Art Challenge Day 7 and 8

Yay I made it through a whole week! It was pretty hard, I felt pretty tired Sunday but I still pushed myself to do the art challenge because it was my special day 7, final day of the week challenge! I realize that once again even if a project does not seem that challenging or fun it actually is, it is always worth a try. For the seventh day I had to make a stencil and use it. I decided not to "cheat" and use my awesome new Silhouette SD printer, and try to make one the old fashioned hard way. Since it was the harder way I opted for a simple design, a cupcake! I decided to spice up the bottom of a cupcake print lid and make some cupcake stencils. The lid's box original held my cupcake stand. After making one stencil, I filled it in and decide to make two more but with unique designs. Typically you make everything the same with a stencil, but what I liked was the outline was the same but I could have them be different still. Below are pictures of day 7. I just used a simple black marker.
Art Challenge Day 8, aka today was to "Transform an old book into something new by cutting folding, gluing and so on." Now I hate to destroy a book even if it is old so I was kinda stumped at first. But once I looked on my bookshelf I noticed an old cute Japanese journal. I occasionally wrote in the journal, some ambitions, recipes but mostly complaints. I hate journal entries from the past, so moody and depressing. So I happily balled up what I wrote and threw it in the trash. I tore the clean fresh pages out and decided to try to attempt a project I had admired in the picture below. By cutting the pages out and then folding them in half and gluing them back into the spine makes this lovely sculpture. I unfortunately do not have a source of the picture. But thanks to however inspired me! Now this is one of those projects I admire but always thought it would be way too hard to do so I put it off. But I was surprised how simple and fun and breezy the project was once I started. The cool think with choosing the journal is that the pages had three colors, pink, purplish blue and green. I tried alternating the colors giving it a balanced look but I think the pages come off pretty white in the photos. I then had to figure out how to make it able to hang. I found some thread and a needle and the needle luckily was sharp enough to pierce the spine of the cover, it took a while to get the needle through one side to the other. I then threaded it few times and voila! I had hanging floating book art sculpture!

Day 9 Challenge is to make something with your breakfast before you eat it! This one sounds fun, I love breakfast!

Art Challenge Day 5 and 6

My 5 Day challenge is to work with a collection of objects. My mother had just discovered my pog collection and I thought it was the perfect tool for inspiration! I had not seen this collection since I was maybe 10? It was in this hot pink lunchbox, I think I used it as a lunch box? Kind of blurry, funny how little you remember from your childhood. Anyways, it was really fun going through this collection because it was like the '90s in a box. I had awesome childhood favorites like Barbie, Bobby's World, Cookie Crisps and other totally '90s memorabilia. I love the funny beach pogs! I think I got them in California during a summer visit. So I took a few pictures of the collection below and then decided to sketch some with my funky pink pen. I had a lot of fun sketching, which I haven't done in a while and it really made me focus on each pog for awhile. Some were kind of scary, like this monster looking one on the bottom. Did I really have this when I was like an innocent 7 year old? Because it freaks me out so much now! Maybe scary pogs were useful, you freak out your opponent. For those that are really confused about Pogs let me give you the rules I found via Wikipedia.

1. The players each contribute an equal number of pogs to build a stack with the pieces facing down, which will be used during the game.^[4]
2. The players take turns throwing their slammer down onto the top of the stack, causing it to spring up and the pogs to scatter. Each player keeps any pogs that land 'face up' after their throw.^[4][7]
3. After each throw, the pogs which have landed 'face down' are then re-stacked for the next player.
4. When no pogs remain in the stack, the player with the most pogs is the 'winner'.^[4]

Art Challenge Day 6

For this challenge I had to work with a fruit or veggie, any form! I was not sure what to do at first, but after seeing the leftovers from strawberry and blueberry tamales. I really loved the way the blueberries looked in the strawberry sauce. I use the strawberry sauce to paint and used an orange peel to be butterfly wings, petals, etc and few blueberries. I am really happy how it turned out, of course it is not permanent and have to throw it out. But it I like having to push my boundaries!

Art Challenge Day 4

Today's challenge I was not looking forward to doing. I had to take a five minute walk outside my home and then use materials nearby to make something and then leave it for others. I was nervous, I live in a quiet suburb and I really didn't want to freak out neighbors! I really was concerned if I could even find anything to use. It would be an easy project if there was plenty of snow, I could make a snow sculpture or lots of leaves. But no I was left scrambling for what I could. And trying to be discreet. At first I tried using these "banana leaves", that's what they look like to me. However, the wind was blowing so hard I figured no one would really get a chance to see my work.

