Art=Story=Life

photo friday 5-16

2011-06-16T23:32:00.000-04:00

new garden in the mystic land of peacocks

2011-06-16T11:38:00.000-04:00

In the neighborhood I grew up in there was an old, abandoned lot. Peacocks roamed there. Sometimes I'd walk over and try to peer inside. It was wonderful fuel for a child's imagination.

Now that land is being transformed into a community garden, and they could use some support. Here's the info.

Coming soon to Downtown Orlando...

The Coytown Community Garden

This summer, Orlando’s newest and biggest community garden will be opening its gates to local residents. In partnership with Simple Living Institute and the City of Orlando, neighborhood residents are coordinating efforts to establish a (new) green space.

The Coytown Community Garden will serve as a place for families and individuals to gather, learn and grow, by participating in sustainable, local food production. The garden site is located on former Navy Base property that is being converted into the new Orlando Mountain Bike Park. The transformation of this land is being facilitated entirely by volunteers, grants and donations.

We are currently seeking the help of the local community in acquiring the funds, materials and tools needed to complete the garden startup project. With your help, our 50+ gardeners and volunteers can break ground on Orlando’s biggest community garden.

We are asking local residents and businesses to support our efforts by making a donation to this garden startup project by visiting our website: www.coytowngarden.com

We would also be happy to also accept a donation of materials or tools (new or recycled) for the garden. We are in need of...

Lumber
Screws and various hardware
PVC pipe, fittings, and glue
Hoses, hose racks, nozzles, and spigots
Gardening tools (shovels, rakes, trowels, pitchforks, hand pruners, wheelbarrow)
Padlock and keys
Paint

If you wish to donate materials, or pay by a method other than Paypal, please email: Coytown@me.com"

beautiful line - spoiler enhanced!

2011-05-07T14:03:00.000-04:00

(If you're wanting to avoid story spoilers for the Portal 2 video game, you'll want to avoid this entry. Otherwise read on.)

The Portal series is far from the first (in games, in sci-fi, in pop culture or story) to deal with existence and humanity through the a.i. lens. Such elements are natural to the game's story and to the genre. It's a great spring board for thought. It's also a fun game.

I spent an evening last month channeling some such moodier thoughts and working with ink.

Some things I was pondering at the time;

How might one adapt to chosen or forced isolation?

Without opportunity to practice constructive socialization, how might an individual's personality manifest?

And so forth.

Enough chatter, here's the piece.

art censorship issue

2011-03-28T22:04:00.000-04:00

This story over at

http://eyeteeth.blogspot.com/

really grabbed me.

repair day

2011-03-13T22:12:00.000-04:00

The picture says it all. Oh, and I like cats.

some new stuff

2011-03-03T16:49:00.001-05:00

The first one was a gift.

inspiration on Cezanne's day

2011-01-19T11:58:00.001-05:00

new art at the Downtown Orlando Library

2011-01-04T22:55:00.001-05:00

Museum of Modern Art photo friday

2010-08-27T10:09:00.000-04:00

Here's what inspired me; three artists that impacted me at pivotal times in my life + studies.

Very happy to see Brancusi on my MOMA visit.

interesting mirror frames on Frida

(It's a travesty I still haven't seen the movie they did about her.)

Fur Cup! Possibly what sparked my interest in Art History in my tween years

As you can see, museums are much more

than a fun diversion for me.

For me, seeing some of this stuff might be

similar to when people meet celebrities.

I was very happy.

sneak peek before the show

2010-08-24T10:54:00.002-04:00

This will be in the 1st Thursday show @ OMA along with the two other totes.

I painted it.

I was sitting outside the very trendy Stardust in Orlando, when I first doodled this.

The totes are made of recycled canvas. I can make more of these. It was fun! I might make myself one at some point.

belated update -- a rare wednesday treat

2010-08-11T22:07:00.000-04:00

Some out-the-hotel-window photography

in New York City

became the story of the man in blu on the roof.

(blu man, we are not so different)

Fin.

I will certainly have some (still-to-be-determined) content (photos ?) friday.

Have a great day!

must-have-monday no. 2

2010-08-09T05:33:00.001-04:00

Fantastic! Easy Must-Have-Monday today!

I saw it. I wanted it. The very essence of Must-Have. What more is there?

Check out the designer, Michiel Schuuran’s website for more.

photo friday no. 3

2010-08-06T12:31:00.001-04:00

Today I am sharing a little still life photo I took some time ago.

I like the combination of elements, shapes created by the negative space, etc.

photo friday no. 2

2010-07-30T17:10:00.001-04:00

I'm in a silly mood. Inspiration can be funny too. Llama llama!

find something to motivate you

2010-07-27T17:21:00.001-04:00

This is a space for inspiration.

The original idea today was to talk about my efforts on Etsy and my thoughts on starting out + forming a cohesive line.

But really my designs are about botanicals. And a large part of my inspiration comes from nature.

