paint Your Art Out" live auction.

Siren Nation is an Oregon based group that offers support, inspiration and creative and professional outlets to female artists in music, film and visual arts. They hold year round events, performances and exhibits, and nights like tonight help keep them going.

If you are interested in owning an original numberism piece, I recommend coming tonight. The live painting pieces are 2 x 3 feet. I plan on using paint pens, and the subject matter is avian in nature.
But I'm not alone up there. There are 5 of us painting live, as well as a variety of printed artwork up for auction, including a couple of my prints, and Tabs as well.

See you there. It should be fun.

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PDX Gen-Y Interview

2010-08-08T20:57:00.001-07:00

I will be on PDX Gen -Y, (of PDX.FM) tomorrow (Monday) at 1pm. Bret Bernhoft will interview me, most likely, on all things numberism. But I don't know, it could go crazy. I may go off on a random rant. Tune in to find out! :P

PDX Gen-Y

Hosted by Bret Bernhoft

Mondays at 1pm

PDX Gen-Y is a look at the influences in our lives. From DIY culture to Portland City politics, the idea of community is explored. Your host, Bret Bernhoft, interviews natives and new-comers alike, trying to capture what it means to be young in the city. With a dash of curiosity and a serving of backyard experience, PDX Gen-Y is your source for the Portland experience.

Tune In.

Seahorses, Fireflies and Beaches at Sunset

2010-07-28T18:34:00.000-07:00

Recent Happenings:

We have been meeting more and more of the friendly neighbourhood PSM regulars, as we have recently started setting up shop on the Portland Saturday Market side as well as our usual Skidmore location.

I have been delegating stretching our canvas prints to other people in our company or friends, as the last time I stretched these prints, my hand was out of commission for over a week. I injured it after having stretched about 100 prints, and it hurt so badly, I couldn't open a door or flick a lighter, let alone draw for my usual 6 hours a day. So no stretching for me! - Many thanks to my friends who have been picking up my slack.

I will be painting live next month for a local charity, and I plan to paint in numbers. The piece will be auctioned off at the end of the show, so this might be a good way to get an original numberism drawing without having to pay a couple grand to do so.... I will devote another post to that next week. It will be August 12th, in Portland.

* We will be at Last Thursday tomorrow with all the new work I refer to below. :) Come see us.

I have a few new pieces to speak of (come on Sienna, get to the good stuff! ) ;)

From a recent comission, here is my newest scratchboard etching, which is currently titled "Seahorse", unless one of you have a cleverer name for it. I wanted to draw the seahorse with the remaining population, as they have recently entered into the endangered species list, but there are no accurate figures curently. (Anyone who knows good resources for genome data, please send me links, as I have a frog to draw that I could use that information with.)

Anyway, so the seahorse itself is drawn with the numbers of the clock, 1 - 12, which I think is relevant, seeing as their time here has a ticking clock these days. The sea grass I drew with the number 12000, to signify the 12000 square miles of sea grass destroyed in the last decade. With those two pieces of data combined, I think I got around the fact that there is no hard data on their estimated population, while still getting my point across.

Below, is the finished scratchboard, with watercolour wash, as well as some detail images.

You can purchase this at our FrogFaith gallery at www.FrogFaith.com/gallery , my Etsy account at www.SiennaMorris.Etsy.com

Next up is a new piece from my Math and Science series. My friend, Traci, (who is a killer stylist at the Chameleon Salon) let me use her beautiful daugher, McKenna, as the model.
The Firefly's abdomens are drawn with the chemical formula for their bioluminescence, C12H13N203S2. The light emitted from the fireflies (the jar and everything in it that is visable due to light), is drawn with the speed of light, 299792458 m/s. The girl is drawn with the numbers of the clock, 1 - 12, to signfiy time in her fleeting moment. All my people will always be drawn with time.

Completed piece and details below. Buy a print at www.FrogFaith.com/gallery

Next up is actually an oldy... kind of. I drew this etching of Cannon Beach a couple of months ago and never got around to getting a good scan of it in full colour. I'm finally printing it now. I used a local photographer that you can find at PSM for the refernce photo of the beach. I am a terrible person, because I can't seem to find his contact info right now, but I promise to let you know as soon as I get it. :)

Completed piece and details below. Buy a print at www.FrogFaith.com/gallery

CBLDF Auction @ SDCC

2010-06-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

I am excited to say that I am participating in this years Comic Book Legal Defence Fund at the San Diego Comic Con. I am unhappy to say that I won't actually be able to physically be there for it, so those of you who are going have to have an extra good time to make up for me not being there.

This worked out brilliantly. I needed to draw a portrait of my friend, John C. Worsley, in return for him drawing me (see his version of me below)

He happens to have a bit of a (possibly) unhealthy obsession with the numbers 12 and 24, but then again, so do I. Being that this is about Comic Books, I decided to use this opportunity to draw Worsely as his comic book identity, which is clearly DC's "The Clock King".

I'm smitten with Batman TAS, and used their version of The Clock King for the piece.

Here it is, as a scratchboard numberism drawing (1 - 12, to mark the hours of the clock, of course). Original is 8" x 10" and will be available at the auction. If you will be there, you should go, and bid. Not just mine. There are many awesome artists participating, including one of my favorites, Jim Lee.

detail

deatil

reference photo

First Friday in Milwuakie - June 4th

2010-06-03T22:50:00.000-07:00

I will be at First Friday in Milwuakie tomorrow, June 4th with all my little goodies. Come down and join in on the fun. They gave me a nice big space to play with. :)

For more info on the show, check out their website at firstfridaymilwaukie.com or fan them on Facebook

Captain Ankeny's Well

2010-06-02T12:05:00.001-07:00

I put up some work at Captain Ankeny's Well, which is a pub a few blocks from where I work at Saturday and Sunday Skidmore Market.
I put up pieces from the last series as well as a couple from my Math and Science Series. Go on by, grab a beer, and enjoy.

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May's over? What?

2010-05-31T15:30:00.000-07:00

What a busy month May has been! The art walks we have been to have been a lot of fun, but that's not even the half of it! I can't believe it all fit into one month, and I'm still having a hard time believing that tomorrow is JUNE! Aiya!

Well, my biggest focus right now is the new series. I am etching away and am excited about this series more every day. It's starting to take on a life of it's own and will most likely go places I'm not expecting. It helps that a lot of my material I am getting from my photographers. I am interested in what they bring me. What they see.

I am busy busy busy preparing for our show in the fall. The big question is the speakers. We're looking for some scientific lecturers to come in and wow us with the wonder of the natural world. The question is "who". If you know of someone, send the info my way. I have a few people I am looking into, but who knows what I'll find if I ask you. :)

I just took down my work from PCA's A Rainy Day Wildfire. That was a great show, with some exceptional artists, and I was happy to be a part of it. It's also the reason for the Fall Show, "Here and Now", which I'll be exhibiting at PCA's new gallery in Pioneer Place.

There isn't all that much news in this post, just a little me update really.

Oh, wait, no there is. We are probably going to be vending at First Thursday this week in the Pearl, and at First Friday in Milwuakie. We're looking to add a few new additions to our little company, so you'll be seeing us at more shows, building up our resources for our little plans. Basically, we're saving. Wish us luck. We're always full of big ideas. It's the funding and follow through that really counts.

Okay, and now for some daring heroics..... Not really.... actually I'm just going to go draw for the rest of the day.

Art Hop on Alberta

2010-05-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

The sun came back to play in Portland just in time for Art on Alberta's 11th Annual Art Hop!

15 blocks on Alberta will be closed to traffic and filled with over 150 artists, crafters, musicians and foodies. This event is free and runs this Saturday, May 15th, from 11 am to 6pm. There will also be a series of live murals that the public can participate in!

The sun is shining, music is playing, artists are arting, and there is so much to see. Come see me at my booth. I'm on block 14 on the North side of the street.

We've recently added a new addition to FrogFaith with our new 42" printer, whom we've dubbed "Morgan", and we've been printing all week. We will have "C25H52" , "2 AM", Tab's new manikin series, more photography from Benjamin Frothingham, as well as the usual assortment of our work.

Art on Alberta
Saturday, May 15, 2010
11am – 6pm
NE Alberta Street, Portland
artonalberta.org/arthop

"Cold People" by Tabulanis Snow ( 3D modeling and FX)

"C25H52" by Sienna Morris (Numberism Etching)

"Greenlake" by Benjamin Frothingham - Photograph

(Tabulanis will be set up at our usual spot at Saturday Market as well, with the same selection of works).

"Fibonacci's Snail" by Sienna Morris (Numberism Etching)

"2 AM" by Sienna Morris (Numberism Etching)

C25H52

2010-05-04T13:33:00.000-07:00

(Fibonacci's Snail. Click Here To Learn About Fibonacci's Sequence)

The Universe is a complex and awe-inspiring place. It continues to challenge and surprise us at every turn, opening up new perspectives and opportunities the longer we look.

As far back as we can look into our history, we have been awe inspired by the seemingly magical world around us. Magnets. Perfect Spirals. Rainbows. Animals that live in unlivable conditions; at the Oceans floor around lava flow, worms in solid ice. The Universe thrives, against all odds. Not to mention meteors and the complex Celestial world above us.

In the past, we attributed these things to gods, magics, karma. Now, we are able to watch in wonder at our world, and then take a closer look, inspecting and decoding these wonders into something we can understand, something we can track and predict. Beneath the surface is a world teaming with information: numbers, genomes, orbital patterns. It can all be tracked. Those things we don't understand now, we will later. Our understanding evolves, and grows exponentially.

(Click Here to see a diagram of the temperature of Plasma on a candle.)

I'm just an artist. A human being with a lot of curiosity and an addiction to drawing and numbers. I'm trying to bridge the gap between the wonder we see in our every day lives and the fact that it is made of reliable, organized information. After all, it's the numbers, the code that make it beautiful.

These are 2 of my newest pieces that I will be showing in August and September with Portland City Art at Pioneer Place in Portland Oregon. They are from the Science and Math portion of the show, and are an effort to show that the beauty we see in the world around us has a method. This is the secrets beneath the beauty.

"C25H52"
14" x 11" Scratch Board Numberism etching.

The Candle wax is drawn with the molecular make up of Paraffin ( C25H52). The flame is drawn with the temperature of plasma at it's different points on a candle (800 C - 1400 C). The woman is drawn with the numbers of the clock, 1 - 12, signifying time in this fleeting moment. All of my people in my Science and Math series will be drawn with time, as this is all we have, and all we can hope for. We are experiencing this moment as sentient human life against all odds. We might as well take advantage of it while we can.

Details:

"Fibonacci's Snail"
4" x 7" Scratch Board Numberism Etching

Fibonaccis Sequence maps out a naturally occuring phenonenon that we see in nature and space. Pine Cones, Pineapples, Snails, the arrangement of seeds on a sunflower. They all follow the pattern perfectly.

Mathematically speaking, you simply start with 0 and 1 , add the two numbers to get your next number and do so again and again, adding the last 2 numbers.
0 1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 89 144 233 377 610 987 1597 2584 4181 6765 10946 ...
Creating a perfect spiral. This drawing is drawn with these numbers.

Detail:

Both of these pieces are available as prints on our FrogFaith online gallery at www.FrogFaith.com/gallery

I will be exhibiting these along with the rest of my Evening Series and Math & Science Series at Pioneer Place in Portland Oregon, August and September 2010. More information coming soon. These are Numberism drawings etched on Scratch Board.

"2 am"

2010-04-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

I've officially exhibited my newest Numberism piece, "2 am" at the PCA's "A Rainy Day Wildfire"
(The original will be hanging through May at OMCC).
So here it is, for your viewing pleasure.

This is a 16" x 20" scratch board numberism drawing, drawn with the numbers of the clock, 1 - 12, signifying time in a fleeting moment. Each piece focuses on moments we cherish once the sun sets. Much of the series will be more adult in nature.

Each piece in my Evening piece will be titled between 6pm and 6am. This is the first. I have about four more of these already planned, and there will be 12. I am employing the services of three Portland Photographers to shoot these pieces, including Ian Dawson and Benjamin Frothingham. When I exhibit, we will be showing both my drawings and their original photography.

Below are a few detail shots of the piece. I'm not telling of the specifics, but there are secrets in this drawing....

Prints available at www.FrogFaith.com/gallery @ My Etsy account at www.SiennaMorris.Etsy.com and @ My Redbubble account at Sienna.Redbubble.com

Model: Talia Burkett.

A Rainy Day Wildfire Group Show

2010-04-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

This month, 150 Portland Artists exhibit their original artwork based on the theme, "A Rainy Day Wildfire", in celebration of Portland City Art's One year Anniversary. I am one of them. I am extremely excited about this piece. It has been challenging and rewarding and I can't wait to show it off. It is a Scratch Board Numberism drawing, focusing on the reward of passion and the possibilities of a rainy day....

Next Thursday, April 15th, is the opening night of the show at the Olympic Mills Commerce Center from 5pm - 10pm. The Artwork will hang until May.

