Tag Archive for 'Art'

Day Five - pill box

Published
by
robayre
on August 6, 2010
in General Update, My Artwork and Projects
. 3 Comments

Today was extraordinarily busy. It wasn’t until after dinner that I remembered that it was actually Friday and I still had to do a thing for today. I was exhausted from running around and was regretting that I would have to resort to just pressing a one inch pinback button for my thing. Even that small project seemed daunting in my tired state. Then I remembered a small handful of lathed wooden pill boxes that I bought at a garage sale.

Immediately I was inspired and filled with energy to create. The original and unfinished box is pictured above. Actually it probably had been stained, but I painted it white, cut a piece of felt for the inside and created the collage/mixed media piece to go on the lid. I plan on giving it a glossy resin coat over the image when I have enough pieces to make mixing the resin worth it. I bought a bunch of these small boxes so you will probably be seeing more.

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Completely unrelated, check out this tutorial on Design Sponge for making a beautiful chandelier. I think I’ve admired similar ones in stores before, but now I think I must create one for myself.

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Have a good weekend!

Daily Challenge for August

Published
by
robayre
on August 1, 2010
in General Update, Projects, goals and life
. 5 Comments

In the wee hours of this morning, Rosa updated her twitter to invite others to create something every day for the month of August. In an email she reminded me of my challenge from last year where I also invited others to create something everyday. Last year during August I created a new piece of mixed media artwork on a 9×9″ piece of watercolor paper everyday (M-F) and had quite a bit of fun in the process. Talking to my best friend on the phone earlier today, she inquired if I was up to the task, and reminded me that I did some nice work last year. I decided, yes, I would try to create something each day in August (M-F). But, this year I think I will do a variety of things. I have a list going of all sorts of things I want to do.

Last month (July) I barely stepped foot into my studio. If you look above at the before you probably can sympathize as to why I couldn’t cross any of my things off my list last month. So, to start the month fresh, with a nice new work space, I’ve cleaned up my drawing table, so I could actually work at it, imagine that! Hopefully with the challenge and the more organized work space I can get the ball rolling again.

Once again, I encourage everyone else to try to create something new every day for the month and share it on your blogs/flickr/twitter/facebook/etc. It need not be a large daily commitment. I’m sure there will be some days in there when I make a pin-back button and call it a day. You might just jot down a quick sketch everyday, or perhaps you have a larger project going and you can share your progress daily. If you decide to participate, please comment and let me know and I’ll share your link.

Thanks for the challenge, Rosa! Here we go!

Summer of Love

Published
by
robayre
on June 23, 2010
in General Update, My Artwork and life
. 3 Comments

Cover, originally uploaded by robayre.

I signed up for Kara Haupt’s online class “Summer of Love” and then promptly missed the first several days. I swear the class didn’t start until next week, but I decided to sign into the group blog to see if there was any early action. Imagine my shock and sadness when the first post that pops up says “Prompt Day Three”. Argh.
Oh well. So goes my life.

Any way, one of the main projects to make an altered book and all of a sudden I remembered this book I made back in 2007. It was for a huge group swap, where tons of artists were involved. Each person was to make a book and then pass it to the next person on the list, do a page in the next book, then pass it down the line. By the time your book would come back to you it would be filled with other people’s artwork. Cool huh? Yeah, well, it turned out to be not so cool. I made this totally kick ass book, above. I still think it’s awesome and still represents my style, check the grass. Anyway, I sent it to the next person in line, got the next two or three artists books, worked on them and sent them down the line. Turns out the girl after me in line, I think her name was natalie, was a total flake and scammed all of those books and never sent any out. It wasn’t until that point where the person that was behind Natalie was getting worried that she hadn’t received ANY books, when the group realized what was going. Needless to say I lost my own book, but then I felt even worse because I also sent other artist’s books to her as well. Man, that really hurt.

