Archive for the ‘Design’ Category

The Charleston Shuffle

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

This is a mix mash of multiple interests and the start of my Wednesdays-once-a-week posts, so I’m calling it the Charleston Shuffle. It starts in Charleston from previous collected sites re an interesting way to do an art fundraiser + sculpture that I really like, then it moves to  museums and music, all reminding me of the Charleston dance  and back to where this began.

What a great idea to save the palette for each painting and then offer it up in an auction for a fundraiser. This is what The Charleston Fine Art Dealers Association’s Palette and Palate Stroll accomplished in this summer. $250,000 for visual arts scholarship has been raised in the past and divided between Redux, the Gibbes, and the College of Charleston’s art programs. This event paired 20 artists’ palettes, representing 10 galleries along with 10 restaurants, with the paintings for which they were used.  A simple, yet brilliant idea that gives insight into the creative paint process used for each artwork.

Fred-Jamar via Charleston City Paper, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Fred Jamar's painting and palette

Karen-Ann-Meyers via Charleston City Paper as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Karen Ann Meyers' painting and palette

Another artist that Redux Gallery showed was Susan Meyer back in 2008 and her Installations sculpture, Together, which I really enjoy. Looking at her work, I’m pretty fascinated with her ability to have so many textural layers in her work and the color is captivating.

Susan Meyer via Redux as seen on Art Is Everywhere

2 Susan Meyer as seen on Art Is Everywhere

There was an entire section of the Washington Post called Museums: Technology but for the life of me I could not find the same online. It showcases all of the upcoming local/DC museum exhibit listings for the rest of the year and discussed whether apps for iPhone and iPad were worthwhile using while viewing an exhibit. Answer, not really because unless you look at the artwork instead of the screen, you’re not really viewing it as it was meant to be seen. You’ll be once removed like the character Brick in The Middle, who experiences life, even while in Nature, through books and what they tell him he is viewing. Love that show. (Axl, the teenage son character is the epitome of mine.)

Here’s one story from that section that I was able to find, Experiencing Music in Germany’s Meteorite exhibit, where the music surrounds you accoustically and visually as an interactive experience. Todd Machover is the creator and composer using music and technology and his MIT media lab Hyperinstruments/Opera of the Future group. (Honestly, the Post needs to work on their website navigation. Unless you know the title of the article, it is sometimes near impossible to find.) Click this link to go the the Haus der Musik in Austria — architecture below. Keep clicking these links within the Meteorite site to listen to the music within.

Experience Music Project as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Experience Music Project

Is that Frank Ghery’s architecture — that of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilboa — where I’m dying to go one day?

Now, here’s another museum post worth reading about a new proposed melting pot,  National Museum of the American People and how it might soon exist from concept to creation. Here’s the only link I could find to the museum listings I mentioned previously but unfortunately it’s not the same as in the paper, which allows you to circle the ones you want to attend — so much for technology.

Finally, I’ll end this post with a little music, Gone Wondering and Ball & Chain from Jackie Greene, having recently attended his performance at a gallery showing at Mary Douglas Drysdale’s home. It was an interesting event with gaining a little insight regarding artists, talented musicians and the business of art handlers. We had some Drysdale Signature Color panels for Casart coverings on display as artwork.

Jackie & Mary_9-28-11, as seen on Art Is Everywhere blog

Mary Drysdale and Jackie Greene

Art Fest – Gyotaku

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

The second part of this two-part post about two artists who stood out among the crowd at Old Town Alexandria’s Art Festival.

Part 2 -  Jim Roberts does Gyotaku = Japanese for Fish (gyo) + Rubbings (taku). He had a large triptych that I wish I had photographed of what looked like a large grouper. It was wonderful and was printed on handmade rice paper.

Jim Roberts, Gytoaku - as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jim Roberts, Gytoaku print starts with a fresh catch, in this case grouper

Perhaps you may remember doing fish prints at camp? Well, this takes it to whole new level and scale (no pun intended). What I like most about his prints are actually seeing the scales. This brings reality to the artistic print that can’t be overlooked. It adds character to the print that would not exist without the subject. In this sense, you can fish for your dinner in a double way — both immediate and with the future purchase of prints.

