Celebrate Me • Art Journaling • Week #6 Shoes

ART JOURNALING • WEEK #6 SHOES

INSPIRATION:

Shoes

INTROSPECTION:

questions

Q. When did I get my first high heels?

Q. What is my worst shoe experience?

Q. What size do I wear?

Q. What types of shoes do I own?

Q. What are my favorite pair of shoes?

IMAGINATION:

application

A. collage photos of your shoes

A. design a pair of shoes

A. make a shoe print path

A. draw the anatomy of a shoe

A. collect shoe brand typography

Image by A Little Color Everyday

Image by Happy Shack Designs by Kelly Warren

Image by Kelly's Art Journaling

Image by Nofretiri

Image by Rebecca Anthony

If you're feeling brave, upload to Shannon's Studio Facebook page 

Celebrate Me • Art Journaling • Week #5 Songs

ART JOURNALING • WEEK #5 SONGS

INSPIRATION:

Songs

INTROSPECTION:

Q. What songs move me?

Q. What is the list of my favorite songs and their common thread?

Q. What song makes me cry?

Q. What type of song would I write and what words would I include?

Q. What songs have been handed down in my family?

IMAGE MAKING:

• Cut out sheet music and paste page into journal

• Calligraphy the words to a favorite song

• Draw music notes across the page

• Add images of your favorite recording artists

• Write thoughts around a giant music note

Madzie Me

Celebrate Me • Art Journaling • How Do I Begin?

Let the Celebrate Me Art Journaling Journey begin!

Art Journal Short Definition:

introspection and images in a book

Art Journal Long Definition:

a personal point of view which can include

wishes, wonders, wisdom, workings, warnings, war-ings, and worthwhile times,

recorded in the form of doodles, drawings, designs or dressed up words and images

all bound in a book

So, those are the definitions that I've come up with. That way we are thinking the same things when we're talking. There are tons of art journaling sites on the net. A lot of them are just about image making. Which is nice. But, I happen to think pictures and text are a powerful combination. Then, when you add a person's life into the mix, it becomes extraordinary. It's the personal point of view that is the intriguing part, seeing the person and what they're about.

Journaling is something we usually do as kids. I have several diaries from back then. I've always thought is was important to keep a record of life but life got busy and my entries sporadic. I've missed some memories that are important to me. We can't be all things, to all people, all the time. So, I'm not going to beat myself up about missing some of the past. But, that doesn't mean I can't record some of the present or thoughts on things now.

Our art journaling will focus on finding out more about you (say, "me".) It's about celebrating. Celebrating your (say, "my") life - past, present and future. It's record-keeping with images. And you don't have to be an artist to do it but if you're worried, I'll share ideas to bring out your creative side. Because it's a little intimidating here's what you'll need to get started.

1) GET YOURSELF A BOOK

It can be anything. If you are going to be using wet medium (watercolor, acrylic, glue, etc.) then you'll want a book with thicker pages. A craft store will have a good selection with the cost being from $5 - $15. I'd go ahead and invest so that you can experiment and not worry.

2) GET YOURSELF A BOX

Not everyone has the space to have a studio, but you don't need one. Just get a box so that you can put all of your stuff in one place. It's ready when you're ready.

3) GET YOUR BELONGINGS

Gather up all your art belongings into the box.

Markers, pens, colored pencils, watercolors, white out, glue, small blow dryer, tape, ruler -

things like that.

BOOK • BOX • BELONGINGS

BAM!! YOUR READY TO ROLL

Get the stuff this weekend. This weekend. Then we'll get started. Monday. Every Monday.

I started a Facebook Page just for Art Journaling and sharing pages. Like it here.

October is National Arts & Humanities Month

I know it's still July and I'm letting you know that October is National Arts & Humanities Month but I have a purpose. It's only 10 Fridays until October. Ten Fridays! (I know, see how close it is.) That doesn't give us much time.

I know every year when October rolls around you have been in a quandary as to how you are going to celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month. (I know, me too.) Well, actually I didn't even know it existed. But this year is going to be different for all of us.

We are going to get ourselves ready for National Arts & Humanities Month with a 10 step process. (Get it 10 Fridays?) And you could actually use some of these Friday steps for great go-out-together evenings. And when October rolls around you won't be riddle with all that guilt that you've felt every year:)

Check back Friday (on the new blog) for your first step into the Arts.

