Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Merry Christmas to Me!


I bought a Christmas present for myself. 
I saw a Youtube lesson on Gel Printing using pigment stamp pads for the color on the gel plate & decided it was worth a try. And the pads are on sale at Hobby Lobby.

orange,Baby blue, lavender, Cherry red, metallic gold, & Pastel yellow.
I'll give them a try soon.

Monday, December 24, 2018

BLAH HUMBUG


Work by artist Mel Bochner is at the Philbrook Museum. Bochner is a printmaker so I had to check it out. Lots of tempting texture on his prints; texture that longs to be touched, but don't cross that line on the floor. The display featured the subject of numbers and letters.
His work is far from BLAH!



Sunday, December 23, 2018

Vincent van toe


I was at the Philbrook Museum the other day and of course there was Vincent. He follows me everywhere. This time he brought some friends.


Saturday, December 15, 2018

The Art of the Stamp


I love the artwork on postage stamps, and when I visit the USPS I always ask to see their decorative collection for something interesting. WOW! John Lennon stamps & designed like the pop art of the 60's.
It is my understanding that you must be dead 20 years before you are eligible to be on a stamp. John has been dead for 38 years. Is it possible? And this post missed the anniversary of his death by a few days (Dec. 8). Do you remember where you were when you heard he was dead (murdered)? I do!
Great artwork in honor of great music!


John Lennon 1940-1980

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Presenting Jimmie Schmoldt


Women in the arts: Jimmie Schmoldt, local celebrity, and worthy of some recognition. Jimmie was one of the founding members of the Bartlesville Art Association over 50 years ago. Recently a retrospect of her work was showcased at the BART Center, and many friends & fans were on hand to celebrate.


Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Art Book

A Big Important Art Book

I'm always looking for interesting art books. Here's a new one which includes women. All I have to say is that it's about time.

This book even includes projects inspired by the artists work.

Unfortunately the illustrations are too small to provide decent images for this blog, so check it out for yourself or check out the five artists I've included below to see the unique things women are creating.



Leonora Carrington

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Day of the Dead


My holiday viewing included Disney's Coco, about a boy who longs to be a musician & visits the land of the dead to find his destiny. 

Why am I attracted to Day of the Dead?
                                                         COLOR
                                         COLOR
                                         COLOR!


Jesus said: I am the bread of life.




I love to see shoe boxes used as shrines. I can't throw away a shoebox.
See the little skeletons? I want to get some clay & make a 100 of them.


It was hard to choose from all the great images.
I actually remember buying gas at .26 9/.
Crazy Coaster Chick

Sunday, November 11, 2018

The Art of the Flag


Heartland Quilters a Green Country OK group gave itself a patriotic challenge. Quilters were given the same patriotic quilt panel, & told to create a unique quilt. Here are some of the results.



Celebrate the RED, WHITE, & BLUE


close up of the main image in the panel 




I like the way to stars showcase the panel.



Catch a falling star.


This is the quilt that greeted you as you entered the show. I like the contrast of the white with the muted tones of the panel pieces, and its special because it was made by my friend Phyllis.

These quilts are on display at the Bartlesville Community Center,
Lyons Gallery.
Join the group for the reception on November 15, 4-7pm.

These quilts will be given to veterans.

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Sunflower + Sunflower



Van Gogh Sunflowers, they're everywhere. I snapped this one in a gallery this summer.


A real sunflower, and from my "garden". I have a small spot in the backyard that always makes me wonder: what should I try to grow this year. Well the sunflower won & did it grow! With a tape measure it was actually 15" across, and it won the Grand Champion prize at the county fair. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Remember September



Remember September Mail Art Project is still going on.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Look at this !


Where was I in August? Well, I'm glad you asked. I was in Texas. And look what I found. This work inspired by van Gogh's Starry Night.


Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Quote of the Week


"Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play,"  Henri Matisse 

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Starry Night Chair


A friend & I were driving through Independence, KS. yesterday and stopped at the Art Center there. This wonderful Vincent van Gogh inspired chair greeted us. I love how the fabric was used.

You can find van Gogh even in Kansas.



Saturday, July 7, 2018

Paseo Print Show


On view now at the Paseo Print Show through July.

I am so thankful for this show. Printmaking is a lost art. The old masters were skilled printmakers, proficient in many forms. Maybe I should write some posts on the types of printing to inform today's public.

