The Hairdresser by Meg Lyman

8×10 colored pencil commission – SOLD

Commissions. The double-edged sword. They are often an essential part an artist’s living, but they can be so draining creatively. When someone wants me to do custom artwork for them, I am thrilled and terrified at the same time.

I am beginning to set myself up with a style – the more work I do for myself, the larger my portfolio, and the more likely I am to get commissions that I will like. However, there are always commissions that just suck it out of me. If I accept a commission about which I am less than enthusiastic, can I use it to practice a new technique or style? I’m at risk of providing the customer with a product unlike any of my others… and they hired me after seeing my existing work. If an experiment goes wrong, I’ll have to start over.

Luckily, this hairdressing cephalopod commission was right up my alley.

For the artists out there, where do you draw the line when accepting commissions? Do they have to interest you, or do they simply have to pay the bills? For the potential commissioners out there, how much leeway would you give your artist in terms of style?

Drag Queen by Meg Lyman

5×5″, colored pencil

Sorry I’ve been quiet this week. I knocked my head on the ground at softball and have been sleepy and achy ever since. But here! Have a cross-dressing cuttlefish!

Did you know? Some small male cuttlefishes wear “girl” colors to sneak past the big male guarding his mate and do her before anyone realizes what’s going on.

Sneaky.

Pucktopus by Meg Lyman

SOLD – traded with an artist friend

Did you know the fans throw octopus on the ice at Detroit Red Wing Games? Did you also know that I won a game of Trivial Pursuit with that particular tidbit?

Dinner by Meg Lyman

8×10 colored pencil and ink

$35 – e-mail to buy

Furry Weekend Atlanta was very much fun. I had a blast sitting all weekend in the stuffy little room they set aside for “Artist’s Alley.” For those unfamiliar with this type of convention, they’re set up with a Dealer’s Room where merchandise and art are sold. Tables need to be reserved and paid for in advance. Often there will also be an Artist’s Alley, where table space is free, but first-come, first-serve, and only art can be sold.

I met a bunch of awesome people and sold prints, hats, commissions, and originals. I sold two pieces in the art show, volunteered to help with checkout, and ended up getting an offer to perhaps run the FWA Art Show next year because I’m “organized and focused.” These are apparently rare traits in the fandom.

One of the best things about a local convention is the local people you meet, giving you many opportunities to socialize with kickass people (artists and otherwise) throughout the year. Every time I meet artists in the Atlanta area, I feel more at home.

Cupid by Meg Lyman

8×10 ink, colored pencil, and gouache on Canson

SOLD

I know it’s all generated by Big Corporations Who Want to Sell You Cards, but happy Valentine’s Day! May your lives be full of love all year ’round.

I was recently introduced to the work of an interesting musical artist. Not only is the video art 100 kinds of awesome, the tune and beat are catchy, and you (or your kids) will probably want to play it again, and then the song will be stuck in your head forever. You have been warned.

This line in the song really caught my ear: “Live your life until love is found, or love’s gonna get you down.” I think you can apply it to most everything in life. Art, for instance. Being an artist is a roller-coaster relationship. Complete a wonderful painting, but get passed over for a gallery. Sell a big original, but run out of inspiration on the next one. Up and down and around. And there’s rarely an art cupid to magically work things out. But you can’t let those things stop you from trying, from improving yourself, from finding joy while living your life… or art’s gonna get you down.

Bashful Gentleman by Meg Lyman

9×12″ ink, colored pencil, and gouache on Canson

SOLD

I’ll be out of internet range for a while, so I hope everyone has safe and happy holidays. If you don’t have days off… I’m really sorry and don’t mean to rub your nose in it, but WOOHOO I have two weeks off!

I’m going to work on a bunch of commissions that I backlogged in order to finish some big Christmas commissions. I have succeeded (well, they’re done, anyhow) and will show them to you once I return – *after* people have been gifted.

Merry Holidays!

Love,
Meg

Cookie Squid by Meg Lyman

Colored Pencil & Ink on Canson – SOLD

Here’s a festive little squid, enjoying the holiday pigout. I made Kasie’s brownies for our work pigout today and they were a hit. Thanks, Kasie!

Alien Turkey by Meg Lyman

6×8″ colored pencil, ink, and gouache on Canson

SOLD

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. If you celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday, I hope it was full of tasty turkey. In honor of the holiday, have a brightly-colored alien turkey!

They don’t taste good.