Edit:  All slots are filled!  Thanks so much to everyone who snagged one  I will be updating this journal as I finish pieces.

I was looking at my gallery and realized I've been doing so much more leatherwork lately than paintings.  I'm just itching to do more painting!  Don't get me wrong, I love leatherwork, but after a while I start getting antsy and want to just paint and paint and paint.  Painting is and always will be my true passion.

What I really want to do are little 4X6 watercolor paintings.  Just small things, nothing huge.  I know I've been getting some requests for commissions, but not everyone can afford them (which I totally understand!).  Hopefully this allows some of you to get a small watercolor painting! :D

Specifications:
I will paint these on a piece of watercolor paper.  The total painted area will be 5X7 inches.  They will have a simple background, such as a wash.  Below are examples of previous mini paintings I've done before:



These will be fully detailed paintings, with a simple background wash or black background (your choice), and are $40 plus shipping ($2 in the U.S., $6 internationally).  Just as reference, my 3X4 inch conbadges are usually $40, so you're getting more painting, at a larger size, for the same price :3

I am opening 10 slots for these, so if you are interested, please leave a comment here or send me a note.  It is first-come first-served, so I will add the names in the order I get them.

Slots:

1: TygerStKuan - Done
2: AresdeSaintclair - Done
3: manojalpa - Done
4: Articuno - Done
5: SandySchreiber - Done
6: datadroid - Done
7: Emberguard
8: ookamiichi08
9: Lady-woods
10: grym

Here's a list of the art shows and conventions I'll be showing in and attending.  All of these I will have a table, and many of them I will have art show space in as well.  I hope to see some of you there!

Anime Boston May 24-26 2013. Artist's Alley Table S44, sharing a table with Hopeful Monster Studios.
Anthrocon: July 4-7, 2013.  Table D12.
Dragon*Con: August 30 - September 3, 2013.
ASRI: Raptor Weekend - September 7-8, 2013.
Illuxcon: September 11-15 2013.  Friday night showcase.
FurFright: October 25-27 2013.
Midwest FurFest: November 22-24 2013.

I've received enough questions about my commission rates, so I've finally gone and actually posted a list of prices! I also finally got off my butt and wrote my terms of service. Read it! It's important

Commission Info: [link]
Terms of Service: [link]

Please keep in mind that these are base prices. More complex pieces will be more expensive. I also work in other media, but I wanted to keep this list basic for now. Feel free to ask if you have any questions on anything!

Holy crap, I woke up this morning and found that I had not only met, but exceeded the goal for paying the Illuxcon registration/space fee!  Thank you all so much!  I'm kind of overwhelmed with the amount of support from everyone, and not just those who bought stuff.  Everyone who spread the word, and even those who wished me luck helped me out  Thanks so much!
____

Maybe a few of you have heard about the Losing Altitude book project.  For those of you who haven't, Losing Altitude is a collaborative art book project that will include over 100 pages of art focusing on endangered birds, from over 40 artists.  Right now it's on Kickstarter, and is only 38% funded with only 9 days to go.  There are a TON of cool things you can get if you pledge to support the book, including a copy of the book itself!

You can find out more information about the project, and see some of the art that will be included here:

DeviantART: [link]
Kickstarter: [link]

I will be one of the artists contributing art to the book.  You can also see a list of all the incredible artists who will be contributing at the DA link above!  This will be an amazing book, and most of all, it will contribute to awareness of a large group of endangered species that are often overlooked - birds.

I understand that funds are tight for a lot of people since Christmas is right around the corner, but if you have even a little to spare, please consider pledging to support this book project.    As you all know, birds are near and dear to my heart, and I'd love to see this book come to completion!  The thing with Kickstarter is, unless the goal is met, the project doesn't take off.  A lot of people have expressed interest in buying the book after, but unless the goal is met, there will be no book!

I also will be offering a leather feather for the $80 pledge level, where you also get a hardcover copy of the book, and your name in the thank-you section!

