PERSONAL WORK | Dynamic Branches

Spanish moss with a reddish tinged branch
By Mandy Werner
Location: Georgia

Poor photo quality, but nevertheless an entrancing, twisted tree
by Mandy Werner
Location: California

The sun peeking through this tree almost makes it resemble a weeping willow
by Mandy Werner
Location: Georgia

PERSONAL WORK | Indie

Indie is a green Indian Ringneck Parakeet I adopted and raised from a young chick until she was fully weened. I managed to get a photograph of her just nodding off in front of Nemo.

Indie by Mandy J W

PERSONAL WORK | Bookworm Pinup

Copyright Mandy Werner

PERSONAL WORK | commercial beauty

Copyright Mandy JW

PERSONAL WORK | Leg Particles

Abstract -- a peak into the sketchbook

By Mandy JW

The Figure

The human figure is a constant source of inspiration for me. Although we all have the same basic structure as every other person in the world, we see each difference so vividly and can identify without a doubt, from one person to the next. 

Here is a collection showcasing shape and the human body from various artists.

Positive energy

"Inhale love, exhale hate."

Wise Words

From Buddhism...



“To the weak, difficulty is a closed door. To the strong, however, it is a door waiting to be opened.” 

"Those who lack courage run away from hardship, seeking only to live a life of ease and comfort. Thus one who lacks courage cannot help others."

"Life is painful. It has thorns, like the stem of a rose. Culture and art are the roses that bloom on the stem. The flower is yourself, your humanity. Art is the liberation of the humanity inside yourself."

"How aware are we of our own inner life, our spirituality—something so intangible yet so priceless? How much effort do we make to perceive that which is not obvious, which can neither be seen nor heard? I believe the exploration and enrichment of the human spirit is what determines our very humanity."

"Strength of character lies in performing the drama of life with courage and confidence, practicing self-reflection and self-control under any circumstances."


"the deed develops into habit and the habit hardens into character..."

PERSONAL WORK | Killer Pinup

...A series I'm working on. Lovely real-life models turned into bad ass pinup-esque illustrations. This one likes guns... 

By Mandy JW

PERSONAL WORK | Time

Time may be decay of particles, but a paradox it is; life would not exist without the passing of time.

These illustrations were created in photoshop.

"The hourglass of life" By Mandy JW

By Mandy JW

PERSONAL WORK | Designs

Last year, for the end of my graphic design program, I decided to put up some of my work on photobucket. Here's a little slide show:

PERSONAL WORK | Come to life 2

Again, a piece that was in my sketchbook that I turned into digital art. 

Maiden Camele

I scanned the original image and drew the details in photoshop using my wacom tablet. For the tail, I drew inspiration from the Siamese Fighting Fish and used illustrator to achieve the precise line work. I wanted to also give the mermaid a cracked stone appearance, so I added a rock texture to her body. The background and rock were sampled from photos that I then edited in photoshop.

PERSONAL WORK | Why Education in Art is Important

These are some drawings that I made while I attended art classes on figure and portrait drawing a few years back.

Today I want to emphasize the importance of education when it comes to any facet of your life that interests you. If you want to do better, you must attain some sort of education. This does not mean you have to go to college. It could be as simple a picking up some books and doing some solid research, so long as you're combining what you learn on your own with what you learn from others. However, attending classes does give you an edge.

During the time I spent attending these classes, I learned quite a bit on a variety of techniques, tools, media and composition. Information on art can be found in many places, but the advantage of a classroom setting is the well rounded process in which you learn. It offers hands-on, visual and verbal instruction, plus the instructor can point out ways you can improve based on what he/she sees in your work.

You may also learn other things that may surprise you that you may have not learned outside of a class to help you in other areas of art. For example, my teacher was also a former business owner of a graphic design company who was kind enough to give me advice and answer any questions I had concerning the field of graphic design.

Classes are also important for the social aspect. Surrounding yourself with other individuals who are studying the same field as you will not only inspire you, but they will excite you and get you into the artistic mindset.

If not for anything else, attending classes will force you to practice which is one of the most valuable things you can do as an artist. If you are attending life or portrait drawing classes, you also have the added bonus of being supplied with a model.

So if you are an aspiring artist or if you just like to draw for fun, I encourage you to get out there and take some classes because you really will get your money's worth. It's a fantastic and fun way to learn and once you realize how education can improve your art, you can discover your full potential.

Get OUT of your head!

"It's no wonder you are not who you really are, when a lot of who you are is really locked inside your head."

Iain Macarthur

Socks

I had a discussion about socks the other day. I always get questioned on why my socks don't match. "Are you that lazy?" they say or "Do you do that on purpose?"

Well, to be completely honest, why does everyone match their socks? That's what I'd like to know. For starters, matching your socks after they are washed is a big waste of time. You could be doing something a lot more productive other than the time consuming process of matching your socks. You sit there and sift through a pile of things that will be on you feet and no one will see for half of the day for what? To have the peace of mind that you know your socks match?  Most of the time, socks disappear anyway, so you're left with an extra sock that doesn't have a match. If you don't match your socks, this doesn't pose a problem, in fact you won't even notice that one of your socks is missing.

Really, if you just stopped caring about this one little thing, you would probably have more peace of mind knowing that you don't have to stress about something so insignificant.

!nked

It's cool to have tattoos. It's better to have tattoos that are done well and are different. Great examples of reallllllly nice tattoos.

aMusing

Musing.

Here are a few really nice photos I found that make use of taking a really simple concept and executing it properly. There really wasn't much involved in making these photos if you think about it. Just taking one idea and making it the whole photo can have a lot of impact.

Bird Love

Years ago, I never thought parrots could be such fun pets. Now I own three. Can you tell I've changed my mind? I love all other animals; I think each one brings something different to your life. But I simply love birds as pets. I find that they are most like people out of all of the pets. They take a long time to trust you, but once they do, their affection is undying. They call for you when they don't know where you are (if they don't learn to talk this could get annoying). It's also normal to find a bird playing with your hair, preening it strand by strand or taking you hair clip out for you ("thanks!"). And if they need to get clean, they just hop right in the shower with me. When I'm sitting quietly, they perch and relax and when I get up and dance around my dining room they will dance with me (they actually dance). I love birds!

On the left is Chip, the Caique and on the right is Comet, the Green Cheek Conure (cinnamon mutation).

Hair Daze

While being somewhat complex, a lot of these hair do's are very achievable if you make them a little more practical. This is my collection of some classic and original inspiring hairstyles from various sources...

"The Elvis Do"  

Whirly Curly. 

Simple and Classy

Large Silky Waves

Heavy bangs

One side shaved brunette

Perfect Elegance

One side shaved blondie

"The Pinup Do"

The Hawk

One side shaved snow white

Twirl it!

Messy braids into a bun

illusive curly hawk

Graceful locks

Sculpted

Retro Hair

Small Waves