Pam McKnight

Playing with joint compound and other fun stuff.

2012-02-03T13:16:00.000-08:00

First I taped off the bottom of a wood tray I had picked up at a thrift store.

Last week I borrowed Plaster Studio from my friend Marianne. I decided to play around with some of the techniques. In the book they mention using joint compound which comes pre-mixed, this sounded good to me as I didn't want the mess of the plaster in my studio. I used to do plaster projects with the kids every year, mixing batch after batch of plaster and breathing the powder and making a mess, and then you have to know how much your going to need, because wet plaster doesn't wait. So.. even if the joint compound works a little differently I was all up for ease of using it.

After I taped off the sections of the tray I spread joint compound all over it and let it dry. Then peeled the tape off. Then wished I hadn't peeled tape off as I wanted to paint it without getting any paint on the wood. Well this was a happy accident. I re-taped it using wider strips of tape which then gave a nice white border around each square.

painting the white squares with acrylic paints as well as using Adirondack color wash sprays.

Then I pulled off the tape and had these wonderful miniature paintings. To add more depth I painted melted way over the top and fused it with a heat gun. I then scratched into the surface of the wax and rubbed burnt umber paint into the scratches to add more texture.

I like the way this turned out. But I am considering adding a few 3D objects and then covering it in resin. What do you think? Leave it alone or keep going? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Tomorrow I will be presenting at 10 am, "How to tell a story through Found Object Assemblage" at the SCHOLASTIC ART AND WRITING WORKSHOPS: Timberline High School 701 E. Boise Ave.

from 9 am till 4 pm - 1 hour Art and Writing Workshops. All are welcome...the workshops are free. Bring your own brown bag lunch. Invite your friends and peers...this is going to be fun.

Then from 1-3 tomorrow I will be over a Green Chutes with a free make and take table of a Valentine Pin. Stop in and say hi. :)

Mrs. Beasley and Her Jaunty New Hat

2012-01-28T15:40:00.000-08:00


"Mrs. Beasley and Her Jaunty New Hat"

18" tall $35

this was a wooden box with feet I got at a thrift store. I painted the inside with gesso and the outside around the existing flowers. I added more of my own flowers and grass.

Detail of head. I added a butterfly on her back, a pearl necklace and the hat is made of a clay/jewel antique piece, ribbon, feather and silk flower.

This is Mrs. Beasely with just the necklace and butterfly wings.

The finished base, I added more paint embellishments and glued the 2 pieces together. The bottom box I actually glued upside down as I thought it looked better that way. I also brushed acrylic paint over the gesso and rubbed it in with a cloth to add some texture.

Why did I name her Mrs. Beasley? I don't know It just sounded good to me!

Strength For When the Wolves Come

2012-01-25T12:44:00.000-08:00

Why wolves, you might ask? Well five separate things led me to make this piece.

1. The biggest factor was my fairly recent encounter with a wolf while on my mountain bike in the Wood River Valley in November. It crossed the path in front of me, stopped and looked at me and then wandered off into the sage brush. I tried to look to see where it had gone but it just seemed to disappear into the landscape, which was fine by me! I was not sure if what I saw was a wolf or a coyote and engaged my friend Marianne who asked me a bunch of good questions about the size of the animal as compared to her huge dogs. We figured it must have been a coyote until I saw this newspaper article with the photo and then I KNEW that a wolf is what crossed my path!

2. Next up was this headline I came across in Ironman Magazine, whom my high school friend Steve is the editor: "Strength for When the Wolves Come" really caught my attention as these words reminded me of a childhood memory. One night I was awakened by my grandmother having a nightmare and she was talking in her sleep. She was shouting to be careful as there were wolves in the house. We lived in a suburb in New Jersey right outside of NYC, so this was highly unlikely. Well my little sister was woken up by my grandmother who was talking in her sleep but my sister didn't know she was talking in her sleep and assumed it was real and wanted to know where they were! We all got a laugh out of this the next morning but that night it seemed all too real!

3. The cool silver wolf pin someone gave me to use in a piece of art.

4. The the current controversial issue of the reintroduction of wolves in the state of Idaho and the lifting of their protected status.

5. And the tipping point was finding the wolf statue last week.

This past week I bought this wolf statue at a thrift store in Ketchum. I already had the newspaper article and magazine cut out saved along with the wolf pin which was given to me. I was saving these items to use on a future piece...with the find of the statue, I felt that I had enough items to start.

When I have an idea of what I want to make and it is something based on a letter, I dig out my plastic bags of letters and see what I have that I can use to complete the piece. I found several "w" game pieces and a wolf card.

I had a shadow box given to me by a friend that I decided to use for this project. I painted a mountain scene on the top, glued the pin and letters and then added paint to distress the pieces.


I painted and collaged all 4 sides and the back of the inside of the box. I then glued the statue and some silk leaves in the bottom. Unfortunately the glass does not come out of the box and it is very hard to photograph something with a glass front.

The right side of the box...


and the left side.

Nothing Like a Pretty Day for Some Inspiration

2012-01-21T20:30:00.000-08:00

Everything looks better with snow on it.


While entertaining family from out of state we went to visit Sun Valley ID and had a great time walking around. We visited some wonderful galleries...you may have seen these three sculptures on my Facebook page whom all seem to be enjoying playing in the snow.

We also snowshoed, skied, shopped and had some great meals. I always make it a special point to visit the wonderful contemporary galleries in Ketchum. One of the galleries I went into had a large encaustic painting hanging above a lit fireplace which was quite warm. I asked the woman in the gallery about the placement of the painting above the fire and if there was any problems with that and her response was "Well, that would be quite irresponsible of us now, wouldn't it?" Nothing like making a person feel dumb to encourage a sale! Despite that, it was a wonderful show!

If I'm going to Die, I'm Going to Have Some Fun. (One of my pieces in Text Messages)

Unfortunely we got back to town too late to attend the opening of a local show Text Messages that I have 2 pieces of art in. This exhibition will continue through April 5th. I saw many of the pieces while the show was being hung and was very impressed with the caliber of work. The theme of the show was that the piece was to contain some text.

A New Year...A New Series

2012-01-11T21:30:00.000-08:00

The new packages of baby wipes I noticed have these cool little doors that can be removed...so one day...the weird person that I am, I cut off the hinged door and started playing around with it. I covered one with modeling paste and added paint.

I started seeing what they might fit on and how they could be used. I started with two used canvases from a thrift store with paintings on the front. I covered the backs with modeling paste for texture and fit the doors over the openings.

My First piece has a mountain climber theme as my husband wants to get back into doing more climbing this year.

This one I call "Alpine Adventures" It is covered in modeling paste with layers of paint and small pebbles. I drew an ice axe on the front of the door. The dots around the edges is metallic fabric paint. available for $50

The top of the piece is a collage of Patagonia peaks tempered with acrylic paint.


The inside holds a small test tube of rocks and a rock climber on belay. The inside lid is a collage of some mountain peaks and a compass.

This side contains a collage of mountaineers with a piece of real granite.

This side has accessory cord tied in a climbers butterfly coil.

My second piece was the theme of "Under The Sea" or a "Pirates Booty" This one is based on my childhood memories of Disney Land and the "Pirates of the Caribbean Theme Ride"which I loved.

This side has jewels, blue sea glass and a green sword.

The entire front was covered in modeling paste, black paint and then blue interference paint. Then all kinds of jewels and bead's and jewelry and the text "do your own dirty work" This piece is available for $50

The inside opening contains a drawer filled with shells and jewels.

The top has more jewels.

A view of the front with the baby wipe "door" open. In the center is the drawer full of more treasure.

This side is covered with more jewels, glitter and a game piece with the word "water."

Stay tuned for more fun pieces in this series....

Bikes and Biking On My Mind

2012-01-04T18:18:00.000-08:00

Collage on top of shadow box

3D shadow box of a little girl with dog and tricycle looking out over the fence at a woman riding a bicycle and thinking someday I want a big girls bike. $65

Bikes are still on my mind as snow has not come to this part of Idaho yet.

Our ski resort is losing $100, 000 a day! The snow markers register- nada! so what am I doing? Riding my bike in January. I got a new mountain bike for Christmas which I rode yesterday- 16 miles, and lots of climbing! There were a few patches of ice and mud but overall it felt like a spring day. The temp. registered 52 on my bike computer!

I was never much of a bike rider until my late 40's when I got my first bike. My first big ride was the "Hotter Than Hell" in Wichita Falls Tx. 60 miles in 112 degree heat! Since moving to Idaho four years ago, I got my very own mountain bike at age 50 (the previous 2 years I was riding my husbands hand me down) and am now registered for my first mountain bike race coming up in April!

Maybe I was that little girl looking over that fence, it just took me a while to get there... those of you who have followed my blog for a while may recognize the red trike in the shadow box. It was left mysteriously on my doorstep a year ago, I found out recently it was a fellow artist and neighbor who had left it there. So for a year I have been making a little pile of papers and ephemera related to bikes around the red trike.

Tuesday at Studio Em was the time to make it all come together. First I went through my little pile and divided up the ephemera into 2 piles, one that was more related to mountain biking and one that was more related to casual riding around town. The mountain biking ephemera will be for a future piece.

side panel collage

me on my new bike in January and no snow!


Other side panel collage

Art from the land of no skiing yet.

2011-12-31T18:53:00.000-08:00

I went to Marianne's for studio night on Tues. Nancy and I worked on tins for the Tinstalation at Art Source Gallery for First Thursday coming up next week. This is a fund raiser for three different arts organizations. BOSCO the open studios collective, TRICA, a childrens art school, and Art Source Gallery.

Marianne cutting something to add to her art.


Nancy is working on some intricate details

A painting I had started many moons ago...I added some bright colors and some texture...

I am then going to collage the whole thing with the new approach spoken of by Jonathan Talbot in his book Collage without Liquid Adhesives. I heard Jonathan speak at a National Art Education conference also many moons ago and even bought the book and stood in line to have him autograph it and then never tried the technique! Not sure what got me thinking about it but I dug out the book, bought the medium he suggests and santa brought me an iron.

He recommends Golden Polymer Medium (Gloss) #03510

You apply the medium to every piece of paper you might use in your collage. On one side, let dry and then on the other side.

One idea in the book was to hang them to dry. This didn't work for me as they got stuck to the clothespins. Maybe another project would be to apply Teflon to the clothespins. Subsequent sheets of paper I just layed down to dry and that worked fine.

After both sides of paper have been coated, as well as the substrate (the canvas in this instance) you layer your papers and iron them down. If its not a hard surface like a board, you need to put something under it so it doesn't move. I put a book under the painting. He also suggests release paper between the iron and paper. I used some Teflon cooking stuff I had and that seemed to work, other than you can't see through it.

This is what I have so far...not done yet but virtually no wrinkling of papers.

My third project this week was to work on some "Mail Art." this was the forerunner to the Artist Trading Cards and I thought that is was a virtually dead art form until I ran across 2 calls for mail art last month. If published I get a free magazine from Stampington and Co. and a free subscription to Mountain Gazette.