Thursday, April 15th, 2010
5pm - 10pm

OMCC
107 S.E. Washington St.
Portland, Or. 97214

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List of Artists that will be at the show:

Adam Brock Ciresi, Adam Sheppard, Allan Ott, Alexandra Becker-Black, Alison Gayne, Amelia Opie, Amy Matteson, Andrew Young, Angela Gay, Anna Magruder, Anna Velouria Martinez, Ashley Costa, Azad Sadjadi, Ben Pink, Brent Wear, Brigette, Carly Bodnar, Carol Munro, Carolina Medina-Dupaix, Carrie Hardison, Chris Gaslin, Christine Lee, Christopher Himes, Christy, Chuck E. Bloom, Connie Cheifetz, Constance Jackson, Dafna Margalit, Dang, David Inkpen, Dele Mercier, Dianna Fontes-fontes, Dona White, Drew Anderson, Edward Juan, Elise O’Keefe, Emilee Monson, Erika Dean, Erika Lee Sears, Gary Hirsch, Gabe Flores, Haley Robinson, Heidi Wirz, Howard Jacobs, Isaac Holk, Jason Coatney, Jason Edward Davis, Jason Kappus, Jason Vance Dickason, Jenn Feeney, Jennifer Gleach, Jes Bronk, Jocelyn Jillett, Jodie Anderson, Joel Barber, Johnny Tragedy, Jon Rigby, Jonathon Hill-Jacquard, Julia Skerry, Julie Blackman, Karah Bruce-Larkin, Karen Stafford, Kathleen McLain, Kathleen Schildmeyer, Kelly Keigwin, Kelly Williams, Kenny Spurlock, Kerosene Rose, Kindra Crick, Leslie Foeller, Lindsey, Liv Rainey-Smith, Lois Montgomery, Luna Littleleaf, Maitland Jones, Malynda Shook, Mark Randall, Marlena Hatchel, Martha Wallulis, Mathew Barta, Matt di Leo, Matt Schlosky, Michelle Renee Tuffias, Mike Ashland, Mrrranda Tarrow, Misha Capecchi, Misty Ray, Natasha Bacca, Nicholas Orr, Nico Bella, Noel Gayne Reynolds, Paige Lehmann, Pam Nichols, Paul Wolfe, Paula Goodbar, Rebecca Shapiro, Rich Mackin, Richard Schemmerer, Rodrigo Graham, Roscoe Hall II, Rox Geer, Ryan Kennelly, Sabina Haque, Sam Arneson, Sam Roloff, Sara McCormick, Sarah Cruse, Sarah Glover, Scott Raymond, Shawn Demarest, Sienna Morris, Susie Jones, Tara Gelien, Theresa Andreas O’Leary, Tyler Corbett, Tyson Stanger, Virginia Parks, Vonda Roloff, Zach Roy.

Progress on A Rainy Day Wildfire...

2010-03-28T08:38:00.001-07:00

I'm working on my new piece for Portland City Art's April show, themed, "A Rainy Day Wildfire".
This is the largest I've worked in scratch board so far (16 x 20), and poses all it's own challenges. Working in scratch board has been interesting so far. I'm drawing light, only light, and ignoring the shadows, which is the opposite of what I'm used to.

For this piece, I plan to finish it in black and white with red lighting filtering through an open window (There will probably also be some blue tones). This will be the first real attempt with this styling, which is what I plan for the next series, which will be the couple series to the last Perpetual Motion series, focusing on all those moments we cherish and revel in once the sun sets.

My photographer friend, Benjamin Frothingham took the photo for me. At one point, I wasn't sure if we were going to get the shot. First I lost my male model, then once I had a new male model, I lost my female model, found another one, and the guy dropped out. At the end of the night, my original photographer had gone home for the night and we were left with two girls and no photographer. Benjamin came to my rescue and shot the piece for me, and in the end, I decided to use what I had, the two girls. It's a moment I haven't captured so far with numberism, and one that is perfect for the piece, actually.

So after all the half stops and reversals, we got the shot, and I am now diligently working on it so that it will be ready for the show on April 15th.

It's 16 x 20 inches, and so far, I've drawn about 2 inches. There's much work to be done! You can assume that I'll be in my drawing room all next week and hardly reachable.

Here's a quick snap shot of the candle. (I won't be posting the finished piece online until after the show, so if you want to see it, you'll have to come.) :)

The image below is about 2.5 inches tall.

Also, I will be at Swan Day working on this today from 12 - 5pm at the Portland Expo Center. Seven of my originals are hanging (some new). They gave me a nice wide space for me and my booth, so I also have prints with me, including some of my limited editions (a new 30" x 24" limited of Transitional).
Tab and co are set up at Skidmore Saturday Market in our usual place with the rest of our prints.

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Scratch

2010-03-21T18:28:00.001-07:00

I have recently started drawing numberism pieces in a new way. I suppose this is a new technique, or is it a style? Maybe it's just a process. It's still numbers, but now I am using scratch board, scratching the numbers off a black surface to reveal the white clay beneath. This means I get to actually make smaller numbers than I could with a pen. What I'm really excited about is the color.

I've loved drawing with pen, but I've found there is a limited color range. With scratchboard, I can mix any colors my heart desires, which means I can do accurate skin tones and washes. This makes for a very excited Sienna.

(Scratch Board Numberism. Photo reference by Ian Dawson).

It's challenging. I'm working with light now, instead of shadows. I will be playing with the numbers setting off from light sources and reflections instead of falling off in the dark shadows. This will be challenging, and I love a challenge.

I have decided this will be the main focus of my next series, which I hope to finish by May or June. It will focus on all the adventures we cherish once the sun sets. Dancing, romance, indulgence, smoky streets with long walks that lead to who knows where. I can't wait. I've asked my two photographer friends, Ian Dawson and Benjamin Frothingham to supply me with all my reference material (their photos are beautiful and tend to have dynamic lighting, which is what I need). Once I finish this series, I will be looking for the right gallery to show in with my drawings along side their photography. I've looked into a few places but haven't found the right venue yet. I will be sure to blog away once I do.

(For those of you who haven't met me, this is a self portrait I finished today while at Market. Photo reference by Ben Frothingham.)

--

On another note, next weekend is SWAN Day at the Portland Expo Center. Come see original work by myself and a select group of Oregon based artists. This takes place at the Portland Better Living show. Find us in the connector Hall. There will be music.

A selection of my originals will be on display.

SWAN Day

(Support Women Artists Now Day)

Saturday and Sunday, March 27 & 28, 2010

Exhibit and Performance Showcase: Noon - 5:00 pm

Connector Hall, Between E and D Hall

Portland EXPO Center

2060 N Marine Drive
Portland, OR 97217

Sandy High Auction

2010-03-18T16:04:00.001-07:00

The Sandy High Music Foundation is holding a silent auction this weekend to raise money to get their kids to Carnegie Hall, as well as helping fund the yearly expenses of the Music Foundation.

The Auction is March 20th at 7:30pm, following the 6pm dinner.

I donated one of my Numberism prints to their auction. So go on down to Sandy High and bid on my print of The Butterfly Effect.

Good luck to Sandy High's music program!

March 20th, 2010
6:00pm - Dinner and Silent Auction
7:30pm Live Auction

Sandy High School

17100 Southeast Bluff Road

Sandy, OR 97055-9597

For Contributions contact:

Mr. McGlothin -- mcglotr@ortrail.k12.or.us
Mr. Scarth -- scarthb@ortrail.k12.or.us
or call 503-668-8011

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SWAN Day

2010-03-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

I will be presenting some of my new numberism work at the SWAN Day event this March, along with a small group of Oregon based female artists.

SWAN Day, or Support Woman Artists Now Day focuses on supporting female artists at a grassroots level. This event is showing at the Better Living Show at the Portland Expo Center.

You can read more about the show HERE

Description:

A weekend of visual art, music, film, writing, crafts and performing arts kicks off Saturday, March 27th at 12:00 pm at the Portland Expo Center with a performance by local singing favorites, Jenni and Amanda Price of Acoustic Minds. This two-day showcase features over 50 area female artists: visual artists, filmmakers, writers, comedians, musicians and community organizations such as Siren Nation, POW Fest, Women in Film (WIF) and pdxcreativeXchange that support Women in the Arts. Admission is free and it is open to all ages. This event is co-located with the Energy Trust Better Living Show.

SWAN Day

(Support Women Artists Now Day)

Saturday and Sunday, March 27 & 28, 2010

Exhibit and Performance Showcase: Noon - 5:00 pm

Connector Hall, Between E and D Hall

Portland EXPO Center

2060 N Marine Drive
Portland, OR 97217

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Endless

2010-03-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

There will never be enough time. I will never be fulfilled. My desires will never be sated. I know this, and it terrifies me and it fuels me. How can we possibly be satisfied with this life? It is so short.

I know that at some point, I will die, and most likely, my last thought will be of regret, because I can never be satisfied. It will never be enough. I want a hundred lifetimes, a hudnred thousand lifetimes. I want it to never end. It's so cruel to know how precious this is, how rare, and unlikely our lives here on planet Earth are and to know just how limited it is. To know that it will all end far before we can know what it is we will be missing.

And we fill it, we fill it with insecurity and doubt and useless things that waste our lives, mislead them down unimportant paths. I want so much more.

OH to give me immortality. There is nothing more I want than that. There is nothing more to have. To never die. I wish I believed there was something else, because knowing this is it, knowing there is nothing else is the worst feeling. It is so cruel. It is unfair, and to know what you will be losing, without the ability to change it is so unjust. God!... if only I believed in one!

This is not enough! I am a quarter through an average lifetime and I'm nowhere near a quarter full.

At any point, our fragile lives can end. A crash, lightning, an earthquake, deep vein thrombosis, and it's all over. That's all she wrote, and we won' t even be there to miss it.

The five stages, right? I'm aleady in it. Stuck in disbelief, stuck in denial and bargaining. There must be a way around this, a way to live forever. I know what I'll be missing! It's all that I haven't yet experienced. All the people I could meet, all the things I could learn, all the days I could etch into my human mind. There is so much and I want to fill every ounce of me with it, but doesn't this world know that there is more room in me than just one life can fill?!!?!?!?!?

I will give and give and give all that this world, this universe needs, to keep me alive. I will sacrafice, and love, and adore, and comit to life on this planet, and I will be magnificent, if only I can do it forever!! If only I had the chance. If only we had the opportunity to live life to it's fullest, to live without end. If only there wasn't a limit to life here on this planet, with these ambiguous people and our ambigous lives. If only we had time to experience all of it. I would drink every moment fully and be drunk on the endlessness of it.

Springing Forth

2010-03-02T00:19:00.001-08:00

Tab and I have been going to PCC Sylvania for the past couple of weeks, doing our usual thing. We've had a warm reception there and I think we'll be making more of a habit of going. This week, we are coming back for Tuesday - Thursday from about 10am - 4pm.

The really big news is that Saturday Market comes back this weekend! Boy have we missed it. We're currently preparing for the big comeback, and I hope to have prints up of my new work. The originals are in our gallery, which we will be reopening with a big to-do soon enough.

March is here and Portland is soon to come alive again with those art walks and events we love so much. The weather has been amazing (yay for early spring!) and I think all the early blossoming has inspired me a bit. I have been painting recently with bright, vibrant colors. Here is one that I'm working on now. I'm waiting for it to dry so I can finish it.

I've also just hung a good selection of my Numberism work at Boyd's Coffee house in the Eliot tower, including the "Transitional" fall tree set. This is really a selection of my favorite pieces on display, including larger prints "In the Embrace", "La Morte D'Ase" and "Gotham".

Other than all this, I've had a chance to take more time doing things I love lately. I went sailing with a couple friends the other week, took a drive up to the Oregon coast just yesterday, I am studying German with a friend, and I'm enjoying stealing trade secrets from my chef friend whose specialty just happens to be Asian cuisine. With a few tips, a couple new tools and a trip to Fu Bon, I'm nearly jumping around the house with joy. All that food I missed so much from China, I'm now learning how to make myself. Thank you, Kenna.

All of these things are made possible by the wonderful people I've found here in Portland. :) Big smiles, and eager hands. Time to work, and time to play!

299792458

2010-02-05T00:39:00.000-08:00

I've been feeling a little low lately. Generally if I don't get to work, I go a little nuts. If I don't get to draw, I get worse. Apparently, if I don't get to draw numberism for too long... well you can probably tell when talking to me that it's been too long.

I have a handful of ideas/plans I am working on or planning to work on that are sitting in front of me. I haven't quite decided how I'm going to attack them or in which order. So, stuck in a stalemate of artistic frustration, I needed an outlet. I needed the calm of numberism. I needed to key in and have nothing in the world exist besides numbers; gloriously simple, reliable numbers.

I don't draw fire or elementals nearly enough, so I decided to draw a candle. This is drawn with the number 299792458, which is the speed of light.

299792458 m/s

I am enjoying it and I can start to feel my mind center, finding clarity in the busy mess my mind has made for me to sift through. I hadn't realized just how helpful numberism is to me. I set up all the trouble in the world, and it knocks it down. Against the madness I am capable of creating, numberism consistently finds a way to quiet the storm. I don't know where I'd be without it.

This is one of those ideas I mentioned before. One of the many. Using formulas or equations to represent scientific theory through hopefully leading illustrations of the numbers' context...

There are more ideas.

One has to do with music... another with literature.... another with anatomy.... another with transportation.... another with time... time time time.....

I couldn't begin to assume which one will win out in the end, and I'm beginning to think that I will end up working on more than one...

The Pink Show

2010-02-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

The Splendorporium is having a Valentines Day Art Show this Friday from 7- 9 pm. They have chosen to show 4 or 5 of my love inspired numberism pieces along with their wide array of lovely Portland artists.

I will be there, scoping out the local art and probably giving into my secret desire for Voodoo donuts, which will also be there in their big pink truck.

The Info:

February 5th 7 - 9 pm

3421 SE 21st ave (2 blocks South of Powell)
Portland, Or 97202

Wear pink!

Crafty Art

2010-02-02T19:47:00.000-08:00

This past week or so, everyone here at our little gallery has been working on crafty items with our artwork.

We started by taking a trip to the Rebuilding Center and Scrap, which is another non for profit which sells used art supplies for pennies on the dollar. We found a lot more items and ideas then I expected, and then we started crafting all over the place... There are many more crafty items that we've been working on, but here's a few to give you a peek before they're all available. (Some are available on etsy now).

First, here are a few of the necklaces we made. Most of them are made using ceramic tile and images from our artwork. One of them is under glass, which I'm very happy with and plan on making more of just as soon as I get a handle on the whole cutting glass thing. The edge is lined with twisted metal which came out much prettier than I anticipated.

I wasn't sure how these would come out, as generally I haven't focused much on mixed media or crafts (I'm always using a pencil or brush), but I think the fact that I keep wearing them is a good sign that it went well.

You can see them at my Etsy store at www.SiennaMorris.Etsy.com

We also made "hangable art" from tile as well, like these. They are all about 3 or 4 inches and ended up showing off the numberism detail as well as the color depth of Tab's pieces quite well.

And fun little extras like magnets and key chains. Doc keeps eying the key chains. I think I'll have to let him keep one of them...

So that's a peek for now. The whole crafting thing is much more enjoyable then I thought. It's very relaxing and low stress. I can sit down and make a few necklaces while I'm taking a break from working/drawing (I don't like being idle for too long... it's a bad scene).

