Manipulate... it's what I do.

Images.
Not people.
Well- I try not to manipulate people since it usually backfires.

But back to the images.
New pieces I've been working on for sale.
The original artist was Rolf Armstrong, great illustrator of the mid-20th century. Specialty? Pin-Up Girls for calendars and magazine covers. He had the most incredible grasp of reflected light upon skin. His favorite model? Jewel Flowers. Even her name suits her when painted by him.

Here's what it looked like and what I've done to it.

Needed it square-ready and it just seemed like her dress needed to be a little more flamboyant. Because her name is Jewel- I figured there needed to be some sparkle and glitter and her last name Flowers is now symbolized; since she's dancing- well... there needed to be some music dontcha think?

Available at cafepress or instacanv.as

Happy Birthday to a Sojurner

Art piece done for the Golden Child- our son. Lyrics by Stephen Sills, historic and iconic maps and constellation illustrations from the 1400's. 

Gotta get to France.... somehow!

I'd like to go... but I have no funds.... next best thing is to go there digitally!

Paris on a green-Stamp budget collage!

Snowflake inspiration

Yes... it's winter precipitating again here in the foothills of the snOzark mountains. We're not accustomed to seeing quite this much snowfall but it does the creative juices good!

I revived an old illustrator piece I'd done for Mae a year or so ago... and it just makes me so happy to look at! Especially since Katrina-cat, our long-lost Siamese, has come home after nearly ten months. She's been sitting here happily in my lap as I work and we are cozy while watching another six inches pile up on the banks of Lake Barto.

The only thing could make this more purrfect? If our boys were home and we were drinking hot chocolate...

Holy Steam Engines, Batman!

What the heck is Steampunk?

or... Victorian/Industrial era art??

According to Wikipedia it is a subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes anachronistic technology, usually from the Victorian age. It is also used to refer to a trend in fashion and music.

In reference to Art and design

Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by enthusiasts into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style.Example objects include computer keyboards and electric guitars. The goal of such redesigns is to employ appropriate materials (such as polished brass, iron, and wood) with design elements and craftsmanship consistent with the Victorian era.

The artist group Kinetic Steam Works brought a working steam engine to the Burning Man festival in 2006 and 2007. The group's founding member, Sean Orlando, also created a Steampunk Tree House that has been displayed at a number of festivals.

In May–June 2008, multimedia artist and sculptor Paul St George exhibited outdoor interactive video installations linking London and Brooklyn, New York City in a Victorian era-styled telectroscope. Evelyn Kriete, a promoter and Brass Goggles contributor, organized a trans-atlantic wave by steampunk enthusiasts from both cities, briefly prior to White Mischief's Around the World in 80 Days steampunk-themed event.

In 2009 artist Tim Wetherell created a large wall piece for Questacon (The National Science and Technology centre in Canberra, Australia) representing the concept of the clockwork universe. This steel artwork contains moving gears, a working clock, and a movie of the moon's terminator in action. The 3D moon movie was created by Antony Williams.

The Syfy series, Warehouse 13, features many steampunk-inspired objects and artifacts, including computer designs created by steampunk artisan Richard Nagy, aka "Datamancer".

From October 2009 through February 2010, the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford is hosting the first major exhibition of Steampunk art objects, curated by Art Donovan and presented by Dr. Jim Bennett, museum director.

As a Subculture

Because of the popularity of steampunk with people in the goth, punk, cybergoth, Industrial, gamer, and geeksubcultures, there is a growing movement towards establishing steampunk as a culture and lifestyle. The most immediate form of steampunk subculture is the community of fans surrounding the genre. Some move beyond this, adopting a "steampunk aesthetic" through fashion, home decor, and music. This movement may also be described as "Neo-Victorianism", which is the amalgamation of Victorian aesthetic principles with modern sensibilities and technologies. Others have proposed a steampunk philosophy, sometimes with punk-inspired anti-establishment sentiments, and typically bolstered by optimism about human potential.

"Steampunk fashion" has no set guidelines, but tends to synthesize modern styles as filtered through the Victorian era. This may include gowns, corsets, petticoats and bustles; gentlemen's suits with vests, coats and spats; or even military-inspired garments. Often, steampunk outfits will be accented with a mixture of technological and period accessories: timepieces, parasols, goggles and ray guns. Even modern accessories like cell phones or music players can be found in steampunk outfits, after being modified to give them the appearance of Victorian-made objects. Aspects of steampunk fashion have been anticipated by mainstream high fashion, the Lolita fashion and aristocrat styles, neo-Victorianism, and the romantic goth subculture.

