Sketchbook Re-vamp

Although all has been quiet on the blog front, I'm still playing around with mixed media!

I had some fun with some found papers and mod podge to re-vamp my sketchbook today. It is much cheerier now!  

Kent Ambler Woodcuts

I think I've mentioned here before how much I love printmaking of any kind. Kent Ambler creates amazing woodcuts and he is from Greenville, SC (about an hour away from me)! I love his work and subject matter and hope to purchase a print from him one day. He was showing some work at Art and Light Gallery in Greenville and also has an amazing website here.

If You Want To Receive a Message...

..Put Up Your Antenna.

I'm still tweaking this painting somewhat. I'm trying to mess around more with more paper ephemera in my paintings. This is an acrylic and mixed media on a 12 x 12 wood panel.

I love antennas. To me they symbolize the fascination we all have with connecting to something more; something higher, other. Whether we choose to admit it or not, I think we all want to know what our purpose is, why we are here, and if there is something or someone greater than us out there. I think we all want to feel like we are in touch with more than just the mundane and day to day. When we put our "antennas" up, we are showing that we believe that there is something more than us. We are trusting that our signal is being sent out and that somewhere it will be received.

New Stitchery

I doodled this design in my sketchbook about a year ago, and I rediscovered it the other day. I love how the wording isn't completely obvious at first, and I think it's just a fun little design. It didn't take me long to stitch, only about two sessions. Considering my obsession and consistent theme of cityscapes and skylines in my art work, you would think I live in a city. But I only live in a little southern town, and the skyline of my town is not really art worthy. I've thought about making art out of real city skylines, but I don't feel that I have a connection with any major cities, being that my only experience with them is short visits. Ah well, I guess imaginary cities are fine for now.

Four Fantastic Favorite Prints

1. Classy Deer in Black print by Coco de Paris

2. We Go Our Own Way print by Jessica Swift

3. Queen of the Birds collage print by Catwalk

4. Time For Coffee print by Man Vs. Ink

So, I've been sick with a gross cold today so I have been rambling on the internet looking for art inspiration and bright things to cheer me up. I've always wanted to be able to screen print my own prints and t-shirts. Something about the process appeals to my concrete sequential OCD nature. Screen printing just seems like one of those hobbies that requires you to purchase a lot of expensive equipment just to get started, and then I would feel very committed to screen printing, and would probably feel guilty if I didn't make prints every day on it. I've looked into DIY screen printing set ups, and I think that might also be a fun option. I just need time and motivation! One day I will do it and make awesome things, but for now I will have fun looking at other people's magical screen printed wares, like the fabulous coffee print by Man Vs. Ink!