ArtSnark's Artifacts

1/12/11

Wordless Wednesday - Flutterby

Flutterby - 2008

1/11/11

Damn fine cup of coffee

Always 7 subways behind, I've only just discovered the fabulous "love letter to alternative culture" that is Coilhouse. Anyone who features Japanese Twin Peaks inspired coffee ads is alright in my book.

This is a 4 part commercial series - worth a few minutes & a few chuckles. Found yesterday over at http://coilhouse.net/. Great site! Grab a cuppa and go check it out.

1/6/11

Self Portrait


Passing Storm self portrait - altered photo

"Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm, and enthusiasm  can only be aroused by two things: first, an ideal, with takes the  imagination by storm, and second, a definite intelligible plan for  carrying that ideal into practice." - Arnold J Toynbee

"We have to get used to the idea that our next idea is far more powerful than the idea we had last." - Everette Bogue, Far Beyond The Stars 

12/31/10

My new friend Monsieur Lapinou

L'histoire de Monsieur Lapinou from svitrolica.etsy.com

M. Lapinou has a bit of a muddle. His text translates to "Mister Bunny found it very difficult to ride his bicycle, for his legs were quite short."

Looking back on 2010 I've felt a bit like this poor fellow more than I'd like to admit. The ideas are in place, the desire is strong, the path is clear, the tools are ready but....something is missing.

Last Dec 31st I thought my missing link was Time. This is true up to a point. But even when I had a free moment, I rarely got moving. Why? For a few reasons:

An impossibly messy studio - Even when I'm not wasting time trying to find specific supplies the disorder weighs on me. This year I've had several false starts at cleaning up. Then just as I am getting somewhere, life kicks in and I have to stop before making any permanent progress.

Since the space can't get any larger, the stash needs to get smaller. This is my new plan to control the clutter in 2011.

Exhaustion - Most days I looked forward to late evening for tackling my projects. Many days, I didn't make it that far. I just don't have the energy I used to. Some of it is age, but most is minor health problems I created by treating my body like crap.

I hope that by continuing some dr. recommended changes, plus eating better & getting more sleep (maybe, just maybe) I can get this old horse running again.

Constant Interruptions - originally not on this list. But having to stop & restart this post six times I realize that it should be. Not sure how to tackle this one yet....

Sorry about all the whinging - warning a bit more ahead... 2010 has been the year of missed opportunities. I let too many things slide that that really mattered to me & for months I have been really disappointed with myself. I kept thinking if only I had more time.....

Now I see that it wouldn't have mattered. I truly need to restructure my life. I think that means a few months of tear down (in so many ways) before rebuilding. Hopefully new opportunities will arise this year. And hopefully this time I will be ready for them.

Now back to Monsieur Lapinou.....what should this poor fellow do?

Should he be content to with his lot? Enjoy the view? Ask for a push? Sell the bike & buy some skates? Donate it to a long legged friend? Build some stilts and try to reach the pedals?

If you were this little fellow's friend what would you suggest? If you'd like to tell him yourself, you can find him over at Svitrolica.etsy.com.

By the way, Best Wishes to all for a Happy New Year!

12/30/10

Winner of 100 pc art supply set is...

Lauren from Shooting Stars Mag

Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who entered this fun giveaway! Pop back in January 2011 for a new random drawing.

Life has been keeping me busy this week. Enjoying some time with family and putting the final touches on a few pieces. Also prepping for our Jan 1 party so lots of cooking and cleaning tomorrow. In case I don't make it back here before 2010 fades away, let me wish you a very Happy New Year!

12/26/10

Studio Tour # 31 - Meredith Dada (also Part 3 of her interview)

Love Doves beaded cake topper & jeweled nest by Meredith Dada

Got your traveling shoes on? Today we are off to California for a visit with the artist behind MeredithDada.Etsy.com. (Most photos are courtesy of Meredith Dada, except her Etsy picks which belong to those artists)

My husband makes beer...we needed a bar to serve it on tap. Hey lets make one!

Did you catch Friday's interview with Meredith? If not, check it out by clicking here. My time machine is on the fritz (I think I burned out the thingamajig chasing Christmas Ghosts - fast little buggers) So if you want to go back to the first installment of this 3 part feature, a clickety here will take you to the Dec. 16th thought provoking post "Do The Work ....Stay out of the results."

