Birdhouse for fundraiser

I received this letter in my inbox the other day from a friend: 

Dear Artist and Friend of the Animals,

I have these sweet little unfinished birdhouses and I’m looking for folks who would like to support the Idaho Humane Society by painting/designing/enhancing one for our upcoming 25th Annual Lawn Party fundraiser.

I couldn't say no and that afternoon a cute plain wood bird was hand delivered to me to "do my stuff" to.

Here is the finished birdhouse, collaged and painted with a cat guarding the entrance 

and a vintage butterfly pin above the door. 

And a view of the back with some more cats. 

McBird House

McBird House
Found Object Assemblage

I am typing this blog while sitting on the new handmade bench we won at a raffle last weekend. The weather is absolutely beautiful, tons of birds chattering in the multicolored trees...red, maroon, yellow, yellow- green, green. It's the perfect temperature in the 70's- sunny and no wind. I hear the cold and rain is on it's way, so I will enjoy it while I can.

The assemblage above has been "percolating" for a while as I gather items. Last night was studio night at Marianne's so it was the perfect opportunity to put the piece together. Nancy, Marianne and I, three dogs and Margie all got to visit and have fun while creating art and drinking wine together.

The base was purchased in an old barn near my cousin's in New York State. I highlighted the base with interference red paint.

The next piece up is a spool that someone gave me. I gessoed it, and then collaged over that and added paint and glass beads. Next is the bird house itself that I found at a thrift store in TX. I antiqued it with paint and added a tree branch, bird and some greenery. I attached these pieces with 2 part apoxy clay and then painted the clay.

I took this piece to an Antique store today that also sells some found object art, thinking that this would be something she would be interested in. Her response upon seeing it, "Oh, it's crafts, no thank you." No it's not -but I was polite and with a smile said, "you have a very nice store, thank you" and left. :)

Living the Artists Life

The finished project being auctioned off.

Me starting on my "quick draw" piece for the Live Auction. I had 1 hour to complete it.

Susan working on her "quick draw" printmaking project
(she even brought a press) and me with the gesso.

4 "Exquisite Corpse" collaboration pieces that I was a part of all were auctioned off this evening for a good cause.

These were all created by Zella, metal artist, Nancy, painter, Marianne, mixed Media, Susan, print-maker and me. It was such a neat experience to be asked to be a part of this.

This was the start of my "quick draw" piece. Though I was not technically drawing but creating an assemblage. I started with this birdhouse, then
gessoed it and stained it with various acrylic paints.

The next step was to add collage items, and more paint.

The final project. "Every Little Thing" I used was something that was no longer wanted for it's original purpose. The metal hummingbird was from a broken wind chime. The Book spine was from a book taken apart by my friend Aimee, who makes journals out of the covers. The bird on the twig was from my artist friend Miriam, who gave me an old assemblage of birds that I have taken apart.I talked to the lady who was the highest bidder and she bought it as a wedding gift for a woman that loves hummingbirds, so it was perfect! I love to talk to the people that buy my art, because more often than not...they say it was as if the piece was made just for them (or for whoever they are purchasing it for.) So cool.

There has been some talk among my various artist circles about what constitutes a "real" artist. Well after this week and especially after the We Art Women Fundraiser tonight, I told Marianne...well I finally feel like a real artist.

This has a been a busy week for me with museum docent training, two museum tours, Treasure Valley Artist Alliance Meeting (I'm on the board), helping out with silent auction items for WAW for three hours on Sunday and three hours today and then returning this evening for the actual event.

The cool part is that I was chosen as one of 4 "quick draw" artists for the event, and these 4 items were the only live auction items. So I got to make art all evening and talk to those that came by my table with what it is that I do.

Oh, and last but not least I had a piece chosen for the 2 month extended exhibit. The juror Sue Latta said she could only choose 32 out of 190 pieces submitted, so that was quite an honor to be chosen.

I did not make any money myself this week but my art made money for those in more need than myself and if I can do good with my art, then it is all worth while. And don't worry, I'm not "starving." :)