Tuesday, July 17, 2012

....................



green horn, painting - june, 2012


The above painting was created as part of a larger project called Mating Shadows, to be shown at Burning Man "Fertility 2.0" next month. I really enjoyed my little part in this project. I got to do 2 things that I already like - choose a song from a list, build a short playlist around it and then create a 2-d piece of art to convey the mood of the playlist. Another thing I love, playing with shadows, is part of the large project where this painting and many other 2-d pieces will be displayed. Unfortunately, without a ticket I likely won't make it to Burning Man this year, but I am glad something that I made will be there. The art is what really drew me into Burning Man and while I've contributed in other ways in the past, the artistic opportunities at a place like Burning Man are like no others and so I'm really grateful for people that create opportunities for art!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

bird & sun lino print

bird lino print I started a few weeks ago and finished up this week. I still need to get a hang of the ink application and paper, but I still like some of the results

Thursday, July 12, 2012

10 on 10, july 2012



 I've been taking pictures of the LA River regularly for a couple of years now, often the same one as above. It's interesting to watch how the scene changes when viewed at the same time of day throughout seasons, how it changes as the light changes in a day and with the weather. Earlier this year I watched a killdeer family raise a nest of babies along the river.



oddly empty planters




yup. 




I unfortunately didn't have my magnifying glass to take better pictures of this weird insect-type thing stuck to the tree....


that's what it felt like at noon





......still at my desk

plants!




more plants! sadly, this plant is no more. It was ripped up either yesterday or today as part of a lot being cleared for more car dealerships. I find there to be something funny/weird with how many car dealerships I often walk past.....




some awesome new street art that appeared on a power-tower thing


awww. little rattie tail.



10 on 10

Sunday, July 8, 2012

election propaganda part 3



Here's the Truth.
more election propaganda (#4) collage from June 5, 2012 election in Los Angeles

 Murder problem solver, Jobs of Tomorrow
election propaganda (#5) collage from June 5, 2012 election; arm moves

Monday, July 2, 2012

the satisfaction of handmade

This morning I got dressed for work in a normal manner, but it was exciting to me.  This morning I took a handmade (made by my hands) dress out on it's maiden voyage outside of my home. The first time out the door wearing an item is always a difficult day. I'm always afraid I missed something in assembling the item or didn't make a seam strong enough and it's only a matter of one wrong step and I'm standing half naked on the street without a backup clothing plan. As the day goes on and I haven't noticed any holes or other problems, I feel a bit better. It helps to reassure me if I washed the item beforehand in the assembled state to make sure the seams are at least strong enough to handle the washer. A pass through the dryer and I can feel even more secure. But any of that anxiety is worthwhile because there's nothing like wearing a handmade outside of your home for the first time.

----------------------------------------------------------

At this point, I've never purchased a pattern of any sort for a piece of clothing I've sewn-  I either use info online, from library books or take guidance from existing clothing that I own and put together my own patterns. This has it's risks, but it's also just more of how I do things in many aspects of life, so I think I have an implied level of confidence in my work, even if I don't express it at the time. It can be a little rough (especially as I've learned the importance of cutting pieces nicely before you sew them together), but I do it because there is nothing for me like the feeling that comes from getting over those challenges and making something with my hands and brain.

----------------------------------------------------------

I learn many things in the process of pulling together the materials, planning things out in my head and on paper when needed  & assembling components. Other learning comes from the use of the items later on. I love learning and I love directing my own learning (sorry school - you have your time & place, but now's not the time for me!) I love using the things I learn in one realm in others. I love how making things with my hands makes me look at the world and observe things and how I better understand why things are they way they are and when there is no need to stick to the status quo. I love knowing that I have the ability to make the tweaks and adjustments necessary to get what I intended out of my project or for the next time around. I feel excited, intrigued, mentally stimulated, practical, powerful, resourceful, unique, more accurately myself, healthy and cheap (in a good way!) I love that I'm wearing an item with no labels sewn into the seams, printed, embroidered or beadazzled across the chest, patched over or removed. I get the same feelings making a meal, knitting a hat or blanket and the somewhat less pratical art projects. To me, it's just an awesome feeling to enable yourself and create. That's why I keep on doing it.

----------------------------------------------------------

...so sometimes, that's what's behind a new black cotton dress with purple polka dots on a Monday morning.