Anyway, I think I'll keep this up, so if you have any requests that you want to see on necklaces, or something else you have in mind, the feedback is welcome.

I'm sure most of these will be available on my Etsy account soon enough. In fact, I might make a new one just for our crafty side.

Valentine's Day

2010-01-24T22:29:00.000-08:00

Oh Valentine's Day, I remember when I used to avoid you. Now, however, I just try to get enough time to celebrate with my husband. We generally have some project going on that gets in the way. In China, while we were shooting a music video, it wasn't until 11pm that we realized it was Valentines Day, and it was our Chinese Translator who informed us. I think at the end of the night we grabbed a bottle of wine, but we were still with the crew for most of the night. This is generally how it goes. Not that I'm complaining. It happens to be that Tab and I like working together. It's one of the reason we have a reason to celebrate our relationship. Maybe we don't need a highly advertised day to celebrate how lucky we are, but hell, I'll take any excuse I can to get some quality alone time.

So I'm going to make a point of putting some time aside to spend with my hubby this Valentines Day. Maybe we'll go for a hike on this trail we found the other day, or go see one of the many performance shows I've seen going on of late (I noticed a Mozart performance, "Cosi Fan Tutte", Love With A Twist, at the Portland Opera House).

Who knows, but if all goes to plan, we won't be working. We will however, be working before Valentines Day, and we've set up a couple places to be before Valentines Day for you to find us.

I mentioned before that you can find us at Last Thursday on Alberta.

We are also going to be at the Urban Grind Valentines Day Gift Fair January 31st with Valentines Day Cards as well as our usual work from 12 - 4pm.

We still have our online sales going on, so you're welcome to pick something up there as well. Be sure to order it in time for us to ship it to you before V Day. (about 5 days before hand).

As a side note, I know I said our gallery would be open in January, but we all decided we needed a bit of a break. So the FrogFaith gallery is closed until March. You can still order prints to pick up at the gallery or call/email ahead if you would like to come in.

For those of you who would rather Valentines Day take a dirt nap this year, I happened to notice a few events you might be interested in. I also saw a few in WW that looking interesting too that I don't have here.

Sat Jan 30th Hate Roller Derby: Complete with Hate Cards and Hate Poems

LOVE STINKS, LET’S DRINK ANTI-VALENTINE’S DAY BARFLY BUS TOUR
Dancing, Karaoke, and from the sounds of it, so much alcohol, you won't remember enough to regret it the next day.

Windy Days of January...

2010-01-19T16:46:00.000-08:00

Some news of late.
Tab and I went to Seattle last weekend, to a warm welcome from local Seatelites. Thank you all who came and said hello. :) As a side note, I had some of the most amazing steak chilly there and munched on fresh vegetables all day.

Unfortunately, we won't be coming back for the next two weeks as we have other things to do here in Portland.

January 21st and 22nd

This Thursday and Friday , you can catch us at the Sylvania PCC, setting up our booth. We will most probably have some sort of Student Sale going on...

View Larger Map

Last Thursday (January 28th)

As long as the weather allows, we're also planning on hopping over to January's Last Thursday in NE Portland, which we haven't been to since November I think, maybe even since October! I think it's high time we come back. The wind has been a little crazy lately, but as long as it subsides a bit, we'll be there.

Urban Grind (January 31st)

View Map
The following Sunday, we will be at Urban Grind coffee house at 2214 NE Oregon Street 97232 with a group of artists and crafters. I will most likely have my new Numberism Valentines Day Cards as well as some Calendars I'm trying out. Come down and take a look and tell me what you think. We'll be there from about 12 to 4pm.

Let's see, let's see... what other news is there? Ah, Tab and I are nearly finished with The Teenagers Guide to Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse's first issue! Which I'm very excited about. It has been a long process, having started it during our busiest time of the year, but it's really come along, and I'm looking forward to having more time to hammer out issue 2 (which really jumps into the story!)

Yesterday I started to also dabble in some work that I'm thinking about using for my next series. I'm not sure yet if this will be it, but it merges my obsession with numbers and the chance to use more oil paint. I'll have pictures of it up soon. It focuses on the consequence of wasting a moment, rather than just the benefit of appreciating it.

Beyond that, I've gone sale crazy on our online shops. Not sure exactly what spurred this, but everything on every site has been knocked down.

At our FrogFaith Site, all work has been brought down to booth prices or lower, as well as our shipping and handling. (The collections and limited editions have been seriously cut)

I've taken half off shipping and handling on everything in my Etsy store (sometimes more). Etsy has a selection of my available works and prints. The full series, my paintings and Tabulanis's work are all available at FrogFaith.com/gallery

At my Redbubble shop, I've cut everything down 10%. This is where you can buy T Shirts, Greeting Cards, Redbubble Calendars, Posters, Framed Prints, Mounted prints and Canvas Prints. All of my work is available here.

That pretty much covers all news I think. You're always welcome to email me with questions. I hope that 2010 is proving to be a great year for all of you.

Come Rain, Come Shine?

2010-01-15T01:58:00.001-08:00

Tab and I are considering going back up to Seattle for this weekend's Fremont Sunday Market, but we've been following the weather and it looks like it's going to be raining Sunday. We don't mind getting a little wet, but our question to you, is whether or not you do.

So to all the Seattleites on my email list; will you brave the weather to come see us this weekend? If enough of you email back that you will, then Tab and I will be happy to come. I might even bring the latest painting I've been working on. :)

Send me an email at Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com and let me know if you'll be there. By Saturday, I will send out an email letting you all know whether or not we're coming.

New Toy

2010-01-07T22:45:00.001-08:00

I spoke to a woman today in marketing and soaked up some good advice. Felt inspired and active so I fixed up my website a bit with some of her critques in mind.

It's always been difficult to show people my numberism work through my website, because you just couldn't get the feel and reality of all the tiny little numbers on images and screens that small. I've also had customers come to me, saying that they were trying to describe the technique to their friends but that the idea just wasn't coming across. All that is in the past now that I have Zoomify (real name, I'm not making that up, though it is nifty to say). I've taken my high resolution scans and dumped them into this program so that you can now zoom into even the smallest areas (given I had a good scan before selling the piece).

It's officially my new toy, and I keep playing with it, looking at numbers there's no way I could have seen with the naked eye.... which makes me wonder how I drew them that small to begin with...

Anyway, it's up now, so you can go to my website's Portfolio , in the Numberism section (and only numberism), when you click a thumbnail, you get to see the full glory and madness of numberism.

Seattle Fremont Market

2010-01-05T01:14:00.000-08:00

After successfully finding a new vehicle, Tab and I decided we will take a trip up to Seattle for the Fremont Market. We're heading up this weekend for Sundays' show.

So if you're in Seattle, stop on by and say hello.

Also at our booth with be Seattle artist, Christen Shaw, whom I mentioned earlier.

Progress in Oil Paint

2010-01-04T02:31:00.000-08:00

I haven't painted in a long time. Not since I started Numberism. A friend of mine posed for me a while back and my friend, Ian, took the lovely photographs. Just last month my mother sent me oil paints from my late grandfather, and all the pieces fell together. Opportunity to pick up that brush again.

I'd say my greatest weakness as a painter is a lack of patience. I was always too eager to see the final product, always seeking instant gratification. I suppose Numberism helped me with that. With each row of numbers, more light, more shadows and more dimension came through. At any point, if I were to become too eager, too rushed, the piece would have been ruined. I had to keep my excitement at bay and slowly let the image appear.

Sitting in front of my easel, I feel calmer. I can take my time. There's never been a rush afterall. I have all the time in the world to finish this painting.

I draw a page of the comic book, take a break and put down another layer. It was a painting, after all, that got me the gig drawing the comic.

It's not finished. A lot of this is under painting, but it's getting there. Time to pull out the linsead oil and smooth out the light on her chest.

Numberism Wedding

2010-01-01T13:48:00.001-08:00

For Christmas, I was commissioned to draw a numberism portrait of this couple's wedding day. The husband ordered the drawing for his wife for a Christmas present. I am told she loved it. :)

I was given this photograph to draw from, which captured a beautiful moment of the couple on the bridge were they took their vows.

It was less than 2 weeks before Christmas, and we were all getting ready for the Festival of The Last Minute, not to mention that I was still working on the Comic Book. I wondered if I could draw it in time. My partners picked up the slack for all the printing and stretching responsibilities and let me draw. Tab, unfortunately got very sick for the entire week, and so while I was busy drawing, the rest of our group was pouring blood sweat and tears into the coming week to compensate for the missing players.

The drawing flowed from me. I haven't worked on a numberism drawing since "Transitional" (the fall tree and leaves), and I had finished that over a month ago. I missed it. The calm, the precision, the almost meditative effects of drawing numberism. It was no trouble at all to finish it in time. It was a pleasure. I decided to draw the bouquet of roses in full color and have the pedals fly off into the next moment, signifying that while time progresses, they are still together; solid despite the passage of each moment.

I wasn't able to scan it in time, so I don't have as good of close ups as I could have, but my friend managed to take pretty good photos of the final piece so I could share it with you.

This drawing is 16" x 24". Micron pens on Vellum paper.

Approaching 2010

2009-12-31T12:19:00.001-08:00

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This holiday season has been a good for Tab and I and our little group here in Portland. I had a few last minute projects to work on (a beautiful wedding scene I turned into a numberism portrait) and a few I'm still working on now, and hope to continue working on into the coming year (including the Zombie Comic and a numberism scene that I'm dying to draw for a friend of mine).

I came back from Seattle inspired. We stayed up there with some of Tab's family and I had the opportunity to get a closer look at some of Christen Shaw's work (who is my brother-in-law's fiance - nice ring, by the way). The online images just didn't do the detail and lighting justice. I unfortunately can't show you my favorite piece, but she'll hopefully have pictures of it online soon. I can, however show you the beautiful piece she gave Tab and I. I don't think anyone has ever given me a painting before.

Again, this picture doesn't do it justice, but that's just reflective of my ability with a camera... which is way below par.

Below is something else of hers.

A month ago, my mother sent me oil paints from my late grandfather and I've been meaning to put them to use. After seeing all her work (and my favorite with the luminescent ocean scene- hint hint- put it up), I've come back wanting to paint. While taking a break from the comic book, I started my first piece. I will put up pictures when it's finished.

I have a few ideas for incorporating more vivid color with my numberism work as well. We shall see.

I love being inspired. It's something I revel in.

The Saturday Market is closed for 2 months. We'll be back in March, and until then, we artist people need to keep our hands busy. More than anything, I'm working on finishing the Comic Book "Teenagers Guide to Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse". We might also jump around the coast a bit to do some artwalks in Seattle and Northern California. Not to mention, Villain, which we plan on shooting either January or February.

Ah, I should note, that the gallery will be open again, come January 1st.

On that note, The Portland Examiner interviewed me about Saturday market's last days in their "Festival of the Last Minute" article. Which you can see Here and Here. (I am in Part 2).

More than anything, this break gives me some time to play. We've all worked pretty hard this past year, and I'm looking forward to seeing where some free time and creativity will bring me.

Happy New year to all of you, and thank you again for your continued support.

Last Minute Shopping at Saturday Market

2009-12-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

Saturday Market will be open for this entire week up until Christmas Eve for all of us notorious last minute shoppers. We will be at our regular booth on the Skidmore side (at Ankeny and 2nd)- right off the MAX stop) with a few special large prints that we rarely print. We also have new work from Tabulanis!

The usual sales apply at the booth, and buying the Tree set is 15 % off when you buy the whole set at once. If you're trying to load up on gifts, we'll give you 15% off when you buy 4 or more. :)

We are pretty well stocked, but if you're coming into town to pick something up, send me an email and I'll make sure to print it and have it with us at the market to make sure your trip is successful.

Also, there are tons of great booths all around us at the market to fill the rest of your shopping needs with purses, jewelry, art, prints, T Shirts, a few electronics, great hats, Portland Paraphernalia and the like. I'm personally going to grab one of those cool Owl Purses I keep eying that are up the aisle from me.

So while we're at market, our gallery in NW Portland will be closed and will not be open until after the Holidays, so if you're trying to find us, look at the market. We'll be there! Also, after this week, Saturday and Sunday Market will be closed until MARCH! So come down while you still can!

Happy Holidays!

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Notes That Warm The Heart

2009-12-12T23:39:00.000-08:00

I've received a few wonderful thank you notes lately, and wanted to share them with you. These are a few that really touched me.

As an artist, there's really two parts to my work. The first half, is expressing the world around me as a way to understand and deal with our life. The other half is the hope that it will connect with someone else in the world, and that through my art, we can communicate and relate.

I live for this, and it makes my day.

"My wife & I just bought a print of your sketch "The Butterfly Effect" at the Saturday Market today. I guess I just wanted to let you know that we can't quit staring at it (already up on the wall and, come to find out, easily visible from passers-by on Hawthorne). Thanks for capturing our attention and helping us Portland newcomers dream again."

"I just wanted to send my appreciation for your message given on the back of the piece that we purchased. It amazes me...the profound significance that message has to my life's path. It validates an underlying question I've had in believing in this journey. THANK YOU and the perfection of the the universe."

These are two poems someone we met at Saturday Market wrote about Tabulanis' work and my own. How touching that he was compelled to write a poem about it!

" The Woman Who Draws With Time

the favorite pastime
of humankind
is trying to grasp time
to seize the moment
failure is inevitable
unless
you use time to
de-line-ate
the fleetingness
of a first kiss
the caress
of breeze on leaves
a child's wonder
at the alien magical beauty
of a butterfly
or the joyous synthesis
of harmonic co-operation
illustrating
the eternalness
of now."

The Grottoes Of My Mind
then there's an artist
who paints the grottoes
of my mind.
complete with the skeletons
of love I've killed
and impenetrable shadows
hiding horrors
which I'll never admit
into sunlight.
but the tranquil beauty of nature
the calm azure
of a peaceful pool
and the flowing lines
of ochre stone
ameliorate the nightmare
of the prison of ego."

Perpetual Motion Calendar

2009-12-11T16:39:00.000-08:00

I just created my first Perpetual Motion RedBubble calendar, which has each piece from the series.

There are three calendars to choose from,

Original Series

The first calendar shows the series in it's Original Form, with the earlier graphite drawings, transitioning into pen and finally the full color tree drawing. They are ordered, month to month, as I originally drew them (to the best of my memory).