And last but not least I must have dragged my sleeve in some acrylic and then got it all over the front of my shirt, didn't see it until it was dry. I have an idea for it though...you'll see it in the next blog entry, next year!

Last Minute Deal- Free gift wrap and delivery on Christmas Eve

2011-12-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

If there is anything you have seen of mine that you would like to purchase and need it by Christmas AND live within the city limits of Boise, I will personally wrap and deliver it for you on Christmas Eve.

$20

Most of my projects can be seen in past posts on this blog. You can also look on my flicker page. My facebook art photos. My Facebook Fan page , Green Chutes and my TVAA Gallery Page. If it is at one of my retail stores I will go get it for you, but you have to let me know before 10 am tomorrow, so that I can coordinate this for you.

Have a great holiday!

iphone blogger failure

2011-12-21T20:53:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I down loaded the new i phone blogger, Now I can blog whenever I want. I took the i phone with me to Denver when I visited my daughter and took lots of pics. and then wrote the blog complete with photos while at the airport. It was so simple, then hit publish and nothing... but PUBLISHING ERROR- the operation couldn't be completed. (Invalid category term.) I thought no problem, I'll publish it when I get home to the computer- well the draft doesn't show up on my computer..but this draft (I just checked, shows up on the phone!) I went and typed in my problem on the help forum but have gotten no responses. Anyone have any ideas???

Green Chutes Open House

2011-12-10T16:37:00.001-08:00

Today I set up a table from 1-3 and did a make and take, ATC's and collage but then wound up doing packing tape photo transfers, it was quite the hit with the young and old. The really cool thing is that a woman that saw my Week As Art on Create Mixed Media (when you go to link, scroll down a bit), lives in my town! and came down to see me today. Wow. The world wide web is a small world. We had a great time visiting.

Also got to visit with my photographer friend Eric Obendorf, check out his work...I really like it.

The Marketplace in Green Chutes

All decorated for the Holidays and many artists were set up demonstrating. If you did not get a chance to go they will be open tomorrow with many more make and takes and demo's. I won't be there as I will be out on my new mountain bike.

My First Mixed Media Workshop Under My Belt

2011-12-08T20:02:00.001-08:00

Fun was had by all at Twigs and Twist as we collaged and assemblaged our mirrors to our hearts content.

Ephemera included tissue paper, vintage photos, jewelry....

Ronna shows off the piece she did in honor of her mother.

attaching eye hooks at the bottom to hang some crystals.

Allison displays her Music and Dolls theme, with some additions to add at home.

Allison had some really old miniature porcelain dolls, I asked her if she bought them on ebay, she said no...she dug them out of her back yard in Silver City years ago! Now that is pretty cool!

December 8th class- still room!

2011-12-05T21:01:00.001-08:00

Back in October I was going to teach my first mixed media workshop "Homage Collage" click on the link for details... it has been rescheduled for this Thursday Dec. 8th from 5-7 pm. If you are interested please let me know ASAP, there are still a couple spots open.

This past weekend I was invited up to a friends cabin in the mountains. Boy was it cold!! But we kept busy making art and venturing out to the local thrift stores.

The picture above is Mickie's example of what we will be making in the class. She made an excellent homage to her grandmother using photos, jewelry, perfume bottle, playing card and magazine flowers. For the class I will provide the mirror and basic supplies, you bring the ephemera related to your theme.

This week I was fortunate to have some friends hand me bags of goodies for my art!

"Found Objects" given to me by my art museum docent friend Kathy C.

"Found Objects" given to me by my friend Lynn F. at the Gypsy Show

Mountain Town Thrift Store Finds

A personalized piece for a back country skier friends birthday.

The Week As Art

2011-12-01T10:48:00.001-08:00

The Week as art - literally and figuratively. This has been a busy but fun week of art. Tonight was the Gypsy Gallery; which I have been a member of now for 4 years. Sold a couple of pieces and met a whole bunch of nice people. We even had live music performed by Gail Chapman.

Besides getting ready for Gypsy, I have also been busy making new art for The North End Organic Nursery's Christmas Market. As well as Brown's Gallery show for December, which they invited some non members. I had 3 pieces accepted. I also entered a piece in the Juried Show at Boise State "The Intersection of Food and Art" and I made 3 pieces for a Sheep Show.

And I was selected for the Week as Art for the website Create Mixed Media .com I created an assemblage based on numbers for the dates December 4-10. The pieces are below. I already sold #10! The others are all available for $25 each.

Finished piece from previous post...

2011-11-23T13:26:00.001-08:00

20" tall $55

I wrote about the piece in my previous blog. It was inspired by the broken ornament below. I need you as my reader to help me name the piece and/or give a possible use for it. When I showed it to my husband he said it reminded him of Russia and came up with the name Cyrillic Christmas. I showed it to another friend who thought I made a bong! I thought it could work as a ring holder or candy dish. Guess it doesn't have to be anything, it just is! Please leave your comments below and let me know what you think...I do like getting comments. :)

A possible base with stars...nah...too clunky

the piece that started it all- I'm not sure what it looked like new...as you can see the red tip was broken, I assume it had something to hang from on that end. I snipped it off with wire cutters and it fit into the wooden candlestick holder.

detail of painting

Painted to match the top...almost finished...

A quick trip to the thrift store...I did not have the brass leg base in mind for this piece or the ceramic bowl. But when I got it back to the studio and started playing around with the pieces I saw that the bowl fit perfectly inside the base and that the piece fit perfectly on top of the base and the blue ceramic matched perfectly! If I had been searching for something specific to finish this piece, I don't think I would have found as good a match.

May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thanks for visiting!

10 Days in a Snow Globe

2011-11-21T16:55:00.001-08:00


I love it when random things fit together. This tin fits in part of this ipod holder and this random dollhouse drawer fits in the other. My next major project is going to be a series of secret places, drawers and compartments.

Random new cards

My husbands new job is teaching Wilderness Medicine classes. All of them to date have been to places that you have to fly to. This last class (10 days) was in Ketchum, Idaho (Sun Valley) ...which is only a 2 1/2 hour drive from home. So I got to tag along! Such a beautiful setting. I brought my mountain bike, hiking boots and A LOT of art supplies. In previous posts I have talked about weighing my art kit down to ounces for backpacking trips and camping trips, well this time we were bringing the truck...so I took advantage and filled the truck!

I called ahead to the hotel and asked about accommodations. They are in their "slack" time right now before the holidays, so they upgraded me to a suite for NO EXTRA CHARGE! When we brought Bill's co-instructor up to the room to show him some of the items I was working on, he told me the next night that he called an artist friend of his and told them that my studio space in the hotel room was larger than her regular studio.

It seemed a lot less stressful than being at home. I got to create all day and break it up with a hike in the snow over to the one thrift store in town for inspiration and even found an office/art supply store. I was looking for a razor blade, which they don't sell and the owner gave me his box cutter at no charge. So I bought some mediums from him. Black Gesso, Gold Acrylic and Impasto.

This was one of the items I brought with me. It was broken on one end. I had also brought along an unpainted wooden candlestick holder. I snapped off the broken end and it fit in the candle holder perfectly. I painted it to match, and set it on a round piece of wood.

Then on one of my trips to the "Gold Mine" I found the perfect base and something to go in that base. Finished photos to follow in another blog post.

Some boxes showing all the little bits and pieces I brought with me.

Working on projects on the hotel coffee table.

"Christmas Spoon"

view through our balcony

Works in progress

Another view through our balcony

playing around with some miscellaneous pieces...nothing solid yet.

Some ephemera for a custom piece...Chicago Cats....

The finished piece, or so I thought. Found out the cat is a male and is still alive, so I need to remove the pink bauble and words saying "she was always happy" and remove the trumpet. So I have some more to do on this one. Finished result will be in a future blog.

Besides making art all week, I also got to do a 24 mile bike ride before the snow hit and then hiked 2- 10 miles every day. It was cold but beautiful and sunny.

Antlers Change Direction

2011-11-19T09:21:00.001-08:00

In my original piece of art using these antlers I made this Antler Mirror- Objects from my travels put together. The mirror was bought at a thrift shop from a trip to CA last year. The old bottle was from weird place in VA that I will be blogging about (my husband and I still have nightmares from this place) and the antlers were obtained from my mom's garage in TX. (No one knows were they came from or how they got there) But that piece is no longer available as I took it apart to make something else. Why did I take it apart, well I had it outside and the antlers were glued and well...lets just say the antlers are too heavy for glue. Luckily nothing broke, just came apart.

The new incarnation of the antlers started with the handmade wooden box I found in a shopping cart in front of a thrift store marked "free" those are the best finds! It is a well made box, not flimsy. The rectangular pieces in the middle are small encaustic paintings that I made in a workshop last year. I really do need to go back to one of those classes as I have used up all but one of my wax painting/collages in an assemblage!

This time around the antlers are not only glued but also screwed into the wood. They are not coming off this time! Placed around the encaustics are river rocks given to me from a friend that brought them back from New Zealand for me.

The last step was I poured two part resin over all the rocks to seal everything in and the rocks appear to be under a layer of water.

I really like the simplicity and natural colors of this piece. I don't have a name for it yet. I'm taking suggestions. This piece is for sale $250.

Trapped By Her Own Doing She Struggled to Break Free

2011-11-14T08:36:00.001-08:00


	Playing around in the studio with my pieces of treasured junk, I saw that this doll head fit into this wood box I had. I then "antiqued" the head and hands with some thinned down acrylic paint.

I wasn't sure the direction I was going with this...I had the news on and a story "commercial" came on about how this woman was so into debt that she decided the only way out was gambling. It showed her children vying for her attention but she was too busy looking at the lottery numbers to give them the time of day. The family was crumbling around her, she was in despair! Then the credit counselor voice came on said there was hope...IF you gave him a call.

I had my theme!

I like to tear a page out of a book and then find a word or sentence that goes with the theme I have in mind. If you search through books for the perfect thing, I takes way to long to find what you are looking for but I find that if you limit it to a small amount of text, the perfect things pops out...like the sentence on this page. " How the rest of it was, I know not; only that I had the end of it..."

The piece of glass glued over the figure is a small glass container that a creme brulee from the freezer case came in. We bought the dessert while in Canada. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not plastic! and of course I had to save it. It had such a unique shape.

The rounded wire piece covering the glass is what I can assume is a top to a candle holder of some kind that I think I found at a thrift store. The piece still needed something to tie it together so to speak and I found the chain and wrapped it around the piece. And then came up with title " Trapped by Her Own Doing She Struggled to Break Free" Since there is nothing per se with the piece having to with debt. it could relate to others on any addiction or problem they may personally be struggling with.

Green Chutes: 14 year olds, recycled art projects and holiday art

2011-11-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

Green Chutes the Co-op gallery I am in will be putting up a Christmas tree and asked the artists to create an ornament for the tree and then to make multiples to put under the tree. I am not good at making duplicates of anything, so I wondered what to make...I had just ordered all these postcards with my logo on them...I also bought all these small frames at a backyard craft sale...and had no specific idea in mind for them and the idea was born. I glued a jewel on each crown over the photo of the jewel and added a ribbon. These are priced at $7 each.

