Category: Art Challenge

January 2nd, 2009

09 Challenge #1 – Word Self-Portrait

Yes, it’s been awhile since I’ve posted an Art Challenge so what better way of kicking off the New Year than throwing another one out there. I will add the caveat that my posted challenges might be a bit more sporadic than last year mainly because of this my time will be rather …erm… occupied. But I will try!

Self-Portrait 2008

Self-Portrait 2008

The above was the postcard created from the very first Art Challenge in January of 2008. I love the intent and this year’s first challenge will follow very closely in spirit.

Challenge #1 – Word Self-Portrait

  1. Create a postcard that embodies your 2009 Word along with a self-portrait … maybe how you feel while doing or living your word. Or perhaps the goal that your word brings to mind.
  2. Post a link to your postcard here in the comments below.
  3. If you’d like to exchange postcards … and I would, I really REALLY would! … either include your mailing address within your post (I’ll delete that portion of your comment) OR email it to me and I’ll send you one of mine.

DUE DATE: January 31, 2009

Last year I was lucky enough to have a few of you exchange their postcards with me and they’re still on my fridge. I’d love to cover that sucker from top to bottom! Oh. My word for the year? SHINE. Based on that kiddy ditty, “This Little Light of Mine” … watch out world. Prepare to be BLINDED!  Can’t wait to see what y’all come up with. Ready … Set … CHALLENGE!

September 3rd, 2008

Challenge #16

MONTHLY CHALLENGE #4

I don’t know about you but September always means “change” for me … change of season, change of routine, the start of school and classes and new friends and new ideas … so very invigorating. But maybe a little scary too. It’s often a time of moving beyond one’s comfort zone.

Challenge #16 - Change

This month’s theme is, you guessed it: CHANGE

The Challenge: Explore the theme in as many ways as you’d like – draw change, photograph change, assemble change – but whatever you choose be sure to push yourself beyond your own comfort zone.

Post’em: Post  a link to your homage to CHANGE in the comments. Use our Flickr group if you don’t have a place to post photos.

Due: September 30, 2008

A heads up, next month we will be going back to a once a week Challenge. Until then … Go! Make Change!

August 6th, 2008

5 Elements

5 Elements

I’m late! I’m late! But finished … FINALLY. There were so many pieces to this assemblage that at times I felt like a production worker. But I’m pretty pleased with the finished product, hanging problems notwithstanding. I used a LOT of the techniques learned from Steph’s book Semiprecious Salvage- etching, wrapping, wire attachments, plaster casting, resin casting, metal boxes.

Each element from l to r: Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, Wood – is housed in a small dollar store box. There is a metal box attached to the inside of each with a central …heh… element. Again, l to r: plaster cast of frog from MadRat Studio rubber, fish from Hannah Grey encased in resin, copper mesh flames with red crystal dangle for "fire", rusted nails and aged metal for "metal", and assorted wood beads set in caulking for "wood". Each element also has 5 small dangles and one larger dangle – bones/skull for earth, shells/starfish for water, burnt matches/red drop bead for fire, metal triangles/domes for metal, and sticks and wood ball for wood. There is a metal rod that goes through each box as the hanger.

5 Elements - Earth Detail

I’ll be back later in the week with another challenge. Stay Tuned!

 

July 14th, 2008

The final projects … finally!

It’s been crazy busy what with the Tour de France on, training and marshalling races that it’s taken me close to 2 weeks to get back into the studio to take photos of these final projects from last month’s book work-through.

Bird Bezel with resin

Here’s the bird bezel filled with resin and antiqued with a wash of mars black and quinacridone gold. I think this was my favourite piece of all.

Bezel Ring with Computer Chip

This bezel ring has a small computer chip inside then filled with resin and again, antiqued with mars black and quinacridone gold. It’s a bit clunky but I still like it.

I am now working on my series of 5 elements – after the confusion, I’ve chosen Earth Wind Fire Water Wood and Metal – as my five. They will be worked on simultaneously as they will work as one unit when finished so it might be awhile before I get around to posting any photos.

On another, completely different note, word out to my son, Cliff for his tremendous performance over the weekend coming in 1st in his age group and 27th overall (beating all the Female Pros to boot!) in the inaugural 70.3 Amica Rhode Island Ironman. He’s now headed for the World Championships in Florida this November. You make me so very proud, me boy!

 

July 7th, 2008

Ooops!

I screwed up. In my original Elemental series "wind" was actually Void (also characterized by sky/heaven). I don’t know where my head was at when I changed it in the post! There is also another set of 5 that includes wood & metal along with fire, water and earth. I’d suggest you choose whichever set speaks to you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Elements