Circuit Breaker - Round Two

February 28, 2021

Going into another circuit breaker and I have been thinking about how to spend that time. I have found everyone in my circle so good and diligent about doing the right thing and working to keep our numbers low. We have done so well so far, and it’s really commendable.

In early 2020 I created a few plague pieces during our first lockdown, and one of them works really well for colouring. I would say it’s likely best for fineline markers or well sharpened pencil crayons, as my line work is generally quite close together.

I added it on Etsy, but I also want to share it with you free of charge- I’m going to keep it available as a free digital download until March 14th.

As my thank you to all of those cozying up and staying home for these next two weeks, please feel welcome to download and print this piece:

Colouring Page Download

If you colour it, please do show me the final work or tag me! I’d be happy to see how they go.

Stay safe friends!

"Matata"

September 28, 2020

“Matata” is one of my mixed media pieces- It’s a combination of watercolours and archival ink. I’ve said it before- This process will sort of ruin a micron pen and it’s felt tip- But I love the outcome so much that I generally forfeit a pen to complete a piece.

This is one of those pieces that is a little bit of an ode to my hometown and it’s culture- The tuna industry is a large part of the community and a major income for many families. It’s a big deal when one is landed, and there’s a commotion at the wharf it gets towed to just about every time. I worked at the Pharmasave in Souris as a teenager and it seemed like we were always a big part of spreading the news. Someone would come in and tell us, and we would tell every person who came in following that.

Anyhow- Back to artwork. This piece started out as a pencil sketch, very simple in design- The tuna isn’t turning or twisting, just sort of laid out.

I began choosing colours and mixing paints- Trying to get that iridescent type of look from solid colours. It came from a mix of yellows and blues.

I used a coppery sand colour for the fins and small accents, small layers of yellow to give more of the iridescent look.

You may be able to tell that I used my finger for some of the pattern on his upper body- Certainly on the larger prints of this piece it’s visible and you could likely pull my prints from it!

With the paint dried, I was ready to add in some inky details. I used Sakura Microns on this piece, the 005 and the 01. They’re my two go-to’s and what I use most often. The tip of a 005 micron is super fine, 0.2mm, and so this is the one that gets roughed up by the paint. You can see the small delicate lines that can be created with it below- Please excuse the shaky camera- Filming has never been my strong suit!

The final piece was 11” x 14”, and finished in March of 2019. It sold quite quickly at Artisans On Main in Souris that Spring. It’s one of those ones that I often wonder who purchased it and where it is! I’m curious if it was a local or perhaps someone in town to do some sport fishing- Who knows! If you’re the owner and reading this, email me and let me know!

People often ask about the title and if there is some deep meaning behind the word “matata”- But alas, it’s just my inner jokester thinking puns are hilarious. A Tuna, Matata… like Hakuna Matata. I’ve had great pleasure in explaining this to children. Perhaps titling art should be more serious business, but if you know me at all- I cannot resist a good joke.

Although the original is gone, I do still offer prints of this piece. On my Etsy page, you can find the 5” x 7” card and the 8” x 10” print. There are 11” x 14” prints available as well.

You can find this piece and many more just here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lindseyrosspei/

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about the process behind this piece.

"Cuz I Love You" - A Fundraiser

June 4, 2020

Many of you know I’ve been working on a drawing of one of my favourite artists for a long time, the incredible Lizzo. From the start, I’ve been transparent about the fact I would inevitably use this image for fundraising- though when I started in November of 2019, I had no clear idea where I would direct those funds. I kept jokingly asking my Instagram followers “WHAT WOULD LIZZO DO??”

There are a lot of reasons I shouldn’t profit from Lizzo, her likeness, and the black culture that she blossomed from. I don’t think I need to list them, you all get it.

I’ve also been honest about the fact I directly copied a fabulous photographer’s image of her. The album artwork for Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You” is stunning- And I would happily credit the artist if I could find their name. I’ve searched unsuccessfully. If anyone can provide it to me, I’ll happily update this.

Anyhow, I took that image, I overexposed it, and trimmed it down. Then I traced the outline of what that over-exposed image looked like, and filled it in with my own patterns and design.

I love Lizzo and this album cover. I love seeing a full figured naked body in pop culture, and I was super happy to create this piece as an homage to her.

At one point in my journey through this piece, I reached a place where I was completely paralyzed. I held off finishing it for a long time. I didn’t know what to do with it and while it gained traction and interest, I was still unsure how I would handle requests to purchase when that time came.

The events of late May 2020 and everything that's followed, has given me clear direction for where my heart would be satisfied to see funds land. I finally finished this piece on June 2nd 2020.

You can see progress videos of this work here:

I’ll be creating 11” x 14” prints and 8” x 10” prints of the finished piece and selling them on my Etsy page.

I wish I could say I could cover all the expenses involved with reproducing and shipping these, but the best I can do is be super transparent about this. I’m an artist working through the veil of Covid.

So! Here is the final image:

I have 11” x 14” prints for $35.00 + Shipping. From each one sold, $30.00 will be donated. Click here to view the listing.

I have 8” x 10” prints for $20.00 + Shipping. From each one sold, $15.00 will be donated. Click here to view the listing.

What’s happening with that other $5.00? It’s going to cover thick back boarding, a poly sleeve, and a rigid mailer. This will ensure that the print makes it to you safely.

Now the second question- Where to donate! The Minnesota Freedom Fund has been blown away with support. They have openly asked people to begin looking at where else they can send funds.

Next best bets?

I’ve chosen Black Cultural Society of PEI to support our local advocates. They’re handling a lot of the local events and education, and they have goal of inclusion, access, and justice.

Campaign Zero is my choice for supporting friends across the border. Self described as an “Organization that utilizes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in the U.S.”

“Over 1,000 people are killed by police every year in America. We are calling on local, state, and federal lawmakers to take immediate action to adopt data-driven policy solutions to end this violence and hold police accountable.”

If you make your purchase on Etsy, there is a space where you can have input on which your funds go to. If you know of another great organization or cause that I’m really missing out on, please send me a message and let me know.

Those who would prefer to pick the piece up locally can use coupon code LOCALPICKUP and pick the print up on June 13th in Charlottetown.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I really appreciate it, and welcome any feedback or conversation.

I’m best reached via email: lindseyrossart@gmail.com