Category Archives: Uncategorized

‘Nique o’ the Day – Masked Edge

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I had forgotten how nifty this technique is – create a masked sharp painted edge against another painted area. This edge is black acrylic against a textured area on Arches watercolor paper – do remember to stick the tape to your jeans or other linty surface to de-stick it a bit.

Compelling Image, Series of Two

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I rarely use the same image twice, but when I found a photograph of Jayavarman VII, King of Cambodia, I created two collaged covers using two versions of the photograph. The absolute serenity in his face radiates and glows. Here’s a bit of information about this remarkable 13th century Asian ruler:
Born into the royal family of Angkor, Jayavarman settled in the Champa kingdom (present-day central Vietnam) in his young adulthood and engaged in military campaigns. In his late fifties he led his people in a struggle for independence after their subjugation by the Cham. He was crowned king of a reconstituted Khmer empire at 61. He ruled more than 30 years and brought the empire to its zenith in terms both of territorial extent and of royal architecture and construction. Champa, southern Laos, and portions of the Malay Peninsula and Myanmar (Burma) came under his control. He built temples, hospitals, and rest houses, and rebuilt the city of Angkor (now called Angkor Thom). His dedication to both the spiritual and physical needs of the people has made him a national hero to modern Cambodians.
I’ve included some photos of the two works in progress. You can see the finished journal/Kindle covers on my Etsy website.

‘Nique o’ the Day – Fake Moon

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I thought of today’s technique while I was out walking and enjoying the full pre-dawn moon. The craters looked like cells on a sponge, so when I got back to the studio, I made a stamped “moon” using an old cellulose sponge cut with a paper cutter to make a flat surface. I applied white stamp pad ink and stamped through a circular template – aha – a moon! Probably not original, but entertaining 🙂 And it reminds me of the early morning moon.

Interesting Word

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From A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg

ARTIFICER

PRONUNCIATION:
(ahr-TIF-uh-suhr)
MEANING:
noun:
1. An inventor.
2. A craftsperson.
3. A mechanic in the armed forces.
ETYMOLOGY:
From Latin artificium (craftsmanship, art), from art + facere (to make).

Collage and Journal Workshop at Mind Science Foundation

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Collage has always been a comfortable process for me, so when I received email about a workshop on creating collages and writing about them interpretively, I thought it might get me out of my thoroughly enjoyable but somewhat technical approach to choosing images for my work. The workshop was led by Jennifer Martin and was held in the lovely studio room at the Mind Science Foundation. Jennifer had a son who was one of my dearest students – he died far too young, and she and I share a love for him, although it had been far too long since I had seen her – it was a “meant-to-be” reunion when I saw her at the workshop.

My friend Pat Semmes went with me. Pat is a math genius but professes not to be an artist, so it was interesting to watch her become totally absorbed in her collage, and then, at the end , express its meaning in an absolutely lyrical stream-of-consciousness poem. I’ll post both her collage and the poem in the near future. She did amazing work.

My own collage was not as personal as I would have liked, and I don’t know why, but I was pleased at the way it looked and I tried to do some different things. I rarely use photos from current magazines in my work, and did a bit of self-analysis while I chose the pictures. The main book on which the workshop premise was based is called “Collage for the Soul.” I had just ordered it for myself, and later found out that another friend, an art therapist, is using it with her clients. That book is showing up everywhere! I like it especially because it is a good mix of philosophy and great technique.

At the top, you can see a portion of my own collage, and a photo of Pat listening to the interpretations of others in the workshop. It was an inspiring morning – and I think it’s planted some ideas that may lead to future workshops and new work for me.

‘Nique o’ the Day – Pledge and Walnut Ink

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Here’s a place to post various collage and painting techniques that I happen to stumble on or think up – this one involves distressing Arches watercolor paper that I use for my Kindle cover interlinings. Spray on furniture polish, cover lightly with walnut ink, and blot. Nice aging effect – and it smells like a clean house 🙂

A Visit to the Studio of Sculptor Phil Evett

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Philip John Evett was my art professor at Trinity when I was an undegraduate. The influence he has had on his students is far reaching and long lasting. His wife, Joann, is an old friend and colleague, and we had the pleasure today of driving up to their home and studio/gallery in Blanco, Texas. Whe I walked into the gallery attached to his woodsy hand-built Hill Country home, I was astounded once again at the beauty and the scale of his work. He continues to sculpt and show and is one of the most delightful men you will ever meet. His work speaks for itself – solid, lyrical and impeccible in its craftsmanship and vision.

News Flush – er, Flash

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A Belisle original now hangs in a San Antonio museum – yep, the Toilet Seat Museum. It all started when some of my friends who walk together on Wednesday morning wanted a logo for our group , including the doggie mascot, Trixie. Trixie has her own blog and you can read a fine description of the art, er, opening there. Mr. Barney Smith who conceived and runs the museum from his garage, is a Texas original and a gift to our community with his friendly philosophy, great sense of humor and acceptance of all who want to be immortalized in the Toilet Seat Museum. His creation has been featured on the Today Show and listed as one of Texas’s ten best offbeat museums and proudly displays more than 900 decorated toilet seats, one of which is a Belisle Designs logo.

Rick Rocks!

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My son, author Rick Riordan, has always been a good guy and a great writer, but he’s surpassed himself by blogging about my recent collage and journal work:
http://rickriordan.blogspot.com/2010/07/you-can-judge-ebook-by-its-cover.html

BelisleDesigns brand new webshop on Etsy jumped from 60 hits to almost 1000 when his post came out this week – wow. Thanks, Rick – you are the best – your mommy loves you!

Creativity, Collage and Copyright

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This morning I found an interesting post from my academic blog at Trinity in 2008 which reminds me that I’ve been thinking about collage and art on a lot of levels for quite a while:
http://lynbelisle.blogspot.com/2008/04/collage-art-or-theft.html
Intellectual property is a complicated issue but one that is vital to anyone involved in enriching society through creative production. If you don’t know about Creative Commons, check it out – here’s another entry from the same blog about CC:
http://lynbelisle.blogspot.com/2010/02/creative-commons.html

OK, back to the studio!