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 !