Pigeons - A Family Album & Wisteriax

Have you had the pleasure of meeting Karen Langlie? I am her biggest fan. Not only because of her hauntingly beautiful music, but that she raises and trains the most intelligent and gorgeous pigeons your eyes will ever see.

Ever.Pigeons - A Family Album, arrived one day in my mailbox (thanks Mike!) and I nearly passed out from the cuteness factor as I flipped through the pages. This book was created by the super creative mind of Mike Langlie for his wife Karen. Please. please check it out. You will have a whole new respect for these fancy, fine-feathered creatures.

Karen and Mike are both incredibly talented musicians, and I couldn't resist posting this review and information about Karen's latest song from, Doves Never Sleep, tracks 1 & 4.

http://wisteriax.com/
http://www.myspace.com/wisteriax

Sabrina Ward Harrison & Papaya Art (part one)

I've been waiting for the perfect time to send out this very special post about someone who has been a huge influence in my life over the years. Today felt like the right day. :)

Sabrina has been inspiring people around the world since her first book, Spilling Open, was released nearly a decade ago. She teaches us in her very unique and playful way, True Living through emotion, written words, photography, art and pure expression.

Recently, Sabrina teamed up with Anahata, and Papaya Art to create all of the gorgeous items you see below based on Sabrina's paintings. These were recently showcased at the New York Stationary Show and will be available on the Papaya website later this summer. Stay tuned for part two.

We absolutely couldn't be more thrilled for our dear friend Sabrina and her latest endeavors. I know you will find her work delightful. Now go and pour over her amazing website, you'll be there a while!

Good luck, Sab! ;)

Images courtesy of Sabrina Ward Harrison and Anahata Katin

Keepsake Boxsets

Gicleés, Sketchbooks and Handbags

A Minneapolis Tale "In Flux" - part two

Artists Mike, Lucas and Dara meticulously chipping away at the glass which stacks inside of the sculpture.

This Friday we are crossing state lines West to Minneapolis. Why, you ask? Well, there will be dedication ceremony honoring Jim Brenner's now titled sculpture, "In Flux".

The Chicago Sculpture Works gang will be present and ready to help you make art during the community event that begins at 9:30 am in Jackson Park. The molds have been made and now they are waiting for you to turn them into your own creations. There will be an iron pour demonstration and then after, your molds will be filled with iron and magically transformed into works of art. So grab the kids and please join us this Saturday morning.

Here's the deets:

Dedication and Iron Pour

In Flux by James Brenner

Jackson Square Park 2212 JACKSON ST. NE

• 9:30 a.m. Mold Carving Workshop ($10 per mold)
• Make your own molds to be cast in the pour!
• 11:00 a.m. Dedication and refreshments
• 12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m. Iron Pour

For more information, contact Mary Altman

Community Planning and Economic Development

250 So. 4th Street, Room 110

Minneapolis, MN 55415-1385

Mary.altman@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Art By Nemo

What started out as doodling during Nemo's lunch break has snow balled into an obsession. Collectors began to purchase so many of his drawings that he couldn't keep up with the demand while working a 40 hour a week job. His situation soon became obvious; Nemo had to quit in order to create more art. "Leaving a day job has been a bittersweet experience, for without it I never would have discovered my true artist's voice."

"I choose my subjects due to their beauty, but for me the real beauty is found in the complexity of details made with the most primitive of tools." ~Nemo

Please check out Nemo's Website and Gallery.

Custom Pottery - Linda Zepere

One of my nearest and dearest, Linda Zepere, is an amazing potter. She creates mugs with adorable little animals peeking over the side. The one shown above was made for our friend who has pet rat named, Rufus. Linda will create your pet if you send her a photo of it.
My favorite pieces from Linda's collection are her fruit bowls. The holes at the bottom are for drainage which is brilliant! I leave grapes or cherries in mine. She will custom color and size.

Linda can be reached at:

♫

linda.zepere@gmail.com

First Coast standouts: Where are they now? After The Bolles School, Greg Burgess swam for his country. He now fights for it as a U.S. Marine

Yay Greg!

Photo provided by Burgess family
Major Greg Burgess (center), upon deployment to Iraq. "I'm more proud of never having lost a Marine than my Olympic medal," he said.