Meredith, thanks for inviting us into your creative space today. During our chat last Friday you mentioned your the transition you made from mosaic tile work to bead mosaics. Do you have any images of your tile art that you would like to share?

MD: This table was my first serious mosaic project. I made the decision to start making work that may or may not sell anywhere. I made the leap!

MD: Here is my first mosaic table. When it sold I immediately started working on another.

What are your 3 favorite etsy shops?

Virgen de Guadalupe Nicho (Pendant) from PuebloFolkArt.Etsy.com

MD: PuebloFolkArt.Etsy.com - Larena makes beautiful and unique jewelry that I just love. I am hoping someone buys it for me soon!

Altitude Fine Art Nature Photo from Bomobob.Etsy.com

Bomobob.Etsy.com - I fell in love with Bob’s photography at first sight. I hope to have a whole collection on display in my bedroom, but right now I just have one beautiful photo.

French Beaded Hyancith Flower Plant from BuddingCreations.Etsy.com

BuddingCreations.Etsy.com - I love Danielle’s work. She makes the French beaded flowers just like my Grandmother made. She also just started a team on Etsy for bead and wire artists (BAWA) that I am a proud member of!

What are your 3 favorite websites?

MD: http://www.marthastewart.com/ - I look at Martha Stewart’s website almost daily because I secretly want to be like her!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ - I always see something interesting on apartment therapy.

http://www.anthropologie.com/ - I can’t afford it, but it is fun to look at!

MD: By the way, this is what you have to put up with when you live with a creative person... broken tile in the dining room and no place to eat.

What do you like to do when you are not creating?

MD: Having a two year old keeps me pretty darn busy. We take trips to the park, and we try to take daily nature walks…the important things! Mostly we play, play, and play some more. With the little free time I have, I do yoga or I read, nothing terribly exciting.

MD: This photo shows the influence of my creative genes.... why buy candles when you can make them in your kitchen? I did decide to teach myself to cook this year. It became glaringly obvious when I got married, that I never really learned to cook. I made it by on simple, quick, and easy dishes when I had a full time day job. The last thing I wanted to do after a long workday, was cook a big meal! Now that I don’t work, I started watching the food network religiously, reading magazines, and cookbooks. It was my 2010 New Years resolution to cook, cook, cook!

I started a food blog: http://www.dadadelicious.blogspot.com/ mostly to force myself to stick to my resolution and also to have a record of my more successful recipes. The year is almost over and I am still cooking!

Is there anything else you would like to share?

This nook in the garage is my studio space

MD: As you saw in the previous post about me, I shared a conversation I had with an artist friend of mine named David. His words struck a cord in many fellow Etsy sellers, and it helped me gain some perspective during the holiday madness. I was hoping to share a bit of advice from a different source with you today. This was a conversation I had a few months ago with my 93 year old Grandpa. I have shared it with a few Etsy sellers and it seemed to strike a similar cord.

My Grandpa is still painting daily and even had an art show for his 93rd birthday a few months ago. Recently surrounded by my family full of artists I asked them all for the best advice they could offer right now when so many artists and crafters are struggling during these economic times. Everyone looked to Grandpa for the answer. This is what Grandpa Otis had to say:

"Darling, just because you make something don’t mean anyone is gonna buy it...but you make it anyway because you love it, or what the heck is the point? If you can say that you are proud of what you did at the end of the day, well then you are do'n alright, and if you gotta fix toilets to pay the bills (he was a plumber) and do what you love when you can...then fix the damn toilets!"

He made me re-think my definition of success, because to me, he is the most successful person I know.

After that conversation I posted this question on my studio wall:

“At the end of the day, are you proud?”

I try for a “yes” everyday!

Magenta Moment hand beaded dish from MeredithDada.etsy.com

Meredith, your grandfather is a wise man. Thanks for the fantastic tour, eye candy and food for thought today.

And thanks to those of you who traveled with me to this creative space. Want to see more of Meredith's work and world? Here are a few links:

art blog http://meredithdada.blogspot.com

cooking blog http://www.dadadelicious.blogspot.com/

twitter http://twitter.com/meredithdada

online shop http://meredithdada.etsy.com

Want more studio tours and interviews? Then be sure to leave a comment. The featured artists and I love the feedback. Also, if you leave your comment before 12/30 you will be entered in the random drawing for a 100 piece art set from Creatology. Click here for more info on the random drawing, including photo of prize.