Wednesday, March 28, 2012

taking the pulse...


Have you seen the new book The Pulse Of Mixed Media? 
Do you know what it's about?
Author Seth Apter invited me to be part of his first book and here is what it's all about...


If you gave 100 artists the same set of art supplies and asked them to create, you would end up with 100 unique works of art. This is because the magic ingredient in every artwork is the artist, who brings his or her own history, personality, creativity, and personal perspective to the pieces that they create. It is this magic that is the subject of “The Pulse Of Mixed Media.”

“The Pulse of Mixed Media” grew out of my online artist survey “The Pulse.” In the book, 31 spotlight artists and 102 additional contributors generously share their most intimate thoughts and feelings by providing answers to a series of personal questions. Some of these questions focus on their art, for example the art material they could not live without and the messages they hide in their artwork. Other questions focus on the artist, such as their art-related regrets, the obstacles that they have faced, and the one person in their life with the most creative impact.

my self portrait in the book
I turned the tables on Seth and asked him to answer this question...
Why did you start The Altered Page....?
SETH: Ahhhh. A good question. I had been creating art and handmade books in earnest for about 5 or 6 years at that time and was beginning to take the process much more seriously. I found that creating art was a very satisfying experience but quite isolating. I began exploring the Internet as an avenue to address that - by looking at blogs and websites, and joining a number of Yahoo groups to exchange art and work on projects with others. I became frustrated with the groups for many reasons and decided to stop participating in them. But I wanted to keep that social component and it seemed to be the right time to start a blog as a way to do that. Plus, I felt more comfortable as an artist and wanted to put my work out there for the world to see. Somehow that made me feel more accountable and gave me motivation to work harder and to create more. In my first blog post in August 2007 I wrote...  

"I have 3 goals in mind for this blog. First, to share my art and receive feedback in return. Second, to share artists, websites, stores, books, ideas, and creations that I have found. And third, to share great art finds from the museums, galleries, and streets of New York."

I love reading that now because I feel like I have achieved what I set out to do when I started. 


Seth Apter art that appears in Pasticcio Panoply
Seth is a wonderful artist in his own right.  He has generously submitted his art to several issues of Pasticcio Quartz and more recently his art appears in our latest issue of Pasticcio Panoply.

I was on Mark Lipinski's Creative Mojo radio show today with 4 other artists that took part in Seth's book. I think you can listen to the show here under RECENT SHOWS 3-21-2012 ... I think you'll enjoy it.



Not one to rest on his laurels, Seth has put out an open call to artists... read about it here on Seth's blogI think you will want to bookmark it. And look for his new book, The Pulse of Mixed Media...because it's one interesting journey into the pulse of mixed media...

comin' down the road...

 Heading back from Las Vegas to make my interview on Creative Mojo . We are talking about art and my part of  Seth Apter's book The Pulse of Mixed Media ... Left early...coffee kicking in...and aching to do something creative...this is what I shot from the passenger seat...


 






Friday, March 23, 2012

a work in progress...

For some reason known only to the art gods...I have to create this piece of art incorporating the Union Jack. Perhaps it is the upcoming Olympics being held in London, starting July 27th... 125 days to go...and counting. Perhaps I am being asked to explore my roots through these vintage photographs of my relatives... Perhaps it's just time I work large... 28 x 14... I don't know where this is going... or where it will end up... I have more sense than to ask... but when it is done, I will post it if you like... though it may be awhile... I have been brooding over this piece for awhile now... I think I'm posting it so I get going on it... I work best under pressure.



Tuesday, March 20, 2012

be unruly...twitter with me...

It will be my first Twitter Party..
March 21st
6:00 PST

Its the Launch Twitter Party for the new book
THE PULSE OF MIXED MEDIA
I had the proud pleasure of being a part of this amazing book...
come talk to us about it...
6:00 pm PST
9:00 pm EST



If you want instructions on how to join in...click the box above.
You'll need to bring the hashtag #PulseBook
and if you twitter party all the time... hope to tweet ya there.




Saturday, March 17, 2012

Beannachtai na feile padraig


That's Gaelic for St. Patrick's Day greetings!



Here's a hand painted image I shot on Inishmaan (Inis Meáin/Inis Meadhóin in the Aran Islands Oileáin Árann.
 