I have been working almost exclusively in printmaking for the last six years, and specifically Clayprinting. I wish this pic would show off all the wonderful texture in this print.


Abstraction 
Clayprint by Alex True 

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Colors of the Week


Happy Independence Day!

Three cheers for the: RED
                               White &
                               Blue
I rarely see this kind of painted decoration anymore, which makes it more of a treat when I do discover it. A reminder to celebrate all our wonderful freedoms!




   

Friday, June 29, 2018

Gel Printing


I started experimenting with my gel plate & this is the best thing I produced, "colorful fingers".

One thing I discovered with this brief first attempt at gel printing is that the plate cleans up very easily.

Colorful Fingers





Saturday, June 23, 2018

I've Discovered Gel Printing


I consider myself a printmaker; I've been working, almost exclusively, in printmaking (Clayprinting) for the last six years.

I found gel printing online recently, and confess to viewing hours of youtube videos on the subject. I was ready to invest in some gel plates (Dick Block has a good assortment at the best price) when I discovered recipes for DYI gel plates.

The following recipe looked promising: few ingredients that I already had & simple procedure.

1 1/2 c glycerine
1 1/2 c water 
7 pkgs. unflavored gelatin

So here we go!

equipment
I used a small cookie sheet & a flower cake pan that I borrowed from the library. The pot was to boil the water.
Ingredients
I had the glycerine; I use it to seal my clayprints. I bought the cheap house brand of gelatin.
gelatin sprinkled on the glycerine
First goes in the glycerine, then sprinkle the gelatin on top. The two came together very quickly and smoothly.
after the addition of the hot water
Next slowly add the hot water and keep stirring. I doubled the recipe, and as you can see it barely fit in the bowl. I stirred it with the wisk trying not to introduce too many bubbles. BTW I was stirring while I watched Doctor Who: the Destiny of the Dalecks (the Tom Baker movies). After a couple of minutes it wasn't as clear as I thought it should be so I put the bowl in the microwave for 45 sec. & then again. I was finally happy with its clarity.
poured into the cookie sheet & cake pan
I poured it into the pans. I had enough for both pans. I used a toothpick to puncture a few air bubbles then let it set on the counter overnight.
All done!
Wow. Here is the finished product. I carefully turned it out onto a piece of acrylic that fit just fine. I was a little apprehensive about the recipe & process because I don't like to waste things (particularly my precious glycerine), but the whole thing came together without a hitch.

Now I need to try to make some prints on it. Maybe soon! Keep watching.

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Quote of the Week


"It's easy to paint when you don't know how, and difficult when you do."     Edgar Degas

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Southwest Cubism


On Wednesday I went to the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa to see the Rockwell Exhibit (that's Norman Rockwell for anyone under 50 who doesn't know who he is). I was disappointed. I want to see art, original art, not displays about art. This exhibit was about the journey from photograph to sketch to finished work, and as I recall only 2 finished works in the whole exhibit.

Now in the Helmerich Hall was the exhibit entitled Landscapes of the American Southwest, art from the Gil Waldman & Christy Vezolles collection.                                    This is the work that really caught my eye because of it's Cubistic style.



Friday, June 1, 2018

Quote of the Week


I was looking up something in an old journal and I found this quote.

"Abstraction allows man to see with his mind what he cannot see physically with his eyes...Abstract art enables the artist to perceive beyond the tangible, to extract the infinite out of the finite. It is the emancipation of the mind. It is the exploration into unknown areas." 
                        Arshile Gorky
                        1904-1948
                        Abstract Expressionist


Sunday, May 27, 2018

Robert Indiana



Here is Robert Indiana's iconic image. It even became a USPS stamp.
This sculpture sits at Crystal Bridges in Arkansas.

ROBERT INDIANA
1928-2018

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Art of the Skateboard


Price Tower is presenting the show 7 ply: the art of the skateboard.

Another example of artists able to decorate anything and make a statement.









Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Quote of the Week


"I hate flowers-I paint them because they are cheaper than models and they don't move."         Georgia O'Keeffe


Mayfest
Alex True

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Monday, May 7, 2018

So What's Next?


24"x 24"

I've never tried this before. I have covered the canvas with these neutral geometric shapes as my underpainting. What I plan to put on top is completely different & I don't know how much, if any, of the underpainting will remain visable. We can only wait and see.