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. 

Spring Updates

One of my bike collages made the cover of the local alternative paper for bike week! yay!  

I will have 12 other bike collage pieces on display at Idaho Blueprint and Supply 619 W. Main Street, Boise with an opening on First Thursday June 1. I will also be on hand during the evening making art and selling my famous one of a kind collage cards. Show will hang through the month. 

Four of my assemblage pieces were chosen for the Art Project Boise show "Animals" also opening at First Thursday June 1 at the Owyhee Lobby 1109 W. Main Street in Boise. This show will also hang for the month. 

Time Out 

Mixed Media Assemblage

5 " x 12"

$75

This piece started with the alligator head my daughter brought me back as a souvenir from Florida. The title and piece represent going to work or not having enough time to get your work done. It also represents technology and how it makes our lives "easier" yet somehow feels like one (blog, Facebook, twitter, linkedin, pinterest, tumblr, instagram) more thing to get done. 

Time For The Show

Mixed Media Assemblage

11" x 20"

$125

Victorian Fantasy Steampunky Circus with a flying giraffe, Ringling Brothers circus ticket, a tiger on a tightrope, vintage Waltham pocket watch from Grandpa, vintage buttons from Aunt Rose, game pieces, beads and hand painted designs. 

D is For Ducks

Mixed Media Assemblage

6" x 6"

$35

This is one of a series I created based on each letter of the alphabet. One of my daughters graduated from University of Oregon, home of The Ducks.

Full Moon Barnyard Shenanigans

Mixed Media Assemblage

6" x 6"

$35

We were out camping during a full moon not far from a farm and heard all kinds of animal noises all night just down the hill from camp. This piece captures what could have been going on that night. 

Hope to see you on Thursday at Idaho Blueprint!

The Sirin and the Beautiful Beasts

February 6 -11th 2017 I attended The Beautiful Beasts ArtVenture in New Orleans put on by deMeng and Engen. It was not only a workshop but a total art immersion and experience. We were to bring items to create our own fantastical creature that would be part human and part animal. I chose to make a Sirin.

I started with a porcelain doll head and made hair out of two part Apoxie Clay.

A Sirin is a mythological creature of Russian legends, with the head and chest of a beautiful woman and the body of a bird. They were usually portrayed wearing a crown or numbus. Sirins sang beautiful songs. For mortals however the birds were dangerous. Men who heard them would forget everything on earth, follow them, and ultimately die.

As I only had one wing and needed two, I cast made the other one out of two part Apoxie Clay.

I couldn't find any bird feet, so made some out of two part Apoxie Clay and wire.

The body is made from a wooden top to a bannister.

Adding the legs and wings and feathers.

The back.

Some wooden tail feathers adds to it.

Playing with different colors and embellishments.

I think it's done.

The critique on the last day. It's wonderful hearing Michael's input on each piece and getting to see everyone's projects. 

Parades and Costumes

Music

Optional Workshop- Beautiful Beasts Coat of Arms Banner Workshop with Andrea deMeng

My Banner "Knowledge is Power" 

Dinner and tour of MovieSet: Reel Venue

Time to walk around and admire NOLA

New Friends

Wonderful dinner at Brennan's

Swamp AirBoat Tour

The magical water

The Insectarium and bug tastings, yes, I did eat some. gross.

Photography stop at St. Roch Cemetery

Despite the 7 tornados that touched down while we were there, it was a wonderful week! Thank you Michael deMeng and Katherine Engen.