"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.

 

 

Jewelry, Jewelry everywhere!!!

4I have crowded much of my studio space with  findings, beads, stones, and other jewelry components. Time to use it or give it $...I could not possibly give it up so here goes.....all is for sale so contact me at studioabsee@yahoo.com if you see something you cannot live without. \.  Hope you are having a lovely June beginning.

Pin A   

Steam punk mixed media butterfly pin, made with door key

$20.00 plus shipping

To purchase contact Linda Ann at studioabsee@yahoo.com 

   

Pin B

Steam punk mixed media butterfly pin, made with door key

$20.00 plus shipping

To purchase contact Linda Ann at studioabsee@yahoo.com 

Pin C

Steam punk mixed media bird pin, made with key

$20.00 plus shipping

To purchase contact Linda Ann at studioabsee@yahoo.com 

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e

Necklace & Earrings, (Sets A-E) made of a mix of turquoise, silver or black glass beads with reconstituted turquoise and high quality metal  beads.  

Each set is $49.00 plus shipping

To purchase contact Linda Ann at studioabsee@yahoo.com 

<===Set A

Set B===>

              Set C                                      Set D

 

Set E

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Necklace F

White bead and coral necklace with silver and stone pendant

$30. 00

To purchase contact Linda Ann at studioabsee@yahoo.com 

Necklace G

Black glass bead and coral necklace with cross pendant

$25.00 Plus shipping

To purchase contact Linda Ann at studioabsee@yahoo.com 

Necklace H

Extra long black glass bead with Arizona and reconstituted turquoise.

$45.00 plus shipping

To purchase contact Linda Ann at studioabsee@yahoo.com