Sepia Series
The second calendar shows the series in sepia and original pen coloring

Color Series

The final calendar shows the series in sepia, special color pieces and pen coloring.

I also just saw a redubble notice on Shipping. If you are looking to purchase prints, calendars or TShirts from RedBubble for Christmas, here are your deadlines to get them to you in time:

United States

T-Shirts: 17 December
Prints & Cards: 13 December
Calendars: 13 December

Also, I noticed that if you buy 3 calendars (and possibly, 3 of anything), you get free shipping! These calendars are $32.50

New Work

2009-12-09T13:02:00.000-08:00

I already posted this on my RogueSketches blog, but I thought I'd give the update here too.

I have two new Numberism trading cards available on my Etsy site.

Touching

2009-12-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday, a group of female students from PCC came by our booth at Skidmore market looking for something special to get for their math teacher. Apparently his 75th birthday is coming up and they wanted to thank him for making math more accessible to them. They said they all had trouble with it and that he had a definite impact on each of them. I was touched that they chose my numberism prints as their gift. Thank you, and I hope he likes it!

In the end, they chose an 11 x 14 of this leaf

I just had to share that. I'm always touched when people choose my work for gifts, and this one even more so than usual.

On a side note, we have a bit of an update about our NW gallery. It has been closed this past week, and we hope to have it open again by Tuesday (tomorrow). From here on out, it will be open Tuesday through Friday fro 2pm - 11pm or by appointment. When you come in, feel free to holler, as we are probably upstairs working on more art (sometimes loudly).

We are at 1216 NW 21st Ave,
Portland, Or 97209

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Also, if you are in the Portland area, and are looking to purchase some of my or Tabulanis's work, I suggest going to the FrogFaith gallery at www.FrogFaith.com/gallery where you can purchase anything from our series, and you have the option to pick up instead of paying for shipping and handling.

Thank you and I hope the Holiday season is treating you all well!

We're Mad As Hell

2009-11-28T02:14:00.000-08:00

We're unhappy, and unfulfilled, malnourished and ignored. We are Americans, we are the humans of this earth, and we're all feeling this pervading sense of discontent. We watch as our leaders, our corporations, our public servants act dishonorably and against human interest, and we feel weak and helpless.

We know that our neighbors feel the same outrage when a company, yet again, stands on the side of profit instead of health and welfare... and get away with it. We feel the same shame when our countries act against our wishes and lay thousands of human lives to rest. We feel the same depression when we see millions needlessly dying of starvation or illness when any one of the 1% could reach out a hand and stop it: when any one of these companies could spend a fraction of what they spend on PR on actually doing good instead of just convincing us that they always have been. We all feel the dread as we see fewer and fewer regulations to guide the people and companies in power to do what's right and not just what is profitable.

We are justifiably angry.

We feel separate and alone, and none of us know the first damn thing to do. We're killing our planet, and starving our people, poisoning our food and water and dumbing down the next generation. I try not to look at it, because our future looks bleak. It looks bleak because somewhere down the line, we stopped holding people accountable. We stopped standing up for ourselves and we began to be ruled by fear. And in doing so, we do nothing. And each day it gets worse.

It is now crazy to expect a big company to act in the favor of people. It is nuts to think that human life would ever outweigh the value of the dollar. It is bad business. Why? Is this right?? How does that make any logical sense? Companies grow and die, governments rise and fall, but in the end, the only consistent thing we have is ourselves and each other. It is what we fight for, what we live for. It is never in debate. Our lives are always the most important, but we've let ourselves believe differently. The bottom line has a dollar sign on it. That's bullshit, and at some point, we need to start acting like we are seeing this travesty, that we notice and we feel the shame when our people act against us. It's reprehensible, and it's only sane to stand against it. It's our lives, and the only one we have, and we devalue it by allowing it to loose value for others. We are letting our world die in every way.

My people are sick, but cannot get medical help. We are hungry for knowledge, but have a failing education system. Our quality of life has gone down, and it feels as though every day, there is more taken away from us. We are dependent on this structure to be as comfortable as we are, despite the fact that this same system is tearing it apart. We are being lied to, and we are expected to buy into it, and we too often, do.

When did we forget to stand up for ourselves? When did government and corporations become more important than us? We are not hurting anyone by holding these people accountable, but we are damning ourselves by continuing the pattern to let it go unchecked.

I'm mad as hell, and I don't know what to do about it. I'm tired of being mad, and I've seen enough of my people scream and yell and share their anguish about the state of things, but I feel that the screaming has stopped being beneficial. Now that we know we all agree, that we're all angry and that we can't stand for it anymore, what are we going to do about it? How do we get our voice to have power again? How do we get meaningful regulations in place? How do we set standards that value human life beyond all else?

What do we do now?

26

2009-11-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

This week, I am turning 26. Not a mile marker in life, not a turning point, historically speaking, but my birthday nonetheless. I'm personally quite happy with this year so far and am looking forward to the next one. Let's see a recap:

I finished my Perpetual Motion series (yay!), my husband, best friend and I opened up our first gallery, which happens to be next to an awesome coffee shop (Anna Bannanas), I've met a group of wonderfully artistic friends up here and am absolutley loving Portland life, and I'm now working on a comic book about zombies, which is something I've always wanted to do.

Last and not least, my amazing husband and I celebrated our 4 year anniversary just last month, and we continue to be a contradiction to the normal idea of a married couple.

I don't know what more I could ask for, really.So instead of a gift for me, I'm offering a gift to you.

This week (starting at Saturday Market), I will knock off 15% off everything when you buy two or more prints. Moreover, for just this week, I will bring all my online prices down to my special booth prices. :) These are found at www.SiennaMorris.Etsy.com and www.FrogFaith.com/gallery At the FrogFaith Gallery, you can order to pick up at our gallery while avoiding shipping and handling.

You get the 15% off at our gallery as well at 1216 NW 21st ave. We open at 2pm and stay open all night. We work upstairs, so feel free to holler if we don't come down.

Have an awesome week and happy Friday the 13th!

12

2009-11-06T14:57:00.000-08:00

A year ago, I started a series that became the most challenging and rewarding artwork I've ever had the pleasure of working on. Yesterday, I celebrated the completion of this series at the soft opening of our gallery in NW Portland.

"Perpetual Motion" came out of necessity. I needed the reminder to live in the present. Knowing that my life is a collection of "now", I had to motivate myself not to waste a single moment of it. It was the worry and anxiety that was ruining it for me, and I needed to replace that with gratitude and wonder.

So first came the concept, and then out of that came the technique. How could I draw a moment? How could I illustrate just how fleeting it is? I wanted to show the singular point in which the moment exists and how the procession of time is constantly taking effect and moving that moment to the next, always reinventing the "now".

So, I decided to capture the fleetingness of time in a moment by drawing the piece entirely with the numbers of the clock, 1 - 12, so that my pieces could depict all 4 dimensions in how we experience life. That is how Numberism came to be.

It all started with anxiety. I imagined that my first piece would be wrought with it. Instead, something beautiful happened. The first drawing was Falling To Pieces, and instead of an anxious, panicky piece, it was wonderful, showing the beauty and potential of a moment. I look at them and see a couple who are truly alive, living for the moment and taking everything from it that they can. It's clear that the moment is temporary, that it's already going away, but instead of worry, I feel calm looking at that piece. It's okay that it's passing; in fact, it's wonderful.

Each successive piece that followed brought me closer to being at peace with now. To have hope and determination for the future, but to be actively a part of what's going on around me now. It seemed the most honest thing to do.

If I found a way to actually be present for each moment in my life, in the end, despite what happens in my life; if I fail or succeed at each venture, in the end, it would be MY life. I could not ask for more.

We are here for such a short time, and I'd hate to waste this one great opportunity with meaningless things as worry, doubt and busy daily life.

For the past month, I have been working on the 12th and final piece to "Perpetual Motion". Last night, I showed it for the first time. It is a 19" x 24" full color numberism illustration. This piece breaks away from the rest of the series as it is the first to completely come from my mind. No photos were used for this piece. In a way, that makes this piece more intimate for me.

This final piece, which is still unnamed, seems the perfect end to the series. Showing the changing colors of fall, it depicts the passing of time in a way we all know well. The leaves turn yellow, red and brown, allowing the tree to survive the coming winter by falling off it's branches. This gives it new life, new opportunity. Rebirth, if you will. The passing of the leaves allow the tree to go on.

I think this is an important part of the piece to focus on. If those fleeting moments hadn't passed, and if we were not able to let them go, then we could never reach the opportunity of the next moment. It's with each passing moment that we get a new one.

So when I look at this piece, I am grateful for the chaos of our lives, for the constant stream of opportunities laid before us with the death and birth of each new day. Each person you meet, each project you begin or disband. Each success and failure. Each time a moment passes. I'm here for the next.

That frame, by the way, is a window frame I painted. When you think of fall, don't you think of watching the leaves fall outside your window?

Thanks to Hassy, we have good scans of this image and are working on making prints now. (Small prints will not be available for this, because the numbers are too small to begin with).

We hope to have prints of this tomorrow at Saturday market.

Click on the close ups for a better view.

FrogFaith Gallery Opening!

2009-11-03T01:12:00.001-08:00

It's been a long time coming.

The humble FrogFaith gallery is opening it's doors for the first time this First Thursday, November 5th, and you are all invited! I'm very excited about this. Not only are we opening our gallery for the first time, but I've decided this is the perfect opportunity to show my new piece.

It is the 12th piece in "Perpetual Motion", and as you know that is the end of the road. I can't believe I'm finished already...

It's bittersweet. I feel a sense of accomplishment, but at the same time, I've grown quite attached to this series and don't feel ready to put it down. I have a few ideas for my next series, but that can wait. First, let's give the series a good show!

My new piece, which I have not named yet, will be on display in our gallery along with the first ever prints of it. There are also some little-known pieces that never seem to make it with me to art walks that will be shown, as well as some new work from Tabulanis.

So come see us on
Thursday, November 5th

at

1216 NW 21st ave @ Northrup.

We open our doors at 5pm and will be open all evening.

*Click to view larger, printable version*

Enjoy a cup of coffee next door at Anna Bannanas Coffee House. I recommend the Joel and the Do Do Do.

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Halloween!

2009-10-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Four years ago, under the cover of darkness, an "Unholy Matrimony" took place, forever binding Tab and I in marriage. We celebrate that day again this Halloween.

Tab and I, will be out celebrating all day, and so we will not be at the market this Saturday, however, our awesome, wonderful, considerate friends, will be there for us. Doc (who served as our Reverend), and our friend, Ben, will be at the booth for us near Ankley and 2nd, exhibiting our artwork for us.

Enjoy your Halloween, and we will see you again on Sunday!

And why not?:
If you buy a print in full costume: 15% off!

A New Leaf

2009-10-28T01:49:00.001-07:00

Here is the official 3rd leaf for the upcoming exhibit (TBA).
This is just a quick (and poor) shot of it. I will have a proper scan by tomorrow.

This one just flowed right out of me. It felt good. I think my sketch-a-day habits are paying off.

Speaking of which, I have a new blog, The Rogue Sketch Pad at http://RoguesSketches.Blogspot.com I am posting my daily drawings as often as I can here. It's more like an "almost" daily sketch blog.

I think now is a good time to get back at it. I should have this leaf available by Last Thursday.

----- 2 Hours Later-------

Okay, so I couldn't wait. I got a good scan and it's now available for print on Redbubble and Etsy. I will also be printing some of these tomorrow so that I'll have them for Thursday.

Fall News

2009-10-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't been blogging very often lately, so I have a bit of news to catch up on.

First off....

New Work:

I'm still working on the final Perpetual Motion piece. It has proved to be more time intensive than I had anticipated. However, I have finished 2 of the leaves, both of which are now available on our FrogFaith shop at www.FrogFaith.com/gallery.

I am still working on this project and hope to at least finish the large piece in a week. Wish me luck.

Tabulanis:
In other news, I have nagged Tabulanis enough to get him to put the majority of his work on the site as well, so now most of his work is also available for you to view and or purchase right there on the same site.

Sale:
I've decided to have a bit of a sale for all the wonderful people who have bought my work before. To those of you who have ordered from me before, and are looking for more of mine or Tab's work: send me a photo of the print showing ideas for framing or interior design and I will knock 10% off your next purchase. For those of you who are also students, I will knock off 15%. I want to fill up that buyers booth with more beautiful pictures. This also gives me a chance to thank all of you who have been so supportive to me through this series.

Send photos to Sienna.Morris@gmail.com

Soft Opening:
In other other news, which is actually fairly exciting news, Tab and I are planning on having a soft opening soon for our little FrogFaith gallery in NW Portland. We are planning it for later this month. For now, we are painting, arranging and planning, and soon we hope to nail down a date. We will send out an invite to everyone on our guest list just as soon as we're ready. If you're not on our guest list (you'd know by all the emails I would have been sending you), just subscribe to this blog and I'll be sure to put up all the info just as soon as we have it.

And last... but not least
There are a few of you who have been waiting for me to finish this last piece so I can get started on your custom pieces. I will be ready to start on yours next week. I'm holding myself to that, so feel free to nag me if I put it off. Very excited about the pieces. The ideas that are coming to me from my customers are very exciting, actually, each with their own new challenge for me, and I'm eager to show everyone just how inspired they are.

That's all for now, though there are a few other irons in the fire that I'll talk more about later. :)

Boyd Coffee House

2009-10-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

I'm hanging some of my giclees at Boyds Coffee house in the Pearl today. Interestingly enough, Boyds asked for some of my old paintings, so among my numberism pieces, there will also be a few paintings that rarely, if ever get seen.

After I am finished hanging, I'll be haunting the Pearl for First Thursday.

Northwest Portland
Pearl District
404 NW 11th Ave
Portland, OR 97210

The Leaf

2009-09-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

I drew all day yesterday. Okay, I stopped once or twice to eat and smoke, but mainly I drew. This is what I was working on. An 8" x 10" full color fall leaf in numberism. I won't go into too much detail, but this is part of my plan with the Autumn tree exhibit... more on that later.