Carl Bloch's Mary and Elizabeth - Merry Christmas

Carl Bloch's

Mary and Elizabeth

41" x 23"

oil on copper plate 1890

One of the most beautiful images of Elizabeth's joyful greeting of Mary. This painting is technically (composition, color, content and craftsmanship) wonderful and I am inspired by the moment he chose to paint. I wish I could see all his paintings in person but I have only seen one. (Healing at the Pool of Bethesda 111" x 126") Its size is majestic and the paint quality amazing. I wish to paint like that. Go to Hope Gallery for more information on this and other Carl Bloch paintings. Merry Christmas.

Art Exhibition - Types and Shadows

Since my genre for painting is allegory, metaphor, and symbolism I was interested in this Exhibition - Types and Shadows: Intimations of Divinity. I can't go see it since it's in Utah but I looked it up online. Brigham Young University Museum of Art has an added bonus of artist's podcasts. I enjoyed listening to what the artists had to say (very short sound bits) about their own paintings. For you art enthusiasts I have included the links to the site and podcasts. Ideally, listening to the audio while looking at the artwork aids in understanding what the artist is talking about. Consider it your art edification for the day.

Click here for Artist's audio podcasts of their artwork in this exhibition

I particularly like David Linn, Christopher Young, Wilson Ong, and Brian Kershisnik's audio. I've included links to their professional websites.

David Linn, ...And Then I Looked..., 2005 17.5" x 24.94"

Wilson Ong The Daughter of Jairus, 1996 41" x 34"

Think about it Thursday - Reasons for Marriage

Think about it Thursday is about marriage. A painting series I am doing is an Allegory on Alliance - Marriage & Meaning. So I am curious, what are the reasons for marriage in your mind? Why marry? What is essential in a marriage? Think about it.

Art Talk Tuesday - Iconography

ICONOGRAPHY
\ˌī-kə-ˈnä-grə-fē\

an image, subject, or style that is traditionally or popularly used to 

represent, symbolize, or associate meaning to another thing

a visual image used to represent a religious figure

symbolism associated with an image

A classic example of a contemporary icon. The iconography of love has long been associated with the heart. It's symbolism is recognized by most people.

It relates to cause and effect because the creation of an art image can become an icon with associated iconography without that being the intent of the artist but the effect nonetheless.

Art Talk Tuesday - Happy Accident

HAPPY ACCIDENT

[hap-ee  ak-si-duhnt]

the development between ability, action, and accident toward a delighted outcome

There isn't a definition that I found for the words painters use to describe the happening of a happy accident. I'll describe why I came up with my definition.

First, ability. There has to be some kind of ability or aptitude that the person is putting forth, some starting point for the process.

Second, action. It's in the doing that there is opportunity for discovery.

Third, accident. In the process there is some expectation from the deliberate ability and action. In the accident there is a misstep but isn't defined as a mistake because of the fortunate or lucky outcome.

In my research I think 'happy accident' is similar to the original meaning of serendipity, the 1557 definition, not today's definition.

Serendipity: 'were always making discoveries by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of'

'the unintended consequences of intended actions'

'looking for one thing and finding another'

'discovery of things unsought'

(from the 1557 publication in Venice of The Three Princes of Serendip) 

Serendipity: How the Vogue Word Became Vague - link here

Today's definition doesn't really take into account the sagacity of serendipity. Today serendipity is just a chance discovery with a chance event without any deliberate effort. Despite most artists possibly not being able to define it they definitely know it when they see and feel it. Though I can't remember a specific painting I know I have had it happen. 

Why I like It Wednesday - Color Me Mine

I just realized I hadn't posted for today. That's what happens when playing catch-up, forgetting the day you're on. Well, I finally did remember and for Why I Like it Wednesday and nicknames I wanted to post this painting - 

and talk about a place that I really, really like. First, the nickname I use for my husband is Boyfriend. I don't know exactly when I started using that but it's been years. I won't go into all the reasons why I call him that because it's not part of this post but I painted this cup (that I painted in this painting, if that makes sense) for him at a place called Color Me Mine. It's a little creative shop that has bisque pieces that you can choose from then paint however you want. They fire them and you can pick it up a few days later. I am all about personalizing things, making them unique. And in this shop you can do that. You can make it all your own. I've done several pieces and have gone with friends and family members and you don't have to be an 'artist' or a 'painter' to express yourself a little. If you have one near go try it out, let the creative inner painter out. It's fun. That's why I like it.