RICK WILSON/The Times-Union
Greg Burgess trains at The Bolles School pool on Feb. 27, 1996. Greg won a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics.

Article here.

Sunflowers '09

Sunflowers make me happy. Here's a few of my favorites.

Our red leather/coffee bag chair.

Hey, now you have a place to sit when you come to visit. We found the chair at Roost, a lovely French markety-type store in Andersonville. The red leather chair seat had been reupholstered with a Nicaraguan coffee bag.

And the Winner is...Oh, and there is more.

Thank you all so much for participating. Congratulations to Donovan for winning the grand prize!!! He has chosen, Abyss. YAY!

I filmed the drawing and then didn't know how to shut off the camera. tee hee.

All is not lost. The contest is not over. There is a part two and you all have been entered. The next winner will be announced after our photo shoot takes place this Saturday, July 4th.

Stay tuned. :) And thanks again so much. I had fun doing this.

xoxo

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

Here's a fun video of Michael Jackson (he comes in at 4:oo) performing with Justin Timberlake and N-Sync at the 2001 Pop VMA. Remember that?

A tourist in my own town

My cell phone presents. Chicago from a bird's eye view..



and the big silver bean.

The Forgotten

It's been a while since Martin has appeared in my paintings. As I was doodling Sunday evening on this particular piece, he came to life again. Looks like he wants to come out and play afterall. I'm delighted.

From a Birdie

From a Birdie is a precious website and such a thoughtful concept, run by Anita Licis-Ribak and Agustin Schapira.

"by the time Anita's birthday arrived, the website had 85 letters for her, from 35 different cities and 10 different countries. Letters from friends she hadn't seen in decades. Messages from people she had lost touch with and with whom she could re-connect. Imagine her surprise, and her joy."

Hope someone makes an album of letters for me one day. I will act surprised!

thanks to the lovely, happn.in Chicago for the info.

Perfect Rusty Fence

Went for a walk the other day.
Nothing exciting unless you like cool, crusty fences.
I know. I'm a dork.

Art Giveaway Contest *updated*

Please leave a comment or send an email with a way for me to contact you. Anonymous entries are always welcome.

Send email entries to superbadfriend@gmail.com (re: ART GIVEAWAY CONTEST)

The Forgotten

Abyss

Quiet Room

Breaking Point

Missing

Pandaemonium --The Capital of Hell

Winner will be announced July 1st, which means entries have to be in by midnight, June 30th. The paintings are going to be professionally shot next weekend. There are over 60 total in the series. And, they will be extra pretty and detailed after photographer, Emily Hindin, is through with them – not like the ones above taken with my cell phone.

The selected images are part of a series of paintings called, Melancholia. The winner will receive an archival Giclée print. That's fancy for a high quality, kick-ass print.

how to make rust the fast and easy way

Hi everyone! Recently I posted a an entry called "Fooled You". Lucy, blogger and artist of Mixed Medium Musings, asked if I could demonstrate how I made that ol' cardboard into rust. Lucy thank you for being so patient! Here you go. :)

My cell phone happily presents

You will need; a piece of actual rust for reference, (the paint color will vary depending on your sample.) Brushes. Acrylic paint – Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Oxide or Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow, Course Alumina, and Corrugated Cardboard. Take care to examine the rust and try to match your colors accordingly.

The brushes I used varied from soft-to-medium for application, to a stiff brush used for stippling. tear pieces of cardboard into desired shapeUsing a soft to medium brush cover the cardboard with a thin but solid layer of Yellow Ochre or
Yellow Oxide. Using the same brush apply the Burnt Sienna, making sure to leave some of the yellow showing.

Using a stiff bristled brush, apply the Burnt Umber over the previous layers. Use your rust reference as a guide as to where to apply the darker paint. Alternate with all three colors until desired coverage is achieved. Let dry for 15 minutes under a fan if possible.

After the cardboard is completely dry, apply the Course Alumina for texture to the areas that need some extra aging and texture. The white parts will dry clear allowing your undercoats to show through.

Using the Cadmium Yellow, add highlights to selected areas. Be sure to use a dry brush and stippling action. Blot your brush onto a cloth or paper towel before adding to the cardboard. You only need a tiny bit of paint, if you have too much paint on your brush you will need to redo the first steps. Don't panic!

