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I started these pieces last year and reworked them incorporating techniques I have developed in the past year as a result of these pieces. What started out as an experiment has developed a concrete process that I utilize with every piece, now. All as a result of experimentation. I've even standardized my post-painting process; photographing them and posting them on my blog. As per usual, mad props to my buddy Josh Verduzco" for the help with the photography. We swap photos for haircuts. Never underestimate the power of bartering your skills!
Moving Forward
Negative
I have other old pieces that are photographed better, now available to view on my Flickr site, but these were the only ones I reworked. Moving Forward is now available for purchase at the Austin Art Garage, located on South Lamar. I'm pretty excited, it's a really rad, lowbrow gallery.
On that note, my other photographer buddy Evan Prince recently took a few photos of me, The Fox, and Shirley.
The Fox behind me, and my other mode of transportation even further behind me (the Focus is a road warrior. Ten more years!)
Me and Shirley. She's a beast.
Just me, thinking about my bikes.
You can see more on his tumblr. He makes me look good.
And since we're going balls-deep with the images here, I'll go ahead and toss in some recent graphic design freelance I just completed:
Any excuse to use neon is a good one.
I hope I crashed your computer with all that overwhelming amount of amazing content I just dumped on you. Ya welcome, internet.
I've had this feeling brewing inside of me for a while. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I have not been quite myself since my father's diagnosis, and I knew that, but I wasn't really sure why.
My father is doing well, by the way, he is undergoing chemotherapy and just had his eighth treatment. Aside from all the crappy side effects, he is in great spirits, and my family continues to be of great support to him. My father has always been my pillar of strength, but right now we have to be strong for him. It is a strange thing, to suddenly realize your parents are mortals, and that one day, as much as we don't want to accept it, we will have to experience their departure. I know it's morbid, and not a good way to think in times like these, but in private, sometimes, it's all I can think about. "What the fuck will I do when he's gone?" I am positive that that day is nowhere near today, and that he has many days ahead that are bright and wonderful. He will live to see my children born, to watch them grow up, and to be a grandpa again. I am sure of it. He is kicking cancer's ass.
But I've had this feeling, underneath all these waves and waves of optimism. I could not define this feeling of dread that did not wash over me so much as it brewed deep down inside of me, far below the calm surface waters of my soul. I'd been thinking a lot about my legacy, versus his. My father moved from Alabama to Oklahoma to build his own life, to start his own family and create an empire that has supported us, up until this very day.
Our family then:
This was before my brother came along and ruined everything (just kidding Clint I love you!!!!!).
Our family now:
I can't believe the most recent picture of us all together was two years ago, but anyway...
My dad created a life that put all three of us through college. Something to be admired. This is why I gave Dad my Stole of Appreciation after graduation:
Not to downplay the significant role my mother played during school, as she made my life much, much easier by covering cost of rent, books, supplies, etc.
I guess with all this stewing inside me, I finally had a word to put to this feeling that had been developing for months: disappointment. I've been disappointed in myself and the state of my life, because if, god forbid, something ever does happen to my father or mother, I want to have accomplished so much more than I have before they pass on. I really want nothing more than to make them proud. I graduated college two years ago (TWO YEARS AGO?!?!), and still have not landed a job in my field. Although, I can offset some of this blame to our really crappy economy, which is a very real thing and has affected everyone I know that I went to school with. In fact, I really don't know many people that I graduated with who have landed jobs in their field, and a lot of them still live at home with their parents (ain't no shame in it). But nonetheless, it has affected me in a very real, very personal way. It's made me question my talent, my worth. Some days, it was hard to even get out of bed, wondering, what is the point? The point of a lot of days were to just muddle through to get to the next one, and spend as little money as possible. College taught me a thing or two about survival on a tight budget, and I can always manage, but I am tired of just managing. I am 27 years old and I'm ready to thrive.
So I've done the only thing I know to do, which is to apply, apply, apply. Write cover letters like it's my job and send my resume out to anyone that will listen. The thing is, even though I have a fancy art school degree from a fancy art school, my degree is kind of bullshit (sorry SCAD) because they did not teach us any computer programs. The only reason I know Photoshop as well as I do is because I taught myself. So, I am having to teach myself other programs in high demand, like Illustrator and In Design. I am on the upswing, now, but I was having a little bit of a quarter-life meltdown for a few weeks there. I really do try as hard as I can to stay positive, because I believe attitude is everything, but it is very hard for something like this to not shake a person.