Art Talk Tuesday - Signatures

SIGNATURE

[sig-nuh-cher, -choor] –noun

a person's name, or a mark representing it

the act of signing a document

one's name as written by oneself
a distinctive mark, characteristic, or sound indicating identity

any unique, distinguishing aspect, feature, or mark

dictionary.com

The idea for an artist is to make the signature unique and recognizable without taking away from the image. There are as many different ways as there are people. Here's a sample of other artist's signatures -

 Christopher Thornock signs with an iconic T in a square

 Carol Maine uses 2 different signatures, her initial and her last name

 Otto Lange uses and O with a number above it and to the right, the number represents the year

 and I use my name  (mine's bigger not out of some psychological superiority thing but because I have access to larger file sizes than are available from other artists)

Everyone is unique and their signatures show it.

Art Talk Tuesday - Rejection

REJECTION 

noun [ri-jek-shuhn]

to refuse to have, take, recognize, accept, grant, recognize, discard

to deny, repel, eliminate, renounce, consider, dismiss, rebuff

Here are some of the ways we artist's receive the news. 

From my personal "Rejection" file, thank you very much.

EX: "not accepted" on a postcard

EX: "the entry has been declined - we sincerely thank your for your submission"

EX: "we regret to inform you" hidden in a lengthy letter

EX: "we hope that creating your artwork was rewarding, regrettably..." followed by an invitation to see the works that made it in

Artist's have to figure out (as well as other's) how to deal with rejection and put it into perspective. Here are some good quotes to help in that direction. These apply to more than art.

The following quotes are from The Painter's Key - Rejection Art Quotes click here

There are more on the site.

Learn to eat rejection – it will make you stronger. 

(Bob Ragland)

[My new motto!!]

There is a large degree of trust in working creatively... people are so defined by their work, it becomes very personal: you reject an idea, you're rejecting a person. (Nina Sadowsky)

Rejection is a speck, like a bit of unwanted debris, imbedded like a pebble in our psyche, and it stays there niggling away and undermining our self-confidence until we feel strong enough to pull it out. (Janet Warrick)

How you react to rejection is important. It is not the rejection of others that truly affects us, the problem occurs when... that rejection by others causes us to "reject" ourselves. (Chris Tyrell)

We keep going back, stronger, not weaker, because we will not allow rejection to beat us down. It will only strengthen our resolve. To be successful there is no other way. (Earl G. Graves)

Rejection is the natural course of things. (Eric Walters)

Art Talk Tuesday - Surrealism

Salvador Dali                               Persistence of Memory

SURREALISM 

 Surrealist, n. — Surrealistic, adj.

A 20th-century literary and artistic movement that attempts to express the workings of the subconscious and is characterized by fantastic imagery and incongruous juxtaposition of subject matter. A controversial movement... in which the artist attempted to portray, express, or interpret the workings of the subconscious mind; in painting it found expression in two techniques, the naturalistic (Dali) and the abstract (Miró). The Free Dictionary

I'm not much into Surrealism because I can never figure out what they're trying to say. Obviously, the artist is trying to convey something because of the way things are juxtapositioned. It's almost like talking with someone in a foreign language or reading a foreign language and becoming frustrated because there is no real communication. There is something lost. And Dali may have left enough text behind to explain some of his work but it is not available to most of us unless we research it. So, we are left with the image and title of the painting. 

That is why I try and make my images something that can stand alone without text. I add meaning to enhance the painting but if that is lost I want a viewer to be able to still enjoy it on it's own merits.

This is a different direction than I am thinking this week for 'dreams' but this is the closest (subconscious mind) to dreams I could think of. Enjoy your day and the art talk.

Free-for-All Friday Website Critique

Okay, for Free-for-All Friday I tried to get my adult daughter who came in to Missouri yesterday to do a little self-portrait for fun and then I was going to post it as part of ffa-friday. Well, she wasn't too keen on the idea and being an adult and lawyer she effectively evaded the situation. Kids. So.....

Here is the other project that's been consuming me. The re-do of my website, see the screen grab above of one of the pages. For Free-for-All I would like a critique of my new site. You can comment about anything - images, content, layout, flow, whatever. I promise not to get mad with what you suggest (I am quite familiar with rejection) if you promise not to get mad that I might not use your idea. Fair enough. As always, I value other's opinions so this is a sincere inquiry. Thanks ahead of time. 

Why I like It Wednesday - HubSpot & Art

Since I am really just in the beginning of my art biz getting all the info I can on how to get my art 'out there' is important to me. The website and blog for HubSpot really has nothing to do with art but I use it all the time. It gives me a pulse on what is happening now in the business world of marketing, specifically in-bound marketing. (Don't know what that is? They have all kinds of articles to tell you about it.) It's just a great way for a non-business person like me to understand and take ideas and help my art career along.

