Oil and cold wax

I took an oil and cold wax workshop with Stacy Phillips back in September and started quite a few works on paper and board. I’m loving this new to me medium  I’ve sold one, have more in the works and will be showing them all together at Art And Roses in Boise ID June 5, 2022

 

" But Love Goes on Forever"

This is the box that was in my first photo in my last post. Given to me free at a garage sale earlier this summer by an older lady who said she used it for her earrings. She was selling her house and moving...I would love to be able to show her what I did with those frames as well as with this blank box.

The completed box. The topper is from a bird house given to me by a friend that was redecorating her yard. I took the birdhouse and it was in my garden until we moved and by then the whole thing was falling apart but I kept the metal top. 

Detail: little glass jar that I put ribbons in to match the color scheme. 

Small basket I've had for over 50 years! (it was in my original doll house) Music scroll, fairy dust, packet of "secret letters" 

The title of the piece comes from this ceramic shopping bag which is from the Precious Moments Chapel in Carthage Missouri. I visited there with my family about 20 years ago. 

Our new neighborhood has held something called "The Sycamore Stroll" for years. I was lucky enough to be in town for this one. It is a neighborhood of garage sales with hotdogs, lots of neighbors on foot or bike going from house to house to find treasures. I was in heaven on my bicycle in the perfect spring air and abundant flowers. I bought a box of the little plastic wine glasses from a woman whose mother used to collect miniatures. I filled it with tiny glass beads and resin.

A friend gave me a roll of hand printed paper of bicycles. I've been cutting them out and using them in projects. I put the little dog that was made hand painted in Scotland, that I also have had for years.  

I hope you enjoyed my little journey with this piece as much as I did making it and telling you about it. 

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. 

Instagram

I don't know how many of you that read my blog are also on Instagram but it has seriously highjacked my postings on here! I had no idea I hadn't posted since November, I thought it had just been a few weeks as I post almost daily on Instagram. You can find me on there as @boiseartist. Be sure to comment and I will follow your photos as well!

It's Not All Black And White

Election Year

These two pieces were accepted in the TVAA show opening next week, "This American Life" at the Boise State Public Radio Station on Park Center

Entry for 6x6 show at Art Source Gallery in March

Lots of winter travel, fat-biking, cross country skiing snowshoeing and journaling

What else have I been up to? Have you checked out my blog...my lovely daughter is keeping it updated for me! http://boiseartist.wix.com/pammcknight 

I highlight of my week I look forward to is my friends studio night. I really look forward to these evenings where we not only catch up on each others lives but share our thoughts and observations about life and art. 

My website has all the shows I am currently in or coming up this winter/spring. Including a FREE Valentine DIY class, check out page 37.  http://parks.cityofboise.org/news/2015/12/boise-parks-recreation-offers-great-activities-this-winter-spring/

This is just a small part of what I have been up to...go to my Every Little Thing Face Book Page, my Instagram, and my Website to see the rest.

Thank for following me. Peace. Pam

Boise Open Studio Weekend 2015

Art by Nancy Panganiban

For the past several years I have either shared my studio space with artists Nancy Panganiban and Geoff Everts or they have shared theirs with me for the Boise Open Studio Weekend. It's nice to have company and share the experience with good friends.

This weekend was the best and the worst.

Art by Geoffrey C. Everts

Art by Pam McKnight

Sold my art collage wheel!  Lots of great memories in this one!

It was the best weekend yet as far as weather (beautiful temps and no rain) best as far as number of visitors (251) and best as far as sales.

My studio space all cleaned up

Temporary Garage Gallery with all three artists' represented

Allen Stovall representing Geoff

Why was it the worst? My friend Geoff was not able to be present due to advanced stomach cancer. While Geoff was a private person and preferred to limit those knowing about his illness to family and a few close friends, he was surrounded by loved ones during his treatment.

In his final days Geoff curated the work shown at the 2015 BOSCO event. His friend and former colleague from Disney Studios, Allen Stovall did such an excellent job of greeting guests and representing Geoff.  Many guests marveled at Geoff's creativity and talent on such a beautiful weekend.

A piece we commissioned from Geoff  8/2015

Tuesday Geoff passed quietly in his sleep. Rest in peace my friend.