11.21.2009
11.20.2009
Busy as a bee
I've been working on multiple projects this week. Here are just a few things that have been keeping me busy the last few days:
1. Creating more art- yeah! Here are two new pieces I added to my online gallery:
1. Creating more art- yeah! Here are two new pieces I added to my online gallery:
I actually have two more mixed media pieces almost done; just trying to track down the typewriter for one last detail!
2. Closing down Olio United's webshop, which is why things like a typewriter have been misplaced or boxed up. My business partner and I have been fulfilling and shipping some of our last orders. Although our shop page will be taken down in a couple of weeks, we're looking forward to connecting with followers through our new blog on sustainable living. Will post more about this soon.
3. Started a DVD project for a wonderful montessori school in my neighborhood. I recently finished taking portraits of all 25 kids. Phew- that was a task! But, so fun to be around little ones.
4. Crocheting like a fiend. About half way done with a baby blanket I'm making for a friend. Up next- a kids hammock!
I want to also remind readers to enter the new art giveaway this month. You get to choose the prize! All you have to do is comment here.
2. Closing down Olio United's webshop, which is why things like a typewriter have been misplaced or boxed up. My business partner and I have been fulfilling and shipping some of our last orders. Although our shop page will be taken down in a couple of weeks, we're looking forward to connecting with followers through our new blog on sustainable living. Will post more about this soon.
3. Started a DVD project for a wonderful montessori school in my neighborhood. I recently finished taking portraits of all 25 kids. Phew- that was a task! But, so fun to be around little ones.
4. Crocheting like a fiend. About half way done with a baby blanket I'm making for a friend. Up next- a kids hammock!
I want to also remind readers to enter the new art giveaway this month. You get to choose the prize! All you have to do is comment here.
11.19.2009
Painted landscapes representing the idyllic American life today and in the past
Grant Wood, Stone City, Iowa, 1930. Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska.
The American landscape has drastically changed in the last century. In many parts of the country, what was once rural has become urban. Grant Wood is noted as being one of the first American painters to address the theme of rural preservation. In a time of tremendous industrial growth and hardship (the 1930s), Wood's romanticized landscape paintings of the mid-West became images of hope and idealism for many.
The American landscape has drastically changed in the last century. In many parts of the country, what was once rural has become urban. Grant Wood is noted as being one of the first American painters to address the theme of rural preservation. In a time of tremendous industrial growth and hardship (the 1930s), Wood's romanticized landscape paintings of the mid-West became images of hope and idealism for many.
Laura Von Rosk, Untitled, oil on wood, 14" x 12", 2009.
Fast forward 80 years later, there's a new economic crisis and an American artist creating beautiful scenes of lush and fertile landscapes. For the last decade, Laura Von Rosk has been painting images of expansive lands and waters. She states,
Like Wood, Von Rosk focuses on form and pattern to create dimension and distance. The use of bright, saturated colors are also used by both artists to enhance the dream-like qualities of their paintings. I've arranged the works below to show the similar stylistic compositions of both artists.
Grant Wood, Near Sundown, oil on canvas, 1933.
Laura Von Rosk, March Hills, oil on wood, 12" x 14", 2005.
Grant Wood, Young Corn, 1931. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Laura Von Rosk, Untitled, oil on wood, 10" x 12", 2008.
Grant Wood, Fall Plowing, 1931.
Laura Von Rosk, Champlain Valley, oil on wood, 12" x 12", 2002.
Fast forward 80 years later, there's a new economic crisis and an American artist creating beautiful scenes of lush and fertile landscapes. For the last decade, Laura Von Rosk has been painting images of expansive lands and waters. She states,
By using elements of the landscape I hope to create a kind of new reality, where memory is mixed and intertwined with an emotional response, to produce a different psychological experience, and a new interpretation of place.
Like Wood, Von Rosk focuses on form and pattern to create dimension and distance. The use of bright, saturated colors are also used by both artists to enhance the dream-like qualities of their paintings. I've arranged the works below to show the similar stylistic compositions of both artists.
Grant Wood, Near Sundown, oil on canvas, 1933.
Grant Wood, Young Corn, 1931. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
11.18.2009
Giveaway- you choose the art!
Giveaways are just plain fun, so I'm running another one. This time, you get to choose the prize! Just browse my art shop here, and leave a comment below on which one you like the most or where you would hang the new art. Here are some more details on the giveaway:
1. If you're old enough to vote, you can enter.
2. Only one entry per person.
3. The prize is one available art piece valued at or up to $65.
4. If you live in the U.S., the art work will be shipped to you for free. A partial shipping fee will apply if you live outside of the U.S.
The drawing will take place on Nov. 29th, 11:59pm EST through random.org. The winner will be notified by email.
And while we're on the topic of giveaways, there's a new L Letterpress Combo Kit (valued at $149.99) up for grabs at "I Do"-it-Yourself. Drawing is tonight! Go here for details.
