Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Back roads under cloudy skies
Birds in mid-flight discussion
A cool breeze welcomed through a rolled down window
We travel on, while fields of blueberries ripen
Original piece available for purchase.
4.75 x 4.75″ Pastel and ink on paper
Before leaving Seattle yesterday, we were lucky enough to visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass with our friend and his dad. We had seen some work by Chihuly (an incredibly skilled glass blower) earlier this year, but seeing it out in the garden was really a completely different experience. The colors were vibrant and worked harmoniously with the natural surroundings. I highly recommend you visit if you happen to be in Seattle.
After the gardens, we headed to the airport where I pulled out my pastels and pen, and got to work on day 85’s piece. I used simple shapes and lines to create the abstracted interpretation of the colorful work I had seen. Thanks, Jesse, for taking us!
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Getting an hour of two of sleep during a 28 hour relay running race, can make a girl tired. Therefore, for day 84, I decided to go with a very free flowing, abstract drawing that would allow me to use my exhausted brain in a positive way.
As for the race: I have no idea where we placed among the 300 other teams. But I’m sure we kicked arse – or at least were the nicest/best looking/best personality/best rule breaking team out there.
Washington has been great! Time to head back home to Colorado.
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
As you may or may not know, we’ve been in Washington running a great relay race with friends and family. One thing has been clear along the way: Washington has tons of stuff that grows. The humid air allows trees, plants, and flowers, to abound. Buds and leaves are giant and beautifully colored. The rain and humidity does awesome things…for plants.
It is not, however, awesome for keeping shoes sog-free. Not a bad price to pay for running through a forest by the ocean though.
Goal: To create a piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Wednesday night we flew into Seattle to meet up with friends and family to run our annual summertime relay race (one of my favorite events of the year). The Pacific Northwest is new to me and, as expected, I have loved the lush, beautiful landscape. That I get to see it with some of my most favorite people ever is a complete bonus.
Day 82’s piece is a small, 4 x 5″ ink drawing of my initial impressions of Seattle. As we descended into Seattle, the mountains peeked out through the woven clouds we were flying above. Upon landing I and walking around, I realized even the weeds are pretty here!
As for the race – team Are We There Yet? is kicking it old school. Only two more legs to run in the next 24 hours. And running at sea level is fabulous!
Goal: To create one work of art each day for 365 consecutive days
I believe it was in the eighth grade that I worked lovingly on a detailed drawing, and halfway through, spilled food on it. I didn’t throw the work away and I actually don’t remember being too upset about it (my parents may remind me otherwise). Instead I simply covered the food stain by drawing an image of some sort over it.
I have held tight to the notion that something is only a “mess up” if you aren’t willing to change course.
Yesterday, a few minor botches in cutting started adding up to big botches. I took my own advice and changed course. Flipping my paper over in order to more easily ignore my original design, I began cutting freestyle. The result is this flowing cut paper design that I feel is a success.
This 8 x 10″ piece (super fluorescent but the pic didn’t capture it) will be available for purchase eventually. Right now I’m running a race in Washington! I’ll put it on Etsy when I get back.
11 x 14″ Cut paper
Years back an acquaintance of mine let me know that my ink drawings reminded him a bit of a fantastic artist named Nikki McClure. While her work was cut paper, I think the style of our lines might have been what made a connection for him. I dug that he likened my work to hers, but had no desire to move in the paper cutting direction.
Since that time I have come upon the work of Beatrice Coron and a few others who happen to be amazingly talented cut paper artists. Inspired by the work they do and knowing that I need to push myself to experiment with new processes; I decided to take a crack it.
My initial attempt on this piece was so-so. I was desperately trying for precise, controlled lines with a big ‘ol box cutter like thing (I don’t recommend this but my exacto blade was dull). But after buying new blades to clean up my initial cuts and adding more detail, I found I loved the process. The challenge of manipulating the paper into intricate designs is fantastic! I’m pretty darned sure there will be more of these to come.
This original piece available for purchase.
3.5 x 3.5″ Acrylic and ink on Sierra Nevada paper coasters
I have been told that routine is good for getting lots done. While this might be true, I’ve gotta say, some days Box (the cat) and I just need a change of pace. -A change of scenery or sound; something to break up our everyday routine. Day 79 was one of those days, so I decided I’d put on Whale Rider while I worked.
As I listened to the story, I found myself creating these lovely, seemingly simple, yet extremely detailed designs. The format of the pieces is small, 3.5 x 3.5”, but the bold colors and flow of the designs makes them feel full of energy.
In regards to the movie: I loved it, even though I found myself bawling (red, swollen nosed, snot dripping down kind of bawling). Box, on the other hand, lost interest in the movie immediately.
Click for larger images
Original coasters and printed versions available for purchase.
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
The other day I heard a news report that is pretty common. It regarded big banks (which to me equals a bunch of super rich men and perhaps a few women) who were acting like jack asses with other people’s money. The amount of money these banks had played with and lost was astonishing.
Shortly after that, another report came on talking about Mitt Romney and some out of touch thing he had said regarding money.
Both of these reports got me thinking about the old saying “high on the hog.” Years ago, I imagine saying such a thing meant someone was doing well for themselves – they bought a new car or house or took a big vacation. But what in the heck does it mean today? Instead of one new car, perhaps a few new jets? Instead of a house a block of buildings? To be high on the hog these days, the hog has got to be sitting pretty high.
P.S. If you don’t want to thi
nk of this adorable pig as social commentary, just think of it as “Babe – Pig in the City.” That’s what the boyfriend says it reminds him of anyway.
Goal: To create one piece of work each day for 365 consecutive days
Yesterday was a jam packed day of visiting with friends and enjoying a brewfest. We had a great time but it also meant I was pushing the envelope to get my daily art piece done.
Nearer to midnight than I am comfortable with, I created this abstracted floral ink piece. Drawing the detailed thick and thin flowing lines was a great way to finish up my day.
Original piece and print both available for purchase.
Micah Richardson 