These community-based art projects have provided me with golden opportunities to build a network of fellow artists who are just as passionate about art as I am, and they have given me the chance to hone my skills and push me to try new techniques. I am extremely grateful to all the creative geniuses behind these projects and I look forward to participating in many more. Cheers!
I found the perfect blend for an art challenge when I learned of the “CAUTIONMAYBEHOT” community art show: coffee + art! Participating artists were tasked with transforming ordinary paper coffee cups into unique works of art.
This show was the third of it’s kind (before this came the #STRIKEAWAY Show and 3636 Project) and was curated by creative geniuses Courtney Cerruti, Alicia Dornadic and Michael McConnell. Gallery showings were held at the @longweekendstore on 10/21/16 and @fayesvideo the following weekend on 10/28/16.
My cup was a nod to my husband's beloved Uncle Frank who drank (and often spilled) coffee morning, noon, and night. I used pencil and freshly brewed coffee to create Frank’s likeness.
Aside from drinking coffee, uncle frank treasured the pastime of fishing. And boy did he have some stories to tell when he’d return home. Words painted with brewed coffee.
To create the illusion of a filled cup, I made a coffee-stained paper liner for the inside of the cup. I then formed a heart-shaped foam latte design out of 28 gauge coated wire to set atop the rim of the liner.
Having never before earnestly use watercolors in my art practice, I saw the April #12monthsofpaint art challenge (theme = all things kitchen!) as an opportunity to explore the medium and document a few of my family's kitchen heirlooms and newer accoutrements.
#12monthsofpaint is a community art challenge co-hosted by four incredibly prolific artists and businesswomen: Courtney Cerruti, Erika Lee Sears, Jennifer Orkin Lewis (aka August Wren), and Meighan O'Toole. Each month the co-hosts choose a new theme and invite the public to create and share their paintings on social media. For more details, check out Jennifer Orkin Lewis' blog announcement and view thousands of fantastic submissions on Instagram. Enjoy!
My Grandma Archuleta was known for her Mexican cooking and the countless meals she shared with neighbors and family. I fondly remember her serving her signature pinto beans in this 2 qt. Hall's Superior Quality Kitchenware bowl with Autumn Leaf motif. This painting was one of the last ones I did this month and I'm giddy with delight at how the colors and shading came out.
It's an honor to have my maternal great-great grandmother's solid bird's eye maple rolling pin -- my mom tells me it traveled across the midwest in a covered wagon! Capturing the colors of the wood grain was especially challenging.
These Lincoln Beautyware canisters are the perfect color of pink and once belonged to my husband's grandmother. They sat unused for decades until 2003 when my mother-in-law gifted them to us. The most challenging part of this painting was mixing a color to represent the copper lids.
This Fire King Jadeite Batter bowl belonged to my mom's mom, my Grandma Fossett. I love the utility of it as much as the brilliant milky jade color which ended up being easier to capture than originally thought. The bowls were produced between 1945 and 1975 and the raised markings on the bottom of her bowl shows it's the real deal.
My mom used this kitchen timer for many years, and for that reason alone I simply had to paint it with watercolors. One challenge was mimicking the yellowing of the plastic. Another was the tiny writing (letters and numbers). I discovered the right brush can make make all the difference!
A few years back my dear friend Phoebe Stout, founder, designer, and maker behind Untold Imprint, gifted this glorious oversized cotton towel that she screen printed with her original "Three Buddhas" design. It's a family favorite which I've enjoyed capturing on paper with watercolors and brewed coffee.
You can find this towel and more of Phoebe's magnificent handmade textiles and accessories for sale on her Web site.
Here is a small section of the "Little Modern Birds" kitchen towel that I received as a gift from my dear friend and artist Rikkianne Van Kirk. I couldn't wait to paint these adorable creatures (not as many as are on the actual towel due to room constraints). Like my "Three Buddhas" painting, I opted for brewed coffee for the towel.
A few years back Rikkianne designed and handcrafted this towel along with other eco-friendly pillows and textiles under the shop name 'chakrapennywhistle'. Since then she has produced a prolific body of art that you can view and purchase on her Web site.
My oldest daughter and I purchased this fabulous set of handmade nesting chalkboard ramekins from the artist herself, Rae Dunn, during her 2014 holiday open studios. It was a treat meeting her in person because we'd already purchased one of her ceramic fortune cookie ornament stamped with "luck". I loved the challenge of capturing the shadows in between the ramekins.
Ceramic treasures, "Wilma's World" (a book she authored featuring her adorable dog) and other goodies can be purchased on her Web site.
One of my personal goals for doing the April #12monthsofpaint painting challenge was to overcome my fears with the medium. I suppose that's why I started off the challenge with trying to paint our stainless steel peppermill and salt shaker. I took it slow, studied the varying shades of gray using black and black mixed with other colors. I learned so much from this one painting.
My youngest daughter's quilted yellow jacket was included in Lisa Solomon's The Keepsake Project - an honor and a gift!
The Keepsake Project came to life during Lisa's Fall residency at Irving Street Projects where she invited the public to share items of special or sentimental meaning. Lisa wanted to get to know the stories behind the keepsakes and create a collection of original mixed-media paintings based on photographs she took of the items. She and Kelly Inouye, artist + owner of Irving Street Projects, hosted a reception in December to showcase Lisa's prolific body of work.
Woo hoo: The Keepsake Project will be made into a book -- huge congrats Lisa! In the meantime, you can view all the keepsakes along with their stories on the project's official tumblr page. Enjoy!
