Art House Co-Op Sketchbook Complete-

all the images for the Art House Sketchbook project in a mosaic

Well here is a slightly zoomed in version of the completed sketchbook for the Art House Co-op Sketchbook volume 3 exhbit- just in time to run to the post office and have it postmarked by the deadline. The next time I do this I think I'll start well before two and half weeks (its easy to underestimate the amount of spreads -there were over thirty- in one of those little moleskines!)

If you would like to see the sketchbook in person (along with hundreds of other amazing sketchbooks) this is the list of cities the Sketchbook Volume 3 Exhibit will travel to around the US:

EVENT at Art House Gallery Feb 27th, 2009 Atlanta, GA The Sketchbook Project Tour - Atlanta Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

EVENT at Museum of Contemporary Art DC March 3, 2009Washington, DC The Sketchbook Project Tour - Washington, DC Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

EVENT at Chris' Jazz Cafe March 4, 2009Philadelphia, PA The Sketchbook Project Tour - Philadelphia Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

EVENT at Laconia Gallery March 6, 2009Boston, MA The Sketchbook Project Tour - Boston Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

EVENT at Antena Gallery March 8, 2009Chicago, IL The Sketchbook Project Tour - Chicago Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

EVENT at Soulard Art Market March 11, 2009St. Louis, MO The Sketchbook Project Tour - St. Louis Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

EVENT at 3rd Ward March 13, 2009Brooklyn, NY The Sketchbook Project Tour - Brooklyn Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

EVENT at Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) April 2, 2009Atlanta, GA The Sketchbook Project Tour - Atlanta Over 2,700 sketchbooks from around the globe.

ART & Art House Co-op, Opportunities for Visual Artist Nationally

The Sunday Scribbling post this weekend is the word ART.

In my life 'art' is one of two small three letter words (you can guess what the other is) that in its munificence and multiplicity of interpretations is as all encompassing and one of the anthropological enigmas and forces of a human being's existence. The human need to create, construct, design, document, communicate, exhibit and display emotive, aesthetic, visual, kinetic, auditory, sensory or political statements that infer reaction (even if silent) has been a point of great controversy when attempting to encapsulate and define the word 'art'. Though not to the same degree it is in that same way that wars are waged over defining the word God.

I carry an MFA - a Master's Degree of Fine Art and I have walked in that world of higher aspiring gallery-tooting artists for quite some time. The kind that dismiss lesser art-forms; crafts, instruction, function, accessible, non-toxic techniques and community - the kind that believe that the lofty studio is the only form of daily, noble occupation they should hold. However, I have found myself not prescribing to an elitist, high-brow definition of art-making either with food, word, song, color, line, form or performance. Therefore I do not distinguish (like many in my field) between Craft and Fine art.

Beauty Cage Sculpture by marisol diaz

That doesn't mean I don't wish my daily grind was facing my own rules in my own studio daily (who wouldn't), it means I do not believe it is my gift alone to have and I do believe that the joy of experiencing art is teachable. Affirmation is doable. It means I do not see function as lending a utilitarian, hand-evident and therefore neophyte quality to the art-piece. It means that I believe art is for everyone, in everyone and about everyone - whether you are in-tuned with it or not. The evident work of the laborer and hand in a piece of art is just as much a masterpiece as the art work whose maker masters at disguising there was ever a hand there.

In the visual arts those who say - 'I cannot draw' are denying themselves the lifting of a veil, since it begins with simply making a mark and ends with the practice of doing piano scales, because we do indeed admit that we can learn. What is it after all you are trying to draw? Sure there is something said about inherent talent, amazing innate gifts of skill and fluidity, but even the artist born with those abilities are making art hoping to touch the artist in others. To me its that simple connection that determines the extraordinary reach of the word art.

Art House Co-op Sketchbook Show Excerpt by marisol diaz

So I have a new self-imposed deadline, and here's why:

One of my visual art students (artist Colin Alexander) told me and my hub (fellow artist and teacher) about Art House and an exhibit opportunity that we should look into. So we did. Now our student, my hub and I are all submitting work for the sketchbook show and we will be exhibiting together! So what is ART HOUSE and how can we all benefit?

