Painting & Fighting

I'm painting. I've been painting. It's been difficult.  I've lost much of my motor memory. I've forgotten how to see clearly. I get tired more quickly.  I'm not 25 anymore.  I'm not even 39. 
     Resistance is an interesting thing.  It takes many forms. I regret nothing though.  Getting out of the machine saved my life.  Finding my rhythm has required more patience than I had estimated.
    This is real.  I am doing art. All day if I want. It's amazing. Also, terrifying.  I was so used to being efficient & scheduled.  Art is neither.  Being professional is. Being a freelance artist requires a balance of the two.
      I'm still falling down now & then, but I'm getting back up every time.   I get scared sometimes.  Scared that I've lost some intangable thing I had before I entered the machine.  Scared that something broke inside of me. I know that just resistance lying to me.
     I've met some goals. I've had to reassess some things.  I have to keep telling myself that art is a real job.  I just have to keep moving forward.  I sleep too much. It's part of the resistance.   That and I was really, really, really tired. It's 3:38 am. I'm painting. Tomorrow I will paint again.
     Art is a real job.

Studio

Finally, the studio is a studio again.  My depression and chronic stress from the horrible job I was stuck in is in the past.  I'm a full-time artist now. 

This year has been amazing.  Things just fell together. 

I work 15 hrs at an Art Museum just to cover my benefits, but other than that, all the rest of my time is time to create.

T & I have switched some responsibilities around.  I now do all the grocery shopping.  It's been nice.  I can go during the day when the stores aren't crowded.  This has reduced T's stress as well.  No more fighting to get to and thru the store right after work.

I will start posting here more often now.

Cheers!

The Gingerbread slug

T & I made gingerbread cookies.  I made a Gingerbread Slug with the leftover dough.

Happy New Year - 2015

Well, here we are.  2015.  The year of awesome things to come.  New Star Wars film, new Avengers film, new job as a Graphic Designer, my first full year of my 40's. 

Day one is cold and overcast with a chance of ice and possibly some snow later this weekend.  

I'm happy to be sitting in a toasty warm house with someone who loves me and two warm pups.  I had a nice hot bath and a nice filling lunch.  I pre-salted the front porch and driveway,  raked up leaves around our newer little Blue Princess Holly shrubs, and built a mound of leaves just for the pups. 

T and I prepared Gingerbread dough, which is chilling right now, in order to bake cookies later tonight.

Mmmm...fresh Gingerbread.

T starts her first real teaching gig in less than two weeks.   A College instructor.  She's a badass lady. 

Xena Con, the last one EVER, is a little less than two months away.  I'm already nervous and excited. 

I got an adorable Hello Kitty card from my wonderful Japanese friend Kumi just yesterday to start the New Year off with a reminder of just how fortunate I am to have such wonderful, kind, and loving people in my life.

I hope you all have a fantastic 2015.

I can't wait to get back to the gym and really push myself there as well as pushing myself to create, draw, or paint every single day. 

This it it folks.  Let's make it count and let's keep it positive. 

Love.

Goonie Calendar is Good E'Nuff

There is a pretty sweet 30th Anniversary Goonies Calendar out for the year 2015.  

It measures 9 1/2" by 15" x 1/4".

It comes with a full sized treasure map as well as the skull key to finding one-eyed Willy's booty!

How cool is that!

The calander has still photos from the movie for each month.

If you are a die-hard Goonies fan, you are going to want this.

You can get one from At-A-Glance right now.

You can also find it on Amazon. 

Glen A. Larson Tribute Extended Version

Glen A. Larson wrote, produced and created some of the greatest imaginative shows of my childhood.  Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Knight Rider, and Battlestar to name a few.  He passed away the 14th of November.  I can't imagine life without those shows.  As an artist and a dreamer they inspired me in so many ways.  Thanks Mr. Larson.  If there is an afterlife, I know someone who will be eager to chat you up and talk Battlestar once you get there.

