Taking the pressure off

I launched 2013 with a trip to NYC. Oh the art, the density of everything, the energy. Splendid beyond all imaginings.

When I returned home I decided to pursue my love of cardboard, thanks to an introduction to Franz West at the MOMA. I decided to reduce my materials cost therefore taking some pressure off of myself to create a Masterpiece on every canvas and cradled panel I invest in. Cardboard is free for the taking and often comes "prepped" for collage with packing tape, shipping labels and printing.

In the above piece I first laid down some acrylic paint. I then transferred a colour printout of some graffiti that I had photographed. This was followed with collage ephemera and more acrylic. Once I felt that the groundwork was in place, I transferred a black and white photo of my daughter into the composition there by creating a focal point. Lastly I further painted into the piece to emphasize or deemphasize various aspects of the composition. The final steps for this are stitching into the cardboard with my sewing machine (I so love fabric & fiber) and then applying a protective coating to seal the cardboard.

What I love about this work, and the others like it that I have subsequently created, is that my focus has shifted. I am not worried - well not nearly as much - about whether the final is art-worthy; I am concentrating on my brush work, colour blending and more technical skills. The interesting thing is that I feel more creative and freer.

If you are interested in learning more about my techniques, please feel free to comment. I will get back to you.

Comments

Making Allies

It all started back in the Spring… I was contact by a start-up online option to buying and renting art. No fees up front. Standard commission. I joined. ArtsAlly.com officially launched last month. Today I received a few txts from friends congratulating me on my up & coming "hot, local artist" status. Turns out vancitybuz z featured the site and all its artists…including yours truly (#17)! Needless to say I'M PRETTY PUMPED ABOUT THAT. Please give it a read & pass the sets to your pals. Cheers ArtAlly; I wish you a successful life! OK, I gotta go now and start making more great art. Hopefully I'll move up to #1 ; ) Keep creating! ~ Kathryn

A Picture-perfect Idea

When I last spoke of the Anonymous Art Show that I participated in back in Nov. 2011, I neglected to note a detail that really stood out for me. On the main wall near the entrance, the organizers hung a large canvas wrapped with all the names of the contributing artists. I was proud as punch to see my name included in print among the over 400 other talented souls who participated in the annual event. It's a small thing, one's name typeset amongst so many others, but it spoke in a large way to me. It said that my work is valuable to this organization; it's appreciated, acknowledged, and recognized. And that feels great. So if you find yourself in need of a creative way to express thanks to your contributors at an event, this may just be the final touch you need.

Craftivism??

OH YEAH!! Check out this inspiring book by Betsy Greer that I just purchased. I discovered it in a promo catalogue by local Vancouver publisher Arsenal Pulp Pres s. The write-up describes craftivism as follows: Craftivism is a worldwide movement that operates at the intersection of craft and activism; Craftivism the book is full of inspiration for crafters who want to create works that add to the greater good. To me, creating for the greater good is what creating is all about. I am keen on using many of the ideas in my work with school children. Encouraging them to dream, to express and "craft" their own world is are important human awarenesses. Sometimes those acts get lost in the shuffle of chores and responsibilities. I'll keep you posted on how this book plays out in my life. In the meantime, get the book. You'll love it! Keep creating. Keep craft-ivisming ~ Kathryn

Stickin' Ideas Together

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