Spinning...

...on a summer wheel that has not stopped since June. Vacations, projects, design business, family and friend visiting, summer camps and a studio/office redo has made for a pretty lively and fast paced summer around here. And then there's that list of what didn't get done including a much needed web site revamp. Updates on what did happen coming soon...that is if I can find a wide ruled spiral bound 70 page school notebook without perfs and a plastic pocket folder with pockets and prongs.

Enough

Here's my Illustration Friday topic of the week: enough. I was actually working on this illustration before I received the IF topic in my inbox today. When I did get the word, I couldn't help but think what a topic-perfect illustration it was.

This happy couple will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks. I'm honored to have been asked to design the invitation for the grand event. This collage will grace the cover.

It is said quite often, but 50 years speaks louder..."I take you to be my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Now if that isn't "enough" I couldn't tell you what is.

Houston, we have a show

WOW. what a weekend. I'm settling back into reality after a really, really cool couple of Houston days even though the temp was somewhere around 100 degrees. Red Bull's Art of Can exhibition opened with a VIP bash of more than 1000 at the Houston Galleria. My piece "Night Owl" (pictured above) was lucky enough to be one of 47 pieces selected to be in a show that drew over 500 registrations.

I loved the little artist name badges that matched our pieces. So easy to meet the artist that went with the art. And what a friendly crowd! I had a blast chatting with all of the diverse types this event brought out.

Did you vote? Voting kiosks were at the party and will be around for the run of the show or you can always vote online.

My Chicago friend Asta poses with her fun piece entitled "Houston, We Have a Problem...No Red Bull".

My other Chicago-Art-of-Can-but-lives-in-Austin friend Kathy Beale created the impeccably crafted frog (Riley) who happens to be "Fly Fishing."

I think when the judges kept saying that this was the best AOC yet, they really meant it. I had so many favorites that I couldn't possibly post them all here. Geez...this is tough competition.

Speaking of tough competition, Dale Busta captured second place (again) for "Sojourn". And Dale, if by any chance you're reading, I anxiously await my bee.

Asta and me hanging out with the grand prize winner's piece "Unbridled".

I LOVE the love letter.

Artists after too much red bull or maybe it was this...or how about that photographer?!

The art work moved on up the day after the opening party to this custom designed space in the Houston Galleria (yes a shopping mall). The show runs until July 25th. Any misgivings I ever had about a show in a mall vs. a gallery have been put to rest. This is a first class production all the way. If you're in the area check it out. Otherwise beg Red Bull to keep the exhibitions coming. It's an unbelievable cornucopia of art that undeniably promotes, but better yet recycles while enabling one to expand their vision and appreciation of art.

sour rain, sweet country

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: sour. It seemed appropriate due to yesterday's rain on our 4th of July celebrations. Picnics and parades were "soured" with thunderstorms and steady rain. Later, the day brought breaks in the weather so we tried to sneak in grilled burgers on the deck. However, I was quickly informed by all three of my children that the not-quite-dry patio furniture made their behinds wet. This quickly led to giggles and back side comparisons.

Regardless of this 4th of July's rain, we are still very thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and the country we love. Obviously, every day will not live up to our ideal, but when the sun does shine it is a beautiful day indeed.

A brief appearance

After a long blog hiatus I'm back for a moment. Really just to say I'm still here, but busy. Maybe busy isn't strong enough...overwhelmed? Overwhelmed in a good way. It's summer's fault. There were too many projects saved and plans made back when summer seemed endless...a blank of warm, lazy days. July already? Hard to believe.

Above is another piece of mine in the group show "Out of the Blue" featuring local artists at Red Tree Gallery. Funny, the last time I posted this show was opening. Now, the close is this Friday. More proof that summer has that way of flying by.

Out of the blue and Out on location

This Friday night is the opening for the group show "Out of the Blue" featuring local artists at Red Tree Gallery. I have four pieces in the show including the one pictured above titled "Renaissance". I couldn't get those butterflies out of my head.

This week me and my ArtBin are also "Out on location" painting murals at a local animal hospital. I'll show you pictures of the finished product in a couple of weeks. With all of this going on (I'm graphic designing too!) my new studio is taking a way back seat...along with quite a few other things. Busy is good, but I'm still looking forward to things settling down just a bit in the upcoming weeks.

