I’m pretty much a late bloomer when it comes to this virtual world I now find myself spending so much time trying to navigate. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into the world of email, let alone social media of any kind, so I am probably more surprised than anyone that I actually am enjoying having a blog and website, to say nothing of Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Pinterest is my favorite social media application simply because it has huge appeal for the avaricious visual junkie. (Not that I know anyone fitting that description.) But as I write the word “simply” in conjunction with the concept of Pinterest, even in jest, I am aware how naive that sounds.
Sure, I want the groovy visual scrapbook I can collect on my boards, but more than that I want to figure out how to plug into the network of connectivity between individuals generating ideas, creating art, and truly collaborating — and I’m working on it. I know this much, in order to connect you not only need to follow pinners and collect pins, you also need to be followed, by lots and lots and lots of followers.
I’ve only just started with Pinterest and other than my family I think most of my 16 (woot woot) followers follow me thanks to my tattoo board — well, ink is for life so we tend to be people who know how to commit which means at least they’ll stick with me — but what I’d really like is to have followers who stay because of the art. I need to attract followers.
So…duh, I just added a Second Helpings board, and my plan is to add more boards for my Exhibitions, my Portraits, my Public Art, while continuing with the other boards I already have which are more about inspiration and insight into my taste and sense of humor. Oh, and I’m also going to add a Lula board. Should have mentioned that first, right?
If you’re on Pinterest please follow me (and I will happily return the favor) and send my pins of my art to your friends, and if you aren’t on Pinterest yet, check it out. No need for kicking and screaming.
Sewing birds have got to be my favorite Second Helpings objects to paint. I had no idea they even existed until a couple of years ago when my friend Marilyn brought me one she had for me to fancy up.
This is that first bird:
Your scissors make the beak and topknot, there are padded wings to use as pin cushions, places to put your spools of thread, and a little drawer for your thimbles or the odd button.
They’re so sweet they make your teeth hurt just to look at them!
I don’t find sewing birds very often but now I always buy them when I stumble upon one. I found these two at my favorite secondhand store soon after finishing Marilyn’s bird. Makes me wonder how many I missed before I knew to look for them.
Dagnabit.
You may remember my finding this tweetheart a few months ago when you see this BEFORE picture:
And here are the AFTER photos in sequence as I painted the entire bird with acrylic paint — including the felt wings which were painted with acrylic paint mixed with Textile Medium so the paint won’t crack.
When I was finished with all the colors and detail I wanted to add I sealed it with a coat of Minwax Polycrylic Sealer.
I even got a brand new pair of pink sewing scissors to complete the look! Who’s a fancy bird now!
So keep your eyes peeled for the odd objects, the misfit toys, the ugly ducklings — they make for the most spectacular transformations. And if you honestly don’t know what to do with them, just pass them on to me. I paint everything!
There’s a new show of our traffic box art at the Sesqui-shop downtown which opened this First Thursday. “Good Luck, Sweet Cookie” is fulfilling its own prophesy!
The Boise City Department of Arts & History will continue to sponsor shows and events in this wonderful space on Main Street between 10th and 11th for at least the coming year.
Karl LeClair, the newest addition to the Treasure Valley Artists’ Alliance Board, and the source for a fresh perspective for the TVAA Education and Workshops Committee is also the latest addition to the BDA&H staff at the Sesqui-shop.
Leslie Dixon was at the opening too. I got to know Leslie when we were both part of Karen Bubb’s pilot program for the Public Art Academy. She’s one talented gal, hopefully on the verge of a really BIG project which will be awesome for her and for Boise.
Pop into the Sesqui-shop and take the time to look at the original work that was created and then translated into vinyl wrap for the traffic boxes. I think you’ll be surprised by the variety of media and the size of the pieces — many of them are quite small. I know you’ll be impressed by the quality of the artwork.
All of the photos I have used in this post were taken by Alex Couey of the Idaho Statesman. See all the photos he took here, and for future events he photographs (Thanks Alex!) be sure to bookmark idahostatesman.com/spotted
Remember when you cross the street to look both ways — you don’t want to miss the artwork!
To be perfectly honest, this is the way Lula prefers to spend her days — au naturel — just the way DOG made her.
But, it’s too cold and snowy lately, and Lula tends to tip over a bit more than most pups, so “clothing” is generally a good idea this time of year.
Besides, Lula is a girly-girl, which means she likes to dress-up and she tends to follow the same blogs I do. That’s how she knows that bloggers like to post about what they are wearing. One of the blogs we read regularly calls that segment “Worn.”
I’m going to tell you right now, other than painting my boots, I don’t plan to share my wardrobe with you. Lula, however, is her own dog. And this is Lula’s wardrobe:
And this is Lula’s wardrobe after I “painted” it with a few different filters:
Up to now I’ve only painted a portrait of Lula in an imaginary spotted coat, but I look forward to creating some artsy wearables for her soon.
2D or 3D, I know she will wear it well!
PHOTO BOOKS
Click the image to see the Tarpestry book
TARPS PICADAS: AN OVERVIEW
Treefort Tarps