Art and originality are synonymous for many people.

Even without reviewing Dutch vanitas, impressionist paintings, or the works of Georgia O’Keefe it isn’t much of a surprise: Nature (in my opinion), is the original muse!

For a time I was a bit of a closet horticultural nerd. After all, who isn't inspired by nature? Where’s the originality in that?

Still, I can't help it. I love, love, love plants! I adore the studied illustrations from the 18th + 19th centuries. I marvel at all manner textiles from the grandiose woven tapestries in the Musee du Louvre to the mod prints at Marimekko -- and objects d'arte or even the simple vintage tea cup; so many of these infused with the beauty of nature!

Anything can motivate.
I happen to turn to botanicals.

Here’s what I’ve done with my inspiration on a small scale.

You can find something to motivate you too.

And don’t over think it like I do, just enjoy it!

photo friday

2010-07-23T10:49:00.000-04:00

Ice burgs on Lake Michigan February 2010

It's such a hot hot summer everywhere, I thought we could use some cool.

I hope this inspires + refreshes you.

sneak peak at the next project

2010-07-22T18:42:00.001-04:00

Photo: Art+Science BFF for upcoming project

another 'doodle,' O Pop part of art-education event

In last night's post I displayed one of my 'doodles' and stated I would be recreating it soon.

I failed to display the other two images. The three will be re-created as original pieces each on a tote bag I will be donating --for an event promoting art in Orlando-area elementary schools.

The event is UCF Art Alumni Society's art supply drive: Knightro's Creative Kits

I can't seem to get away from these art-supply drives. I was involved in Seed's this past spring. It's safe to say; art education is a big deal for me.

I believe art is a positive force to be reckoned with: it changes the world and shapes minds.

But I am still curious as to people's feelings on art stylization. (See my last post.) I have my own methods but I do want to know what people walk away with when they see certain things.

doodle day - inspiration and curiosities

2010-07-21T22:39:00.001-04:00

This sketch was inspired wandering around Fresno CA this past spring. It is a simple study, but I've been given a chance to recreate it for an upcoming project. It has me thinking. . .

. . .what is more dynamic to viewers; the glossy/graphic design style (lots more @ deviantart.com)?

Or the sketchy style of a study?

Or maybe something else, equally compelling?

(Of course this is highly subjective, but I always love to hear how people feel about art!)

I see purpose & value in both, but I wonder how other people feel about these styles? And most importantly why it has a specific resonance.

That's my doodle for the day!

happy father's day

2010-06-20T15:29:00.001-04:00

Here's the card I made for my dad this year.

It was a fun, fluid piece to make.

I love when the medium tells me what to do. In this case, it pushed me past making an 'Hallmark'-esk card which was my springboard at first (and I don't think I would have been as happy with).

I also like that my surroundings seep into what I make without my prior consent. (I was listening to synth-pop, can you tell?)

Have a good Father's Day all you online fathers!

Don't forget to visit my dad over at http://joekorte.blogspot.com/

misc.

2010-06-15T11:41:00.001-04:00

I've been playing with the layout here. I love the new options!
Down to business.

Duncan has a heart murmur. ~~I am~~ was a bit anxious today. (I did some research on echocardiography, so now I know what to expect). I will be taking him in to see a cardiologist. He has no idea. He won't be very happy.

What no art update? Well nothing to show ahora, right NOW . . . but I am working on it. That and a personal project for a friend. Hang in there, I will try to make it worth your while!

Lastly, I know you are out there, my few readers. And it thrills me! I started doing this blog with an uncertainty that it might ever be stumbled upon in the inter-void. I think it is natural when starting something new to occasionally be a bit discouraged (as was the case for me: "ho-hum, no one wants to read that anyway. . ." etc).
It is so pointless to get discouraged! Humanity would never have gotten out of bed in the first place if we balked at every discouragement.

Losing confidence seems like losing your keys; you need to retrace your steps and find where you last felt confident and inspired. I urge you to fight your own self-doubts; you have everything to gain!

Thank you readers, for visiting my little blog -- I hope you have a fantastic day!

= Duncan! Wish him luck!!

eats + Green Gables inspiration

2010-05-28T15:37:00.002-04:00

Recently a friend hosted an Anne of Green Gables party. Inspired by the era and the youthfulness of the novel's main character I dressed accordingly.

Confession: in my twenty-seven years I have been avoiding the consumption of raspberries. (The thinking being that I am disappointed when I bite into chocolate-anything and find raspberry flavors instead. So why would I want to eat that on it's own?) The featured beverage this night was raspberry cordial. I politely drank three goblets full. New fave drink!

The party hostess could be a professional chief in her own right if she so desired. The combination of her culinary mastery and the flavor of home made rosemary bread inspired this kitchen-shyster to enter her own and create

the rosemary infused hybrid soufflé-quiche. Fantastique!

