Caleigh Calla Lily

November 05, 2020 in Artist Diary, Me as Muse

I’m becoming an honorary flower faery by my sister artist Seana McCarthy (@theillustratr on Insta), and I could not be more excited to be part of her super creative, educational, and totally endearing upcoming project!

She’s been creating a beautifully and meticulously illustrated guide to useful and medicinal herbs and plants, and since we love to use each other for inspiration, Seana invited me to help represent the Calla Lily, which is so fitting not only because if the name similarity, but because I actually have a Calla Lily as part of my large thigh bouquet tattoo as a sign of feminine strength, purity, and natural beauty.

Seana used a few photos from another past photoshoot from here on O’ahu, which is one of my faves since it took place on the ridge of my favorite hike, Lanipo, located just above my beloved Palolo Valley.

Every week (on Faery Friday!) Seana has been coming out with another sneak peek of her faery illustrations, which will eventually be compiled into a gorgeous handwritten book coming out in 2021. Definitely follow her on Instagram to see more of her illuminating and whimsical drawings and writings!

11.5.2020

Mirror Self Portrait

May 01, 2020 in Me as Muse, Studio, YouTube Videos, Figure Drawings

Now this mirror self portrait was a fun one to create! It is a serious exercise in really trusting in yourself to please your toughest critic - yourself!

Drawing a self portrait is something I haven't done since grad school and I am quite excited to share this process demo, including not just a timelapse of my drawing, but letting you in on how I had things set up in order to get the up close camera shots that are literally between me and the mirror.

Here are the materials I use to draw. If you purchase anything through my special links (even if you choose different colors!) it helps to support my channel so thank you!!

White Chalk Pencil: https://bit.ly/3d3COLh

Parisian Blue Carbothello Pastel: https://bit.ly/2KNxmjD

Pencil Extender: https://bit.ly/2uCRQqC

Kneaded Eraser: https://bit.ly/2VC4qBB

Map Eraser: https://bit.ly/2wgzoop

Mono Zero Eraser: https://bit.ly/3885Fej

And I don't remember the brand of this paper but this is my other fave kind for use with pastels or charcoal: Canson Me Tienes in Steel Grey: https://bit.ly/3f8uqff

Make sure to tag me on Instagram if you create your own mirror self portrait - I'll share it in my story!! @caleighbirdart

5.1.2020

Recent Figure Modeling Sessions

August 21, 2019 in Artist Diary, Me as Muse

I’ve been modeling quite a bit over this summer and it’s always such a treat for me to see how I’m portrayed by other artists so I figured it’s about time to share another round with my wonderful readers.

Plus I recently updated the ‘Art Model’ page on my website with a number of my favorite drawings from my sessions over the last two years. Having a number of artists attend my sessions repeatedly definitely helps me stay on my toes by keeping my poses fresh and dynamic:)

8.21.2019

September Figure Modeling Sketches

September 27, 2018 in Me as Muse, Inspiration, Artist Diary, Artist Features

I think I was just gifted my favorite drawing of myself to date by my friend and fellow artist Patrick Mizumoto (@paintedpatrick) during my last figure modelling session at the Museum of Art School here in Honolulu. I’m so honored to be drawn like a little forest fairy nymph..:)

Modeling at these open figure drawing sessions has really helped me connect with a new artistic side of myself. When I'm up on the platform I try to imagine myself from the outside looking towards my poses with a mental eye for lines, composition, and of course lighting and shadows. I try to make an interesting piece out of my own body with the goal of facilitating beautiful creations from the other artists. When they are able to make something unique and lovely, I like to feel like I can share in that win in some small way.

Here are a few more from that evening. (The first one is Patrick as well but the others are by artists with no links).

originally published on September 24, 2018

July Figure Modeling

August 09, 2018 in Artist Diary, Me as Muse

Hi friends! If you remember from a few months ago I have started figure modeling for the weekly drawing session I attend and I'm always tickled pink to see other artists' renditions of myself so here's the latest batch. Enjoy!

originally published August 6, 2018

Bungalow Shoot with Amanda Leigh

June 18, 2018 in Me as Muse, Inspiration, Studio, Artist Diary, Artist Features

I am always so humbled when I get contacted by a photographer to be a muse for a day:)

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to have Amanda Leigh of Bee Leigh Imagery come visit my little studio bungalow and take some gorgeous shots with this incredible morning light streaming in through the palms. We had just 'met' through Instagram (I super love connecting with other creatives btw! @caleighbirdart) and I simply adored Amanda's use of natural lighting to really give her subjects a heavenly vibe.

So when she told me how much she loved my studio tour and felt inspired to shoot me in my Nest I was beside myself with excitement! Yay!! I love to work with photographers and am especially thrilled to work with a female photog that was close to my own age.

