212 Micro-Challenge

212's June challenge was to take microscopic art forms as black and white outlined images found in a reference and incorporate them into an art piece. I was able to use my calligraphic skills on this piece. I saw fish in the references and added found objects to further this thought. One tag is actually a metal piece from my husband's grandfather. It signifies that he was a dental student in the '20s in Colorado. My text is from Psalm 139.

Camp Cupcake

Cake challenge was due today. A challenge is always fun because each artist gets to "show and tell." This is what my Camp Cupcake is about.

The federal prison that housed Martha Stewart and now houses Monica Conyers has been dubbed “Camp Cupcake” because of the perks offered there. These perks include washers, dryers, hair dryers, curling irons as well as mate-to-mate pedicures. When I read the DetroitNews.com comment by Monica Conyers when asked about her stay at the prison, I knew it would be fun to feature her sharing cell bunks with Martha Stewart. Among other things, M and M enjoy is watching Cake Eaters on TV Food Network. A cartoon featuring Martha speaks of her High Expectations from prison as does Monica’s comment.

BTW Monica complained that the food portions were small and she couldn't have seconds on something good.

Wedding Gift

Making progress with my portraits. This is a gift for a young couple's wedding. The photo that I had to work from was difficult as I changed their positions to put him on the right. A groom should not be looking away from his bride. Right?

My Second Rooster

This is the same fellow as in the last blog. He seems to be searching for a tidbit. I am continuing my attempt to just apply color to paper. I have been doing pastels for close to a year and a half now. It takes a long time to learn about the colors, strokes, composition, etc. Hopefully I am developing a style of my own.

My First Rooster

I have always loved roosters. Never thought I could draw a decent one. Decided it was time to put aside negative self talk and exchange that with "my brain doesn't like to get out of its comfort zone, but I am going to do it anyway. It doesn't matter what the results are as much as it matters that I start putting color on paper in spite of groanings from brain." This rooster image is from a recent trip to Charleston.

Fair-Fun Trade

Roxane, nursing school instructor, challenged CakeEaters to create art work showing the patterns in our lives, our physical systems, etc. Chaos is always balanced by order. I used a calligraphic piece that was done years ago to show how color as seen in a prism comes out of the atmosphere in an array of disorder to be organized as beauty in our live...or something like that. Kat Campau offered to trade me her wonderful rooster hanging for my piece. Since I truly love roosters, I think this was a very good trade.

New Storage

Maintaining an orderly studio is an ongoing challenge. Adding a huge extension to our home is probably out of the question.....

so I was very happy to find this primitive pie safe at the new antique shop in Dexter. Imagine baking eight pies and taking them to a social gathering in this pie carrier. Not on my agenda! However, it is the perfect organizer for many of the smaller items that clutter and pile up on my work space. Pull out pie trays have so much more warmth than Rubber-maid drawers. Don't you agree?

Charcoal Drawing from Model

Mary Portrait coaxed her DH to come to class to model for us. Here is the charcoal drawing I did of him. Mary has been teaching us many ways to draw a face. It does take some discipline to learn, but Mary is a patient teacher and I am beginning to feel more confident about what I am able to do. If only I were 30 or so years younger.....Seeing my drawing next to the photo shows how much I need to practice.

Zoe's School Performance

Paula's Portrait

Paula has adopted us as her American Mom and Dad. She is our Brazilian daughter. She loves the ocean, swimming, boating, diving, etc. I hope she is pleased with my drawing of her. I did most of the work myself. I am beginning to see how to use values, warm and cool colors and lost and found lines. Actually, I am surprised with my progress. Mary Portrait did offer a few corrections. She is amazing in the way she can with a few minimal strokes, make a painting come to life.

Photos As Gifts

I subscribed to an on-line class that offered five photo projects that make excellent gifts. Here is the second one. The image is printed on canvas and the canvas is mounted on a gallery canvas. Looks really professional. Whenever I master something on the computer, I feel a great sense of accompishment.

The Sound of Money

The latest 212 challenge was to create something that makes noise. I think money has it's own sound and so this is my piece, The Sound of Money. The large silver dollar sized coin is from a vendor on the Great Wall in China. He was determined that I was going to buy it once I paused to look at his wares. Although I did not place in the finals with this piece (LOL) I am happy to have found a good use for this treasure.

Atlas Challenge

The chiropractor next door to the 212 Arts Center offered a competition to create an art piece that demonstrates the Atlas maneuver. His patients would vote to determine the winner. I earned the third place prize; flowers and a gift certificate from Dick Blick. This was a fun experience. Mine is the one with the large dictionary with Atlas (Ken) holding the head with its network of nerves going through the C1 vertebrae.

212 Competition

This challenge isn't due until mid January. I couldn't wait to put a 'mouse story' into a cigar box. Hope mine has a recognition factor to aid in competition. The public will vote on best mouse book assemblage as they are distributed into the local stores and voted upon. A piece of acetate is covering the 'computer', therefore the reflection. Hope one recognizes the story as the mouse is on the little stool and it all plays out on the computer screen. A tiny cat is almost seen under the spinning wheel. This piece sold for $100. It is to go to a B & B in Ohio.

Clay Sculpture

It is a funny thing. One spends money for classes and sometimes one tries to avoid work when it is class time! Go figure! Today Mary Portrait took hold of me and said you are going to work. You are avoiding because of anxiety. Here, paint this!. She grabbed this beautiful clay sculpture that was the closed thing at hand. Someone came by and said, Frame it. I want to buy it! Whoa! A firm directive can be a good thing on occasion. LOL