Arting for 343: Simplicity

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Micah

Day 343, 5 x 5′ Ink and watercolor on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

There are those days when everything you attempt to do seems much more complicated than need be. Phone calls take longer, predicaments that seem as though they should be so simple drag on for hours and hours. Yesterday was one of those days. Luckily, we were able to spend it with a really good friend, which made the situation much more enjoyable.

By the time last night rolled around, though, I wanted to draw something that reflected what our day should have looked like. Simple, nice, easy.

Arting for 365 Day 342: Molecular

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Micah

Day 342, 5 x 5″ pierced paper and watercolor

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Somewhere in a world within a world, within a world, there lies living morphing things. They expand and contract and grow and multiply. Imaginary only in that we can not see their daily routines and interactions.

Arting for 365 Day 341: Celestial Locomotive

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Micah

Day 341, 8 x 10″ watercolor, ink and pierced paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Roger Ebert, a fixture in the critic’s world, passed away yesterday. I can’t say I was an avid, or even semi-avid, watcher of Siskel and Ebert or At the Movies. I can probably count the number of times I’ve seen the show on both hands and read Ebert’s reviews from time to time. So why am I talking about him? Because yesterday I read an incredible piece he wrote re-printed by Salon.com that discussed his views on death. It nearly had me in tears it was so lovely.

Inspired by his thougthful words, I created this simple, ethereal piece.

Arting for 365 Day 338: Pianos About Town

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Micah

Day 338, Initial sketches for piano

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I hesitated to include this as it is not a finished project, just a preliminary sketch. It took so long, however, that I decided the hours spent coloring made it worth including. The reason for the sketch is a much bigger project.

Fort Collins, CO has some really great programs that support local artists. One of them is Pianos About Town. Artists are selected to paint a piano that is then left around town for people to play. I love the idea. The pianos are really colorful and create a great, friendly atmosphere. The other bonus is that selected artists are given a stipend to complete the project. I’m not sure when I find out whether I’ll get to paint one of these or not, but I think it would be a pretty fun project.

Arting for 365 Day 337: Flight Patterns

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Micah

Day 337, 6 x 9.5 paper and ink on September 1959 Popular Science Magazine page

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Contrails painted

Against dusk’s fading sky

A group among us

Living

For moments

In flight

Arting for 365 Day 334: Cliff Swallow Evolution (A Pierced Paper Piece)

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Micah

Day 334, 8 x 10″ pierced paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I caught a story on Science Friday that was really interesting. The long and short of it was this:

Cliff Swallows have begun making nests on the overpasses above busy highways and interstates
Initially, many of them were getting hit by cars, leading to their untimely demise
Rather quickly, researchers began noticing bird deaths were declining
They then noticed these highway birds’ wings seemed to have evolved to shorten, making it easier for them to avoid head-on collisions

Much more research is needed to prove that this quick evolution is actually happening because of vehicles, but it is looking as though it might be the case. SO COOL.

I was inspired. I created this swallow with the hopes of emphasizing a really large wing vs. a small one. While I like the final piece, if I were to re-do it, I would create a smaller bodied bird and somehow drastically differentiate the wing sizes. Placing the smaller wing in front would help too. Currently, it looks as though I’ve demonstrated perspective on the back wing – not really my goal. An interesting little guy, nonetheless!

You can buy this piece!

Arting for 365 Day 332: Bird of Whimsy

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Micah

Day 332, ~15.5 x 11.5″ acrylic and ink on wooden palette

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Being able to contribute art to a great cause is one perk of being an artist. My wallet is not always full enough to give to every great nonprofit I’d like, so it feels good to know I can contribute to a few organizations doing outstanding work. The local Alzheimer’s Association recently contacted me for a donation- they would provide the palette and I was free to create whatever I chose.

I opted to go with whimsy. I’m hoping the piece will bring some well-deserved money to the group and a smile to whomever goes home with it.

Arting for 365 Day 300: High Energy

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Micah

8.5 x 11″ collage and ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Jam packed days often lead to images of free flowing, stream of consciousness imagery. So is the case for day 300. Bold shapes and high contrast lines fill up the space. A fitting end to a lovely day.