So I moved on and went to this nearby field where as a child my brother had played soccer. I looked for trash, never had I been hoping for people to litter! I found a plastic red cup that many would use at a college party. At first I thought of trying to use it with the tree's shadows to resemble an apple in the branches, that didn't work. Then I took a picture of it as my red heart.

I wasn't quite satisfied though, no one else would really see it, so I looked for more trash and found two discarded peppermints. I crushed the cup, flipped it so it made a cone shape and was thinking of making a face, using the peppermints as eyes. But that seemed kind of cheesy. Instead I put them on top of the cone structure, resembling a tent. I found I really liked it, the peppermints seemed cute as they are nestling each other on top of their plastic home. I decided to leave it behind in the middle of the field for someone to discover as the assignment described. I thought I would feel guilty for littering but instead I feel cheerful in that I will make someone curious on its origins or maybe inspire them to join in making litter into art.

Tomorrow's challenge is to use a collection of objects in my home...or a friend's. I have a few collections from when I was a kid, I'll have to think of something fun to make. I probably will photograph an interesting arrangement or maybe sketch the collection.

365 Daily Art Challenge Day 2 and 3

For the second day challenge I had to use my favorite animal for inspiration. Cats are definitely my favorite animal. I wanted to use the book my boyfriend gave me for Christmas, How to Draw Cats book, which crazy enough I had one just like it as a kid. I also was really inspired by toilet paper roll art I've seen online and wanted to attempt it using a paper roll from gift wrap. I really like the concept of using something typically seen as trash into art. It really makes people question the use of typical average boring objects. At first I sketched a scene of two cats playing with a butterfly from the How to Draw Cats book on to the roll. I then used a push pin, it was close at hand and it was similar affect as to making a Jack 'O Lantern where you pierce it to make the design. I then popped out the cats and butterfly slightly to make a 3D pop up affect I've admired. If I were to attempt this project again I might spray paint the roll and add a small light inside to illuminate the shadows. Below are pictures of Day 2 art project.

Sketch and Pierced Outline

Cats and Butterfly Popped Out

The Third Day Challenge was to make something using paper without using scissors, glue, or drawing on it. Very tricky huh? I read in the back of the book about quilling, or paper filigree which is taking scraps of paper and rolling it up to make a design. I tried this by tearing sheets of paper and rolling it and carefully placed it on a painted cardboard surface. I made a letter J for Jessica. I also thought that the scraps of paper resembled sky scrappers so I attempted to make a wadded up Godzilla out of paper as well. This was a fun project that once again shows that it is great to have a prompt and deadline. It really pushes me to try materials I never worked with and be creative. Below are photos of this project, I apologize for the fuzziness, I had to use my cellphone camera.
The Letter J, I really love the delicate nature of the paperGodzilla's fiery breath and endangered city, it was a fun last minute decision to try to make a Godzilla.

Tomorrow's challenge is to take a five minute walk and look for materials to make an art project, then document it, i.e. photograph and leave it for someone to stumble upon. I'm not sure if I will do the second half and leave it behind, I think it will either be just taken away by the garbage man or frighten neighbors.

Art Challenge Day One!

I'm starting my 365 day challenge to do an art project everyday by using A Daily Creativity Journal for prompts. On the cover of the book it reads "Make Something EveryDay And Change Your Life!" I think there is something to it, hopefully I'll grow as an artist or just find myself more through this process. I attempted challenge one yesterday but it was just going poorly, I wanted to make some bows and two peas in the pod with clay but it melted...I think I left it in the oven too long...oh well..it's a learning process. Today I decided to use different materials. I always admired paperbeads and had some. I had got Paperoni from Goodwill one day, it was only a buck! I made a cute puppy with it, with plenty of left over beads I decided to tackle my first challenge. "Day 1: Start small today and make something that fits in the palm of your hand using only the materials in your immediate environment." Below are pictures of the paperbeads bracelet and necklaces I made, it was pretty simple I just used a needle, white thread and threaded the paperbeads. I'm pretty happy with my project, I think it is good first step into this challenge.
The Bracelet definitely fit in my palm, the necklaces barely fit.
I encourage others to try this challenge, it is a good way to stay committed to big goal! You can even try the projects along with me. Tomorrow's prompt is to use your favorite animal for inspiration!

Oh Batman: Cool Batman Art!

