The Collages Keep Coming!

ThE SeRiEs ContiNUes! 

A collage is a way of organizing often disparate items into one harmonious artwork.

It's interesting to think about 

 ways we can do the same thing 

with all of the varying components of our lives!

6"x6" Collage Series Continues!

Here's the next piece in my 6"x6" collage series.

Perhaps love is in the air!

Wishing everyone the happiest of new years.

 May it be a very special one in which we realize our dreams 

And reach for the stars to create new ones!  

Guerilla Art Project in New York City

     I recently read about this great Guerilla Art Event that will be taking place in New York City by Jenn Mason from Cloth Paper Scissors. See here for the details.

  Jenn says, "Now is your chance to be part of something bigger. We're having a guerilla freeART show in New York City and we need your art!" 

Today, she will be hosting the sidewalk freeART show. Anyone passing by will receive a piece of freeART. As a result, Jenn was looking for collage artists to participate by sending in 6" x 6" collages.


 Here is my collage submission. 

Items in the collage include postage stamps, a painted hummingbird, printed art words, gold leafing, sections of script letters, butterfly cut outs, rubber stamp lettering and stamp cancellation marks. 
You can follow the activities on  Facebook.com/clothpaperscissorsmag  or find her on twitter:

@CPSmagazine #freeART

Making the collage was so much fun that I decided to create a new series of  these 6"x 6" collages. Here is the first one.

 Stay tuned for more of my new series!

SEASONS CHANGE- In Pasticcio Quartz 13!

I'm thrilled and honored to have one of my artworks featured in this month's season edition of 

Pasticcio Quartz 

Issue 13 :

It's the fabulous Art Zine by the amazing and talented artists 

 Sarah Fishburn and Angela Cartwright! 

As described in its introduction- "PASTICCIO is a pioneer in the next wave of a dynamic arts publication arena; it's much more than a zine, it has evolved into a QUARTZ: a Quality Art Zine. A veritable treasure trove in an 8.5"x8.5" package of over 70 full color pages of Art and Life..."  It showcases new art from dozens of established and emerging artists, has book and product reviews, advice, stories, interviews, food and movie tips, thoughts, projects and products to try, recipes, word play, vision boards and so much more.

Below is my published artwork titled 

Seasons Change One to Another. 

  

 Substrate: 6" x 8.5" cut book board 

 Ingredients: Layers and layers of gesso, acrylic paint, sharpie marker, tissue paper, a postage stamp, colored musical notes and a piece of wall paper.

When my artwork was almost complete, I received a card from my dad with this picture. 

I was dumbstruck by how it was almost a clone to the mountains, color palette and visual effects I had just painted --and knew it had to be included  (in addition to the word "love"  written by my dad in the card)

   After much research - I identified the piece

 ( seen above) as a  scene from a poster titled Hyeres by artist Julien Lacaze (1886-1971).  

Below are close up shots  of my artwork showcasing the layers of mountains and 3D effect created on the book board.

With very special thanks to Sarah and Angela. 

I'm so blessed and grateful to all who follow my blog and continue to leave such supportive comments providing unending inspiration and encouragement.  

And to everyone who visits without leaving a comment, 

I'm very thankful that you take the time to view my posts.  

Wishing everyone the Happiest of Holidays  

Filled with unending creative spirit and

    Good health. 

May you feel the affection of cherished family and friends,
Know that you are appreciated 
And that You put a smile on some one's face  
Each and every day.
And for that, you've created a special kind of poetic music -  
An unparalleled harmony in some one's life.

  

Altered Bits' Tallest Handmade Book In The World Collaboration!

 Famed Alicia Caudle, from Altered Bits  has created "The Tallest Handmade Book in the World"  project which I'm so excited to participate in.

Anyone wanting to join just lets Alicia know and creates a

 6" x 4" folded artwork that Alicia can bind with a needle and thread on the fold.  Then send it to her in the mail. Full instructions are on the project link above. Once the book is complete, Alicia will have it exhibited and will  auction it off with the proceeds sent to a  non-profit charity to create "art for a cause". 

Below is my submission. My cover page was based on a scene I made for the talented Roxanne Evan Stout from River Garden Studio 's  InnerWorks altered book.  It occurred to me that the theme Earth Tones has ART at its

 core. With this in mind- I wanted my work to connect to the world around us. Layers of cloth materials and acrylic paint were used and then sandpapered to attain an earthy texture. See if you can see part of a postage Love stamp that I also attached.

