Swear it's 1975

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Hello dear friends!!! 

The 70's 😍😍😍 good lord, here is my life long inspiration!!! There's something about that decade that just calls to me. Maybe it's the bright colors, maybe it's the idea that love was free flowing, maybe it's the big hair....I don't know! But there's no other decade that pulls me in quite like the late 60's thru the end of the 70's. That's my dad's era, he used to play all the old songs and I was raised on The Beatles. I remember being in college in 2008 pretending it was 1975, painting giant murals with Peter Max inspired colors on huge pieces of cardboard, and wearing every colorful piece of clothing I could find. There were people in and out of my apartment all the time, love was every where, and I spent countless hours lying on my bedroom floor listening to my vinyl collection. 

There is something about the hard times, a bad government, and world terror that brings out the hippie in everyone. I've seen this trend pop up around again recently, and it's one of the only things that brings me solace in such trying times. Bring on the embroidered jeans, the glitter and the macrame!

Does this era inspire you?

xoxo. holly erinn   

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Friday Favorites // no. 24

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Hello friends!! 

This week has gone by so quickly for me! It's been a weird week too, I feel like we got to relax but at the same time it's been stressful. It was the official start of summer this week, and for all my wiccans out there I hope your Litha was wonderful and bright!!! I've been dreaming of hikes and feather hunting, lakes and seashells, and warm weather with friends gathered 'round. I'm finally getting my footing at my new job and things are starting to take shape with our little project. Eep! I can't wait to tell you more about that... but for the moment, lips are sealed! 

I've been working on a few commissions off and on this week too. I also just finished sealing a few new clay pieces that I'll be listing in my etsy soon. So basically, I've just been trying to keep my hands busy. OH! And, I've also been sewing a good bit this week too! I'm on a mission to build onto my wardrobe with hand made pieces...for several reasons. Over the past few months, I've really been trying to think more about where my clothing comes from, paying attention to on what and how I spend money, and the purpose behind what I am wearing. I don't really like modern fashion any more and I don't agree with a lot of how modern clothing is being made. 

In addition to thinking about how and where my clothing is made, I've also be diving deep into the idea of normalized beauty again and what that means to me. My hair has been a big focus for me recently too. I've been struggling with the idea of my dreads in relation to cultural appropriation. Not that I feel like they are culturally insensitive, but what I am, for a lack of a better word, nervous that other people will view it as that....which is why I've been hesitant about fully dreading my hair again. I will eventually dread my whole head, but I have to get out of my own head (lol!) before I do it.  

Have you guys ever struggled with anything like that? 

But overall, this week has been good. There's been a good bit of self reflection, which is what I always need in times of struggle. I feel like things are heading in a good direction and that life in general has been pretty good lately. I am thankful for the struggle and I am equally thankful for the peace. It's all a balance. 

How has your week been?

xoxo. holly erinn  

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Current Commission Projects

Hello friends, 

I just wanted to share a few projects I've been working on recently. I have a couple big commissions I've been working on this month, and both projects are really fun and colorful! The painting above is 30x40' and will feature a giant snowy owl in the center for a friend of mine from college. I'm not one to usually painting animals only, it's never been my center focus in my personal paintings. So, this will be a fun challenge. 

The painting below is a portrait of the lovely @jamieearthling on instagram. This painting is right up my alley. I love portrait pieces and I love when the clients tell me I can just run with the idea! She gave me a basic color pallet and a few photos to use as reference and said I can just go with what I feel. I'm not gonna lie, I kinda stalked her insta for a little more inspiration and a better feel for who she was. Social media can be a great tool for situations like this. I want to have my creative freedom, but I also want to make sure that I can make a good product for my client. 

Commissions are always open! Feel free to hit me up if you'd like a piece of your own! Either hit me up on Instagram, or email me at hollyerinn.karnes@gmail.com 

xoxo. holly erinn 

ART APPRECIATION // anatomy

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Hello friends!!! 

