Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Home Is Where The ART Is- Pam Fawcett...


Pam Fawcett is a very talented artist who now lives in Charlotte N.C. I met her through an "Arty Group" of women. She is fun, delightful and so well versed in many different mediums. I was treated to a tour of her home and studio and was absolutely inspired by her fearless artistic approach. She attends many workshops and applies the knowledge she has picked


up along the way to create magical mixed media canvases and "found object" sculptural pieces.
Her home is filled with her own Art as well as a few other well placed pieces by other Artist's who are her friends or whom she admires. The actual style of her home is eclectic and lovely. The colors are bold and neutral and the furnishings are comfy and inviting. The overall atmosphere is a truly creative and inspiring one. Pam is an artist who loves actually doing all kinds of Art following whatever her inspiration may be on any given day.
Pam I look forward to hanging out in your studio again, soon. You inspire me.


Click on arrow to view the slideshow.
This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Birdstacks, Eggs & an Elephant...


I have been on a painting tear. I have created 8 pieces since June.
I think living in the clouds is having an interesting effect on what I am choosing to do with my time.
I am loving the idea of stacking birds, incorporating eggs, and I just finished a piece that is 5 ft square in three sections.




I used an Indian Elephant as the anchor, Butterflies for light and air and the Birds are stacked way up into the starry heavens with a hanging moon.

It is fun to create fanciful images and explore texture, mixed media and image transfers.

Click on the arrow to view the slide show of
Birdstacks, Eggs & an Elephant!



This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Painting, Oh What Fun...





I have had a relationship with art since I was a child and I have been a painter and a photographer for as long as I can remember. I have always enjoyed the creative process and have delighted in exploring all of the different mediums and the possibilities they present. The newest series of paintings I have been working on involve canvas, acrylic paint, transferred images and the tools needed to manipulate the paint ( brushes, palette knife, sponges and paper towels). I use a wide variety of paint products. Golden Paints has a wonderful selection of colors with various transparencies and the best gel medium which is great for transferring and applying the images to the canvas. Golden also has a wide and varied selection of molding paste and various gels and finishes. Liquitex, and even a generic store brand paint works very well. Try to stay away from the cheapest canvas' as they may not be primed and can be made in an inferior way. The best bet is to explore all of the choices at your favorite Art Store. A few here in the southeast are Cheap Joe's Art Supply and Binders Art Supply, both have websites and both have quality products at a price that is easy on the pocketbook. Log on and check it out. If you have questions you can also give them a call.


Some Artist friends and I have been exploring the world of image transfers in a scientific way. We have studied many different methods and our findings (which are still being discovered and calculated) are all over the place! The goal is to transfer the ink and not the paper, then apply, in this case to canvas. Many Artists use watercolor paper, and I have in the past, however canvas gives you the ability to add texture behind the image. This can be achieved by applying handmade paper, and various other paper based products which can be painted over and onto. I am still working on my quest for perfect transferred images. It is fun to have friends as curious about the process as I am. So we will try, try again!

Art is fun, art is personal and no matter what you say, everyone has an ability to create. So give it a try, go to a book store and hang out in the art and technique section, check out Somerset Studio Magazine, join an Art group or take a workshop but most importantly explore and let your creative self take over. You will be happy you did.

This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Janice Miceck, Creative Spirit, Talented Artist...

Today I am going to write about the creative muse that lives within us all. My friend Janice Micek is an incredibly talented artist. Her specialty of the moment is assemblage art. She lives her life in an artful manner. I went to a workshop in her home and asked if I could come back and photograph her "Arty Still Life's".






I was inspired by her love of nature and her ability to tell a story with objects.
Tables filled with silver from a bygone era, shells and other treasures from the sea, a bowl of pieces and corners of old frames, not to mention the charming natural whimsy that was the underlying foundation to her display work. Janice also had a fair amount of nests and all were displayed in a cozy and nesty fashion.
Oh yes, this is a woman I could and will be very good friends with.





She loves art and the natural world and she understands how to integrate them into pieces that are clearly personal and pure magic. You go girl!
Click on Arrow to View Slide-Show.

Art Clubs and Groups...


I had so much fun at my sister Sheila's, Art Club. It is a cool trend that is sweeping the nation. Basically it is Artists, and people, mostly women who are interested in socializing and doing some kind of interesting "Art Project" while catching up on news and kids. Friendships are forged and a good time is had by all. Oh and you get to take some sweet artful gem home that you created with your arty pals. No downside there!

The gals who hosted this Arty Afternoon were a delight. These events are usually held in someones home. The interesting thing are the levels of creativity and actual talent vary, however the Art at my Sister's club in Charlotte is mostly different variations on the current craze of "Assembledge".



Joseph Cornell is one of my favorite Assembledge Artists. His work is inspired by nature, mostly. Cool boxes and/or frames with items truly taken from nature. It is a cross between a mad scientist and a naturalist with the creative mind of an artist displaying the many items that surround us in the natural world. I am inspired by his work.

So if you are
interested
in an
Arty Club
in your area, consult Google or your local newspapers for events close to home.

This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Lari Washburn is Todays Featured Artist...

Lari is one cool chick. I met her in my studio, she had come by to have me photograph her paintings. We hit it off, like peas and carrots. We have spent the last few months plotting and designing her website, photographing her body of work, which is extensive and having a major amount of fun.





I love to meet people who love what they do and have a passion for the life they are leading.It is always a joy to be around Lari. (Her name is pronounced Larry!) One day in early December I went to her home in Wiscasset, Maine to photograph her studio and some of her other paintings. What a kick. I ended up shooting part of my "Arty Still Life" series in her home that day . She has just launched her new website. Her work is clever, fun and tells the stories of a childhood, magically lived. Take the time to check out her work at www.lariwashburn.com or log onto her blog.








This article originally appeared on kdb-homeandgarden.blogspot.com

Lari Washburn, Maine Artist...

I love to go into homes that are rich with small moments of beauty, or still-lifes. I always think of the great little photos they would make. My friend Lari Washburn is an Artist in Maine. Her home and studio are filled to full with inspirational moments. They reflect the season, her passion for color, and an artful presentation.FMI and to view her portfolio log onto www.lariwashburn.com