- living rural (ie, isolated and away from resources) the internet is such a great tool and they tell me how to really utilize it

- they blog with great articles, all archived and easy to find topics I'm interested in

- tv spots

- webinars, the one I listened to, David Meerman Scott, a couple of days ago was excellent

- geeky videos but I think they're funny

- a cool grey/orange color palette, just had to throw that in

Maybe I'm a business geek under all this paint. But that's why I like it.

Art Talk Tuesday - Conceptual Art

CONCEPTUAL ART

(kn-spch-l)  (ärt)

The beginning was in the 1960's. Not surprisingly a reaction and challenge to the traditional definitions of art and beauty. It is art that is concerned with the idea, or concept, first and foremost with its construction not limited by any boundaries in material. It deals with more of the senses in the mind than the senses of the eye. It sets out to create mental sensation by being provocative, shocking, controversial, or extreme. This gave birth to the ideas of Installation and Performance Art.

sketchbook concept

I connect with conceptual art as far as the idea or concept goes. After that I part ways. I am a traditionalist in skill, craft, medium, and aesthetics. But the concept, the beginning of the painting, that is the creative and exciting part to me. I have ideas all the time that I put into sketchbooks. Often I have more words, questions, and thoughts than I do images. After the conceptual part come working with visual aspects.

Weeks Theme - Beginnings

I don't know if you noticed last weeks posts. They all kinda revolved around one theme - LOVE. 

Monday's post was a symbolic painting about LOVE, Allen and my relationship. Though I didn't really elaborate on it. (Every Monday painting will be a symbolic painting of my connection to someone.)

Tuesday's was art talk about Sentimentality, similar to LOVE.

Wednesday was about how I LOVE the internet.

Thursday was about what kind of art you would LOVE to buy.

And Friday was the painting with the conversation hearts and how I LOVE my blog family.

The theme thing helps me focus my thoughts a little so I am  better able to share with you. Most of the time I will stay with a theme. This weeks theme is BEGINNINGS. So look for that connection in this weeks posts.

Art Talk Tuesday - Sentimentality

SENTIMENTALITY

[sen-tuh-men-tal-i-tee] noun

falsely emotional in a maudlin way [syn: mawkishness] 

extravagant or affected feeling or emotion

induce an emotional response disproportionate to the situation

In the art world sentimental art was not a good way for one's art to be described. Here is a quote that sums up, quite accurately, how the art community views sentimental art.

"....blameworthy because it simplifies the object of our attention. Sentimentality depends upon quick, predictable, and familiar reactions. Such reactions are....shallow, trite, or clichéd, and moreover they become habitual, routinized. Sentimentality makes no demand on us, requires no struggle, involves only a narrow range of feelings, arouses no thought or feeling about the real world, and both contributes to and is supported by a general failure of the imagination. Sentimentality prefers the obvious and avoids the ambiguous. A sentimental response is somehow unsophisticated, unlearned, undisciplined....sentimentality leads us away from active, cognitive engagement with the ambiguities and complexities of the real....toward the over-simplified, the distorted, the falsified, the fantasized, the fictional. Sentimentality encourages complacency....[and] it transforms the aesthetic into the anesthetic." Nick Capasso quotes Deborah Knight http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/5aa/5aa192a.htm

Here are some other words that you might hear someone use when describing sentimental art: sweet, quaint, precious, polite, idealized, nostalgic, cliche, softer emotions, victorian, anti-intellectual, emotional lies, or synthetic emotion.

One such artist in this camp is Norman Rockwell. I happen to like Rockwell.

Free-for-All Friday Exchange, Let's Trade!

This is a study I did a little while ago. Lunch  11" x 18"  My kids are always coming home and telling me what they got and traded at lunch time. They seem to enjoy this little bartering system. They are always pleased and satisfied with the exchange. For Free-for-All Friday I want to do what kids do all the time at lunch.

 

Exchange. I want to trade this painting for something you might want to trade with me. 

Put in the comments what you are willing to trade. It doesn't have to be 'equal' value. Be creative. I'll consider all trades until tomorrow night around 6 PM (CST) then post who I'm exchanging with. Let's trade!

Art Talk Tuesday - Collaboration

COLLABORATION [kuh-lab-uh-rey-shuhn] 

the act or process of collaborating

working together on a common project

to work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort

One of the reasons I really like this blog is that I get to collaborate with others.  And it isn't just 'art' people but regular people connecting in an artsy way. It gives a totally different perspective when others can join in on naming, adding symbolic meaning, or picking content to a painting. I hope others have enjoyed it as much as I have.