Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Asha Painting and Gratitude

 So, I've been tallying a list of projects for people I love, and it seems now is a good time to start tackling them.  I always enjoy making things as gifts, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that there is a small part of me that wonders if the gift is actually a burden on the receiver.  Years and years ago I read I Love To You by philosopher, Luce Irigaray.  She argued that when we say "I love you" to our beloved we aren't giving them space to accept our love or reject it.  Instead we hit them on the head with our love hammers pounding them like a nail.  As an alternative, Irigaray suggested that we say "I love to you" which expresses our love for someone, but the "to" creates space for the beloved to accept or reject the love.  I hope my creations don't feel like impositions or burdensome in any way.  If there is little enthusiasm I understand that their rightful place is in a closet or as a re-gift.

 I painted Asha for my brother and sister-in-law who live in South Africa who are proud owners of an African mutt, Asha.  Although I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Asha, I am enthralled by her eyes which to me communicate a gentle, loving, yet wild demeanor.  It felt logical to paint the background in African motifs.  So, I'm hoping to makes some copies and perhaps experiment with cropping it in different ways.



Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Malorie Rug

 This rug was a custom order for a 3 x 5 rug resembling the Fiestaware commission from earlier that also incorporates pink, aqua, and bright green.  I like the play between pastel and bright colors--especially since it is going into a baby's room. 





Monday, July 16, 2012

St. Louis Inspiration












This past weekend we were lucky enough to celebrate our friends' wedding in St. Louis.  Their reception was held in the Bevo Mill.  In 1915, Mr. August A. Busch used the space as his private dining room.  Its Dutch aesthetics were inviting and inspiring, and perhaps not captured so well by my camera.  As for the rest of the city,  I found all the markings of industrialization visually exciting.  I would like to study man hole covers, old knobs, and abandoned factories.  Maybe there is a painting series there.  The picture of tile from the Bevo has definitely inspired me to look at Moorish patterns a little closer.  Perhaps they can be a window into Islamic history and tradition that I can somehow marry with my paintings.

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Behold the Magical Bandana - Part 3

Time Rocks - Lisa Manning


Catnip Bottles

Birch Logs--Joanna Goss

Branch Weaving -- Iris and Olivia Manning

Plaid Dishes - Lisa Manning

earings - Joanna Goss

Head bands - Joanna Goss

Kitch

Totem

Rattle - Peg Lentz

Play Tents - Joanna Goss and Don Picton

Wooden Mushroom

Flora

Behold the Magical Bandana--Part 2

Hanging branch with gods eyes, braided garlands by Iris and Olivia Manning

Olivia Fish

Totems - Joanna Goss

Kite Painting - Joanna Goss

Magical bandanas -Lisa Manning, ensemble of work

Ragtags-Anna Lentz, Cantene

various goods

Rattles --Peg Lentz

Behold the Magical Bandana Debut Show

Entry to show with sample work of artists, magic bandana, artist statement
 
 “Behold the Magical Bandana”
(The Dot to Dot Collective goes to camp).


 In summertime, hoards of scouts, campers, and wilderness adventurists pack neat rucksacks with canteens, sleeping rolls, and trail mix.  With compass and map in hand they navigate a world unknown creating temporary homes, blazing trails, and crossing uncharted waters.  In this journey of discovery only the necessary accoutrements are packed, and so the Scout Master declared, “Behold the Magical Bandana! For there is great value in objects which possess multiple functions! It's an apron. It's a sit-upon. It's a bandage or a sling. It's a cap, a blindfold, and a potholder. It's a flag, a scarf, and a pack. It's as mask, a puppet, and a washcloth.  And now I ask you campers, what can you do with it?”  Without hesitation the scouts dutifully tied their bandanas around their necks and began to explore its magical possibilities.

The Dot to Dot scouts pay homage to the spirit of camp and magical bandanas in their debut show.  By presenting both fine and functional art they explore the multi-dimensionality of creativity, and its role in our everyday lives.  The content harkens to the child-like innocence of campers (particularly of a bygone era) who rose to the challenges of surviving in nature with newly achieved skills and earthy finesse.  So, too, do the Dots cut their teeth on their first attempt to wrangle the wild world of art and carve out a home in its wilderness.  Their creations are only made possible with the help of neatly packed tools of friendship, vision, and resourcefulness. 

In the words of Ernest Thompson Seton:

  [""Ho Wayseeker, " she called "I have watched your struggle to find the pathway, and I know that you will love the things that belong to it.  Therefore, I will show you the trail, and this is what it will lead you to: a thousand pleasant friendships that will offer honey in little thorny cups, the twelve secrets of the underbrush, the health of the sunlight, suppleness of body, the unafraidness of the night, the delight of deep water, the goodness of rain, the story of the trail, the knowledge of the swamp, the aloofness of knowing, -- yea, more, a crown and a little kingdom measured to your power and all your own.
     "But there is a condition attached.  When you have found a trail you are thereby ordained a guide.  When you have won a kingdom you must give it to the world or lose it. For those who have got the power must with it bear responsibility; evade the one, the other fades away."
      This is the pledge I am trying to keep, I want to be your Guide.  I am offering you my little kingdom."]


Campers, Ready your bandanas!


Kaela Voss print, Anna Lentz Print

Lisa Manning Grasshopper, Lisa Callahan deer print, Anna Lentz postcard block print

Mad Plaid quilt--Anna Lentz

Lisa Manning Totes, Kaela Voss Photo

Camp Paintings--Anna Lentz

Camp Paintings, Prints, Garlands, Totes, Socks,