The RUSTY TRIO OF 2014

One of my passions in art is to incorporate found objects. I confess that my affection for rust has found a huge space in my very overcrowded studio, but a select few have morphed into art works...

BUFFALO ROAMED

Ironically, this car hood  found on Rt. 66 is the ONLY found object that I have claimed and knew from the moment I saw it what I planned to do with it.  My immediate response to this hood cast aside on the road was how carelessly that people discard such items on our beautiful countryside. This is my statement that we should not find such debris, and that we would be better served to find our Oklahoma wildlife along these roadsides.

Here it is on my dinig table, where I spent five hours cleaning it.  

And here it is a few weeks later propped against the back of my pickup, ready to go to a Native American art show.

BEDTIME STORY

I found this child-sized bed headboard in a countryside creek bed.  A bed in a bed? Why do people dump their garbage in creeks...that has never made sense to me!

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Here it is finished with a snarling, salivating wolf.  A twofold purpose:  My wolf is angry about the litter and this is a reminder to be careful of the stories we tell our children when we tuck them into bed.  (Big bad wolf....now go to sleep, Junior.)

HORSE POWER

Perhaps some heavy roadway equipment ran over this item???  I found  this flattened rusty bucket on Highway 20  near Claremore, OK, the home of a very famous Oklahoman, Will Rogers.   It was clearly labeled "Butt Can" in white letters on both sides.  Such irony!...that this item was used to keep people from littering their cigarette butts, but later it became litter itself.  I'm sure if we could consult Will that he would have a humorous line about that!

I pondered and debateded about the rough surfaces on this found object and how I could incorporate them with wildlife...I thought about painting a spider its web,  a turtle, an eagle...

  Nothing seemed right until one of my fellow artists mentioned that this reminded him of an old feed bucket.  Frrom that moment on I couldn't see anything on this rusty can except a horse.  The rounded bottom of the can made a nice Native American shield which I painted with colors of  the Keetoowah Cherokee flag and embellished it with beadwork, jute, leather and feathers.  Feathers on the sheild came from an exotic animal rescue reserve.  My cousin provided the horsehair  from her three beautiful animals.  Thanks, Donna!

ZALLER ART SOCIETY

The three works above are currently displayed with ZALLER ART SOCIETY's fine art exhibit at the Student Union Gallery,  Tulsa Connunity College Southeast Campus,  through Jan.29, 2015, along with some of my other Native American influenced artwork.   My fellow artists are very talented...Great show...go see!

Bedtime Story

Bedtime Story... 

Found this child's headboard pictured below abandoned in a creek bed.  The creek didn't need the bed, but I did.  My first thoughts were to turn it into a sweet fairytale painting.  But then I found a two fold purpose for a snarling wolf in the back of my mind...first it is about what we say to our children, and then what we are doing to wildlife.

As a parent and teacher I often read an articles about fears of young children.  I also recalled how I  changed the stories I read to my child when he was small to convey less violent versions.  I wasn't about to read to my child that a queen ordered her servant to cut out a young girl's heart and cook it.  

Yes, Grimm's fairy tales were VERY dark and grim.   Is it any wonder our that children want to check under their beds and in the closet for monsters? 

But what other stories did I tell my son before I tucked him into bed? 

" ... The big bad wolf huffed and he puffed and he blew the house down...."

"....Grandmother, what big teeth you have!"

 I really cannot remember.  It has been too long ago, but I hope I encourage a thoughtfulness about what we say to children and a better understanding  of widlife.  Wolves in the wild are undeniably beautiful creatures seeking survival for themselves and their offspring.   We owe our children and our wildlife an appreciation of nature..  And if you should wonder why the wolf is so angry...would  you be angry if people threw their trash in your living space? 

"State of the Arts" at Crystal Bridges

I mentioned earlier that I discovered the greatest museum over in Arkansas...a nice Saturday morning drive from me .  A must see show for all mixed media artists is "State of the Arts."  Last day for this is Jan. 19, 2014.
Here is a taste of the delights at this show.  Of course, pictures never do justice to being there.

Bonnet made from over 200,000 pearl head straight pins, created by an Arizona artist.

It's hand carved wood....need I say more?  Amazing....

These creations remind me of giant spindles.  Created mostly from medicine bottles, straws, beads, and rope. Just beautiful!