Horizon Wings Calendar

I nearly forgot to post about another calendar that's available, through Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation and Education.  Every year they create a calendar, featuring beautiful photographs of our raptors - both permanent residence and rehab birds - and the best part is, by getting a calendar, you're helping care for hawks, falcons, owls, vultures, and eagle and even some corvids!


Horizon Wings 2013 Calendar

By clicking the link above and donating $25, they will send you a calendar featuring all the wonderful photos seen on that page.  The quality of the calendars is very good, and I have last year's on my wall right now.  Definitely a great gift for any raptor lover, or an early holiday gift for yourself!  Horizon Wings is a non-profit center, and every penny of donated money goes right into caring for the birds.  So you get a great calendar, and the knowledge that you helped raptors at the same time!


Free Shipping in my Etsy Shop Until December 15

I know this is the season when everyone is losing their mind over the holidays, and shopping online can be a pain because of SHIPPING.  Ugh, it sucks to pay shipping, I know.  Which is why until December 15, I am offering FREE SHIPPING on anything in my Etsy shop.  That's free Priority shipping on masks, free shipping on heavy, framed art, free shipping on tiny things, even free international shipping.  :0  To get your free shipping be sure to enter FREESHIP2012 in the coupon code field before you check out.  Take a look at my shop and see if there's anything you like, or you think a friend or family member would like!  

Windfalcon's Etsy Shop

IIIIIt's that time of year again!  With 2012 winding down and 2013 coming up fast, it's time to start looking for a new calendar!  (unless you believe the world is ending, then you probably won't need a calendar)



My painting, "Tale of the Fire Owl" is the image for July.  Each month features a different animal portraying a different culture.  It's got 12 months of absolutely stunning artwork, which you can take a peek at here: [link]  And in addition, this professional-quality calendar also features a centerfold.  Seriously, so much amazing art in one place :0

Calendars also make awesome holiday gifts!  I have a few calendars on hand for sale, which are $25 each.  Shipping in the U.S. is $3, Canada is $4, and internationally is $9 (due to weight and rigidity).   Note or comment if interested!

Well I have some exciting news   Thanks to everyone who voted, I've been nominated for the RAWards in the Accessories category for my masks!  This means that I will be competing against two other artists to become the Accessories artist representing Hartford, and then I go onto the final round to compete against the other semi-finalists in other cities.  Yipes!

There's going to be a really exciting show in Hartford, showcasing the work of the nominees.  They will also be creating posters for each artist, featuring our information and a photo of our work.  This is where I'm running into a problem - I really don't want to just use one of my regular, plan-background mask photos (like the ones at the very bottom of this journal).  I want to use a photo of a mask being worn - something really awesome that really shows the mask and how great it looks worn!

I have some photos on hand that some of you have sent, and I am immensely thankful!  Unfortunately I never made a specific folder for them, so they're scattered throughout my hard drive and I can't find all of them.  My request is as follows:

Anyone who has a mask of mine and hasn't sent a photo, would you consider taking a picture of it being worn?  I'm not necessarily looking for professional-grade photographs (though if you provided some I would be overjoyed!), but something more than just a plain, frontal shot against a wall.  I'd love to see you get creative with the photo!  However, the only thing I request is that the mask is the main focus (no full-body shots), and that the lighting is good.

Anyone who has a mask of mine and HAS sent a photo in the past, could you resend it, hopefully high resolution?  The photos I was able to find are mostly tiny photos that I can't use for the poster.  These photos don't have to be enormous, since they'll be used for a web poster, but not tiny either.

And I need these photos by this Sunday.  I feel awful for the complete lack of notice, but I just found out today that I need a suitable photo for this poster!

Thank you all so much!

Remember the RAW:Mixology show I was a part of back in July?  Well the awesome didn't end there!  Every year, they have awards called the RAWards.  It starts off with nominations for the best in each geographical area, and then they narrow it down to the best in each category.  Since I do maskwork, I'm in the 'fashion' category, so if you're a fan of my leather masks, please consider voting for me!

