I’m so tired. It’s a beautiful day out, but instead of having a productive afternoon off, I’ll probably fall asleep on the porch swing. School is back in session and that means one thing, the local university newspaper is back in print and now I must work my weird day (going in at 2 am, off at 10 am).
This weekend I was feeling exhausted by my need to work on something, anything creative. I have felt lost for a bit without an inspiring project that consumes my every thought. That thing that can get me through the day, and helps me fall asleep dreaming about it at night. After feeling this emptiness for what seems like an eternity, Saturday evening I hit my personal library and found just the inspiration I needed. 1. from the Complete Craft, a cuff bracelet that was originally done in beadwork, but I will be adapting for my own style (you can see what I’ve done so far in the above picture, and 2. Just the perfect push for an art show this winter, thanks to Erin and the book Kaleidoscope.
But finally when I feel so inspired and just want to dig into my new projects, I feel like I can’t even see straight.
I. Must. Rest. Swing. Is. Calling. Me.
Archive for the 'Art' Category
If you haven’t seen her around before, I’d like to introduce to you one of my best-est, top-of-the-pop-friends, Erin, aka, pejnolan. I’ ve known Erin for 14 years. Holy moly, yeah, I know, I can’t believe it’s been that long either. She has always been an incredible support and inspiration to me. Even when I was a wee young thing of 16 years old, she was one of the few, in my very impressionable years, that I thank for helping to form who I am today. She has so much talent and vision and ambition. In some ways we are so similar and share so many areas of interest and life experiences, and in other ways I feel she sees things so differently and helps bring things to light for me that I might never have seen. For all of these things I am deeply indebted to her.
Tonight we spent time in her studio while she finished her Huskie dogs project. The pieces came out so rich and lush and look every bit of all the time she invested in them. I saw them in the early stage and after they reached a certain stage, they just popped and my jaw dropped. I wish each and every one of you could see them in person.
Tomorrow she will be saying goodbye to them as she drops them off to their new owner, but I couldn’t help but notice how well they would have fit in her studio permanently surrounded by the rest of her work that is defined by her very unique Erin-style. I’d like to encourage everyone to check out her flickr, her blog and her etsy shop.
-Hello everyone who is Stumbling Upon me, I’m not exactly sure the reason for the recent influx of visits to my site, but I welcome them, and you, to my humble blog with open arms.
-Above, another Page A Day scan. You can see all the pages I have scanned so far here on my flickr.
-Today I broke my bike pedal off while riding my bike home from work, boo. That’s what you get when you ride an almost decade old huffy that has been stolen once, seat stolen a different time, and bike pedal broken off once before.
-Yesterday I realized that if you replace the o in my name with an i, my name sounds like ribbon. I’m not particularly a huge fan of ribbons, but this is the kind of thing I think about. It also occurred to me that as much as I loathe when parents name their child a nickname (Sam vs. Samuel, etc.) my name is Robyn, which is supposedly derived from Robert, which means Robin was probably a nickname for Robert at one point. My name is a nickname.
-Re: the last post: I’m not skilled at placing zippers, so I think I’ll ask my mom for a tutorial. I got it in, but it’s pretty funky.
-My sister sent me a link to this article in the Chicago Tribune. Apparently Paul McCartney was in Joliet, where my dad is from, just an hours drive away from where I live now. Paul went to some Route 66 museum and the article quoted some guy my dad went to high school with. My Dad = 2 degrees of separation from Sir Paul McCartney.
-I’m starting to have this new ritual for working in my studio. I pop on this pandora station , open the window and get to work while singing away. I’m not sure if by following that link you will get the same station as I listen to, with all my thumbs up and thumbs down, but it’s still worth listening to.
zebra, originally uploaded by robayre.
Inspired by a zebra from a wrapper of Hammermill copy paper I started making a collaged zipper pouch. I scanned the zebra and replicated him to make the above collage and printed it on iron-on transfer. I have been using a, much loved, Boygirlparty zipper pouch for years and it is just frays and tatters now.