Forgotten

If I were a contestant on American Idol, I'm imagining that I'd get a critique of "pitchy" and "all over the place" by Simon for this piece. I'd stand up there holding my art and say "Simon, you are absolutely right. I turned in a composition that is way too busy, has no focal point or sense of balance. I agree. However, you asked me to illustrate "Forgotten" and so I did. This work captures exactly what my brain is doing when I'm at the grocery store. Does the piece make you feel flustered, uneasy, wanting to run?? Yes?? Then I have just brought you into my world and how I feel about going to the grocery store." Then I 'd turn to the camera and say "America, please base the success of the piece I just performed on that. Remember that I have a three-year-old with me while I grocery shop. Sometimes I make a list and when I do I usually forget the list or forget to look at the list. I'm trying to remember if I have a coupon for Orville Redenbacher popcorn or Jiffy Pop. I have to remember to use my shopper card. Then the three-year-old wants out of the cart so I have to keep one eye on her and one eye on how much grapes are costing per pound. Finally, I'll be on my way home with all the groceries loaded in the car thinking 'I did it' when I remember that I forgot the milk. Milk being the only thing I really came in for. Vote America!" Of course by now Ryan would have already escorted me off the stage, the commercials would be playing and half of my manic speech would have gone unheard.

Anyway, that's my submission for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: forgotten. Now what did I come here for?

studio painter for hire

There is a magnetic attraction between gallons of paint and three-year-olds. Having a canvas that is 8 feet tall with 14 feet surrounding on four sides helps too. Dad's tender heart could only take so many of the, "Daddy, can I pleeeeeeeze, pleeeeze help you paint??????"

And thus we witnessed the hypnotic power of paint.

Unfortunately, this sweet daddy/daughter painting experience didn't last long. Too much up, down, dancing, swirling, twirling, having to go potty. This happening with paint brush in one hand and sippy cup in the other. And don't think she wasn't interested in providing more assistance. Many tears were involved when we asked her to turn in the brush. Three-year-old painting apprentices really love what they do, however (without a doubt) the best time to hire one is during nap time.

studio plans

After nine years of a home studio/office space in the basement I'm relocating to the first floor. Yeah, just like the Jeffersons. Moving on up. I'll be moving into what was our guest bedroom. A space with windows. Real windows rather than the basement glass block. This means they can be opened...fresh air, natural light while I'm working. I'm really excited about the windows.

The tricky part is finding that perfect time to make the move which of course there isn't. There is much involved with relocating even if only upstairs. I've been working with a closet company to design a functional space, an electrician to rewire for my computer, phone/Internet and office equipment and my DH to move furniture and paint. Speaking of paint we haven't started yet, but up top are my choices. My goal is a warm, inviting, neutral-but-not-so-neutral-there's-no-personality space. I don't want the space to overwhelm or compete with what is being created. The ceiling will have a splash of the bright color that I love. We'll see how that works. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about how it's all going to come together.

So over the next several days this is what will be going on around here..painting, installing, moving, organizing. I'll post pix of the process. If you're like me there's nothing better than watching a studio redo. In fact I purchased this CPS Studios edition when I was in the initial planning stages. Fun stuff. I love peeking into other artist's work spaces. Okay I need to run. There is much to be done around here. : )

Inspired to bead

I am so easily distracted. Yesterday, as I was plugging away at design work I got an e-mail from Family Fun. Nothing personal, just the weekly mailer for the masses. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around ideas for teacher gifts so this tutorial caught my eye. Before I knew what was happening, I was in my bead stash searching for the perfect beads to create a stylish beaded bookmark.

I loved the idea to use initial beads to personalize. By the way my kids do not have any teachers this year with initials the same as mine. whoops. I guess I'll be keeping this one. Besides this project is easy enough. My kids will have no problem making their own to give to teachers along with one to keep for summer reading.

