Hello everyone. My name is Beth Zyglowicz, and I am a professional artist and illustrator based in Indianapolis. Right now I make my living primarily by working on commissions, usually for children's book or game art. I love what I do, but the one downside is that it means I often do not have a lot of time to devote to creating more personal work, especially work done in traditional media.

This project will provide the funds that will allow me to devote time to creating a series of three paintings. "Dreams of Autumn" will be a set of three mixed-media paintings depicting the many facets of autumn, each based on a particular song or poem. I have been wanting to work on these paintings for over a year now and can never find the time between commissions. The funds from this campaign will cover my expenses and allow me to set aside uninterrupted studio time so I can create these paintings.

The inspiration for this series started with a previous painting of mine, "Autumn Chill," (seen above) which I completed in the fall of 2013. Autumn has always been my favorite season, and one that I find personally inspiring, as it features so many different facets-- bouncing back and forth between brightly colored leaves and cold, grey, rainy days. Since then, I have been wanting to further explore these concepts, but have been unable to set aside enough time from commissioned work to create the paintings I want to create. This project will provide enough funds to allow me to dedicate my time to personal work for once, and really allow my creativity to blossom.

In addition, 30% of all funds raised will go to Humanity Project's "Art Matters" charity fund to support local charities. The charity for August is "Art with a Heart", an Indianapolis-based group that works to provide art classes for underserved communities. By supporting me, you also support the growth of arts in my community.

Because of the way Humanity Project works, the project will go ahead even if we don't reach 100% funding. Think of the campaign like a preorder. Your money will still help me create new art and fund charity, even if we fall a bit short of our goal.

The initial series will consist of three paintings, as follows:

"Copper in Your Hair" inspired by "Merry Autumn" by Paul Laurence Dunbar

The earth is just so full of fun

It really can't contain it;

And streams of mirth so freely run

The heavens seem to rain it.

Don't talk to me of solemn days

In autumn's time of splendor,

Because the sun shows fewer rays,

And these grow slant and slender.

Why, it's the climax of the year,—

The highest time of living!—

Till naturally its bursting cheer

Just melts into thanksgiving."

#2 - "Your Roots Remain"

inspired by the poem of the same name by brienna-lynn:

"The soul needs autumn. Let what’s dead fall. Let the wind sweep it up and blow it away. Your colors are changing; it’s so beautiful. Don’t be sad it was a part of you and now is gone. Some things have to die. It’s their season. You can’t hold on. This is your season to let it all fall. Shed what’s dead. Be free, stand tall. There will be a time to bloom again."

#3 - "Fires at Midnight" inspired by the song of the same title by Blackmore's Night:

"On the hills the fires burned at midnight,

Superstition plagued the air,

Sparks fly as the fires burn at midnight,

Stars are out and magic is here,

The stars are out and magic is here..."

The costs for this project are broken down into four main areas: artist salary, supplies, printing costs, and shipping for rewards. You can see the share of each in the diagram below.

It is always possible that there will be delays in ordering and shipping prints, especially as the end of the year approaches and we move into the holiday season, when shipping is often delayed. I will do my best to complete all paintings by the end of October, so that the end of the year can be spent focusing on ordering prints and shipping rewards. I don't anticipate any problems in getting the prints made, as I have been working with the same company for several years and they are very reliable. However, I will keep all backers informed should any unexpected delays occur.

This project will only be possible because of you. In exchange for helping me achieve my goal, I've set up a number of reward tiers so you can bring a bit of art into your home regardless of your budget.

Most of my rewards are print packages, where you can enjoy the paintings created by this project by hanging prints of them in your own home. Alternatively, you have the option to purchase prints of my existing paintings at significantly reduced prices. The prints available for the "any of my existing prints" reward tiers are shown below. (numbered for easy reference).

You can also view them in more detail at my Etsy store:Space Turtle Studios on Etsy

My initial plan for this project is to create three paintings, but with additional support I can expand the series even further!

$3,425 - Project Fully Funded! Autumn Dreams will become a reality!

$3,800 - I will create a fall-themed 4x6" project-exclusive mini print to include with all reward tiers.

$4,200 - Fourth Painting! I will expand the series to four complete paintings with a piece called "Private Reveries" inspired by Suzanne Vega's song "Anniversary"!

"Fall and all attendant memories

Crowd the day with unrelated histories

Each year leaves its unresolving fantasies

To hang around each corner

Hang around each street.

Thick with ghosts, the wind whips round in circuitries

Carrying words as strangers exchange pleasantries

Do they intrude upon your private reveries

As they meet you on each corner

Meet you on each street."

$4,500 - I will create a fall-themed magnet design to be included with all reward tiers $25 and over.

$5,000 - Fifth painting! I will expand the series to five paintings, with a piece called "Wild Geese" inspired by the poem of the same name by Mary Oliver:

“[...]Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting --

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.”

Thank you in advance for your generous support!

-Beth Zyglowicz