On Tuesday I volunteered to take 2 groups of 15- 14 year olds on a tour around the galleries to see how artists repurpose items into art. I then had the idea that each student should make or at least start their own recycled project. After viewing lego's made into credit card holders and old jewelry made into new jewelry, china plates and candle holders made into cake plates, maps made into purses etc. We then went upstairs and they got to come up with their own ideas with the items that were generously donated. Every one was on task and seemed quite thrilled with the whole idea.

While I was down there I brought some winter/holiday art to display and hopefully sell.

A Walk in the Woods collage in a decorated frame

Tin Soldier Baubles in a painted tin

Christmas Cow

Bless This Home

Happiness Book

Mardi Gras Angel Hand painted wood body, one of the pieces of wood is the top to a hot sauce bottle, vintage button

Dali Angel made with Vintage handkerchief and fork/hand

Royal Angel Silver sugar spoon, gem and tassel

Snowman on a Sled- Wall plaque

The evolution of an idea...

2011-11-07T14:11:00.000-08:00

I want to turn this old frame with a piece of board stapled to it (given to me by my friend Miriam) into what will look like a piece of a tiled bathroom floor for a project I am working on. I have an idea for an upcoming juried show.

I went to home depot to gather ideas and I picked up a bunch of paint chip cards, I cut them all into 1" squares and was going to glue them down to create the tile floor and look- not nearly enough! I did not feel like driving back to the store and I wasn't sure about these anyway cause I am going to be pouring resin over the whole thing and didn't want them coming up.

Plan B is to paint tile squares....

First I covered the whole board with Gesso and let it dry.

Then I used painters tape and made horizontal stripes leaving a small gap between tape strips to fill in with brown paint.

I let the paint dry and then peeled off the tape to reveal horizontal stripes.

Next I used the same pieces of tape and put them across horizontally.

I then painted those spaces, let dry and peeled off the tape again. I now have a checker board pattern. Where the paint leaked under the tape, didn't matter...

as I then painted each square individually with 4 different colors. First I used an off white mixed with burnt umber and yellow ochre. It looked kind of dirty when it dried...so I then did a layer of white and light blue which gave it a cleaner look but also more three dimensional quality with all the layers of different whites in each square.

I then glued a "Health Check" card and painted a shadow around it. When it was dry I poured Enviro Tex lite, pour on high gloss finish...one coat is equal to 50 coats of varnish. I moved it to a warmer part of the house and let it dry 48 hours before...

I started laying things on it. Now to back track a minute, the only items I purchased exclusively for this project were the scale and fork which I bought at a thrift store for a total of $5. My original plan was to have just the scale, dumbell and wieghts all attached to each other and it would be a hanging piece. I had them set out at the BOSCO art studio tour and one coment was I should get a piece of tile floor to hang it on. So that was how the tile floor came about. Then I wanted to hang this whole thing on the wall but the dumbells and scale weigh quite a bit and I think might just pull off the wall or frame.

Plan B on the display: now it could either be displayed as shown above by sitting on a pedestal or...

Plan C: attach the frame to this table and make it a functional piece as well as a statement.

The scale, dumbbell and fork and vegetables become part of the base. The drawer would be used to hold women's stories. Read below to see what I have in mind and then please leave me a comment.

The comment can either be something to go in the drawer or your thoughts on how you think this piece should be shown or both. If the base with drawer is not used then the notes of paper will be slipped around the sides of the scale on top.

This is an art piece about women and their experiences and feelings related to food, weight loss, dieting etc. Please send me a paragraph, sentence or even just a word on your feelings related to this topic... I will hand copy them and fold them up and put them in the installation.

Hopefully after all this, it will be accepted into the show. :) I'll keep you updated and thanks for your help!

What I did with those wine cork frames...

2011-11-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

Life's Journey

original collage in a wine cork frame with Fleur de lis. I love the Quote:

"Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it...but by siting still, and the more one sits still, the closer one becomes to feeling ill...Thus if one just keeps walking, everything will be all right."

-Soren Kierkegaard

letter to Jette (1847)

I can't say that walking cures every burden but I do know that when I get out and excercise everyday be it walking, hiking, running, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, or kayaking. I feel much better physically, even if I started out tired; I come back energized and some of my best idea's come to me while I am outdoors.

Falling leaves

Original plein air painting

A New Adventure Every Day

This was a painting that I had done a few years ago and decided to collage some things over it to make it all about Idaho. Because this is how I feel about my (relatively) new home. In Texas I didn't get to do all the cool outdoor adventures everyday for a number of reasons.

I lived in the middle of a large city
I taught full time
Went to grad school and wrote a thesis
and raised 2 children

As I tell people when I am exhibiting my art; I used to be the teacher, now I get to have all the fun- make art and play outside.

Angel Wall Hangings

2011-11-03T15:34:00.000-07:00


Mardi Gras Angel 12" tall

Antique button head, gold wings, wooden spool, dowel, hot sauce top,

pushpin, star, gold beads and threads

Dali Angel 10" tall

Fork/hand? head, gold wings, and vintage handkerchief.


Royal Spoon Angel 12" tall

Sugar spoon, gold wings, purple bauble, silver and purple tassel.

These are all available for purchase, $25. each

Monkey's, Museums and Mist

2011-10-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

Just back from a wonderful long weekend in Seattle with the Boise Art Museum Docents. 27 of us saw art everywhere...

... the space needle shrowded in mist as seen from the Olympic Sculpture Park.

...the homeless even had artful trees to hang out under.

.
..street art of Bruce Lee in the International District.

...beautiful gardens and mosaic walls.

...in the swirl of the iron gate


	...in front of whole foods we were greeted by the artist Aiko Takamori as he spoke about his sculptures.

...even the fruits and vegetables made beautiful pattern...

...as well as Nancy's sweater blending beautifully with the Aboriginal painting.

...Deborah Butterflied's horse sculpture greeted us as we arrived at Greg Kucera's Gallery tour.

...Seattle Art Museum tour...

Seattle Art Museum Installation

Seattle Mist

Gabriel Cornelius von Max, 1840-1915

Monkeys as Judges of Art Frye Art Museum Tour

...special thanks to Terra, Drew and Bonnie for all their work in coordinating the trip to make it enjoyable and informational for all.

Boise Open Studios (BOSCO) 2011 weekend wrap-up

2011-10-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Pam, Geoff and Nancy working on their art.

This past Saturday and Sunday was the big event. Now you might ask yourself why has my studio been relocated to the front yard. Well for several reasons. One my studio is too small for three of us plus guests. Second, last year Marianne and I were set up in the back and we had a total of 15 visitors over 2 days, and since I live on a busy street...I thought this way we would get people that wouldn't normally stop (more visibility and not as wierd as going around into someone's back yard that you don't know) and 3rd reason was when I went to Open Studios out in Lake Tahoe this was how one house was set up and that was were I got the idea.

Well this set up worked very well for the first day. We had a lovely warm fall day! By afternoon you can see I was down to a sleeveless shirt. My theory was correct about better traffic up front. We had many people stop by that were not doing the tour but were just driving by and wanted to see what we were up to...plus lots of neighbors. I didn't count how many people came by on Saturday but at least 45, if not more and almost that many on Sunday. I sure wish I had thought to count. We had a constant stream of people until 4pm when the Football game started. It got so eerily quiet that we thought maybe the rapture had taken place. No cars, nothing...just silence.

And for people wanting to see my studio- they got a private tour, so all worked out well. I had many comments about how calm and tranquil and zen like my studio area was. That made me happy. That must mean I did a good job of cleaning up the usual jumble of stuff!

Nancy worked on staining old letters with coffee and burning their edges to add to her moth painting. Geoff is seen working on his cartoons.


Here I am gluing buttons and adding paint and glitter to a project.

Day 2: Sunday we awoke to pouring rain and dropping temperatures! The tent had pools of water on the awning! Time to re-adjust. Bill moved the truck out of the garage and we turned that into a working studio for 3! We did such a convincing job of that- ( in only 30 minutes!) that we had a quite a few people comment that it was nice that 3 of us could share this studio space (all the time). We laughed and said no we didn't usually work in the garage and then I would show them my studio. Which is just through the door in the garage, so this arrangement actually worked out really well. And I told them that Nancy and I actually would go work once a week in Marianne's studio which was also open and then we would send them over there to go see.

We also had comments from folks that were happy to actually get to see us working, they said that at some of the other studios they went to the artists were not actually working on something.

At first the rain was a dampener on traffic but as the day went on the people came out, at one point we had a bottle neck in the garage it was so full of people. I think the other factors in such a good response was the insert in the Boise Weekly, the cards promoting our website (a lot of the folks I talked to had just printed the map off the website and didn't even have the one from the paper) and the opening at the Boise Art Museum.

Happy Life

2011-10-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

Wednesday- first I gave a tour at the Boise art museum to a group of 3rd graders from Payette on the current comic exhibit. A large group of wiggly kids, I think they all enjoyed it.

Then I started my Etsy shop- have just added one item, but there will be more.

... did some reading and discovered I had a piece of art in a newly published book:

http://www.createmixedmedia.com/blogs/destination-creativity-addendum

check out the link- One of my ATC's made it into Ricë's book!

Then it was out for a mountain bike ride to enjoy some of this cooler fall sunshine. I went big and tried some more difficult trails. Got my back tire caught in a rut on the motorcylce trail and had a tumble, nothing serious, just a few scrapes and bruises.

And finally it was back to my studio for cleaning and organizing for Open Studios (BOSCO) this weekend. Seriously I had to put lots of things away, so there would be room to walk...while finishing a few projects that have been in the works, here is one of them:

This post is in reverse...here is my newest finished assemblage/collage:

Happy Life 9 x12 on Canvas

Here it is before the frame. I found the gazebo at a thrift store and I had the Mulan doll, other 3d elements include a glass turtle, game piece, glass bird, handmade clay flowers.

Here I have collaged the background, added crackling paste, paint, fabric, the red roses are from a plastic grocery bag.

This photo shows the very first step of assembling the pieces to go on the canvas. It all started with an unfinished painting from 5 years ago.

Links to other blogs- givewaway, book, video, techniques and tools...

2011-10-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks Seth for including me in this edition of The Pulse. It's always great fun and educational to read The Altered Page.

Another blog to check out is Diane's My Art Journal. Diane is a great online artist friend and leaves me comments, which I like. She is giving away a copy of a new publication- Mingle.

Another favorite blog of mine is Ricë's Notes from the Voodoo Cafe. Her "rants" :) can be long but are very entertaining. She is an excellent writer and just came out with a new book which I am in the process of reading. Check out the Utube video on the book "Destination Creativity: The Life-Altering Journey of the Art Retreat. "

Boise Open Studios (BOSCO) preview at Boise Art Museum (BAM)

2011-10-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

What a fun time! The Boise Art Museum held the opening for our Boise Open Studio Event (BOSCO) this evening. Rick Friesen and myself were chosen as the 2D and 3D working artists for the evening. Rick drew portraits of people and I worked on 3 separate projects. I told people I got way more done in 3 hours at the museum than I get done at home, cause there are not distractions like a computer or a husband.

