Warning- The Following is Kinda Gross

You have been warned! The following video and photos contains Special Effects Makeup that probably shouldn't be viewed while eating. All effects are FAKE using just my makeup skills. 

Viewers Discretion Advised.

Well hello there.

I may have mentioned that I started a youtube channel for my makeup art.

Some of the videos will be normal makeup videos such as natural looks and special occasions. Other videos will be costume or stage type makeup jobs. And of course, there's the GORE.

Back in the fall of last year as I was eating a bagel at my favorite cafe on campus, I overheard some film students mentioning the need for a makeup artist. I wasn't eavesdropping, that was the only word I heard. I immediately spun around and said "Makeup artist? I'm a makeup artist!"

This led to a 20 minute discussion about their horror-slasher inspired short film. The guy told me that they needed someone who could "create gore." Like, cuts, burns, bruises, faces getting ripped off, etc. The only kind of experience I had with special effects makeup was maybe this one day in high school drama class (eight years ago) but otherwise I knew zilch. I also don't watch scary movies. I'm afraid of them. I had literally nothing going for me in the field of Gore Makeup so I told them "I'm sure I can figure something out."

That evening after a full day of school and a long train ride home, I played around with whatever makeup I had for about 20 minutes to create some "gore." The following is the result.

SFX Makeup by me

I used all sorts of luxury brand and cheap makeup. I blended Kat Von D's Mi Vida Loca palette colors for the bruising, some of Urban Decay's Naked 2 Palette, Makeup Forever lip gloss for the blood, and so on.

The next morning I texted my "school-husband," Noah the above picture and wrote "Some crack addict just attacked me on the train!" I knew my friend Noah, a laid back guy, would appreciate the prank more than say, my family. 

I believe poor Noah responded with something to the effect of "Oh %@$&!" and other condolences. 

After being fully prepared to walk into class and tell our professor "Yeah, Claire's not gonna make it to class today...." Noah strolled in, saw me looking normal and his reaction was priceless. 

He first thought I had sent him an old picture of a random injury, then he thought I had makeup on to cover it, I finally convinced him that the whole thing was a prank and I just wanted to know if it looked real or not. Mission: Accomplished. (And don't worry, Noah liked the prank. None of Noah's feelings were harmed during the making of said prank.)

So, I never did hear back from the short film guy, but he is the one who got me started in this so for that I am grateful.

In the following weeks, I used more of my art friends as models to gore up and I've been doing it ever since whenever I have the time.

The video above was made around February for my painting class homework. (our homework was pretty laid back with what was considered "painting"). I needed more practice with gore effects so I used myself as a model. I created the cuts and blood entirely on my own without any sort of SFX or Halloween kit. The video features Jasper the Cat for a brief period, my chipmunk voice, and I nearly poke my own eye out with scissors (not really). 

I am entirely self taught in the Gore Special Effects Makeup field, So I experiment A LOT! I don't use prosthetics or professional SFX kits, I just make it up as I go along.

So check out my youtube channel for more videos (gore and normal makeup), like, comment, subscribe, tell your friends and feel free to send video requests!!!

Also, my friend Noah is single... And straight. For reference on his appearance, you can see him getting tortured on my youtube channel. So, um, date him? (He asked me to tell this to "the ladies")

I Suppose I'll Be a Real Adult Now

My cousin Anne, putting on my shoes- coz she is just that helpful!

This past month, I finally graduated from San Francisco State University!!!

My time at SFSU was possibly the best experience of my life. I gained so many friends, knowledge, a few hangovers, too many laughing fits, a fake arranged marriage and above all I gained perspective on what is important to me as an artist.

Now that I have become a "real adult," I possess the awesome and terrifying position of accounting for my artistic actions. 

My last semester of college finally let me branch out into the type of art I *wanted* to create. I was free to draw and paint whatever I wanted. No prompts, no assigned material, no rules or guidelines other than making pieces of art. Whatever sort of canvas I wanted, utensils, pigments and ideas I had, I was free to do.

While I was in school, any piece I created would be questioned by my audience. "Why did you draw a naked person?" "Why did you make a drawing of random objects?" "What does the pink color symbolize in this painting?" I had to constantly let them know it was always "for an assignment." After my teachers began to assign paintings in my upper division classes, I had a bit more freedom in what I wanted to create. I would still get annoying questions though. "Why did you paint yourself as the subject?" "So you're filled with angst?" "What prompted you to paint this?!!" But I always had the fall back: It was the assignment!