Art House creates massive, nationwide (and global) art projects that tie hundreds of artists together – and anyone can participate. We started two years ago with the goal of bringing art to the masses. Since we started, we have interacted with thousands of artists from around the world, all brought together with the common goal of creating art and sharing it with each other. We host many of the exhibitions for our projects at our gallery in Atlanta, Ga. In an attempt to give artists as much recognition as possible, as well as providing the opportunity to see the exhibition that they're a part of in person, we have started taking select projects to guest galleries around the country.

http://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/

Artist Workspace - Vignettes of my space

After seeing the publication Where Women Create, I started to look at my own space differently. First of all, growing up I never had a room (nor did anyone I know) that served solely as a space to create/work/build-in. In the US I grew up in apartments and there was never even a nook for tools or workspaces of any kind. In Puerto Rico my family had homes, but most of the tools were for construction and often out about the grounds, scattered wherever they were needed. It was my artist cousin (Adalberto) in Puerto Rico that loved to paint like me, but also work with wood and he started to develop a large passageway in his parent's home dedicated to where he placed a band-saw, table-saw and other tools. Of course by then I had seen basement and garage workshops a plenty in friends homes - still I never conceived of my own studio. I simply worked in my room, in a kitchen, on the floor or wherever I found some 'spreadability' space.

supply shelves in my studio

It was in college, my junior year that all Visual Art department students received their own studios, with movable walls and no door. Of course some complained about who did or did not have the most space, but I couldn't have been more thrilled. Just to have a space in which I could hang research, inspiration, and leave projects in half completion was a delight.

The corkboard that hangs over my drawing table

In grad school, at the beginning of the Master's program studio's were given on a first come first serve basis (I had arrived early enough) and yes we had doors! Now as a read and look at so many inspiring artist rooms, I realize looking at others studio's is just as inspiring as having a room of your own. I wish I would have taken more pictures of those early studios. I will try to scan the images I do have and post them for you to see...they were so much more serious spaces than the light-heartedness you see in these current ones.

A little country pig that hangs from my drawing table lamp

Before I was married I lived in a one room studio apartment in Manhattan and even there I was sure to have a 'studio corner'. Thankfully I married a fellow artist and in all of our living spaces (two) we have been sure to get one room (above the number of bedrooms that we actually need for a studio space. So today I thought I would share glimpses/vignettes/niches of my little studio 0(since my husbands studio tends to be the outdoors). Though its not anywhere as awe-inspiring or 'high' end as the remarkable spaces featured in Where Women Create, I still hope my colorful tidbits give you a little inspiration.

A corner of my drawing table with 'house' rings waiting to be completedTwo rabbits and a little wooden pig hand-carved by grandpa George

I find it interesting as I look at these how mentally I am always attracted to clean minimal, organized spaces but for the life of me I CAN'T seem to create that in my own space- instead my studio is cluttered with visual noise - all be it 'pleasing' and 'purposeful' visual noise but 'clutter' all the same. It may be a result of never having had the ability to saturate a space so much in the past or it may simply be a reflection of me?

My 'Innocence Lost' drawing on the wall above my printerEvery artist studio needs a rainbow.My Pullips and Blythes...I'm into the Sixties and their Twiggy big-eyed girlsMy very special friend, my embroidery machine.My 'for everything-else' sewing machine - My old Sue singer died.

I hope you enjoyed these little snippets I'll be sure to do more as I get more courageous!

Happy Pills - Cupcakes, Dolls and Creating

Art - The Best Therapy

I have been struggling since Saturday with the loss of my beloved Maya. I have felt helpless, alone, isolated, misunderstood and I faced the world with futility. Somehow in my life it always comes back to art. Simply making has become the best drug available. Last night, I sat in my studio for the first time since the fatal vet visit and it was the first moment of lightness, hope and peace I have felt.

Cupcake sketches by marisol diaz cupcake sketch2 a page from my moleskineAnother page from my moleskine

watercolor sketchwatercolor sketch2A Dae (not Pullip) doll sketch A sketch on primed masonite to begin an oil paintingwatecolor sketch3 watercolor sketch4
So take it from me...there are no narcotics out there that can compete with a good 'ol night in the studio...if your blue - distract yourself with creating something that makes you smile and who knows you might make someone else smile too!