Jim Roberts_Gyotaku print as seen on Art Is Everywhere

The Gyotaku print

Jim Roberts book on Gyotaku as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jim Roberts, book on Gyotaku

Not all of his prints are black and white or monochromatic. I love these colors in his fish prints below and the movement of water suggested with the ink or paint used in the process.

Jim Roberts yellowtails Gyotaku, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jim Roberts, Yellowtails Rising, Gyotaku

 

Jim Roberts rainbow-trout_gyotaku, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jim Roberts, Rainbow-Trout, Gyotaku

I’m partial to blue and green myself.

Jim Roberts, In the Zone Gyatoku, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jim Roberts, In the Zone, Gyatoku

Radiohead’s new music upload, Mrs Magpie – Modeselektor RMX to Kick Start the Weekend is below. They are appearing as Saturday Night Live’s musical guest this coming weekend to kick off their new fall season. It will be interesting to hear what, if any, of these new songs or remixes that they might play. Their music has been heading in a dubstep direction. Here’s a pretty fascinating video from alberito80 to help visually explain, as it mixes this electronic music style with fine art masterpieces. See if you can recognize some of the paintings. Here is some of Radiohead’s newer music.

Lotus Flower (+ disjointed dancing that a bit disconcerting if not mesmerizing to watch).

Supercolider, which I like and has some meditative repetitiveness that is more typical of their older music.

Art Fest – Paper Cutting

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

Tough week — trying to get ready for a potential media blitz and possible TV spot so there was no time for me to write in advance of a post today like I wanted.

Except to say, I saw two very interesting artists at the Old Town Alexandria Arts Festival last weekend who stood out among the rest. This is a two part series to profile them in each post.

Part 1:

Jupi T. Das‘ exquisite, labor intensive and creative papercut art. Here are excerpts from her artist’s statement, and what I like is noted in teal:

All the paper cuttings of this site are artist’s self-creation. Each of them are hand cut one at a time. No commercial reproduction procedures are used for mass production…The art of paper cutting is a process of hand cutting a single piece of paper and turning them into a beautiful design is the soul of my work….

It is my hope that others will see the influence of different cultural elements in my artwork and realize the connection between a dying art and my creativity and enjoying it visually. I create, so that the energy and the enthusiasm that I put into each piece will bring as much joy to people as the process of creating them brings joy to my life….As a full time artist my goal is to breathe life into this dying art and inspire others to create.

OK, I like a lot, for this is art you can savor. Folk art silhouettes that tell a cultural story.  I truly appreciate the intricacy and time it takes to be so precise in one’s work. Giving a dying art the credit where it is due is more than admirable. She gives a wonderful accounting of the history of papercutting. Having an art history background, I find this fantastic and I learned a lot. Clicking on her video will give you an intimate inside look to her process, execution and the talent of her work as well as its importance. I am particularly fond of the butterfly papercutting. Of course it was one of the highlights in her display and costs the most. What can I say?…She said, when I asked her how long it took typically to complete. She said she could do one or two of this size a year. It all depends on the intricacy and the size. Notice she adds color to some of her papercuttings, which make them even more unusual and striking.

Butterfly Garden via jupisart.com, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Butterfly Garden via jupisart.com

 

Peacock Mandala+ via Jupisart.com, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Peacock Mandala+ other works courtesy jupisart.com

Echo & the Bunnymen, The Cutter, is a classic with a little subtle Indian sitar within (if you listen for it) to Kick Start the Weekend.

Burning the Last of the Beach Time Oil

Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Ahh, its’s now a work week again and I’m still thinking of memories of the beach, wishing we could have that relaxed pace all year long. But alas, we’ll just have to reflect on these times that help make vacations all the more appreciated. Meanwhile, here are some stunning beach photos that will leave a lasting impression.