Lots of friends stopped by to say hi. Pictured above are Marianne and Nancy both BOSCO members who will also be on the tour of open studios.

The first of three projects. The thought and gathering of materials is what took up all of the time prior to the event. #1 you have to have an idea and #2 you have to bring everything you will need to complete the project away from your studio. So basically I created 3 "kits" to then put together at the museum.

This one consisted of a painting on canvas I had used 5 years ago at Highland Park Elementary School when I was teaching a unit on Georgia O'Keefe. I then collected emphemera related to flowers and a pink and green color scheme. 3-D objects include a thrift store gazebo, Mulan doll from McDonalds from years ago, a small bird from the Catholic rummage sale in TX.

I did not finish this one but got a good start. Now I need to find a second hand frame for it.

With hunting season approaching, my second project was this cool intricate wood cut of deer and birds. I painted it all and added the game pieces that spell dad, the rifle (again from the $2 bag from the Catholic rummage sale) the deer and chair. Inside the chair I put a very small photo of a fisherman on a lake in the mountains. I still have a little more to do this one as well.

This one I think is finished. A cool mirror from the thrift store covered in jewelry given to me by my sister and a friend.

Now to clean up the mess I made in the studio earlier today when I pulled everything out!

Sittin on the dock of the Bay...

2011-10-05T17:00:00.000-07:00

I just returned this week from a great birthday week in TX with my family. My mom took me and my 3 sisters to Rockport for some much needed girls time. Lots of time to visit art galleries and get inspiration. Rockport is #48 in the Book " The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America"

Mom bought us each a pair of new flip flops.

Marianne working on her photo transfers.

While I was in Texas I received an invitation to studio em for our Tuesday night art making. Since I was back of course I went. Good friends, good art, good wine...what much else could you ask for. :)

Echo kept me company all night, sitting under my chair.

Lynn, working on a "secret project"

I worked on some frames I bought at the Catholic Rummage Sale I went to with my Mom (this was just prior to her winning $25 at Bingo!) I covered them in corks and some other finds.

One of the days I spent in TX was on a wine tour of the Hill Country. At one of the wineries they had a barrel of corks that said "free." Needless to say I threw a handful into my purse. Now to create some collages for the frames.

One of Marianne's beautiful photo transfers. I went by the Art Source Gallery and her art looked really good in it's new display! Stop by on First Thursday (tomorrow) to my friend Zella's metal art as the featured show and then come by the Boise Art Museum were I will be demonstrating my assemblage techniques from 5-8 pm.

Custom Assemblages

2011-09-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

A few months ago my sister Selina was the winner of a piece of art on my Facebook page. I wanted to make her something personal, as she just started a new wine tasting/trolley tours venture in Texas "Texas Grape Escapes" I had her send me a logo, which I scaled way down and glued on the wine bottle along with a crystal bow that my little neighbor Marcus found for me in the street. (thank you Marcus!) I created the table out of a large plastic spool that I think ribbon or wire came on. I gessoed it and then painted it brown. I cut out a checkered tablecloth for the top and added a ribbon border, glued corks to the base and now she has a business card holder for her new business!

I will be traveling down to see mom and sisters next week, so I am hoping she doesn't see this blog until then so it will be a surprise. If you live in the TX Hill Country area she is putting on a Chocolate and Wine Festival you should check out in October.

I have quite the entrepreneur family. Every one of my 4 siblings owns a business as well as my nephew, Tommy who started a flight school near San Antonio TX. I wanted to make something for his new business Anderson Aviation. This piece started out with the frame with the airplanes on top. One airplane was broken and the frame had a large blemish. No problem for me as I got the frame really cheap as no else would want it and I could fix it up adding pictures of his 3 airplanes. Bordering the airplanes are cut out pieces of a large compass. Lots of letter A's and in the center is a gold hanging earring in the shape of Texas.

Ideas on Ideas

2011-09-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

Myself as well as 2 other local assemblage artists, Belinda and Cyndy gathered in the art classroom of Jerry Hendershot at Timberline High School Wednesday morning to discuss our methods and hopefully inspire the students to branch out in 3D media other than clay. Even though all three of us do basically the same thing (collect and put old stuff together into art) we each had a very different approach and feel to our methods and their results.

The students noticed that Belinda's all seemed to be in boxes, that Cyndy's were all characters and that mine were hard to put in a category.

The talk I gave was on how I get my ideas. I told them that:

Number one I was inspired by the items themselves, and then secondary to that my art was informed by the culture I live in and am exposed to:
Books
Movies
The news and commercials
Viewing other art shows
Traveling
Music

I brought examples of art to show for each.

Cyndy and Belinda brought a couple items each and did a digital slide show. I was very impressed by their work.

Afterwards Jerry passed out boxes of items he had collected over the years and purchased at the youth ranch bins. The 3 of us also brought stuff for the students to use. The students were all very interested and dove right into the project of making their own. We had to leave but hope to be back to see their work in progress and hear their final presentations.

Memory Tin

2011-09-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

Small tin painted with gesso, with art tape on the sides and one of my assemblage images. I call it "Memory Box" as some children were looking at it this weekend, they asked me, "How do you put your memories in there?"

This morning I followed along on our docent model tour for "Comics at the Crossroads" I give my first two tours of this exhibit on Thursday, one to a Junior High group of boys and the other to a group from Boise High School. I was going to get my script all in order tonight but Wednesday I do a presentation on assemblage to a class at Timberline High School and I have spent the evening gathering odd objects that they can use in their assemblages.

On October 6, I will be doing an assemblage demo at the Boise Art Museum for First Thursday in conjunction with Boise Open Studios. The open studios will take place Oct. 15 and 16.

October 13th I will be teaching a collage/assemblage class at Twigs and Twist in Hyde Park. There are still a few spots open if you are interested.

What to do with an empty tin?

2011-09-18T08:13:00.000-07:00

First I painted the outside of the tin with white acrylic. Then I cut out images from some vintage paper a friend gave me. I used gel medium to glue everything down. The antique look was done by rubbing an ink pad on the acrylic paint.

The leaves are stickers which I then added gel on top. To add some dimension inside the tin, I added a green bead to hold a ribbon flower and added a tie tack of a little race car. Since my dad raced back in the 60's I could see the "vintage connection" I also tied it all together using a yellow and green color scheme.

Every side of the tin has something on it, to keep it interesting. $15 plus postage

Dunia Fundraiser at Art Source Gallery

2011-09-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

This summer Art Source Gallery initiated a summer series of art events to be held on 3^rd Fridays.

Each of the events of the summer series is about seeing art as it is actually being created, and allowing the public to witness the process. Art work created at these events will be available for purchase by silent auction as the pieces are created; proceeds will go to Dunia Marketplace, the Gallery's partner charity for the three summer events. Items not sold the night of the event will be available for purchase at Dunia or The Art Source.

Friday, August 19^thI participated in the Quick Draw as the Dunia Market Place Guest Artist, in which artists complete a piece of art within a two-hour span. Artists Jaki Katz Ashford (acrylic), Martine Castoro (oil), Rick Olmstead (jeweler), Barbara Bowling (enamel jeweler), Shana Hoppe (Acrylic), Kay Coughran (Oil) and Dunia Guest Artist Pam McKnight (Assemblage) will create in their chosen medium for 2 hours, giving the viewers yet another insight into the creative process.

The event was held from 6 to 9 pm, with music, and wine provided by a local winery. There was no charge to attend. All art created at these events will be available for purchase by silent auction, with proceeds to be donated to Dunia Marketplace, a not-for-profit Fair Trade store located at 1609 N. 13th Street, Boise.

Here is my table with all the stuff I brought to create something. I had to borrow a punch bowl to put my beads in so I could look through them without them going all over the floor!

Here is Marianne and David at the wine table.

2 wooden eggs with decorative dowels glued on top with beads on top of that, then painted to look like candles.

The main structure for my piece was a 70's looking black plastic Spanish style hall sconce for candles, the musical instruments were Christmas ornaments. I painted Blue Interference on the black.

Here I am adding touches of white paint.


Finished project. Some said it reminded them of New Orleans or the House of Blues. I got 2 bids that evening and David was the 2nd bid, we'll have to see if he got it.

Art Source members have been having so much fun making art together that the series will continue into the fall- stay tuned for their next event!

This Post is all about Linda!

2011-09-11T21:58:00.000-07:00

I just wrapped up 3 days at Art In The Park. It was a tremendous amount of work getting ready for it, Then setting everything up, (thanks to my daughter Katherine) then tearing everything down ( thanks to my friend Nancy) and manning the booth for 27 hours in 3 days by myself.

After paying for the booth and fee to the museum, I made $150.00, not including supplies or hours to make the projects...BUT...it was all worth it if I could have any positive influence at all and I know I did...especially for one little girl named Linda.

She came to my booth and was fascinated with what I did and she said she knew she could go home and do it and make something out of the stuff she had in her room. Well she did! AND she came back the next day to show me what she made. She wanted to bring the actual project but her mom
(standing in the background) suggested she take a photo instead.

So here is Linda standing proudly holding the picture of her project. ...it was really good. Her older brother asked if he could be in the picture as well and I said sure! Mom said it was ok for me to post on my blog. I hope Linda gets to see this and how proud I am of her! You go girl!

and if you are thinking these are cousins or something....I have never met these people before. But I hope I see them again. :)

Art in the Park Day 1

2011-09-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

I have met a lot of really nice folks
Saw some old friends I had not seen in a while
Had a great dinner hosted by the museum
My daughter has stopped by both evenings to help me

AND
5. I Have a great site :

next to the Rose Garden
in the shade
close to the bathroom
close to the hospitality tent
within eyesight of two friends tents
on the main drag
close to the parking lot

Begged, Borrowed and Stolen

2011-09-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

I've had lots of time to work on art for Art in The Park this week. I went to Marianne's for Studio night along with Nancy and made a bunch of key chains with collage and paint on wood sample chips from a building supply. At first I was going to use real scrabble tiles from a game that was missing many letters anyway but I thought the height of them might not be good for something that gets quite a bit of jostling about and could come off. So I started to look through all my daughters' stickers they had given to me and I found some official scrabble stickers- perfect! and I didn't even have to go shopping! (Not that I ever do) I took the key rings from my husbands stash. So nothing was purchased for this project, just begged, borrowed and stolen. :)

Making Art the Canadian Way and Style File

2011-09-04T21:37:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a 2 week trip in our teardrop T@B trailer through the Canadian Rockies.

I brought my large art kit and made a couple collages...

don't you just love those pink smurf shoes...

while the amount of time for doing artwork was limited

there was lots artistic inspiration available while biking....

and hiking...

and hanging out with friends...

Upon my return I found out that I have been chosen to be in the Altered Page's "Style File" Style File is the 1st of 6 projects from The Pulse. Participants were asked: How would you describe your artistic style? check out Seth's blog at:

http://thealteredpage.blogspot.com/2011/09/style-file-chapter-12.html

Homage Collage Reflection Workshop

2011-08-19T14:39:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching a two-hour workshop on how to create your own personalized 12" x 12" mirror including the wide dark wood frame. You choose the subject be it a friend, relative or something you would like to honor with this personalized piece of art.

