19.

I painted this one for J.B for Christmas. Years and years ago he asked me to paint him some sort of tree...literally almost 7 years later....

materials: watercolor, rubbing alcohol, sea salt, ink.

I painted her for N.S for Christmas. She is based off a Sylvia Ji painting as per N.S's request. I used similar 'Day of the Dead' face painting and the flowers in huge hair.

materials: acrylic paint on canvas, felt, glitter spray.

*gmb

18.

well hi!

Here's the story:

I began INSPIRATION art this past winter as a means to keep myself occupied in my new surroundings by submerging myself in something that I positively love. For several weeks I stayed true to my objective, which was to create a piece of art inspired by a single image in one week. It must have been mid June when my next assignment was a still from the Michael Jackson's Thriller video and my mind turned off. I walked away and came back to that image so many times hoping something would come to me. Nothing. I set INSPIRATION aside for two months. I almost felt like I was forcing art, which is never a good thing. Two months passed before I got inspired by an Xray sleeve I received at work with an image of the lungs on it. Which leads me to...

materials: wooden frame, paint, textured paper, tulle, jewlery, ink, crackling gloss, key, tape trasfer, colored pencil.

I received the lung image on an xray sleeve at work. At home I cut in between the veins and placed textured paper behind. I drew the heart, lightly colored it red and placed a tape transfer of chinese newspaper over it. I ink stamped the word "ENTRI" (Italian for 'enter') and placed jewelry beads around the lettering and poured crackling gloss in them. I rubbed the frame with a concoction of acrylic gel and acrylic paint of course...adhered the tulle and the key and here we go....now you have the key to my heart.....enter.

*gmb

17.

Hi.
I made this card for my friend Emilee to congratulate her. I chose a matryoska doll because she and I both enjoy them.

'congrats'

assorted papers, ink, lace.

*gmb

15.

Once upon a Wednesday night.....

We made hair decorations!

tuck your hair!
turkey feathers, peacock feathers, pheasant feathers, button.

untuck your hair!

wear it on the side!
peacock feathers, pheasant feathers, some standard feathers from some standard bird, ribbon, flair.

wear it in the back!

ooooooh boooy!!!!!

*gmb and cmn

14.

INSPIRATION ART

Week Seven
(c.n*)
april 27, 2009

the inspiration:

the result:

"nelle nubi: in the clouds"

wooden frame, paper, ink, paint, twigs, pine cones, grass, pebbles, satin flowers, beads, ribbon, tulle, plastic leaves.

A lot of my friends have expressed interest in helping choose the INSPIRATION each week, or they suggest certain images or themes. Some have even emailed me images that they think I will enjoy (and I certainly do). This week, I let my roommate, *Caitlin Nadeau choose Inspiration. Pasta. I immediately saw the birds nest shaped pasta and thought 'nature'. I thought it would be an easy task, but it took me three weeks to finally settle on something. I originally tried to transfer images of fern onto an Urban Outfitters bag, but it adhered too well and I had trouble getting the image to show through. I held the frame vertical at first and used leftover fern paper and cut out large block letters that read "NATURE" and used the pebble idea with cheesy red flowers at the bottom, painted the frame this purplish-pink-gray color and let it sit for two weeks. I also tried to crackle the frame using a base coat of gold and an overcoat of the purple concoction. I used Elmers clear glue and it didn't work to crackle the top coat. I have used carpenters glue before and it worked wonderfully....didn't have that on hand, so I used what I had and it failed. Now I know. The clear glue created dried paint and glue globs so I sanded it down, turned the frame horizontal, used different flowers, painted over the gray-pink mush and changed the background paper.... and I am okay with it. I made a girl flying out of the nest and wrote the text in Italian because of pasta. It reads, "Nelle Nubi: in the clouds" Put some pine cones in the nest instead of eggs and away we go!

**gmb

13.

INSPIRATION ART

Week Six
(a)
april 06, 2009

the inspiration:

the result:

front
('embrace')
back
('HUG')

wooden shadow box, moss, dried flowers, ribbon, wire, sticks, pearls, doll arms, wooden heart, textured paper, ink, paint.

tell me 'bout it: I was originally going to try to create a sculpture using a comb and some wire, and then I was going to try to paint with a comb (comb because the boy looks like he could use one). I settled on another shadow box when I discovered I still had one hanging around. I tried to create the field with the moss and the long grass with the dried flowers. The doll arms and the tangled wire represent the embrace between the two, and the crocheted pieces are clouds. It might be easier to see the smaller parts if you click the picture to enlarge it. This way you can clearly see the asian newspaper layered under the textured paper with leaves in it and the stamped word 'embrace'. On the back if you zoom in you can see how the box is painted with layered gray and metallic red.

*gmb

12.

in the meantime....