Now that I've graduated, I don't have that excuse. Now I have to account for my art. I can't say "oh, I made a piece about domestic violence because that was the assignment!" I have to own up to it. I have to have an explanation as to why I create what I create.

"You Shouldn't Have Provoked Him" - ©2014

Above - Something that is said too often and needs to change. Stop blaming women for being the victim of abuse, assault, and rape. So I'm now "filled with angst?" Fine. Now I've "become one of those crazy feminists?" Fine. So now I'm finally speaking out about and addressing uncomfortable topics head on. Welcome to my world. I'm usually put on spot unexpectedly, so I guess I'll be the first to initiate.

The cartoons I doodle are easy to explain. The fairies and fantasy are polite for the public. The ink drawings of animals are pleasing to most. However, nudity, feminism, body image, domestic violence, dysfunction, politics, social commentary are usually judged with confusion "Why would you paint that?" Because as an artist or as a person who lives in this world, I don't want to hold back on social issues I feel are important and much of the time, ignored. Yes, I love creating pictures that are pretty, but the point of art is not to make a pretty picture to fit into a mould that makes everyone comfortable.  Art is about creative expression and pushing boundaries within ourselves. Art is about movement and exploration, passion and change. I didn't spend nearly 6 years going to school just to make happy, pretty pictures. Although at first, I thought that was the point.

So I promise, I'll do a better job of being a real adult. I am a person who wants to have discussions, new ideas and collaborations.

I love all of you. You guys have helped me grow so much in this creative journey. Because of you guys, I can be versatile with my art and do what I love all the time. Bring on the surreal, the discussions, the cartoons and the passion.

2012: A Year of Art and Cat Shenanigans in Pictures

Jaz and I wish you a Happy New Year!

2013 already?! Jeez! Sorry this New Year's Blog is late-- I started it around Early January and then realized that I had the flu for three weeks... Still have the flu, hope this blog make sense. 

Well, I had a pretty good 2012-- I took a lot of what wasn't working out of my life and made way for bigger, better and brighter things. This year at SFSU was extremely productive-- I have tons of new art from my classes which I'm very proud of. I have posted some of my favorites below.

Cranes- unfinished oil painting on canvas board from Painting Class

Still life - 18x24 Oil on Canvas Board

Unfinished Cloth Study (Classwork) Charcoal Drawing 

2x3 foot Abstraction Assignment - Oil on Stretched Canvas

"Recreation of Master Painting" Assignment 18x24 inches - Oil on Canvas Board
This painting was recreated from a bad photocopy of a GORGEOUS  Peter Paul Rubens painting titled "The Elevation of the Cross"

As you can see, I got a lot of time to practice in very different mediums and styles. I can't wait for this upcoming semester! Hope to have slightly more time for the blog during this new semester...

Every year I resolve to spend more time exercising and getting healthy and every year I do a little bit more. 2012 blew every other year out of the water because I started running. With lots of patience and determination, I ran 130 miles just last year!!! I create these goals mostly for my heart health (being born with heart defects, I have had three open-heart surgeries). As usual this year starting late January/early February, I'll be donating $1 from every product sold (from my art websites) to the American Heart Association. If not for the AHA, I would not be here writing this blog! So the healthy exercise goals are a must. This year, I'm signing up for 5k and 10k races so I don't fall behind.

***

Jasper resolved to be more obnoxious last year but instead he became more of a sweetheart and more annoying at the same time. He was forced into some play-dates in order to make some new friends. This is how I learned that cats can be the most stubborn of creatures. Below he is meeting my friend's cats, Panda and Denny (who are nearly twice his size).

From left to right: Jasper, Panda, Denny

 Above, Jasper is being a jerk and hoarding the other cats' food bowl. Denny is not happy about this and Panda is trying to mediate. 

Jasper and Panda like to give each other kisses

That is all for now. Sorry this blog is a half-effort. I *do* still have the flu, so I'm going to go to sleep and hope I get better in time for the new semester. *Ah-choo!*

Runner's Side Stitches are not like Hiccups

I know, I know: it's been FOREVER since I last blogged. I'm sorry! I have a perfectly good explanation for it though, you ready? I haven't had time. There.