When making my sample for the workshop, I considered who would I honor? and guess what I decided -to make it for myself! It's always so hard parting with all these projects I make that I thought, "This way I get to keep it"

First step is gathering all your pieces of ephemera...tickets, pieces of old greeting cards, buttons, old jewlery, photos..etc. and laying them all out on the mirror frame.

The hard part is taking everything back off so you can glue down the bottom pieces and then remembering where everything goes. I did take some photos so I could look back but didn't have to. The memory still works... sometimes :)

The next step was overlapping the papers with tissue papers.

Then added a layer of further embellishments and some acrylic paint.

Using E6000 glue I added the 3D elements.

The final step was coating the whole project with Gloss Heavy Gel.

This workshop will be held Thursday October 13, 2011 from 5-7 pm at Twigs and Twist 1304 W. Eastman St. in Boise. To register call Gretel @ (208) 342-0600 The class will be limited to 10 people. Cost is $50 and includes mirror with 12" x 12" wooden frame and basic supplies.

What to Bring:

Ephemera (Items of collectible memorabilia, typically written or printed ones, that were originally expected to have only short-term usefulness or popularity.) related to a theme or a person.

These can be small 3 dimensional objects such as buttons, jewelry…miniatures of any sort.

And 2 D papers such as maps, ticket stubs, photographs, interesting papers, stamps, tissue papers, such as old sewing patterns, gift wrap etc.

*Assortment of ephemera available for purchase at Twigs and Twist

What happened to using up all the stuff I already have?

2011-08-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

I spent this last weekend in Twin Falls Idaho while my husband attended a National Ski Patrol meeting. I was going to stay home and work on some art projects but when he asked if I wanted to come along, that one of his buddies wives was going and was looking for someone to go to garage sales and thrift shops, I couldn't pass that one up!

This pile of "stuff" is from my friend Marsha who had an art business that is no more. She had a sale where you could fill a bag for $10. I stuffed mine with so much stuff, I gave her $15! Now my husband is threatening to call hoarders, so I better use it up. Which I will since I have a lot of shows coming up, so no more shopping for now...just playing with it all and creating some new objects 'd art!

Small Oval Treasure Boxes

2011-08-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

2 1/2" oval "treasure" boxes $20 each

We had great fun at studio em last night. There were 6 of us. Jennifer, Lynn, Marianne, Katherine, Nancy and myself. Thanks Marianne for a much needed "girls night" after all the backpacking and camping and hiking I have been doing lately.

Before heading over to the studio, I embedded keys, and antique buttons and beads to the top of each box, this gave the modeling paste a chance to dry. I also added a touch of e6000 glue to each key were the button overlapped to make it extra secure.

Inside each little box, I added a word...live...believe...hope...mom...harmony...hope.

The fun part was adding collage tissues around the sides of the boxes and then using various very thin layers of acrylic paint to the sides of the boxes as well as the modeling paste. I used at least two colors on each box to bring out the texture of the modeling paste as well as add a richness to the finish.

Little jewels of boxes, I will hate to see these go...

Aspen First Thursday...Not so much....

2011-08-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

First Thursday in Boise is a big deal. Lots of shops and galleries and restaurants and all manner of businesses downtown are open late, have special deals or special events, offer wine tastings, snacks and live music. Not to mention all the familiar faces and friends to be seen on every corner and in every venue.

So when I happened to be in Aspen this last week and saw a banner across the main street in town, touting First Thursday, I was like " WOW," this is gonna be great!

Now we weren't actually staying in Aspen, so this required a special trip back into town for the festivities. I first went to the tourist "information booth" and this should have been my first clue that something was up, when I asked her about information for First Thursday she looked puzzled and disappeared into the back for a minute and then handed me the generic map pictured above. Stating "Tonight and every First Thursday beginning at 3pm."

So I set off for the first gallery. I walked in amidst, piles of wrappings and hammers and saws and packages and I said "are you open?" and they said oh, yes, excuse the mess, we are getting ready for an opening on Saturday. and I said, Oh, I saw you on the First Thursday map and they said " oh, is that today? Well we are busy getting ready for this big show coming up...."

On to the next gallery...we walked in- nice art, saw one show coming down and another going up... asked the gallery owner about First Thursday. Her response, "Oh, is that today? We really don't pay any attention to it as we have customers all the time and don't really need to do anything special to draw them in."

Next gallery, "oh I don't think that starts until 5..." Strange but we were the only ones visiting most of the galleries that afternoon.

Well, my husband and I went on and saw lot's of nice art ... but nary a glass of wine, nor cheese, nor cracker, nor live music was to be found. I'll take First Thursday in Boise any day.

Traveling Art Kit when weight is not an issue...

2011-08-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

So I am off on another trip but unlike the last adventure where I had to carry all on my back, this time weight doesn't matter as we are taking the truck and staying in a condo. I brought the same art kit I usually take to Marianne's on Studio Night.

I brought supplies to make my one of a kind collage cards. I will be showing three more times at Capitol City Market and in Art in the Park, so I want to make sure I have enough items to show and sell.

Top of the kit has a zippered section with 2 pockets for ephemera.

The inside of my kit is not so well organized but I usually pull everything out anyway...

...as you can see here.

cards...

...and more cards.


A button I picked up at Anderson Ranch Art Center, a really cool place I just stumbled upon while out and about.

Ultra light Backpacking Art Kit

2011-07-25T14:17:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a 5 night 40.5 mile backpack trip that included three mountain passes, one over 11,000 feet. We traversed snowfields and boulder fields all while wearing a backpack. It was a physically challenging trip but even more mentally challenging...as punching through snow that is covering boulders can be quite scary. But there were way more positives such as the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen and the great group of friends that we went with.

Elk jaw and Mountain Goat wool found on hike for future assemblage project

I have a travel art kit that I have shown here in a previous post that weights 1 pound but I was trying to cut even more weight and got it down to 5 ounces.

It includes a very mini sketch pad which is 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" This was one of the items I bought at the Japanese store in Berkley, CA. On the back of each sketch I have included the date and location.

mini sketch pad which still needs a clever cover, but this is so you can see what it is ...

I have also included in the kit a set of mini colored pencils, mini crayons and mini markers.

One of my Treasure Valley Artist Alliance Friends, Leslie came along on the trip, it was her idea to bring art supplies and we sketched together in the evenings after setting up camp. She even had the idea of putting our hiking poles together to spell out TVAA at a scenic 10,000 ft. alpine lake. The pictures are on Leslie's camera, so I will show those later. It was really quite fun.

mini sketch of Baptie Lake, ID still with snow on July 22, 2011

Our Black Diamond 2 person tent set among the rocks and pine trees at 10,000 ft.

Scene from Upper Box Lake, ID

Pine tree growing among the rocks. Pioneer Mountains, ID.

Ex Libris

2011-07-08T14:59:00.000-07:00

This last week has been fun but busy for me with family visiting. I didn't get to studio night at MK's but I did clean my studio for company and created a new piece.

Ex Libris is a 8" x 11" 3D collage on a chalkboard. The miniature table is from my dollhouse furniture collection from 40 years ago. On it I glued a miniature bible and miniature pair of glasses. The Geography book is actually a wooden book and I collaged a cover for it, the other bits are cut from old books that were given to me without covers.

On the Fourth of July Nancy and I rode our bikes down to the chalk festival and voted on our favorites and visited with one of the Featured Artists, Geoff. He had been working on his large chalk mural since 8 am and it was a hot day! Sorry for the small picture, it was taken with my phone.

Last night was First Thursday. After the storm passed over and cooled things off, it was a perfect night for strolling the town. An added benefit was my daughter was in town and I got to show her around. She and her boyfriend Cody are looking for a place to settle down. Boise had not been on their list but after last night, they decided they could definitely live here! They heard a live concert for free at Liquid and met a bunch of cool people. They said the people here in Boise are the friendliest they have met anywhere. They got a slice of macaroni and cheese pizza at the Pie Hole.

We stopped at many galleries and venues showing art including the AIR artists in BODO, The Art Source Gallery for the Juried Show Opening where I found out I sold a piece to the Juror, (shown above) so that was pretty exciting, and had an all around excellent evening.

Mi Recuerdo de San Francisco

2011-07-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

My newest collage with 3D objects. The paper bits are all from my recent trip to San Francisco. The collage was glued onto an oval wooden plaque 9" x 18" that hangs by a rope. The plaque was purchased at the "bins." Where reject items from the thrift store are only 50 cents a pound.

Be sure to check out The Altered Page blog.

Where Seth has started the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- "a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts."

I am happy to be a part of this collaboration.

Wide World of Wine

2011-07-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

8" x 10" Collage on Canvas Board.

A year or so ago I learned the trick of pouring boiling water in a wine bottle to let the glue release from the glass and pull off easily. Well sometimes it is easy and other times not so much, a few burnt fingers, a few torn labels later... I did manage to collect a few.

When I was visiting my daughter in France last winter her host family had me over for dinner and what a dinner it was. More like a 6 hour, 4 course feast! Well, I mentioned to the host mom that I would like to have the wine label and she graciously excused herself. Later I felt so guilty as she came back to the table with an ironed! label in perfect condition in a plastic sleeve! Well as you may well have guessed I have used it in this collage. I also glued on a bunch of grapes in the upper right hand corner and added wine corks to the frame.

I added a quote that I was saving but unfortunately I can't give credit to as I have no idea where it came from... as I have shared many a glass of wine with good friends, and wine is always better when shared... "You and your friends share wonderful memories that need to be celebrated and shared. Whatever you do, don't fold them up, put them away, and let them gather dust. Break them out often. Let those memories shower your heart with assurance, release your soul with laughter, and bring tears to your eyes."

Here's to all my good girlfriends!! Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

Like a Fish Out of Water

2011-06-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

This Found Object Assemblage stands just six inches tall. "Like a Fish Out of Water" is made from an old metal candle holder with a piece of polished wood that fit right on the top, creating the perfect table for the miniature birdcage which contains a small golden fish.

The door is open...swim away little fishy....swim away!

"I Knew the Bride, When She Used to Rock and Roll"

2011-06-28T10:29:00.000-07:00


Found Object Assemblage		6"x18"

detail from "I Knew the Bride When She Used to Rock and Roll"

This piece is comprised of an unknown skull found on a hike in the Boise Foothills, antique screw back earring given to me by a friend, a piece of netting taken from something I had, tassel given to me by a friend, mirror purchased at a thrift shop and misc. beads that I had.

Some of the inspiration for this piece came from visits to NYC and San Francisco, this past year. Paxton Gate , Loved To Death, and Evolution.

After showing the start of this piece to a friend he asked me if I had seen the series Oddities on The Discovery Channel. I had not even heard of this show and I don't have cable or dish tv, maybe I can catch an episode or so on the computer.

The name comes from a song (Dave Edmonds) on my husbands ipod that he was just listening to and I thought was the perfect title for this piece.

The letter N, as in MarianNe

2011-06-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

The Booty I returned home with last night.