Letters from Father Christmas

A Christmas Gift for the Young Souls in Our Lives

One of my Favorite Things- notice that my heading states 'young souls' not necessarily young people. My husband and I were in our early thirties when we discovered (or rediscovered) this incredible lesser known work by J.R.R. Tolkein (Yes, The Lord of the Rings author) entitled Letters From Father Christmas. In fact, it was December 23rd, 2003 at approx. 2:50pm when we came across a copy of the book in Borders (I found the receipt nestled in between the pages).

Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkein So for today's post (three days away from Christmas) I thought it would be great to share this extraordinary work with you. Tolkein wrote a letter under the guise of Father Christmas every year for his children. It would arrive in the mail with postage implying it had traveled from the North Pole. And if you're thinking well isn't that quaint, think again - these letters were incredible, masterfully created, down to the handwriting and fantastical events/ illustrations and the not-so mundane details of a daily life in the North Pole. If the Polar bear had to write in lieu of Father Christmas the handwriting was practically illegible and he spoke of how difficult it was to hold a writing instrument in a paw, and if it was shaky well you know how cold it is in the North Pole. However, the North Pole was no romanticized heaven here on earth for Tolkein, there were goblins and wars there too and daily trials and tribulations to speak of, from roofs caving in and the adventures of Ilbereth the elf (secretary to Father Christmas).A publication with pull-out letters Griffin & Sabine StyleVarious Postage Art from the Letters

My husband and I have no children and we fell in love with this publication and the magic of it. What an amazing world we live in that we could share in such a brilliant stroke of genius as these letters.

It all happened like this: one very windy day least November my hood blew off and went and stuck on the top of the North Pole. I told him not to, but the North Polar bear climbed up to the thin top to get it down- and he did. The pole broke in the middle and fell on the roof of my house, and the North Polar Bear fell through the hole and made it into the dining room with my hood over his nose, and all the snow fell off the roof into the house and melted and put out all the fires and ran down into the cellars, where I was collecting this year's presents, and the North Polar Bear's leg got broken.

-excerpt from Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkein

Kat Macleod - Inspiring Artist

The Cocktail by Jane Rocca, Drawings by Kat Macleod

I came across Australian based illustrator Kat Macleod's work when I went to Philly (Philadelphia, PA) this summer for a day trip. My hub and I took the two hour drive out to Philly to attend a craft fair that was happening in the Philadelphia convention center. However, it wasn't at the craft fair, where I did see so many varied (glass, jewelry, wood, fiber) and wonderful artists/crafters that I saw her work. In fact, it was in the most unlikely of places that I saw my first Kat Macleod piece! I was in Reading terminal (One of my fave Philly spots) taking a break and getting some lunch when I walked by a cookbook shop and I saw this book sitting by the register.

Upon closer inspection I was mesmerized instantly at the this illustrator who was fusing the world of fine art and craft majestically in her delicate watercolor illustrations. by Kat Macleod

Her fluid fine line is perfectly accented with a vibrant sense of color and design. Part fashion illustration, part fabric and paper collage, Ms. Macleod's work is fresh, inspiring and a lesson to us all to be open minded about materials. You can even ind some hand-stitching in there.

by Kat Macleod

Since this illustrator is from Melbourne, Australia, she is having a solo show in a gallery there called Lamington Drive. The name of her show is entitled The Tiniest Spark and boy do I wish I had a trip to Australia planned for this month, because the exhibit is up until November 29th (what a great Thanksgiving trip that would be!). So if you're luckier than me and headed to Melbourne Australia this month, you know one art stop you most definitely have to make!

Upon some more research I also discovered that Kat Macleod also does the illustration for a site called Michigirl which is an Australian based online style magazine site. It looks as though we can get another book illustrated by Kat Macleod too - Its written by Michigirl and is entitled Like I Give Frock Fashion Forecasts and Meaningless Misguidance.

Custom Fabric Printing!!! Crafter Alert!

Oh My gosh I am in love! I was reading this months Craft zine and I came across an article on printing custom fabric - with a company called Spoonflower which offers online custom fabric printing! Compared to pre-existing fabric printing companies, Spoonflower offers low fees, fast production, easy-peasy digital accessiblility and best of all low minimum yardage requirements!