You can see the progress of the pouch at my flickr here http://www.flickr.com/photos/robayre/2734662368/. I still need to add the zipper tonight, so I’ll be heading over to JoAnn fabrics after work. I’ll wash it and see how it stands up, and hopefully if it works I’ll be making a bunch more. For years I’ve been wanting to do collagework on fabric, but in my mind I wanted to make a skirt. It wasn’t until I knew I needed a new zipper pouch, that I thought of the idea of doing it on fabric to sew into a zipper pouch. I wanted it to look like my style of collage that I did for my mail art postcards, thus the “Place Stamp Here” indicia that have been on all of my postcards.
Speaking of recreating collagework in other mediums, here is some lovely artwork.
a link on how to easily grow wheatgrass, something bunnies, kitties and girls alike can enjoy.
If there is one thing to know about me I am obsessed with front porches, so naturally porch swings fall under that category. I am easily gushing over this picture of a porch swing installed into a home.
I added a few pinback buttons to my shop.
Did you know that tallgrass prairies could be 6 feet tall, but still there is more underground than what is seen above ground? And according to wikipedia 99% of the original prairie is covered with farmland now. I once heard that the majority of the remaining original prairieland runs along railroad tracks.
My grandmother, who was involved in prairie restoration, got me very interested in prairies when I was a child. I’ve loved them ever since and wanted to bring something with my love of prairies to the shop. They’re 1″ with pinbacks, or a magnet if you prefer, and they’re priced at just $1. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.
As for “what’s going on?” Not much. The heat has officially kicked on and thus I feel super lazy. I hate sweating unintentionally. My face gets drenched and my make-up melts off. It’s also very hard to get motivated to do anything, even exercise, even though I’m already hot and sweaty. Yesterday I mowed and the rest of the day I had a headache and felt like I could not get th heat out. I kid you not, I even sat at the computer, air conditioner on, with a bag of frozen mixed vegetables on my head hoping to cool off, but no dice. BUT, good news, as erin noted to me the other day, the cicadas are already started to sing which means the end of summer, hurrah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I probably just had 2 of my 3 readers unsubscribe from my blog for saying that. People seem to really love their summer here. But, I was thinking earlier this week, I have a very small window of comfort, 65 to 75 degrees. If it’s above, I’m sweating, if it’s below, better pile on the layers.
Even Bishop and Theo feel the heat. Must be torture with permanent fur coats. Above you can see how they are getting along. We are pretty comfortable allowing them to be together alone, without fear of one tearing the other one to shreds. We also have the sneaking suspicion that while we are gone during the day Bishop sleeps outside of Theo’s cage. Tomorrow morning Bishop is going in for the big snip-snip. And while my friends Al and Elinor are in between moves, I’m renting their budgie, Ted Nugent. It’s nice to have some company in my studio while I work.
Good morning! I hope everyone had an easy, laid back weekend. This weekend I went to an art opening for a member of my art group, had sushi, spun a yarn, and began knitting after it was washed and dryed, and went to my favorite new hiding space where I made the following video:
I made this video to add to my “Natural Grafffiti” project series. I hope it can help ease the transition from weekend to work-week. It was inspired by my series, by the idea of watching something so closely that it can be therapeutic, and how the sound of the running water is soothing as well.
And here are some of my flickr favs to inspire you.
All right, so we saw Batman and it was pretty great. Worth the wait, but man, I was so tired (it was a midnight showing) and it had been a looong day before that. I’m sure I’ll see it again and appreciate it even more when my eyes can focus straight.
Then yesterday we did a double feature with Hellboy and then Wall-E. I did something I’ve never done before, something very bad and something I’ll never do again. Don’t do this at home kids, er, um, at your local cinemas. I snuck into the second show without paying. After seeing Hellboy I thought, what the hay, and said “Let’s just go see Wall-E” and didn’t think anything really of it, other than a little “woohoo, I’m being sneaky”. But once we were in the theater I started to feel SUPER guilty and was waiting for the cops to show up and take me away. In fact, even though I was sucked into the movie from the very beginning short beforehand, I looked over to Matt with sad eyes, hoping he was feeling the same way I was and hoping he’d say “Let’s leave”. But nope, he just gave me this look like: “what is your problem? You are disrupting my movie going experience.” I enjoyed the rest of the movie and only had a mini panic attack that once were were leaving they’d have guards at the door checking tickets for the two that snuck in, handcuff us and take us off to prison. Friends, this kind of tells you how rebellious of a person I am.