Moral of the story. Don’t be lame and flake out on others.
Also, pay attention to the calendar. I feel sort of like I’m living one of those dreams where it’s finals week and I just realized I forgot to go to class the whole semester.

Cool link round-up

Published
by
robayre
on June 13, 2010
in Cool Links
. 0 Comments

There are many things I really enjoy about Google Reader and one of them is being able to bookmark posts by “liking” and “sharing” them. I’m posting today to share a few things I’ve collected over time in my google reader. I’d love to turn this into a weekly post, but I’m not going to promise, since regular posts on my blog never end up being very regular. Pre-twitter these are things I would have shared here, but now I post them on twitter and forget about posting them here as well, and I miss that.

This cartoon is sweet and a pretty common theme to my life since becoming an adult.

I discovered this project (Ring A Day 2010) earlier this year when I was participating in 2010 Thing A Day. I love rings, but only creative and artistic pieces, meaning I basically loathe your typical jewelry store jewelry, ugh. It’s been a long time since I’ve been serious about metalwork, but a project like this makes me miss that time when I had more focus on just one area of art at a time.

Speaking of awesome rings, here is one that looks like a tree stump (scroll down below ads to see it).

I love this post on art zines at Doodlers Anonymous.

Here is an awesome project, as I’m obsessed with all types of vending machines. It’s a Doodle vending machine, also from Doodlers Anonymous. It reminds me of the postcard machine from Renegade that I wrote about years back.

And wait, while we are talking about my obsession with vending machines I might as well mention how I’ve long wanted to buy my very own coin machine. I think it stems from my obsession as a child to get things from gumball machines. Heck, it was the only reason I’d go with my mom to the store, so that I could beg for a quarter. For years I’ve had a machine bookmarked to buy. I promise myself it’s one of the items I’ll buy when I have my credit card paid off, which will be very soon, wooot! Anyway, earlier this year I discovered the Itty Bitty Art Committee (which just about blew my mind because I am also obsessed with little art). I read how they bought a little coin slot machine to vend tiny lucky origami paper cranes. This reminded me of a vending machine I saw at the Renegade one year where an artist was vending mini silk screen (or were they relief) prints from a gumball machine. And naturally, there is Artomat, which I occasionally contribute to, which vends original artwork through old revamped cigarette machines.

okay, one last link:

Crustless Quiche in a Cup! Yum, I love quiche.

Okay, that’s all for now, but I have tons more to share, so hopefully I’ll be back next week with more.

I’m a nerd

Published
by
robayre
on May 28, 2010
in Cool Links, My Artwork, Projects, etsy and shop update
. 4 Comments

Here is my second animated gif for number 2 on my to-do list. Here’s number one from earlier this year.  This time I made it bigger so you can actually see what’s going on.

Last week I was walking from my car to our house when I saw the brightest yellow finch. It’s been so long since I’ve seen one, I thought it was an escaped pet bird at first. The very next day I was at a BBQ birthday party and saw the boldest Indigo Bunting. It kept flying up to the bird feeder just a few feet away from us. THEN the very next day I was on a bike ride and a bright red Cardinal swooped right in front of me. I view brightly colored birds as a sign, and remembered this mail art piece I made and decided to list it for sale in my Etsy shop.

I recently discovered the coolest (new-to-me) artist through flickr. Alyn Carlson is a very talented artist, graphic designer and actress. She makes the most wonderful art hats, and they can be found in her Etsy shop here. I love how she posts often about colors, often in a Pantone theme, which really speaks to the graphic designer in me too. Well, lo and behold, this week she featured a photograph I took of my tootsie in grass, on this post. And then today, she shared my silver cast and handspun yarn Grass Ring. A woman who also loves grass is a woman after my own heart.

A special day

Published
by
robayre
on May 26, 2010
in Fun, General Update, My Artwork, goals and life
. 2 Comments

Last week was my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday Chris! I hope you had a great birthday and will have an AMAZING year ahead! She has always been a supporter of my artwork and is ALWAYS there for me when I need help, or an opinion and guidance.

