Humble Beginnings + new tie dye and screen prints for sale!

I'm starting to believe that December is just around the corner. This morning the bus ride to work was frigid and its been raining almost every day since Halloween. I do finally feel like I live in Oregon, unlike last year where we got hardly any rain but then thrashed with a crazed snowstorm that Portland was seriously not prepared for. I'm interested to see what this winter will be like.<br />So, in homage to the chillyness of these days and the days to come Danny and I listed a new tie-dye that is perfect for keepin you or a loved one cozy with some psychedelic flair:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/4099983828/" title="psychedelic thermal by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="psychedelic thermal" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2671/4099983828_7b080ac000.jpg" width="361" /></a><br />Psychedelic Thermal<br />Hand tie-dyed with lots of love in my favorite color harmony: Purple and Green!<br />extra large(XL)<br />100% cotton thermal dyed w/ procion mx dye<br />51" chest<br />To see more of this tie-dye or to buy go <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34389904"><strong>HERE</strong></a><br /><br />Also, we listed a new screen print that is a collaboration of screen print work of both mine and Dannys. check it out:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidopticlab/3716624701/" title="behold opticle (eye)llusions by Lucid Optic Lab, on Flickr"><img alt="behold opticle (eye)llusions" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3452/3716624701_f04f15d2b6.jpg" width="418" /></a><br />behold opticle (eye)llusions<br />8.5" x 11"<br />a mash-up of Chelsea Rose's Behold design, and Danny's optical (eye)llusion, and splatter design screen printed on watercolor paper.<br />very rare, one of a kind<br />to see more of it or to buy click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34317661">HERE</a><br /><br />And I wanted to show you what i started working on Wednesday night:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/4099091501/" title="humble beginnings by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="humble beginnings " height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2674/4099091501_c6cd9e27ec.jpg" width="397" /></a><br />This is a snapshot of my work table in my lil home studio space.<br />You can see the humble beginnings of two new paintings.<br />I'm going to be trying to begin incorporating more detail into my pieces, namely adding some backgrounds to my subject. I felt the Harpy would be a perfect way to start since my original drawing featured her perched on a tree limb.<br />Here was the original pen and ink drawing:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/3946862932/" title="Harpy by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="Harpy" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3946862932_f110590a98_m.jpg" width="199" /></a><br />I projected this pen and ink image onto a prepped 14x14 stretched canvas.<br />Once I had the harpy transferred where I wanted her I began to sketch with pencil to figure out where and how I wanted the branch to be rendered which she would perch upon. I then drew a few different background ideas involving a looming city scape in the background. Once I finally settled on a background sketch I took my India ink pen and went over the lines to produce what you see in the above photo. That was all done Wednesday night.<br />Last night I began to go into the Harpy's background with color. I will take a picture of my color additions tonight once I get home from work. I will then begin to lay the first layers of color into the Harpy herself.<br /><br />....Now, the other painting you can hardly make out in the background of the picture above is another story. I started the background months ago with the idea that I would place this certain drawing I did of a warrior mermaid into it.<br />here is what the background painting turned out like:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/3647984637/" title="sunken city by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="sunken city" height="240" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3647984637_a23e9eb3cd_m.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />My inspiration/idea for this piece was a sunken glowing city under the ocean being guarded/protected by her:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/3634228829/" title="the guardian at the gate by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="the guardian at the gate" height="500" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3634228829_d4701fc1c5.jpg" width="311" /></a><br />I hesitated for so long to try and put her into the piece because I liked the background as is. But Recently I decided that id give it a try.<br />I was a little befuddled as to how to transfer my mermaid onto into the sunken city piece. At first i tried it the way I normally do it- which is to project the pen and ink drawing on top the background and then trace it with my India ink pens...but that did not work because the background was too dark for my pen to make much of a guide. So I then decided to use the projector to guide me in blocking out the basic shape of my mermaid in white. That's pretty much as far as I have gotten so far. I did draw the beginnings of her face but that's it.<br />This is really more of an experiment, if anything. so wish me luck with this and if you have any advice or ideas I would love to hear them.<br /><br />What i didn't realize till yesterday was that both of these have city scapes in the background. Ugh. Oh well...I do love city scapes...I see them as portraits of Babylon. I wonder at the chances of being born in the midst of such an intense time in the epicenter/mecca/vortex of so much. Its foreboding, frightening, strange, bizarre, horribly ugly and so oddly beautiful and i see all of that in these city scapes i draw- they are stark symbols of man's bloody triumphs, our unquenchable thirst for power, knowledge, our need to shape the world we inhabit. So yes....i do love my city scapes but perhaps for my next painting i will use something else as a background.<br /><br />...So now you all know what I'm up to currently.<br />I'm going to try and be diligent and recording the creative process with both of these pieces so stay tuned if you are interested in seeing these paintings unfold with all the progress, struggle and learning of the creative journey.<br /><br />I am truly looking forward to this weekend. I mean to work a bunch on the above paintings and get a bunch of laundry done too.<br /><br />Danny's birthday is this coming Monday so I hope we can find some time/funds to do something special together.<br /><br />Peace be with you all!<br /><br />Enjoy your weekend journeying,<br />-Chelsea Rose<br />Lucid Optic Lab<br />www.chelsearoseart.com

