The quote inspired the drawing of the man. Colored pencil over an acrylic wash. I liked the design of the postage stamp and thought it's color and pattern complimented my layout.
The theme for the December Sketchbook Challenge is "Trashed, ruined and decay". Not a real strong tie to the theme for me other than the stamps I saved from being trashed.
Christmas this year was “Dog Christmas” which Mark & I celebrated at Mom’s house. Pictured are our 4 boston terriers plus all of the granddogs. Ruby & Simon, my Mom’s dogs, aren’t included in the picture (we had overstayed our welcome with them).
Waiting to open Christmas Presents…
…is it time yet?
I designed this cardboard church along with others for the 2006 Holiday issue of Stampington Inspirations. As a little Christmas gift I am including the pattern below (This was not included in the magazine).
Above are the patterns for the cardboard Church. You are welcome to copy and print them. They should be printed full size on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. If this doesn't work for you just send me a message and I will be happy to email you this pattern in PDF format. The circular hole on the back side is for a light to fit through if you wish.
To see my three page article, the 2006 holiday issue of Stampington Inspirations is available here.
This is the gourd doll that I made for Art Doll Quarterly's Call for Creativity. Gordon even landed himself a full page photo stylist spread in the magazine! I always like to try challenges that help to get me out of my box. I don't understand why artists would want to limit themselves to a specific medium. I am routinely told "Oh, I couldn't make that, I am a ______ artist". I have found that techniques or compositions that are learned in other mediums often lead to new ideas in your primary medium. Not that I think everyone should try making a gourd doll, but I encourage you, when the opportunity arises to try a medium that takes you out of your comfort zone.
Behind the pages look -
I often do a lot of research to develop my ideas for a piece of art. I like to record this process in my art journal. Click on pictures for larger view.
All of the writing on the left side of the page and above the transparency on the right side are taken from various web sites on the internet. From the transparency on down I am starting to develop my own ideas. The transparency is the actual pattern that I created for the etched brass cartouche of the map.
Further working out my idea for the symbolism that this map incorporates.
Since it is the holiday season I thought it would be a good time to present this assemblage to give warning "Be careful of accepting gifts with strings attached". I'm really not that cynical but I do have quite the wandering imagination of "what ifs".
This is going to be Fritz’s first Christmas. I think that this is the smallest Charlie Brown tree we have had yet. It has been put up on the table to prevent ornament theft by the bostons. Fritz weighs under 8 lbs to give to an idea of the scale. I hope you are enjoying your holiday preparations.
Christmas music is playing and we are busy getting ready for Christmas here. Edna is off traveling around the show circuit with her sisters. Frankie, Fritz and Gertie are spending some time at Grandma & Grandpa's house. Pictured: Rufus, Frankie, Fritz, Spanky, Gertie and Ziggy. Hopefully we will be able to get a picture of the whole gang for Christmas. We hope that you are enjoying your day!
THE MIME
Claude spent most of his time living in a world of fantasy.
One day his fantasy became reality.
If only Claude could call out for help.
His frantic gestures led only to further amuse his viewers.
First act or grand finale?
The idea of a mime being trapped in a jar came from the classic "Mime trapped in a glass box" performances. When "fantasy becomes reality" is the theme of this piece. What if a mime was trapped in a jar and couldn't ask for help because he was a mime? What if the more frantic he became only led to further amusing his audience? Somerset Studio magazine had a "Call for entries - enchanting jar scenes". This is the concept that I came up with, perhaps a bit more odd than enchanting!
To see this jar and other jars view the March/April 2007 issue of Somerset Studio available here.
Thank you to my son-in-law Joel! You did an excellent job of modeling and acting out the mime role!
Another project that I have done from Jill K. Berry's book - Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking. The project from her book that I was inspired by is called Hand Map.
My journal entry after getting together with family for Thanksgiving. I drew a robin rather than a turkey. I must be thinking about Spring...
I found this Andy Warhol Quote:
Don’t think about making art…just get it done…let everybody else say whether its good or not…and while they’re deciding…keep making more art.
I found this quote to be so relevant to my creative journey that I have placed it at the top of my side bar.
My first idea was to find a picture from the Shaker book that I have, illustrating someone making art. These two ladies fit the bill. In serendipitous journaling behavior I found Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell Soup Can art in the American Craft magazine that I have been collaging from. This art was the inspiration for my tomato red color. I don’t use the color red very often so this was leading me out of my comfort zone. I like the combination of red coral and turquois in jewelry and decided to play with these colors together on my journal page. While flipping through the magazine later, looking for more inspiration, I found the tiny Campbell Soup Can image. An "M" with a brush caught my eye because of the color. After tearing the "M" out of the magazine I found it upside down on my table and seen a “W”, for Warhol. I admire the craftmanship of the Shakers but decided to “shake” things up a bit and add some bright colors and quirky designs to their clothes and décor.
