Art A Day for 4/23

This is a piece I finished this afternoon at school. Based on a few pics of other pieces. Also on one of my new beeswax backgrounds. Its dark and yummy.
It's titled "Candybox"

Have you ever checked out Shorpy.com?

Have you ever visited Shorpy.com? You should. I ran across this site a few weeks ago.Shorpy.com is the 100-year-old photography blog that brings our ancestors back, at least to the desktop. The site is named after Shorpy Higginbotham, a boy who worked in an Alabama coal mine near the turn of the century.
Here are some examples of Shorpy:
1925. Sidney Lust's Leader Theater at 507 Ninth Street NW in Washington, D.C. Now playing: "The Air Mail," starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and an "Our Gang" short.
National Photo Company glass negative.
I'll Paint the Town Red: 1885 This cartoon shows "Democracy" portrayed as the devil holding a bucket labeled "Bourbon Principles." A profile caricature of Grover Cleveland appears in the paint brush. The Devil overlooks Washington, D.C., proclaiming he will "paint the town red." Illustrated by Grant E. Hamilton in 1885. This was taken from a site that was linked with Shorpy- Vintagraph.

Alice Collage Sheet #2

Alice Collage Sheet #2, originally uploaded by jack and cat curio.

This weeks Collage Sheet- Alice In Wonderland- Enjoy!

Alice Collage Sheet #1

Alice Collage Sheet #1, originally uploaded by jack and cat curio.

This week's Collage Sheet-Alice In Wonderland. Enjoy.

Beeswax Collage,textures, and more...

So after I wrote the last post this morning. I came down with the flu. I was ready for a hell of a day. Packed with lots of goodies and adventure. Such is luck. Lesley(the Cat) came home the other day with this flu bug. I guess it decided to give me a try.
However I had some projects and supplies I have been meaning to try. So with my fluish ways I stepped into the studio. Its been a grand day of creating. You ever have one of those crafty days? Your in the total creative zone. It all seems to fit.
So I played with my Lazertran decals,played with my new Digi Transparency Film. Folks if you like to print your own stuff and stick it to many various surfaces then you are going to love the Digi Transparency Adhesive film. I got some at Mystic Paper the other day. I usually use the Lazertran Decals. But I love The Digi Film. It cuts down several steps. Plus I can beeswax it! It takes the heat!
But the thing that rocked my boat the most-was my rusty surfaces. As you may or may not know. I love the rusty and aged look. So I have been working on combining several mediums to create a real metal/industria look. Now I can add grunge board into the mix as well. Not to mention several metallic paints and pigments.
So what I wanted was some real grunge/rusty metal backgrounds. For my cowgirls and dark metallic sculpey pieces. So here are the pics of what I was able to achieve. As soon as I put the final pieces and images in I will post for feedback. Also I can take photos of these pieces and then use them in my digital pieces.
Talk soon.

Desert Drive-Keep on Driving

Ever have those days...
Want to get in the car and drive
Bright sunny days
Head towards the Superstition Mountains
Think about the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine
Fine blue sky.
Drive pass Goldfield
Broken buildings & dried aged wood
Cactus,red rock,sagebrush
I burn to drive
Drive way out
Drive until I reach Four Corners
Drive Until I reach New Orleans
I want something real
Roadtrip
I want weathered people, greasy spoon,and worn out jeans
Early morning coffee
Late night kiss
Stars above
I desire an experience

Anyone know what I'm talking about? Do you have those days here in Arizona- those old west days- where its so hot and bright- you just want keep driving- forget everything-not because its bad- but just because you can. Spring in Arizona is one of the best. Warm and sunny in the day-and nice and cool at night.
Adventure or picnic weather.
Take your choice.

Photos taken by myself out at "Goldfield" on such a day.

Photoshop Artwork!

So here are two pieces I have been working on this week for an editorial project. I'm digging certain effects. I think that I will switch out images on these-and use the striped theater boxes in both on a few different projects.
Last week I won a scholarship award for "Best Digital Medium" at
the Mesa Community College Student Artshow.


I can't stress the freedom and the importance of having Photoshop skills and digital medium skills under your belt. It has really opened a huge rich deepness to everything I can create and do. It has been a fast-filled two years of learning. But every step of the way has been grand. Just in the first day of exploring digital mediums it has allowed me a unique freedom. I dig it! Also the feeling of not having to wait for someone else to get something done- meaning a web page, printing something, resizing, business cards, packaging, making pieces to add to my work. The list goes on...
Lots of personal freedom.
There will always be something new to learn.
Keep growing.
Keep stretching.
Do something your afraid of everyday!
Thanks

My Tim Holtz Experience!