This year has been a rough one, I won't lie. Moving to a new city, my father's diagnosis, plus that bike wreck I still deal with physically (my shoulder has not been the same since), and the job market on the fritz...it hasn't been easy. But I always have my family to support me, they are a great resource to me for sure. My father getting diagnosed was like putting glasses on, it made me that more acutely aware of all the imperfections in my own life. The new city high has long since worn off, and now I'm just trying to figure out how I can start building my own empire.
Full resolution available here.
There is a huge difference between just writing about yourself, and writing about the things you believe in, the things you make, and the things that represent you. I'd like to think this blog is more the latter than the former. I've seen blogs that may as well be diaries, and while I see no problem with that, I do not want that for this. Obviously this is a place that is about me, Erin Baird, that is inherit in the definition of a "blog." But I like to keep the overly personal stuff off-the-site. You won't see me talking about my current flings, emotional problems, or how I feel on one particular day. Instead I'd like to make great verbal brushstrokes, one at a time, that is painting a picture bigger than myself.
This blog started off as a senior project for me to post my progress on my art projects, hence the name, but I feel as though over time it has maintained its name - there's definitely some art in here - while expanding on its own definition of what exactly the art of Erin Baird is. It is my philosophies, my processes, my beliefs, my family, my bikes, and of course, my art. Whatever it is that is inside of me that has this need to be constantly creating, I believe that is the best part of me, and I am trying to capture that part of me on this site. I am putting my best self forward, right here, on The Art of Erin Baird.
Last week was Austin Fashioin Week here in Austin, and so since I do work in the beauty industry, I'm going to throw in my measly two cents.
I've been doing hair for almost eight years now, and I've tried a plethora of hair product in my day. My official opinion is this: Pureology has the best shampoo line and Kevin Murphy has the best product line. I like Pureology's product line as well, but their shampoos and conditioners cannot be beat. They are vegan friendly, highly concentrated so you don't have to use much, and are sulphate-free. For those with processed hair, your color will barely fade and your hair will shine. I can tell such a huge difference if I use another brand. My hair is what you might call "chemically dependent" and I tell people all the time I would not be able to have my hair color AND length if it weren't for Pureology.
I generally use the Pureology Hydrate shampoo and conditioner, but recently I switched to Super Smooth because I was getting tired of the smell of mint. The Super Smooth is very rosy smelling, without smelling like a grandma.
I have wavy hair, so when I get out of the shower I mix the Pureology Shine Max Serum with the Real Curl Cream and let it air dry. Once dry I apply the Texture Twist to the ends for some slight separation and definition.
I also really like the Kevin Murphy Hair Resort to bring out the texture of my hair as well.
As far as fashion goes, I generally stay away from this topic because I find fashion to be a very personal expression and while I understand the art of having "collections," since I am not a designer and merely a wearer of clothes, I find it kind of dumb to talk about what I like to wear. But we just had fashion week after all, so here goes nothing.
My personal philosophy on fashion has changed a little bit in the past few years. For a long time my aim in fashion was to be ridiculous. If it made me laugh, I'd wear it. I have a few pretty good examples of that:
Yes, that is a Micky Mouse onesie bathing suit with shorts that I wore on stage during a John Wayne's Bitches show (oh did I ever mention the punk band I was in last year?).
I bring the party.
How could we pass up three matching square dancing dresses we found at the thrift store?
Speaking of, I've also always had an affinity for thrift stores, consignment shops, and antique stores:
Like this red dress favorite of mine I whip out in the winter.
Literally everything but the beer is from a thrift store. Dress, purse, belt, and necklace.
And my favorite fur shawl. Could be fake, I'm not sure?
photo credit: Evan Prince (duh)
That is a (fake) fur coat that my grandmother gifted me.
There's only like one week in Texas I can wear it in the winter, so it is much cherished when I get to finally use it.
And I love to wear accessories that are gaudy, gold, and generally described as "too much":
While I still employ a lot of these attitudes still, my fashion philosophy has become much more practical as I've grown older. It seems like anymore I'm wearing costumes: I have my work clothes, my running clothes, swimming clothes, biking clothes, etc. Everything has a purpose. Since I am often biking to my destination, I usually have to combine my "relax and hangout with friends" clothes with my "biking to get somewhere" clothes. I have a few rules for biking clothes in the summer in ATX:
1. Shoes should be stringless and able to slip in and out of clips easily.
2. Bright and/or neon colors are to be used as often as possible.
3. Shorts should be short. Really short. Legs need to be uninhibited and able to breathe and move easily.
4. Purses/bags/whatever can NOT get in the way. They must be big enough to hold all the necessary items but small enough to be toted around easily. In other words, fanny packs are preferred. Hands-free is always better.