Voila!

Huggy Bear Huggins – Evil Ads

John is funny and I demand you read his blog.

Please.

How could this happen again?

I am officially the most accident prone person on the planet. Tripped forward and knocked poor Orangebotstickbutt's bottom lip off. The wax splatters on the floor are a result of the hot wax splashing all over me as I jolted forward. Good lord. It is fixed now, but seriously?

Bunny In A Field

once again, my cell phone presents...
HAH! Bunny, Horsey and a man in a field. See it? Do ya? heh?

Yes. My hands always look like this.

A Really Goode Job

Hi everyone. If you have a moment can you please check out my dear friend Eddie's video entry for a job he is applying for. The chosen applicant will benefit from the following; $10,000 per month, lush accommodations in a beautiful home in picturesque Healdsburg. Working hours are flexible. And all you have to do is experience wine and good living. The position is for six months.

I really want him to get this job. He's in at #7 currently. If anyone deserves it, he does.

Ed created and writes a fantastic website called, Wine Tonight.

See the video entry here.

Thanks so much!

Ed, when you win, expect some visitors!

TWINK

Ohhhhhh Yeah!

If you haven't read my earlier posts about TWINK, then I am sorry, because you are missing out on some wonderfully deranged creativity from Mike Langlie, TWINK. It is a mixture of impossibly cute meets well..."Picture your stuffed animal collection at a late-night rave in an enchanted forest - Twink is the music they are dancing to." (Performer Magazine)

Jackson Park, Minneapolis *updated* change of date for June.

In the studio, Brenner is welding the base of the sculpture to the first layer. On the road. I had flashbacks of scenes from Indiana Jones. A crane was needed to lift the 6 thousand pound sculpture into place.

Brenner grinding off the supports

NE Jackson and NE 22 Ave. Near the Library

The gorgeous benches were also made by the studio and soon I will post more detailed photos of everything. These cast iron words were embedded in the concrete surrounding the sculpture.

Happy Mother's day to all of you lovely mom's out there.

We just returned from an interesting road trip. 5 states in 6 days. Final destination, Minneapolis.

Chicago Sculpture Works artist, Jim Brenner, installed a sculpture in Jackson Park. If you are in the area, please check it out. The fiber optics were installed today so you can see the completed sculpture. Go when the street lights illuminate, cause that's when you'll get the full effect of the piece.

The Jackson Park Sculpture project will consist of one spherical form constructed of layered steel plates, sculpted glass, and light. This sphere will have an interior form made of sculpted glass that is internally lit in a variety of colors with fiber optics. The sculpture is 6’ in diameter and will rest on a concrete foundation that is 20” high and 5” wide, giving them an overall size of 9” high by 6’ wide. At the foot of the benches will be cast iron text. These excerpts will be selected from stories shared at community meetings and interviews. The text will convey a sense of the Holland neighborhood history, diversity and commonality. It will be cast on site at a community event where participants will be invited to create small sculptures and experience the dynamic cast iron process.

I will write more when the real photos make their way to me. These were taken from my camera phone. Sometime in June, there is going to be a ceremony and community art event. More info to come. For a detailed description of this project please go here.

My, how time flies.

Converse Flippy was one of my favorite pieces created back in 2004. A lovely couple in Oak park purchased it from my art show, Unfolding, in the Fall of '05 at Lisa Nordstrom's gallery, Art Gecko. Over the years I have been making new ones similar to this construction only on a larger scale. All of my flippy paintings are two-sided. Check 'em out here, here, here and adaptations of it, here and here. I am a bit ADD and the option to have more than one painting at any given time appealed to me. Sure wish I had taken professional photos of this particular piece. The painting itself is created entirely of wax. I'm feeling incredibly nostalgic tonight. I've been spending the weeks going through all of my artwork old and new. My good friend, Jon, created a lovely website for me a few years ago and we are going to be updating it very soon.

I was considering contacting the owners to see if they might let me photograph my painting after all of these years. Hmmmm?

Divine Comedy

Oh, good lord. This is ridiculous, I really need a camera.

I made this little movie clip of the progress.

Intrusion

Leaves on trees? We has 'em.