First Full Color Numberism Drawing

2009-09-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

(Click the image to see full view)

I'm taking a break from working on my latest drawing and I thought I'd put up some shots from it.

It's exciting to be working on this. Another challenge: color.

It's interesting to see how this series/ technique has evolved. From a 10" x 8" pencil drawing, to a 19" x 24" numberism drawing in full color. If you line them all in a row, it's like watching the technique come to life.

So this is my first attempt at drawing with numbers in color. I bought a bunch of pens (in different sizes), a large pad of paper and started sketching. There's a few differences in this one from the others. For starters, this drawing is completely out of my head. There is no reference drawing. I stared at leaves and trees all day, then went to my drawing table and drew the most interesting tree that came to mind. Later I put in the woman reading the book.

Also, in this, I overlap the numbers often to get the color depth I'm looking for.

This is a rather large piece, so it will take some time, but I can't wait to see how it turns out. I also already have a plan for displaying this one. Along with this I will have... oh, you know what, I'm not going to ruin it. It'll be so much cooler when you see it for yourself. As soon as I find a place to display the finished piece, I'll post photos.

This isn't a very good photo of the image, but it gives you an idea. I'll put up more as it progresses. I'm also recording a time laps of this, so I'll have the video when I'm finished as well.

First Thursday @ TeaZone

2009-08-05T11:34:00.001-07:00

This month, you can find me at The Tea Zone in Portland's Pearl District. I'm hanging prints from my series through the month of August and will be at The Tea Zone tomorrow night (First Thursday) between 6 - 10 off and on.
Come by and say hello and to see the brand new numberism piece. The new piece is called "Ceremony" and is also having it's debut in Scottsdale, AZ this month.

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President Barack Obama's Portrait

2009-08-04T10:35:00.000-07:00

Click the image for larger view.

Though it will arrive to him late, I drew this Numberism portrait for President Barack Obama and am sending it out today, on his birthday. It wasn't until after I decided to draw this that I realized his birthday was coming.

I listened to his political speeches while drawing this so I could better capture his character, and used the tie he wore at his acceptance speech.

Today I am sending out this unframed original drawing (to improve it's chances of getting there undamaged) with a letter reminding Obama of all that he can accomplish during his presidency. I cannot be sure if he'll ever actually receive this, so I've decided to show you now what I wrote him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Mr. President,

Though I know this will reach you late, if at all, I write to you on your 48^th birthday and offer you this portrait.

This portrait is drawn with the technique I created which I am calling Numberism. It is drawn entirely with the numbers 1 through 12, marking the hours of the clock and the months of the year. With this technique, I attempt to draw a moment in our lives with all four dimensions, using the numbers to symbolize time, and stressing the quickness in which these moments pass.

Our lives are too short, and your political life as our leader, shorter still. With this portrait I supplicate that you take full advantage of every moment you have with us. Always stay true to your integrity and that of the American people, knowing that you are reflected in us and we in you. Remember that to do yourself injustice is to do the same to your people. To lie to yourself is to lie to us. To mute your own conscience is to mute us.

During your days in office, do not let the steady pressure of responsibility weigh you down; rather, let it lift you up in your journey. Each obstacle set before you is an opportunity to create change, building the future of America and of the coming generations. The potential is endless. As long as you remain grateful for your position, and eager to fulfill your vision for America, we as a people have hope. Your historical election reignited my belief in America's future. However, historical forks in the road are nothing if the right path is not taken, and if it is not fully walked.

I ask that when you glance at this portrait, let it act as a reminder of the fleetingness of your time with us, and that upon remembering, to take advantage of every moment you have left with us. Do not wait for tomorrow, and do not waiver from your dedication to us and our future. Above all, hold true to a few simple concepts: Vision, Integrity and Courage. As the days grow longer and the path harder, it will take such courage to hold strong against lesser men and lesser values.

You gained our trust and our belief. That has not wavered. We need a leader who sees opportunity in every problem, who sees hope in every day and who faces each obstacle with courage and vigor. Be that man, and your people will reward you for it. Succeed in this role, and you will set a precedent for the American people to do the same, and you will have raised the bar for all of us.

On this day, the day of your birth, and on each day that follows, I wish you the greatest luck, and remind you that you are not alone in your journey. The American people are by your side, at every fork in the road.

Thank you,

Sienna Morris

Portland Examiner Article

2009-08-03T22:54:00.000-07:00

Copied from Examiner.com by Kelly Kalac

Portland's First Thursday a great exploration of art

July 31, 9:26 PM

Sienna Morris - Falling to Pieces

If you are new to Portland, and want to check out some art while exploring the city, 1st Thursday is a great way to do it.

On the first Thursday of every month (coming up this Thursday, the 6th), Downtown Portland and the Pearl District keep galleries open later than usual and for free, from 6-9 pm. You can take in some exquisite art while sampling wine and cheeses.

During the hotter months you can also find: street vendors selling arts and crafts, musicians, and even carnies practicing their arts on street corners. Last month the energy and creativity was amazing. The image above is a piece created by an artist who was vending her work on the street at last month's First Thursday.

This piece, Falling to Pieces, is beautiful from the first glance, but up close it is quite intricate. The entire piece is made using the numbers one through twelve. It is part of Sienna Morris's series Numberism, which uses the numbers found on a clock face to express fleeting moments in time.

To see more artists like Morris, go to First Thursday this month. Enjoy!

For More info on First Thursday: check out the Galleries site, or find a map here.

For more info on Sienna Morris: check out her website.

Estacada Summer Celebration

2009-07-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

Estacada Summer Celebration
Saturday, July 25th 2009
11 am - 6pm

Sienna Morris will be setting up as a featured artist at the 5th annual Estacada Arts Festival in Estacada, Oregon July 25th from 11 am to 6 pm. The Broadway Street Art Fair includes a variety of juried North West artists, from pottery and fused glass to screen printing and fine artwork

Also enjoy an art auction, puppet shows, live music and a community mural at the Art Festival. The entire event goes on from 11 am to 10 pm, so feel free to stay after the Art Fair closes to experience the full show.

More information is available online at www.estacadasummercelebration.org
Click here for Contacts and Directions.

July Su Vino Show moved to AUGUST

2009-07-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

The Art Consortium's group show at the Su Vino Winery has been pushed back to August due to a double booking error.

But not to worry, there's still plenty to do in that area, so if you were planning on going down for the show, you still should. The Scottsdale Thursday Art Walk will be a buzz tonight, where you can see my original numberism pieces at The Providence Gallery, as well as a few limited edition giclee prints. If you've never seen the originals, I suggest you stop in to see the full effect of an original numberism drawing.

Also, to make up for this confusion, I'm lowering the prices on the originals, for now.

Next month, Art Consortium will have it's real, official, actual show at the Su Vino Winery. :) And for that, I will even go so far as to break out my oil paints and contribute a painting as well. I haven't painted since I started numberism really, so it should be interesting.

Providence Gallery‎

7036 E Main St, Scottsdale, AZ‎ - (480) 946-2297‎

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Group Show in Scottsdale- July 9th

2009-07-07T00:51:00.000-07:00

Phoenicians:

I promised I'd stay active in AZ after I moved, and I meant it.

For the Consortium's group "Dancer" show, I created a new numberism piece specifically for this occasion. This piece, which is tentatively called "Ceremony" will have it's very first viewing this Thursday at the Su Vino Winery in Scottsdale, Arizona, right off the main strip of Galleries.

I will unfortunately not be able to be there for the opening night, but would be very happy to hear that all my artists and art lover friends are enjoying a glass of wine on my behalf (Riesling please: that's become my new wine of choice. :)

There are Canvas Giclee prints as always, and as the ad below says, no one yet is sure whether or not the original will be there, but if it is, I've decided to put a lower price on it than my "Perpetual Motion" series, as a special promotion for the show.

Opening night is this Thursday from 7 - 9pm. The work will be at Su Vino from July -August 8th.

When:
7pm -9pm July 9th, 2009
Wine and music (but of course)

Where: Su Vino Winery
7035 E. Main Street Suite 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-994-8466
www.SuVinoWineryAZ.com

(Click image to enlarge)

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4th of July Sale (Saturday Market)

2009-07-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

Visit me at Portland's Saturday Market this Saturday, 4th of July for our special 4th of July Sale!
Everything has been marked down $5 - $15

8 x 10 canvas prints: Usually $35 --- Saturday on sale for only $30
11 x 14 Canvas Prints: Usually $45 --- On Sale for only $40
16 x 20 Numberism Prints: Usually $85 --- On Sale for only $70!
16 x 20 Prints (non Numberism) : Usually $75 --- On Sale for $60!

Paper:
11" x 14" Usually $35, ----On Sale for $30!
11" x 14' Under Acid Free mat: Usually $45 ---- On Sale for $40!
16" x 20': Usually $45 --- On Sale for $40
16" x 20" Under Acid Free Mat: Usually $65 --- On Sale for $60!!

20 x 14 Limited Edition Canvas Giclee Prints. These are #1 of 100 and are usually priced at $450. Saturday only, take home for $300!!

INTRODUCING the Discount Bin! Unstretched canvas prints $10 off regular price! (8 x 10 and 11 x 14)

**For purchases of 5 or more, you will also receive 10% your total purchase.**

We accept all major credit cards at the booth and we are conveniently located near an ATM.

Last Thursday June

2009-06-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

This month and pretty much every month unless otherwise noted, you can find me and mine with all our numerism giclee prints at Portland's monthly Last Thursday Art Walk in Alberta. This month you can find us over on 18th and Alberta for June's Last Thursday event.

What can you find at my booth, come Last Thursday? Well, seeing as you asked, you can find giclee prints on either canvas or artists paper from my expanding series "Perpetual Motion" which uses the famed Numerism technique. (Look at me talking myself up). All of these pieces are completely composed of the numbers of the clock, 1 -12. Go to my website to see what I'm talking about in more detail www.SiennaMorris.com

Also at our booth, you can find a quickly deminishing collection of original numberism trading cards. These go by fast, and I should really be drawing more of them. They are original, hand signed, titled and dated.

To top it off, we have artwork from my rediculously talented husband, Tabulanis, including a gigantic print of "Face" (so cleverly named) that will be gracing our booth.

Oh, and just to toss things up, I've decided to bring some of my older original paintings and drawings with me, ranging from $85 - $400. These pieces never get to come out to play anymore, so they'll be happy to get the attention.

As always, when you buy two or more, you get 10% off at the booth, but if you mention this blog, you get 10 % off even when you just buy one. :) (Feel free to bring your Credit Card. Those plastic devils are welcome at our booth).

It's been a hectic, crazy, unpredictable, keep-you-on-your-toes month, and somehow we made it through. Come to Last Thursday and celebrate the persistence of human life through the crazy train we call planet Earth. Amazingly enough, I'm here now, and I'm enjoying myself.

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Saturday Market

2009-06-19T11:02:00.000-07:00

I'm back and will be at this weekends Portland Saturday Market.

See you there.

Where are We Going?

2009-06-17T14:17:00.001-07:00

I've returned from the what was probably the most stressful yet healing week of my life. We gave Grandpa David a send off that was fitting and found some closure, I think.

I received a great honor as well. I sent out the finished David Numerism drawing to my family, and I was asked to have it on display at the service. It meant so much to me to be able to memorialize him and have it standing there next to my uncles, cousins, my mother and of course my grandfather, close to them and at their side. I only wish he could have seen it. He never did see an original numerism piece; it was always prints I sent to him. I think he would have liked it though, and I can only hope that the drawing and the meaning behind it can be of some service to my family in their time of grief.

On the other side of the display was a painting my father, Thom Boffi, created for David years ago, when I was 2 years old. It is a very large painting, inspired by Gauguin and my grandpa's portrayal of him in "Gauguin the Savage", as well as images from other movies he was in, including "Americana". It's a beautiful painting (I will put up a picture as soon as I have one), and up at the left hand corner, is Gauguin's quote (in french, I believe) "Where are we from? What are we? Where are we going?" D'où venons-nous? Qui sommes-nous? Où allons-nous?

I also found that my drawing of Grandpa David was on the back of the program above the lyrics to "Midnight Rider". I can't express how much I appreciate that. To have been thought of amidst this tumultuous time. Everyone lost someone so very close to them, and the ones who had the most to loose were taking care of everything. Thank you so much. We are all so grateful that you were in charge and helped to send him off in style and grace.

Right, that's what I wanted to say.

Family's are complicated, and people individually even more so in some respects, but to hear stories about my grandpa again, and to see the impact he's had on so many, reminded me of aspects of him and of my family that I am holding onto during this time.

Grace. He always had grace. In everything he did. Okay, maybe not always, but most of the time, and it was something important to him. I'm holding onto these things and trying to make sure they're expressing themselves through me. Grace, grace under pressure, style, passion, being yourself against all odds.

Seeing my family stand proud and strong through this was beautiful. Seeing Cade playing piano so beautifully, my mother, Calista, singing "Stormy Monday" with all her soul, Ian, Deedee, Coby Brown, Henry, Bobby and Keith, all playing for him with such strength and style showed me that we'll be okay. We're all artists in some way, and that's how we live life, experience it and deal with it, and seeing my family stand up and play music during this difficult time made me so proud. They kept it together and I felt waves upon waves of pride. It wasn't until then that I knew we were all going to be okay, and I felt grateful that we all have our art forms to heal through.

I will miss him, and it's hard to imagine a world without him, being that he's always been in mine, but I have the consolation of knowing that this giant tree that he was such a big part of lives on, and they are beautiful people who I am proud to know and love.

Also, a note to any extended family in our giant tree: all family members (and that include inaugural family who have been with us for decades and are pretty much Carradines at this point), are welcome to a print of this. I have paper and canvas prints, though I am giving most of the canvas prints to close family. So, if you would like a print, please email me and I will make sure you get one.

To everyone else who is not family but would like this piece, I will be printing a limited edition run of prints. They will be available for purchase online as well as at some galleries, however, I will not have these at art walks.

Send requests to Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com

No Other Words

2009-06-06T01:49:00.000-07:00

I don't really know what to do with the news. I'm not sure I know what I feel, and though people keep asking me, I don't know how I'm doing. It's all kind of surreal. I know that he's not here anymore, that he's dead now, but as far as my brain is concerned, he's just in Bangkok still and will be back soon. It's hard to think of him as not being in this world anymore.

