27 August 2009

Framed

Magazine page frame:



I need to iron out some details on the backing. More brads are probably needed to hold everything more firmly in place, and I want to experiment with other materials to create the back sides.


In Progress... (8/14/09)

26 August 2009

Trash to Treasure

I found Yuken Teruya's site thanks to the Yahoo! home page. Teruya creates meticulously crafted pieces out of everyday objects: fast food bags, paper towel rolls, newspapers, pizza boxes.


(Photo from Fast Company.)

His work is absolutely amazing. It's so detailed and beautiful, that you can easily forget that these pieces are crafted from what is essentially garbage. This is right up my alley, though my art still has a ways to go before it looks as stunning as these.

24 August 2009

Can I still call myself an environmentalist if I'm a serial plant killer?

I've been a bad blogger this past week. This is because I've been working on things so diligently that I haven't had the time or energy to edit the photos. I love it when procrastination is actually a good thing.

Since I have nothing art related to share just yet, I thought it would be nice to do an update on my plants. The situation is pretty grim for my Cockscomb. I've actually lost plants since last time, and realized today that it hasn't been watered since Wednesday (I completely forgot to ask my parents to water it while I was out of town this weekend). Oops.

Since I can't bring myself to take a photo of my dying Cockscomb, I'll post a photo of my lovely cactus:



Figures the only plant I'm capable of not killing is one that takes the least amount of work and attention. Things are not looking great for my future Victory Garden plans.

17 August 2009

Googling up a painting

I came across a very cool blog today, courtesy of Blogger's "Blogs of Note" feature. Bill Guffey is a Kentucky based artist who paints oil landscapes. OK, not all that groundbreaking, until you learn that many of his landscapes are based on shots found using Google Street View.


(Amsterdam Canal Boat. Courtesy of Bill Guffey's website.)

I love it when artists use technology in new ways to create and promote their art. Guffey's paintings are so wonderful that it's hard to believe the original reference shot came from the Internet.

Definitely check out Guffey's website. I especially love his series where he used Street View images to paint a scene from every state (except Hawaii, which doesn't have Street View, yet.).

14 August 2009

In Progress...

A little project I'm working on: creating a photo frame from magazine pages.


13 August 2009

Art vs. Craft

I stumbled upon this Current TV pod today, which caught my attention because my "art" has taken much more of "craft" feel lately.:



Personally, I think both art and crafts are equally important to society. Each offer insight into the culture that created them, and both can reflect the era in which they were made.

07 August 2009

Summer Distraction #4: Orange County Fair

I didn't get to visit the San Diego County Fair* this year, but I did check out the Orange County version. Sure the food, rides, and vendors are all the same, but it didn't feel quite right. It's kind of like a knock-off purse: it looks like the real deal, but you'll always know it's a fake. Still, I had a great time with my friends eating deep-fried everything.

One of my favorite parts of any fair are the rides. I won't actually go on any of them**; I just like the way they look when they're all lit up.






*Formally the Del Mar Fair, as it's always been held at the Del Mar Racetrack. Many San Diegans still refer to it as the Del Mar Fair, and will likely do so for years (I still slip up myself). These are likely the same people who still referred to the stadium as 'Jack Murphy' long after it had been renamed 'Qualcomm.'

**For the record, I love thrill rides. I'm absolutely crazy for roller coasters, and despite a fear of heights, I'll try just about any ride once. The exception to this rule is carnival/fair rides. I outright refuse to put my life in the hands of apathetic carnies by willingly going on a ride that is meant to be assembled and disassembled multiple times.

05 August 2009

Welcome Home!

Current TV correspondents Euna Lee and Laura Ling arrived safely in Los Angeles this morning after nearly five months of imprisonment in North Korea:


Just wanted to give a quick shout out to these brave women, and I look forward to more of their excellent reporting-- after some much deserved family time, of course!

(I know, another non-arty post. It's just hard to ignore the news sometimes, especially when it's a happy story like this.) :)

04 August 2009

03 August 2009

New Website

My website redesign was launched last night! Please check it out and let me know what you think.

Next big project: setting up an online store for my creations.