Ever read a paperback romance? How about making art from thousands of them?

Detail of Forever above/>>>>>>>

This is NOT your grandma's traditional Native American beadwork....well, it is, but it isn't.

This painting was huge. Just guessing, perhaps 7 feet across?  If not impressed by the size alone, perhaps that it was a study in focus, done a brushstroke at a time. Beautifully rendered....

Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, Arkansas

This  beautiful sculpture greets you at the entrance of Crystal Bridges.  The museum is free of charge, including audio earphones which guide you through the artworks.    Lots of seating throughout both bridges (museum area) so  you can relax as you tour.  I enjoyed the museum store almost as much as the museum.

Georgia O'Keefe?  I was surprised to find that the artist was one I knew well...I wouldn't have guessed that this was her work.

 Rosie was painted by Norman Rockwell.

This is titled "The Lantern Bearers" by Maxwell Parrish

And this beautiful sculpture was one of my favorites at Crystal Bridges....

Summer Art and Activities

Nowata, Oklahoma...Bowling Ball Art

Was not prepared to find this treat when I followed a highway sign to this remote location.  Mr. Barbee has been collecting bowling balls for only eight years, but his art fills a huge space.  It is well worth the drive.  Here are a few of the treasures:

Fence made of bowling balls...

 The pink breast cancer ribbon  and American flag   made from  bowling balls















      Pool table with bowling balls.  In background see the alphabet.



                                     
                           

 A building made of bowling balls...Inside are more art pieces made of bowling balls.

Ft. Wayne Museum of Art: Glass

I am always inspired by viewing the art of other artists and I visit as many museums and art shows as possible when I travel.    Two summers ago I happened up on a wonderful glass show in Ft. Wayne Indiana.  The show was titled 2013 Summer of Glass.   One of the few mediums that I have never tried is glass! (but I collect broken bits of colored glass..Does that count?)

When I returned to the same museum the next year, (2014) I was very surprised to see another wonderful glass show!  The following photos were taken there:

I fell in love with the contemporary glass works.  Dale Chihuly's Secret Garden was on display along with the award winners from the 41st Annual International Glass Invitational.  And there were also works from The Next Generatioin of Studio Glass. Sorry for the overused word, but the show was AWESOME!

Mayfest and Art Car Weekend in Tulsa Oklahoma

Art Car Weekend is always planned for the same weekend as the annual Tulsa, Oklahoma May celebration called "Mayfest."  The Art are hosted by Living Arts of Tulsa livingarts.org in the Blue Dome district about two blocks from all the Mayfest activities.  The Blue Dome district also hosts many art and food vendors and entertainment in addition to those at Mayfest.  It is a joyful time for families and artists.

The old Blue Dome was...you probably won't guess..a service station!

 Built in 1924 and served as the White Star Gulf Oil Station. It was the first station in 

Oklahoma to have hot water, pressurized air and a car wash. It was also open 24 hours, 

seven days a week. The station attendant lived upstairs in the dome itself. It is now the icon

 for a downtown Tulsa neighborhood. It is part of the city's arts district now and we LOVE it.

  Here is a vintage photo:

Here is a modern day photo:

This Hippie  Van also serves as a vendor and sells very economically priced lovely tie dyed items right out of the van.

Check out Kelly's online store...      http://www.tiedyekelly.com/

This peculiar car is covered with false teeth, dental instruments, and dental advertisements...
This year, I found my dentist sitting in it having her photo made.  LOL

This car belongs to a lady who calls herself "The Cow Goddess", or C G for short.  She has another car that is completely covered with legos with a cow theme.

This little yellow bug might lift those wings and fly away!

As you might guess, this one was very popular with the kiddos!

                                           Ever taken a ride in a telephone?











 R-2 D-2's cousin????

That would made a HUGE Bananna Split!

This one migh fly also.

Lots of entertainment going on on the side of this van.

This one is painted with chalkboard paint....design and erase.

Cars come here from all over, but this van is a Tulsa car.  

It has backlights behind the buildings.  

Optical Illusion?

This car is embellished with cigarette buts and filters.  It has a cancer prevention theme.

And some art cars are not cars at all.  They can be bikes, scooters, and motorcycles.

Living Arts of Tulsa also holds annual workshop for kiddies to make their own "cars" from cardboard boxes.  Then they have a parade and prizes in the Blue Dome area.