So, I'm no good at gauging my emotions, and I'm not so great at dealing with other people or knowing what to say, so I've leaned back on what I do know. Big surprise: I'm drawing through this.

I'm going to bed now, so I thought I'd put this up before I hit the sack. I think he'd like this, though he'd probably be mad it's not bigger. He always said that art was valued in it's size and was always telling me to draw and paint bigger BIGGER BIGGER. Well, sorry grandpa, this is what you get. I'm feeling closer to you in drawing it though. The whole time I'm drawing, I'm hearing you talk to me, I'm hearing you laugh, and watching you give the sideways eye to me or someone else, catching them when you think they don't know you're looking. I'm remembering you singing "Everyone's afraid of old John Drew", and watching you fight with mom, when all you're trying to do is say you love her and think she's awesome, and that's all she's trying to say to you.

I miss you. I tried to call you when I was in LA to get together with you, but our paths didn't cross. I missed you then, and I miss you now.

This is a Numberism piece

We're Here!

2009-06-02T01:53:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Portland about two weeks ago and life has been pretty go go go since we arrived. I'm happy to report that we've moved into our new shop, which should be open for business by the end of the month (or sooner depending (: ) When we're up, we will be acting as a small gallery and print shop primarily, as well as a design and effects house, of course!

For the end of May, we went down to Portland's Last Thursday event, which is similar to Phoenix's First Friday, only much more "Portland". What do I mean?... Well....

Here, as opposed to Phoenix shows, most of the artists put up work wherever and however they can, and we get nifty entertainment like poi, fire dancers, lots of street performers, and the guys from the pictures above, who did a long circus like march over I think about 20 blocks with trumpets and all.
I will also have some video up soon, I hope.

Seeing as we just landed, I was thinking about having a little sale... let's see, how about free shipping and handling in the US?

For 7 days only (from June 2nd to June 9th), I'll take off shipping and handling at my Etsy store! :) Go to www.SiennaMorris.Etsy.com to view and purchase my work online.

This weekend, I will be at the Portland Saturday Market on the river. Wish me luck!

Also, I have a new piece I'm working on now..... more on that later.

Road Trip

2009-05-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at around 5ish pm we set off from Los Angeles and got back on the road up to Portland. I don't know what it is, but road trips make me feel at home. I could have all the worry of the world on my shoulders, but once rubber hits road, I feel somehow lighter.

That's made even more dramatic when you drive through places like this:

These are the forests of Mt. Shasta. That river is crystal spring water, that's even more refreshing then it looks.

Everything about this place seems to be telling me I've arrived home. I've moved alot in my life, and I really enjoy seeing new places, but after running around in the forest around Mt. Shasta, I've realized that the forest is my favorite place to be, and the one place that continues to call me back.

In the city, I'm timid, while Andy runs around, jumping over every obsticle he can find. Suddenly surrounded by these trees, I feel like a kid again. Every part of me wants to run, jump, explore, swim in the river (at least wade in it and drink it), climb things and see how much trouble I can get myself into. The city has tamed me and over the years I've become more lazy, less active and less confident in my childlike ways.

I think Portland might change all that for me. 15 minutes here, and I feel like I've rewound the clock. My knees don't hurt, I don't care how I look, everything is exciting and welcoming.

Andy, Doc and I find a rope bridge and quickly found ourselves jumping and running on it. Okay, so when Andy first started jumping on it, it freaked me out a bit. He said "It's metal!" Hey man, so was the Tacoma Narrow Bridge, and we all know what happened to that!

But I got over that pretty quick.

Anyway, we played, we ran around, we eventual did get in trouble, and it was awesome!

Mt. Shasta in all her glory.

Review mirror driving away from Mt. Shasta

I will put up more pictures soon on Myspace, but the small coffee house I'm writing from is closing down, so I'll get back to you later.

You're going to love the pictures from Yreka. It's unbelievably small and quaint!

Pit Stop at The Edison

2009-05-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

We're officially on a road trip up to Portland Oregon! We made it the 6 hours to Los Angeles, and we're holding up here for a couple days to see family and friends.

Last night we went to what is officially our favorite bar in the world! It's called The Edison, and if you ever come through LA, you absolutely have to stop here. A few friends of mine went here before and ranted and raved about it and for damn good reason. It's built out of the old electric company and they've kept all the fantastically cool industrial structures. Coal burning furnaces, iron and steel pipework everywhere, and seriously cool 30's 40's artwork of Absinthe faeries and 1930s women. Absinthe is their specialty it seems, and yes we had some, and yes I'm still feeling it now. :) They sold it in cool little bottles that you can take home with you. Unfortunately, after 3 of those bottles, we somehow lost them. Don't know how that could possibly happen.

I love the Edison, it's like walking through a fantasy. Almost eveyone is dressed up to match the part and I was not the only person walking through the place half dancing eveywhere I went. As I sashied my way through, I'd spin around as a girl coming the other way did the same. Fantastic!

We also got to see a show there. Vaud and the Villains were playing, and doing an awesome job. I wasn't expecting much, but was blown away at the first song. A vuluptuos black woman started singing "Summertime" at one end of the bar (one of my favorite songs) and then out of nowhere came this booming voice from the other end of the bar. I turned to see a short asian man belting out Summertime like I've never heard it! I was immediatly hooked.

They also had these women dancing on the bars with python snakes. We managed to take a few pictures, though they really didn't capture the effect.

Also, thanks to those of you who are continuing to take advantage of my Etsy sale! I'll drop off your prints in the mail tomorrow!

The Snake

Edison Website: www.edisondowntown.com

Moving Sale!

2009-05-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

These last two art walks in Arizona were amazing! Thank you to everyone who came down, old and new, and please keep in touch.
Amazingly enough, I still have some prints left and I'm looking to lighten my load for my upcoming road trip to Oregon.....so..... I'm having a huge moving sale!

Everything in my Etsy store is at least $10 off plus free shipping and handling within the US. $2 for outside of the US (for 8 x 10s to 16 x 20s)

8 x 10 canvas prints: $25
11 x 14 Paper Print (no mat) $25
11 x 14 with mat $35
16 x 20 no mat $35
16 x 20 Mat $45
16 x 20 Canvas (Usually 85) $70!

Visit my Etsy store at www.SiennaMorris.Etsy.com
I will be sending out eveything ordered this week on Monday, May 11th, so get your order in now.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade
SiennaMorris.etsy.com

One To Go

2009-05-04T12:44:00.001-07:00

So this is really it. Wednesday marks my very last art walk in Arizona. Somehow that makes the move all the more real. It's now only about a week away until take off.

This Wednesday from 5 - 9, I will be set up with all my little goodies in Downtown Historic Chandler. Their website at www.downtownchandler.org will give you all the information you need. I'm not sure exactly where I'll be, but the walk up and down the strip is always an interesting one, so take your time and see my fellow Chandler artists as well.

I want to thank everyone who came by my booth last First Friday. I really appreciate all your support, and will not forget how welcome you've made me here.

New Times Blog

2009-05-03T21:51:00.000-07:00

How cool, I was mentioned in a New Times Blogger blog. :)

Art Burn: Hob Nobs Good For Mixed Greens/Art/Feelings

By Wynter Holden in Art Burn

Wednesday, Apr. 8 2009 @ 12:07PM

Few coffee shops have attracted the attention that Hob Nobs has, after gentrifying and occupying the former Willow House space. First, there was the public outcry over the proposed "Willo House" name. Then there was the mixed reviews and, recently, an unfavorable health inspection involving blowing in plastic gloves. The place seems to be getting a bad rap, despite the fact it's much cleaner and more welcoming than the building's former occupant.

Local art remains on the walls, and even on the tables and in the windows. There's no stale smoke smell. No crazy ocean-themed bathroom (although we kind of miss that). No dreadlocked hippie poet types, despite this very Grateful Dead ink drawing by local artist Ignacio Farias.

Detail of "Overflying Kandinsky" by Ignacio Farias

Like the reviews, the art here is a mixed bag of everything from cool test prints to funky wall sculptures and digital "paintings." It's not all great, but there are a few standouts.

Ice and Fire by Sienna Morris (photo for giclee print by Jay Cougar) has an alluring quality that marries Lichtenstein's pop print heroines with modern comic book art. Notice the stubborn set of the pouty black lips and the dark, haunting circles around the figure's piercing red irises. If she were real flesh and blood instead of fire and ice, this painted woman would be a force to be reckoned with.

"Debut" by Unknown Artist

In contrast, this acrylic painting displays a wild, uninhibited woman in the throes of dancing. (Or passion? Or stripping?) The disproportionate body, nudity and half-drawn face are reminiscent of a Picasso line drawing, but that only works if you're, well, Picasso.

We're not sure the theme was intentional, as not all of the eclectic works at Hob Nobs depicted women, but we adored this particular display of the female form. Photographer Davin Lavikka captured the graceful movements and linear flow of women in traditional yoga poses, often shown in unexpected environments: amidst a nighttime cityscape, in an abandoned building, and our favorite (which sadly, we did not get a clear photo of) at the top of a butte overlooking a canyon.

Food at Hob Nobs is as eclectic as the art, with selections ranging from delish pastries and desserts to so-so sandwiches and salads. The coffee's decent, the chai standard. But the food seemed better when the place first opened, as did the service.

On recent visits, we've sampled the Smokey Joe turkey sandwich, which was piled high with lots of smoked turkey, greens and bacony-goodness and this strange version of a Cobb salad, minus any trace of egg. What's even stranger is that the deli meats and cheeses are ripped up by the "chefs" rather than cut, leaving the salad looking like something you'd throw together at home for a lot less than the $8 they charge. Oh, well. At least they didn't blow on their gloves first.

Final First Friday

2009-04-30T21:03:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but tomorrow will be my last First Friday. I do plan on coming back when I get the chance, see some friends, have some shows and participate in the art walks, but at least for another 6 months, maybe a year, I will be away.

So we're going to make tomorrow's First Friday memorable! About a week ago, ASU interviewed me over at Providence Gallery, and I will be playing the video at my booth tomorrow. I can't wait to see it. Tomorrow will be my first chance to see how it turned out. {Thank you ASU and Jason for the interview. I really enjoyed the interview. }

I'll also have prints of my new piece as well as new Numberism Trading Cards along with my usual assortment of prints.

I hope you can make it down to see me. Stop in and say hello/goodbye! If you can't catch me tomorrow, my VERY last art walk will be the Chandler First Wednesday next week.

"En Memoriam"

Your Choice

2009-04-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

I'm working on new Numbersim Trading Cards and I'm open for ideas. I've had people ask me to draw certain things before but couldn't afford a large commission drawing at the time. If you have something in mind that you've wanted me to draw in numbers, this would be the time. If I like the idea, I'll draw it and bring it with me to First Friday. The Trading Cards are $35 each, and these are 100% original. :) However, for this, unless you order from me when you give me the idea, it will be available to anyone and everyone who comes by my booth. So if you want this for yourself, you better tell me.

First on my list: a dragonfly for someone who asked for it a good long while ago. I still think they're really strange looking! Like aliens! But for you, I will do my best to show the beauty you seem to see in them.

You can comment here with your input or email me at Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com

Here are some of the cards I've done so far. Notice that the numbers in the cards are larger than in my Perpetual Motion series, as the cards are much smaller( 2.5" x 3.5"), so keep this in mind. Highly complicated and detailed scenes will not translate well.

Sneak Peek

2009-04-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a shot from my new time lapse of my latest piece from the next Numberism series. This series will focus on moments we need to move on from so as to live more effectively now. There will be a lot of darker images in this series, pulling from regretful, painful and embaressing facets of our lives.

Mourning is probably the most difficult to let go of. I've watched loved ones battle with this for years, with one foot in the moment and and the other anchored to loss. It's almost as though until they can deal with the pain and move past it, half of them dies along with the deceased. I've also seen them come back from it though, which gives me hope.

I will be working on this piece at Providence Gallery this Thursday.

Providence Exhibit

2009-04-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to say that this Thursday (April 23rd) I will be at Providence Gallery for the Scottsdale Thursday Artwalk, working on my latest Numberism piece. I'm even more excited to say that my work will be up on their walls, beautifully framed... finally!

You are all invited to visit the Providence Gallery from 7 - 9pm and see what I'm working on. On display currently is "Falling To Pieces" and "Anticipation" as well as a 3 ft 1st edition canvas print of "Gotham" and a 1st edition 24" x 20" canvas print of "Falling To Pieces". The original "Embrace" will be there soon.

Email me with any questions: Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com

Providence Gallery
7036 East Main Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480 946-2297

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"Gotham"

"Anticipation"

"Falling To Pieces"

Farewell Phoenix

2009-04-15T23:10:00.000-07:00

I've never lived in any one place for longer than three years. So it's no great surprise that my feet are itching now. Yes, that's right; I'm moving.

My husband and I were on the lookout for a new place with more space for an art studio, when we got the opportunity to move to Portland, Oregon. It's been on our list for a while now, and I've always wanted to go. The news that will be surprising to folks who don't know me very well is that we're moving in mid May. I've moved with shorter notice before, but the truth is, I don't want to just up and leave so fast this time. So we have about a month before we tally ho. I will be here for May's First Friday and First Wednesday.

I have mixed feelings about leaving.

I'm a little less than normal in the fact that I thrive on being uprooted and dropped in a new place with new people, new streets, and even sometimes a new language, so a large part of me can't wait for the adventure. I love chaos. Not knowing what will happen next, not being sure what life will consist of when you land. There's so much opportunity in chaos. Hey, if you don't believe me, landing in China lead to me and my friend (whose not exactly Brad Pitt) modeling for magazines, acting for commercials and music videos, and not to mention singing at clubs and bars all around the Guandong Providence (my friend didn't participate in the last one, though if he had, I'm sure it would have been hilarious). Chaos is so much more eventful than the alternative.

But like I said, I have mixed feelings.

Phoenix is where I came up with Numberism. It's where I finally started coming into my own with my art and design. Maybe that's because I spend so much time in my air conditioned house, drawing instead of braving the Phoenix sun, but I don't think that's it. Phoenix has been integral to me in my artistic development. So for that, and for the sea of artists and art lovers I've met here, I am a bit reluctant to say goodbye.

