 All I can say is WOW.
Tamara Kostianovsky's exhibit at the Denver Botanic Gardens blew me away. Her pieces are all made from fabric but as a fiber artist myself, I couldn't figure out how she made them. I could see her hand stitching around the edges but how she arranged the fabrics to create the textures, eluded me completely. I especially loved this piece. The stump of a tree became a birthday cake with a slice cut out of it. At last that's how it appeared to me. This exhibit is at the The Freyer – Newman Center gallery and will be on display though June 18th. If you love fiber and sculpture, don't miss this one!
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 Spent the weekend with my artist sister-in-law and she turned me on to printmaking. She works BIG but I started small.
I had these "pink rubber carving sheets" I bought years go from Amazon and set of carving tools from Speedball. I don't know how I will use these stamps in the future but making them was fun. Regardless, these stamps are mine and no one will make them exactly like I did. So the marks they make are unique.  Here are 4 cards from one of my "Roladex Art Book" Series. I was thinking of entering a juried exhibit for paper artists but missed the deadline. (too much going on in my life right now)
That got me thinking. One of the reason I hate entering juried exhibits are all the requirements for submitting an artist statement. So, I decided to generate one from Chat GPT instead. I think it did a pretty good job. What do you think? (No one reads it anyway!) ***** "As a mixed media artist, I am fascinated by the process of transforming disparate materials into cohesive and captivating works of art. My work is a testament to the power of experimentation, as I constantly seek out new techniques and mediums to incorporate into my pieces. For me, the act of creation is a deeply personal and cathartic experience. Each piece I create is a reflection of my own inner world, a tangible representation of the emotions and ideas that swirl within me. Through my art, I strive to connect with viewers on a visceral level, sparking an emotional response that transcends language and culture. My artistic style is heavily influenced by the natural world, and I draw inspiration from the colors, textures, and patterns found in the environment around me. I am particularly drawn to the rugged beauty of the American West, and many of my pieces incorporate elements of the landscape and wildlife that inhabit this region. In my mixed media work, I aim to create a sense of depth and complexity, incorporating layers of texture, color, and meaning into each piece. By combining materials like fabric, paper, and found objects, I create a rich tapestry of visual and tactile experiences that invite viewers to explore and engage with my art on multiple levels. Ultimately, my goal as an artist is to create work that resonates with viewers, evoking a sense of wonder, joy, and introspection. Whether through bold, colorful abstracts or intricately detailed collages, I strive to create art that speaks to the heart and soul of those who experience it." ****  This year, I participated in an ephemera challenge, hosted by The Book Arts League in Lafayette, CO. I received my package of art from 30 different artists and had a great time looking through everyone's contributions.
There were several small "booklets" included this year so I decided to start making my own booklets for next year's challenge. I started out with some blank playing cards that I had in my stash. I attached them together with some paper tape into an 8 page accordion book. I scribbled black lines all over the surface and then, added 4 different acrylic paints with a small piece of credit card. I stenciled some black dots using sequin waste and stamped some small circles using a cardboard tube. On the back, I stenciled the word "Art Book" and then cut some black paper and wrote "art book" with a gold pen for the belly band that held the book together. I really like how this turned out and the process was fun. Good thing since I needed to make 30 of them for my contribution for 2024! As you probably know, I like making things in series so this was satisfying. Working out all the details is challenging but once done, making more of them is mindless! |