The Clown Cluster
I have been working on this clown cluster for about 3 days and only that long because painting is going slow. Sometimes it does that. I finally got into it by the time I made it over to the purple clown. Each one still has lots of detail work to be done but I wanted to show you the progress so far. This one measures 20 inches x 24 inches!!! Enjoy!
Erin T Whalen
Well I went ahead and did it. I had the spine surgery I swore I never would have. I was losing the use of my right arm and hand and fast! The doctors told me I may never draw again. What is an artist to do? Soooo, I took myself to the hospital (well my Mom did) and I went into the operating room hesitant mind you. But I did go in and thats what counts. Although my back problems are not cured I did regain the use of my right arm…whew! I am hoping that with my new cadaver bone (yes you heard me correctly) in my neck will work much better now, although the Doctors make no promises. I do want to show you some finished pieces I had not put up before. These pieces are for sale and can be found at THE STORY EMPORIUM in The Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket RI on 1005 Main Street. Check them out:
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Charlie in “A Trashy Novel”
Dripping Zippers
The State of RI
The Story Emporium is a Children’s Bookstore that is run by Children’s Authors and Illustrators! Each week you will find a new author to meet however the resident author / illustrator is Erin T Whalen.
Story Emporium Hours
Sunday — CLOSED
Monday — 9-1
Tuesday — 9-1
Wednesday — 9-9
Thursday — 9-1
Friday — 9-1
Saturday — 9-2
Puppetress from 'A Trashy Novel'
Here is my current paint concoction (or however you spell that) being worked on at the new art studio. I haven’t been there much because of getting the kids ready to go back to school and all but I am inching along. Unfortunately, I have been told that I will be needing surgery ASAP for the numbness in my right arm. Yes, irony strikes once again…I am fortunate enough to have this wonderful art studio to work in and my drawing arm goes numb. Unbelievable huh? I can only draw and paint in tiny spurts right now because of the numbness and pain and the doctor says the nerve damage will be irreversible if I don’t get the surgery quickly. So alas, I must go under the knife if I am to continue drawing and painting. I have also been told that it is not 100% that the surgery will fix me so please cross your fingers, pray, or dance naked under the full moon for me…whatever it is you do to bring about results. I really need all the help I can get on this one. I will keep you in the loop on when the surgery is to happen and will soon put up my ‘studio hours’ so that you can come visit me and my characters in the works.
Until next time….night!
Erin
I just started designing my new place… It’s called THE STORY EMPORIUM. Below is a description of what it is.
The Story Emporium is an art studio where children’s illustration can be purchased in the form of altered jewelry, prints, originals or books. I like to call it so much more than a children’s bookstore because not only can visitors come in and watch a children’s illustrator at work but 2 times a week we have visiting authors and illustrators who are interviewed for a local television station and a web show! Following each interview will be a book signing. Each visiting author will have their books for sale at The Story Emporium! In addition to our visiting authors we will have our resident storyteller for story times all week! Like I said…it is so much more than a children’s book store!
If you are a children’s author or illustrator and would like to be considered for an interview please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Erin
Sitting idle frustrates me. I have been sitting idle for two years now because of my disabling spinal condition
and now it has traveled to my RIGHT arm … my drawing arm, uggghhh. VERY tough just to complete one painting or to even type for any decent length of time. I am actually looking into a voice recognition program to help me with the writing end. My intention here is not to complain because well, that’s just unattractive.
What I want to say is that I had a great revelation today. While watching my adorable kids and their friends selling lemonade, I found i was getting extremely frustrated having to once again sit idle when I could be working on my craft. However, it being 90 degrees, I certainly wasn’t taking my laptop outside to work so I just sat on the stairs and pouted to myself. Pathetic I know…. but it gave me time to reflect on the past week and how my artistic outlook has been boosted. I reflected back to having my oil changed in my car at Valvoline where the attendants come right up to your car while you sit in it. They were awed by the artwork I had on my front seat and asked where did I buy it. Of course that is enough to make any artist proud but then they proceeded to look at my three childrens’ books that I keep in my car at al times. They told me my work was unbelievable. They lifted my spirits so high that day and that is not the only kudos I received last week. I met with RISCA (Rhode Island State Council of the Arts) and they too were amazed at the work I have accomplished. They even went as far as to say I don’t give myself enough credit. (and really what artist does?) Anyway, I got to reflect on this while sitting on the steps watching the kids at the lemonade stand. Reflection is so important and I just don’t do enough of it.
As I was pondering all of this I received a text from my x-mother in law. She had sent me a photo of my x-brother in laws newborn baby… just minutes old. It was then that I realized I have created more than books and art … but the wonderful children in front of me that were out there selling lemonade. It dawned on me that I was not through creating them. I still have a few years before It is time to send them out into the world as I do with my finished books and paintings. I couldn’t help but smile when I realized I was working on what was now a 12 year old art project that is still not done!
Of course I had to grab my sketchbook and draw them at the lemonade stand and yes, I am happy to say that not only was that beautiful baby born today but a new picture book as well. I did rough sketches of my girls enjoying their summer and a story naturally followed in my head.
I will try to remember that sitting idle is a HUGE part of the process of creation, I just need to be patient enough sometimes to remember to do it.
Erin
