Do you ever wonder why you are drawn to certain objects?
How is it that an ordinary object can have extraordinary appeal?
a forgotten tea cup...
an orphaned saucer...
an ink splattered book...
Most people would not give
such items a second look...
why is it that they call my name?
Sometimes I can't help myself...yesterday walking the dog, I just had to pick up the rusty washer on the street...
as valuable to me as if I had spied a diamond in the road...
Sometimes I have to be sneaky...this old red pencil...the extra fat kind that children use in elementary school...worn almost to a nub...with perfect peeling red paint...it was sitting on a counter at work...can't believe that someone was actually using it...most likely dropped by a child in the store...yes, it's mine now...
My rationalization...if I left it behind, someone would most likely throw it in the garbage, mistaking this treasure for trash...I rescued it for a better life...
Paired with my favorite french postcard, they are a divine match...
And yes...that postcard...languishing in a pile of paper...
just waiting for me to come along and take it home...
its caption, "wishes of happiness" expressing my delight...
and providing more than its share of artistic inspiration...
Joining the group over at kim klassen's Texture Tuesday...my first four photos edited with kk texture carmel...
my last photo edited with several elements from French Kiss...
Stuck on an idea for a holiday gift Looking for something unique and inspirational?
I have the answer - give art!
I have three suggestions here for you - check them out...
#1 - Inspirational Quotes Illustrated by Lesley Riley is a wonderful compilation of quotes
paired with a piece of art created by over 100 artists...
one of which happens to be me...I can now share my page since the book has hit the stands...
Each page is perforated so that you can remove the pages and post them wherever you need a shot of inspiration...
You can order the book from North Light Shop or on Amazon.
and if you want a little inspiration on your computer screen...my image (along with three other artist's creations from the book) is available as a downloadable wallpaper...a little bonus gift from the publisher... click here for the link...
#2 - 5 x 5 Series curated by Seth Apter is an exhibit that grew out of his book, The Pulse of Mixed Media. Artists could submit an artistic interpretation of three different questions related to creating art and finding inspiration. All of those submissions are now on display at The Empty Spaces Project, a gallery in Putnam, CT...
if you are in the area, I urge you to stop by. Click here for the link that describes the exhibit...
But if you are not nearby, you can still enjoy the gallery show...and own a piece (or give as a gift) yourself. All of the compositions are for sale...and all at a reasonable price...especially considering that it is original art...from some of the best known names in mixed-media collage work...You can view the entire collection and make your purchases on Seth Apter's site - click here
And yes, I have two pieces in this show...
such an honor...
#3 - Mounted Petite Prints
I have a few of my Mounted Petite Prints available in my etsy shop. These digital prints, mounted on painted salvaged wood and finished with a wax coating, are ready to hang...and ready to give as a gift...or keep for yourself...click here for the details...
Hope that gives you a few ideas for gift giving...now I just need to finish up a few projects myself and then its on to gift wrapping...one of my favorite parts of the holiday...I'll have some ideas to share about that next week...
from gift tags made from my leftover studio sale postcards...
tied up with a bit of green garden twine...
to a christmas stocking sewn up from a worn out wool sweater...
to an ornament crafted from a wooden curtain ring...
just a few of the creations you'll find in my booth at the Phinney Winter Festival...
hope to see you there...
This coming weekend, December 6 & 7, is the annual Phinney Winter Festival...one of the largest holiday art festivals in the Seattle area...I'll be participating once again...I believe this is my 12th year!
Its one of my favorite shows...diversity of artisans, jam-packed schedule of local musicians, homemade bake sale, community spirit, joyous laughter, infectious smiles...I'll be in my usual location - Blue Building, Second Floor, Room 6...stop by and say hi...and maybe finish up all of your gift shopping...for others...and for you...
Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to be the Artist in Residence for two days at a local elementary school.
I had been recommended by the first grade teacher as an artist that could help with the theme of
art \ recycling \ passion \ giving back to the community...sounded like a perfect fit to me!
We met in October and hammered out a plan...the students would learn the basics of design and collage while working on wood panels that would be made into permanent donation boxes for the local food bank...I would cover the design and collage lessons...a rep from the food bank would cover why food banks are needed, how important they are to the community and how everyone can help.
I had three different sessions with grades paired up - 2nd graders with 5 graders, 3rd and 4th graders together and finally 1st graders paired with their 6th grade buddies. After explaining about my art, my use of recycled materials and the steps we would take in completing the project, work began...
Organized in groups of 6, there was first a little brainstorming on what each student was thankful for...
since all 6 students had to work together on one panel, a lesson in consensus was also needed...
Once they had their ideas, they collected images and words from newspapers and magazines...and then began gluing onto the boards...using diluted Mod Podge which would seal the wood surface and provide a sealant for the paper once dried...
After the boards were completed and dried, one of the parents would construct each box using 4 panels
such as pictured below...
It was two exhilarating days...and renewed my appreciation for what teachers do...constant movement and energy as well as staying one step ahead of the kids...
And made me thankful that not only that I could share my talents with others...but that this school understood the importance of art...and community...as part of their curriculum for young minds...
As I looked over the brainstorming lists compiled by the kids, the one I liked the best was "faith, family, love and nachos"...yep, that pretty much sums it up...happy thanksgiving to all!
Just a little peek...
some of the creative artistic gifts that will be available tomorrow
at my Holiday Studio Sale...
Hope to see you...stop in...say hi...share some cheer...
.jpg)