It's just so much fun to see yourself through the eyes of another artist! And I am beyond impressed what Amanda was able to do using nothing but natural lighting - no flashes, no reflectors and totally spur-of-the-moment setups.

It's hard to get a good, candid laughing shot!

To my fellow Hawaii residents, Amanda is available to book for elopements and portraits. Seriously go check out how talented she is right here.

originally published June 18, 2018

Photo Shoot with Jan Galvan

April 24, 2018 in Artist Diary, Me as Muse, Inspiration

On a foggy afternoon high on the Lanipo ridge I was fortunate enough to have a photoshoot with the very talented portraitist Jan Galvan who was on island all the way from Washington DC in order to shoot a wedding. He was very interested in exploring unique spots on the island and I was happy to oblige with a short foray onto my favorite hike.

You can see more of Jan's work here.

originally published April 23, 2018

Jump Start Those 2018 Goals!

December 30, 2017 in Artist Diary, Inspiration, Me as Muse

Aloha, my ambitious and hard-working compatriots! I'm sure you are as ready to get a jump on 2018 as I am! I was actually just working on a random project in my studio while brainstorming how to prepare myself for the coming annum, and, although I'm not usually one for new year's resolutions in the traditional sense, I do like to at least attempt to put forth a plan of intention for my art career. As I was trying to sort out what things I need to focus on in 2018, I remembered this handy dandy lil worksheet I put together last year.

I figured it would be a great tradition to start filling it out every year and sharing it. Here's last year's goals of mine. I was able to keep most of them, but one or two I've fallen a bit short (guilty as charged - I'm still pretty lazy and uninterested when it comes to my bookkeeping!).

I feel like constant self-improvement is key to living a thriving life. I know I'm happiest when I spot an area in my life that needs a bit of TLC so I slowly chip away at the issue one baby step at a time and then before too long - viola! One more component of life is optimal and bringing happiness instead of grief. I have a bit more about my reflections on self-improvement here.

So get inspired!! Decide who/where you want to be in one year from now!! Download this worksheet and use it for your own 2018 grand ambitions :)

Here are my resolutions:

1. Self-promotion is what I need to work on that I can be really bad about. I spend so much time in my studio creating artwork, and I should be spending almost an equal time promoting what I'm creating as well. I'm pretty regular posting on my basic social media, but there is so much more I know I should be doing to get my art out there. My 2018 goal is to promote my artwork in two different ways every day.

2. There is a big art opening party on the first Friday of every month and I have been meaning to go at least 5-6 times this past year and something has always come up. However this year I will go at least 2-3 times for sure! I just need to update my Honolulu Museum of Art membership and I'm totally there! It should be a great way to meet other local creatives which is also a goal of mine.

The Honolulu Biennial was the most memorable art event I attended in 2017. Check out some very thought-provoking pieces from the show on my blog here.

3. I would love to figure out a way to donate my time drawing portraits for a worthy cause somehow..... I really need to get the gears churning to make something like that work out.

4. I need to be better about following my lists more closely. I've always been one to make 'To Do' lists on an almost daily basis, and I'm pretty good about following them but sometimes I get off on a tangent and wind up tweaking or redoing something that is less important than what is actually planned for me to do that day. It always seems so important at the time, but often I wind up fooling myself - ha!

5. At this point having just moved into my new studio my entire life is finding better ways to organize so this is one thing I can wholeheartedly check off the list!

6. I've honestly wanted to get back into doing more creative modeling for artistic photographers, or perhaps even other types of artists too. A few years ago I kept being invited in front of the camera by various talented folks and I really grew to love being a muse in someone else's vision. I've worked with four photogs since being out in Hawai'i but I think I'm ready to put myself out there and work with more on a regular basis.

What kinds of improvements will you be working towards this year? Let me know in the comments!

originally published: December 30, 2017

Sunflower Field Adventure!

November 11, 2017 in Adventure, Aloha, Artist Diary, Me as Muse

You guuuuys..... look where I got to spend my afternoon yesterday right up in Haleiwa on North Shore, O'ahu! In a HUUUUUGE sunflower field doing a fun photo shoot with my friend Reggie (keep an eye out for those incredible pics once he's done editing!!).

Access to the fields are pretty limited, but Reggie found out he had an 'in' super last minute so around 11 pm Wednesday night I get a text from him saying, 'Hey you wanna be my model for a sunset sunflower field shoot tomorrow?' I'm like, 'Duh! Abso-freakin-lutely!'

Look at the incredible mathematically precise intricacies mother nature has hidden all over these sunflowers! You can click to enlarge, and I urge you to do so - it's breathtaking. Also, don't be surprised if some sunflowers show up in an upcoming painting - hint, hint, wink wink:)

These are a few I snapped on my iPhone - just wait til you see my shoot with the pro! Yowza!!

originally published November 10, 2017