...and if you're a graphic designer or creative type looking to be inspired, I highly recommend this fuzzy green book.

sweetening Tuesday

Waking up is hard to do especially after a gorgeous three day weekend. I made homemade cinnamon rolls this morning to ease the pain. We had a taste of summer over the past three days with bike rides, picnics, tennis and some time spent at the pool. Who wants to go back to school/work after that? My older kids have two more weeks before they are officially out for the summer. They are soooo done. Watching them trudge off to school in the bright almost summer sunlight with heavy backpacks and even heavier spirits is a pitiful sight. And I'm ready too. My office/studio space will be moving up a floor in our home in the weeks to come. After nine years of working in the basement I've decided I need some of that sunlight too. Before and afters will be coming soon.

worry

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: worry.

I think just hearing the word makes me...well you know...worry. And there certainly is enough to worry about these days. I used various headlines and entries just from my May 23rd newspaper as the background. No problem finding material...health concerns, housing declines, gas prices, the war in Iraq, tornados and deadly car crashes provided plenty of mental anguish. And I know I can't sit and dwell on all the "what ifs" and worst case scenarios that may or may not come my way. Sure it's all there in the background, but over top life gives us beauty and joy. Butterflies have found their way into my work after recently being inspired by my kid's butterfly garden. I thought butterflies were a good metaphor here. Life is about flying and making the most of what we have been given. Deep breaths, yoga, art, whatever it takes, keep the anxiety waaaaaaaay in the background.

W I D E

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: WIDE.
"Wide" is definitely on my mind considering that the pool opens for the summer in less than a week...yikes! I guess it's time to own up to that delicious winter.

Butterfly Garden

Last Christmas, my three kids were the lucky recipients of a Live Butterfly Garden. A Butterfly Garden—if you who don't know—is a kit that comes with a butterfly cage (pictured above) and a little dropper. Also included is an envelope that you mail into the company whenever you're ready to receive your hotel guests. A few years ago, I might have thought the concept to be a bit silly. After all as a child, I would roam the meadows of western PA in the spring and summer and bring home hundreds of monarch butterfly caterpillars. They hatched for weeks on end right by my bed side in a mason jar...free entertainment. However that was the last time I can remember finding a monarch caterpillar or any caterpillar that turns into more than an ugly moth (sorry moths...but really).

So being as this is 2008 and our part of metropolitan Ohio seems to be caterpillarless of the butterfly sort, the mail order caterpillars arrived in a little plastic jar. And boy were they small to start. Amazingly, they doubled in size almost daily as they ate the provided food caked to the bottom of the jar. Then after stuffing themselves silly, they formed chrysalides. Next, we gently transferred them to the main suite/butterfly garden. The box stated that butterflies will emerge in 7-10 days after forming chrysalides, but it took ours a good 2 weeks plus. Believe me I was sweating it out, thinking how I would explain defective caterpillars to my children should they fail to hatch.

Last Friday morning, between waffles and dressing for school, our first Painted Lady butterfly emerged. I knew it would be one after another after that, so I let my 3rd grader and kindergartner bring the garden to school to watch the remaining transform among their classmates. Good timing butterflies and thank you so much for not sleeping forever.

Yesterday, I suggested we let the butterflies go free. The box mentioned that the butterflies only have a lifespan of 2-4 weeks after their metamorphis. I definitely wanted my kids to see their winged creatures fly off into the sunset rather than finding them on the bottom of butterfly garden. So with a little coaxing, we all agreed that the butterflies needed to explore the world. We ended up with five beautiful butterflies to release. This was very exciting for all.

I can't say enough great things about this gift. Not only was it educational, but it provided magical entertainment found only in nature. And the best part...no small parts to pick up off my floor. Thanks Uncle Bob, Aunt Jana, cousins Anna Katharine and Elizabeth. : )

Electricity

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week "electricity".
Need I say more?!? : )

And for the record we are in the process of switching to those energy and cost-saving curly-q bulbs..one burnt-out light bulb at a time.

what i learned from cupcakes

Never waste time waiting for things to cool off.

The 'icing on the cake' should always be pink.

You can never have enough sprinkles.

Moments like this are meant to be savored.

And finally, remember to save some for later.

up in the sky...