I have  a real connection to these remote Islands, they simply fascinate me ... I am looking forward to the day I can explore them once again.  My trip there was one of the best adventures I ever had. 

For more images I photographed and hand painted in Ireland you can see here

But today...I will raise a glass and hope you enjoy the luck of the Irish today...

ps: did you know you can now follow me now on Pinterest ....?

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

a few words from Fred...

April 3rd is the USA release date for our book "The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook".
Here's a few words from the author of the book who weaved our stories all together.
You might want to pause the music at the bottom of my blog before starting the movie
if you want to hear that familiar music...

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

happy heart day...


I also forgot to mention I have some small art pieces at Zinnia where they have their Valentine art show
Petite Valentin on display till the end of the month. 
Have a loving day and night...

Sunday, February 12, 2012

a day of wine and choices...

Europa Village and winery in Temecula, California was the happening place yesterday with an art show and wine tasting.
Wine was available for the tasting.  My favorite of the day... Libido , with En Vie running a close second.

 Art from the Gallery 8 was placed in the courtyard of the vineyard while a live band played.  Here is one of my hand painted photographs that is available at Gallery 8


Visiting with Academy Award winning actor George Chakiris who had brought his beautiful silver jewelry that is available at Gallery 8 and Lauren Nixon (Gallery 8 owner).  
Right: I welcomed artist Christina Ramos, the newest Gallery 8 artist in residence.  

A trip to wine country is a great get-away.  Europa Village is just one of many winery's along  La Serena Way in Temecula. You can rent a bus or limo before you arrive and get away from it all while being driven from winery to winery. Above: I share a glass with a group of friendly folks from San Diego. 

I was surprised when Jess Whitehill brought me these classic photographs below from our dancing days together at the Bill Jacoby Dance Studio.  Jess is sporting the dark hair and white jacket below.

The dancers we could remember in this picture were left to right: Todd Schumaker, Barbara Ross, my sister Veronica - 2nd row: Bill Jacoby, me, Will Shoemaker, Joanne, Don Keefer - 1st row: Susan Keller, Jess Whitehill.
Thanks Jess for the pics and the memories.  



The drive home was easy...and it made me how many fun places there are to go that are within reach of the city. Wine country in Temecula is one of those fun places.. I will return, and next time I want to take a balloon ride!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

watchmen or what?


I received this amazing and curious set of dinnerware as a gift recently. I don't know anything about it...except I love it to death. The architectural feel and the sketched watchmen are an unusual combination. Has anyone got any ideas on where I might find info about this curiosity? When I google it brings up people who are dishing on the graphic novel Watchmen... : -/  
Perhaps these illustrations are not watchmen at all?...

Are these buildings English Tudor?


  
I just know someone will recognize the style of these gun toting chaps... and some history behind this tea set...Do you know where to look?

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

student of life...


It wasn't too long ago, while rummaging through an old truck,  I found my worn and tired teacher bear that belonged to my teddy bear school I played with when I was about 6 or 7 years old...  I posted her picture...and one of my bloggers sent me to a site to where this original teddy bear school (just like my old loved one) was being sold.  I couldn't believe it, and I couldn't resist it either. My original teacher bear has no arms or eyes anymore (and she convalesces in a teacup) while the new teacher (who only has 1 eye) sits and educates her 5 eager students...It may be silly, but it is comforting when I look upon this classroom setting. And I cannot help but wonder who sits in that empty seat...where is that bear?)




All these mini desks remind me of my days in the classroom...and some pictures from the Treasure Trunk...Below seen here with our teacher Mrs. Klampt during Lost In Space days with Howard Rice (Room 222), Bill Mumy (Lost In Space) and Stefan Arngrim (Land of the Giants).

Mrs. Vizard...Lad: A Dog

left: Mrs Klamt - Sound of Music, Los Angeles,  right: Mrs. Seaman, Austria


Sunday, January 15, 2012

here are the winners!

Thank you...all who participated in my Pasticcio Quartz Giveaway!

I loved your favorite things...
here are the winners...

cooljinglepuff
cheyenne-millie
somepinkflowers

Please leave me your mailing address in the comment box below...(I won't publish it)
and I'll send pasticcio quartz issue 12 to you right away.
Thanks for playing...