Into The Pink

The color pink is named after the flowers called pinks, flowering plants in the genus Dianthus. The name derives from the frilled edge of the flowers—the verb “to pink” dates from the 14th century and means “to decorate with a perforated or punched pattern” (possibly from German “pinken” = to peck).^[10] As noted and referenced above, the word “pink” was first used as a noun to refer to the color we know today as pink in the late 17th century. The verb sense of the word “pink” continues to be used today in the name of the hand tool known as pinking shears.

- Wikipedia

Pink is probably one of my least favorite colors. I’m not big on wearing it or decorating with it.  I thought that I might even be inspired to come up with anything for the Summer Of Color’s pink week until I came upon one of the first pieces of art I made. I decided to revisit this particular piece to see if I might be able to change it up a bit. Recycling is smart and I saved money on supplies which is especially important since I’m not working at the moment.

Before:

After:

I came back much later to try to complete this week’s bonus challenge to incorporate wax into my project. I used a crayon to add a touch of pink texture to the “border” and I brushed melted wax from a candle onto the edge of the petals of the rose in the upper left.

I can’t wait to get started on next week’s color, which is… Yellow! Bonus challenge: Metallics.

Learn more about the Summer Of Color here: http://twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.com/

Summer of Color Continues… Green

I combed through hundreds of images looking for inspiration for this weeks assignment. A friend pointed out that I live in one of the greenest places she’s ever seen and I realized she’s right. And a very rainy spring has – if it’s even possible – made things greener than ever. Though I didn’t look for local inspiration I did relax a little. Sometimes I’m known to make mountains out of mole hills.

The creativity that is coming from those participating in the Summer of Color has been amazing. There are 55 members of the Facebook group. Whether by intent or not, all are women from around the world. You can check out the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1296773868#!/home.php?sk=group_116928415059733&ap=1

If you’d like more information on the project visit Kristin’s blog: http://twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.com/

Green

The Summer of Color

My first exhibit debuts this Friday and I am already embarking on a new project. Several artists are participating in the Summer of Color, an 8-week color themed adventure. Each week brings a new color and artists will create a piece of art based upon that color. We will share our work with the group via blog links and the Facebook group that was created for the project.

The first assignment is the color blue. I chose to work with one of the last photographs of Marilyn Monroe. Taken two months before her death from an overdose, Marilyn was filiming her first nude scene. She was fired from the set and the movie was scrapped but the photo remains.

Want to join in one the Summer of Color? Find the info on Kristen’s blog: http://twinkletwinklelikeastar.blogspot.com/

An Artist By Chance

When I was laid off as the recession set in I never dreamed I’d still be looking for work over a year and a half later. I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs and have gotten considerably less picky as time goes on. And while I’ve had a couple of temporary opportunities come my way there is still no sign of anything resembling permanence. But there is a bright side to my story.

The worst winter of my lifetime began in early December of 2009 and I could have easily gone over the edge had I not remembered the stacks of old magazines in the basement. I pulled them out of storage and began leafing through them one by one. The images of the Vietnam War, the counter-culture, the assassinations of two leaders, the political climate, the fashion and entertainment of the times spilled out of the pages of these old Life magazines and I was overwhelmed with memories and inspired to make something of these old treasures.

I’ve created over 30 works of art since then and am now looking forward to my first showing later this month. Who knows if I would ever have become an artist if I hadn’t been laid off? It’s hard to say, but looking back if someone had told me I was going to have work in an art gallery I’d have thought they were short a few bricks.

It’s a strange position for me to find myself in. What I do for a living is no longer as important as it once seemed and I would be happy to find anything that will pay the bills and fund my art business. Unwelcome change can open new doors. Look carefully for the signs and when life hands you lemons, just make lemonade. Then market it.

I’d like to thank a few people who have been along for the ride. To Cat Rocketship and Monika Agic, thank you for taking me under your wings and giving me a little push. Your Art Sucks rocked, Cat. And Market Day has become a huge success, thanks to you. Monika, managing Art By Magic Studio Gallery in its infancy was been an honor. And you have no idea how awesome it was for you to set up a work table for me to work on my own art while at the gallery. That’s some support there. To Jon Watson, my Facebook friend from Texas, thanks for being my first customer. To Joe Domeier, thank you for hanging in there at the Art Store. The tough economy has been hell for the business and my thoughts are with you. To Erin Bollman, thanks for being the first to invite me into your space and for the wonderful acts of charity that come out of Finder’s Creepers. To Rex Ray, thanks for liking my Facebook page.

And thank you – my friends and family, just because.