"Steampunk music" is even less defined, as Caroline Sullivan says in The Guardian, "internet debates rage about exactly what constitutes the SP sound." This can be heard in the work of artists such as Abney Park, Unextraordinary Gentlemen, and Vernian Process.

So do you feel lucky punk?

Yeah. I do! I finally have a NAME for those things that set my art-heart racing and make the creative juices flow.

Off to enjoy art!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

You know... sometimes I have these images in the files that don't really fit into any one category? Too random. Too ornate. Too whatever. They just sort of whisper at me everytime I'm shuffling through. I should start a flotsam jetsam file!

For some crazy reason- a couple demanded attention last night.

Thus was born: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."



And, today- was a really GREAT mail day!! I won, I won!! A box full of inspiration. ITALIAN flavored inspiration as well as rubber stamps- YES!!! And, a magazine chock full of altered images, woohoo!! Good thing I was a domestic diva yesterday and cooked roast, potatoes and "the best gravy I ever cooked in my entire life" as well as banana pudding! Byron saw that box of art supplies and just knew I was "out to lunch" for the rest of the weekend. HA!

Pulp Couture

These photos are from the 2nd week of papermaking studio.

I had been all prepared to enjoy pulling paper with moulds and deckle for the more traditional (flat) compositions that I'm accustomed to making. Then, he wanted some 3-D pieces and suggested molds or casts. I experimented with a few flower molds and kept racking my brain for something to cast.

Finally- it hit me! Kim's wire dress form has had my intrigue ever since she purchased it, to be honest- I've wanted one ever since!

Now, how to get the dress to stay on there and come out of the form? Well- why not a half dress? The first day molding went well and it only took one day to dry. Day two was spent with more experimentation and the overbeaten abaca moulded a little thicker seems to work better. Seeing retired instructor, Ed Martin's, studio and his methods and meticulous documentation of each project makes me realize I need to document more indepth.

Mid-day, I realize I want to do this project as my series but will need more forms. Called Kim and she knew just where to find them at Hobby Lobby, and it was my lucky day since they were on clearance! I loved the differences in sizes and shapes that she found.

The first two are the dresses in progress. The third photo is the dresses drying. And, the fourth photo is a mounted piece.

What a surprise to discover that I really did enjoy the 3-D process and now look forward to sculpting and ceramics when it's time for those classes.

Down right dirty art....

... and NO! I'm not talking about porn!

Scott Wade is a graphic artist in Texas and has discovered a most unusal medium for his art. His car! after having driven it down his dusty road!

Gotta give the guy credit... he's a real down-to-earth kinda guy!

Link to his site (from my subject title above) to see lots more of his creations.

My favorites of course are the VanGoghs and the Vermeer... but, he has a lot of other masters and original art as well.

Enjoy!

The ART of Discovery!

My gosh! My family is so talented!!

More specifically-- my Mother is very gifted!

She created some very unique pieces for each of us when we were growing up ... and when she had time!

For years- I have fondly remembered a chambry shirt she painted for me while I was in the hospital. I was twelve years old going on 13 (eeeeks, teenage years! She should have just boxed me up!) on February 13 (that day has always been notoriously bad luck for me!) when I tripped over my elephant-bell pants and killed my kidney. I don't recall a lot of the event except to say that I definitely made an impression in band class- and not for my musical talent!

Anyway-- earlier this week Dad brought home all kinds of boxes from the lakehouses.. that'll have to be a whole 'nother blog entry- what all surfaces from the depths of the flotsam jetsam of our lives from years past! The "treasure" this time was in Mae's boxes of clothes! Somehow-- she had come into possession of my chambry shirt!! And, not just that one-- but, another that she'd painted for Mae and one I'd even forgotten about- an embroidered short (that Mae had helped me with) that friends had autographed and we'd stitched their names on the sleeves!

WOW!! I had thought those things had gone "with the wind" long LONG ago and had even had the thought once upon a time that IF I'd saved that shirts I sure wish I hadda- cuz I'd make them into pillow keepsakes or somesuch!! AND-- NOW! I have it!In my hot little hands! Ahhhh-- fond memories!

I think that year (1974) ice cream soda art must have been in vogue or something- cuz, a couple of the candles and flower arrangements I received in the hospital were of that same theme. It was just by coincendence that our next door neighbor owned the Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream store and I recall vividly that he brought me ice cream each and every day of my two week stay. Let me tell you-- he was one very popular guest!

So there it is!! The saga of forgotten wearable art! And, my mom's talents still are "tasty"!!

Thanks, MOM!!