1. If you're old enough to vote, you can enter.
2. Only one entry per person.
3. The prize is one available art piece valued at or up to $65.
4. If you live in the U.S., the art work will be shipped to you for free. A partial shipping fee will apply if you live outside of the U.S.
The drawing will take place on Nov. 29th, 11:59pm EST through random.org. The winner will be notified by email.
And while we're on the topic of giveaways, there's a new L Letterpress Combo Kit (valued at $149.99) up for grabs at "I Do"-it-Yourself. Drawing is tonight! Go here for details.
11.17.2009
Amy Ruppel's photo documentary of travels abroad
Portland favorite Amy Ruppel is best known for her paintings of birds and other cute woodland creatures. In the past couple of years, you may have seen her designs on Target holiday commercials and Converse shoes. Although most of Amy's art work is concentrated on painting, illustration, and computer graphics, Amy's creative mind and skills spill into other areas of art, such as photography.
When I was browsing Amy's site recently, I came across her collection of travel photographs. There are many beautiful photos of historical architecture and cultural centers to look at, but my favorite images of Amy's are those of a more mundane subject, like a public bathroom wall, the interior of a commuter train, or laundry hanging from a line outside of a hotel.
When I was browsing Amy's site recently, I came across her collection of travel photographs. There are many beautiful photos of historical architecture and cultural centers to look at, but my favorite images of Amy's are those of a more mundane subject, like a public bathroom wall, the interior of a commuter train, or laundry hanging from a line outside of a hotel.
I look forward to seeing more of Amy's travel pictures. Up next- Alaska!
11.16.2009
Affordable Art Finds, Week Two
I'm in week two of my Affordable Art Finds series, and I'm already finding it to be quite challenging. My task- to find original art that is under $75. Maybe I'm finding it difficult because I'm basically compiling my own Christmas list. There are, after all, a gazillion works online, but only a select few that I would actually display in my home. So, without further ado, here are three more original art works that I think are truly beautiful and would gladly receive as a Christmas gift if anyone remotely related to me is reading this.
1. Handbuilt and painted Tea Bowl by Aida Dirse. Unique exterior texture. 4 in. across, 3 in. high, $72. Available at Rare Device.
1. Handbuilt and painted Tea Bowl by Aida Dirse. Unique exterior texture. 4 in. across, 3 in. high, $72. Available at Rare Device.
2. Heather Smith Jones, a daffodil for you, graphite, watercolor, acrylic on paper, 4 in. x 5 in., $40.
11.15.2009
New gadgets in sidebar
Just wanted to let readers know that there are a few new things in the sidebar-
1. FOLLOWERS. Would love to know who's reading the blog- I guess that'd be you!
2. SEARCH. Convenient tool to search content in past posts.
3. BOOKS I LIKE. One book down and many more to go. Books I've reviewed can be found under the label "art books." To purchase, click on the book icon in the sidebar.
I also want to remind readers that subscribing to a blog via email is a great way to read the latest posts. If you sign up in the sidebar, you'll receive my daily posts in the morning through email. How handy is that!
Thanks to all for reading and for the great comments!
(Psst- another art giveaway is coming soon!)
1. FOLLOWERS. Would love to know who's reading the blog- I guess that'd be you!
2. SEARCH. Convenient tool to search content in past posts.
3. BOOKS I LIKE. One book down and many more to go. Books I've reviewed can be found under the label "art books." To purchase, click on the book icon in the sidebar.
I also want to remind readers that subscribing to a blog via email is a great way to read the latest posts. If you sign up in the sidebar, you'll receive my daily posts in the morning through email. How handy is that!
Thanks to all for reading and for the great comments!
(Psst- another art giveaway is coming soon!)
Sketchbooks made with pollution-free, renewable energy
Wind is a clean, renewable, and abundant form of energy. So when I saw Strathmore's Windpower Series at a local art store, I didn't have to think twice about which artist pad I was getting.
In recent years, a lot of art companies have come out with eco-friendly materials, but it's refreshing to see a company promote their manufacturing practices as well as their products.
Strathmore's Windpower Series are artist pads made with 100% renewable electricity. There are four paper options available- sketch, drawing, bristol, and watercolor; and each coming in varying sizes. I ended up getting the 9" x 12," 15 sheet, heavyweight bristol pad for under $7. Not bad for harnessed wind.
In recent years, a lot of art companies have come out with eco-friendly materials, but it's refreshing to see a company promote their manufacturing practices as well as their products.
Strathmore's Windpower Series are artist pads made with 100% renewable electricity. There are four paper options available- sketch, drawing, bristol, and watercolor; and each coming in varying sizes. I ended up getting the 9" x 12," 15 sheet, heavyweight bristol pad for under $7. Not bad for harnessed wind.
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