[link]

You can vote once a day until October 15th, so if you feel like coming back to the page each day, I wouldn't mind :3  You do have to register, but it's quick and easy and they only require it to keep voting fair.  I don't expect to make it to the finals, but if I did, it would be an amazing boost for my work in terms of exposure and opportunity!  Just check out the prizes for Fashion Designer of the Year - [link] Pretty awesome!

And now, for the 'something cool' I hinted at in the title...

...it's nothing as exciting as an event or anything, but just something new I'm working on.  I'm getting back into archery (I ordered a new bow but it's taking its sweet time getting here :< ), and naturally, I started looking at leather archery gear (arm guards, quivers, etc.) and thought, "wait a minute...I work in leather...I can make cool archery stuff!"

I actually tried my hand at an arm guard last week and I made all sorts of lovely mistakes, but it was a great learning opportunity and now I know what I need to do to make it right.  Maybe I'll post it if there's any interest.  Out of curiosity - how many archers are out there?  Would anyone be interested in custom designed armguards?  With awesome designs like falcons and gryphons and other neat creatures?  Or even for non-archers, just an awesome bracer?  I want to try new designs once I get the hang of using dye instead of acrylic paint :3

I've returned from DragonCon!  Actually, I got back on Wednesday, but had to jump right into preparing for another show a state away!  As you may have seen, I created that peregrine falcon painted feather for Raptor Weekend, which was a really awesome event.  Horizon Wings was there with several of our educational birds, and there were lots of activities, and even a free-flight show by another raptor center.  There were other raptor artists there, and it was great being able to see so much incredible raptor art in one place.  I look forward to going back next year!

As happens each year, I create a ton of art for DragonCon and end up taking home about 90% of it, so as usual I put a lot of it up on Etsy to give it a second chance to get loving homes where they can live their lives on walls, faces or around necks :3  I..uh...also seem to have forgotten to disable my DCFUNDSALE Etsy code for free shipping. <.<  Oh dear, looks like you can still get free shipping until Friday, which is probably when I'll realize I left it up!

Also take a look at these two pendants that I just uploaded.  Solid leather wings!

  

Below you'll see thumbnails of all the new stuff I put on Etsy, including a bunch of masks and some originals, including feather paintings!  Whoa.  

Now that I'm back, it's time to start on my list of commissions, and then a project I hope hope hope will take off!

PLUS.  I've finally gotten off my butt and teetered into the 21st century and fiiiinally created a Facebook page for my art.  

[link]

There it is!  Now you can watch in real time as I post WIPs and notes about art.

Free Shipping:

With Dragon*Con literally around the corner (as in, I'm leaving next week), I'm offering an Etsy sale to try to raise some funds for some last minute expenses.  If you use the code DCFUNDSALE from now until Friday in my Etsy shop, you get free shipping in the U.S.!  Woo!  This is especially a good deal when ordering something bulky like a mask, or multiple items.

Windfalcon's Etsy Shop: [link]

I've put up some new prints, and a couple of new masks, which you can see in the footer of this journal.  Also as a note, I have a TON of leather feathers on hand, but haven't put them up on Etsy, ranging from 3 to 5 inches.  A list of the ones I have on hand are:

Red-Tailed Hawk tail
Red-Tailed Hawk wing
Barn Owl
  Magpie tail
  Phoenix
  Other raptor leather feathers

You can see a shot of all of the ones I have on hand right now here:



If interested, let me know and I'll put it up for you.  Here's a price list of the feathers, based on size - [link]

Bookmarks:

In preparation for DragonCon, I have also put together some bookmarks!  I have a ton of them, so I am putting some of them up here for sale as well.



From left, they are Dance of Seasons, Radiance, Bringer of Dusk, Follow my Dream, Conjure, Protect Me, and Scribe.  I have a bunch of each, so there's plenty to go around.  They are $5 each which INCLUDES shipping :3  These bookmarks are 2.5 X 7 inches and include a tassel.  If interested, let me know via comment or note!