Light painting on Britain’s beaches by Jamie Wardley from the UK’s Daily Mail.

Jamie Wardley light painting, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jamie Wardley light painting, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jamie Wardley light painting, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jamie Wardley light painting, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Jamie Wardley light painting, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Next time you’re burning a bonfire, you may want to consider this beautiful and sculptural Beach Burner by John T. Unger.

04-waves-o-fire-firebowl by John T. Unger, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Firebowl by John T. Unger

firebowl by John T. Unger as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Firebowl by John T. Unger

There are a lot of songs I could use to Kick Start the Weekend with this post but Starlight by Muse seems a fitting way to put a sunset on the beach scene until the next vacation.

Muse Starlight on Art Is Everywhere

Seeing Signs of a Rainbow

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Post Irene and while writing this I’m not sure where I’ll be. On vacation, finally, or stuck working still?….As I write this with an hour upon the big bands of 85 mile winds approaching that have caused 20,000 people to lose power in Virginia, I’m not sure if power will still be on in the morning. But, at least I can envision signs of rainbow — hoping all will be well.

Here are views that you may be seeing “after the storm” captured in a Morning Drive by watercolorist landscape painter and illustrator,  Nick Swift, who I’ve just added to my blogroll. He has an interesting background being partially color blind that brings extra fascination to his work. He also has an instructive painting demo that show the process of his work. I’m intrigued with the artist’s creative process.

Nick Swift_Morning Drive_2 scenes via Nick Swift, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

I also like his shells, which I hope to be collecting by the time this post is published. I love beachcombing in the early hours before any ones else is awake and the beach gets crowed — and I’m NOT a morning person but this gets me up.

Nick Swift_Shells on Art Table via Nick Swift, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

But I hope I’ll be seeing signs of a rainbow by this time too:

1) Rainbow Door to Paradise by Agnieszka Cuprys from Poland (designboom).

rainbow_door_01 via designboom as seen on Art Is Everywhere blog

2) A Rainbow “house” stairs by Ab Rogers and DA Studio (modern house deco).

Rainbow-House-by-Ab-Rogers-Design-and-DA-Studio via modern house deco, on Art is Everywhere

3) Plexus no. 8 by Gabriel Dawe is lovely and reminds me of a translucent rainbow (St. Louis Riverfront Times).

jessica-baran-encapsulates-the-st-louis-art-scene.7177883.40 via RRT on Art Is Everywhere

4) and even Rainbow Sheep — now that’s really seeing rainbows (moonbattery).

rainbow_sheep via moonbattery seen on Art is Everywhere

How could I not post She’s a Rainbow by The Rolling Stones. A great song to Kick Start the Weekend.

Irene

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Sorry folks if you’re not hearing from me today. Hurricane Irene has wiped out our power and I’m writing this in advance as lights flicker. I’ll be back next week — if I get out of town for vacation — but Irene seems to have put a damper on the Outer Banks as well.

Be safe and hurricane ready! At least you can do it New Orleans style — taking J & J’s advice about hurricane preparedness on Demystifying Design and be sure to read the post regarding Casart’s wall mural.

Cheers!

Artistic Self Rating

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

I never thought of lists and self-rating charts as being artistic but they give you great insight into the creative minds of some artists.

While on vacation last weekend, I will be doing some sketching and reflecting so maybe these artistic charts will provide some inspiration — of course I’m writing this post in advance so we’ll see if ideas actual get enacted.

Adolf Konrad's graphic packing list, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Adolf Konrad's graphic packing list, Dec. 16, 1973. via The Atlantic

Harry-Bertoia_Sefl-rating-graph via The Atlantic, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Harry-Bertoia_Sefl-rating-graph via The Atlantic

Well, some sketching did get enacted and how appropriate that this post with this title would be my 500th. I don’t know but that’s a lot of posts and maybe worthy of retirement soon…

Cabin in the woods 1 sketch by C. Ashley Spencer, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Cabin in the woods 1 sketch by C. Ashley Spencer

 

Cabin in the woods 2 sketch by C. Ashley Spencer, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

Cabin in the woods 2 sketch by C. Ashley Spencer,

Unfortunately I couldn’t find any videos out there of Aaron Neville singing Respect Yourself but you’ll have to just listen here and it might help to Kick Start the Weekend.

