William Hessian at the Richard Boyd Art Gallery

Earlier this year I got an invite from artist Kenny Cole to submit some work into a satirical art show on an island here in Maine. I had never been to Peak's Island much less the Richard Boyd Art Gallery. However, I loved the concept of the show and a few months later I standing at the art exhibit Off the Wall: Satire in Contemporary American Art looking at my art on the wall.

After a really great art opening and a few excellent conversations with Pamela Williamson and Richard Boyd it was clear that this gallery in Peak's Island was doing some very impressive things. Richard Boyd Art Gallery was hosting some unique art shows, featuring a diversity of artists, and doing it in a very high end and marketable way. I was impressed with both the business side and the artistic side of what they were doing in this tiny building on this little island (an island you need to ferry to in order to get to it). Pamela was impressed with my miniatures and invited me to take part in another upcoming show and next thing you know I am hunched over a table creating a series of miniature bird art for the next show. 

With this submission of miniature art, I was invited to be represented as an ongoing artist showing my miniatures on the back wall. I am excited to have a chance to have an constant place to display and sell my miniature paintings. I also wanted to feature a few of the new works here: 

Miniature "white eared humming bird" art by William Hessian. The painting is less than 2 inches wide. Below are some of the rest of the miniatures I am displaying at the gallery. Check out the Richard Boyd Art Gallery if you want to inquire about purchasing one of my miniatures. On the website you can read my artist statement, and my biography. Or come visit the island itself and take a beautiful ferry ride, I can guarantee its worth it.

 Great Gray Owl, less than 2 inches wide, ink and watercolor on paper

Sharp Tailed Sparrow, less than 2 inches wide, ink and watercolor on paper

Rose Breasted Grosbeak, less than 2 inches wide, ink and watercolor on paper

Also make sure to check out the Richard Boyd Art Gallery Facebook Page and keep up to date with all the monthly art shows and featured artists. Also make sure to see William Hessian's website for more miniatures.

ART BALL: Throwing Paint at Artists

Myles Bullen and Megan Gates team up with myself, William Hessian to perform ART BALL in Kennebunk, Maine with River Tree Arts. The object of art ball is to dip squishy balls in paint and throw giant paint balls at artists dressed in all white. From the photo above you can tell that some of the little artists in Kennebunk have some good aim. By the end of the event we were covered head to toe in multi-colored paint! 

 Here you can see Meg and Myles at the beginning of the day. Our goal as the Art Ballers was to entice the crowds walking by to throw paint at us as we tried to dodge the balls; allowing the paint to splatter on the wall behind us. Our goal was to get the wall painted, while the throwers were trying to get US painted. It was a fun day of dodging, ducking, jumping, and ultimately getting smacked by soaked balls of paint.

As you can see, even a fairy princess got into the action. When the day ended we had paint in our noses, in our ears and we were so soaked that the paint soaked through our clothes and stained our skin in some spots. It was great!

Art Ball was something I created a few years when brainstorming ideas for events. This was the first time I have had a chance to actually perform it, and luckily I had two awesome friends with me. The fair goers in Kennebunk were a great bunch of enthusiastic participants and we had a great time making a huge mess! I was also meeting a lot of kids who were interested in the Star Wars Art Class and the Super Heroes Art Class that I am teaching this summer. Plus, it was a gorgeous day.

Here is a peak of my favorite splatters on the wall!

Sketchbook Friday: Hammer Time

Character Sketch of a big strong guy that likes to hammer things. Word on the street is that he gives a good hug; if you like broken ribs.

Each Friday at noon I scan in one new sketch or drawing from one of my many sketchbooks. Many times my sketches are ideas for larger projects that you might find on my fine art website William Hessian dot com, or as projects right here on my Bearded Bunny art blog. If you enjoy these sketches make sure to also see my Favorite 20 sketches from 2011 or go back and check out all of the sketchbook friday posts.

If you want to own some of my work, you can always find great deals on my artwork and stickers at my Etsy shop.  Do not forget to subscribe to my blog and never miss another post.

