Abstract Art - Visual Poetry in Motion

You know what I like best about creating abstract art?  It's not supposed to look like anything in particular!  For someone like MOI whose drawing abilities leave a lot to be desired LOL, creating something "abstract" is the perfect form of self expression.  I love the playfulness and freedom inherent in just messing around with colour with no outcome in mind... it kinda reminds me of colouring cows purple with green polka dots in grade school. The only person I needed or wanted to please was myself.  When it comes to art, that's still the same for me today.

Have you ever noticed how something abstract is rather like poetry in motion?  Instead of words or sentences. color, texture,  form, shapes, lines and patterns all dance together to make up the stanzas (verses) of a particular piece of art.   It is filled with mystery and intrique.  Its heart dances freely to the tune of its own drummer.  It speaks to the non verbal parts of us.  The experience of art is very often more important to us than the "understanding" of what a particular piece of art is "supposed" to represent.

This past couple of weeks I have been playing with paint, chalk, gesso, etc.. as well as clay. 

Here's a piece of background paper I created that I particularly like...

I have tons (well, a big old suitcase full) of background papers I have done over the years... I love playing around with different mediums and experimenting with different techniques!  Who knows what I will use them for GRIN.   It's just fun, free wheeling, satisfying and I positively adore the mystery/intrigue in not knowing what I'll get until it's done.  I hate surprises but I sure love mystery!!!

I get the same deeply satisfying experience creating faux Mokume Gane with polymer clay.  Mokume Gane, if you are unfamiliar with this term,  is an ancient Japanese mixed metal technique for creating laminate metal with multiple distinctive layers using various metals.  It was originally used only for sword fittings during the 17th century but later was also used for decorative art pieces.

Polymer clay artists  "adopted" this technique of layering sheets of prepared clay with metal leaf to simulate this process.  The result is positively gorgeous!  It's something, I think,  you have to actually see in person to really appreciate the beauty.

In the photos below, the patterns were created from a stack of 18 ultrathin layers of clay.  Micro thin slices were shaved from the "stack" and placed on a "receiving" sheet of background clay.  This sheet was then hand formed into the tiny bowls below.  After they were fired, they were sanded smooth, buffed and multiple layers of glaze applied to protect and enhance the beauty of these small pieces of art.

Fortunately, I had enough to also make some beads and a couple of pendants after I completed a number of bowls!  Don't know why I had so much trouble getting a photo of the necklace... I must have tried at least 20 times to capture it.  It is really very, very pretty.... and to see it in person is to appreciate it even more!

And, of course, the most wonderful news about these pieces... they have all been accepted by the Coast Collective Gallery for sale in their gift store.  I am a happy camper!!


Hope you have a wonderful week... I'm going to go play with some paint!


Sharon

Art Bottles - Fun with Clay

Greetings art friends on a cool but lovely Saturday (at least so far) in the Pacific Northwest!

A couple of weeks ago I was rummaging around in my "stash" and came across a large bottle (18" inches tall) that I found rather "funky" when I bought it but wasn't sure what I was going to do with it.

I was feeling rather art deprived... having worked so hard on getting my "Timeless Tales" CD finished and up on cdBaby (and if you haven't had a listen to the previews of the stories, please drop by for a listen...better yet get yourself a copy and/or put it on your Christmas list for yourself, your kids, grandkids, young at heart seniors or anyone who loves stories... hint, hint, nudge, nudge LOL)... I was restless and that's always a sign for me that I needed (yes, needed) some time in the messy studio to create!

As I looked at this strange looking bottle with its long neck, it suddenly came to me what I wanted to do to transform it into something special!  I love those moments of pure inspiration, don't you?

Out came the paint, the clay, glue, stamps, beads and copper wire!  I even managed to find a cork that would fit on the top.  After a couple of hours of playing around... here is the result:

Once it was "cooked" and a finish applied to protect it,  I shone some light on it and was absolutely thrilled with the result... the colours just sparkled.  Suspending beads in the neck of the bottle gave it a very interesting look and I fell in love with the bottle! I'm not a great photographer... but you get the idea.

I wish you could see it in "real life" with the light shining through the top part and making the beads in the neck come to life. It just amazes me what you can do with an idea and how often just getting started sometimes makes all the difference.  One idea builds onto another idea and before you know it you have transformed something very plain and uninteresting into something you love!

Now I was all fired up (no pun intended) and, as it often happens with me when I have done something I am tickled with, I wanted to try my hand at it again.  Out came a vase and I was off on another tangent...  I was having fun and when that happens I produce what I consider some of my best ideas and work!  Here's a photo of my second effort... and a much better photograph (I'll get the hang of photography yet!)

So now that I have got this month's blog offering off to a good start, it's time for me to hit the kitchen.  It's the weekend of the "apple making making marathon".  With all the "abundance" from the garden and my "peach pie making marathon" a couple of weeks ago, I am going to cut back and only make a dozen pies for the freezer this year.  I think I can still find enough room in the freezer for them! The rest of the apples will be canned for yummy goodies like apple crisp or southern fried apples over the winter!

So while I am baking away, filling our home with the sweet smell of apple pie (and driving my neighbour who loves apple pie into fits of mouth watering imaginary tastes through the open kitchen window LOL), go rummaging through your stash for something ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary!

Have an "artful" week,

Sharon