What to Be?

I have spent some time in my studio recently, experimenting with new designs and styles.  This is one of my latest.  I almost always use words, so I decided to use lots of words.  I still used a variety of patterned papers (on the sides), some vintage hardware (on the top) and a few old buttons.  I like the conversation this one generates.
Inspired by words and repetition...Looking at simplicity and pattern...

Accessorized with brightly colored and patterned papers on each sides... and vintage buttons on the corners....

Even the back has advice for you...

This very bossy collage has something to say.

Collage - Flower

This collage was an experiment - it is one that sat, partially finished, for months.  I liked it, but wasn't sure how to finish it. It is feels so different from some of my other work.

I experimented with paint and color

With materials and technique

With words and composition

In the end, I like the overall effect.  I like the use of words, the overall theme, the brightness and color.  But this one seem more of a struggle for me.  I don't think it's really my "style." 
It was bugging me that it sat unfinished for so long, I couldn't totally abandon it.  So I added the back, used more brightly colored patterned paper on the sides and call it complete.
Now, I can move back to some of my other work.  Stay tuned for more collage...

Collage - Dare

Since several of my collages have found a new home at The Purple Poppy, I have felt driven to complete some that have been left unfinished, or start new ones that had been brewing in my head.  Last week and this weekend, I was able to wrap up several collages.  I am really happy with the results.
I will share this one first.  It's a good Monday message.

Fortune befriends the bold.

Dare

Dare to be bold..., dare to be different..., dare to face the day... the choice is yours.

This collage is built on a flat canvas, with a wooden box behind it.  I used paint, handmade paper with Chinese character, reproduction advertisement and coins, and an old brass pull.  I am pleased with how this one turned out!  I love the sentiment: Fortune befriends the bold. 

Be bold today.

This collage now available at The Purple Poppy in Lafayette, Colorado.

Best Heart Forward

An earlier collage - using an foam core heart covered in handmade paper and wrapped in wire.  Mounted on a painted canvas with a flash card and assorted words. I framed this one as I was looking for a solution to make the flat canvases more finished. 
I really don't think it's the best solution.  I am in the process of "building boxes" to mount all of my canvases on.  Boy, that sounds so impressive, really I am just cutting scrapwood to fit and gluing on the back to create an illusion of a true box.  Then, I finish the edges of the wood with paint or paper.  I will mount this one on a box soon and show you photos soon. Then you can be the judge.
Regardless, I like the sentiment on this one.  I like the use of lots of words.  This one is small, 5x7, so it didn't need much more.  When I re-work it, I will post a photo.
In the meantime I have been madly building boxes and finishing my canvases with extra special details.  I have a exciting news, but I don't want to jinx it by talking too soon.  I will keep you posted.

Collage - Really

This collage seemed to develop fairly quickly.  The colors screamed of spring.
The orange and blue stripes are a printed tissue paper over a printed floral paper - I love how the flowers show through.  The quote and image of the two on the motorcycle seem to relate to each other - somehow. 

The key is a rub-on transfer, the text from a book of poetry, the ticket is one of those pesky ones that says "Keep this Coupon"  I never throw them away.

This one may be busier than some of my others - but I see the harmonious aspects, as well.  The lines of in the upper left mimic the lines of the sheet music.  The color palette is somewhat limited and focused.  Repetitive shapes and colors keep it grounded.  The image and variety of letters and elements keep it whimsical.  And the words, so true:

"It is not fair to ask of others

what you are not willing to do yourself."

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Really

This collage now available at The Purple Poppy in Lafayette, Colorado.

Sunday Sculpture Series

Photo provided by C.A. Crandall

Ripple, by artist Barbara Baer, is an aluminum and poly carbonate structure sitting 6' tall.  Baer uses a fascination with spatial design and interaction of materials and light to create this dynamic sculpture.  The forms were developed to contrast a geometric silhouette against an organic one.  The sculpture has the interesting quality of looking quite different from varying angles.  It certainly adds color and brightness to an otherwise dull city street corner.

Baer's sculpture sits on the north west corner of Public Road and Emma Street in Old Town Lafayette.  For more information about Lafayette's Art on the Street Sculpture Walk, visit the city's website. This piece, a part of the Art On the Street Sculpture Walk is available for purchase, $5,000.

Happy Rally Day - and trivia ad nauseum....