Anyway, I think it was a good order to see these movies in. I have to say Wall-E was my absolute favorite. Beforehand, I’ve had plenty of people saying “Robyn, you MUST SEE Wall-E” and after seeing it, I have to say I think those people know me pretty well. This has instantly become my new favorite Disney movie. I just can’t stop thinking about it, it was that great. Matt and I have decided that I am the Wall-E in our relationship and he is definitely the Eve, which is kind of funny because he is the PC user and I’m the Mac user, so that part is backwards. Also, it’s kind of backwards as he’s more the romantic one, I’m more sentimental though, if that makes any sense. This film is just so beautiful in the way it was illustrated (at times I even forgot that it wasn’t film photography, yeah, I know) and in it’s story as well. Afterwards, while were discussing the movie, we both came to the same conclusion at the same instant; We want to have Wall-E in our home, as our pet or friend or what have you.
Last week I read about this girl who posted a youtube video of herself last winter, crying as she watched and reacted to the trailer for this movie.Her crying watching it, made me just about cry. Here is the link, it’s a pretty cool story, apparently her video was seen and appreciated by Pixar and some pretty cool stuff came from it all. Haha, I just found this link that proves that Wall-E, like myself, is a law breaker!
So, one of the great things about Wall-E, and one of the reasons I related to him was that he was a collector, which brings me to Keri Smith. I just read on her blog that she is releasing a new book “How to be an Explorer: The Portable Art Life Museum” and straight from the page of her new book, “When I look closely at the work of all my favorite artists & designers, I notice they all have one thing in common… They are collectors.”
Friday night The Makers drove out to Rockford for the Rockford Midwestern art show at the Rockford Art Museum. Al had submitted the wood block print kite (shown in the background above, lower left) and was accepted into the juried exhibition. I took that picture with Elinor standing in front, as she is the inspiration for the piece. It was an eclectic show, which was very refreshing, and many familiar faces were there.
Today has been the perfect day, weather-wise. Matt got a call that some servers went down at work, so we decided to ride our bikes across town. While he went inside, I explored around Barsema hall, and the North 40 and found my new favorite place. There is a pond behind Barsema and a couple bridges. Near one of the bridges there is a dam and I was able to climb out onto it and enjoy my surroundings. There were fish, snails and huge tadpoles, tall grass and cattails, bright yellow birds (golden finches?), perfect breeze, perfect temperature…I could have just stayed there all day.
When Matt was done he came out and told me about the other bridge which is a secret/hidden, wooden bridge to get to the North 40 and beyond there was a geocache we located.
We rode our bikes home and I cooked pancakes again. We’re obsessed.
I just went to get my hair cut and I have a huge gripe. Why is it so difficult for hair dressers to understand the concept of cutting hair on a side part? Even after I ask them to cut it on my part, because I NEVER NEVER NEVER wear it in the center, they still want to cut in down the center. Granted I’ve just been going to the Hair Cuttery for a long time now, but still, it’s like beauty school only teaches their students one way and these women have no idea how to stray off that path.I thought the dresser today was going to have an aneurysm trying to understand the concept.
rock, originally uploaded by robayre.
Yesterday I was having a conversation with someone about the crafts of the 70s, and I brought up decoupage. Immediately this rock came to mind. I started thinking about this rock that has been in my parent’s home as long as I can remember. This rock is not mine, I didn’t make it, I don’t even know the whole story behind it. I think my older sister might have made it, or it might have just been a sample my mom made to use as demonstration for girl scouts, I’m not sure. Anyway, here is this rock. To another eye, I’m sure it is absolutely hideous, but this rock has been in my life forever. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have no attachment to this rock. I didn’t sleep with it in my bed, or give it a name or take it to show and tell. I’m sure it’s had it’s day of being used to hold down corners of blankets while making indoor forts, or to keep papers from blowing away. It got me thinking about things that might not mean much to you, other than they have been in your life for so long.
