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Amanda Lee Harig

@brassycrass.bsky.social

180 followers 150 following 390 posts

I love all forms of creative art: visual, lyrical, rhetorical and child-rearing. I happen to be better at some versus others. No labels. A trifle-mite opinionated, still, a tad off-center. https://www.featofclayaztec.com/amanda-harig-biography

www.featofclayaztec.com

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Nov 22

Survival Tactics
#illustration #traditionalart

This study made for a great idle project for me while the kid was sick and the cold settled in our region. I did 95% in watercolor, guided by ink, touched up by colored pencil. I will be working on wetlands first for further exploration.

A baby black caiman sunning itself on a stump on the edge of a wetland. Using under-washes for unified color, the fuzziness did not translate well after a couple of layers.

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 18

I remember the discussions of censorship in the 90s when Tipper Gore was at the helm of the "explicit content" (Tipper) Sticker on music.

That was the argument: if we allow censorship now, the authoritarians will use it in the future.

That's all I've seen: more & more topics beyond discussion.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 11

Autonomy. Hard-won and still a work-in-progress, but I'm lucky to have struck into a niche.

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 8

"Frida"
Acrylic - 16"x20"
#traditionalart #portraitart #canvas

One of the biggest changes in process for me was the ability to "rinse & repeat" a composition for additional versions. I do burn-out, but as the work unfurls, mistakes become evident & another pass is desirable.

WIPs shared below.

Early values established help refine shape. I chose raw umber, titanium white and later: dioxazine purple for a palette.

This is where I went awry on values, but established the background as the deepest value set.

More nudging of her facial planes, rounding of cranial sphere, emphasizing the "roundness" of a middle-aged woman's body.

Where I left off with purple+umber, focusing on shadows, making values cohesive.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 7

It's a matter of not becoming a slave to our own egos, that's all. Small offerings are sustaining.

Welcome to BlueSky! Human interactions like these will keep this platform going.

I have to know, what part of the world are you from?

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 5

Shameless plug, but you mentioned "Ego" -- mine has a Caligulan appetite and the work ethic of a trust fund baby -- more folk should be aware of its fragility.

I chose Narcissisus' allegory to keep it in check.

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 5

And I'm happy to hear it.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 5

"Punish with Dominance" may just become a new mantra. Lol. Thank you, good sir!

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 5

"Colorado Sunflower"
#traditionalmedium #watercolor #framedart

Watrous holidays are always replenishing. This Labor Day, however, I needed to clear some space at Feat of Clay & took a series of prints/small originals to share.

The buyer sent me a photo of this one's new home -- beside Legos.

🥰

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 5

Cheers! Definitely a value study. Thanks for encouragement.

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Sep 4

"Frida"
Pencil + Ink WIP
#traditionalmedium #illustration #portrait

As a teen, portraits were all I cared to do. I got stuck. In the last six years, I've worked on anatomy, muscled the planes of the face, argued with old habits by line-heavy drawing.

Always a work-in-progress. People are hard.

Sepia ink over promising pencil lines. Frida Khalo was quite the character -- hoping to capture her likeness here.

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 19

"Be Blessed with Longevity"
#floral #illustration #traditionalart

I've been meaning to draw Chrysanthemums for a while now due to their significance in TCM. My original material revealed itself as AI-sourced: the composition fooled me.

Layers of ink, paint & pencil: viola! Nature worship.

Initial ink layers on three blooms of Chrysanthemum morifolium.

Stages of layers: bottom includes colored pencil, middle has ink and paint, top bloom in ink only.

Rounding the corner: layers of pencil atop of ink with Chinese White watercolor for emphasis.

Glamour shot of the finished "foiling" (gold paint) that grounded the whole composition.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 10

Exquisitely drawn. Truly! I do hope you try to push the contrast a bit more for the sake of "the eye" getting lost.

My favorite detail: the barbed wire making up the edges of the American Flag. Well done!

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 10

Years from now, when a more genteel society looks back to the failing American Empire, they will hail Mr. Fish (AND Chris Hedges!) as those that tried to derail complacency.

Thanks for sharing his work on Blue Sky.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 8

THIS is how you employ contrast. Well done!

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 6

If you'd like some spice: zucchini+onion+pepper, sauté to your desired "doneness." Garlic, coriander, cumin are my flavors. Add whatever kind of paprika you'd prefer to the tomato sauce. Stew.

Rice? Potato? On its own?

Enjoy.

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 5

Codonopsis?

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 4

For so long, this open-air prison was plainly discussed as a "necessary" measure because of terrorism and justified by the atrocities in the 1940s.

I am glad that the rage has spread.

I'm afraid it's too late for these people and too late for the state of Israel. At least the line was found.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Aug 4

createmindfully.com/stuffed-summ...

There are endless variations. I wouldn't recommend it without cheese, but polenta can be prepped as a breakfast item and then added to the boats.

Good luck, gardener!

Stuffed Summer Squash Boats

These vegan gluten free Stuffed Summer Squash Boats are made with polenta, black beans and tomato sauce. They make a great side or main course.

createmindfully.com

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Jul 28

I remember how boring landscapes were to me as a young artist. We'd go through the county fair & unless there was a pony involved -- I couldn't have cared less. As an adult, it's the challenge.

YOU! You are incredible for tackling this. Congrats, kiddo. Not many your age are doing landscapes.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Jul 28

I'm very impressed with her use of texture! What an #uplift -ing share!

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Jul 28

Just keep sharing. Gnome houses are freeing in a lot of ways. Good to see plain ol' graphite! Still one of the world's best mediums.

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Jul 28

Unless you're in a low humidity region -- you should hear us (watercolorists) in NM regarding our "tape problem." The curling has been unreal since 2020.

😭

Blick's PH Neutral has the best record, but can be too tacky for long-term taping.

/rant

Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Jul 28

WELCOME to BlueSky! It's a little weird, definitely silo'd, but I've found a number of outstanding artists here that quietly promote their work. Feedback is golden.

Loved the strong values in your study and I sincerely hope that you share more.

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Jul 28

I'm a firm believer that stippling is a super power! Beautiful snapshot and I love how you've exemplified tenacity. Well done!

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Amanda Lee Harig @brassycrass.bsky.social · Jul 28

This shot encapsulates my memory of Arcata festivals when I was a kid. With that jacket and your quality of art, I bet you were a hit. So glad Northern California is receiving you well!

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