Projects from the week

This week was a creative and productive one.

I was recently commissioned to make Christmas cards for a client (aka my Dad) so I decided to try potato printing.  I've never printed with potatoes but I've always wanted to try this very cheap and easy method of printmaking (this would be a great project to do with kids).  

If you'd like to try it, just cut out shapes (I carved a small circle and a Christmas tree shape using a russett) with a paring knife and use a water-based paint.  I used water-based printing inks.  I suppose acrylics would work as well, especially if you're printing on fabric.

Accents on the cards were added in with my Micron pen and watercolors.  You could also try adding fabric cutouts, string, glitter, etc. to add more texture and variety.

I also attempted a second round of bread-making and it actually turned out well.  I had leftover ingredients for pumpkin pie so I also baked a pie earlier in the week.  AND I made chocolate chip cookies.  Wow, I'm a baking fiend these days.  I'm making the most of unemployment and it's great!  I should have a regular feature called "Unemployed and Creative".

 

And finally, here is a GPOD: Gratuitous picture of dog.  Look at that sweet face :) 

Collaboration: Monsters and MISfitted

I had the pleasure of meeting the Monsters and MISfitted through the art show I participated in recently.  The Monsters collaborated with MISfitted to create some sweet bows.  I like that the Monsters are versatile . . . one day you may see them on bows, the next day you may see them on buildings in your city.  They're a bit elusive so they don't keep a website but check out MISfitted's Etsy store for fun and quirky handmade gifts this holiday season.  You can also catch her at Unique LA this weekend.   
      

The Monsters wait . . .

Monster mail!

Mini Monster canvas added to my mini gallery.

Monster bows . . . perhaps they will go to some cool little girls named A and C when the girls get older.  They'll be the coolest kids around.

Bottle cap bows: unique, quirky, with that handmade touch!

Recap

The art show I took part in this past weekend was a success!  It was a grassroots effort to bring people together through art and it worked.  Thank you again to all my friends and family for supporting me and offering your encouragement.  Many thanks to Ivan and Francisco for having the vision and the resources to provide a space for developing artists!  Keep art alive!

It was also a big step for me to actually take part in a show.  Starting this blog was a big step in beginning to share my work with others, and actually participating in a show was another step in putting myself out there as an artist.  It's always a risk to share what you make with others because your work is so connected to who you are . . . but I'm glad I did it.

I had a lot of work displayed (some created in my '20s, and some created recently) and the variety was helpful in helping me figure out what type of medium and style works for me.  My strongest pieces were my cards and the work that received the most feedback.  The more and more I think about it, I think I want to learn about the art of printmaking.  It just seems to work for me.  And I have always made cards for people as a way to connect with others--and I have consistently heard people tell me that they keep my cards, even after 15 years!

Another exciting piece to the night was receiving feedback from an actual person from the indie L.A. DIY/craft scene.  She saw my printed vintage time cards and told me they would sell well at events like the Downtown LA Art Walk and Unique LA.  I'm not quite sure at this point if I should pursue a career in card making/stationary but it was such affirming feedback--that people enjoy the things that I feel represent me the best and that I take the most joy in making.

And speaking of Unique LA, I definitely want to check it out.  Let me know if you want to go with me.

Creative use for frames

I saw something like this at an antique store for $35 and thought it was the coolest thing but a bit pricey.  I decided to make my own with an old frame, some twine (you could also use wire), and clothes pins to display my random bits of paper and old cards.

Before:

After:

Arrgh! I'm a perfectionist!

I'm trying to redesign this blog . . . it's kind of frustrating. To the five people who read this: apologies if the color hurts your eyes or if fonts and layouts change on a regular basis. Any feedback would be much appreciated! I'll need to figure out what I want to do with comments also.

On a side note, here's a video from Meg Mateo Ilasco on her new book (love this):

Crafting a Meaningful Home from Meg Mateo Ilasco on Vimeo.