Artful Eyes

Thursday, August 18th, 2011

There are a small number of trained ocularists — only a few hundered in the country, as it is a niche industry requiring a “trained eye” and skill to create realistic prosthetic eyes.

I found this CNN story thought-provoking on Christie Erickson’s talent for painting and making prosthetic eyes It takes a lot of work and it’s something that often gets overlooked. As the article states,” people who want to enter the profession must spend 10,000 hours, or five years, of apprenticeship to become certified.The career blends the fields of art and science — as only people with a creative side and anatomical knowledge can duplicate the organ that gives the gift of sight.Click here to read more….and a link to the American Society of Ocularists for more information.

Ms. Erickson has an interesting toolbox.

Prosthetic eye toolbox, as seen on Art is Everywhere

And this is the result of one of her creations.

Prosthetic eye by Christie Erikson, as seen on Art Is Everywhere

With the way I’ve been spending time on the computer, I feel my eyes are giving out on me and this is tough for an artist and I hope it is not the case. I’m now using glasses to compensate and hopefully stop further progression of blurred vision.

There is a lot of music I could post in relation to eyes to Kick Start the Weekend but I think it’s always intriguing to see the actual band performing, so I like to post this when I come across such footage; even though there may be higher quality videos. Here’s The Black Keys with Them Eyes.

Sweet swimming pool

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

I remember seeing Lucy Williams’ artwork a while back in my Elle Décor magazine. I was immediately taken by the architectural, three-dimensional nature of her work. Her work is pristine and geometric and yet jumps out of its boundaries.

She uses a combination of materials and assembles them pre-cut with an x-acto knife in collage fashion. They appear to look nearly photo realistic upon first glance until you start realizing the materials that are used — minute pieces of paper, painted canvas, toothpicks and even bubble wrap at times. She tends to have a fascination with swimming pools but her subjects are iconic types of mid-century architecture.

Diving Pool by Lucy Williams via Elle Decor magazine, seen on Art Is Everywhere

Diving Pool by Lucy Williams via Elle Decor magazine

Artwork by Lucy Williams via Elle Decor Magazine, seen on Art Is Everywhere

Artwork by Lucy Williams via Elle Decor Magazine

I really like her work for it’s 2 dimensional dichotomy in also being sculptural, a very modern bas-relief of sorts and at the same time a flattened, 3-D model with paper.

lucy_williams_swimming pool artwork via Saatchi Gallery on Art Is Everywhere

Swimming pool artwork by Lucy Williams via Saatchi Gallery

We’ll do Battersea by Hooverphonic to Kick-Start the Weekend. It’s interesting to see how their recorded version (previous link and below) is so different from their live version. I like the recorded version better. Notice how the artwork above seems similar to Hooverphonic’s album cover.

Barcodes and Key Cards

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

Keeping the theme from Monday’s post of creating artwork on unexpected surfaces that are everyday sights, typically the mundane, here are just two examples of turning an everyday graphic barcode into artwork and putting artwork on key-cards.

You might take a second glance when you see these.

barcode_art-500x250 from Loganotron, on Art Is Everywhere

Barcode art from Loganontron

unlockart_lemeridien via Hotel Chatter on Art Is Everywhere

Le Meridien Keycard artwork via Hotel Chatter

I think the additional artwork helps to personalize these items and improve their appeal.

You never know what you’re gonna find on YouTube and I didn’t expect to find anything related to barcodes but I was wrong.

The Barcode Brothers, a Danish musical group, has used the unlikely combination of a ukulele, flute and violin to russle up a square-dance-style, pop roundup (literally in the video that is). I thought the video was clever and humorous and the tune kinda catchy – a fun way to Kick-Start the Weekend.

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