Work aka Play in Progress

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I think it’s fun to see artwork in progress, whether it’s mine of somebody else’s. Here’s what going on in my Studio – remember the fired clay parts for the Guardian series? This is how those are coming together. I’m preparing the board back structure and putting together the pieces on small canvases. I’m using more color than usual in the finishes for some reason.

heads and bodies

heads and bodies

guard3

 

little guardians in progress

little guardians in progress

 I’ve also been experimenting with a new-to-me transfer paper called TAP. It’s kind of pricey but I like the results so far. Here are a couple of preliminary experimental mixed media pieces on 300 lb watercolor paper that I did yesterday:

TAP2

TAP copy

 Right now I need to switch hats and head to Trinity.  it’s a Teaching Day – semester’s over soon, though, so more Studio time! Whoopee 🙂

Earth Day 2013 – and a sneak preview about artist Pablo Solomon

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earthday 2013My memories of the first Earth Day involve getting in trouble at Alamo Heights Junior School (I was a *very* young art teacher) for organizing an activist march for my students. My principal, Mr. Ivy, was not pleased with my rabble-rousing, mini-skirt-wearing, hippie ways. Forty+ years later, how things have changed – or have they? Thoughts? Pablo Solomon, internationally known artist and designer, featured in National Geographic for his part in the first Earth Day in an article by Mark Anderson, lives for the earth’s conservation. In a recent interview, Pablo says, “Do what you can to obtain a green freedom, a philosophy that there is no greater freedom than energy independence.” He created the first Earth Day poster and has done another one each year since 1970. Here is this year’s (left)

But wait! There’s more! Pablo Solomon with be at the Studio in June for an informal lecture, exhibit and sale of his work. I am really excited about his visit. Mark the weekend of June 21-22 on your calendar.

pablosingle

In the meantime, celebrate Earth Day – as Marshall McLuhan reminds us, there are no passengers on Spaceship Earth – we are all crew.

 

 

Sunday and Spirit Boxes

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Another beautiful Sunday workshop at the Studio – this afternoon, we created Spirit Boxes, small wall sculptures with a hidden compartment on the back. Each one has a special “heart stone” jewel or symbol in the center and lots of other adornments The artisan participants were very original and imaginative. Nobody fought over stuff, everyone got along – gee, you guys,  you play well with others! Thanks ♥♥♥

Pieces of clay

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I unloaded the kiln yesterday and took out lots of little puzzle pieces. The new Guardian series of mixed media constructions is getting assembled for a show at Cathedral House in mid-May, and I need to get these little guys completed. I hope they are not too pagan-esque for the venue! The fun part is matching the right face with the right bodies. Somehow, they know who goes with what. Here’s a picture of the just-unloaded earthenware tiles and shards:

pieces of the puzzle

pieces of the puzzle

And here’s the first yet-unnamed Guardian piece assembled:

Untitled (so far) Guardianassemblage

Untitled (so far) Guardian construction

 

 

Discovery: The Blue Stuff

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I am passing on to you a tip about something which, until this morning, I had never tried and is pretty amazing – it’s blue (and white) stuff. I ordered it from a place called Cool Tools, which specializes in supplies for metal clay artists. This is a mold-making compound – technically it’s called Mega-Mold Silicone RTV Molding Compound and it uses a process called RTV, which means room temperature vulcanizing. Vulcanizing is a chemical process that converts polymer into durable material. Who knew??

So, you squish the blue part with the white part and push it against something you want to make a mold of. I swear, five minutes later it’s ready to go! Jan Longfellow told me that she has used it to make molds for her silver clay jewelry. it’s pretty amazing – here are some photos – I don’t know quite where I’m going with it, but it is sooooo much fun to play with! You could make a mold of your big toe, or your car key or a favorite brooch – the possibilities are positively goofy!

