Collaborative Art

My BFF came to visit me over Spring Break and we had lots of fun.  When we get together we always do at least one art project.  For the recent visit we wanted to try an abstract piece so we began by watching videos by Jane Davies.   Then we tried our hand(s) at painting, stamping, and mark making.

We started by painting a large piece of paper with
multiple shades of a single color.

We collaged the painted paper.
Just a little but not too much.

We painted 2 more layers (harder than it sounds) and
added some stamping and other marks.

How do you know when you are done?
Sometimes you're done when run out of time.

More marks and some stamped tissue paper were added.

After my BFF left, I cut the large paper into 8 equal parts.
The final pieces are 6" x 6" and glued onto mat board.

I added some more color using caran d’arche crayons.  I think it’s done but you never know if I might add another splotch here or there.  I’m not sure where to hang this collection yet but I like the way it turned out.  Thanks, BFF, for helping me make this!

- christina

Road Trip

Last weekend, a friend and I drove 6 hours to St Paul to attend the American Craft Council Show.  It was an easy drive, especially with a buddy who supplied me with my favorite jelly beans (Russell Stover pectin jelly beans – best in the world!).

This show should not be mistaken for a “craft show.”  The artists were craftsman not crafters and the work was really lovely.  I couldn’t afford to buy anything (such as the $390 ring I fell in love with or the $325 vest which could be worn 6 different ways) but that was not my goal.  My reason for attending this event was to get inspiration to create.  I saw so many beautiful things that I could not stop smiling and saying, “oh wow, look at that.” (I often said this to strangers, mistakenly thinking that my friend was standing next to me.)

The ACC promotes a charm collection that many
jewelry vendors participate in.
What a great idea! 

I couldn't resist taking a photo of this
amazing chair ($400)

I channeled my extroverted side and spoke with many of the vendors.  A few were from Chicago and gave me suggestions of shows that I could attend closer to home.  Everyone was pleasant and so enthusiastic to talk to me about his or her art.  I made sure to tell each artist how much I liked their work and thanked them when I left the booth.  Although I couldn’t afford to buy any of the beautiful pieces, I wanted the artists to know that I appreciated their skill, their creativity, and their final product.

ACC members were available to teach knitting.

A demonstration of throwing pots.

4 rooms created for the show: WATER

AIR

EARTH

FIRE

A demonstration of boat building.

Time to create!

- christina

Art Institute Part 2

Here are more photos of pieces I enjoyed during my recent visit to the Art Institute of Chicago.  

- christina

This was an interactive piece; long, plastic
strings to walk through.

I sat in front of this painting and wondered,
"Why did the artist choose this order for the colors?"

This piece seems retro-futuristic to me.

Nails on a board, all painted the same color,  with
some nails angled slightly to create a wave effect.

No caption needed :)

Art Institute of Chicago

As a teacher, I can go to the Art Institute of Chicago for free which is a wonderful perk.  On a recent trip I found some abstract pieces that I really liked.

Look at the wonderful, bright colors!

This piece makes me think of a colorful tree.

I loved the layering on this piece. Is the color on top of the black and white background or underneath it?

A close up does not quite solve the
puzzle of what paint is on top.

I want to try making abstract (non-representational) art.  Color, texture, layering, mark making.  How do you know when to stop?  The first step is to start!  I will let you know how that goes.

- christina

Gratitude Cards

For my sister’s recent birthday, I made her a set of 26 gratitude cards. 

The idea is that she will send a card to a friend every other week for a year to express gratitude.  

Additionally, I made her a journal so that she can keep track of each of the cards, to whom they were sent, and the reason she sent the card.  Just to make it easier, I put stamps on all of the envelopes.

The best thing is that she really liked the cards!  I even got compliments from her art students to whom she showed her birthday present.  That makes me feel proud of my work.   I hope you have made some art lately that makes you feel proud.

- christina

Create Peace

My artist friend, whom I often teach classes with, has started a new art project called #CreatePeaceBirds.  She designed and created more than 30 birds using hand dyed fabric and pages from her journals. 

She is giving the birds to friends and asking them to leave the piece in a public place.  The bird has a tag that asks the finder to post on social media using #CreatePeaceBirds.  So far she has only had a few posts, but I think the reason is that her friends are hesitant to let go of their birds!

I plan to release by bird (number 28) at a restaurant.  After dinner, I want to leave the bird in my chair to be found by a waiter or by the next restaurant patron.  I hope my bird finds many homes.

This type of art project, which I think of as a kind of guerrilla art, is so interesting to me.  It is similar to the 1,000 Journals Project by Someguy.  I love the concept of releasing art into the world and being able to track it as it grows and passes through people’s hands.  What would other people contribute?  How could I still stay attached to the art through the use of the internet and social media?  I am mulling over this idea, thinking about what message I want to send out into the world.  What do you think?  What type of piece could I create?  How could I allow others to contribute thoughts or build upon the piece that I started?  Let me know what you think.

- christina

Art in Junior High

My friend is the art teacher at the junior high in my school district.  We talk a lot about the importance of art for young people and how to help them enjoy art as a creator and an observer.

When my son took my friend’s art class, he made one piece that he still loves 5 years later.

My son's favorite art piece. 

Here is the technique and some samples from a recent 7th grade class.

The lines create quadrants to help
the students copy the image with precision.

M&M's is an excellent choice!

This is an art piece that I would like to create myself, but I haven’t decided which box or wrapper I would use.  A fiber-rich cereal box just doesn’t seem like the right choice.  Maybe a wine bottle label!  Oh yeah, now we’re talking.  Which box, wrapper, or label would you choose?

- christina