Final Project for Collage Class

I forgot to post my final art project for this semester.  I'm taking a bit of a break for the holidays and then I will start a residency at a new school in Roseville.  Probably won't have much time for my own art for awhile though I'm looking forward to teaching again.  It can be time consuming and a bit  frustrating but I love working with the kids.  They get so excited when they get to create. 

The American River Student Art Show at the Crocker Museum

I've been busy finishing projects for school and getting ready for the holidays so I'm a bit behind on posting.  Had a great time at the Crocker Art Museum a little over a week ago when I went for the student art show reception.  I was pretty excited that the Norman Rockwell Exhibit was still there.  Rockwell has been a favorite of mine since I was in grade school.  It was amazing to see his body of work.  They had all of his magazine covers on display as well as many of his original paintings.  I didn't realize that his paintings were so big.  It was also interesting to learn more about his process.

Me with my piece "Synergy"

Having a little fun at the Rockwell Exhibition

We're finishing up in my collage class but I still need to do one more collage for my final next Tuesday.  It's been a busy couple of months trying to fit in class work with everything else in my schedule but it's been worth it.  I am a deadline oriented  artist and having assignments that are due at a specific time helps me get things done instead of being something I will do "someday".   Here is an example of one of those projects.  It's been talked about, moved around, assembled and disassembled countless times but it is finally glued together and ready for finishing details .......because it was due today.  I stayed up too late and I'm tired now but after years of talking about it I'll soon be able to call it done!  I need to work out how to hang it (it's very heavy) and I'm still messing with the wires but otherwise I'm happy with the way it came out.  

The name of the piece is "Disconnect" I mentioned in a previous post that it is a commentary on my love/hate relationship with technology and our society's growing disconnect between the real people and things in our lives and our virtual experiences.  The inspiration for this came after a discussion with one of my sons whose life sometimes revolves around computers more than people.

I've always wanted to be an artist when I grow up and now I'm old enough I can't keep thinking of it in future tense. I finally feel like I'm getting the "art" part down but I still struggle with the business end. I've been playing with my website and have made some changes that I think are for the better. Let me know what you think if you get a chance to take a look.  I hate shameless self promotion but I'm learning that it's part of the dance.
http://www.kimgrace.net/index.html

Just finished a new project, a mixed media digital collage "landscape".   If you want to check it out it will be on display at the High Hand Gallery in Loomis, California

I had three collages accepted into the American River Collage Crocker Art Museum Student Show!

Finished a few more collages for the Auburn Art Walk. They are currently on display at the Little Belgium Deli in Auburn. 

Taking a break from teaching due to a dearth of teaching opportunities.  I'm trying to put a positive spin on it by using the time to make my own art.  I'm taking a collage class to keep me motivated.  Nothing like a project deadline to create incentive.  I also have some submission deadlines coming up for some opportunities to show my work.  Here are some pieces I'm working on.

I had a great time this evening at the KVIE Art Auction Preview Gala.  I really enjoyed all the fabulous art and meeting some of the artists.  My piece for the online auction can be found by clicking here:  KVIE Online Auction

Cleaning up the art room.....again. I wish being an artist and being organized went together better

Bracelets

Jewelry

I've been so busy with student work and art for the gallery shows that I haven't posted any jewelry.  Here are some examples of my recent work. 

My jewelry is made from a variety of materials.  I have collected a diverse assortment of new and recycled materials that serve as inspiration for my jewelry as well as my other artwork.  I often combine hardware, cds and computer parts with deconstructed necklaces and belts.  Look closely, can you tell if the element came from the jewelry store, a thrift shop or the garage?  If it looks good and feels good I use it.  

  

Necklaces

 

 

 

 

 

  

Deadlines......

The High Hand Gallery Artstock show is up and running and I have art on the wall. For awhile I really wasn't sure if I would finish in time.   I'm happy I finished but now that it's up where I can see it better I can tell which pieces I attached around 4:00 am. I don't know if anyone else notices but it bugs me. That's the problem with waiting until the last minute - there isn't any room for error.



In addition to the Artstock show I still needed to finish some new artwork to put in the gallery for this month's rehang. I finally finished two new pieces this morning at 4:00 and got them to the gallery on time. Whew, now I need to keep the up momentum and finish some more so I don't end up doing the same thing next time a deadline comes around. I'm taking a collage class at American River Collage so that should keep me motivated... especially when projects are due.   Here are my latest pieces.

Mixed media collage "Urban Jungle" series

Untitled mixed media collage

My Artwork for Artstock

Finally finished my art work for Artstock.  First time I've tried working large format.  It was a challenge after focusing on jewelry for so long.  Here is the final version on my kitchen floor after I finished it at 5:00 this morning.  I really need to stop working so close to my deadlines.

Each piece is 21"x49".  Almost all the elements are things I found and repurposed.  The images are from my Urban Jungle series.

Artstock Flyer

It's almost time for Artstock. Mark your calenders!

I always seem to flirt with deadlines but I think I might be cutting this one too close. I really need to get some art pieces done! I hope inspiration spanks me today.

Exchange student coming.....

We have a Japanese exchange student coming tomorrow. Because I want him to have a "real" American experience, I'm going to run around like a crazy person today cleaning, organizing and hiding things so he gets a "proper" impression of the American culture. My house can look quite "proper"....a few times a year.....when I know quests are coming......and I have time to hide the extra stuff in my bedroom, the garage, and my art room. It won't be easy to keep up for a week and a half but I'll do my best to represent. I'm thinking it's a bit like when I make my boys wear clothes they would never pick out themselves for family portraits, because I like the illusion.

KVIE Art Auction

I'm excited that my mixed media artwork "Serenity" was accepted into the KVIE Art Auction.  I had mixed feelings on whether or not to donate it because it is one of my favorites.  In the end I figured if I wanted to get a piece in and represent myself well I should go with something I liked most.  At least the woman at KVIE who accepted it told me it was the best she'd seen so far.......to bad she was the receptionist and not one of the jurors. (I'm still waiting to see if it will be part of the online auction or included with the art auctioned on the air)

"Serenity"  (mixed media: foil, acrylic medium, plexi, watercolor)

 

Art Fest 2012

This weekend was Art Fest at the High Hand Gallery.  Lots of artists demonstrating what they do best.  I demoed mixed media jewelry on Saturday.  It was a fun day in the fruit shed.

Final Student Project Posting For This School Year

The fifth graders worked on patterned animals inspired by the illustrations in the book "Calabash Cat".  The author/illustrator, James Rumford, was inspired by a calabash gourd cat decorated with African inspired patterns.   The book follows the adventures of calabash cat as he seeks to find where the world ends.  Along the way he encounters animals from different lands.

This project took 4 one hour class periods. On the first day we practiced creating patterns with sharpies.  The next class we drew a variety of animals and then each student picked their favorite to use for a final project.  During the remaining two classes the students used sharpies to add decorative patterning and then used colored pencils to enhance the patterning.  They finished their project by cutting and pasting their animal to a brown or black paper background.  Some students used sharpies to add patterns to the background.

First week: practice patterning

Second week: draw animals

Third/Fourth week: choose animal, add patterns, cut out, paste to colored paper, add final details