So this last weekend I took a class at Mystic Paper
from the big man himself.
What did I find?
A devil in disguise. A grinning devil.
He is clever, witty, and charming.
Tim Holtz is a clever man! An incredibly clever, and warm artist.
I like him. Does he need my stamp of approval?- No. But I do like him. It was a great class. Well thought out and perfect. Its nice when you take such a class. I have spied out this project since last years "Art Unraveled".I missed it then. I did not miss this one. I'm glad that the "Cat" talked me into this one. I owe her big time. This was the perfect gift for my birthday this month. Things are going extremely well in life - and this class and the "Tim experience" was the perfect creative spark to it all.
Thanks Tim!

Metal Tape & Sculpey Collage Class

So here is a quick plug and mention- I will be teaching a class at Mystic Paper on Saturday. We will be exploring "metal tape and sculpey". Here are some examples of what you might create. The technique will be the same. Your creation will be your own. I will provide all supplies. The only items you need bring- yourself-your creative spark- a favorite small image- and perhaps a stamp or two. We will also be discussing the Industria & Grunge movement that seems to be the flavor of choice lately. Tim Holtz- grunge board and more, Jen Crossley- Industria, Leighanna Light and rusty choices>,and the likes of Michael Demeng. Also Laurie Mika for taking a grand look at what you may create with polymer clay and sculpey. Its an exciting time out there in the mixed media world. If you have never explored these artist's- I suggest you do so. Also if the metal and grunge is not your thing this weekend. My good friend Judy Bidwell is teaching an awesome class before me-"Springtime Mixed Media Wall Hangings".Attached is a photo at the bottom. So if your looking for a technique weekend these are the classes. However I know that some of you might be having Tim withdrawals from last weekend.

Bingo Collage Sheets!

So here are some collage sheets I was playing with. Pulled a big pile of bingo cards out for a big project. Decided to scan and layer them for a background paper. Help yourself. One is basic- the other has a few transparent images on top.
More posts coming tonight. Back on track.
As you can also see - I have begun (once again) to make changes to the blog. Attempting to manipulate the tools and functions of blogger. So if you should visit the blog- and you have problems viewing, slowness, takes a long time, etc. Please let me know. My goal is to master blogger and all of its Html- nerdy code. Then I will expand to Typepad, Wordpress, Flash, and then the world.
I'm a gypsy- so when I cannot move-the things around me move. I get bored easy. I like to blow things up. Not like a bomb- but I do thrive on chaos. So the blog will constantly be changing. I'll be back in a flash...

Dover Sampler! Need to sign up!

Heres another quick note about clipart or images- you need to go visit Dover Publications- follow this link- Dover Publications Sampler. I'm sure that some of you.... are already aware of this one. But for those that are not. Dover turns out free samples once a week. They will send you a link every week for a few free images. You can never have to many images. Enjoy!

Beeswax, First Friday, Collage, Tim Holtz, Mystic Paper, Art Contests

Yes-the title describes it all! Those are all things I need to post about. Fantastic crazy things I need to talk and share about.My poor neglected blog. I do love it- honest.
Been working on some things. The move is nearly accomplished and all unloaded. Last Tuesday we packed everything and moved into our new place.
It is good! If you know me- I get compulsive and obsessive about things. So the move was the only thing I could really concentrate on- must get unpacked, must get unpacked- can't be bothered with anything else. Thats how I get with things. So I was obsessive with the move, finishing classes, get finalized projects for school and shows out the door, unpack studio.
Also I have met with everyone- the cable man, the plumber, the pest control dude, the landlady, etc.... My brain has been scrambled.
Today calmness- studio unpacked, projects finished, a few more shows, all good. Lots of junk food-that moving rush.. eat on the run. Lots of carbs and crap. I feel heavy. how does the song go.. he's not heavy -he's my brother... anyway. Got some goodies. Now that I have more space and my computer lab set up and my camera area, etc..
We took the living room and made it into the studio again. But this time its bigger. I will show pics.
So for you music lovers that check in to my blog for the tunes. I dug deep for this special playlist mix. Its all about 1920-1930. Enjoy.
Banners to be posted, and some damn cool collage sheets. I will post again soon with such mentioned goodies. I have alot of people that have left very kind messages- I will get back to you. I promise. I just need a day -or a few hours of blog reading thats all I want to do. Cup of coffee- and lots of blogs. I also know this is a poor and sloppy post. Filled with ramblings. But I felt I needed to post- procrastination. Remember- they call me Procrastination Boy!