5. Aviator shades are too big/too heavy. Smaller shades are better. Just as long as I don't have to push my sunglasses back up onto the bridge of my nose, they are fine, but eyewear is of course key during the day.
A few solid examples:
That purse is okay because it stays behind me, but any bigger is pushing it.
Slip-ons, check. Dash of neon, check. Shorty-short shorts? Check. Fanny pack? Check, check, check. Ready to ride.
I am wearing these shoes to bike in lately:
No strings, leather so they'll last forever, comfortable and they breathe so easy. I was afraid my feet would be soaking wet in sweat after a ride but they are so light and nice. Best purchase.
I feel like this is a really good opportunity to plug the new Levi's Commuter Jeans, but I don't have anything to say about them since I have not personally tried on a pair.
So with all that being said, I'd like to conclude with this: I think fashion is a very personal thing. Some people have the money and the leisure time to dress up more often and I think that's great. I consider clothes to be a more utilitarian device, and fashion somewhat of a luxury. Obviously as an artist I appreciate good design, but I appreciate it even more when it combines function and form. Whether you are aiming to inspire, show off, amuse, or just do your job, I say let your fashion speak for itself. Just be yourself, and everything else will fall in line.
I was all confused as to why I had a bunch of hits out of nowhere and I realized my buddy Aura gave me a shout out in HER blog, so I thought I'd post a picture from memory lane:
Is this really eight years ago?
I met Aura in a moving car filled with boys who were yelling and honking at me, back when she was dating that Special Disaster Team dude. From way back in the Livejournal days, yeah. Seriously. I've seen her through many walks of life! I can't believe she is a mama now, it has been great to witness such a personal transformation. I could eat little baby E up! Maybe someday I'll have a brown baby of my own and they can play together! Ha ha!
...and August is nearly here. The temperatures here are insane, over a hundred degrees on the daily. I'm pretty sure my body temperature has risen just to acclimate. I am slowly becoming flame retardant. At any rate, this week I've done a lot of staying inside and avoiding the heat and working on my paintings. I've recently finished these two which I'm pretty fond of.
Green
24" x 24"
Pink
24" x 24"
Full resolution available on my Flickr account.
These paintings are braced with a four inch depth and are hang-ready. They are heavier than they look. Prints will be available in a few weeks. I was thinking of making some stickers out of them too...or out of certain elements within them. We'll see.
As per usual I have to hand mad props out to my friend Josh Verduzco for taking pictures of my paintings. He is a total pro.
This is funny, but everyone has asked me if these two are "colon-inspired", what with my dad having been recently diagnosed with colon cancer. Oddly enough I have been drawing these things, or some variation of them, for years now. But now that these images have finally come to fruition, time has reappropriated their meaning
into something else. Something beyond doodles in my sketchbook. Does life imitate art or is it the other way around? That's just a fancy way of me saying my doodles look like turds and colons.
Hello all! Remember this piece:
?
Well it is now available as a magnet for simply $3, no s&h. All you's gotta do is paypal the money to erin@bairdillustration.com and include your shipping address. Hope you're having a lovely month!
Hello all. I've had a tumultuous few weeks. Eventful, to say the least. I'll get into that later. Right now, it's art time.
I'm pretty proud of this one. I hand-cut the border with a rotating saw, laid the tape down and painted it with wood stains. I used white charcoal for the pattern outline and tube shading, then I tripled coated it with resin. I think I could let it go for a cool $500, since I put so much work into it.
(sidenote, props to my friend Josh Verduzco for taking this picture of my artwork. He is a pro.)
This is a billboard design I did for the Austin Art Boards billboard design contest. The image quality here is pretty bad because it's from my phone, I seriously threw this together in about two days so no time to take quality pictures. The judging is one July 1st, so finger's crossed.
Switching gears here, here is some logo design work of mine in effect. I created the logo for a wine and liquor store in Oklahoma City called The Wine Gallery. A friend of mine, Adam Duffy, is the owner. You should check it out, they have a great selection, and they put on monthly art shows and wine tastings. Pretty cool joint.
Not art-related, but Austin-related. Here I am enjoying a gin and tonic at Soul Happening, an awesome monthly event at the Legendary White Swan. I always have a blast.
So that's what's new, I have a couple new projects I'm working on and will post the final pieces when I'm done. Peace out.