Ever since I first started drawing, my focus has always been the human form. It's the most complicated, the hardest to get right and my life long challenge. There's a lot of artist out there that shy away from drawing people, but that never made sense to me. Why would you want to shy away from something that's hard instead of pushing yourself and learning? Maybe no one ever sat down and showed you how to do it right. Maybe every tutorial you've seen hasn't explained it in a way that made sense. Maybe every anatomy book you ever picked up just straight up confused and frustrated you. I got you, boo! 

Seriously, I spent years fumbling around trying to figure out how to draw the human form properly. And then one day a few years ago, something clicked in my head and it all started making sense. The trick is noticing and breaking down all the simple shapes and THEN filling in the detail. You can't just dive right in and expect to draw the perfect hand or hips. There's seriously some science behind it all, and there's little tricks that you can adopt to make sure your figures turn out perfectly every time! 

And that brings me to my next point.....I am starting a series on my Youtube channel called ART CLASS. The first round of videos will focus on building and learning the proper anatomy of an adult male and female. We'll go through all the points on the body that are difficult to get, and I'll help you break down all the basic shapes to make sure you get it right! I could probably make a million videos just on anatomy of the human body. It can be really complicated but we're going to go over the basics and keep it real simple at first. 

Eventually, we'll expand and talk about different mediums and how to use them. And I'm also asking you guys to brainstorm and think of other art related topics, subjects and projects that you would like to learn about in future videos. Leave your ideas down in the comments!! Or you can tweet me @happinessbrand7 on twitter!! 

So, let's talk about this specific post! I chose these few pieces because I feel like they showcase proper anatomy and several different and difficult poses and angles. I want you guys to study each piece a bit and really look closely for what and why the illustrations work. What makes each figure look realistic and proportional? And, what do you like most about each? 

Until next time, folks!!! 

xoxo. holly erinn 

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ART CLASS // a new Youtube series

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Hello friends!!! 

Today I'd like to announce that I am finally working on a new video series called 'Art Class' and it's exactly what you think it is!!! I've always wanted to share my skill with you guys in a real way instead of just showing you the projects that I personally work on. Over the years, I've had so many people tell me that they wish they could draw, they wish they had my talents. Well my friends, I'm going to pass on my knowledge to you!! 

This first round of videos will be focused around learning proper anatomy and building figures. I have the first 3 videos planned out and have already started working a bit on them. I'm hoping to get the first video out by the end of this month. 

If you guys would like to see something specific in upcoming rounds of Art Class, please leave a comment down below!! Do you want to see a watercolor tutorial, an acrylic tutorial, a clay tutorial? It could be anything! 

Until then, head over to my Youtube Channel and make sure you subscribe so you don't miss anything!! 

friday favorites // no.23

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Hello friends!!

It's been a whirlwind of a week, there's been some massive changes in our household that have kind of shook the earth recently. And, I've been all over the place. I still wanted to keep up with my life thou, and continue to write like I said I wanted to. It's been kind of hard to stay on track lately. I started that new job and I don't quite have a set schedule yet, so life is just all over the fucking place. This whole 'everything's up in the air' lifestyle drives me crazy. I really like to have some sort of a routine and schedule and since hopping between jobs, there's been no routine.

I'm excited to have more to do, I seem to work better when I'm too busy and have to schedule every waking moment. I'm that nerd that loves a color coordinated calendar and office supplies. Since having a good bit more free time than I would want, this time has afforded me the time to work on my book more. I've gotten lost in my head for a couple weeks now while working on it. If you'd like to see/hear more about it, please consider becoming a patron and help me make the book a reality! My goal is to have it completely finished, edited and for purchase by next summer. So far the story is coming along pretty well, that's what is going to take the longest. Once I get the story finished, I can fly thru the illustrations and editing!