Last night I got the creative boost I have been lacking in these past couple weeks. I went over to my friend Marianne's for a girls get together. I haven't been able to do studio night in awhile, so this was great. It wasn't an art night per se, but I did get some inspiration and a small project to do that I completed today.

Marianne's dad made her these cut out letters that spell her name to put in her new studio. She wanted each one to be decorated by a friend. She received the first one back from an out of town friend, which she posted on FB. I had told her 6 months ago I would do one but kept forgetting, so last night I took one before they were all spoken for. The beautiful pattern under the wooden N is my used cocktail napkin that I saved for the project. :) I know I'm going to hear..."if I had known you wanted one, I would have given you a clean one." but then it wouldn't really be my kind of art would it?

This wonderful treasure box was given to me by Carolyn, one of Marianne's friends that came over last night!

Here is my finished letter "N" which I will give to Marianne on Tuesday. I included parts of the napkin, a piece from the old jewelry collection, as well as letter N things from my alphabet file.

San Francisco

2011-06-09T21:47:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a long weekend in San Francisco. Saw lots and lots and did a ton of walking.

Great Vista from Russian Hill

General Bead was so cool, and the funny thing is a friend of ours lives 2 blocks from there and she thought I was crazy that there was a bead store on her street as she walks past there everyday and never saw it before. I was so glad to be able to show a local something new!

As you can see the door is pretty non descript with no sign on it and unless you look up you have no idea there is a store inside.


When I asked if I could take a photo, she said of course and then proceeded to show me how to get the best shot!

More fabulous beads, I need to take my daughter here some day and my friend Nancy.

FLAX is a great locally owned art store, 3 generations strong.

A great thrift store on Valencia. I scored big when I saw the sign in the window that said all was 50% off on Monday!! The only downside was that I was flying standby and had to be able to cram all into my one carry on!

Some of my miniature and thrift store finds in the Mission District.

My favorite browsing, shopping and eating area was the Mission District.

Not touristy but not scary either. I saw 2 art exhibits that utilized real dead animals (taxidermy) mice, birds and squirrels, had them dressed up doing funny things or even made jewelry out of the squirrel claws. This reminded me of going to Mexico as a kid and seeing stuffed frogs playing pool. this gives me some new ideas....:)

And then it was onto the Golden Gate Park. I had no idea how big and gorgeous it was....

...saw some tranquil sculptures at the Japanese Gardens...

Celeste, a local friend took us to the SFMOMA and we saw the exhibit "The Steins Collect" They had amassed a huge amount of French Impressionist paintings over the years. In 1908 Picasso wrote to Leo and Gertrude and said "Studio tidied up and only waiting for your visit. " I liked that quote as it reminds me of myself. My studio is the guest room.

I found that Barnes of the famed "Barnes Collection" bought paintings right off the walls of the Steins. I tagged onto the end of a docent tour and she left us with the quote that after Matisse had passed away Gertude said, " Everybody came and nobody made a difference anymore."

I also made a point of visiting Berkley as I had never been there before and I really wanted to go eat at Chez Panisse, which I did get a reservation and it was great!

In Berkley I bought a bunch of stuff at the Japanese store. It was all so small and tiny and cute I just had to.

It's nice having online art friends

2011-06-09T10:34:00.000-07:00

Collage print by Diane Lou

It's nice having on line art friends. Once you start your own art blog you naturally find other artists that are doing the same, sharing their newest work... a special find at a thrift store... sharing a technique or process. It's fun finding a new blog and then seeing who they are connected to and making some more new friends. The other day I got an email from Rebeca (http://rebecatrevino.blogspot.com/) telling me that Diane was looking for me. So I clicked on over to Diane's Blog (http://dianelou-mixedmedia.blogspot.com/) and lo and behold I saw that I won a print of Diane's, which is featured above. Thanks Rebeca for contacting me and thanks Diane for your wonderful giveaway!

B, of the A, B, C's

2011-06-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

B IS FOR THE BIRDS

Found Object Assemblage 9 1/2" tall

from top down- rusty metal bird, encaustic "B", wooden top from a "Cholula" hot sauce bottle, 3 wooden beads on a dowel, a flower pot collaged with ephemera and twirled around the sculpture is a twine of "crystal" grapes, berries and leaves. $50

A, of the ABC's...again

2011-06-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Found Object Assemblage 12" tall $50

From top down- a large letter A on top of a drawer with 3 apples in it and 2 beads and 2 embellished game piece a's on top. next is an encaustic painting of an apple on top of a wood base with 2 more embellished game piece a's.

This is showing one of the previous incarnations of this project, I usually have a few pieces sitting around unfinished for quite some time until the exact way I want to put them together comes to me. Other times I get an idea and finish it that night. This is one that was 6 months in the waiting.

The title of this post is because as some of you know I have done a piece for every letter of the alphabet and now I am starting over again, just for the fun of it. My complete name is:

The ABC's of Every Little Thing

One of my long term goals is to make a book of my projects with this title. The problem is I have sold quite of few of the pieces and some of the photos I have of them are less than stellar. :(

Busy Tuesday

2011-05-31T23:36:00.000-07:00

At the market on Saturday I had someone ask me, just how do you stay organized with all that small stuff??? and someone else said, boy, I would love to see your studio...as in it must be quite the mess. Well it is a constant struggle to keep things organized. I don't buy much as that is my current philosophy... the only problem is my stuff seems to multiply like rabbits! as word gets out about what I am doing people are always giving me bags and boxes of things they no longer have a use for. By no means am I complaining...it is great and thank you all!! but it does take some organization. The picture above shows a baggie for every letter of the alphabet and I am sorting game pieces into the bags according to their letter so I can find them when I need them.

I started this blog with a letter theme and have just started over again with the alphabet...here is the start of A and B. Apples and Birds.

After working in the studio for a few hours I went to the Treasure Valley Artists' Alliance board meeting. It is so exciting being on the board of a brand new organization...we are currently working on our 5013c non-profit application.

After the board meeting there were still a few hours of daylight and I was able to join Nancy and Marrianne in the studio for our Tuesday night gathering.

At the studio I worked on decorating the flower pot for one of my pieces and grunging up some letters. Thanks Marianne.

Capitol City Public Market

2011-05-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a booth at the market for awhile. Then Treasure Valley Artist Alliance partnered with The Brick Oven Bistro to help manage 3 of the Art Tents. Artists who are members of the alliance can set up in one of the booths for up to 3 times. I chose this weekend as I thought, well by then it will be nice and warm! Boy was I wrong. At one point today I had on 5 layers of clothes including gloves and not one but two down jackets! On the positive side it didn't rain and the wind wasn't too bad. We had lots of people and lots of sales! I sold 3 of my newest pieces as well as some cards and one of my valentine projects- I almost left that one at home!

I had one lady come up and introduce her self to me, who had bought a piece of mine a few years back and says it is her favorite piece of art. I had another woman ask if I could do a custom assemblage with some "junk" she has and I said of course! And then quite a few people asked if I was at Green Chutes or Twigs and Twist as they recognized my style. It's nice getting the recognition.

The cutest story was a little boy that came up to my booth and slapped down a dollar and a penny, I looked at him and said "What is that for?" and he said "whatever I can get for it" I thought a moment and gave him a bag of ephemera that was marked at $2. He was extremely excited and ran over to show his family. I hope he makes something with it.

At 6:30 this morning, I was having second thoughts about setting up today but now I can't wait to do it again!

Sew & Tell

2011-05-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Sew & Tell

This is one of my new mixed media pieces, I have included the frame in this photo as that is part of the piece. I took an old frame and collaged and painted it to coordinate with the art in the frame. The collage in the center is an encaustic collage with old sewing patterns and other bits of ephemera under layers of wax. This was then attached to a canvas panel that I collaged and painted and added old sewing thread, miniature sewing machine, metal sewing measure, and a tag from some jeans that says "Sew & Tell"

Let's Eat!

2011-05-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Found object Assemblage 7" long x 4 1/2" high

Just in time for Memorial Day, Father's Day or Fourth of July...all of the traditional barbeque days! This little assemblage was created out of a scrap wood base, a bbq pit/watch that I bought at a thrift store of which I covered the face of the watch with an altered photo of some steaks, the block of wood with the word eat was created at the Encaustic Workshop. The odd letters that spell out let's are some I had and some that were given to me by my friend Cindy @ Atomic Treasures.

I know it's not Tuesday but our friend Marianne was out of town battling the storms in the midwest, so Nancy and I got together this evening for a night of art. This is what I was working on besides the postcards I was filling out to pass out at Sat. Market. I hope the rain waits until I pack up on Sat.!

Winning wine II

2011-05-25T14:21:00.000-07:00


51/2" x 71/2" Winning Wine II Found Object Assemblage

I am getting ready for Capitol City Public Market coming up this weekend. I have not participated for a couple years, I remember that it is lots of fun but also lots of work getting ready. Here's is one of my newest pieces ready to be packed up. I have sold all of the pieces I have ever made related to wine, so I decided to go with that theme. Besides that, I have a lifetime supply of corks! The base is a wooden plaque with a wine photo printed on it that I got at a thrift store on it I glued wine corks...I tried to use as many local wines as I had corks for. The glass is a miniature wine glass that I also found at a thrift store. Glued inside are some glass pebbles and behind the glass is a metal leaf broken off of something. Collaged in the background is the quote by Benjamin Franklin Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and ore tolerance.

If you live in the Boise Area and are an artist and would like to have a booth at Saturday Market but don't want to have to commit to every week...check out this great opportunity:

http://treasurevalleyartistsalliance.org/ArtTents.aspx

Resin Casting

2011-05-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, my friend Marianne and I attended Resin Casting at the Scupture Studio in Garden City.

She is so fast, while I am still thinking about what to say she finished her blog last night.

The photo above shows the set up of the mother mold which will be used to pour the silicone rubber that will become our resin mold.

The sides are sealed with clay to prevent leakage.

We let the silicone rubber cure while we had lunch, about 70 minutes....

Then you remove the sides and pull out the flexible mold. You can see the bottom of the little objects that I poured the rubber over. I pulled my objects out and then poured the 2 part resin in the openings. We added color and glitter and had fun playing with the different color combinations. The resin needs to cure for about 10 minutes.

Some of my fun little resin pieces.

At the end of class we talked Sue into revealing some of her "secrets."

Fun was had by all.

Memories in Blue

2011-05-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Memories in Blue 20" x 20" (including frame)

I completed this 8" x 8" encaustic collage back in class in January. I have had it sitting around waiting to figure out how to finish it. I had several old frames out in my storage that someone had given me that were pretty beat up looking and decided to use them. I used one for Saint Sustainability

One I am still working on, and the third frame I used for this project. The frame had a piece of Masonite attached to it, which I painted and added tissue paper. I painted the frame with transparent acrylics and coated all with mod podge.When it was dry I used e6000 glue to attach the encaustic board. It makes me happy when I can combine items I already have to make something new without having to go out and buy something.

Create More, Consume Less!