I combined this month’s theme “Imaginary Animals” with an entry into my FRagMENteD Journal. This painting was inspired by Lynn Whipple’s Ninnies. She takes vintage cabinet photos and paints imaginary creatures over them. You can see her work HERE.
I am as a boston terrier. Look at my square face and jowls! They say owners resemble their pets, no wonder I like boston terriers! I tried to take a picture of myself to mimic the serious poses on vintage cabinet photos. Upon reflecting here: I look like I am waiting for something to eat; Someone to feed me; Perhaps my master to come home. Funny, not my intention. I had to include one of my RAEvNs. While we don’t have any ravens where I live, seeing crows gets the dogs quite excited.
Boston terriers have been bred to not have long tails, I guess I needed one to feel balanced!
I couldn’t wait, so I ordered a copy of Personal Geographies – Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking by Jill K. Berry from Amazon. I was priviledged to be invited as a contributing artist. Upon seeing the book I can say that I am honored to be included among such a diverse and talented group of artists whose work appears in the book. I truly enjoyed making the projects included in the book, in fact I made most of them. Jill did a fabulous job of putting together this inspirational book. I am still processing all of the wonders of this book and will be posting more comments about it and projects from it in the future.
Here is a link to Jill’s blog and a her book blog Personal Geographies.
You can order your own copy of Personal Geographies – Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking HERE!
Pictured above is part of my promotional team, Ziggy and Spanky.
My art journals that I have gathered together so far. Why am I compelled to record my thoughts, ideas and artistic journey?
Another entry to my FRagMENteD Journal. It is hard for me to believe that this painting started with a photocopy of myself. My intent was to paint loosely, with simple designs and bright colors. I gave myself permission to not maintain an exact likeness of myself. This was quite freeing.
It did not turn out like the artists’ whose work I admire. It still looks like my art. My art holds no mystery to me. Time away from the piece does help - to look at it with fresh eyes. Can you see me underneath all of the paint?
ALBERT EINSTEIN
This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that a life size portrait of Albert Einstein has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. A photograph of Albert Einstein's actual eyes has been place under a vintage pair of glasses similar to the ones Einstein would have worn. In the cutout is featured Einstein's quote
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere". Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955.
The 8" x 10" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 72 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums.
For Sale in my Etsy shop.
TUNING INTO CREATIVITY
This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a brass plate that has been hand-drawn and then etched upon. Bolted on to the cover is a vintage radio dial that actually turns, so you can "Tune into Creativity"!
Enclosed is a side view of the book to illustrate how much the handle projects from the surface.
disclaimer: I personally find the inspiration of this journal to more than compensate any hindrance the knob causes. There is a hairline crack to the right side of the logo on top of the dial which isn't noticeable unless you are looking for it.
The 6 1/4" x 8 1/4" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Six signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 96 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.
For sale in my Etsy shop.
DISCOVERING CREATIVITY
This original art assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted brass and copper plates that has been hand-drawn, stamped and then etched upon. Bolted onto the brass plate is a vintage door escutcheon plate with a vintage engraving of an eye encased in resin.
The 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Ten signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 120 pages enables you to use a variety of wet or dry mediums.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.
For sale in my Etsy Shop.
THE STANDARD
This one of a kind assemblage journal has been made with oak veneer plywood book boards. To the book boards is bolted a vintage brass plate. "The STANDARD Not genuine without this signature Nathanial Baldwin Salt Lake City, Utah".
The 5 1/2" x 5" book is bound with waxed linen thread in the coptic style enabling the book to lie open flat when in use. Four signatures of 140lb watercolor paper with a total of 64 pages enables you to use most wet or dry mediums. Pages vary in width, some are 6" wide and some are 4" wide.
Use as a journal, sketchbook, or guest book. Display on your coffee table for guests to doodle or write in. Would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone special.
For sale in my Etsy shop.
In between journaling this past week I have been painting again. I can't begin to tell you how good it feels to be productive again. These are original paintings on a vintage wood patterns by the Gilson Bros. Factory in Fredonia, Wisconsin. The original tin pressed number from each pattern is also included. Click on each picture to see a close-up. The wood has a nice worn patina and adds to the vintage industrial feel to these art pieces. Visit my etsy shop to see these paintings and more.
GIRL AND OWL
15” X 27”
BARN OWL
20” X 24”