But, let's talk about this actual post! I really wanted to keep this week's FF post short and simple, if nothing more than to keep myself sane. I'm still in deep with those psychedelic colors and hippie shit, but that's nothing new. It's Pride month so I've been all about that rainbow. We even attended the Pride parade this past Sunday down town Pittsburgh. I'll eventually be putting out a vlog about my experience and what all we saw, so it'll be like you attended the parade with us! You can catch that on my Youtube channel later this month!

Hope you all had an excellent week! What is keeping you sane this week?

Also don't forget to check out my Patreon page! 

xoxo. hollyerinn 

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Life According to Instagram

Hello friends! 

I wanted to pop in and share a few of my most recent posts on Instagram! I've been focusing a lot on my art these past few months, doing a lot of show, and keeping VERY busy in my 'unemployment'. I was so honored to participate in Art All Night this year as a live painting with my dear friend Heather. We created this amazing piece featuring Mother Nature and the 4 elements. I was so proud of the work we did and what we were able to accomplish in only 7 hours!!! Yea, 7 fucking hours! @#$%*!! 😵😵😵 It was such a good day thou, and I can't wait to do it again next year...I'll definitely be wearing different shoes thou! 

I also participated in 3 Rivers Comic Con with my best girl, Panda Inc. It was my first comic con and I brought a whole bunch of exclusive fan art that I made specifically for this show! I still have a handful of fan art prints left over, so once I open up my etsy shop back up, a few of them will be headed of there. So keep an eye out for that! This illustration of Fiona & Cake from Adventure Time is only available as an original, and is the only one I have. So, if any one would like to purchase it, please email me @ hollyerinn.karnes@gmail.com 💖

More goodness that'll end up in the shop! 

I'm also working on a children's book at the moment. If you can find it in your heart and would like to make sure this project gets up off the ground and published, please visit my Patreon Page and consider helping me make this project a reality! You can read more about it on there, and there are a few posts that are not private (for patrons only) that you can view without having to donate. 

Throwbacks to the first children's book I start, but ended up not being able to finish it because it was far too sad. One day I'll either do a post about this story, Kate's Carnival, or I'll do a video for it. Fair warning, ya'll are gonna cry. 

More sneak peeks at the book!

Detail shot of an old painting that got ruined.

I just made this shirt last week. I've been wanting to add some new pieces to my wardrobe but I just don't have the money to buy 'new' clothes....so I just make my own!

The beginning stages of a commission!

Thanks for taking a look!! I love posting on my Instagram, and I post my art on there mostly. So if you're on there, find me and come say 'hi!', I'd love to follow you guys! So make sure you follow me, so I can follow you back!! 

xoxo. holly erinn 💖💖💖

Stellar (handmade) Stamps

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Hello friends! 

It's been quite a while since I posted on here (again), I feel like I'm always saying that when I sit down to write here. Though, recently (insert super excited emoji face here) I started a new job at a company that I foolishly left a few years ago. Most of you know already, I work in the Human Services field. I work with adults with special needs, and I fucking looooooove it! So what does this have to do with stamps?? This job, unlike my previous one, will afford me the free time I need to work on my art and side projects.  The people in this company are amazing too, they're all so kind and really care, I mean REALLY care about the folks we are serving. That above all else is what draws me to a place of business in this field.

And that brings me to the stamps, I've recently gotten into carving stamps when I found a block of linoleum in my desk that I must have bought years ago and never used. I don't have the best tools, and I certainly don't know what I'm doing, but I have really been enjoying the process. The photo above is the first stamp I've ever made, a large signature stamp that I can use on my painting and prints. I also just finished up a set of cacti stamps with planters. I'll have to show you that soon! Eventually, I'd like to make a few sets for the etsy shop, which I hope to be opening up again next month!

Today, I wanted to share some of the pins that have been inspiring me lately. Most of them are pattern based, which is what I'd like to try my hand at next. Have you guys ever messed around with stamp making or do you collect stamps?! Let me know down in the comments! ❤💖❤😄😄😄

xoxo. holly erinn 

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