For her birthday she wanted to go to the Museum of Science and Industry. It was an awesome day. I haven’t been there since I was in elementary school and could have spent a couple days there before reaching everything they have to offer.

Unexpectedly, I was also able to (semi) cross off two items on my To-Do-List for 2010. At the MSI now, your tickets to get in become a “sci-pass” where you can record the activities you participate in and then access them online later. They had a sound booth that was similar to the storycorp idea, where you could go in and interview other people. I went in and recorded a short interview with my sister, which was one part of number 23 on my list.

Number 12 on my to-do list was to get an old-timey picture done. In my mind, that meant REAL old photograph techniques, like daguerreotypes, as mentioned in a few posts ago, rather than some quick digital pics that have been converted to grayscale or sepia tone. That being said…  MSI had a photo studio set up where you can take quick digital old-timey pics in an old car, so we played.

I’m the one in the back with the straw hat on, my sister is next to me and my brother in front of me, and his friend Chad next to him. The portrait woman was cracking up at Chad’s leg sticking out.

I have some art to share, as usual. This was the fourth grass painting in the series. I know I always say it, but it has to be said again. I LOVED this painting. It has a watercolor look to it, but it’s acrylic on canvas. It went to my sister for her birthday. I also made her the brooch in the above picture (orange and aqua at the top right).

I also made her a ring, and then made this one for myself. I used this tutorial  from Makeitdo, that I found through the craft blog.

It’s Tuesday and that means…

Published
by
robayre
on May 25, 2010
in Found Art, General Update and My Artwork
. 2 Comments

FOUND ART TUESDAY! As usual, I wait until last moment and then frantically try to think of a place to leave my artwork. A place where it will be safe from the elements, not too populous so that I’m watched, and not too vacant so that the piece goes un-found.

Last week I was in Chicago, but could I be prepared enough to create a piece beforehand AND bring it along? Of course not. So, where did I leave today’s piece? Well, I had to run to the post office and drop off a package, so I figured I’d make it a two for one and leave my artwork in the lobby. As I left it I started worrying I could get in trouble for leaving my artwork. Hope not.

I hope the person who finds and keeps the painting enjoys it. As usual.

Join the Found Art Tuesday fun at facebook and flickr

Found Art Tuesday

Published
by
robayre
on May 11, 2010
in Found Art, General Update and My Artwork
. 3 Comments

Today I did a last minute Found Art Tuesday piece and I’m so proud of myself for starting and completing it all in one evening. It seems every Tuesday I always have these last minute ideas and then I get off of work and reality hits. The concept and estimated time are always much quicker than the actual execution. But tonight? Tonight I finally succeeded.

Last night I made this page spread in my little book. The cut pieces in the above page spread were originally part of another project that is still in the works. I finished using them for the other project and couldn’t just waste them, so I created the above Radiohead inspired piece. You can even see that I used the same idea with the shapes here as well.

Today I had the idea to use the same technique of pierced paper geometric shapes to make original wearable art pieces. Tada! I really liked how they came out. There are three buttons and each button is a layered piece with watercolors painted on the background paper, then a hand-cut geometric shape collaged on top, all sealed together and protected by clear plastic.

 

I made up a card on watercolor paper, decorated a frame to go around the “art pieces” and stuck it up on a local community bulletin board. My only regret was that I didn’t take better pictures. You can’t see from my quick snap shot of the bulletin board, but the “frame” on the watercolor card is glittery gold paint. It was supposed to be like a gilded frame, and would hopefully attract attention. I love-love-love how these buttons came out, and I thought I took suitable enough pictures, but they just don’t show how beautiful they really are. I think I’ll make some more.

FAT Fun Fact: Did you know that Found Art Tuesday, created by Rosa Murillo, has been around since 2006?

As usual, please take a look at the flickr and facebook groups for Found Art Tuesday. Join in on the fun by leaving artwork out in the world, and adding to the joy, excitement and unpredictability of life, or just stop by and enjoy the other participating artists.

