Here's an illustration for an article on how to talk to people who have been laid off from their job:

All images copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.

I showed new work today!
I'm really obsessed with layers and translucency these days. Here are a few pieces.

This is a sculpture made from foam, tracing paper, graphite, watercolor, and resin. I wanted to capture the feel of the translucency of skin. It has a medical feel but also makes me think of pattern making. I was influenced by a sculpture I saw in a medical museum in London which was made from used bandages.

This is a series which acts as a "self portrait." It is cell vinyl on layered acetate, and compares my aging portrait with my collection of old junk. As my hoarding gets worse, I also collect more winkles.

All images copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.

President drawings:
Here are three US Presidents and their ailments:

Teddy Roosevelt suffered from heart failure and inflammation of the joints. His horse died from a bullet to the head.


Mr.Taft had a big heart attack.

Garfield was shot by crazy Charles Guiteau, but died from inept doctors digging around inside his wounds for the bullets.

All imaged copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.

Process:
So this is a piece that ended up being a total failure, but I thought the process was pretty interesting.

Serious Play Documentary

Part 4 of 4

This is the last in the series, and focuses on Saejean and Katherine's spreads. They rock! I love these girls' work, and am now relieved not to have to see any more footage of me being a spaz...
http://www.zoom-in.com/spotlights/designing_minds_serious_play_part_4_of_4

Phone Booth Gallery

An Art Show dedicated to Tom Waits
I've got a piece in this on-line show which will be up from July 12th - July 31st:
www.phoneboothgallery.com

Serious Play Documentary
Part 3 of 4

Here's the link to part three featuring the lovely Kerry and Paula.
http://www.zoom-in.com/spotlights/designing_minds_serious_play_part_3_of_4

Serious Play Documentary
Part 2 of 4

Here's the link of part two. Owen and Enrique are total pros!
http://www.zoom-in.com/spotlights/designing_minds_serious_play_part_2_of_4

Serious Play Documentary
Part 1of 4

Adobe's documentary about our book is finally out. They are evidently releasing a new part every week. It came out better than we expected even though I look like a total spaz.

Here's a link to the video on Adobe's website:
http://www.zoom-in.com/spotlights/designing_minds_serious_play_part_1_of_4

Capitol Hill Watercolor Society Show
at Nancy
1930 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Open: Tues - Sat 11 - 6

Founded in the spring of 2003, CHWS is a collection of fifteen to twenty, local watercolor enthusiasts. With much admiration (and a tiny bit of animosity), the society aims to change the more official, stuffy reputation of the watercolor world. There will be some amazing, aquatic-themed pieces on display - maybe a narwhal, a boat or a bit of sunken treasure.

I forgot to post this in time for the opening, but it will be up through August, so if you are in Seattle you should stop by! Here are my pieces for the show. They are freshwater bacteria made from layered cut paper, watercolor, and ink.

Copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.

Here's two process pieces that I've been working on. I'm still dealing with spiritualist themes. These were done using additive and reductive techniques, cutting away and layering, and are still in progress.



details:

Copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.

5 Second Freak Out!!!

Here's a tiny sample clip from an animation I've been working on. I'll post the entire thing when it's done to my satisfaction. It takes so long!

copyright Shannon Freshwater. not to be used without permission.

WRAP issue 1: Serious Play

The first issue of Wrap is now out! Eight teams of illustrators and designers worked on this book which coincided with the Serious Play Design Conference which was hosted by Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. Each team worked on three spreads based on the theme of serious play, and together as one big team we compiled the work and designed the book. My design partner was Annessa Braymer who also designed the cover and intro essays. I also contributed illustrations for the intro essays.

images copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.

3x3 award!

I am honored and excited to have been awarded the Bronze medal in the annual 3x3 student competition, and will have four illustrations published in the next annual which will be out later this year! I'll make another post when the book is available.
(www.3x3mag.com)

Here's the four illustrations that will be published:


All images copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.

The Spiritualist Series
This is a series I was working on last month combining my current obsession with transparency and layers with my other obsession on themes of spiritualism which includes mediums, ghosts, and ectoplasm. I really like the mystery and blurring of line that happens with the layers which seems to reflect the blurring of reality in spiritualism.

They were made with various media including oil paint, grease pencils, graphite, and various layers of tracing paper, and were designed to be seen against a light box. I created a 5' by 3' light table in which they are layed out flat underneath a large pane of glass, and are meant to be seen in a dark room to mimic the atmosphere of a seance.

detail from a larger piece:

detail from a larger piece:

alternate version:

alternate version:

detail:

detail:

all images copyright Shannon Freshwater. Not to be used without permission.