Collage inspired by new BAM exhibit

2011-05-18T16:22:00.000-07:00


	12" x 12" collage: JOY.SPIRIT.HOPE

For this piece the base is a mass produced print on a canvas that I bought at a garage sale. I lightly covered it with gesso so some of the pattern would show through. Next I glued on some 3d shapes and letters. Then added different tissue papers and sewing pattern papers and ephemera, on top of that I stenciled a plastic doily that was my grandmothers (blue lacy circle) Then added transparent acrylic in places and dots of white paint.

5" x 5" COLLAGE IN RED

This collage and the one below it started out with cloth covered boxes bought at a thrift store with pink and white print on them. I gessoed both of them and then added vintage music, designs from an old book, part of a wine label and some sewing patterns. Then added transparent layers of acrylic and coated all with Gel Medium.

5" x 5" COLLAGE IN BLUE

A new exhibit opened at the Boise Art Museum this past week. Catherine Courtenaye's colorful abstract paintings are inspired by her interest in American 19th century penmanship workbooks, ledgers and documents. Inspired by her work, I created a few of my own pieces. These can be found at the Boise Art Museum Gift Shop.

Saint Sustainability

2011-05-17T09:54:00.000-07:00


Saint Sustainability: Patron Saint of Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle

This 8" x 10" found object assemblage is made up almost entirely of found objects re-purposed specifically to create a new piece of art to be enjoyed by others and fits the theme of my current passion: Create More, Consume Less.

Items used include an old dilapidated frame that was given to me that was covered in spider eggs. I cleaned it up, stained it and varnished it. The canvas used for the background was the only thing that was new, I covered it in gold leaf and then added red acrylic and red alcohol ink. The red halo is a glass piece that I was given to me from a "free box" at my mom's Senior Center Thrift Store. The head is a old doorknob. The gold wings came from the Re:Boutique. The breast plate is an odd earring that was given to me for my art and the wings and body found scraps of wood.

Two years ago while attending Art and Soul in Portland, my friend Nancy and I took the train out to the Re:Boutique a school and community action project. Create More, Consume Less was their slogan. It was like a giant ongoing garage sale for artist types. Another one I have visited that is doing well is MECCA (Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts) in Eugene Oregon.

The Reuse Market here in Boise has been looking for space for the same type of project, currently all their donations are in storage. I have been trying to help them find space but no luck yet...if you know of something please let us know! I would love to see Idaho have a place for people to exchange and share items that could be used for schools and artists instead of going into the landfill!

Happy Birthday Leslie

2011-05-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

This started out as my contribution to the We Art Women Exquistite Corpse fundraiser. It was worked on by several artists and was then put in a silent auction. It got no bids, so I got it back. I didn't feel right about trying to sell it and wasn't sure what I would do with it.

Well, last week was my little sisters birthday and she said she would like me to make her something. I had this quote about motivation and working out that I was going to use on a piece celebrating the life of Jack La Lane but thought it would be fitting for this birthday project as Leslie has been working hard this year to lose 100 lbs. I think this time she is really going to do it. She seems really motivated. So I thought this quote would be quite appropriate for her gift and this box was the perfect place to use it.

Unfortunately I do not have a before picture, besides adding the quote, I added most of the embellishments on the front and inside and added paint around the inside of the box, including the word Believe.

Shoe Art

2011-05-14T14:42:00.000-07:00


Shoes Tell Stories Shoe Shrine

My other project this week was working on some art for the museum gift shop for the opening of their new exhibit, The Perfect Fit: Shoes Tell Stories. I will be touring school groups through this exhibit in the next few weeks. I think the children will really like this exhibit as there are many artist depictions of shoes, one of my favorite pair is a pair of black pumps with swimming fins on the front, these are made of paper mache, but look like rubber.

The Perfect Fit Shoe Shrine

The three shoe shrines I created were started with 3 gold Christmas ornaments I bought last weekend at an Estate Sale, and a childrens book with a 3D character, whose feet I had to cut off for his shoes! The rest of the items I had in my stash of stuff, old jewlery, beads, a miniature ice skate, miniature cowboy boot and miniature pair of wooden shoes and a tassel.

Shoe Shrine Found Object Assemblage

Dog Tribute

2011-05-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have had several commissions this past week that have kept me quite busy. This is one of them that I did for a friend who wanted to give it to their friend who's dog had passed away.

Those Crafty Clowns

2011-05-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Last week I started Crafty Clowns at Marianne's studio. I painted over a canvas found at a thrift store with gesso, I then added an ATC that I had already made with a clown theme. I cut out the words from a story that said ...Carnival we've all heard so much...By that time you'll be in an institution... also: ...to perform and "ham it up" like a circus clown. Upper left hand corner is a clown sticker, on top is a porcelain clown from Rose's Tea. Hanging off the side is a wooden part from a baby mobile from the '60's It looks like a clown baby with a tail.

Crafty Clowns 6"x6" found object Assemblage

When I got home... I added more collage elements, tissue paper and paint.

As well as an old earring and some beads...enjoy.

I love Studio Night at Marianne's

2011-05-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight Nancy picked me up at 6:30 and we went over to Marianne's to make some art and visit with our friends and drink some wine. Lynn and Jennifer also came. Lynn was working on a clay horse head and Jennifer was sketching out a watercolor painting. Marianne was working on some mixed media and Nancy made a necklace. I started my piece on clowns above.

and I started this journal... I made the cover from found objects collected in Mexico. On the first page of the journal I listed all the places my art can be seen this week.

Visual Arts Collective- We Art Women 2 month show.
Boise State Radio Offices- Treasure Valley Artist Alliance FORAY show
Green Chutes ( Meet & Greet on Sat. from 4-7)
Twigs and Twist
Modern Art @ the Modern Hotel This Thurs. from 5-9 room 227
C.W. Moore Bldg. wall in front of the elevators (next 6 months)
Gift Shop at the Boise Art Museum

Thanks for having us Marianne and thanks for picking me up Nancy. See you next week!

Saint Of Secrets: Interactive Art Piece or Elaborate Diary?

2011-04-22T16:23:00.000-07:00

Saint of Secrets
19" x 10" x 6"
Found Object Assemblage and
Interactive Art Piece

The 3 tierd wooden box was found in a thrift store in Ketchum ID, just outside Sun Valley. The metal feet were purchased in Santa Fe, NM. The embroidery hoop halo was given to me by a friend. The mirror head was from a thrift store in Iowa. The pin on top of the mirror was taken off an old art project of my sisters.

wooden book contained in the Saint of Secrets

The book was from a thrift store and carved into the top was "Honduras" I assume it was given to someone as a souvenir and never used. I decorated it with paints and ephemera including an old key and jewel from my daughter.

The cup is made of bark, I glued an exoskeleton on it? not sure what it is

The cup holds a set of colored pens that are to be used to write a secret in the book of secrets contained in the Saint of Secrets. I had two thoughts for this piece, one it could be for the person who purchases it to write in or it could be for people that are seeing it in the gallery to write in it.

Which do you think it should be?

Leftovers Delivered to my Door...

2011-04-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Leftovers

...and boy were they yummy!

As I wrote in a previous post, I participated in Wingtip Press annual print exchange using leftover pieces of paper aptly named "Leftovers." Amy delivered mine to me and it was like Christmas opening it up. It was all packaged so cleverly in a paper sack, napkin and diner receipt all printed with "Leftovers" As you can see in the photo above I received many wonderful original pieces of art from around the country. What a great project.

Self Portrait for Modern Art TVAA 2011

2011-04-18T08:08:00.000-07:00


My Finished Self Portrait

Last year The Treasure Valley Artists Alliance participated in the Modern Art Event by creating a giant panel of T's, V's, A's and self portraits of members. I had created an "A" last year, so I needed to make my self portrait for this years showing. Below is a video from last year.

This year we are creating a panel of just self portraits. Below is my process.

First I took a picture of myself with my camera, and then printed it out on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. I cut out the background and glued it down on a gessoed board with yes paste. I used a piece of heavy cardboard to remove all wrinkles.

Then I tore different pieces of paper and collaged that around the edges. I used cocktail napkins, old sewing patterns and rubbed Pearl powdered pigments onto that layer.

Next I used acrylic paint to paint over the photo and enhance it, I thought I looked tired and made myself more awake! I didn't like the way the neck turned out as painting over the collage the paper started bubbling up, I glued a ribbon across the bottom of the piece which picked up the colors in the background.
I coated the whole piece with Heavy Gel Medium. Then had to add my finishing touches "using every little thing" I found a parrot that looked good among the leaves and added a gold earring.

This year the show will be May 6th. Hope you can make it out, it is a wild and crazy time.

Artist Journals

2011-04-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

This journal was made using an old library book . After decorating the cover I gessoed some of the pages to make them into new pages and other pages that contained illustrations, I saved and incorporated them into my new page by adding paint and ephemera. When I can figure out how to scan the inside of the book so it doesn't come out blurry I will share those with you.

This one was a blank spiral book, with a cover illustration I didn't care for. I collaged and stamped and drew over it.

I have a really tiny little travel journal I take with me on trips. The rose was one of those done while traveling. Then when I got home I ripped it out and mounted it on patterned paper and glued it into one of my larger journals.

Here is a collage done in my spiral journal. If you create artists journals or like to look at them or want to get ideas or want to share your pages... click on over to Create Mixed Media, were they have started a flickr group on journals: the open page.

I don't have journal going right now and am thinking this might be a good time to start a new one. My studio is clean (after having a house guest) and I have lots of space to work....

Butterflies and Flapjacks

2011-04-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Butterflies

4" x 4" canvas

collage/assemblage

First I collaged the canvas with a cocktail napkin. The gold butterfly I found in the street the other day on my way to the grocery store. I glued a gem on her back. Wrapped around the edge of the canvas is a silver ribbon with a glass bead and silver butterfly that was given to me. Also glued on the canvas is a gold bead, and some scrapbook ephemera.

Flippin' For Flapjacks

3 3/4" x 4" metal tin

collage/assemblage

As I was flipping through a cooking magazine the other day looking for some words for another piece I was working on, these blueberry pancakes called out to me to cut them out. I had the miniature spatula and the photo fit perfectly inside one of the lids to a metal cigar case I had. I painted the case black and added gold glitter glue along the edges of the photo. I covered the photo with Mod Podge Dimensional Magic and glued a chain on the back.

Find the Fish amongst the Flora, Fauna and Flamingo's in Finest Florida

2011-03-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

Find the Fish amongst the Flora and Fauna and Flamingo's in Finest Florida

4" x 4" collage/assemblage on canvas

Ok, so this title might just be a little over the top, but I had kind of gotten away from the roots of this blog and my assemblages that were all based on a letter of the alphabet. They all had alliteration names, meaning two words that started with the same letter, Art Angels, Budda's Best, Curious Cats, Dream Destination, Elephants Excursion, Fascinating Frieda, Global Garden, Horse Haven, Itinerary: Idaho, Jubilant Joy, Kinky Keys, Ladybug Love, Maria Milagrosa, Natty Nutcracker, Obama Optimism, Peaceful Pastures, Quip Quote, Red Roses, Sweet Shop, Trumpeting Trolls, Vast View, Winning Wine, Yellow Yes, and Zany Zoo.

