A Little Inspiration

I haven’t posted anything in my art blog for over a year! That doesn’t mean I haven’t been making art, though most of what I’ve done has been photography for my job at Patchwork Central and for my garden blog. I’ve also been expanding my art garden environment, and I’ll share more on that in the future.

Recently, I’ve had a couple deadlines to inspire me to create some sculptures for exhibit. I’ve got inspiration tucked throughout my studio space. My inspiration makes an interesting photo, too.

Dialogue

Dialogue

Title: Dialogue
Materials: A stuffed cat, my real cat, bra under wire, pop can, toy and game pieces, old jewelry, fur coat, pop can, glitter, paint, thread
Dimensions: 10″ x 7″ x 5″
On exhibit now through May 6 at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana as part of the “Another’s Treasure” art from recycled materials exhibit. Opening reception on April 22 from 5:30-7.

Little Unnamed Birds

I’ve been working on this series of little birds made out of parts of toys, broken jewelry, an old fur coat, and a few other scraps of things.

I’m working on a display for them next, and a name will come later as well, but they are fun little guys, so I tool photos of them individually before combining them into something bigger. They’re a work in progress.

Click on any of the images below to get a closer look.

Here’s the line up:

All 5 little birds

 

Bird A:

Bird B:

Bird C:

Bird D:

Bird E:

Shots in the snow at a less-complete stage:

And at the beginning stages when you could see what they’re made of:

P1350234b

They move in a sweet and wonderful way that, unfortunately, can’t really be part of the final display. While I was photographing them, I noticed the way the wind would catch them and make them bob. Here’s a sample with chirping birds in the background:

Patchwork Central Residency

Patchwork Central artwork

the making of a character

In June when we needed a last minute guest artist to lead sculpture week at Patchwork Central (where I normally work as Co-Director), I was happy to jump in. I enjoyed interacting with the Arts & Smarts participants in a way that was different than I usually do. They were wonderful students.

We created fabric people. For our materials we pulled clothing out of Patchwork’s small clothing bank and used them in addition to the regular art supplies that have been donated to the Arts & Smarts program. I’ve done this project with many groups now, but each time I lead it, things go in new and interesting directions. This time around, each sculpture became a fleshed out character and its creator wrote its backstory.

On the last day of the class, we went around the room and everyone shared the story behind their character. It became a wonderful storytelling circle in which everyone was encouraged and celebrated. It was wonderful.

Below is a slideshow of the art that was created. If you click on an image, you’ll be able to read the story that accompanied it.