Humble Beginnings + new tie dye and screen prints for sale!

I'm starting to believe that December is just around the corner. This morning the bus ride to work was frigid and its been raining almos...

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Finished projects and new tie-dye in our shop!

So I finished my "Wind Spirit" painting over the weekend.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/4087543017/" title="Waiting for the varnish to dry by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="Waiting for the varnish to dry" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4087543017_b1dbcfa543.jpg" width="413" /></a><br />This is just a quick snapshot that Danny took while Sushi-cat and I were waiting for the first layer of gloss varnish to dry. The flash from the camera really washed out all the colors in the painting, but you get the idea. Hopefully today we will have some nice high quality details pictures of the painting. Its a 14"x14" acrylic painting done on stretched canvas. I'm sellin this one for $150.00 so let me know if you are interested and we will work out the details.<br /><br />Otherwise, Danny also finished a major project of his:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidopticlab/4086614865/" title="laughing buddha screen print poster by Lucid Optic Lab, on Flickr"><img alt="laughing buddha screen print poster" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2752/4086614865_b681df3f09.jpg" width="379" /></a><br />Laughing Buddha screen print poster 11"x14"<br />This is a completely hand made, hand printed 5 color silk screen print poster made by Danny.<br />Its extremely limited eddition. He only printed 11 on Bristol paper.<br />To create this Poster he had burned 5 different silk screens, each one a layer that makes up the image. To get a better understanding what this process entails check out his <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidopticlab"><strong>flickr</strong></a> page where he documented the creation process.<br />He just listed these posters for sale in our online etsy shop so check out this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34083503"><strong>link</strong> </a>to see the listing.<br /><br />Speakin of etsy, we are trying to revive our shop. During the summer we were so busy sellin our goods at all the local art fairs and farmers market we ended up neglecting our poor little etsy shop. But now that fall is here the rains have begun and we are trapped inside with not much else to do. So, we have begun diggin out all of tie dye, new art prints, screen prints + more and we are slowly photographing it all and listing it in our <a href="http://www.lucidopticlab.etsy.com/"><strong>shop</strong></a>.<br />So, if you are a fan of Lucid Optic Lab tie-dye stay tuned because we will be listing lots this month!<br />The other day we listed a couple items:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/4084056524/" title="bellyshirt by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="bellyshirt" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/4084056524_866f6393b1.jpg" width="438" /></a><br />Purple Ice long sleeve gypsy tie dye shirt<br />100% cotton<br />elastic and drawstring adjustable<br />size small<br />Bust: 38"<br />Hand tie-dyed with lots of love!<br />Selling for only$10<br />click <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34019058"><strong>HERE</strong> </a>to see the shop listing and more pictures<br /><br />The other item we listed was this one:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/4082043396/" title="Strawberry Dusk Tie Dye Skirt by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="Strawberry Dusk Tie Dye Skirt" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/4082043396_3a03fe820e.jpg" width="335" /></a><br />This skirt sold in one day!<br />But have no fear, more tie-dye is on the way.<br />So keep checkin our <a href="http://www.lucidopticlab.etsy.com/"><strong>shop</strong> </a>for more.<br /><br />So thats the news as of late.<br />Now i have to figure out what my next painting will be. My dear friend Randy Wonder Tooth bought me a huge box full of 14"x14" gallery box framed stretched canvas and my goal this winter is to do a new series with all of them.<br />Perhaps next i will paint my Harpy drawing. Im also considering doing some experimenting with these trippy face mandalas that i have been drawing just recently. I will scan one in to show you soon.<br />Peace be with you all!<br />I hope you are taking your Echinacea and Goldenseal to keep all these flue yucks at bay.<br />Much love, always!<br />-Chelsea Rose<br /><a href="http://www.chelsearoseart.com/"><strong>Chelsea Rose Arts.com</strong></a><strong><br /></strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.chelsearoseart.com/"></a>