I found this sweet postcard invitation for Rally Day

What is Rally Day?  I asked myself. A quick check of Google and Wikipedia, found many possible answers. One source says Rally Day is a "warm-hearted homecoming when friends greet one another again," after Labor Day. There are girl scout rally days, church rally days and legislative rally days. Many car clubs use Rally Day to signify a car show - Rally Day in Wiltsire, England brings 10,000 people together to celebrate rally cars. 
The real Rally Day began at Smith College in 1876 as a celebration of George Washington's birthday. Over the years the celebration has included speeches, awards, performances, music from the glee club, square dancing, carnivals, formal teas, and dinners. This year's Rally Day is today, February 23.

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. You probably know all the good stuff he did from your American History courses, but did you know he was a high school drop out and never went to college. He never learned Latin, Greek or any foreign language, like his contemporaries. He married late in life, at the ripe old age of 27 and was the happy step-father to Martha's two children.

While Martha was devoted to George, she was a less willing first-lady and is quoted as saying "I think I am more like a state prisoner than anything else, there is certain bounds set for me which I must not depart from..."

Two year's after his departure from office, George fell ill with pneumonia. The pneumonia probably isn't what killed him, though. Most likely, the doctor's prescribed treatment of blood-letting and doses of Mercury Chloride did him in.

But his legacy as the Father of our Country is what we celebrate on Rally Day. Don't forget to put on your Rally Day hats, and send out your Rally Day cards. Be sure to bake yourself a Martha Washington cake (see recipe below) and celebrate Rally Day!

And certainly, don't forget what Martha said:

I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
                                                                                             -Martha Washington

Happy Rally Day!

*****
Martha Washington's Great Cake
(One of Mrs. Washington's favorite recipes- I love how this is written, what about bake times and temps and how big of a pan do you need to accommodate 40 eggs and 4 pounds of butter and sugar?!?!)

Take 40 eggs and divide the whites from the yolks and beat them to a froth. Then work 4 pounds of butter to a cream and put the whites of eggs to it a Spoon full at a time till it is well work'd. Then put 4 pounds of sugar finely powdered to it in the same manner then put in the Yolks of eggs and 5 pounds of flour and 5 pounds of fruit. 2 hours will bake it. Add to it half an ounce of mace and nutmeg half a pint of wine and some fresh brandy.
********

(Although Postcardy pointed out on Postcards, Etc. that my postcard is most likely for a children's Sunday School Rally, I still like all the interesting stuff I dug up. Check out Postcardy for some more George Washington facts.)

Art with Hearts - another collage



"An understanding heart warms all that are graced with its presence."

 Another collage with a prominent heart, paper mounted on foam core to add elevation.  The piece is on a flat canvas, but I didn't like the flat look, so I built a box from scrap wood and placed that behind the canvas.  I painted the wood to mimic the design on the paper.  I also used metal objects, shiny red brads, a Chinese fortune, and a wooden piece with the words "care more"

Side view - showing you my handi-work with the painted wood behind the canvas.

Art with Hearts

One of my favorite collages.

Those who don't do anything, never make mistakes.

I love this mixed media collage I made.  I used a vintage letter, handmade papers and lots of layers.  I used a paint wash and sealed the whole thing with Mod Podge.  Foam core elevates the paper covered heart.  The vintage buttons are tied on with bits of thread.  The sentiment of the quotation is nice, too.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my 12 year old!  How time flies!

Blank Canvases

It occurred to me that the name of my blog is art + food + friends.  I haven't talked a lot about art lately.  Er, I haven't talked about my art, lately.  Reason #1: my studio is cold.  That little one room, standing in my back yard, can get pretty darn cold in the winter.  Reason #2:  the holidays sucked up all my time and energy.  Ok, those are excuses.  Maybe even good excuses, but excuses nonetheless.

I have been sneaking time in my studio when I can find a glimmer of a warm-ish afternoon and crank up the space heaters. 

5 x 7 canvas, with woman theme - assembled from inchies. 
I want to add the right quote or word or element in the space above the bottom row. 

I have a gazillion ideas but I  have started on 3 or 4  6 or 7 canvases.  They are still "blank" canvases.  I have a background, I may even have some elements, but they are not finished.  They are all in progress.  I am waiting to find the right word or quotation or element or image to make these come together.

5 x 7 a Cheery canvas, background made from paper inchies
Looking for the right kistchy image and quote

Just to give you a peek, so you'll really believe that I do work on my own art, here's what I've got.

