Building A Mystery - 16x20" Paint and Paper

Secret Numbers - 16x20" Paint, Papers and Stitching

 

 Spring - 8x10" Papers and Stitching

 

Emerge - 9x12" Papers and Stitching

 

Wonder if anyone sees or reads this blog any longer. It's been quite awhile since my last posting due to computer issues and just plain human operational error! Blog neglect aside, I have been busy creating art. In the past months, inspired by the Target Practice collages (see previous post) I've been exploring the world of paint, papers and glue. Above are some samplings. I plan on continuing with these and have a thought of creating a series inspired by my love of quilts....we shall see...one never knows what will or will not take shape.

Working on a Collage

Hmmmmm.....I took the gelatin printed on tracing paper collage from the other week and added some layers of paint and transparencies......hmmmmmm. It measures about 13" x 13".

Time Traveler

Time present and time past

Are both perhaps present in time future,

And time future contained in time past.

If all time is eternally present

All time is unredeemable.

What might have been is an abstraction

Remaining a perpetual possibility

Only in a world of speculation.

What might have been and what has been

Point to one end, which is always present.

Footfalls echo in the memory

Down the passage which we did not take

Towards the door we never opened

Into the rose-garden.

~ T.S. Eliot

Nuno felt made from hand-dyed silk, wool roving & cheescloth - burnt. Artist created paper. Painted acorn shell. Hand stitching. Vintage wooden sticks. Mounted on a painted canvas. 8x10"

Red Eggs Nested in Ruins

My friend Melanie tells me I should post the sizes of my paintings. She said this after seeing one painting in person and saying "who knew it was this large?" Coming in at only artist trading card size (2.5" x 3.5") if seeing this painting in real life one would have to say "who knew it was this small?"

Contributing

I received official word this week that an image of one of my assemblages plus a bit of commentary I wrote will be included in Seth Apter's book, The Pulse of Mixed Media. The book - a real book - is due out March 2. Seth seems to be a popular guy in the mixed media world - besides creating some cool and interesting mixed media art pieces he is a mixed media promoter extra-ordinaire.

Now...some of you might be thinking 'wow, she must have a certain amount of prestige in the alternative art world to get published'. NOT SO. I have found that getting your art published in magazines and books involves chutzpah more than Master Artist status. If the idea of being published is enticing to you - make art and then go out an promote it. Promote it by proposing an article you can write for a magazine on a subject or technique, promote it by connecting with other art world people via the internet and live shows, promote it by honestly talking with other people about their art and sharing your thoughts and experiences and, finally, promote it by being what makes you an artist in the first place - by using your creativity.

I live in the Hudson Valley of NY. Hurricane Irene is breathing down our necks this weekend. Should prove interesting.

Construct or De-construct

Night photos being The Worst aside....this is the finished sculpture that was glazed and then fired over the weekend. If you click on the photo it will get larger and you can see some of the detail. Have I told you I love glaze? And the carbon that is created and fired into pieces when you place them at the top of the kiln? I do believe I will be making more clay assemblages....have an idea for one with a bottle....oh my...the brain is on over load!

A small portable Secret (5" x 2.5") to keep close throughout the day.

Portals

So many roads, so many possibilities...sometimes the issue with choices is the unknown. What about this, what about that? The trick is to be able to make a rational decision based in reality...and the realities in any given situation can be diverse and complex. Crystal balls not withstanding, it's often difficult to know which door to choose....door #1, door #2 or door #3? The consequences can be a bit higher than those of a game show.

Another Visit

Back in the day I used to sell art work on Ebay. It was mucho fun and I made many friends in the Ebay group chat rooms (some of whom I have met in real life and remain friendly with to this day). Every month a NibbleFest Art Contest was held. Artists would post auction pieces for a week and - get this - the starting bid was only 99 cents. This was a contest where the winner could certainly be the buyer! Anyhow, this contest is still running and the next one begins on 7/20. I plan to put this mixed media collage ACEO (look it up if you don't know what these darlings of the Ebay world are) up for auction. If you're interested in seeing what NibbleFest art work is up for auction (some of which will be good) go to Ebay later in the day on 7/20 and type in NFAC in the search bar. Also, keep checking back daily for additions because - remember - these are artists posting the auctions....we aren't always the best at organizing ourselves to meet deadlines so listings will continue to be posted throughout the week.