Four studio classes and commuting into San Francisco everyday does not leave much time for anything. On the plus side, I have a whole host of artwork to show for it! Nearly none of it is fairy/fantasy related, but it's still pretty cool. But more on that in a different blog, perhaps. (sorry!)

Anyway, it's FINALLY Thanksgiving break which of course is my favorite time of year. I didn't actually know that I got a break from school until maybe a week ago. Of course I "forgot" to tell my work about the fact that I have a whole week off... And I'm sure I won't remember to tell them any time soon! (Though with the mountain of homework, it's needed!)

So I am enjoying my break immensely. I even started running again. Turns out when you take a few months off from running after previously running 4-5 days a week, it's not nearly as difficult to get back into it as I feared. That is of course, until you encounter the dreaded "Side Stitch" also known as a "cramp from exercising" on one of your first runs back out.

On my first run out this week, (out of three so far-- go me) right after I hit my second mile, I got a side stitch so bad, I was going to pass out. I tried everything I could think of to get rid of it. I tried slowing my pace, I tried walking, I tried "breathing into the stitch"-- which my friend Mary suggested and it's pure nonsense!-- I tried drinking water, I even resorted to resting for five minutes and starting up again slowly: NOTHING! It wouldn't go away and I was starting to make some pretty terrible faces at passing cars. To those passing cars, I do apologize! I had a side stitch!

After ten minutes of dealing with the cramp, I finally realized I had to walk home, which sucked because I run to get places and to be efficient. Walking is boring to me. So I began walking. And I drank more water. And I practiced deep breathing. Finally I got the bright idea to "scare the stitch away"-- it works with hiccups! When breathing and drinking water and waiting doesn't work, you have your friends scare the hiccups away! (this does not work for me with hiccups-- don't do this to me ever) Well, I've come to realize that when I run, I do not think very clearly (due to physical exhaustion or runner's high or something). So here I am moseying along, slowly, but surely with my side stitch then the next second- BAM! I'm sprinting like there's a wild hyena loose from the zoo after me! I even flailed my arms for effect.

And it totally worked!-- for about 2.38 seconds. Then it hit me like a gunshot wound and I bent forward, nearly collapsing, clutching my side, cursing loudly and laughing at the ridiculousness of the whole idea. I probably looked like *I* had escaped from a zoo. So much for scaring the stitch away through sprinting...

I will say that it probably looked downright hilarious from anyone possibly watching through their window... Or maybe whoever was watching was deeply disturbed by my zombie-like behavior, thought the end was near, packed up their apocalypse survival kits, and fled to the hills. If that is the case, I apologize for sending you to the hills... I do hope you're at least enjoying the views.

Anyways, I still didn't get rid of the stitch, but on today's run when I got a stitch, it wasn't as bad-- so maybe it's a thing your body gets used to over time?

Anyways, til next time!

Summer Self Portrait Project

"Untitled Self Portrait"
Size: ~8 Feet x 3 Feet
Medium: Ink, Mixed Media
NFS

Above is my school project for my Summer Classes. The assignment was to trace your body and make a full self portrait in whatever media you saw fit. We had some really amazing work brought in. The class was all Art Majors, but everyone had a different specialty. We had sculpture majors, photo majors, textile majors and more, so it was a very diverse set of self portraits.

Detail - above the rose is a mini bear, for my nickname, "Clairebear"
I also have a mini fairy on the neck.

 For mine, I did a pose that sort of describes my flamboyant personality. I was going to try and branch out with photography and sculpting, but mainly stuck with my favorite raw medium: Ink and newspaper. I filled my traced self with inked drawings of mermaids, a crow, a rose, koi fish, jellies, a few butterflies, and song lyrics. Most song lyrics were from the Beatles and one Lady Gaga lyric on my shoulder that describes my attitude perfectly: "Just dance! -- it'll be ok"

Koi fish, lotus flower, mermaid tail, song lyrics, paint splatters, newspaper and the appearance of my old striped stockings from my goth days in High School

I started with old at the bottom, ie: the stocking, mixed media style, and paint splatters. Then I filled up with new, ie: inked "tattoos." If I ever wondered if my inked drawings would look cool as tattoos or not, now I know, they're AWESOME!

The piece is HUGE! It's at least 7-8 feet long. My dad (who is 6 feet or so) had to stand on stairs and hold it up high in order to have me take a picture of it.

Hope you enjoyed!