The left side of the inner page was made from layers of cloth material, piece of a design imprinted paper towel, part of a postage stamp, acrylic paint, gold leafing, an attached faux leaf  and script nature writings of my own in the background.

 The right side of the inner page was created using a section from a small gift book I have with the words:

 "The best things in life are not things" ...

 One of my favorite sentiments. Gold leafing, acrylic paint, rubber stamping and a black sharpie were used.

Using acrylic paint, I created the theme of a country nature scene on the back side. It contains a postage stamp and a cut out vintage picture of a woman on a bicycle from one of my desk file folders. A tiny section of a musical score was attached as part of the ground to provide additional texture.

Thank you Alicia for all the inspiration you provide to everyone around you! I'm so grateful to be part of this project and appreciate the generosity you have in that huge heart of yours.  I hope everyone reading this post tells all of your friends and family about this project. Anyone can participate- no matter how artistic you think you are!  

 Who knows, you may just be part of:  

The Tallest Handmade Book in the World!"

Be True to Your Art and Your Heart!

We are all pioneers of our own art and lives. Each day, we solve  challenges.  We also have the ability to create new opportunities for ourselves and hopefully those around us. We look forward to the succession of activities that provide us with comfort and joy. If we are fortunate, we can weave art and passion into our life's narrative. If we are lucky, we can capture unique moments in time- scenes that surprise us... little things like the perfect cup of coffee on a crisp autumn morning.

,

 "... Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to following your heart and intuition."-- From Steve Jobs 2005 Commencement Address at Stanford University.   

Art, Artists, and City Street Textures!

This past weekend, I went to the Affordable Art Fair in New York City, featuring local and international exhibitors showcasing original and contemporary art from $100 to $10,000. I was lucky enough to meet up with Corina Alvarezdelugo, an artist I met through LaWendula's  infamous art swaps.

 Here's Corina beside some of her beautifully textured encaustic artwork.

I was enthralled with the work of  Juan Manuel Pajares- a member of Art for Progress  who is a master at combining the elements of advertising, politics and street life. Here is some of his work.

When I look at his work,

 I feel such a connection to the textures and backgrounds on the streets of  New York City as seen by some of my photos below...

His work also reminded me of some of my own artwork!

Perhaps that's why I liked it so much-  drawn to it- making a connection.  We all have attractions to art, words, sounds, people and our environment- a kaleidoscope of stimulus that we react to and with.    What creates your inspiration?  What inspires you to create?

  

The Altered Page's Stacks Collaboration!

Seth Apter from The Altered Page is at it again.  He is hosting Paper Stacks, an on line collaboration of all kinds of stacks-  whether they are papers, books, journals, or anything of our liking.  Here are my stacks for the day:

  Books- Books- and...more Books!   

Hop on over to Seth's blog to see all of the imaginative posts on stacks today!

I think no matter what's around you, whether they are books, papers, plates. or even projects to do- if they are colorful and are stacked- they have a mesmerizing look and feel about them!

Transformation Thursdays!

 In all its glory, depending on the species, the beautiful butterfly goes through the most amazing life cycle transformations. It starts with 2 butterflies mating, producing an egg, and then larva is hatched 

(also known as a caterpillar). 

They  then grow into a chrysalis when the magic really begins and a total metamorphosis occurs....

And as you can see in the picture below-- a butterfly emerges.  Within three to four hours, the butterfly will then master the act of flying in search of a mate to reproduce... 

And the cycle goes on.

There are so many varieties of butterflies- each consisting of a feast of vivid colors, different shapes, and wings covered with all sorts of patterned designs. 

 There are all kinds of transformations in nature- including the magic of flowers emerging from tightly closed buds.

 Exquisite in every way imaginable.

Compare these transformations to that of artwork- 

With the incredible transformation of supplies 

To Art  
In a world of unlimited ideas, mediums and novel techniques. 

And if you reflect,
The treasured part of our artistic creations
Is that they have a very special life cycle-
For it's the one we choose to give them!

New York City Street Art At Its Best!

There are all kinds of transformations.

 Here's some amazing street art in NYC- transformations of building walls to works of art in so many colors, designs and locations. They seems to greet you whereever you go!

Can you find the two real windows below?

 Enjoy your own TRrAnsFOrmATions today-

Whether they are ones you notice around you,

  Within your own artwork,

WithIN your life,

 OR Perhaps. . .
Changes in the perception of what yoU sEE!