Looked outside yesterday while at the studio and to my surprise the trees bloomed. Somewhere between 10am - 6:30pm, my world changed.

It's happening!

Spring has arrived.

Day 2. No change. Although, today was not as rainy as yesterday.

NERFECT Evening.

Here are some shots I took of the Nerfect show last night. You can go here to see all of the detailed images of Mr. Walter's colorful and imaginative world. Here are some of my favorites from this new series.

Enjoy!

Bunny Brawler

Stack of Birds

BeansPicky

It has been confirmed.
"Liars, he tastes nothing like chicken." - Dollbabytina

Mr Walters and half of me.

My Nerfect Labbit. He's mine. All mine.
Darth Vaderhead invasion. Collectible Vinyls.

Britton created a breathtaking amount of new artwork. Impressive. My camera died before I got the good shots. So please do check them out here.

Mr. Walters with Hot Funk and Supercorn.

Dollbabytina baked these for the show. So delicious, I had two.
Don't judge me.

Filberts Retro Soda.
18 flavors made in Bridgeport, right here in Chicago!

This photo is especially for Yip Yop and Karen. :)

Let the biking begin.

So excited. Friday is supposed to be 85 wonderful degrees. That's over 45 degrees warmer than it is tonight! My bike is ready to for action. First on the agenda. Early morning ride along the lake. Ah, movement. My muscles are gonna hate me.

I might bring my FLIP. There is a gorgeous mosaic mural my friend Cyndi and her team created a few years back. The sunrise in the morning makes it look all sparkly.

G'night folks.

Mercurial Rage - “Never Remember to Always Forget”

During these hard economic times it feels damn good to get something for nothing. That being said, download Never Remember to Always Forget!

100% Rage guarantee!

Studio Tour

This is where I go to relax, think and silently play. There is a gentle energy that flows throughout this space. My other space is shared with a melange of artists, is full of intense energy and action. I love being there equally as both studios inspire different parts of my creativity. I still can't believe how I ended up here and at C.S.W. I am so grateful – you have no idea how long I searched. :) Going to be at both studios for a year this summer. YAY!

Do you like the Hello and Goodbye? I couldn't resist adding them to my door. heee.

New Painting. Another Orangedotstickbutt. He's fun to paint.

I TOLD YOU SO! :)

103 | THE FINGER TRICK

By, Mr. Walters, Nerfect.com...Media: Watercolor pencil, watercolor marker, color pencil and ink on paper | Size: 4" x 6"

:)

31 Days

I've been doing the 31 Days to building a better bloggity project and it has raised many questions for me personally. Like, what do I want from a blog and what is the focus?

Well, I think I am the most unfocused person on the planet. So when I am asked that question, I go into hysterics. I don't know! There's no plan. I just like to make stuff. Maybe show it to a few people and then put it away and move on.

Don't think I should do anymore 31 days. Structure is not my thing. I don't know what the hell I am doing. I just do it.

wax keeper

Thanks to Adore64 for the awesome Pepsi crate. Perfect for housing my wax.

Orangedotstickbutt is days away from being real.

After removing the pineapple leaf disaster beak.

Orangedottstickbutt

Orangedotstickbutt is one of my imaginary friends. I have been s-l-o-w-l-y bringing these characters into our world. They have been a long time in the making, but time really doesn't exist for them. Or me.

Orangedotstickbutt's Oil Portrait

Orangedotstickbutt has a sweet smile and a twinkle in his big ol' eyeball.

Agua ~ Puerto Rico

I am absolutely obsessed with water and gas covers. For years I have been photographing them in every location I travel to, and adding them into my paintings and sculptures. Our good friend Juju found this one last week while vacationing in Puerto Rico. So pretty. Isn't it?

Orangedotstickbutt brings Springtime a little early

Made this for our friend who was going to have a baby on or around April 1st. Well, turns out the day I finished this, she went into labor. I had to change the title to "Spring's Early Arrival." The baby's name and birth date are scribed onto the painting in an obscure location.

bad or good, this is so true.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel"

This is for you.

Rust, Wax and Chains. Three of my favorite things.

Fooled You!

I painted cardboard and made it look like rust.

Garden round-up

This morning I tried to sleep in, but then something amazing happened. The sun was up! Sometime in the 6am hour the sun was shining throughout our house. It is happening. Spring will be here very soon, or at least the sun will be sticking around longer than usual. Daylight savings is in a few weeks. YAY!