I found some cool Dark Knight inspired artworks which I thought I'd share with you guys. I always loved super heroes that are edgy. Which piece is your favorite? Do you guys like to do any fan art and if so of what? I'd definitely love to do some someday, I once made a Torchwood/Pokemon fan art for my friend, it was pretty awesome. It was Captain Jack Harkness coaxing her to bed while Team Rocket was freaking out on the T.V. I wish I had taken a picture of it to show you but it was few years ago. I used to draw Daria and other cartoons a lot when I was a kid. It actually was what made me realized I had some talent if I could make a good replica of Archie. :) I just might have to try to make a Batman piece now!I found this at Simple Stroke, link is below!
http://www.simplestroke.com/wp/?p=70

I love the playfulness of this painting and the big grin on Batman's face! I also really liked the use of colors, you typically don't think of green with Batman or Superman but it is good contrast to the red.
This piece is my favorite because I find it so breathtakingly beautiful! The softness, how it is dramatic and romantic, since it is fall now, I've admired myself the incredible moment of leaves falling together like a summer rain. I've always had big soft spot for Cat Woman! The first image above is also done by the same artist, Marc Tan.

Below is the link, I honestly thought it was a photograph and was impressed to know it was photoshop creation.
http://insanepoly.cgsociety.org/gallery/866214/

Do you see what I see? This is a clever poster print of Batman with the Penguin in yellow. It just goes to show you can create art that has an awesome impact with also being subtle and simple! It is by Simon C. Page a British Artist who also did a pairing of Spider-man and Green Goblin which you can see on link below.

http://www.jazjaz.net/2010/09/batman-vs-penguin-poster-print.html

My New Favorite Show is Over! Work of Art Finale!

I was surprised that I became a fan of Work of Art: The Next Great Artist because when I first heard the idea of the show I thought it was ridiculous! I really thought it was crazy to make artists compete with a time limit, creativity being pushed by the ticking clock seems so cruel! However, when I decided to finally watch the show I became addicted! I loved the drama, I loved the camaraderie, the process, and especially Simon de Pury, the Tim Gunn of the show! It took me back to my own college art class, which in some ways made the artists and the show less impressive. However, I still loved every drop of it, well maybe not the China Chow part. She just annoyed me, how are you qualified to judge art? You are just a model/actress! The season finale had a lot of surprises such as producer, Sarah Jessica Parker making an appearance! The greatest surprise was that Abdi won and I was thrilled! Although Abdi often struggled in the challenges, and his work was often flawed what made me love him is his brilliant personality. He always had a giant smile on his face, always said positive comments, the eternal optimist. The cheery disposition was not a front because he was on reality television, I could just see his sincerity, he really did want the best for others. After he won the $100,000 thousand dollars he explained that he would be giving it all to his mother who sacrificed so much for him. I do believe he also deserved to win for his talent, that shined through his gallery!

The pieces to the dismay of some judges were conventional but had the similar sincerity and tenderness I see in his praise of others. One judge described his work as having the same grace of a musician. His work has that appeal that you would want the work in your home so you could stare at it for hours. So congrats to Abdi! Especially for winning over the art snob, Miles! I can't believe how rude he would be! He is really talented I have to admit, but his choice to do a weird abstraction using cell phone photos of old people at White Castle, come on I felt I caught some of his crazy just describing it! I think he is one of those artists that can knock out great pieces but have trouble doing a series, but he's young and he probably will thrive in the art world. Below are a few of Abdi's art pieces through out the show.

Graphic Novels for Beginners

I am a big fan of graphic novels but know many are hesitant to picking one up. Maybe they assume it is only about superheros and villains or for children or the basement dwelling dweeb but comics and graphic novels have come a long way! Many are made into popular movies. So for beginners I would like to suggest realistic fiction based graphic novels. Below are some of my favorite authors and their most famous graphic novels! I also like to add that they have some swearing and can be sexual so it is not for the kiddies.

1. Ghost World by Daniel Clowes

Ghost world is about a spunky teenager Enid and her friendship with Rebecca. The two offbeat high school graduates look for fun in the suburbs at summertime, yes, it can be hard.
Ghost World focuses on the average joes of the world revealing the everyday jewels of life which is hilarious yet touching. The author and artist, Daniel Clowes effectively weaves these funny yet heart felt day to day characters in his work. If you like Ghost World you should read Clowes' newest work Wilson!

2. Blankets by Craig Thompson
Blankets is an autobiographical story that begins with the authors troubled childhood but the heart of the story is his first teenage romance. Blankets imagery is so beautiful and dreamy that it takes the reader into the deep heart of the author and artist, Craig Thompson. Blankets is clearly a valentine to his lost love and lost innocence and readers should treasure the chance or reading such a personal well crafted graphic novel.

3. Clumsy by Jeffrey Brown

Clumsy is the first graphic novel by Jeffrey Brown, like most of his work it is autobiographical . Like Blankets, the story is about a romance unlike Blankets the artwork itself is charming in its doodle like nature. What makes Clumsy and any truly good autobiographical work amazing is his ability to show the his own personal flaws! He does not draw himself as an adonis no, he shows the big potbelly and chest hair. He shows the self pity and awkwardness but what makes him adorable is his desire to find love.