The great things is that most companies that would allow artist to do such a thing in the past had large minimum orders, making it nearly impossible for artists to order small swatches or batches.

So I just couldn't wait to try my hand at it! If you have a photo-editing program (I use photoshop), either scan your artwork into the computer or take a high quality photo of your art. Then using your photo-editing program start to think about what I like to call a quadrant (a square that can be repeated to develop a pattern.) Spoonflower offers clear and easy instructions on how to prepare your art for uploading. I used some old collages, most of which my readers may recognize. Here is one of the many images I uploaded. However before you start I must warn you - it is HIGHLY ADDICTIVE! I'm going to place an order and update you all with the results!!! You can follow when I place the order - how long it takes to get to me, and what it looks like as fabric!

Marie Antoinette Fabric Design by marisol diaz

Sandblasting @ Corning Glass Studio Class

Well, I am finally back from the Corning Glass Museum in Corning, NY and able to update my blog again! (I was not able to, due to the limited amount of time that I had to do as much glasswork as I could. I put every possible moment of glasswork I could do as priority - I hope I haven't lost too much readership!) Now I have so much to share! Meet my new friend for the last two weeks:

An Empire sand blaster from the Corning studio cold shop! I've used sandblasters with my glasswork before but this class that I took taught by Denise Leone Stillwagon involved the use of stage sand blasting and vitreous painting - either as combined techniques or as separate ways to manipulate the glass surface.

Here is an early image of my desk as I was beginning a stage blasting assignment. Stage blasting is simply the process of blasting glass in stages so as to create deeper and varied levels of depth in the glass. Though I bropugght great picture references with me I often began every project with a drawing.

Here is a pic of the glass piece IN the sandblaster!

And here is the final piece...mind you it was simply a class assignment- there is no kind of 'heavy content' here since I was just trying to familiarize myself with the equipment.

The Potential of a Brown Paper Bag

This post is a blast from the past...seeing as I didn't have a blog to brag in the past, I'm taking advantage now. Quite a few years ago, I found a phenomenal Hawaii based artist named Moses who was featured as the 'Mad Hatter' in the July 2000 issue of the Smithsonian archives. Moses is a an artist that made an extraordinary series of hats from a simple brown paper bag.

As some of my readers know I teach high-school visual arts at the Englewood School in Englewood NJ. To begin the spring term of the Studio Arts II portfolio development class that focuses on the three-dimensional arts, I presented my class with some inspiration references from both Moses, and the design show Project Runway to see what they could do with lots of 250 brown paper bags that I got from a local dollar store.

These days I can no longer find the site, luckily blogger Mr.Paper's Blog did a write up on Moses that showcases Mose's phenomenal paper bag hats. Please click on the link and check it out!!! I was so inspired, I had my students explore principles of design through the designing of their hats and years later I am still blown away by the results. They were allowed to pierce, sew, wrinkle, fold, cut, burn, shred, layer, glue, braid, paper mache and anything else they could think of to their bags. I am so proud of these now alumni students and the job they did honoring Moses and his work, as well as invoking their inner designers.

So this is what they come up:

Don't Forget to post your 'rainbird' comment on the giveaway post (two posts back) to win your print - I am getting some amazing comments and it will surely be difficult to choose! One person suggested the winner should also do a giveaway - that would surely be in the nature of Guerilla Art so I think its a great idea!!!!!

Hair Art! Play With Your Hair!!!

So if you have long hair like I do...or any hair for that matter, consider playing with all that hair that falls out during a shower and make art!!! Take shower art to a whole new level!!!

So here is an image of my hair alone on the shower wall after I pushed the wet hair around to create a semblance of a figure. Using a photo editing program (in my case photoshop) I cut out the (visually noisy) tiled wall background around my hair. Then I simply played with the photo editing program as though the lines of my hair were stained glass or coloring book lines. Check out the results:

This may not your typical ''pretty' art but I love the creative exercise it offered me. You can play too - Try it!!! And if you do - let me see it I would LOVE to check it out!!!

Before you run off to play with your hair, don't forget about the art giveaway comment!!! The deadline is the fourth of July!!! Scroll down to the past post to see the prize and comment!!