...it's a bird, it's a plane...well actually it is a plane, in particular a Red Bull air race plane. This has nothing to do with Red Bull Art of Can other than a few Red Bull people now knowing my name. I was asked to make a model size plane out of Red Bull cans to promote Red Bull Air Races happening in San Diego and Detroit in 2008. So here's my whimsical answer to that. This project was really, really challenging for me. Planes are definitely a left brain job involving geometry, symmetry, etc. that is a bit beyond what my puny left side can handle. I did it though and subsequently breathed a huge sigh of relief.

I used almost all recycled materials to build the piece including newspaper, styrofoam, wire, plastic tubing and of course the obvious—empty Red Bull cans. I even utilized a little lost lego man that I thought my son would never, ever miss...

So I can not even tell you how BADLY my 6 year old wants that Red Bull pilot OUT!! I suppose I was being overly naive when I thought how Brendan surely wouldn't miss one little lego guy...yeah right. I think this particular lego guy got a new coolness (even though he looks exactly like the 20 bizillion other lego people we have around here) once he was sitting at the controls in mommy's air race plane. I actually hid the plane when I wasn't working on it as I had visions that Brendan would somehow try to disassemble to get at the lego guy. Luckily, the plane has now flown off into the hands of the Red Bull people. Sorry Brendan...it's the curse of having an artist for a mommy. Hide your lego men.

an April road trip

This past weekend I took my peeps to visit Nana and Papa in Pennsylvania. Since the older two had Friday off and Dad did not, the trip consisted of one mommy and three kids. We had a great trip there and a wonderful weekend. In the photo above, little Nora is helping pot a tree from Nana's garden to take back home with us.

Cara and I attended a baby shower on Saturday. They had the cutest place settings (to left) with the napkins bundled and tied with little pea pods made out of actual leaves and string wire. At this point, everything was going smoothly. I caught myself thinking how it was no big deal to drive seven hours solo with my little darlings.

Then early Sunday morning reality hit (as it often does) with a 2:00am wake up call...approximately 5 hours before I planned to start loading suitcases and children back into the van for the return trip. Brendan came to my room teary-eyed whimpering about how he had thrown up. I thought I must be dreaming. Everyone was healthy and happy when they were tucked into bed only hours earlier. A quick check of his sleeping area confirmed that indeed Brendan was sick...really sick. The rest of the night consisted of me holding Brendan and clutching "the bucket". Precious sleep was eluding the only driver.

The next morning—despite the worried looks from my parents—I packed up the van including premonitory buckets, bags, crackers and bottled water. We made it about 2 miles before Brendan was at it again. I dumped his bucket, cleaned and reloaded the cargo. Drive. Repeat. Drive. Repeat. Drive. Repeat. Then little Nora announced that she too was getting "car sick." I presumed her words were a call for attention...surely she didn't want to be left out of the fun. Unfortunately, Nora WAS getting sick. Minutes later "it" was everywhere with big sister Cara screaming "eeeeeewwwww". Two hours into my seven hour car trip and the puke is flying. I lost count of how many times. We were officially the Barfmobile leaving a little path from PA to OH like Hansel and Gretel, except with "tossed" bread crumbs. Then as we were approaching home base I started feeling it...not sure if it was because of the two red bulls, one diet coke and huge travel mug of coffee that I had been slugging to keep myself awake or from cleaning out too many buckets. Regardless, I never actually got sick and we made it home safely.

The good news is the stomach bug didn't last long and everyone is feeling much better now. We also have a tree to plant...a little piece of life that reminds us of the happy memories we shared over the weekend...not so much about that return van ride.

Night Owl

If you were wondering, here's what you can do with 190 sugar free and regular Red Bull cans, 90 hours of free time, electricity and just a touch of eccentricity.

My piece "Night Owl" has been accepted into the 2008 Houston Red Bull Art of Can exhibition. This is the second time I've done this. "Rooster for Ransom" was part of the AOC Chicago show last November (hmmmm..I might have a thing for birds?!?) The owl stands approximately three feet tall. "Night Owl" is a tribute to artists and the inspiration that we seek. "Inspiration" whether it be in the form of travel, people, music, fine art, nature, books, etc. is represented by the lit can that the owl is holding. An artist "drinks it in". Then inspiration is processed, filtered and something entirely new comes back out that is unique to that individual artist (the owl eyes represent this through their light.) The artistic process is a remarkable one with inspiration being the key in putting out work that is fresh and different.