But the tide is picking up and every day I'm looking forward to the new chapter more. So without getting too melodramatic, it's been a blast, Phoenix. I'll see you next time.

I will be here for May's First Wednesday and First Friday, but that will be my last. :(

Tomorrow, being Third Friday, I will be swinging by Blink Gallery where four of my pieces are up. I'm planning on stopping by at around 8pm.

Next Thursday I will be at Providence Gallery in Scottsdale where I have some originals up! While I'm there, I will be working on the first piece in my next series (with photos of my lovely model, Jessica White). The last series focused on holding onto the present, while the new one will focus on letting go of the past.

I'm aiming to do as much as I can and see as many people as I can before I leave. Email me, call me, and comment.

Blink Gallery:
610 E. Roosevelt St. Suite 133 Phoenix, Az 85004
ingrid@theblinkgallery.com
480-363-2225

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Providence Gallery:
7036 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480 946-2297
E-mail: Scott@providencegalleryaz.com

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Artwork at HobNobs Coffee Shop

2009-04-14T21:30:00.000-07:00

I've recently put up new artwork at Hob Nobs coffee shop in Downtown Phoenix. Firstly; thank you to those who purchased the last batch! Let me know if you have any questions about framing, and please keep sending those pictures of your pieces once you get them framed! I'm building a collection and soon I'll post all the pictures I have.

I've added a special addition to my HobNobs pieces this month with a first edition canvas print. Harmony is #1 of a series of 100 large canvas giclee prints. On the back, it is numbered, titled and signed.

Along with Harmony are some of my favorites, including "The Butterfly Effect" (Photo by Helen Bascom), "Falling To Pieces" and "Ice And Fire" (Photo by Jay Cougar).

From Top Left to Bottom Right:
"Ice and Fire" Originally Acrylic on Canvas 20"x16"
"Harmony" Numberism Piece #1 of 100 limited edition print 20"x 24"
"Butterfly Effect Color" 20"x16"
"Falling To Pieces" Numberism 16" x 20"

10% Off RedBubble Items (April)

2009-04-06T18:55:00.001-07:00

I'm in good spirits, so I've marked everything in my RedBubble store down 10%. For the month of April, this is all you have to pay for my Redbubble products:

*These products are available for all of my pieces. You have the choice of matt and frame color along with sizing options.*

*Greeting Card: $5.16*

*Matted Print: $36.81*

*Laminate Print:*
*Small:* $22.09 *Medium:* $36.18 *Large:* $70.68

*Mounted Print:*
*Small:* $58.90 *Medium:* $80.99 *Large:* $110.40

*Canvas Print*
*Small:* $88.35 *Medium:* $117.80 *Large:* $161.98 *Extra Large*$198.79

*Framed Print*
*Small:* $117.80 *Medium:* $147.25 *Large:* $198.79

*Poster*
*Small* $29.45 *Medium* $51.54

*T Shirt* $29.93 (Long sleeved = $32.78

*Price does not include shipping.*

Last Days at Su Vino

2009-04-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

I will be taking my big limited edition giclee canvas prints down from Su Vino Winery in Scottsdale this Tuesday(April 7th), so if you're one of the people who asked me how to get the larger prints, you should swing by Su Vino Winery before I come and take everything down.

I have 16 x 20 canvas giclees of Harmony, Embrace, Falling To Pieces, and The Butterfly Effect (Each are $375 each). My favorite piece there is the 36" tall first edition cavas print of Gotham (The clock tower). It's goreous, and if no one snags it, I'm keeping it for my new studio!
(Gotham is running for $800)

All of the canvas prints are #1 of 100 (I think one of them is 2 of 100). I also have a couple 20 x 24 canvas prints there (also first edition), inlcuding Falling To Pieces, Anticipation and Butterfly Effect. (Each of these are $600 each)

I don't know which ones have sold, so I can't promise you it's still there, but it's worth the trip.

I also have 2 original pencil pieces there going for $7,000 each. The two that are up at the winery are "Light as Air" and "Almost Time".

If you are planning on going to the winery, and you'd like to talk to me about the work you're interested in, let me know and I'll see if I can swing by.

Su Vino Winery
7035 E. Main Street Suite 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: 480-994-8466
FAX: 480-837-2908
E-Mail: cory@suvinowineryaz.com

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To The Art Lovers

2009-04-05T00:09:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to send out a thank you to everyone who came by my booth for last night's First Friday. It was looking pretty scary there for a while with the crazy wind god looking for tasty art booths to eat. I didn't take pictures of the mayhem because we were too busy batting down the hatches, but it was a bit chancy for a while there.

But, leave it to Phoenicians to brave extreme weather for artwork. Luckily, the wind did eventually die down and the rest of the night was awesome as usual.

There were a lot of people who came back to my booth last night who have been fantastic sources of support for me since I started in Phoenix. I want to send out a special thanks to all of you (and to all the people I met for the first time last night). You have no idea how important you are to events like First Friday and to artists like myself. There is a very clear relationship in this world between artists and art lovers, and without one, there could not be the other. So thank you. I am extremely grateful that there are so many of you in Phoenix, and not just when you buy one of my pieces, but when you buy any of my fellow artists work as well. It's you that create the environment for us to be able to do our work and to show at these events. And it's all of you who have made the Phoenix Art scene what it is.

I'm long winded and I tend to over complicate things, but I don't think the Phoenix community of art lovers have received enough credit for what they've done to support the art scene. The galleries and artists deserve their due credit, but the art community would be nothing if not for you.

Cheers

First Friday April

2009-04-02T12:44:00.000-07:00

Par usual, you can find me this First Friday with my fellow artists vending around Garfield st.

If you haven't had a chance to see First Friday, or if you're just visiting Arizona for the first time, you really should swing by and see it for yourself.

When I first landed in Arizona and walked through my very first First Friday event in the middle of the unforgiving July Phoenix heat, I was blown away. I hail from Los Angeles, and have sought out art events whenever I could, but never in my life had I seen an event like First Friday.

I was warned before hand not to expect a big crowd because of the heat. Apparently no one cared too much about sweating out the walk because I must have seen thousands of people wandering the closed off streets.

The most amazing thing though, wasn't the crowd of onlookers, but rather the seemingly endless number of artists. Their work crowded galleries, sidewalks and lined the vendor booths on Garfield st. I couldn't fathom the idea that all these houses I'd been driving by every day actually housed hundreds and hundreds of artists, just waiting for First Friday to come out from behind their doors. If First Friday is any basis, than Phoenix must have more artists per capita than most of the cities I've been too.

See, for me, Phoenix is a bit of a surprise. I'm used to seeing tall buildings, old Victorian buildings, monster transit systems and generally a city that's bigger than life (LA, Chicago, China). Phoenix, though struck me as this small town. Everything about it was small. All the buildings are short and squat and unassuming, the landscape is long and flat save for a few mountains on the horizon that seem more like old rock memories of mountains to me than a real living thing. The idea that these little buildings could be the center for a music scene or popular gallery seemed ridiculous to me. Everyone kept telling me about this amazing art event that I had just had to see, and beyond reason, it was happening in Phoenix. Not LA or New York or Chicago or even Seatlle, but in this smallish unassuming town.

It's still strange to me, but I've got to hand it to these Phoneixians: they certainly make their small buildings seem large when you give them the opportunity.

It's also refreshing to see a community taking such a part in it's reinvention. I've seen art districts rise and fall, and most often, they fell because the community just didn't care enough. It still surprises me, because I just didn't expect it, but apparently Phoenix does.

First Friday is from around 6pm to around 11pm. There's a shuttle that picks you up at the Library. Go to http://www.rooseveltrow.org for more information.

Brilliant Bubble Find

2009-03-31T01:36:00.000-07:00

While trolling through RedBubble, I feel upon another amazing piece of work. This piece takes my breath away. While all of her work is beautiful, this color pencil piece, "Lightness", I find the most striking. It's clearly a piece that will find a way to haunt me.

Bec Winnel

Exhibit at Blink Gallery

2009-03-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

Four of my pieces are now hanging at The Blink Gallery in Phoenix on the Roosevelt strip. There, you'll see framed Giclees of "Falling To Pieces" "The Butterfly Effect" and "Embrace" as well as a framed original drawing from my time in China. This piece is called "Hong Mei" meaning Red Beauty in Mandarin.

Blink gallery is open First and Third Fridays. If you would like to hold a piece, contact Blink at ingrid@theblinkgallery.com

A selection of matted 16" x 20" prints are also available in the Blink Gallery art bin for $85 each.

"Hong Mei"
18" x 24"
Chinese Marker and Watercolor on paper
$575

"Falling To Pieces"
Numberism Piece
20" x 24"
Giclee print, framed under glass.
$375

"Embrace"
Numberism Piece
20" x 24"
Giclee print framed under glass
$375

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Interview in Mesa Republic

2009-03-20T22:53:00.001-07:00

My friends out in Mesa were kind enough to bring me over the actual Mesa Republic with my first interview as a Phoenix artist.

Here it is for your viewing pleasure. Click to view the article.

From the Article:

Every Saturday MACFest, Mesa Arts and Culture Festival, a community-owned "Made by Me: quality arts and crafts festival features artist exhibition spaces on Main and Center Streets in downtown Mesa. This shopping opportunity is free to the public, and at each week's event a MACFest Blue Ribbon Winner is presented.

"Exhibitors create and sell wonderful handmade art and each has a story to tell. I am enticed to ask the winners a few questions. This is an example interview from one of these fine artists" said MACFest Volunteer Committee Member, Denise A. CUrrier.

For this issue of the Downtown Focus paper, Denise profiled Sienna Morris. The artist and her husband moved to Phoenix after two and a half years in Southern China. Sienna uses pen and pencil in her "Perpetual Motion"(Numberism) series and is also a painter and a designer.

When did you start your art work or creative process?

I started this series about five months ago during a very difficul time. I've been painting and drawing for as long as I remember. My family are all artists in one form or another, so I was supported from early on to pursue art.

Do you have an actual art studio within your home and/or location in which you create?

I don't! I had a great home studio when I was living in China, and everything was either tile or stone in the house, so I could splash paint around without having to worry about it. Now that I'm back in the world of carpet and wood, I have to be careful again. Fortunately, I'm mostly working in pencil and pen now.

What is it that makes you aspire to create your work?

The focus of this series, Perpetual Motion, is time and the idea of living in the moment, being that there's really ntohing else. That's not easy for me. I'm constantly in the future, planning or worrying abou it, or in the past, regretting or daydreaming about it. Maybe I'm trying to impart wisdom, but I'm trying to get it through my head too.

What is your greatest art accomplishment?

This series, hands down. It's the frirst important thing I've done as an artist. This is the first time I feel that my work is speaking for others and not just my personal battles.

Sienna's statment about her artwork:

We're constantly moving in one of four directions. Even if we choose to do nothing at all, we are still moving through time. Every frame, there is a new "you", fully formed in the present, built on our past and hoping for the future, but only exitsting now.

---------------***************---------------***************---------------

So, how do you think I handled my first interview? I'm me, and I see me and everything I do in a weird light, so of course I've cut it to pieces already, but I'm still excited to see this in the paper.

Art Exhibit at Blink Gallery

2009-03-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

This Friday is the opening night at Blink Gallery for a selection of my framed Numberism prints as well as an original from my earlier works. My art will be accompanied by the works of many talented Phoenix artists, so feel free to come by to see the full arrangement.

The night begins at 6 pm and goes until 10 on March's Third Friday event on Roosevelt.

No RSVP required.

For more information on Blink Gallery, visit their site at www.theblinkgallery.com

If you have any questions, contact me at Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com

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Scottsdale Art Walk

2009-03-16T22:36:00.000-07:00

This Thursday I will be putting up shop for Scottsdale's Thursday Art Walk. You can find me in front of Su Vino Winery along with a dozen or so other artists whose work is well worth seeing as well. Not to mention live music and wine.

(Su Vino is in the courtyard off the Main St. walk between Goldwater and Marshall.)

I will have a new batch of those small canvas prints along with my usual stock of small medium and large matted and unmated prints. There's a couple new additions to my booth, including a few pieces from Tabulanis and Maynard Breese.

Mention this blog and get 10% off.

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Special 8" x 10" Canvas giclee prints.

Giclee prints by Tabulanis

Giclee prints by Maynard Breese

Tips for Phoenix Artists

2009-03-11T01:44:00.000-07:00

I in no way have all the answers when it comes to the Phoenix art scene ( or anything else for that matter), but I've picked a lot of brains on the way and gone through a bit of trial and error and I thought I might help some of you avoid a lot of the error part. (By the way, still very open to your suggestions, so feel free to comment and tell me how wrong I am or what else I could be doing).

Quick Tips:

Bring a guest book.
Make prints. None of us are "too good" for prints. Some of the best have made their bread and butter on good prints.
Make sure your prints are high quality. Don't sell the cheap stuff, and loose those 99cent store Frames. They're not doing you any favors.
Get a license for every city you want to sell in.
Get on Etsy.
Be picky about presentation.
Cards: I use GotPrint. 500 cards for about $10.
Find a way to take credit card.
Always rub credit card number for proof.
ALWAYS CHECK ID. I hate how amazed everyone is that I check ID. Are you seriously just taking their credit card blindly? Check check check! For your benefit and for theirs.
If you're making less than 50% profit, you're doing something wrong. You're an artist, not a factory.
Etsy

First of all, prints.

Selling original artwork is wonderful, but it's not always viable, especially not in this economy. A few years ago, I was selling mostly originals without breaking a sweat, but our expendable income has gone way down for everyone, so giving everyone a more affordable option is the way to go.

Where to get prints? The question is cost vs quality, but not really. The most important thing is that you're customers take home artwork that will last a lifetime or at lest near it and that gives justice to your work. They're supporting you as an artist, so give them something worth it.

After a lot of shopping around, I found my giclee printer. He prints on paper, canvas, metal and cloth and keeps my profits where I want them.

