Category Archives: mixed media

Arting for 365 Day 164: Beet Juice, Lines and Cuts

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11 x 14″ Beet juice, ink, and cut paper

Using natural pigments to create work is something I’ve experimented with in the past. Pomegranates, blueberries, raspberries – they all have a lovely color that stains paper really nicely. So yesterday, after a friend had left some beets for us, I was excited to create a piece using beet pigment.

Inspired by day 163’s piece in which I created drawings by finding pattern in the paint, I hoped to explore a similar path for yesterday’s work. I started the process by pushing beets onto paper in order to create the initial design. From there, the stains would act as the base on which my ink drawing would build from – working around the stains on the paper. Once the drawing was created, I cut the paper, working within and around the ink drawing. One step in the process therefore directed the next step.

The result is a delicate 11 x 14″ piece whose sequential steps were integral to it’s development as a finished work. On top of that I really like the combination of soft color, hard edged cuts and organic lines.

Arting for 365 Day 163: Repetition, Design, Bottle Caps

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Day 1163 (10/8/12): Repetition, Design, Bottlecaps

13.5 x 7.5 (including frame) Bottle caps, ink and paint

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

We had been collecting bottle caps for some friends of ours to use. They had planned to decorate costumes with them for an event that takes place here in September, but as the date of the event rolled around, they ended up not needing them. Upon realizing I had a collection of bottle caps to use to my liking, I brainstormed ways to incorporate them into one of my daily works. This piece is what I came up with.

I started with the caps and a bad framed art print that I had picked up from a box labeled “free” in the hood one day. After gluing each cap onto the glass, I painted a layer of white over each. Initially I created whatever design I felt like, but as I looked more closely, I noticed that my paint application had created interesting patterns. I immediately switched gears and began to create designs based on the natural patterns in the paint.

While I think I would leave more of the bottle caps showing next round, I do really enjoy this piece. The repetition of the caps draws me in and because each design is unique I want to continue to look at it. I think the misshaped bottle caps packed tightly together within a frame that is a bit gaudy and 80s looking is odd and humorous. I definitely want to create another one of these, which means I will have to drink more beer. Oh the sacrifices I make for the sake of art.

If you like this piece, you can buy it!

Arting for 365 Day 155: Sunday Card Making

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9/30/12Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Next weekend I’ve been invited to show my work at a local harvest festival. There should be quite a few people at the event and I always feel like any chance I’m given to get my work in front of an audience is a good one, so I’m pretty excited. On top of that, the festival should be a really great time – lots of fun people, delicious food and music.

I don’t have a super concrete idea as to how much space I will have though, and so decided it would probably be wise to start creating some smaller items to sell. Last night I pulled out business envelope scraps and markers and created a few of these bright, fun cards.

Arting for 365 Day 154: Pumpkin

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Day 154 (9/29/12): Pumpkin

Each piece ~ 3 x 5″ Watercolor and ink

It has been a whirlwind of a weekend. Yesterday’s activities  included visiting my brother and his family, watching an extremely intense game of 6 year old flag football, and attending a house warming party which was followed up by a night on the town.

As you might imagine, a few of these activities involved drinking adult beverages – which could be treacherous when one is attempting to not miss a day of making art. No worries – I continued the streak by working on this lighthearted little pumpkin.

Arting for 365 Day 152: Energy, Bird Abstraction

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Day 152 (9/27/12): Energy, Bird Abstraction

~27 x 22″ Ink and Acrylic on paper

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

I love when something unexpectedly comes together. I began working on this piece years ago, with an initial drawing of the central  bird-like form, but I never liked it. The burnt sienna colored design seemed forced and just kind of odd. The original bird reminded me more of a dead chicken hanging from those store windows in China Town than it did an elegant, energy filled bird. Unhappy with the piece, I stashed it away hoping that maybe someday I would come up with a brilliant idea as to how to salvage the darned thing.

A few months ago I pulled out the piece again, determined it could be saved. I worked on it a bit, but no epiphanies were made, so the drawing got sent to the corner.

Two days ago, as I desperately searched for an idea that would motivate me to create something I loved, I once again pulled out the bird. I’m not real certain why I thought it would be the piece that would fulfill me. Up until this point the drawing had been utterly unwilling to work with me in being something amazing. It was boring and disjointed and I saw little hope for its  survival. Yet, here I was pulling it out again.

I am so thrilled I did because I think this piece turned out awesome (totally tooting my own horn here, I realize). Its got movement and texture and energy. Heck, I even like that I stuck with a monochromatic palette of browns -which is shocking to me. I really couldn’t be more pleased.

Arting for 365 Day 150: Squirrel’s Guide to Attacking Humans

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Day 150 (9/25/12): Squirrel's Guide to Attacking Humans

5 x 7″ Ink and watercolor on paper

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

Within the past two months or so, for some unknown reason, I have developed a slight fear of squirrels. This is a bit embarrassing for me to admit, as up until that time I found them to be much as I find the rest of the neighborhood animal kingdom – adorable and harmless.

When walking or jogging past them I worry they think I am scheming to steal their acorns. Because I feel rather certain that this is on their minds, my fear is they will turn to chase me in attempt to defend their coveted food. I am working hard to shake this ridiculous fear and even tried to sweet talk a baby squirrel out of the apartment hallway the other day – even though I was pretty certain the mom was probably close by, ready to pounce.

I’m confident that I will once again love the fluffy tailed rodents. I will start by convincing myself that they do not have a shared list expressing the following:

  1. Look cute and cuddly
  1. Pretend to be preoccupied with food gathering and playing
  1. Let them get close
  1. AttackIf you like squirrel’s or maybe don’t like squirrel’s and so would like to buy this piece, you can do so here.

Arting for 365 Day 141: Religion and Morality

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Day 141 (9/16/12): Religion and Morality

9 x 12″ Watercolor and ink on paper

Yesterday I was able to get out and enjoy the amazing fall colors with some really great friends. I’ve always felt that when I am outdoors, especially when I am somewhere that is secluded and away from the buzz of the city, I feel most alive. The experience rejuvenates me and makes me thrilled to be a part of life. I am not at all religious – I’d call myself agnostic actually, but when I’m experiencing nature, I definitely feel I am in a spiritual place.

I began reflecting on spirituality which got me thinking about a conversation I had recently, with a really amazing person, regarding religion and morality. We talked about the fact that you can be moral, work to find good in others, and forgive simply because it is the right thing to do.  While religions may promote these things, I believe humans’ moral compasses were around long before our current-day gods. I like to think we as humans will help people and work to be honest and thoughtful because we care about people.

I’m not one to talk about my religion – or lack there of – often, and you’ll probably not hear a peep about it again. But as killings and conflicts and wars erupt over religious beliefs; as gays and lesbians are persecuted for being who they are; as some of you become angry at me, or sad for me for questioning whether God exists; I can’t help but think we all might be better off if we focused on believing in and working for the betterment of each other rather than a god and religion.

If you love this piece, you can buy it! Please contact me if interested in prints.

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