El Anatsui at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Since I find one of my overall passions as an artist and a blogger is to blur the line between fine art and craft, I like to feature both artist and art that walks this fine line. This past summer I was surprised to find Ghanian born artist El Anatsui featured as part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's recent acquisitions. And for those of you who are lovers of art made from recycled materials you will be sure to love this find as well!

Dusasa II by El Anatsui @ the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The piece you see featured above is made from thousands and thousands of found aluminum and copper wire (flattened and discarded aluminum caps) that are weaved together. It is a wall-hanging and is quite large (full wall scale) I was craning my neck and having to step far back in the gallery to photograph it. El Anatsui is considered the foremost African contemporary sculptor.

detail of Dusasa II 2007 by El Anatsui

The community based Ghanian kente cloth construction of this piece can also be compared to mosaic work, folk art, and even the patterning that has been treasured in Gustav Klimt's paintings. The following images truly show the majesty and mastery of the piece.

detail shot of El Anatsui's DusasaII, 2007 piece

According to the artist (as I read on the title card)

the term Dusasa can be translated as 'a patchwork made by a team of towns people'

However another beautifully poignant quote from the artist that I found at another site states:

Art grows out of each particular situation, and I believe that artists are better off working with whatever their environment throws up.

- El Anatsui, 2003 super detail of El Anatsui's DesasaII wall hanging

On a side note - if you enjoy seeing El Anatsui's work, I recommend the National Museum of African Art site, which has a specially designated section on El Anatsui and three of his major works with podcasts of the artist talking. In addition, if you just google 'El Anatsui' amazing articles and images of his work come up!

Furthermore, if you love this kind of eco-conscious art-making you will really enjoy the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. When I lived there I got to go often and it was indeed one of my all time favorite places to be! Please let me know what you think!

Adobe Illustrator and Kawaii Madness!

As I have grown to love ALL things Japanese, I wanted to share in the Kawaii (and the Kawaii not) madness!

Definition of Kawaii: Since the 1970s, cuteness|可愛さ|kawaisa has become a prominent aspect of Japanese popular culture, entertainment, clothing, food, toys ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaii

Kawaii Not: Cute Gone Bad by Meghan Murphy Buy It! You'll Like it!

Last Spring I was perusing through a bookstore (like I usually do) and I found the strangest little book, it was so cute (or according to the title, not) entitled - Kawaii Not Cute Gone Bad. It's a desktop flip-book with vector graphics by Meghan Murphy. I then found out the book is a compilation of a web-comic by Ms. Murphy and you just have to check out the Kawaii Not: the webcomic for cute gone bad site -its a delight! Ms. Murphy's designs are witty, punchy, fun and often very humorous. Through the preparing to write this post I found Ms. Murphy's online illustration portfolio entitled- Murhypop which is also a real treat - she is a fresh, sophisticated, freelance illustrator with some great clients already under her belt! To see her amazing vector illustrations go to www.murphypop.com.

A peek inside the Kawaii Not bk by Meghan Murphy

So as my readers know I have been re-teaching myself Adobe Illustrator since back when I knew the program (in the days when Macs were rectangular cubes and I bought an upgrade behemoth with a wacom tablet) which was a while ago. Since then I've fallen out of the computer art loop and the program Adobe illustrator turned fancy and it morphed into the 'creative suite', needless to say I forgot much.

Well thankfully Ms. Murphy's book came along and it offered me great inspiration to getting back into it. I highly recommend this four panel comic strip book to anyone in need of some daily humor and interested in vector illustrations. And so in honor of her, here is one of my 'cute gone bad' illos done to practice with Adobe tools - in true Meghan Murphy style it's a bit cheeky so, I hope no one is offended:

my Adobe Illustrator 'cute gone bad' illo inspired by meghan murphy

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!

Rainbirds is nominated for Fabric of The Week on Spoonflower

Rainbirds nominated as Fabric of the Week on Spoonflower! Vote NoW!

Wow! A phenomenal life-altering Inauguration and a nomination from Spoonflower! All in one day! Please vote! It's only this week so please go here and vote for Rainbirds it literally takes 2 seconds (I timed it)! If i win they will produce the fabric!

rainbirds fabric design by marisol diaz nominated for Fabric of the Week by Spoonflower - Please Vote Here!

In this collage I use the parasol as a symbol of bidding fairwell...though goodbye's can be somber and difficult aspects of our lives - they can also be releasing and un-inhibiting, as well as a form of independence. This is why I entitled the piece Rainbirds...the rain has set her free - flight - birds...freedom through goodbye

The Dwight-Englewood Schools tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. echoes Barack Obama's Inauguration!

The Dwight -Englewood School's Youtube Tribute To Martin Luther King Jr.

My coughing bouts are becoming less frequent, but I am still so exhausted and my diaphragm hurts! But I have so much to share with you all, I had to force myself to get on the computer and update this blog! Now I know MLK day has come and gone, but I believe this video is fitting for today's inauguration...since when Martin Luther King Jr. spoke one of his most famous speeches it was at the Lincoln Memorial which faces directly opposite The Mall where Mr. Barack Obama accepted his Presidency today. For a moment just imagine the past speaking to the present. Our collective responsibility towards freedom is not a new - but is a vital and true concept- how can we have forgotten? The Dwight-Englwood's Tribute to MLK and his day on this day!: (its only 7minutes and you'll need volume, and if you look real close you might see me!)