This time last year I was eagerly planning the outdoor garden and decided to make it filled with beautiful shades of green and white. I wasn't able to really sink my teeth in the gardening until May and as I recall, April '08 was still a frozen miserable tease. I am considering a new theme. The green and white were lovely, trouble is those plants and flowers don't stay that way. Changes in temperature and acidity in the rainwater changes the PH of the soil causing the flowers to change colors. By the end of summer I ended up with many blue, pink and purple flowers. Even my Little Lamb Hydrangeas turned a wonderful shade of rust.

The Meyer Lemon, tree yielded 6 or 7 lemons and then sometime around November all of the leaves fell off and there has been no new growth since. The Cabernet Grape Tree also dropped all of its leaves and now looks like a dead tree trunk. I called the growers where I originally ordered the grape vine and they told me if it did not to produce new growth by spring, they would ship a new one. Not so sure about the Lemon Tree. I will make that call this week.

The Philodendrons of course survived. My Little Lambs are in the kitchen along side the Violets, all of which seem to be holding their own. The Jades are looking leggy, but I think that will change once the sun's rays intensify in spring. The Nepenthes died quite early on in the winter. I made the mistake of trimming it back and pretty much killed it. :( I felt terrible.

The orchids are all still alive and well. Only one bloomed back in December and I am shocked to say the blooms are to-this-day, pristine as were were back then.

This year we will be gardening on a budget. Surprisingly, last year our local grocery store had quite the display of foliage and flowers and could easily be put into a high end plant store and give those plants a run or their money. That *other store whose name I won't mention YET, also carries the lowest priced plants I have ever seen and they are darn good-looking.

We are going to have to put off the Green Roof plans again. Was really hoping to get started on that project. I should have been writing proposals all winter for grants, but I was finding other ways to procrastinate. More updates to come.

My rock collection

I have been collecting rocks ever since I stopped collecting sea shells. The wooden container is an antique spice holder and the stoneware vessel was made by my friend Sonata.

The guest room is shaping up

water carafe by Rae Dunn

I found these tiny nesting bowls glazed in Robin's Egg Blue at Anthropologie.The Kitty wearing a dress was bought at an antique market when I was in college.

"Do Unto Others" Everyone should live by this one simple rule.

Both Dress collages were created by Linda Crispell

Congratulations Michaele Sommerville.

Congratulations to Michaele Sommerville!

Well, I am proud to say Michaele was the winner of the giclee print I was giving away. She also is an artist and makes these unique banners made of the prettiest of papers and ribbons. I snagged the image above from her Etsy site. I hope that is okay, Michaele, I didn't think you would mind. :)

My foodie forecast of the year

Last year I predicted Batter Blaster was going to be a huge success and I was right. So this year's pick is dedicated to Maple Flakes.

These are similar to sugar, basically dehydrated maple syrup broken up into tiny pieces. They can be sprinkled on anything you would want sweetened or even used in savory dishes ( I will find some recipes)

1 teaspoon of maple flakes has only half the calories of sugar.

Art Give Away. :) Simply leave a comment and a way for me to contact you if you win!

There is a wonderful event going on until February 12. Bloggers from all over the world are participating in a global giveaway hosted by Lisa Swifka from A Whimsical Bohemian.

The event is called One World One Heart. This is open to everyone! Please leave a comment on this post and I will enter you in the drawings for a giclee limited edition print of "Curiosity" If you don't have a blog please leave me a way to contact you. I will announce the winner on February 12, 2009.

(Thanks to my pal Linda Crispell for this information)

A Hamster Spins on Its Wheel and Then Loses Control of Its Legs

Rare that something is so funny that it brings tears to my eyes. This is one of those situations and I am still laughing.



(Thanks to Prince Gomolvilias for originally posting this, :))


32 seconds in...wait for it..oh and turn off the stupid ad that pops up.

My Dream House

designed by Linda Garland

I was awed by this space in an article I ripped out for my vision wall some time ago. The article, "The Quiet Life of Panchoran" was written by Jonathan Kandel. Architectural, Interior and Landscape designed by Linda Garland. Photo by Tim Street-Porter.