8 x 10 assembled from black and white inchies of various papers.

 I will keep you posted as these canvases evolve.  I hope to get some more time in the studio - but the forecast isn't looking good.

Sunday Sculpture Series

Named Matriarchal Moon, This sculpture suggests dance, celebration and natural harmony. 

This nighttime shot captures the bright colors used on Matriarchal Moon.  Photo courtesy of C.A. Crandall.

This kinetic steel sculpture spins 15 feet above the ground, presenting a colorful moon for all to see.  Sculptor Reven Swanson hopes to speak for the universal woman and show a balance of the instinctual and modern day woman in this whimsical sculpture. 

Measuring 15'6" x 9'5" x 5', this steel sculpture weighs 50 pounds.


A daytime shot of Matriarchal Moon.

You may see Matriarchal Moon in person at the back of Festival Plaza, located at Public and Chester Roads in Old Town Lafayette.  This is one of 12 sculptures installed as part of the Art on the Street Sculpture Walk.  This work is available for purchase for $9,000.

Art to Share

One of the beautiful things about exploring blogs is that you often run across some very talented and creative people.  Some of them are even willing to share their art. I found this fabulous share on I am Very Mary.

My Owl Barn is offering a free downloadable Owl Calendar, with a variety of incredible art. 

I made one, you should, too.

Happy New Year!

So, I've been a little slow to keep up with the blogging during the holidays (and also the laundry).  The hustle and bustle of the busy season has been so fun this year.  We had lots of family to visit, celebrations with friends and family, dinners and parties.  I am exhausted.
When the routine sets in next week, I am looking forward to a slower pace.  A little more predictable time.  Perhaps, back to exercising and making art.  A little less baking and eating.
I hope the holidays treated you and yours well this year. 
Happy New Year!

Best Wishes for Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Recipe - Antipasti & Marinated Vegetables

This is one of my favorite appetizers to serve at a party or before Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.  I love the art of it.  Just look at the color and the texture.  The flavors are just as good.  The sweet marinated cherry peppers play nicely off the hard, salty cheese and the crisp and tangy vegetables.  Serve with good bread and good wine.  Each person can mix and match to suit their tastes.  It's a crowd pleaser!

Antipasti Platter

1 pound assorted sliced, gourmet deli meats (such as Italian salami, spicy capocollo, prosciutto,  and mortadella)
1/2 pound high quality Parmigiano-Reggiano, cut into irregular chunks
Marinated vegetables (recipe follows)

Marinated artichoke hearts
Kalamata or Marinated Olives
Peperoncini or marinated cherry peppers (or both)
1 loaf focaccia bread, sliced

1 box crispy Italian breadsticks

Arrange the meats, cheeses, and focaccia on a large platter. Place the marinated vegetables, olives and peppers in small serving bowls.  Place breadsticks, upright, in a decorative container. 

Marinated Vegetables

8 cups assorted vegetables (such as carrots, green beans, zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli)

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons water

2 garlic cloves, pressed

1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Cut the carrots and zucchini into long stick, about ¼ wide.  Break cauliflower and broccoli into florets.  Blanch each type of vegetable to desired doneness.  They should be bright and crisp.  Stop the cooking by rinsing in cold water.  Drain well.

Whisk all remaining ingredients in bowl; toss with vegetable mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 2 days. Bring vegetables to room temperature. Season with salt and pepper; serve.

• Find a good olive bar to buy the peppers and olives.  Any variety of interesting olives and peppers would work for the platter.
• Use a variety of meats, vegetables, olives and peppers to create colorful appetizer.

New Toy - Art Every Day #23

I have a new toy. 
I am almost giddy about it.
Yesterday I bought myself a 1 inch square punch, like this one.  It's an Inchie Punch!

I am so excited, I can hardly stand it! 
I went to the chilly studio and punched and punched and punched. 

Two different colleges started to form.  A bright patchwork of paper squares in random pattern and color.

And a black and white patchwork of squares.
Two more works in progress. 
Obviously I can't just put down a random assortment of paper squares on a canvas, or can I?  Should I incorporate some of my already completed inchie collages?  Should I use the patchwork as a background for a bigger collage? 
Oh the possibilities are seemingly endless.  I love my new toy! 
To be creative today, I have new possibilities.
(Part of Art Every Day Month sponsored by Creative Everyday.)