Finished projects and new tie-dye in our shop!

So I finished my "Wind Spirit" painting over the weekend. This is just a quick snapshot that Danny took while Sushi-cat and I were...

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Fall colors: New Painting in Progress + plans for Halloween

I love fall with its psychotic explosion of color. The trees up here in Portland Oregon really go nuts this time of year glittering in golds, oranges, to neon pink in the howling wind. And its rubbing off on me thus inspiring my recent acrylic painting titled "Wind Spirit."<br />Let me fill you in on what I have done on this painting so far.<br />First off it was based on one of my most recent pen and ink illustrations:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/3973941754/" title="Air Spirit by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="Air Spirit" height="500" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/3973941754_b21849e4f0.jpg" width="402"></a><br />I then used my "Tracer Art Projector" to transfer my pen and ink drawling onto a 14"x14" box frame gallery wrapped stretched canvas that I had painted my background color on.<br /><br />In my last blog I had someone ask me to take a picture or a video clip of how I go about doing my "art projections" so here I give you a slightly manic 36 sec. crappy web cam video of my projection process.( terribly sorry about the quality) <br />Click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/4044353516/">HERE</a> to view it on my flickr account.<br />Description of the image transfer process via art projector:<br />...I have a rinky-dink set up consisting of a "Tracer" art projector that I bought off of craigslist for $20. Here I use a djembe drum with a thick book ontop to serve as a platform to put my print to be transferred + my art projector. I then turn the projector on, spend some time lining up the projected image correctly with the painted canvas. Once I have the projection where I want it I use my Faber castell India ink pens to trace over the projection.<br />After I am done with my projection I am left with the black outlines to begin to fill in with my color layers and highlights.<br /><br />here is what my painting looks like after the first laying down of color/highlights( not finished!)<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucidrose/4041504968/" title="Fall progress by lucidRose, on Flickr"><img alt="Fall progress" height="350" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/4041504968_6da3940f12.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />Over this past weekend I did more work to it so I will have to take a new process picture soon before I finish the painting.<br />As you can see im enjoying our pumpkins.<br />Danny and I plan on carving them tomorrow. On Thursday we will be doing the last art fair of the year before the season is over. We will be at Last Thursday Artwalk on Alberta St Oct. 29th around Alberta st and 20th with a full booth of art for sale + I will be doing face and body painting and we will have our jack o lanterns aglow infront of our booth! Should be fun, I will be decked out in costume and so will danny. Come visit us if you are in the area.<br />After Thursday we will be scrambling on Friday to get our car ready for our camping trip down in Wolf Creek Oregon on the Radical faerie sanctuary. We will be visiting our dear friends Randy and Tim whom we have not seen in a long time. I now have a tent so danny and I wont have to sleep in our car- yippiie! I will be bringing my face paint. My friend Randy Wonder Tooth has agreed to let me paint him from head to toe as the 'Green Man', I cant wait! On Sunday the sanctuary will be honoring Samhain with a ritual. It sounds like its going to be a lovely couple of days. We will leave Sunday evening to get home in time to grab a few ZZs before I have to head off for work on Monday. <br />So thats our plans for this years Halloween experience.<br />In Portland the air has already grown pretty cold. Its 9:00am right now and its super dark outside, pouring rain with howling winds. Im watching it all from my window, cozy with a big cup of Chamomile tea.<br />I hope everyone is enjoying this season before winter gets here and the trees are all naked!<br />Much love always,<br />-Chelsea Rose<br />www.chelsearoseart.com

Fall colors: New Painting in Progress + plans for Halloween

I love fall with its psychotic explosion of color. The trees up here in Portland Oregon really go nuts this time of year glittering in golds...

Read more »