Why Pinterest Is Great... Artists!

I have a confession, I'm super addicted to Pinterest. This is why I avoided it for so long, I knew this would happen. The plus side is that I am discovering so many new artists. Like Matt Wisniewski. I first saw this image on the pinterest feed and was head over heels. I've been looking at so many rocks and minerals lately and trying to figure out how to incorporate them into my work and I am always on the lookout for other artists who do the same. Matt is a collage artist and these are just a few of the many many collages he has made. Click on his name to see even more fabulous pieces.

Before you go, be sure to head over to Jikits to enter to win a fabulous giveaway. You won't be sorry!

Friday Re-Runs

Fridays seem to be slow days in blog land, or maybe that's just in the summer. Or maybe it's actually Saturdays. Whatever the case, I think I will start a new feature called Friday Re-Runs where I re-run a blog from the past. Can you believe I've been doing this for four years? I've almost got that rock up the hill but I'm still going.

Here's a goodie from December 23, 2008:

Today I wanted to post some images of art that I love. I'm constantly looking at art and keeping an eye on what's going on in the art world. These are some artists I've really loved over the years, old and new. check it out! And check out their sites, too!

First is painter Squeak Carnwath. She's a West Coast artist who makes beautiful paintings full of color and prints through Tandem Press. Her work helps me think of new ways of setting up compositions. This image is from her website.

My close friends and I all have a love affair with Nan Goldin's photography. It started when one of our friends checked out a book of her work and we couldn't quit passing the book around. Her photos depict people around her; friends, lovers, herself. Nothing feels staged, they all seem very genuine and the viewer gets to feel like a true voyeur. I don't think she has a website but you can learn more about her here.

I discovered Kime Buzzelli's work randomly on myspace.com. She owns Show Pony Boutique in Echo Park, a store as lovely as her work. I've noticed lately that she's been receiving a lot of press for her work which is well deserved. This image is from her myspace.

I don't remember how I discovered Amy Morken but I'm so glad I did. Actually, I think it was because of an assignment my undergrad printmaking teacher gave us. We had to look through an Art in America magazine and find an artist to do a paper about. It was her way to get us to look at contemporary artists and I'm glad for that. I love Amy Morken's work. From her color to compositions to characters, there's so much happening. She's represented by the Claire Oliver Gallery and you can see more of her work here where I got this image.

And finally a printmaker. Lisa Bulawsky has been an artist whose work I've been looking at for a long time. She works and teaches in St. Louis. She's an artist who is constantly making work, whether it's two dimensional, video or performance. I've met her a handful of times and I'm always reminded of what a neat person she is. Check out her website and discover for yourself. This image is from her website.

I just realized after collecting all these artists that they are all female artists. That was not intentional and this is only a tiny dent in the list of artists I love. I will make another list soon that will be more male friendly. Happy looking and I hope you're all ready for the holidays!

Phantom Hair

So I recently had really big plans to spend my tax return on something super important: bleaching my hair blond.... From the minute I dyed my hair brown I wanted to be blond again. After a consultant with my hair stylist she warned me that doing this could be an expensive disaster. These were not the words I wanted to hear but I accepted them. But I was ready for a change. I'm trying to grow my hair out so I can have fabulous wedding hair but it's in that stage where it's really boring. So... I shaved some. I'm still screaming a little bit inside because I did this. I always wanted to do it and if I can't be blond I might as well have something. I learned that I would not be pretty at all if I had a completely shaved head but with this style I can wear hair over it and no one knows. I think I love it even though I'm still afraid. It makes me feel a little sassier. (I'm sorry, Mom. Don't be mad!!)

Besides having phantom hair pains I've been crafting up a storm. I made this banner for Cracker Jax. I finally learned how to make shapes in the banner. This one is my favorite one I've made.
And one day I wore all my favorite necklaces at once. The bottom one was handmade for me by a very fabulous co-worker.
As I type this a little girl is walking to school outside and singing her heart out. I hope you have a sing your heart out kind of day.