I'm not finished with this weeks INSPIRATION yet, but I wanted to post this little do dad I did a few months ago. I was at a flea market and saw some degarotypes (deguerrotype)...which led to me wanting to make my own version. I bought a frame at the flea market aaaaannnndddd....

metal frame, clay flower, metal hangy, glitter, rub on (that I kept the backing on so it wasn't so transparent), pearls (that aren't quite pictured, but I assure you they are hiding behind that flower).

Very simple. Kinda cute on the wall. My degarotype.

*gmb

11.

INSPIRATION ART

WEEK FIVE
(g)
march 18, 2009

the inspiration:
the result:

front

back

blown out side

tin box, nails, paint, beads, paper, dried flower, metal cross.

on the piece: The inspiration is a picture I took at the Boston Public Library. I looked past the lights and focused on the wood. It reminded me of the ceiling in the Worcester Art Museum that was in the medieval dated art room. This led to me thinking of a shrine. I researched shrines and came across 'nicho's', which are traditionally tin or glass cases that hold images of saints, or ex-votos (devotional paintings of thanks) for household alters. I distressed an altoids tin and a metal cross and ran nails through the holes that used to afix the lid to the box. I created a 'steeple' on top and did a tape image transfer of mother Mary over text. Before I decided to make her a tape transfer, I colored her lips and cheeks. The color remained even after I rubbed the image and set it in warm water....I thought that was neat. I thought I had a really fun idea to begin with, but it turned into a headache when I really wanted it to look a certain way, but didn't have the resources. I don't feel as if it is completely done, but it's good enough to post for now and I'm sure I will find a seashell or acorn...or a baby's sneeze and glue it on there to finish it.

Amber is taking a break from this little project due to her taking an altered arts course that has become quite involved, but she will continue to send me a picture when it is her turn.

*gmb

10.

INSPIRATION ART

Week Four
(a)
march 1, 2009

the inspiration:

the result:

front cover
'memento'
inside
inside left
inside right
back

small tin, doll arms, string, moss, mirror, clock parts, beads, embellishments, assorted papers, paint, tulle, ink, glitter spray, sticker.

on the piece: I immediately knew I wanted to use a container. I also knew I didn't want to use stamps, but wanted to maintain the travel theme. Trinket, souvenir, memento, memories......time travel! The trinket box came together as I sat and stared at it. It was a lot of fitting and gluing and ripping off pieces and walking away and eventually it came together and I was sufficiently satisfied with it. It's a trinket box from the fourth dimension, which I slip in and out of from time....to time.

*gmb

9.

INSPIRATION ART

Week Three
(g)
february 21, 2008

the inspiration:

the result:

materials used: gesso, paint, paper, tape, clock hand stickers on particle board.

on the piece: I chose a cross section image of a tomato for this weeks assignment. My initial thoughts were 'pin-cushion, fruit or vegetable identity crisis, mr. tomato head, soup...and finally, innards'. Innards became anatomy and birth. I took this opportunity to learn something new and decided to try image transferring as I have always liked the look and versatility of the technique. You can layer several images and still be able to see each individual part. I started with the particle board and adhered an image of Michaelangelo's "The Creation of Man". I then transferred text from one of my college Biology books on human egg development. The text at the bottom is a test sheet from the printer. The barely visible (although if you click on the picture, it will enlarge. I mention this as if you may not know because I only recently discovered this) fetus on top is from a series of studies done by da Vinci and the text behind it is from a botony book. I used tape transfers of a man and woman stripped of flesh. The same technique was used for the tomato. I then splashed it with some watered down gesso and gold paint and ooo la la! I'm really happy with this piece...a nice recovery from last week.

*gmb

I posted a few days early because I finished the piece in two days as it was fairly easy. Amber will have both last week and this weeks assignments done for Tuesday at the very latest.

8.

INSPIRATION ART

WEEK TWO
(a)
february 16, 2009

the inspiration:

the result:

materials used: oil treated paper (made in 5th grade at natures classroom), napkin, velvet, various papers, potpourri, doily, brads, paint, cardboard cutouts, glitter.

on the piece: I had a really hard time with this assignment. I immediately wanted to use a girl with big eyes, inspired by the toy frogs eyes and have her be the focal point while the background is out of focus (also inspired by the original photo), but something very different occured. I made the girl's head and made the frog prince and could not piece together anything for a background, for they are the very bane of my existence! I finally put him on a branch and then just started gluing mindlessly and this is what I produced. I'm not too crazy about the real twigs and flowers against flat paper shapes and fake flowers. It's not at all what I wanted it to look like, but it was fun anyways!

*gmb

-amber had some trouble with this assignment as well. She basically melted hers and has to start over. I'll update with her link when she has completed it.

7.

INSPIRATION ART

Every Sunday Amber and I will be taking turns sending one another an image, quote, symbol, sound that will be used as inspiration to create a piece of art in one weeks time.