Some pretty exciting news - I was featured in a newspaper article with my masks today in the Hartford Courant (Connecticut's big newspaper) :D  You can also see the article online here: [link]

In the actual printed article, they had two big color photos of two of my masks :D  I felt a little famous today!

Also just a reminder - I still have 7 tickets to sell for the RAW:Mixology show, and I have to sell them by Monday, 7/16 (otherwise I have to buy them myself).  It would be a super big help if anyone wants to 'sponsor' me by buying a ticket, even if you can't go!  They're $10 and you can buy them here: [link] by clicking "buy a ticket for this artist."  I'm also sending a 5X7 inch print to anyone who buys a ticket who can't go, as an extra thank-you!

Here's the link again:

[link]

I'll have actual models wearing my masks, and there will be music and tons of people.  I'm very excited

Oh man, I had SUCH an amazing time at Anthrocon. This is by far the best AC I've ever had. I had an amazing time with friends, met a lot of cool people at my table, and had a very successful time in the dealer's room and art show. I'm so excited that I won an Honorable Mention ribbon for my feather painting, "Old Magic"! Thank you all so much to everyone who stopped by, and to all my friends for such a great time. :3

Also, as is common after conventions, I have a ton of prints left over!  And (this year) leather feathers!  I posted a whole bunch of both on my Etsy Shop: [link] gosh look at all the stuff.  :0  There's some stuff that people have been asking about, like magpie tails and prints of Radiance.  

And I don't even have a chance to relax, because I have to jump right into creating stuff for the RAW: Mixology show next month!  Eek!  I just found out I'll have actual models wearing my masks on a runway show!  If you missed the previous journal entry, you can support me by buying a ticket (even if you can't go!) for $10 here: [link]

Make sure you select "Brenda Lyons" from the dropdown menu to credit me for the ticket.  Otherwise someone else gets credit for my ticket :0  And anyone who buys a ticket will get a 5X7 print from me as a thank-you!

Hey everyone, I was selected again this year as a finalist for the IPrintFromHome paper sampler and calibration kit! You can find my submission here:

[link]

I was excited to see they selected "Radiance" :3  The top eight images that receive the most 'likes' will be used for the paper sampler and calibration kit. There are a ton of gorgeous pieces in there, but if mine is your favorite, please consider 'liking it' :3  You can also vote for more than one piece, so by no means feel you're obligated to vote for just mine!

I believe you have to 'like' the IPFH Facebook page to vote, but they're an awesome company, so it's okay :3  Last year I was selected as as finalist for "Protect Me", but didn't receive enough likes so my piece didn't end up being used for the paper kit   Hopefully this year will be different!

UPDATE:  The show has been moved from June 12th to June 18th!  If you're planning on going, please re-check your calendars!

I have some pretty exciting news! I was contacted by RAW, which is a nation-wide independent art organization.  There's one that just popped up in Hartford, Connecticut, and they do monthly group shows for local artists.  The director for Hartford contacted me to be part of their Mixology show in July. They want me to display my masks and leather feathers, so I'm technically a part of 'fashion' instead of 'art'.

The show is July 18th at the Russian Lady in Hartford. Part of the requirements are to sell 20 tickets for the show by July 9th, at $10 a piece. If anyone in the Hartford area wants to come, I'd love to see you there! You can buy tickets here: [link] by following these steps:

Click "Buy a Ticket for this Artist" at the top
Then click the big, green BUY TICKETS banner at the top of the next page
 In the menu that comes, up, be sure to select Brenda Lyons from the drop-down list.  This is very very important!  If you don't, someone else gets credit for my ticket :0

The only option to pay is with Paypal, but if you want to use a credit card instead, you can pay with a credit card through Paypal without a Paypal account.

