Perfectly Balanced

I took a fantastic class today at 212 Arts Center - you're shocked I'm sure!  Friday night Mike and I went  to the WSG Gallery in Ann Arbor to view Valerie Mann's show, "The Real Cinderella Dress and other Recent Work"  It was inspiring.  Which brings me back to today's class...

Val Mann herself taught us how to create our own Calder-esque mobile.  Everything we used was found or repurposed material - which I love. Since I also love rocks and have been collecting them for as long as I have been walking, I decided to use this for my inspiration.

My love of all things rocks and minerals led me to purchase this fabulous fabric :)

I took this idea to a three dimensional  form by cutting out various plastics, aluminum pans, old black rubber pieces, and screen in the shapes of rocks.  Although it was difficult to photograph, here is what I came up with...

Encaustic Marathon

Today I was in a creative zone with several encaustic pieces; new and in progress.  I finished 4 completely today.  I had one already complete and I have one in progress on my desk.

I remember reading about encaustic a year or more ago but it seemed too intimidating to attempt.  Until...I started noticing beautiful pieces in gallery's and little art stores.  The effect was ethereal and one I could never duplicate in another medium. 

At first, I toyed around with heating a block of beeswax in a small crock pot.  Although I was happy with the results I obtained in the following inchies, I was too limited by the one effect.  I wanted more options. 

 When I came across an encaustic class taught at 212 Art center, I jumped at the chance to really learn about this elusive art form.  Rob was a great instructor and showed us several techniques to try.  However I got stuck on my practice board and never finished the the two full size boards we were provided.

Night Bird is my practice piece from my first encaustic class.  I used a photo transfer technique with photo copies of a photo I took of a bird and had manipulated in Photoshop.

Today, I transformed my unfinished full size board from this...

To this...

The stone or egg shapes are from some lovely fabric I found at Quilting Seasons, a small shop in Saline.  I loved the fabric so much, that I also used some in this piece...

I also added beads by pressing them into the warm wax.  It is hard to get a good photo of this as the glare from the wax and beads was so distracting, I purposely lowered the contrast in Photoshop so the details could be seen.  The colors are not quite true.  It is better in person.

A small encaustic piece I finished a couple of weeks ago was enhanced by some interesting snap trim I added...

This late summer we had an art camp.  Lucky for me, Rob was teaching a mini encaustic course.  I signed up, of course!  It was wonderful, because I had time to try new techniques that I didn't have time to in his original class.  This is what I made...

This poppy is a carving, filling, and scraping technique.  I was really pleased with how it turned out.

The last piece I started and finished today is my favorite.  I used a medium copper printing plate I had picked up at a antique store for $5.  I didn't know what I would do with it at the time, but the copper printing plate was too fascinating to leave behind! 

Using my own photographs, I turned it into this piece of collage...

I have so many ideas and techniques I still want to try, so stay tuned for more encaustic to come!

Fashion Renaissance

Two Twelve Art Center is hosting a fall fashion show called "Art on the Runway" which will consist of wearable art - some re-purposed, some knitted, some hats, costumes and much more.  I actually missed the deadline so I was surprised when I received a second opportunity to submit at least one item I created.  hopefully, they will have another show next year, as I have this burning idea that I intend to create in the meantime.  I'll offer one hint...the sea.  No not, a mermaid costume!  You'll have to wait and sea!  Get it?

I hauled out the Renaissance dress that I made for Lauren several years ago.  It has been used well, so I need to fix a few seams and such.  But I'm still quite proud of this wearable work of art.  I must give credit to my mom for her help in this huge undertaking.

I only wish the girls were home to help with modeling :)

What Have I Been Up To?

Art Classes!

 

From weaving with Holly Losee ...

To Encaustic with Rob Kinsey...

Beeswax, oil paint, photocopy of original photo, tulle, wool fiber, and buttons.

To Self Portraits with Jean Canavan...

My self portrait in the style of Modigliani

There are so many wonderful classes available at 212 Arts Center.  In fact, I am also taking a self portrait class as an art quilt from Holly Kreag.  You'll have to wait to see that one until it is finished!

Man Quilts

Today Shelby and I made a stop at My Favorite Cafe in Saline to take in a unique art exhibit.  It was titled, "His Quilts; No Pink Please"

All the quilts on display were made by local artist John Cox.  It was refreshing to see a man's point of view in a woman dominated medium.  I especially like the titles like, "Scotch Neat", "My Flannel Shirts", and "Three, no Trump".  My absolute favorite was, "Stoking the Fire".  These beautiful Pieces are for sale by contacting 212 Arts Center.

"Stoking the Fire"

"Did Somebody say Golf?"

"My Flannel Shirts" and "Argyle Socks"

"Scotch Neat"

"Raking Leaves"

"Three, No Trump"

I Finally Learned to Felt!

Since discovering the 212 Arts  Center, I have been soaking in the camaraderie of fellow artists and some amazing classes.  I have finally taken a felting class after falling more and more in love with the material.  What fun!  I have definitely found a new passion! We cut out shapes from sheets of felt (NOT the cheap crafty felt you find in the craft section) and arranged them on a backing piece.  We pinned the shapes in place then wetted our designs with a mixture of water and Murphy's Oil Soap.  After gently rubbing them in circular motions with a wadded up plastic bag as they were sandwiched between bubble wrap and rug backing material, we removed the pins.  Then we then rolled and unrolled them providing different types of agitation.  Finally, if we wanted extra texture (which I did) we dropped/tossed them over and over onto the table surface.  To finish, we rinsed them in cool water to remove the soap and we blotted them dry.

Here are a couple of photos of the two pieces I finished today...