Won Year

Well it's been a year, so let me try and summarize.

On the health and well-being category:

First off my dad is cancer-free, last time we checked, so that's good. That's the best thing that's happened.

I successfully trained for and completed a marathon last March. I averaged about 11 minutes/mile, which was a little over my goal of averaging 10 minutes/mile, but considering how hilly the course was, I will take it. After checking that off my list, I quickly decided to never run that far again. As a professional hairstylist, being on my feet all day is part of my job, and since my feet are destined for awfulness even on their own, I decided it wasn't worth risking injury. My ankles and knees took a serious beating throughout the whole ordeal, and for some reason I could not avoid getting blisters to save my life. I had blisters on top of blisters on top of blisters. At any rate, as amazing as it feels to create and accomplish tangible, physical goals, I decided the cons outweighed the pros and to never marathon again.

So I ditched running, and started swimming and weight lifting. A couple times a week in the summer a few friends and I would meet up at Barton Springs for an early swim. There is no better way to wake up, I assure you! I toyed with the idea of training for a triathlon and even trained for a few months, but life got in the way and I had to put it on hold. I'm ready to pick the torch back up though, think I might start with The Rookie Tri.

Since the beginning of the year I've started taking boxing classes at my local YMCA, as well as really focusing on weight training. I feel like I'm in much better shape than I did when I was training for the half-marathon, leading me to believe a diverse workout is key to being toned overall.

Probably the biggest change in my health this past year has been my diet. I've discovered the Paleo Diet, which has changed my life. There are a million blogs and websites out there dedicated to the Paleo Diet, so you can do your own research, but I'll say this much: it has cleared up my rosacea, something I did not know was even possible, as well as melted fat off my body in places I've never been able to lose much, all while maintaining muscle and gaining a sense of clarity in my brain. My allergies were practically nonexistent this year (if you live in Austin, you know what a big statement that is!), I really cannot say enough good things about it. I highly recommend reading into it if you're interested, or go on trial and just eat paleo every other day for a while, that's what I did. It's improbable to think you can change your entire attitude towards eating overnight, so I definitely suggest looking into it before jumping in. It is not a fad diet, it's a philosophy.

I could go on and on about that forever, but I'll save it for later.



On art and design:

I've cut my hours back at Birds to make time for my apprenticeship at Noah Marion Quality Goods. I've actually just recently debuted my new design, The Barber's Pouch.


Naturally, as a hairstylist this seemed like an obvious crossover. It's comfy, snug, stays in place, right on your hip. Holds up to five alligator clips, two shears and a handful of combs. The bottom is a button snap, to keep hair from collecting inside. Made of vegetable tan leather, will age beautifully over time. As a hairstylist, I see this as an investment in your career.

Working for Noah has been challenging and rewarding, it is always fun to learn a new medium. I am learning how to add a third dimension to the way I draw.


Wallet design. (I'm too into zigzags right now)
I was only mildly satisfied with this one, there are a few glitches I'm working out.

I'm excited to learn more in the arena of accessory design. It's a whole new avenue, but it seems like the natural progression for me.

Always more to learn, as always.

As for illustration, I've just completed an illustration for my friend's online magazine, CAP. I believe the article is about Tesla being a rock star.


I've also been working with a local hair product company VERB, which has been a lot of fun. Nothing yet to show in picture form, but they are fun people to work with and I'm excited to watch them grow.


On everything else:

I guess I've just been living. My thoughts are positive and I think my life reflects that. I try to work all the time. I don't want any day to feel wasted, I never want to feel like I didn't do everything I could to make my life awesome. When I take stock of what I have, I feel overwhelmed with gratitude towards the world around me. I feel blessed, really.

I will try to not go a whole year without between this and the next entry. But who knows, life may get in the way again.

So here's an illustration I did for CAP Magazine based out of my very own Austin, Texas.

I noticed I hadn't updated my blog in almost a year. But if you are interested in commissioning an illustration out of me, just email me at erin.baird@verbproducts.com


I will try to update more this year! This I promise you.

Old Pieces, New Photography

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.

Kitty + Deer

Full resolution available here.

The Art of Erin Baird - Blog Mission Statement

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.

July is almost over...

...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.

Magnets!

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!

Toobs and some design work

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.

More Evan Prince

As usual, Evan Prince delivers some solid portraiture.

Josh Verduzco

My friend Josh Verduzco took some awesome pictures of me in the winter for Olivia's scholars promotion.



I think you can tell it's winter because of how soft the light is. This was shot in the evening right before the sun goes down, around 6pm. I don't miss those days, I am loving these long summer days.

Josh Verduzco is awesome, by the way, because he let me live on his couch for two weeks when I first moved to Austin. His tiny, amazingly uncomfortable loveseat. And my car was my closet. It was exciting times! So give it up for JV, he's the best.

Save the Earth, Ride your Bike

So I designed a poster for a poster contest in Austin promoting the use of bicycles as a means of transportation. Here is my design:



And you can vote for me here. Or, you can vote for whoever, I don't care, just vote!!