Do you have anything in your life that is significant, possibly just because of the amount of time it has hung around?
Later in the evening I went over to my parent’s house to bring in their mail while they were on a trip. There is this hanging planter/mosaic wooden box by their front door that they stick stuff in for each of us kids to pick up (junk mail still being delivered, little presents, etc.) and I looked inside the box and there was the rock. Weird.
So, now if I didn’t think this rock had much significance before, now I am beginning to wonder. It’s totally 70s, look at it, it’s got holly hobby on the side and mickey mouse on the top, there is also some crocheted stuff on top, and all of this is just magazine clip art, decoupaged like crazy on this rock, so well, that 30 years later it is still going strong.
I think that the longer something is in my life, the more significant it becomes. Example, the hat. It was just a stupid K-mart hat that I probably bought for $8, but I wore that hat for many years and it kept me warm. People made fun of that hat, but I didn’t care, every winter I grew fonder and fonder of it.
I remember when I was a kid how I was amazed by people who always wore the same pieces of jewelry or clothing, or always carried the same stuffed animal, or whatever form a prized possession might take. The pieces became their signature pieces; associated with the person, just as much as their smile or laugh. I think I admired that in other people because when I was younger I was never able to hold on to anything long enough before losing it or losing interest and moving onto the next item. As I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten a lot better about not losing things, which has allowed me to become quite connected with many of my personal possessions. I’ve grown into the type of adult I would have admired in that regard, which I think is pretty cool.
And now a different kind of Rock. Another mixtape for you, inspired by Rosa, who was in turn inspired by me. Tag, your it!
7.9 circle 12 angle, originally uploaded by robayre.
I’ve added two new original pieces to the shop. I love the one above, it really embodies the qualities I have in mind for this series.
This piece is a bit different and has a sea theme. It might be cute for a child’s room or a person who has a passion for the nautical. Speaking of ships and the sea, yesterday I found out an interesting derivation of the word Posh. It comes from the location of luxurious cabins on ships back to Britain, Portside Out, Starboard Home (P.O.S.H.).
This last weekend my friend Al had a booth at the local Art Show on the lawn of the Ellwood House. While I walked around I met a few wonderful artists. Clark Bending was selling his paintings and I was just in awe of his use of colors. His booth really stood out as a breath of fresh air, amongst the other “realistic landscape” painting booths. I spoke to him for a while, bought a print and discovered he will be giving a lecture for the local Art league in the fall. Another artist I met was Bob Politsch, who doesn’t have a website. He carved wooden sculptures from the dead bark fallen off of trees. The sculptures were very imaginative, with detailed execution, little dwellings, like castles, homes, churches, etc. They contained elaborate, doors, windows, balconies, down to bricks and mortar and wood panels with nails. I could just imagine how much fun it would be to create each one.
The cancer that grows and grows, originally uploaded by Chrissie White.
Earlier today I was searching around Flickr, as I often do and found this talented photographer and designer. Her work was very inspiring, so I went to her profile to add her to my contacts when I see that….wait for it….it’s coming…yeah…SHE’S ONLY 14 YEARS OLD! Check out her photographs, wow! I was just amazed, here I am 30 and I don’t even know how she did some of the techniques she pulled.
One last thing I wanted to mention was that Bishop and Theo are doing really well and getting adjusted to each other swiftly. Theo has turned around her attitude more beautifully than I could have ever hoped. Now, she does not get angry at the kitten and in fact she braves him wonderfully, when he tries to “play” pounce on her, she does not act like the prey instinct in her should, instead she stands her ground, but in absolutely nonthreatening manner. In fact, I think she might be enjoying the kitten because she comes out of her cage more often and explores more than ever before now. If she was feeling threatened, she would run and hide in the back of her cage, but instead she and the kitten are chasing each other around. So cute. Matt and I just waiting till the day we walk in and they are next to each other grooming one another, that would be the ultimate.
