Tag Archives: art 365

Arting for 365 Day 100: Kiwis

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Day 100 (8/6/12): Kiwis (mixed)Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

Okay, so I admit that pairing a kiwi and a kiwi is a bit predictable, but it doesn’t seem to take away from the fact that I still really dig this set of coasters.

I sifted through my inherited stamp collection once again for inspiration. As I came across the lovely green kiwi stamp, I knew I had to do something with it.

Initially I aimed for a simple design utilizing bright colors with a focus solely on the fruit kiwi. As I worked on it, though, I realized I could incorporate another bird. Birds and me lately – we seem to have a thing.

Originals and prints available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 99: Stamp and Coasters – Seperate Together

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Day 99 (8/5/12): Stamp: Seperate Together

Acrylic, stamp and ink on Sierra Nevada paper coasters

Feeling as though I hadn’t quite hit the nail on the head in incorporating stamps into day 98’s project, I thought I’d take another crack at it. This time, though, I decided to scale back my stamp usage.

Using a single stamp as my starting point, and revisiting the idea of units making up the whole, I used the 69 cent (pricey – must be international) treasure as a connecting point for my initial four coasters. I then cut the stamp at the coaster seams and began painting.

As I was finishing up my abstracted mini landscapes, I noticed another stamp with a crane sitting on the table. It dawned on me that painting a crane onto two more coasters and inserting him into the larger landscape was the obvious next step.

I have to say, I am pretty darned pleased with the results. I love that each coaster works separately, while also working as a whole. I also enjoy that I’ve incorporated the stamp in a more subtle way, forcing you to look twice to really see what it is. I feel like I might be on the right track.

Original and prints available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 98: Stamps

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Day 98 (8/4/12): StampedGoal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

My grandma Minnian, who has long ago passed away, was a big collector of stamps. She wasn’t your traditional stamp collector though. The ones she kept were those she received in the mail on letters. They are worthless in terms of monetary value, but are fabulous miniature works of art, records of history, and a great reminder of her.

In the past I’ve incorporated them into a few projects and thought I’d pull them out again (along with some other stamps folks have given me along the way) for day 98’s piece.

Using remnants from my day 89 cut paper piece, bits of cards and envelopes, and grandma’s stamps, I collaged this 8 x 10″ design. I love the bold colors and lines in the work, but feel like I haven’t quite figured out the perfect way to use the stamps. I guess this just means I’ve got some more experimentation to do.

Original piece available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 97: Lines

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Day 97 (8/3/12): LinesGoal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I have come to realize that repeating a pattern or shape when creating art is as close to a meditative practice as I get. The act seems to allow me to immediately relax.

Perhaps this is why, when I am most high strung or have a broad idea that I am thinking about and can’t quite get my head wrapped around, I tend to turn to repetition in my work. I am able to slow down and think through the issue at hand. I don’t always come up with a brilliant solution, but I feel a heck of a lot better when I’m done.

Day 97: Lines DetailOriginal and print available for purchase

Arting for 365 Day 96: Pigeon Penthouse

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Day 96 (8/2/12): Pigeon Penthouse

8 x 10″ watercolor and ink on paper

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

I needed a bit of fresh air yesterday so decided to take a little stroll. After wandering around the alleys of downtown Ft. Collins – which I must say are lovely – I made my way back to the studio. Right before going inside, I noticed some pigeons that had made a living space for themselves in a metal pipe thing on the side of the neighboring building.

The birds had chosen a home wallpapered with an old, retro vacuum ad. I loved the choice and wondered if the pigeon’s friends often complimented them on their bold and graphic taste in home décor. Was this space coveted among the fowl? Did they know that a pigeon against a red back drop always looks good? More importantly, are there hipsters in the bird world?

Arting for 365 Day 95: Residual Marks From Cut Paper

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Day 95 (8/1/12): Residual Marks from Cut Paper

12 x 12″

In order to not completely ruin my old work table, I have been putting scraps of canvas under my cut paper work. The other day I noticed an incredible design that was being created as the x-acto blade marked one of my pieces of gessoed canvas. The pattern was fantastic. I liked it so much, I hoped I could simply stretch the marked up canvas around a frame and call it done. But because I had also cut through it in some areas, this was not possible. So I hung on to the tattered piece, waiting to use it in something else.

Yesterday I pulled out the canvas and created this non-representational piece. The work feels quite different from my typical approach with its geometric, bold red areas, but it has grown on me. I’d like to say I hope to create more of these, but strangely, I haven’t been able to get the marks to show up again.

Original piece available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 94: Colloquial Uses of the Word Chicken

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Day 94 (7/31/12): Colloquial Uses of the Word ChickenGoal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

For some reason I felt like drawing a chicken yesterday. As I started in on the guy, I began thinking about the many, many ways we use “chicken” in our everyday language.

Other animals are not completely forgotten in colloquial English. I have thrown out a “holy cow” from time to time and may have even used the term “horse’s ass” once or twice – but such sayings are a drop in the bucket when compared to the chicken.

Shoot. I think the earliest joke I ever learned was, “Why did the chicken cross the road?”

This leaves me to wonder. How in the heck did the chicken become so popular?

Original and prints available for purchase

Arting for 365 Day 92: Bell Pepper Innards

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Day 92 (7/29/12): Bell Pepper Innards

4.75 x 4.75″ Ink on paper

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

Oh sweet bell pepper. Your smooth and shiny outside is a fine sight to see. Your real beauty, however, is found upon slicing you open.

Long, structural ribs form your walls. And your heart, a mass of seeds stemming from – well, your stem – is the poster child for texture.

You, delicious bell pepper, are stunning.

Original piece and prints available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 91: Post Enduro Reflection

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Day 91 (7/28/12): Budding Abstraction

8 x 10″ watercolor and ink on paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days
Along with some friends, we volunteered to help out at the Laramie Enduro ( a 70+ mile mountain bike race that brings riders from all over the US to little ‘ol Laramie, Wyoming) yesterday. This has become an annual event that we love to take part in.

This piece was created after returning home and thinking about the wonderful day spent in the wilds of Wyoming.

Arting for 365 Day 90: Landscape Abstraction

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Day 90 (7/27/12): Landscape Abstracted
Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

The sun hogs the sky.

Maybe this is because it knows its time in the spotlight is limited. Maybe it remembers how quickly fall arrived last year and it longs to make the best of these days.

Maybe it thrives on attention.

Or maybe, it just likes to see us sweat.

Original piece available for purchase.