Fancy Paper Feathers-A ColourArte project

If you would like to see a full tutorial and video on how I made these Fancy Paper Feathers go to Colourarte.com/blog 

For my third ColourArt project, I made Fancy Feathers!  I have made these for several years, but the project has grown from a simple hymnbook feather to very fanciful, fun decorations made from all kinds of discarded papers and found objects! 

Add shimmering colors with Radiant Gel Dimensional Paint and Radiant Rain Shimmering Mists and Daubers and these feathers become individual works of art!

"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!

Doodles Are Wasted Time? NOPE!

Doodles are a way to pass time when you are waiting for an appointment, traveling, or chatting on the phone.  How many of you have phone books filled with little doodles? Or your napkins at dinnertime turn into mini doodle canvases?  Now don't run off....... doodling can help you in a classroom setting....even in science!  NO....you are not tuning out.  Just the opposite. Want to have better retention and higher levels of concentration?  Studies show that you gain more from class discussions when you doodle!

Click on this link to see why doodling is important.  

Our presidents were doodlers all the way back to George Washington. Yes, it's true!  Click here to see this article. 

Doc Angi is conducting a doodle challenge this month (April, 2014)   in her group, Authentic heART.   While you are there check  out all the groups, workshops and challenges . .  . Something for everyone. 

My group at this site is called Studio A B See. This group is geared to inspire artists to be more productive.  Consider this an invitation.   Would love to have you join in the fun!

Hello, Dolly! A video link for you...

Helllllllloooooo, Dollllllllly!  

I watched this video when I should have been sleeping.  It is so inspiring to someone like me who has drawers of found objects.  My stash is divided into metals, plastics, cloth, natural items, paper, old photos, and unidentified.  I want to use these so I will have an excuse to find new ones.  When I viewed the video above, I thought I had everything except the faces.  I pondered whether to cut faces from magazines and glue them on the sculptural pieces.........but NO!

Ever have an ah-ha moment? 

My aunt was a teacher for almost 39 years.  She passed away at age 99 a few years ago and I rescued an entire set of photos of her fourth grade students from the 1950's.   Someone had tossed these precious faces into the trash after her death.   I did not know then what I was going to do with them...but now I do.  

Won't those sweet faced children from a time gone by make adorable dolls?   Oh I just cannot wait to get started.

Joint Compound Strikes Again!...another YouTube fin

This video that I found on You Tube also shows joint compound techniques similar to the ones that I like to use in my work.  I also like his framing method.  Something that I do not own the tools to accomplish, but perhaps I should investigate.   Hmmmm.....

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