Science!!

I didn't want to post again until I had something truly interesting so show you... but that was going to possibly be forever... so here is what's going on in the meantime....

I had this idea to grow my own crystals. I wanted to make magical little worlds in tiny jars.

This was my first attempt with different kinds of recipes. The large green jar was with epson salts and it actually worked. I grew small needle like crystals. But they are so fragile I'm not sure what to do with them. The blue one was a total dud and the orangey one sort of worked but I was underwhelmed.

So then I tried a new idea with just salt and water. Again, they were mostly stinkers.
So! I sped things along and just stuck these crystals quartz into the salt jar. It made for a nice picture but it was a very very temporary solution.
I tried a couple of other things but I'm not in love with them either. I think I am in a situation where I have an idea in my mind but I'm having trouble translating it to real life. Darned real life!!

So here is a pic of a million things coated in glitter. Glitter has never let me down.
I have been quite a mad scientist. I think I'm ready to sit down at my drawing desk and work on some watercolors...

Creation Station

I've been working like mad! Last night I finished up these little shadow boxed with banners and glitter and sparkle galore! I have another one in the works that is almost finished but I decided I don't like the color scheme so I need to re-work it. I'm pretty excited about these guys. I've also been working on chalkboard animals but that is still being figured out. My studio is a mess. The only way out of this mess is a complete move. Thank goodness that's happening soon!

Happy happy Tuesday to you!

Okay, one more video today. I'm absolutely crazy in love with this. I hope I can be half as amazing as the ladies in this film. Please check it out and be inspired. And thank you so much to my friend Katy for sharing this with me.

Boo!

I love how my love of scary ghosties means everyone's looking out for me and letting me know when they spot one. Carrie (who is a super talented artist and we need to talk about her work here very very soon) posted this on my facebook wall and my little heart was all atremble. It's a fantastic song with an even more fantastic video. Watch and enjoy and don't be scared of those scary scary sheet ghosts.

Studio Happenings

Little bits and pieces of thins happening in my studio right now.

Beauties Shops

Yesterday I mentioned that I have never had a macaroon before. This was the comment my friend Michelle left on my blog:

I have never had one! But that changed yesterday at the All Chocolate Kitchen. There were many flavors to choose from, it was hard to choose but I finally decided on a classic chocolate and maybe a not so classic Lemon. I also had Lemon sorbet. I was at a place called All Chocolate Kitchen, I had to indulge a little bit. The chocolate one was good but I only ate half. Very sweet.
The lemon was definitely my fave. I have a crazy thing for lemon flavored treats. I was surprised by how teeny tiny they were. I am happy to say that I now know what this sweet treat tastes like. I felt like Marie Antoinette, the Sophia Coppola version...
We also checked out a beautiful shop called The Mossy Twig. My friend wanted to get some air plants and I just wanted to be inspired. I certainly was. There were beautiful terrariums everywhere, it was magical.

I was very frugal on this trip. I wanted to buy everything but I think I made a good decision on my purchases. We went to a little flea market and I scored this huge crystal quartz. I couldn't believe my luck.

I also got this vintage necklace. Earlier that day I was wishing I had a long gold necklace to wear with my outfit and I lucked out and found this beauty. I'm so into gold right now.

This adventure took place in Geneva, IL. If you are ever in that area definitely explore the downtown. There are so many cute shops.

Hope you have a super fantastic day and where ever you are the sun is shining!

Cutting Out Cuties

I have to admit it's been hard to get my mind to focus on anything besides our new house. But we don't move in for months so I have to think about other things. Monday I had the day off work so I did tedious studio things that have to be done eventually, like cutting images out of books and magazines. I find it's so much easier to have a library of images on hand when I'm ready to work instead of being in the middle of a piece and then trying to find something to collage into it. So I cut... and cut.... and cut....

And then I put this sea anemone on this geometric-like shape and I felt pretty satisfied.
Today I'm going to go exploring for inspiration. And I may eat my first macaroon. Fingers crossed.