His name is Maynard Breese and he's based out of Chandler, AZ. He stretches and wraps and has always worked with me to make sure all my work is the best quality, despite my many errors.

www.YourMemoriesOnCanvas.com

Secondly, presentation:

Always use polybags if you're not framing the prints. It keeps grubby fingers from grubbing up your work and does a lot to improve the look of your work. I get all mine from Jerry's Artarama in Tempe. They sell packs of 25 at just about every size I've ever needed: from 8"x10" to 24"x36". It's cheaper to buy online, if you have the time.
I also get all my matting and backboard from them. They also have pre-cut mats in packs of 5 or 10.

If you have mainly smaller prints (8x10 - 11 x 14), Samurai Comics in Phoenix has served me well too. They also sell small thick casings for Trading Cards. Very affordable.

Artwalks:

Not all shows are worth going to, which took me a while to figure out. I was overloading myself with every artwalk and show I could find and pretty much wearing myself out for no reason.

Bi monthly shows are best. If the show is every week, the crowd tends not to care and has no sense of urgency to buy your work because they "can always see you next time". These shows also tend to have a lot of hawkers which makes passerby's tend to avoid the whole thing altogether.

Jurried shows tend to bring the best crowds because they know the artwork will be worth taking time out of their day to come see. If they're expecting a random splattering of hobbyists art and hotdog vendors, the customers you get are not necessarily coming down to look at or buy artwork.

Also, remember that the artwork around you reflects on your own. So if you have someone selling original 20" x 24" paintings that look like your 5 year old niece could have painted with a $30 price tag, they're going to expect the same pricing out of you despite your quality and wonder why you think you're so special.

Chandler's First Wednesday Artwalk is a jurried show which charges no fee or percentage to it's artists. The crowd is usually really good with people who are always interested in what new artwork or artist they might stumble upon that night. Definitely one of my favorite shows, and one to check out even if you're not looking to set up. I've found some awesome artists there myself, and have a spattering of their work in my home now too.
One of my favorites would be the recycled metal sculptor, Michelle Geiss whose work is both unique and somehow affordable. When I walked up, I expected all her price tags to be at least twice of what they were.

I think doing First Friday is a no-brainer. Yes, things have gone up and down and there are new lame rules that have messed with the original down to earth vibe, but it is still an awesome event that thousands of people come to see and be seen.

There are a lot of ways to do this. You can buy a booth along Garfield St (which is what I've been doing), for about $45 -$50 a month (depending on how many months you want), or you can find a gallery in the area who offers space in their yard for you set up.

I'm not sure on all the pricing anymore, but I know that you can talk to Red Dog gallery and Conspire about setting up with them. Both get a lot of traffic and offer spaces about 10 x 10 ft.

Scottsdale ArtWalks
I'm pretty new to participating in Scottsdale Artwalks, but if you want to test run the Scottsdale Thursday Artwalk and you're not in one of the galleries, you can set up at The Festival Artwalk on March 19th in the courtyard in front of Su Vino Winery. It's located just down the walk from the Thursday Artwalk proper on Main st. It costs $35 to sign up, and I think they're running out of space, so if you want to do this one, I'd do it now. (Tax license needed)

Register for Festival Artwalk Here

Other upcoming shows I know about:

Glendale:
This Saturday from 11am-5pm-ish, at The Mighty Cup N Spoon. They fill their yard with artists and musicians, and I think this weekend they have some special cuisine for the day. As far as I know, there is no charge. I don't think this is coinciding with any other art event nearby this time, but the normal Mighty Cup N Spoon crowd is pretty art-friendly.
Free

Scottsdale: (Tax license needed)
Saturdays on the Plaza: A fairly new artwalk on the courtyard in front of the Su Vino Winery in Scottsdale, just down the walk from Main Street.
12pm - 5pm
$25

Privilege Sales Tax:
Some people I know have tried to get by without getting these, but they're really necessary to get into some of the better shows, and in the end aren't that big of a pain in the ass. Yes, doing taxes sucks, but I've found a way to do them and I'm terrible with paperwork, taxes, math and organization, so pretty much anyone can. In fact, you can do it all online if you like.
Most of them don't cost that much, and each takes about 5 minutes to get when you go to their offices.

Phoenix Privilege Tax License

Chandler Privelege Tax License.

You'll need to get one for each city you plan to sell your work in. I'm not going to put up a full list here, but it's really easy to google it, file it, pay for it, etc. Just get around to doing it.

I haven't tried any of the 3 day art walks, but I hear they are quite worth it. If you have info on those, please comment with info for me and anyone else.

I think that's all for now, but then again, it's late and my brain is no longer functioning how I'd like it to.

Hope that helps. Add more info as you like.

This Week's Shows and Art Walks

2009-03-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

3 S. Arizona Ave

Chandler, AZ 85225

I will be at First Wednesday in Chandler tonight with a whole line of my 8"x10" canvas giclee prints as well as a few new additions.

7035 E. Main Street Suite 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Tomorrow (Thursday March 5th) is my opening at Su Vino Winery with my solo limited edition exhibit. This coincides with the Thursday Scottsdale Artwalk, so it's another good excuse to be there.

On Friday I will in my booth on Garfield street.

4100 North Seventh Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85006

This Saturday I will be at the 8th Annual Melrose on 7th Ave with a nice array of giclees and originals, including my new original Numberism Artist Trading Cards.

That's the week at a glance. See you around.

Numberism Art Trading Cards

2009-02-24T15:54:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a special run of Numberism Artist Trading cards. They are 2.5" x 3.5" on Illustration Board and I will have them available at the Melrose on 7th Ave Art Fair on March 7th.

I haven't decided how much they will cost yet. We will see.

Numberism Time Lapse Vid 1

2009-02-23T23:53:00.000-08:00

This is the video I have been playing at the artwalks of me drawing number 11 in "Perpetual Motion", "Anticipation".
As always, it is drawn entirely in numbers. It's strange to see this go by so fast for me. In reality, this took 5 days.

I tend to flip around my page when I draw and I caused absolute havoc for Andy to make this. For my next time lapse I promise to try to keep the spinning down to a minimum. You can't tell because Andy fixed it, but before, this video was pretty much spun.

This is only the first half of the video. I promise the full video will be up soon.

Article in The Mesa Republic

2009-02-20T13:20:00.000-08:00

On my first trip down to the Mesa MacFest Artwalk, I was chosen as the Selected Artist and was given a Blue ribbon. I had no idea they offered this, so it was a nice surprise! The interview they gave me is now in the Mesa Republic Newspaper (page 8) and I believe this is an excerpt online at the Mesa Republic Website

You can also find an interview on me at the MacFest Information booth as their selected artist.

I'm going to go see if I can find that article in the Mesa Republic Newspaper.

My first interview... yeah!

Su Vino Winery Exhibit

2009-02-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

I have officially encroached on Scottsdale, and I plan to take over completely. :) More on that in the future, but for now...

The wonderful, Su Vino Winery has invited me to exhibit my work March 5th from 7 - 10pm. I'll be decorating their walls with a new run of limited edition large Canvas Giclee prints, a smattering of my smaller works and one original from "Perpetual Motion". Which piece it will be is a surprise. ...

I will be there from 7 -9 pm, drinking wine and elbowing with some of my favorite people I've met these past few months and listening to the music of Mathew Thornton.

RSVP with me at Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com with the Subject "Su Vino RSVP". Please include the number of people you are bringing.

See you there.

New Website Launched

2009-02-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

I'm a fickle kind of person, never satisfied, especially with my art and design. I'm always changing it, editing it, adding layers, rearranging it. So it shouldn't be too much of a surprise that I decided my old art site just wasn't cutting the mustard, so I went and made a new one.

My new (and permanent) site resides at www.SiennaMorris.com

It's light on graphics, quick on the loading and will be constantly updated with my news and show dates, which I will have plenty to post in these upcoming months.

I also suggest you get on my email list for my email updates if you want to know where I'll be. Just send me an email over at Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com with the Subject "Mailing List".

New Prints on Etsy!

2009-02-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

I just got in a whole new run of prints that I have up for sale on my Etsy account. In addition to the usual paper prints, I now have a wide variety of matted and canvas prints, including small 8 x 10 matted prints in black or white.

I'm most excited about my new canvas giclee prints. They're perfect! If you look close, it looks like I drew right on them.

Right now, I have small 8 x 10 canvases, a couple 16 x 20s and a 20 x 24. I will have more up soon as well.

As always, don't be afraid to ask. If you want one of my pieces, but you'd like it in a different size or canvas instead of paper (so on), just email me at Sienna.Morris@Gmail.com or convo me on Etsy.

See them all at My Etsy shop at www.SiennaMorris.Etsy.com

Anticipation

2009-02-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

As promised, I have uploaded the 11th Numberism piece in my "Perpetual Motion" series for purchase and viewing online. I call this "Anticipation"

Thank you to Jessica White and Nick Oxentenko for being such awesome models!

This is now at both my online shops and available for sale at

The Difference between Sex and Sensuality

2009-02-06T11:31:00.000-08:00

I've been drawing the female body longer than anything else. Maybe that says something about me and maybe it says something about the female body.

For years I focused on drawing sexual images, but if you ask me, they weren't very sexual. The drawings and pin ups I did in high school lacked that innate sensuallity that triggers memory and fantasy. They were distant like photos behind glass.

My more direct images had that sexuality but left little to the imagination. They were explicit and lacked the questions of good seduction. Show enough to intrigue, but not enough to tell the whole story. It's a difficult line to find.

My latest Numberism piece feautures two lovers, in the moments before they make love. They are partially clothed. He has just pulled off her shirt, and is himself topless.

He is pushing down upon her, her head and neck are reaching up. His hand grips her waist, and their numbers fall into each other, curling around and in between each other, dipping down and reaching up into each other. Their eyes are locked.

This is seductive and sensual by my definition, but the rest of the story is for the individual. For me, I have plenty to fill in the blanks with my memory. I think everyone can relate to this, remembering this moment, part of you wanting nothing more than to be back there.

I call the piece, "Anticipation" and my two wonderful models, Jessica White and Nick Oxentenko, brought life to the photo.

Oh, you want to see it?

This week I will be at many artwalks: First Friday on Garfield St. (today 6-10pm) Su Vino Winery in Scottsdale (Saturday 12-5pm) and The Mighty Cup N Spoon for the Chocolate Affair (Sunday6-10pm).

I'll put it up online when these shows are over, but if you can't wait till then, you'll have to find me.

Artwalks to stalk me at...if you're into that kinda thing

2009-02-05T20:55:00.000-08:00

Par usual, you can track me down this month at my regular "Firsts" ( First Friday and First Wednesday) as well as a couple other shows that are not so regular.

***First Wednesday***

Meet me at the Chandler Artwalk this First Wednesday
from 5 - 9 pm.

***First Friday***

Find me on Roosevelt Row on Garfield street. I'll have my booth up
with plenty of new Giclee prints, including canvas prints and a new Valentines Day piece!

***Saturday, February 7th***

This Saturday, I'm coming to Scottsdale. Wine, Music, art: what more can you ask for?
12-5pm
7035 E. Main Street, Suite 110
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

***Sunday, February 8th***
The Chocolate Affair

You can find me at The Mighty Cup N Spoon for
Glendale's Chocolate Affair from 5pm -10pm

7021 N 57th Ave
Downtown Historical Glendale, AZ 85301

Latest Design

2009-02-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

As a designer I've worked on a lot of projects I wouldn't normally think to go looking for. It just happens that way. I'm not complaining; every time that happens, I get a new gig and I get to do something I haven't done before. There's nothing I can't stand more than having to do the same thing over and over again. There was a while there when I didn't want to even look at another website.

I was recently hired by a Catholic school to design their new Track and Field shirts. Something I would never have thought of, but kinda fun. After staring at hundreds of Track and Field pictures, I suddenly got a bug to be more physical. Those people are amazing. I never really thought about it, because I've never been much of a sports person, but they're pretty amazing. Looking at pictures of people pole vaulting and hurdling is just sick. They have such control! The most I ever got into sports was Kung Fu and Tennis, and not really with the whole Tennis thing.

Now my arms and stomach are sore as hell. I've been doing push ups every day. Push ups! I don't know when the last time was that I actually did a push up, and not one of those pansy ass girly knee push ups either. Real push ups. I'm also doing those wacky Canadian Air force leg twisty sit ups. They're mean, but they're so good. I forgot how good this felt. I'm also running with the dogs here and there.

So these are the shirts that inspired me to get off my ass. I created these in Inkscape. (I've asked to get one of the shirts too. ) :)

The Rogue Palette

I've Moved

Hey, it's snowing..... kind of

Relativity Exhibit November 4th - 20th

Siren Nation - Live Painting Auction

PDX Gen-Y Interview

PDX Gen-Y

Seahorses, Fireflies and Beaches at Sunset

CBLDF Auction @ SDCC

First Friday in Milwuakie - June 4th

Captain Ankeny's Well

May's over? What?

Art Hop on Alberta

C25H52

"2 am"

A Rainy Day Wildfire Group Show

Progress on A Rainy Day Wildfire...

Scratch

Sandy High Auction

SWAN Day

Endless

Springing Forth

299792458

The Pink Show

Crafty Art

Valentine's Day

Windy Days of January...

Come Rain, Come Shine?

New Toy

Seattle Fremont Market

Progress in Oil Paint

Numberism Wedding

Approaching 2010

Last Minute Shopping at Saturday Market

Notes That Warm The Heart

Perpetual Motion Calendar

United States

New Work

Touching

We're Mad As Hell

26

12

FrogFaith Gallery Opening!

Halloween!

A New Leaf

Fall News

Boyd Coffee House

The Leaf

First Full Color Numberism Drawing

First Thursday @ TeaZone

President Barack Obama's Portrait

Portland Examiner Article

Estacada Summer Celebration

July Su Vino Show moved to AUGUST

Group Show in Scottsdale- July 9th

4th of July Sale (Saturday Market)

Last Thursday June

Saturday Market

Where are We Going?

No Other Words

We're Here!

Road Trip

Pit Stop at The Edison

Moving Sale!

One To Go

New Times Blog

Art Burn: Hob Nobs Good For Mixed Greens/Art/Feelings

Final First Friday

Your Choice

Sneak Peek

Providence Exhibit

Farewell Phoenix

Artwork at HobNobs Coffee Shop

10% Off RedBubble Items (April)

Last Days at Su Vino

To The Art Lovers

First Friday April

Brilliant Bubble Find

Exhibit at Blink Gallery

Interview in Mesa Republic