WEEK ONE
(g)
february 8, 2009

the inspiration:

the result:

materials used: small metal frame-pressed flowers-plastic rose-plastic pearls-paper-ink (reads 'OH RAPTURE')-tulle.

on the piece: I decided to make a small piece, something that would resemble a Valentine's day card. I chose to keep the muted, dusty color theme. I framed an image and used tulle as it is reminiscent of the decoration coming off of the frame in the inspiration image. I stamped 'OH RAPTURE' because the ladies look delighted in a subtle way, then I sealed it with a kiss.

*gmb

check out amber's piece at http://amber-reverie.blogspot.com/2009/02/altered-art.html !

6.

i dont know. it started out as a cool concept in my head and i cut apart different plastic animals and glued them together all frankenstein-like (see armadillo with donkey legs and sheep ears in corner) and i made this awesome two-headed deer, but the second head wouldn't stay on the body so i gave up for now. so this is just an idea...not an end result.


snow day project. details below.


rachel in ink.





its a ceramic egg that i painted with a bird and some beads and embellishment and pins. some straw. ink (see 'egg' under the gold flowers?)



*gmb

5.

It began out of frustration.

My roommate texted me and asked me to pick up some 'orange juice, paper towels and" .......and then I deleted it. I knew the third item was something that began with a T. Toilet paper came to mind. Nope. Tissues. Nope. ToastTrampolineTigerThanksgiving? NOPENOPENOPENOPE!

I brave Foodmaster and get the OJ, the paper towels and say 'Fuck it' and get toilet paper knowing that we have roughly 18 rolls at the apartment due to said roommates fear of understocked toiletries.

At home, as I walk in the door, and after a good 15 minute fight with the lock, my brain screams "TRASH BAGS!" and as a side note whispers '.... caaat fooood'.

uuugh, so another fight with the lock- back in the car- this time to store 24- grab cat food- grab trash bags- grab bread- reach for goldfish- and pause. I think of my addiction. My addiction to bland. Give me a sleeve of unsalted saltines and see what happens. I dare you. Open a bag of oyster crackers near me and you better run. Unsalted pretzels, 16 ounces down in 16 seconds. Pair that with some dip, I'll do it in 14 seconds! Then there are goldfish. Cute, small enough to fit a heaping handful in your mouth, 4 grams of fat per serving*, Goldfish. And I yip "YEP!" and bring my groceries to the register.

Back home, coat still on, I open the bag and begin the journey. I hardly noticed the first 30 pieces. I was in a deep state of satisfaction.....which led to the next 30 and that gives you one serving. The following 70 or so was a blur. This is when I think to myself 'I'm so sick of these, and I've eaten so many.....but I need to finish the bag.' In go 5 more pieces. 'Nooooooo, I'm so ashamed.' A tear rolls down my cheek as I look in the bag at the remaining 20ish pieces. 2 more. 'Dammit, Gina, STOP.' 3 more and I briskly close the bag and throw it across the room.

Cut to Gina laying in bed at about midnight. Book in one hand, other hand wheedling around the bottom of a Goldfish bag.....which brings us to 6 servings of Goldfish snack crackers.

I asked 9 people, "What are your thoughts on eating an entire bag of Goldfish?:

TAFT: "I would be against it, but I assume you have already done it."
JUDI: "I've done it, and I'll do it again"
TONY: "Hey, whatever. As long as you're having fun!"
SAM: "I wouldn't want to do it, but sometimes you just have to eat what's there"
CHRIS: "It's an easy task. It has to be done."
ALEX: "I can't do it. I can only eat massive amounts of pizza and pancakes. Generally food that begins with a P."
GINA V: ahahahahahaha, hmmm...I think nothing of it!"
THOM: "mmmmm. Are they PIZZA BLASTED?!"
NIKI: "I'm pretty sure I've done it. How drunk were you?"

g.m.b


*Serving size = 60 pieces
Servings per container= about 6
Needle on the scale= 5 ticks to the right
You can do the math.

4.

I wrote about meat!

HASH
Rover, git down boy!
This here's mama's breakfast.
This ain't no dog food.

TURDUCHEN
What the heck is this?
bird in a bird in a bird?
why would you do that?

OLIVE LOAF
Bake it like a bread!
Take a slice, make a sandwich.
Mange! My good friend.

SOCKS
They are made of meat.
sinewy cotton and lace.
hope i don't eat them.

FEED ME #2
Feed me a hamburg.
but don't cook it too much.
I want to get worms.

HEADCHEESE
It's not cheese at all.
Congealed meat juice and pig head.
WHY WOULD YOU EAT THIS!

FEED ME #1
Feed me a lean steak.
Slather it with A1
Wait, I don't eat meat.


some additives:

This sandwich is fucking dry.
Give me some mayo.
Right the fuck now you dumb bitch.

The goddamn icicle wont break.
This dumb egg won't fry.
My lawnmower wont cut grass.

Shift, shift apple pie,
colors mesh as we stream by.
cow licking cow, shift.

g.m.b