The Story:

For Martin Luther King Jr. Day this year a committee I am a part of was charged with running the school assembly. I felt strongly that there are such amazing parts of the 'I have a dream' speech that we never hear, instead we hear the 'I have a dream' line over and over. Our Committee met as committee's do- it was productive (dare I say, unlike most mtgs) and this is what happened:

The photography teacher (John McCabe) at the school in which I work (The Dwight-Englewood School)took an idea from the Spanish/Ethics teacher (Joseph Murphy), who is a co-member with me on the Cultural Diversity committee and brought it to life! The idea that Mr. Murphy pitched to the committee was to make a 'will. i. am' inspired video for MLK day, our committee said 'yeah! Lets make it happen', we all got to work with the logistics and John McCabe got to the real work! Here is the result - an amazing video that many of my students and I were a part of! Thanks John! Hope you enjoyed it's heartfelt, raw, and unnerving creative message.

Amarettogirl's Blog Awards!

Wishing You Some Winter Warmth a vector illo made to relearn Adobe Illustrator

January has been an especially challenging month. In fact, it is by far the hardest new year I have faced. On top of so many emotional losses both personal and at work, my cb (chronic bronchitis) has returned and taken its toll on me. However, I have been really fortunate this month to receive TWO blog awards by fellow bloggers that I truly admire! In addition, I have been spending some of my meditative time re-teaching myself vector graphics with Adobe Illustrator! So finally, here are the awards, the new nominees and some original, new, (and sadly rushed) vector art (ABOVE) for All of them from me!

Lovely Blog Award - Awarded to me by Vink @ As Minds Goes By- Millionminds ArtAs Mind Goes by - Millionminds Art has been nominated me for this "One Lovely Blog Award". Thank you so much to Vink!

The rules are that I have to nominate 7 lovely blogs that I love.....but before I do...

I was also nominated for this award by Sabine at CUTEBOO!

Award Este Blog awarded to me by Sabine at Cute Boo

The original authors say that blogs who receive this award are exceedingly charming! These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that even more friendships are propagated. *(note to authors, original text shortened and edited by this blog owner for brevity.)

I appreciate a lovely, poignant, honest, creative and intriguing blog. Here are my nominees for both lovely and este blogs in NO particular order:

1.Elsita
2.Tizzalicious
3.Kawaii at Cuteboo (right back at you babe!)
4.Mousetales
5. One Red Robin
6.elfie & Me
7. Mamaliga

Inspiring Artist - P Brigitte Coovert

Ecila Glamor - Zombuki Pullip Photo Print For Sale on Etsy

In hunting down one of my new christmas presents (a new Pullip doll from Valley of the Dolls), my hub and I made a discovery - a new artist and what will be for many- a new medium- introducing ZOMBUKI's!

Artist Brigitte Coovert customizes Pullip, Dae and Blythe dolls to become what she playfully calls Zombuki's:

Zombuki, a combination of the words “zombie” and “kabuki,” was a term dreamed up with the help of a friend some time ago. Zombukis are meant to be a hybrid of many styles and cultures (the zombie itself being both alive and dead), able to embody many looks, to be chimeras of the doll world.

- P Brigitte Coovert

As soon as I discovered there was a book entitled Zombuki's Love You - I bought it! Especially since the dolls themselves, being original artist pieces and an investment, can be expensive.

Zombukis Love You -Hardcover Book

I was also thrilled to see that Ms. Coovert has a phenomenal Zombuki gallery page with stunning photography that MUST BE Seen by all so please click on GALLERY! If You Purchase a Zombuki through the Valley of the Doll site - Generally, a Zombuki will come with coordinated clothing and a plush/felt companion. She also has a beautiful Flickr Page in which she features Desktop Wallpaper Images FOR PERSONAL USE only - which I think is quite generous!!

Desktop Wallpaper (FlCKR)For Personal Use Only from and by P Brigitte Coovert

If You Want to Purchase an actual Zombuki doll go to: Valley of the Dolls
To see ALL the phenomenal pieces of art by Ms. Coovert go to: The Zombuki site
To read more about Ms. Coovert see her ABOUT page on her Blog: Unwed Human Female
To buy her other - uber-cute products go to: Ms. Coovert's Etsy shop- Zombuki's Love You

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!

Maya-Lee Diaz Rest In Peace

Maya

Maya-Lee was born in Springfield, Ohio Nov. 17th 1993 - She came into my life in early 1994 She was 8 weeks old. Maya passed today Jan. 3rd 2009- She was 16 yrs. old. I am forever changed by today's experience, it was by far the hardest most emotionally brutal experience I have had to face in my adult life. I am finding it difficult to face my home and others. She was my husband's first dog and he was blessed to have spent close to half of her lifetime with her. When we bought our first home we knew that our yard would be both her ultimate and penultimate playground. She left two siblings behind, Chulo and Chica. her closest friends were Nugget and Tiger and I hope they remember her. She was in so much pain and I take comfort only in that she has begun the new year in peace - but the absence of her physically here is a pain that is inconsolable to me. My heart hurts and I don't know when I can return.

Last July I wrote this lengthy piece in Maya's voice about her life - you can read it here.

Maya Howling...