Free Prismacolor Markers

I've been an artist since I was 5 years old, in this time I wanted to share 5 ways I have gotten myself FREE PRISMACOLOR markers.

Before we start, I want to mention that each story below I talk about ways I have gotten free prismacolor markers, and these are not something that is guaranteed to work for everyone, nor necessarily advised. But these markers are awesome and expensive, so often times it does not hurt to try. Being a resourceful artist is often a good way to collect supplies.

Sample my Free Prismacolor Marker
When I was first introduced to artist grade markers like Prismacolor, I fell in love. I quickly realized my meager allowance was not going to afford me the ability to buy enough colors to have the arsenal I needed to attack my drawings. I decided to send Prismacolor a letter, telling them my story as a young budding artist, and my interest in trying their product. The cool thing about this, is that they sent me a small sample kit of 5 markers but also told me about different events in my state (Minnesota at the time) where I could go and pick up more free samples of the markers. I spent that summer visiting all kinds of art festivals and fairs to pick up my free prismacolor markers!

Art Store Defects
The free samples I had gotten were quickly drained with all the super heroes and monsters I was drawing. Being as broke as a Van Gogh, I had to resort to a new strategy. I would visit all the local art stores and ask if they had any defective markers. Often times I would find prismacolor markers that were missing labels, damaged or bleeding. A few stores were happy to donate them to me as long as I was buying other things. One store in particular would save them for me, and was happy to support a young enthusiastic artist. It worked out for the store and for prismacolor themselves, because I spent a lot of money at that store afterwards paying them back for their kindness.

Adopt a Marker
Artists usually have artist friends. Sometimes those friends have prismacolor markers. Sometimes those friends no longer use their markers. Instead of asking my friends for their markers what I do is usually complain about how worn out my markers are and add them to my giant list of markers that need replacing. My good hearted friend often feel good giving my their collection markers to me for free. Strategy here is to simply use the markers in front of as many people as possible: coffee shops, galleries, art walk, ect.

Free Prismacolor Markers on Craigslist
In a desperate situation sometimes I ask for markers on Craigslist. It usually looks like this, "Artist needs unused art markers". You would be surprised who responds, especially if you show them the project you need them for. When I was creating my daily web comic I went through markers like water, and I had to reach out to my community. Random strangers came through and I netted about 60 new markers from 3 different local supporters. It never hurts to ask.  I did trade some free art prints to the helpers to rewards those who helped me.

Donations
When I do larger project involving prismacolor markers I always ask my mailing list, and my facebook fan page if anyone wants to donate to the marker fund. Often times people will throw down a $3 donation to help me get a few markers and dominate my current project. People have been very supportive that way, and helped me get free prismacolor markers. It is a great way to ask people for help, and get something great for it.

I hope you enjoy hearing all 5 ways I have gotten free markers in the last decade! If you have any "free prismacolor marker" stories, leave them in the comments below!

Sketchbook Friday: Pet Skunk

Horns for eyes, a pet skunk and a map. All a creature shall ever need. I have been trying to create a series of characters for an upcoming project and this was one of the most bizarre ones I came up with. Somehow all the weirdest ones have a soft spot in my heart, because I am never expecting them.


Each Friday at noon I scan in one new sketch or drawing from one of my many sketchbooks. Many times my sketches are ideas for larger projects that you might find on my fine art website William Hessian dot com, or as projects right here on my Bearded Bunny art blog. If you enjoy these sketches make sure to also see my Favorite 20 sketches from 2011 or go back and check out all of the sketchbook friday posts.

If you want to own some of my work, you can always find great deals on my artwork and stickers at my Etsy shop.  Do not forget to subscribe to my blog and never miss another post.

Sneak Peek at new Stencil Art

Check out my anti-drone stencils 

 Stencil art. Spray paint on a variety of surfaces.

Just a sample of my new stencils, still in the process of being finished. Prints, t-shirts and posters will be available when finished. Contact me if you are interested.