And speaking of light...I did it. I figured out a way to incorporate this element into my art in a safe way that will not (I promise) burn down Houston. The owl was the perfect vehicle to do this with eyes that entrance and often seem disproportionate to their body. The mystical intelligence that surrounds an owl was inspiration for me. The bedtime books around here consisted of owl story after owl story as I did my preliminary research when beginning to create my own whimsical owl.

Aluminium or metal is a fantastic, versatile medium to work with. Here you can see the different textures that came from the same aluminium cans. I hammered, twisted and bent pieces to form the bark on the tree stump. In contrast, the feathers and claws incorporate pieces that make texture by the way they are cut, bent and layered. Only minor wounds were suffered throughout this process mended by lots of Snoopy band aids and kisses from my three year old.

The Houston Red Bull Art of Can exhibition is taking place this summer from July 11th-25th at the Houston Galleria. I've seen peeks of several pieces that have also been accepted into this show and I can guarantee you it will be nothing short of amazing. Check it out if you get the chance. If you can't see it in person, the pieces are currently being photographed and will be online in the next month or so at http://www.redbullartofcan.com/.

Cheers to Houston

This weekend I was happy to hear that my sculpture made it into the Houston Red Bull Art of Can exhibition taking place this summer from July 11th-25th. So today I'm serving Chambulls (champagne + red bull) to celebrate...clink...we toasted! Tomorrow I'll show you exactly what I've been creating for the past few months..well no, I can't right now...I have a glass in my hand. ; )

Keep the Fire Lit

I wrapped up the three-week collage workshop I've been taking last night. I managed to come out with two finished pieces. "Keep the Fire Lit" (above) is a gift for my aunt for her birthday next week. I used a baby picture from 1949...she was 14 months old. For this piece, I applied a combination of techniques from class including sealing the entire canvas with a final layer of beeswax. The beeswax added another layer of interest and played along quite well with my birthday candle theme.

One easy method of transfer that can be used in collage is the tape transfer method. This is something that I'm sure I played around with as a child—sticking tape to things...peeling the back off...my memory is fuzzy, but there's a glimmer of recognition. I utilized this very simple, inexpensive method for much of the transparent type you see on this piece and "Learning to Fly" from the last post. Here's how:

Tape Transfer Method

1) Tape over the image or words you want to transfer with clear packaging tape or contact paper. Printed images from magazines, books, newspapers, etc. transfer best. I also used ink jet printouts from my computer which transferred, but the effect was more subtle (like the name "Rita" bottom right hand corner). Experiment!

2) Smooth out any air bubbles between the tape and the image with a scrapper.

3) Wet the back of the paper (non-taped side). Begin to lightly scrub the paper away with your fingertips. You may need to add more water and let it soak for a minute or two depending on how heavy the paper you are transferring from is. The print will stick like magic leaving a transparent image on the tape. Tah Dah!

4) Attach the tape transfer with matte medium to your art. Here I transferred a recipe from a vintage cookbook I picked up at a yard sale. I used another recipe from the same cookbook in "Keep the Fire Lit" (upper left hand corner.)

Now I need to do some "transferring" of the 10 patiently-waiting-in-the-driveway mulch bags to my flower beds. Have a great weekend : )

Learning to Fly

I've been taking a collage workshop at a local art gallery for the last few weeks. It's been too long since I've taken any sort of class and it reminds me how much I enjoy doing so. Sure it's tough committing to several week nights out. Design jobs and kid's schedules need to be juggled, my husband needs to be free to be home with the kids and I have to overcome the guilt involved with doing something just for me (actually that's the easy part ; ). Being among other creative people in a forced art-making environment is invaluable. And if I learn even one new technique from the entire workshop I've reached my goal. (BTW goal reached and surpassed!)

The inspiration for the piece above came from the real bird feathers I found in my instructor's box of scraps. One thing led to another. As the piece evolved, so did a metaphor for making the space in my busy life to take this course. You have to give up a little, to gain more. It's how we learn to fly.

My last class is this Thursday night. I'm hoping to pull off one more finished piece which I'll share soon. I'm also making it a priority to squeeze more workshops and retreats into my overbooked calendar. It's so worth it.