Also, if you can't attend but still want to support me, if you buy a ticket, I'll send you a 5X7 random surprise print as a 'thank you'.  If I can't sell 20 tickets, then I have to pay the rest of the amount, so even if you can't attend (which I know most of you are not near Connecticut), I'd love if you could buy a ticket, and of course, get a print in return!.  The amount earned pays for the space, as well as promotional materials, such as a 1 to 2 minute video they'll do of me, as well as fliers!  Very exciting. :3

With the next convention just around the corner, I'm finding I'm a bit short with funds to get everything ready.  This means ordering prints, getting frames, general supplies, etc.  Soooo when this happens I end up digging into my old (and some newer) art and seeing what doesn't have a home yet :3

A lot of this is lower than I'd usually sell it, but it's a bit of an urgent situation, and it's all art I don't see ever getting a home unless I offer it here.

The below art is categorized by price.  Shipping for all work is $3 in the U.S. and $5 international.  If you want to know how large a specific piece is, click on the thumbnail - each piece has its size in the description.  All these pieces will come with sturdy backing and in a clear, acid-free bag.  If interested, leave a comment or note!

$15:


$20:


$35:


$40:


$45:


$50:


And there's information for conbadges below:

__________________________________________

With Anthrocon just a month and a half away, I'm going to open conbadge commissions now so I have enough time to finish them and last-minute art! It seems in previous years I've always forgotten until a couple weeks before, and then it's a scramble to get everyone's badges done in time. :[ But not this year! This year I am prepared!

So here are the details; if you order a badge now, it's only $30, as opposed to $35 at the convention. However, you'll need to pay before the con via Paypal. The reason for this is because I have to be able to buy supplies (prints, frames, etc.) before the convention.  Also, because people have expressed interest, I can ship these, too, for $2 in the U.S. or $3 internationally.

For pre-order badges I am opening 6 slots here on DA. I will also be taking badge commissions at the convention, but if you order one now, it will be all ready for you to pick up the first day of the con! :3 No waiting! And you save money!

Badge Specifics: Each badge is 3 X 4 inches, ink and watercolor on hot-press watercolor paper. For examples of previous badges, see here:


Each badge will come in a clear vinyl badge holder with a clip.

How to Reserve a Slot:
Leave a comment here saying you're interested, and then send me a note with the following information:
*) The name you want on the badge. If you don't want your name written on the badge, just say you want it blank.
*) Orientation: Horizontal (landscape), vertical (portrait) or no preference
*) Bust or full body: Or let me know if no preference
*) Physical description and/or references: If you have any references, please send them to me! Also include any specifics such as "she never smiles" or "his tail is always curly." Also let me know if you have a preference of pose, or if you want me to do whatever I think will look cool!

Pre-order Badge Slots:
1. OPEN
2. OPEN
3. OPEN
4. OPEN
5. OPEN
6. OPEN

And also (since there's been some interest) if anyone wants a custom leather feather to pick up at Anthrocon, let me know! You can find my price list here: [link]

With Anthrocon just a month and a half away, I'm going to open conbadge commissions now so I have enough time to finish them and last-minute art! It seems in previous years I've always forgotten until a couple weeks before, and then it's a scramble to get everyone's badges done in time. :[ But not this year! This year I am prepared!

So here are the details; if you order a badge now, it's only $30, as opposed to $35 at the convention. However, you'll need to pay before the con via Paypal. The reason for this is because I have to be able to buy supplies (prints, frames, etc.) before the convention.  Also, because people have expressed interest, I can ship these, too, for $2 in the U.S. or $3 internationally.

For pre-order badges I am opening 6 slots here on DA. I will also be taking badge commissions at the convention, but if you order one now, it will be all ready for you to pick up the first day of the con! :3 No waiting! And you save money!

Badge Specifics: Each badge is 3 X 4 inches, ink and watercolor on hot-press watercolor paper. For examples of previous badges, see here:


Each badge will come in a clear vinyl badge holder with a clip.