Homage and Continuum

Yesterday we went to an auction. A couple was moving to another country and needed to sell the contents of their home so I didn't feel as weird as I do when attending an estate auction. (Isn't it a bit unsettling to be purchasing the remnants of someone's life? I always have this feeling I am violating the person and try to pay reverence to that person even while winning something at a good price.) Anyhow, we bought 3 antique clocks at very reasonable prices...actually a bit too reasonable...but we will love and enjoy these clocks as much as their many previous owners have.

Pictured is an assemblage made from an altered antique box, antique nails, wooden gate image, brass found object, cobalt bottle, old wire and vintage watch part.

It's funky, it's fun and it's interesting - in person - it makes you look and look. Renaissance of Wonder. Made from a vintage cigar mold, secret potions in test tubes, paper images, Grolsch beer caps (yep, enjoying the contents of one now), antique wooden dowel and compass sphere. It looks very cool hanging on a wall. Maybe I'll bring it to my day job and put it in my office. Most everyone there doesn't understand me as it is....good to keep the mystery going.

Intensity

This one took me 6 friggin' hours to get to a point where I could even stand it! Ugh, why do we artist type of people do this to ourselves? I think I'm going to do a nice simple pastel painting next. These abstracts are sucking the life out of me.

Meanwhile....as I was in abstract hell....my friend Melanie was across the work table from me quietly going about the business of creating some great layered collage papers. I think she let out a couple of suppressed giggles while listening to my lunatic rants about the abstract I was creating.

I believe that abstract art is one of the purest art forms. When an artist creates intuitively - from their gut - they are channeling an essence of themselves into the piece. If a viewer is then drawn to the piece I believe they have connected to that essence of the artist on a deep, inner level. Canvas, modeling paste, tissue paper, cheesecloth, organza, other fibers and lots of paint went into this one. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one. If you like it what pulls you? If you don't care for it what bothers you? Hope you all had a great weekend. Mine has been more than fine.

Window of Opportunity

I am toying with the idea of taking a week long class this spring with the incredible mixed media abstract artist Mary Todd Beam. It will mean dropping more than a few bucks but I do like her work and wonder if I could suck up some of her knowledge, tips and tricks while pushing my artistic envelope. Steve is more than supportive of my doing this....so what is my hesitation? Anyone out there care to share their thoughts and experience in regards to taking an intensive class for days on end? Was it worth it?

Super Moon

So far today I've been able to spend mucho time painting (yea). This abstract was inspired by the anticipation of tonight's perigee moon. Steve and I are planning to spend a quiet evening at home sitting on the front porch (perhaps sipping an adult beverage) and watching the incredible sky show tonight.

And tomorrow? Maybe - I hope - it's going to work out that I'll go see this show. Can you say inspiration extra-ordinaire?

In the Thick of It

Right now I'm coping with quite a bit of stress and turmoil that can be directly attributed to my day job. It is not fun and, after 5 years, I believe it's finally dawned on me that life there is not going to change no matter how idealistic and optimistic I choose to be. Soooo...while I'm figuring out what my next steps may or may not be...I began work on a very personal assemblage. While this is not finished, the guts have been decided. Was nice to spend a bit of time doing what it is I love to do.

Can you read the title of the vintage little leather book?

I-N-F-E-R-N-O.

Un-Earthed

Last week I was asked to participate in a painting demonstration during a gallery reception. I started this that night. This morning I woke up with images flying through my head (kind of like sugarplums dancing but a bit less merry) so I grabbed a cup of coffee, squeezed out some paint and began layering. This might be done...or not...but for now it's going to stay on the easel so it can be contemplated and considered.

Fine Tuned and Secured

Fini....someone I know is suggesting I make lots and lots of these...a collection...not sure what will happen once there is a collection but the joy just might be in the journey.

Second Secret

Today a gallery in Warwick, NY was so incredibly validating of my assemblage pieces that it brought tears to my eyes. They WANT as many pieces as I can produce. They couldn't say enough about this art work...even The Husband Person (who lives with my flighty creative self so all this art stuff doesn't impress him all that much) was taken with how thrilled the gallery owners were about the pieces I brought in for show and tell.

Pictured above is "The Second Secret". It will be on display at the Collage Gallery in Warwick, NY in the near future. Oh...and...by the way....The Husband Person named this body of work I'm doing - "Reclamations". Perfect.

It feels like Christmas already!

The Newest Passion

Last night my totally awesome husband walked in the house with a gift for me....a new, top o' the line Dremel tool kit and work station. My very own power tool! What more can a girl want? Assemblage creation heaven, here I come!
This piece is a WIP (work in progress). The box is prepared but nothing else is secured or hooked together so changes could still happen!
Does anyone out there have a favorite assemblage artist? I'd love to hear whose work you find interesting.