Things that make you feel LEGIT

The photo above is of my friend and her sweet new baby girl.  The painting hanging on the wall was painted by me.  This photo seriously makes me feel legit.  

I remember always being completely amazed at artwork as a small child. To see another human being being in any way moved by something I created is intensely inspiring.

It makes me want to make so much art I might explode.  

You know what else makes me feel legit?  People that want me to paint them something.  I have two commissions right now and that really feels good.  It's been a while.

All of this stuff together as well as having a relaxed and positive day job make me very hopeful for the future.

Who knows?  This art thing might work out afterall.  

The Mother of Dragons

Working on a Game of Thrones piece now.  I've had some pretty nasty medical issues going on.  Getting stuck with needles almost ever other week and they still haven't found a definite answer.  I wanted to have it completed by now.  Hopefully all this medical nonsense will be cleared up soon and I can really jump into the painting.  

www.facebook.com/ArtistJenTucker

Godzilla is still King of the Monsters

Godzilla roared into theaters this weekend and I was more than eager to see this attempt by Americans to make the King of Monsters come to life. 

 I was forced into sitting through the last attempt.  I'm not kidding.  Someone bought my ticket and when I tried to get up and leave I was held down on both sides of my seat.  Ugh.  It was awful.

This time around I was very satisfied with my movie experience.  A true popcorn movie that held true to the source material and even managed to get me to tear up at the end.

The plot was simple and nothing fancy and the acting good for what it was.  Godzilla was a little heavier looking than I expected, but it wasn't distracting.  The final monster battle was everything I hoped for.

Probably my only complaint was his roar.  It was close, but lacked a little something.  Still, it only bothered me because I absolutely love Toho Godzilla's roar.

So, if you love cheesy monster films or like Godzilla at all, you're more than likely gonna have fun going to see this one.

Oh, and keep an eye out for the homage to Mothra.  

Gamera!

Let's not let Godzilla take away all the fanfare from Gamera on his upcoming 50th Anniversary.  Gamera is getting a movie in 2015!  If you aren't familiar with Gamera, he's a giant mutated turtle that protects Japan.

The original Gamera was produced and released in 1965 by Toho Studios.

If you aren't real familiar with Gamera, but want to know more, you're in luck!

Amazon has just released a great collection of Gamera on Blu-ray.

Gamera volume one is in it's native language of Japanese with English subtitles.  Personally, that's the way I prefer my films.  Even cheesy men in rubber suit monster films.  There's often a huge difference in the story line if it's dubbed in English.  

The first film included is the original 1965 Gamera.  Next is Gamera vs Buragon from 1966.  Then we have Gamera vs Gyaos from 1967 and finally, Gamera vs. Viras from 1968.

Now, I assume if you are still reading this, I don't have to explain to you what type of movies these are.  They're cheesy fun monster films with heart.  If you can't get past the idea of a giant mutated turtle, then don't waste your time here.  If you're a monster movie fan though, this is a must have collection for you!

The collection is $14.99 right now on Amazon.com

That's a monster of a deal!

Guardians of the Galaxy Statue

Who's ready for the Guardians of the Galaxy movie?  I know I am!  While DC is hemming and hawing and being afraid of girls, Marvel has embraced a talking raccoon.  This movie looks like it is going to be a blast!



Kotobukiya has produced a great statue of the fearless mammal.

5 3/5 inches tall, Rocket Raccoon is standing on Groot's shoulder and ready for action.

Pre-order now for Fall delivery.  It will run you about $55.00

Game of Thrones Coin

Now that I am all in for Game of Thrones, I can start searching and finding GOT collectibles for everyone to SQUEE! over.  The first one I've found that I really want is completely affordable and something you can keep in your pocket.  

A replica made in IRON of the coin handed to Arya by Jaqen H'ghar.

The coin of the Faceless Man.

It is 1 inch in diameter and weighs in at about 5 1/2 grams.

