11.18.09
Art-o-mat
OMG, I just found out about the coolest thing, by way of Thrifty Collage Artist.
It’s called the Art-o-mat and is the very coolest thing! Old cigarette machines have been given new life as art vending machines. And they have a cool retro 50s feel to them, too. Take a look!
09.14.09
Candy, or Art?
It’s a sad state of affairs when I decided to purchase a chocolate candy bar just for the art-full possibilities of using its label in some yet-to-be-defined art project.
Chocolate is an important part of my life. But in this case, the label was more important, and was the motivating factor in its purchase. What’s more – it’s imported!
© amateur-in-art, 2009
07.13.09
Soul Journal – Day 22 – Self portrait
Today’s assignment was to write a “today I feel” prompt, then go to work with finger painting! (latex glove recommended!)
I used gray gesso to start on top of my writing and it really blocked things out too much, even when I mixed it with some white to lighten it. The pictures aren’t worth posting here. Then I put on the background, using 3 colors – green, blue, and pink. I just squirted the colors right onto the page and then smeared around with my fingers. I was hoping they would not blend so easily so I could have some pretty solid bands of straight color, but it did not work out that way.
Then it was time for my “self portrait”. I cannot draw or do anything like that, so I went with the basic stick figure. In the end, I decided that was fine because stick figure is equally childlike as finger painting, so I decided it was a good match. The stick figure has a balloon in her hand although it looks like something otherwise unidentifiable. I also filled her out a little bit, giving some substance to her body, to help show that she was a grown woman, and not a child. Because it was finger painting and kids often include their pets, I added a cat on the bottom left, but he looks kinda funny. (love the fluffy tail, though!)
Then Sarah told us to add personal symbols or things that were important to us. I definitely wanted to add a cardinal, and I think he didn’t turn out too bad, considering he was finger painted. I also added a book (ha ha – the black thing that looks like a sad butterfly). At this point, I still had some black paint to use up, so I did “fingertip dots” around the edges of the pages – and I like the way that part turned out.
I’m not much for self-portraits, because I can’t draw other people, let alone myself, but I did like the finger painting aspect of this, and I esp. like my cardinal. I think this would make a great photocopy page, to reuse in the future.
I believe we’re almost coming to the end of the Soul Journal Journey, at least, the initial one with Sarah. I had no idea it would take me this long, but I have really enjoyed the trip and the things I have learned about myself, and about art and art making, along the way. I really liked following along in Sarah’s blog, Caspiana.
© amateur-in-art, 2009
06.06.09
Wreck This Journal!
Today is Day 1 of “The Next Chapter – Wreck This Journal!” led by Jamie Ridler. Even if you’re late, you can still join, and it looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun!
I’ve decided to start a new blog, just for it, so bounce on over to
Wreck This Journal – (An Amateur’s Adventures in Art) to see what’s happening!
© amateur-in-art, 2009
03.13.09
New Mandala
Oooooh!!! I’m loving these mandalas!
This is another mandala from my “Mandala Kit” I found at Barnes & Noble. I absolutely love them!
This one was very fun to color. When it started as just a blank design, it seemed simple and even a little boring. That was definitely the wrong impression!
The more I colored, the more different designs I began to see. I saw several different flowers – one, interior, sort of daisy-like, and then the larger outer one, the one you can see above with the pink petals, that I think maybe looks a little like a lotus flower.
Once it was complete, when looking at it, it seemed to just get more and more complex. I like the little knot at the center, and the overall feel of this design. This is so fun!!
Pop over to Collage Diva’s site for more truly fabulous mandalas, a heaping helping of inspiration – and an opportunity to enter a contest and ATC swap!
© amateur-in-art, 2009