Refresh

2010-04-22T17:19:00.002-04:00

I have repeatedly attempted blogging over the last several years. Each time I quickly run out of steam. This is my re-attempt.

Photo taken on a day of exploration in Fresno, CA

(I wish I knew what wild blossom this is.)

Momiji Art Doll Contest

2009-10-30T23:45:00.004-04:00

I’m happy to share the project I’ve been working on for awhile now: Little Sister!

I got very excited about Artforum’s “Momiji Couture Competition,” -- I love Momiji!

—so I got to work on a design right away. I knew I couldn’t get attached to whatever the resulting piece became because she had a mission: win the competition.

Knowing I had to send her away soon I decided we could go out and play for a little bit first – a perfect way to make a nice memory and say goodbye.

I had found her a perfect sized box, but even though I’d prepared to send her off. I had imagined her travels and the joy of opening the box to see her for the 1st time. . . even though I comforted myself thinking of how she would surely win and I’d see her again (in a gallery) I couldn’t let her go. I had been so excited about the competition that I believed the disappointment of not “going for it” would out-weigh the sentimentality I might feel and that sentimentality would be all I felt.

Looking back I can now say it's not so! Little Sister is the potential -- a beginning of new art for me. Of course she had to stay! Still, I’m happy Momiji started the competition and that I used that surge of energy to create something exciting.

Can’t wait to see what comes next!
(Techniques I used include plant dyes, machine and hand embroidery.)

Plant-based dye

2009-10-06T14:11:00.022-04:00

So my current plant-based dye experiments are done for now. My aim was the elusive color blue on a non-woolly fiber. I knew going in this was an uphill battle (as my resources are very limited) so I was mostly looking to experiment and find alternatives. I might have gone far from the blue, but I gained some valuable info on processes! I'll show you.
The 1st test strip happened using the remaining water after boiling red cabbage. I had to boil the fabric in a moderant (in this case a vinegar solution) first so the color would fix better. The fabric is still a little damp here. The true colors are not quite as bold as this.

My second tester. This time I used blueberries. Definitely not blue! For berries the moderant solution is salt. This image shows the true color well.

So I was pretty unimpressed with the hues from my blueberry dye. While lovely pinks and lavenders I was looking for something deeper. So I mixed some of my remaining cabbage dye in with the blueberry dye. I am very novice at all of this, so I'm not sure if mixing dye baths and moderant baths "works," but I tried it anyway.

I still was off though. Simmering the fabrics in the dye baths for hours or letting them sit in it all day still wasn't saturating the way I hoped. I had been trying to achieve a nice gradient on the final fabric pieces, and in doing this I was leaving parts of the fabric to hang on the dry sides of the pot. Funny thing; the places I wanted to have the palest hues where getting some rich and interesting coloration and patterns. So I rigged up a new system with the cookie sheet. It's sitting on two burners both on medium setting. The knife under the glass lid to let steam escape (don't need to explode anymore glassware). The dry areas are where the dye would burn into the fabric.
Using this technique I got
fairly nice saturation and had so much fun with my discovery that I could
over look the lack of blue results. Besides, the medium dictates where the final piece is supposed to go regardless of my preconceived ideas.

Below are the two dried fabric pieces. They look very similar for the most part, but the "burned" experiment one (bottom-most on the right) is a bit brighter than pictured. It's fibers also feel very crispy.

I am doing all this for a project so I'm not intending the pieces should ever be washed. Through this process however, I've learned that washing these is out of the question: the color will fade.

Other disclamier stuff: the fabric "burning" is something that requires constant adult supervision and even then it's tricky. Be really careful with this if you try it; I don't want to hear someone burnt down their house or something. Also I was only using materials and solutions that are food safe. Most sources recommend separte containers for dye processing. This is espesally important if you use a synthetic or metal-based soultion.

Experimentation

2009-09-24T13:31:00.006-04:00

I've spent the last year slowly researching plant dye stuffs in my free time. Most of the info I've found is about how to dye wool. It's the easiest fiber to dye. There are farms in state that raise sheep, but I'm interested in cotton. That's what I mostly wear. Well yesterday I started testing! I bought some red cabbage, chopped and boiled it. It turned the water a beautiful blue! The pink came about by adding a little vinegar. I found the ratios at and lots more info over at PioneerThinking if anyone wants to try it out. I'll post my results when it's done.

Get Started

2009-09-24T11:48:00.007-04:00

So I had been a preschool teacher and I liked that okay for a time. But I started to get restless and making art in the fringes of my life wasn’t enough anymore. . . I’ve been waiting to get started for a long time. But my interests are so varied that I have to be kind of general whenever I try to describe myself as an artist. Best I can come up with is the aspiring and “up-and-coming” type of adjectives. That and Environmental Artist. (But of course that’s just one facet and not the whole. x_x) Anyway. Enough about that. Here’s some stuff.
I made this card a few weeks ago with a Grandmother in mind. It's just simple cut work with a razor. I liked building the bridges. Paper is super fun.