How much you ask?

$13.99 at Entertainment Earth and more or less around the net if you really do some searching.

Life Sized Action Figure

It's finally happened.  It was only a matter of time.  The life-sized Kenner action figure.  Yep, a LIFE-SIZED version of those awesome 1977 Star Wars toys I loved so much as a kid.  Which one, you ask?  Unfortunately, it's Darth Vader.  Still, life-sized Kenner toys are cool.  Period.

Produced by Gentle Giant, this huge chunk of plastic will set you back about $2,600.00.

No, I'm not kidding.

Yes, that's insane.  Also, feel free to buy me one if you win the lotto.

You can pre-order now from Entertainment Earth or Gentle Giant.  I don't imagine Toys R Us will carry them.

Two Who's

Doctor Who in the form of Doctor 10 and Doctor 11 are coming to comics.  UK Publisher Titan is putting out two new series featuring these beloved Doctors and if you act now and subscribe, you will get a cute little Doctor figure all your own.  The cover art looks great, but I'd like a peek at the inside art.

Simon Fraser will be creating the visuals for the 11th Doctor, while Elena Casagrande will be tackling the art in the 10th Doctors book.

You can find more info here: 

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=51164

Blood Moon!

April 14/15, 2014 shots of the full Lunar eclipse.  My brother was kind enough to gift me a Canon Powershot SX40HS for the holidays and I finally got to put it to some good use.

The bottom shot here also features Mars.  Top right.  That little gold looking dot. 

I can't wait to try and capture some meteorites on the 22nd.

The Chicken Story

It's time, once again, to promote my little Chicken book.  It's an e-book on Amazon.  It's $4.99, but if you wait a couple days, the price is going to drop to $2.99.  It's 20 pages of full color illustrated chicken goodness.  

There's also a little nod the Xena the Warrior Princess inside.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Chicken-Story-Jen-Tucker-ebook/dp/B00E1P6MK2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396290760&sr=8-1&keywords=Jen+Tucker

Get yours today!

Thanks.

DNA, Spectrum, and Love

We had a late season ice/sleet/snow storm.  We never have these in March in Oklahoma.  Well, maybe snow, but in my years of life in this state, I never recall sleet/ice in March.  Snow...maybe twice.  It just so happened to hit the same day as the Animalistic 2014 Art Show opening.  That was unfortunate because it was the show my piece Faded glory was in.  The first real piece I have ever gotten in a real show.

Luckily, the Gallery has rescheduled.

I found that out when I checked my mail today.  Right after I saw that I didn't make it into Spectrum 21.

I'm so glad I tried.  Next year.

Now, onto the next thing.  I've got a large painting, "The Major" in progress, children's book #2 illustrations in the works, and I'm on the look-out for another show.

Let's keep this party going, ey?

Newest Painting

Hello!  I just finished another piece of art!  W00t! 

Latest work. 18 x 24 inches acrylic on an old topographical map of the United States. "Faded Glory"

Guardians of the Galaxy

Hey kids!  New pics of the Guardians of the Galaxy flick. Looks amazing.  Marvel wins again.

If you missed the Teaser trailer, here it is:

Batwoman

Batwoman continues to be amazing.  I finished the 3rd Graphic Novel last night.  The art is still amazing.  The panels are amazing.  The writing is good.  I am really going to hate it when I reach the end of J.H. Williams III's run.  

Wonder Woman shows up in this Volume.  It was cool that she was there, but meh.  I'm probably a little biased because I'm still pissed off about the Zeus being WW's father thing.  They had to make sure they reiterated that every single page she appeared on.  

I didn't feel those two really clicked and I found Batwoman's starstruck inner dialogue a little ridiculous, but hey, maybe kick-ass superheroes have fangirl moments as well.  It just seemed a little out of character to me.

It's totally worth the read though.  Amazon has it right now for $17.03 or you can pick it up at your local comic shop for about $22.99.