Top left: Just one of many treasures given to Lisa by her beloved grandma Shirley. Handmade in the late 70s, Lisa wore this poncho and now her daughter loves wearing it. Top right: Lisa's brilliant logo for the project. Can I just say that I loved every bit of her branding, from the logo and tags to the participant certificates. Swoon! Bottom: Lisa at her work table at Irving Street Projects. {image source}
I just LOVE the embroidery thread tassel detail of this finished artwork -- brilliant! {photo by Mandy taken 12/5/15}
A photo of me with Addie, our youngest, on the day we adopted her from China (circa March 2004). Addie and all the babies from the orphanage wore multiple layers of clothing to stave off the cold. And now, thanks to Lisa's generosity and incredible talents, Addie has more to share when she tells the story of how she came to be our daughter. Thank you Lisa!
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...I am in LOVE with the branding/identity Lisa created for this project.
I screamed with glee the moment I saw Lisa's Instagram post of Addie's finished painting. I've said this before, but what an honor! What a gift! {image source}
Seeing it all come together at the closing reception was simply magical! {photo by Mandy taken 12/5/15}
{photo by Mandy taken 12/5/15}
{photo by Mandy taken 12/5/15}
{photo taken 12/5/15}
CHROMA Installation was the brainchild of renowned artists Lisa Solomon and Christine Buckton Tillman that explored color theory through everyday objects. Lisa and Christine invited people to contribute small-ish items for what would become a massive, eye-popping installation at Gallery CA in Baltimore, MD.
Participating in CHROMA was incredibly rewarding and I wish I could have seen it in person -- thank you Lisa and Christine!
An extra lucky red envelope, one of my oldest daughter's paper cranes, a Jolly Rancher, two Iwako Japanese erasers from my youngest daughter's collection, three rubber bands, a plastic unicorn, a paper clip, one magnetic bulldog clip, a felted acorn, and a pencil with sharpener and pearl eraser. {image source}
As images from the installation flooded in on social media, I found myself obsessed with trying to find my items amongst the sea of color -- a 'Where's Waldo' if you will.
To fully appreciate the beauty and size of CHROMA, I encourage you to visit Lisa's Web site, Christine's Web site, and BmoreArt's article on CHROMA: 'Life in Color'.
I hopped, skipped, and jumped at the chance to transform matchbooks into art for the amazing #STRIKEAWAY Show, curated by artists/authors Courtney Cerruti and Alicia Dornadic. You could say this project was 'right up my alley'-ha!) My "Strikeaway Lanes" and "Floral Brooch" were shown at Paxton Gate Kids in San Francisco, CA 5/22-6/30 alongside nearly 450 other pieces from 225 artists from the globe.
I'm tickled to report that 'Strikeaway Lanes' was featured on The Jealous Curator and 'Floral Brooch' sold at the show. Thank you ladies!
The show's curators on opening night at Paxton Gate in San Francisco, CA: the lovely and oh-so-talented Courtney and Alicia. Thank you ladies! {image source}
My finished artwork for the #STRIKEAWAY Show. 'Floral Brooch' sold at the show and 'Strikeaway Lanes' was featured on The Jealous Curator. I'm so grateful!
Air dry clay and paint do the trick!
The lanes are almost open!
Cutting rice paper petals to wrap around each matchstick.
As a longtime fan of Danielle and her blog The Jealous Curator, I could't pass up the opportunity to participate in one of her #creativeUNblock art challenges (a year-long, monthly series based on interviews with artists in her top-selling book, Creative Block). February's challenge asked participants to catalog their medicine cabinets (Portland-based artist Kate Bingaman-Burt's advice for creative play). I opted for color pencil and pen on retro Nifty cards that I inherited from my husband's late aunt Anna Grace. Thank you for the opportunity Danielle and Kate!
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My go-to brush in 7th grade in all its faux woodgrain glory. Imagine my enthusiasm when I discovered it is now a part of their 'Classic' line.
The ONLY mascara I've ever used! In doing this art challenge I've discovered I'm fiercely brand loyal.
Details omitted intentionally.
My choice is matte.
The ONLY lotion for my dry skin over the years....and for years to come.
Latest addition to the medicine cabinet to help my oldest heal faster.
There is beauty in just the 'Q'.
A daily wear...for now.
An essential part of my daily routine.
A file.
Mom and I each cradled a hot water bottle to shake the chills. Mom came up with the endearing name.
I loved it back in 2011 so much so that I joined The Sketchbook Project's 2015 Tour and chose "Pushers" for my challenge. I had a blast filling the pages with my interpretations of the theme and had the most fun working on "Green Shag". Being a part of a larger movement with artists from around the world is what made this project truly special. Won't you join me on a future tour?
When I discovered the story of The Broom Brothers of Georgia and their stunning, handcrafted brooms, I just had to sketch this broomcorn wedding broom. Long live artisan crafts!
This dusting brush has served me well for 17+ years.
I see so much beauty in the utility of these everyday objects.
Grateful for the healthcare professionals who cared for mom.
One of my fave old-school office supplies from the mid 80s, a typewriter eraser. Anyone remember using one?
Raise your hand if you grew up with wall-to-wall shag carpet. Ours was this color combo. I loved vacuuming it and mom enjoyed photographing me vacuuming. Weird, I know.
Even the covers of my "Pushers" sketchbook display doodles.
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