Cello Art

The blank canvas

In December I answered a call from the Treasure Valley Artist Alliance to Artists to make a cello into a work of art. 2 artists would be chosen and I was one of them! Below is my proposal: 

 A few years ago I was given a violin in disrepair to use in my art. I had fun turning it into an homage to a Native American violinist. Researching Zitkala-Sa I used paint, found objects and collage elements to represent the musician. In this project I would use metal gears and chains and other cast off items to turn the cello into a steampunk cello. This idea sprang from my research on famous women cellists and I came across a current cellist who plays in the style of Steampunk music. I was intrigued by the name she goes by: “Unwoman” taken from the book “The Handmaids Tale” Unwomen are the lesbians, feminists and others who wouldn’t submit to authority. I related to Unwomans answer when asked about her creative process. She said each song might have a unique creative process since there is so much experimentation. Some of it is on the fly and some of it is labored over. In my art I enjoy taking items that no longer have an intrinsic value in and of themselves and relish turning them into something new to be enjoyed by someone else rather than end up the in the trash. I would be honored to be chosen for this project.

My first step in the process was to gather all my bits and bobs and see what I had. I needed a focal point and created a little Unwoman character charm. 

I started laying pieces on the cello but didn't glue them down as I kept shifting things around as I would find yet another piece that would look better in place. 

The butterfly wings were the perfect addition to fill out the top and the colors blended beautifully.

It was at around this point that I started gluing items down. I would just glue a few at a time and let them dry. I am fortunate to have a room dedicated just to this project. I queried the "WorldWide Assemblage Group" on FB as to which adhesive I should use. Amazing Goop came out the winner. It is thicker than E-6000 that I had previously used.  

Then it was time to start working on the sides.

Almost there...and more and more stuff to work with surrounds it on the floor.

The finishing touches were adding dots of paint to strategic locations.

Lots of fun stuff hanging from the top.

I have been collecting small items from friends for years. Broken watch bands and jewelry, belt buckles, buttons and pins.

I went for balance but not complete symmetry as to add some interest.

The butterfly body is antique mother of pearl handle to a mirror or butterknife.

I used a mixture of steampunk gauges and gears mixed with feminine touches of flowers and pearls.

I have pieces wired and hanging to add layers of interest. Watches, musical instruments, bells and locks.

Watch parts and chains and bottle caps and meat grinder blade. 

Zipper pull, light bulb charms, washers and bits of this and that. I laid them out by color, size and shape to all blend together around the edges. 

The other side. 

Gathering supplies to make a stand, had to make 2 trips to home depot as the first dowel I bought was too wide to fit in the hole in the bottom of the cello. 

Screwing into the base I had from something else...

Then screwing the dowel into the stand and sliding the cello down over the stick.

All told I spent approximately 20 hours on it spread out over about 4-5 weeks. I'm pretty happy with it. I am told it will be on display at several shows and then will be auctioned off as a fundraiser for the Treasure Valley Artist Alliance. 

Bob's Art Farm and Surel's Place and other events...

The last two months...in art...

I Currently I have pieces up in a Gypsy Gallery show at the CW Moore Plaza,
which runs through October. 

 and a Piece in the Boise Open Studio Show at the SUB Gallery At Boise State. 

First Thursday in August I was in a pop up show at West Elm, Boise.

The last two weekends I was busy packing and unpacking for two different pop - up shows. One in conjunction with the Bike Art Tour in Garden City...I was set up at Split Rail Winery. 

The other show was the Great Junk Hunt, a National Vintage tour that set up at Idaho Expo.

 I shared a booth with two friends. 

I'm still working in my little watercolor journal...

And enjoy my Sunday afternoons at Studio Em sharing art and good times with my friends. 

Coming Up:

1. This Friday Sept. 30 5:30 - 8:30 Bob's Art Farm Opening at Surel's Place, everyone is invited... check out the details here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/entertainment/arts-culture/arts-blog/article102249892.html
2. Next Friday October 7th I have had 2 pieces of art accepted for the Treasure Valley Artist Alliance Show "Private Idaho" at the Public Radio Offices on Park Center Blvd. 
3. First Thursday in November I will be in a group show with my Studio mates at the Salon's at the Owyhee Plaza. 

Cuisine Art

A is for Apples
Encaustic/Found Object 

The Treasure Valley Artist Alliance recently put out their call to artists for their next show, 

"Cuisine Art." Artists can enter up to 3 pieces and usually one is chosen, 

this time I had all 3 accepted! 

C is for Cherry Chocolate Cake
Collage/Mixed Media/Found Object

 Opening Reception

This Friday November 6 from 5-8 pm 

Boise State Public Radio 220 E. Parkcenter Blvd.

C is for Carrot
Found Object/collage/mixed media

If you can't make it Friday, you will have plenty of opportunities 

as the show will remain up until January 15th. 

Stop in during business hours Monday-Friday 9-5.

Assemblage-en-Juin or Put-itTogether-June

Panel members introducing themselves to each other. Lots of assemblage art on display.
For a full description click on this link:

 http://treasurevalleyartistsalliance.org/assemblage-en-juin-or-put-it-together-june/

We had a full house!

The Panel discussion was on Monday night...

...then on Thursday night I was showing at First Thursday at Idaho Blueprint

On Saturday I met about 10 ladies and 1 gentleman at the Idaho Youth Ranch Outlet. For many of them it was their first experience and for others they came back for more fun. 

Items are not sorted, the fun is digging through the bins to see what you can find. 

"Hmm, I wonder how I could use this?"

"What do you think?"

Rows and Rows of stuff

This is what I bought for around $3

Then it was back to my studio to see what we could create with the items we found.

Most of the projects didn't get finished as they needed to be propped up to dry etc.
But they got a good start. 

Some worked inside where it was a little cooler. 

Who knew taking arms off Barbies was so hard...

We had to pull out the dremel.
I can't wait to see all the finished projects. The Next TVAA show  is in August called "Hunting and Gathering" I hope to see all of these pieces there. 

This was a cool surprise I got in the mail the other day from one of my high school friends, Lisa. Thank You!

An Artistic Collaboration- Three Modern Muses

Three Modern Muses
12" x 12" 

 The Treasure Valley Artist Alliance put out a call to artists for their upcoming show:
"Four Eyes: An Optical Collusion."
Creating opportunities for collaboration is the heart of the TVAA mission. In order to highlight that vision their 13th exhibition will feature collaborations between TVAA members.

 I have entered EVERY show since the beginning of TVAA. The call for this show came out while I was traveling, and I was not about to let that stop me. When I got back in town I asked a couple of my friends and they were already committed. Not wanting to give up, I asked a couple more and found two very talented women to say YES!

Now for the idea, we only had two weeks left and it was hard coming up with a time that we could all meet...jury duty...elderly parents...etc. I came up with two concepts and we settled on the idea of each of us creating a self-portrait in the style of Picasso. I would collect them, mount them and register the three of us.  We met the deadline and were accepted!

I feel honored that my artist collaborators are Jaki Katz Ashford and Lauren T. Kistner.
 Jaki came up with the title: Three Modern Muses, which we all loved.

Three Modern Muses12" x 12"
L to R
Pam with her mountain biking necklace
Lauren with one of her chickens
Jaki with her braided hair and oil paintbrush

The opening will be June 6, 2014 from 5-8 pm
 Boise State Radio
200 E. Park Center
Boise, ID
 the show continues during regular business hours until August 7, 2014