I had done one for every letter of the alphabet and then some and kind of got, shall we say tired of it. Until this piece.

When you open the little drawer in the center you find the fish! This piece is based on the mystery of Florida in the 60's.

My grandfather used to go down there every winter from NJ. and always brought me back a kitchy and often non politically correct gift. As you can see I have saved some of them:

Three New Chunkies

2011-03-27T14:04:00.000-07:00

The start of 6 new pieces, I gather my littles bits and pieces and see what kind of themes I can come up with.

I gathered my items for each piece in a bag and then carted them over to Marianne's studio last Tuesday. Then I start adding paint and collage to fit the theme and color scheme. Later in the week looked through some old books that were given to me with out their covers and I cut out parts of sentences that will work for the title and hint at a story line for the piece. I finish them with a coat of Heavy Gel.

Face the Music

4" x 4"

collage/assemblage on canvas

...And Smelled of Hay

4" x 4"

collage/assemblage on canvas

The Old Red Truck

4" x 4"
collage/assemblage on canvas

How did I start with 6 and wind up with 3. Well I finished Carbaholic last week and already posted it. And am still working on the last 2 which might be butterflies and flamingos.

Far From Average

2011-03-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

Far From Average

19" h x 10" w x 4'" d

Found Object Assemblage

This piece started with the wooden ball I was given. I thought it would make a great head. Then the embroidery hoop caught my attention and the thought of creating a saint like person was born. I needed a purpose or theme for this project.

I thumbed through the book In Celebration of Women, given to my by my good friend Mary Hernandez whom I taught with in Dallas for 10 years when I left to pursue my masters degree. I found the quote " Each woman is far from average in the daily heroics of her life, even though she may never receive a moment's recognition in history. " introduction to "Women & Work", Newsage Press

I liked that quote and thought I might tie that in somehow. I then left for my Docent meeting at the Boise Art Museum and Bob happens to mention did we remember that March is Women's History Month. This years theme is Our History Is Our Strength. Stories of women's achievements, which tied into my masters Thesis: The influence of a female high school art educator on the careers of her students.

So now my piece had a meaning! Celebrating women's achievements!

Nothing was bought specifically for this piece. It is made entirely of items that were cast off, previously used for another purpose. The outer halo is an embroidery hoop, the next circle was a tin and cardboard container given to me by a friend, I put gold leaf on it and glued gold buttons and baubles with E6000 glue. The upper body is a bagel holder/slicer thingy that didn't work so well for what it was made for and the lower body is a piece of discarded lumber. The mirror is attached to the front for you to reflect on your own life, who knows...you may just find out you are far from average too!

Carblover

2011-03-21T20:01:00.000-07:00

Carblover

4" X 4" canvas

First I spread modeling paste over the entire surface of the back of the canvas.

I let that dry and then painted a thin wash of brown acrylic and let dry. I knew I wanted to use the baking theme as I had the little miniatures. I looked through a cooking magazine and found the word carblover. I glued that on the back of the glass block and glued that in the center. After gluing the miniatures, I made white dots around the edges to mimic icing and then did another wash of brown over them.

Windy Windy Sunday

2011-03-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

The first day of spring! The wind woke me up this morning- thought it was going to tear the roof off our patio! I sit here typing watching the pine trees across the street look as though they are dancing to a frenzied jazz piece.

This past week I received my third check from art sales for the Month of Feb. A good start to the year.

Listen To The Whispers

Ode to Charles Wilson Peale
Cabinet of Curiosities

I also received notification that two of my pieces (pictured above) were accepted for the "We Art Women" extended 2 month show at the Visual Arts collective aka the VAC. Thursday April 14th 5-10. Opening Gala.

I applied for Art in The Park, a fundraiser for the Boise Art Museum. It's a big national Art Fair held at the park next to the Museum.

This coming weekend March 26th is the Grand opening of Green Chutes, I volunteered to host an ATC trading card booth.

Today, as a member of BOSCO, I have been invited to the studio of artist John Kilmaster. Should be a fun afternoon.

And last but not least I started on several new pieces of art, but I'll save that for the next blog.

Art in the Mountains

2011-03-17T18:48:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine from Texas (Marianne) saw my posts on Facebook about skiing this past week and she was exclaiming..."it's spring...why are you skiing?" My response was that since moving to Idaho I have learned that spring comes much later than in Texas. The first year I was here we skied on Cinco De Mayo!

This past week I joined a group of 9 men and 4 women on a backcountry ski tour, oh did I mention, I don't back country ski and was on snow shoes...well anyway... we had a great time and I kept up fine, even breaking trail on the way back through 25 inches of new powder!

Tea Time for One

4" x 6" water color/collage

While at the Yurt I broke out my travel art kit and set out a fine cup of tea

after melting 9 buckets of snow.

Through the Yurt Door

4" x 6" Watercolor

It was still overcast and snowing, so I sat by the Yurt door and painted the scene outside.

And a Fine Powder Day it Was

4" X 6" Watercolor

As the day wore on and it got warmer and sunnier

I moved outside and sketched the yurt and Brenda's skis.

After going a little stir crazy I decided to make a bad girlfriend for Smokey the Bear.

This is Smokey the SnowBearette.

The whole crew celebrating 2 birthdays, Mardi Gras and St. Patricks day all in one night

and yes I have a real elk foot flask in my hand!

What a great trip it was!

And All Came Out To Celebrate!

2011-03-10T21:11:00.000-08:00

I found this sad looking piece of a former Easter decoration at a thrift store in Emmett Idaho last month for 25cents. I knew it needed a second life and wasn't ready for the dust bin yet! This was great fun. I had the fence which I painted and stained and glued on the back. I collaged the base and house. I added lots more figures and added paint to the window and door. I glued a bird peeking out of the window and a rabbit peeking out of the screen door. I painted and collaged a plane wooden chick and glued her to the roof.

I have named this piece And All Came Out To Celebrate!

Artist Journals and My Travel Art Kit

2011-03-09T19:29:00.000-08:00

Art Journals

I didn't realize quite how many art books I had made over the years, until my friend Vicky asked if she could come see some of them yesterday. They range from travel journals with collages of tickets stubs etc. to sketching journals to altered hard cover books, to sculptural books with hand made covers.

This then got me thinking about my upcoming backpacking/snowshoe trip to a yurt up in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho and how I would have a couple of days to work on some art while the others were off back country skiing in avalanche country.

Travel Art Kit

So here is my travel art kit. It all fits in this 5" x 7 "pouch and all of it weighs 1 lb. Cause if you gotta carry it on your back you better think about taking just the necessities. Included is a small watercolor set with brush, pencil, sponge, eraser. A tube of white gouache, a small set of colored pencils with sharpener, a small set of crayons, a small set of markers, folding scissors, a glue stick a sketchbook and a watercolor tablet.

Monkey, Beehives and Flowers

2011-03-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

Lucky Monkey

4" x 4"

Collage/Assemblage

After selling two of my little chunkies right away, one at the museum gift shop and one at The Gypsy First Thursday show, that was all the encouragement I needed to make some more. Lucky Monkey has phrases such as "little rascal chattering like a monkey," " Stay in your pajamas, there is no need to get dressed," and "keys attached to his lucky monkey's head" The photo behind the glass cube is Curious George reading a book. Attached are some little jewels and 2 old keys from a small padlock that was my daughters.

Eloquent Link

4 X 4

collage/assemblage

This piece contains the quotes "celebrated as the age of reason, an era when intellectual ferment, artistic, and literary experiences...," " chaos reigns in a crumbling world," and "plants provide an eloquent link"

In this piece I am using the juxtaposition of a genteel peace and calm with the chaotic world we live in.

Wonderment

4 x 4

Collage/Assemblage

detail shot of Wonderment

This piece is based on a story about Leonardo DaVinic's workshop. some of the quotes in this piece are: " A Beehive of mental activity," " Wonderland, " "adventure in the air," and "exploring." I love the little drawer. I have one more so you will be seeing it again.

I hope you have as much fun looking at these pieces as I have had making them.

Artful March

2011-03-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Works in progress.

Saturday I was invited to be a part of an exquisite corps for auction pieces for the We Art Women Show coming up. It was a great time of sharing ideas and getting to know some artists I hadn't spent any real time with. Here is Marianne's good description of the event. http://mkonvalinka.blogspot.com/2011/02/corpses.html

Wednesday I participated on an artists panel at Timberline High School in Jerry Hendershot's AP Art class. There were 5 artists all in different media, presenting our work and starting a dialogue with the students about the idea behind your art, how to talk about it, what it means, etc. They are students that are just now developing artist statements and learning to discuss their work. This was what is hopefully the first of many interactions with this group of students. It was lots of fun and you could tell the students were very appreciative that we took the time (2 hours) to come speak. We ran out of time. Next time the students will share their work with us. This talk will be continued in an online forum which I think my blog will be linked to.

Tonight I'm off to our Gypsy Gallery event for First Thursday @ Gallery J 14th and Main in downtown Boise.
5-9 pm come on by....

Cards, Cards and More Cards

2011-02-28T15:25:00.000-08:00

I have a show coming up on Thursday. I wanted to make a bunch of collaged cards for the show as this is an affordable way for people to buy original art. I have been selling my cards for $3.50 this seems kind of low to me for the amount of time invested in each card.

The cards all measure 4" x 5"

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think I should/could charge.

Working Studio

2011-02-27T12:33:00.000-08:00

Here is my studio with everything open and in use, not cleaned up and perfect. I use shoe storage boxes in the closet, labeled with things such as glue, silk flowers, tools, tape, pencils, small assemblage stuff, broken jewelry, and notepads.

Hanging on the back of the door is a shoe holder, the pockets contain things such as rulers, scissors, jars of gesso, glue gun, heat gun etc.

I love my old desk, it has been repainted many times, but I am pretty sure I am keeping it this way for a long time. The bottom 1/2 is a collage of my life.

Here is my main work table. I work on multiple projects at a time and seem to only clean it up and put everything away when I am finished with all the works in progress. By the time I am done I am usually working on top of the piles or in 1" of clean space! I am so lucky to have a space that I can just leave everything and come back to it. (Except when we have guests and yes this is the guest room)

Here is my lovely fireplace and space heater. I use the bins to store the art pieces that I bring to shows. On the side of the house was an old dog run which we enclosed and now use for storage, it is lined with shelves that these boxes fit on. I have a show this coming Thurs. so I better finish everything up and get it in those boxes! To the left of the blue bins is a a cart with 8 drawers that I bought on clearance at Jo Anne's...I think it was regularly $79 and I got it for 19.99 because the bottom drawer is hard to open. What a deal! as you can see I'm not closing them anyway!

Behind the door to the room fits my wonderful little black shelf that hold many of my miniatures. I use the coat rack on the back of the door for necklaces that can be cut up and used in art as well as aprons. (which I never seem to use)

The back wall with all the cubbies of "stuff" and collections. My inspiration wall. Another question posed was "do you like working with music, tv or quiet?" Really all 3 work for me, depending on my mood, what's on etc.

Thanks to Ricë for starting the discussion on studios at createmixedmedia.com