Art Opening - Damn Hot at Wootini

Sneak Peek at "The New Myth" (part of a new painting of mine)

If you're local to the NC Triangle area, I'm in the Damn Hot show at Wootini during the month of August! Come by the opening of Damn Hot this Friday!

Opening Details
Where: Wootini Carr Mill, 200 North Greensboro St., Carrboro
When: Friday, August 14, 7-10 pm.

Damn Hot features artists Jerstin Crosby, Orvokki Halme, Kelly Green, Amy Richards, as well as me (Leah Riley, in case you forgot).

From the press release (which makes me sound so daring):
"Leah Riley fearlessly explores any media—design, comics, acrylic painting, sculpture in both metal and felt, and even screenprinting."

Miel Bon Bons

In case you needed an extra reason to come to the opening, I just discovered this gorgeously ornate bon bon shop in the same building as Wootini! It's usually open around the time the Damn Hot opening starts, so get there early if you need chocolate!

Now that I've delivered all my pieces for the show, I better get back to working on stuff!

Doctor Who Week: Let's Make a Tardis

Click on image to view larger

I've built and painted a lot of props in my time. One summer I spent painting backdrops for a photography studio, including a room-sized oceanfront. But I must say, that my dressing room TARDIS is one of my favorites!

In case you're interested in building your own, here's the measurements and supply list! Be aware, of course, that this is just one side of the TARDIS, and that I in *no way* guarantee time travel or the arrival of Doctor Who. I didn't even bother to do the top part.

If you'd like to see the process of putting together the TARDIS, start here.
My favorite part of prop-making is the aging process (which shouldn't surprise anyone that's seen some of my steampunk stuff). Essentially, just get some dark brown and black paint, and use a very wet sea sponge to lightly dab them on the TARDIS. You can also give the object some extra fake-dimensions with this.

Here are the things that I discovered when building my own TARDIS which may be of help to you:
- The "Police Box" font is Futura
- If you, like me, can't find a life-size version of the flyer on the front you can download my version of the TARDIS flyer and print it out
- Making a small TARDIS means you should check this DadCanDo's post - it has all the stuff you need
- Off-white paint will look better than bright white

If instructions on the internet were all you were waiting for, then you are set!

Paintings and Art Stuff

I, Too, Dreamt of Pie
I am trying to throw myself directly into getting ready for DragonCon and SPX (mostly SPX, since DragonCon is pretty much already planned) - but I want to finish up the paintings I've been working on.

Paintings are difficult to finish and sell, because they're not like prints - with prints you can create an edition of 20, but with paintings there's only the ONE. This is why I ended up as a printmaking major. I am building up my new ability to become unattached to the paintings (or at least feel less attached).


Panda Ko Panda

Oh, I also made this Panda Ko Panda painting specifically to sell so we can purchase the Azumanga Daioh DVDs. The design is based on the Azumanga cat character of the same style, Neko Koneko. Then I found out, that the Neko Koneko was character was based on a lazy panda.

So here we've come a weird full-circle step farther, with a panda character based on a cat character based on a panda character. I'm probably going to put the Panda Ko Panda painting on etsy.com, unless there's a better place to tap into the anime / panda fan market for painting sales.

I'm doing some freelance designs too - honey labels for a local beekeeper, and some web design for a programmer who liked "Ninjas in the Breakroom".