Graphic dee.

Some new cards for Sky.

Also I am starting up a new portfolio/flickr site here, and I would also highly recommend this article to art students for a little encouragement from someone who can sympathize. It inspired me!

Evan Prince

These pictures were taken by my former roommate Evan Prince on Garden Street. The perks of having photographer buddies!

The Other Side of the Hill

I've been thinking a lot about the other side of pain. For every action there is a reaction, and the world has a way of course-correcting and balancing itself. For every hill you drudge up, there is a lovely ride down. The duality of pain is interesting, two sides of the same coin...how can we truly be happy unless we know what it's like to be completely miserable? How can we know what we've got until we lose it? To really appreciate the full spectrum of emotions, we have to climb up hills so we can appreciate the glide down.

When I tell my clients about my wreck, I hear some people say "I used to bike, but I fell off once and it scared me into never biking again." I guess I just don't get that mentality. Getting into bike wrecks makes me appreciate my body even more. To know that I (usually) have a fully functional body, with functional limbs and a functional brain...that is just amazing to me. To have it taken away so abruptly really makes me appreciate what I have when I have it. It makes me want to ride even more, so that I can fully appreciate this vessel while I can, and use it to its fullest extent! To think some people live such sedentary lives seems like such a waste. We are capable of so many things, it really is incredible.

I guess I've had a bit of a rough month. I am dredging up this hill of life. I had this wreck, and have had some other personal stuff happen...my house, job, and love life have been stressing me out. It's been so long since I've slept soundly. I just keep telling myself to keep putting positive energy out there and it will come back to me on the other side of this hill. I just have to keep pedaling (figuratively, of course, I'm still "taking it easy" for now).

It sucks when your stress outlet is taken away from you, which for me is usually biking. So I've turned to the guitar lately. We are old friends, me and the guitar, but it's been a while since I was really into it, so we've got some time to make up for.

I think I somehow turned my art blog into a blog about biking, so I'm going to post pictures of recent projects to keep this more art-friendly.






This is a painting I made of my dad for Christmas. I made one of my mom too but don't have pics yet.







And various candids:





And this is entirely unrelated, but quite indicative of how much I hate being cold:


And that's it for now. See you on the other side ;)

Negative: A Triptych

Well, what do you guys think? I'm only moderately satisfied with it. But then, I'm never 100% satisfied with anything I ever do. I think that's the key to continual improvement. I know now what I would've done differently, but that's neither here nor there. The important thing is that I tried something new, and with some tweaking I could have a really cool new way to work.

Well, I'm starving, so I'm going to grab something to eat before I drive to Texas for memorial day weekend. Nothing major planned, just a lot of relaxing. Oh, yeah, and I have a job interview on Tuesday with Performance Printing, which is kind of perfect since I will be super chilled out from all the lazing around I plan on doing. Wish me luck!

Processes.

So I've been working a lot with tape lately, and just kind of exploring what I can fully do with it. Usually what I do is throw some paint down on a piece of wood, put tape down and cut it away. I decided to reverse the process this time though, to create the image in tape first THEN put the paint down, and peel away the tape, to create a negative image of my drawing. Here's me working on it last night:


God, if this doesn't sum up my life I don't know what does. Computer, Gray Owl coffee, tape, paint.



I finished the art part of it last night, now I just have to get it hang-ready and I'll be showing it at Studio Zen for the next few months.

I'll post images of it when it's done.

Dustbowl Stuff!

So here are most of the paintings I had put together for the Dustbowl Arts Market which was at the Norman Music Festival a few weeks ago. I wanted to make everything really affordable to so I worked kind of small and got all my frames from the thrift store before refinishing them.


Definitely NOT Inspired by China


Anglerfish


Definitely NOT a Self-Portrait


Cuttlefish


The Mayan


Eel


In Utero


Definitely NOT Mickey Mouse


Vulture


The Haitian


And of course while taking these pictures my little man tried to help. By blocking the light and pawing at everything, of course.

Cuz he's special like that.


Everything I didn't sell I'll be putting up on my etsy, which is still in the making so I won't post the link, but as soon as it's ready I'll let everyone know. That's all for now!

Onward and upward!

So much has happened since my last update. We hosted another art show at Studio Zen, first off:




Poster designed by me. I participated in the show this time, and I feel like I've had somewhat of a breakthrough because I really love working this way:





I have big ideas for what's next.

Me and Olivia (aka REGAL CREATURE) are putting together an etsy to sell our wares on, so once that's up and running I'll post links. Here's our logo (also designed by me):



I love that Boo is our mascot.

I also recently participated in the Dustbowl Arts Market, here I am in the early morning chilly as hell and waiting on my partner in crime to show up:


I had a lot of small, affordable paintings at the market, and once I've edited the pictures of all of them I'll make a separate entry for them.

Anyway, I have updates on my biking progress but I'm going to make a separate entry for that too. In other news, I'm trying to move ASAP, could be as soon as two weeks and as late as September. Who knows! More info on that later too. Love you all!