How to Reserve a Slot:
Leave a comment here saying you're interested, and then send me a note with the following information:
*) The name you want on the badge. If you don't want your name written on the badge, just say you want it blank.
*) Orientation: Horizontal (landscape), vertical (portrait) or no preference
*) Bust or full body: Or let me know if no preference
*) Physical description and/or references: If you have any references, please send them to me! Also include any specifics such as "she never smiles" or "his tail is always curly." Also let me know if you have a preference of pose, or if you want me to do whatever I think will look cool!

Pre-order Badge Slots:
1. OPEN
2. OPEN
3. OPEN
4. OPEN
5. OPEN
6. OPEN

And also (since there's been some interest) if anyone wants a custom leather feather to pick up at Anthrocon, let me know! You can find my price list here: [link]

Well, I didn't expect quite a huge (and positive!) reaction to my leather feathers, but since I've been getting a lot of requests for commissions and pricing, I figured I would put a journal here with details.

SIZES AND PROPORTIONS:

So far I've made these in two sizes - 4 1/2 inches and 7 inches. You can see examples of these feathers to scale here:

4 1/2-inch feather: [link]
7-inch feather: [link]

I've also made a wide range of feathers, ranging from 2.5" to 7". You can see examples of some of these feathers here:

[link]

2.5 to 4 1/2 inch feathers are better suited for pendants, unless you want a huge feather around your neck. I know some people love big pendants! These also aren't JUST meant to be pendants - they're designed for anything - hair decorations, hanging from bags, from walls, inside cars, or if you have a fursuit, the 7-inch might be more proportional as a necklace.

These are also fairly thick leather. They are 7-oz leather, meaning they're approximately 5mm thick. Very small feathers, as those 3.5 inches and smaller, will be made with 4-oz leather.  They're not paper-thin like you'd expect a feather to be, but are nice and sturdy.

PRICING:
2.5 inches: $12
3 to 4 inches: $15
4.5 to 5.5 inches: $20
6 to 7 inches: $25
Contact me for pricing on larger feathers.

Shipping within the U.S. is $2, and international shipping is $3 for feathers smaller than 4 inches, and $5 for larger feathers or multiple feathers. Even though these are fairly small, they're rigid, so I can't just stick them in a regular envelope, and the USPS treats them as parcels. I'll send them in a protective bubble envelope with a sturdy board insert to make sure they don't get bent.

When you pay, please make sure you include your DeviantArt name and what you ordered in the 'details' field.  For example, "Hey this is OspreyDog145, and this is payment for the Osprey feather."  Also please make sure your Paypal address is accurate.  There's nothing I hate more than having to figure out who I got a payment from and possibly sending something out to the wrong person because you didn't provide me with a name and address! ;D  I don't magically know that OspreyDog145 is John Doe, so please make sure that info is included!

SPECIFICATIONS:

I can paint ANY feather from ANY bird, real or imaginary! That means if you want a Magpie tail feather, or a feather of your gryphon character, I can do either one! Your feather also includes a wrapping of your choice (wire or waxed leather), and a bead or beads. I have a variety of beads, from wood to metal to stone. I don't use plastic beads because I think they look a bit tacky!

The feathers also include a 30-inch length of brown suede lace (as seen in the pictures I posted on FA). If you want the length shorter or longer, just let me know.

_____

Also a reminder that I still have a ton of RARE 2012 Calendars!  Seeing as how it's already March, I'm dropping the price and offering them for $20 - this price INCLUDES shipping, so no extra charge for shipping.




If interested, send me a note or comment here!

Just a heads up - over the next few days, I will be posting some paintings that I worked on for a portfolio for an illustration internship.   I figured I'd space out the uploads instead of flooding them all at once.  I have five paintings I'll be posting.

Also a reminder that I still have a ton of RARE 2012 Calendars!  Seeing as how it's already March, I'm dropping the price and offering them for $20 - this price INCLUDES shipping, so no extra charge for shipping.




If interested, send me a note or comment here!

Hey, I just realized I forgot to put a journal up about this!

I have a bunch of 2012 RARE Anthro Calendars!  If you didn't get one pre-ordered, you can order one from me.  Check out the link below to see each month's artwork (plus a gorgeous centerfold!)