Found Art Tuesday

Published
by
robayre
on May 4, 2010
in Found Art, General Update, My Artwork and Projects
. 0 Comments

I’m very excited to announce that the project, “Found Art Tuesday” is now on Facebook. Don’t forget Rosa’s font of Found Art Tuesday information, as well as the flickr group, but please, please, please join and support us in Found Art Tuesday on Facebook. You aren’t required to participate, but really, who doesn’t “like” finding free art? Give it a thumbs up, will ya?

It’s been a long time since I participated in Found Art Tuesday, but here I am with Blades of Grass No. 1. It’s a 6×6 inch acrylic on canvas piece. This is the first piece in the series. See this earlier post for the second piece. This series is still so new and very much close to my heart, perhaps that will explain my anxieties below.

I wanted to leave it at the lagoon in town and I asked Matt to join me in this covert operation. Once we got there and saw all the families with little kids throwing bread for the ducks I immediately had hesitations. This was my same fear when I left the painting at the riverwalk in Naperville. Sadly, I never found what came of that piece. I’m afraid that a child will see it first and the parent will see the bright colors and think it’s geared toward children, and let them keep it as a “toy”, and while most of my art is suitable for children, they are not toys. I guess I ask myself, “can a child really respect and appreciate a piece of artwork as I think it deserves to be treated?” I had this vision enter my head where a kid finds it and thinks it would be hilarious to just toss into the water. We continued to walk until I remembered a geocache at the kissing bench. The kissing bench is a perfect location, a little bit hidden, yet still pretty central to campus.

I left it protected in plastic, visible and hopefully secure, but still I worried about its outcome. Would it get blown down into the branches? Would it be rained on overnight? I don’t know why I get so worried and protective. It’s similar to my mail art pieces. I send a little piece of myself out into the world, hoping-hoping-hoping that it brings a little bit of happiness to someone out there and when it never gets registered I worry that it got lost, stolen or destroyed in the post. Should I mourn for a piece that never fulfilled its only purpose?

For this piece I wouldn’t need to wonder long. I just visited the Found Art Tuesday Facebook page to get the links and I’m ECSTATIC! The recipient already posted on the Found Art Tuesday page stating the title and saying “it’s lovely”. Thank you, Addison, for stopping by facebook! I’m so glad you liked the piece :D

Now, I implore you all, spread the love and beauty. Make something and leave it out to brighten someone else’s day. Join the facebook group in support of the project. It’s a beautiful world.

ahem, facebook, cough. My work here is done!

Blocks

Published
by
robayre
on April 25, 2010
in General Update, My Artwork and life
. 1 Comment

drawing table, originally uploaded by robayre.

For over a week I’ve had this idea for a new series of paintings. I’ve been so excited and inspired. I’ve filled pages in my journal with sketches, details and ideas… BUT as soon as I get home from work I can not get myself to work on it. All day I daydream of when I’ll be home and have the time to create but when the time comes it feels like torture and I can’t make myself begin. I’ll sit at my drawing table until I give up.

I think I’m afraid that it is not going to come out as I envision. And with the way I work, when something doesn’t come out as I see it in my head I’ll completely abandon it, rather than rework it. This is in complete contrast to what I know I should do, according to my art bible, Art & Fear.

Today I FINALLY went into my studio and started working. It started out great. I took this picture above on my camera phone, and although it’s not great quality, I really loved how it looked at this stage. I continued on and everything seemed to be fine. I was using acrylic paints and all sorts of different techniques to get textures for a background. Everything was going perfectly until I reached a stage which, according to this book, I needed to run the canvas under warm water with some soap ANNNNNNND I rubbed a little too hard and my painting started peeling off. Next thing I knew, I just said screw it and continued to blast it with hot water and peeled off the entire painting till I was back to a white canvas.

Gah! Back to square one. I hope I can go back at it and restart fresh and finally have something to share here soon. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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