Day 12 of Arting for 365: Cells and Such

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Micah

Goal: To create one work of art for 365 consecutive days in a row

I’m currently reading James A. Michener’s Hawaii which was suggested to me by my mom. As she described the book, I wasn’t real sure it was going to be something I’d be into, but it has been. Two nights ago I got to the 663-ish page range (this is a long book) -the point when the bubonic plague visits the islands. This got me thinking about the horrible disease. I wanted to see what the bacteria look like that causes it. As I came across pictures it dawned on me that bacteria and cells at the microscopic level are always so lovely. You could be looking at examples of the most dreadful diseases or bacteria or who knows what and they always seem beautiful. I have a friend, in fact who framed a few gorgeous cell pictures for her house.

I decided I’d do my own version of cells and bacteria using watercolor and ink. The 11″ x 15″ painting is not a specific representation of any particular cell or bacteria – just some imaginings of them.

Arting for 365 Day 9: Screening for Red & Blue

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Micah

Goal: To create 365 pieces of work for 365 consectutive days

Who knew I’d like stitching designs into screens so much? After day four’s experience I realized I’d found a medium that I’d have to explore again sometime. Yesterday turned out to be sometime. I wasn’t planning on it. In fact, I began my day working on something completely different and next thing I knew I had needle and thread in hand with my original project long forgotten.

The final piece combines painting, ink drawing and stitching – all my favs – in a way I have not before explored. Sometimes it’s good to not follow through on plans.

Arting 365 Day 8: Time

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Micah

Goal: To create one work of art each day for 365 days in a row

For more than a little while -about three years, actually- I have been meaning to take pictures of two ink drawings, which I finally got around to yesterday. As I was taking the glass out of one frame in order to get a reflection free image, the construction paper I had used to temporarily back the work fell out. A once black piece of paper was now showing its age where the sun had bleached perfect rectangles and straight lines. It was lovely and it beckoned to be used in day eight’s project.

I painted a 22.5″ x 16″ canvas, applied acrylic coat to the paper and began painting and adding other cut paper. The geometric imagery at the bottom was much busier initially, which was really distracting, so I painted a good deal of it away. As for the color, a brown palette is not one I’m real chummy with, but I wanted to keep the bleached paper basically unchanged so thought I’d give it a whirl.

Arting 365 Day 7: Drawing To Reflect

Posted on May 6, 2012 by Micah

Yesterday my boyfriend’s brother graduated with his PhD in electrical engineering – an incredible feat in my mind. After watching the ceremony and celebrating with some great grub and beer we returned home where I began to work on my day seven project.

I reflected on the way too drawn-out, oath included ceremony and the speeches given which highlighted the importance of the new journey these graduates were about to embark on. This got me thinking. How many of the graduates were giddy with excitement and how many were wondering why in the hell they spent thousands and thousands of dollars on a degree that would put them in a job that they recently realized they don’t really like? How many graduates will dedicate their lives to their profession and how many will spend a few years employed in the area only to find out it isn’t truly what they want to be doing (I know this scenario well.)

Whether you take a variety of roads, meander until you stumble upon your path, or choose the straight shot from the get go, eventually you’ll get to where you’re supposed to be. -An idea which inspired these three ink on paper drawings.

Day 1: Eggs & an Elephant

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Micah

Now that unemployment and I have gotten to be such close friends, “What am I going to do with my life?” is a question that frequently interrupts my thoughts. And while I have come to no clear conclusion, it seems that making stuff should definitely be a part of the equation. What better way to commit to this vague goal than by creating something every day.

My first official day of this endeavor was yesterday (4/29/12). Inspired by the shapes within and moldability (my made up word) of an egg carton, I created this geometric elephant head. He’s about 15″ x 11″, painted acrylic.

Let the making stuff begin!

Micah Richardson

Tag Archives: geometric