The Kit - one blue, one white - squish together equal amounts

The Kit – one blue, one white – squish together equal amounts

 

The mold after five minutes, the original object, and the clay copy

The mold after five minutes, the original object, and the clay copy

The mold setting up on a sculpture's hand

The mold setting up on a sculpture’s hand

Taking off the mold

Taking off the mold

A molded wing off the same sculpture

A molded wing off the same sculpture

More molded clay objects - the mold makes the clay oily - weird

More molded clay objects – the mold makes the clay oily – weird

 

 

 

 

Kay Simpson, Fiesta Finery and FashionAbility

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I am so proud of my long-time friend, Kay Simpson! She had the vision to recognize a need for attractive outfits for women with disabilities, so she started her own company, FashionAbility, not long ago. She designed and sewed the clothing herself, adding caring touches like Velcro and custom closures that make these outfits both beautiful and convenient to put on. Kay and FashionAbility will be featured at Fiesta Especial, an official Fiesta San Antonio event created for children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental differences and the family and friends who love them. Watch for Kay on a live remote segment by KABB Fox 29 at 7 a.m. Friday from Fiesta.  I put together a video (below) for her to use at the event to show off colorful and comfortable clothing line. The model is Ms. Wheelchair America, lovely Mariah Kilbourne.

Yay for Kay! Her design skills and compassionate caring are awesome!

Viva Fiesta! Viva Friends!

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Our Fiesta Show and Sale was fantastic (nice alliteration :)). Being with Lesta, Jan and Alison is such a treat, and their work is wonderful. It was great to talk to everyone who came. I met some of the *nicest* people. Here’s a photo of the happy artists:

Alison, Lesta, Lyn and Jan

Alison, Lesta, Lyn and Jan

Before I say goodnight and thanks, here are a couple of reminders about upcoming events- the Spirit Box Workshop is next Sunday from 3-5 and there are two spaces left, and Hildegard, Art and Soul Journey with Michelle Belto is the following weekend. That will be the most remarkable event at the Studio so far, I’m predicting. Email me with any questions. OK, this happy artist is going to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. See you soon!

Sunday’s getting closer . . .

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So the big Fiesta Show and Sale is day after tomorrow – I’m sorta ready, but this morning I really wanted to work on something new for the show. I started with some square black frames that I had ordered just because they were on sale. Then I printed some digital photos of gravestone angels (but of course!) and started working on two small collages that remind me of the Guardian series. I call the new series El Ala y la Oración (the Wing and the Prayer) because they feature bird feathers and monument faces. They are turning out so well – it’s great to feel them come together. Here are the first two – with any luck I’ll finish four more by Sunday. These are behind glass so there is a bit of reflection in the photo, but it adds to the overall effect, perhaps. The hardest part was figuring out how to create the shadow box. I did it with thin strips of black foamcore mounted against the inside edges of the frames – come by the Studio on Sunday and I’ll show you the trick!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tell and Show

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The “tell” part: I keep remembering great tips from artist Sherrill Kahn when I saw her presentation at FASA on Monday. One that I’m going to try today is mixing cheap hair gel, the kind you can get at dollar stores in a pump bottle, with acrylic paint to make a glaze for fabric, collage, whatever. Another technique that she uses is Styrofoam plate printing. It’s fun to watch her do this. Breaking news: there’s a pretty good possibility that Sherrill will be at my Studio in August for several workshops (or you can go to Italy to see her in September <wistful sigh>)

The “show” part: Lesta Frank, Jan Longfellow, Alison Schockner and I are reuniting for a Fiesta Show at the Studio this Sunday – whoopee! Here’s a sneak preview of the cool stuff – there will be food and freebies and Fiesta fun, so come by and celebrate from 11-5!

 

 

Inspiration: Sherrill Kahn

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Yesterday morning I went to a meeting of the Fiber Artists of San Antonio. My friend Vicki Siptak invited me because she thought I’d like the presenter, nationally-known multimedia artist Sherrill Kahn – not only did I like her, I want to BE her! Her work is so inspiring and gloshershe shares her techniques and thoughts in a totally open way. Gloria Hill went with me – Gloria was lucky enough to purchase one of Sherrill’s beautiful multimedia fabric pieces.

Sherrill teaches all over the world. She and I talked about the possibility of having her come back to San Antonio in the fall. I would love to host two or three workshops at the Studio in August, so stay tuned. Talking with her just reinforced my decision to work for a while on smaller pieces – here’s the first one in a new Guardian series, still not finished, but on its way.

guardianPS – Congrats to Ana Kurland who won the subscriber’s Friday Freebie journal!!