All things Paper

Jun 02 2014

Art Journal Preview #3 — Panel Discussion Tonight!

By melissasasichambers Inspiration Book

Tonight’s the night we have our much anticipated TVAA panel discussion of Art Journaling at 6:00 pm at the Creative Access Arts Center at 500 S. 8th in Boise.

Besides me, you’ll hear from Pam McKnight, Beau Van Greener, Jeanette Ross and Lisa Cheney. The panel’s discussion will be led by Dr. Kathleen Keyes, President of the Boise Art Museum Trustees.

But before that, I have one last preview of one of my art journals — my Inspiration Book. I mentioned yesterday that it’s like a visual bucket list of things I want to have, or do, or make, and because for me there’s not much separation between my art and my home (painted floors, doors, dishes, etc.), or my wardrobe (painted boots, appliquéd bracelets, etc.), or any holiday or celebration, the book reflects a very broad range of things which inspire me….

I hope you can make it to tonight’s discussion. If not, I hope you are aware of the many pleasures and benefits of keeping an art journal. And, if the whole concept is new to you, I hope seeing a little of the kinds of art journals I keep might inspire you to begin your own.

May 31 2014

Art Journal Preview – “Text Book”

By melissasasichambers Inspiration Book

On Monday, June 2nd at 6:00 at the Creative Access Arts Center at 500 S. 8th in Boise I will be sitting on a panel discussion about Art Journaling with four other artists, Pam McKnight, Lisa Cheney, Beau Van Greener and Jeanette Ross.

Kathleen Keys will be leading the discussion. If you are in town you should come on down, and bring your own art journal to “show and tell” with the other artists after the panel speaks. That’s when it should get really interesting!

Here’s a preview of one of my art journals, “Text Book,” which is a Travel & Leisure magazine I folded and then drew patterns all over using Sharpies.

Tomorrow I’ll preview a completely different kind of art journal which I keep with ideas for painted rugs. Prepare to be floored.

Apr 15 2014

Leftovers

By melissasasichambers Exhibitions

Today is the last day to submit work for the Wingtip Press Leftovers Print Exchange. I’ve only participated once before, but it was such a cool thang — you get 12 different original prints by other artists in exchange — that I’ve been meaning to repeat it, and I actually managed to get my act together this year!

In keeping with the idea of leftovers, my block is made of cut scraps of adhesive backed rubber from some long forgotten project which I stuck randomly onto a piece of cardboard, instead of just throwing them away.

The paper I used is black printmaking paper which I’ve also had hanging around for quite some time just waiting for a project like this to come along.

Mike let me borrow his ink, brayer, and method — which I have carefully observed over 27 years of watching him create our Christmas card each year.

First you ink the block with the brayer.

Then you lay the paper on the inked block and rub the paper evenly all over with the back of a spoon.

And finally, you pull the print.

I made 18 prints in all. 14 go to the Leftovers Print Exchange.

I’ll show you the 12 I get in exchange when they arrive. Meanwhile, here’s #6/18 “Pieces of Summer.” (I guess I could also call it “One more reason to save your scraps!”)

Feb 03 2014

Plans for Treefort Public Art

By melissasasichambers 2D & 3D, Treefort Tarps

I finally made it to Whew!

You may remember the tiniest amount of whining and self pity emitting from this blog as I struggled with my first big important project for 2014 — designing a public art piece for the Treefort Music Fest, March 20 – 23. Oh come on, I wasn’t that bad!

My plan is to create giant “papel picado” similar to the banners we string up on our patios to make it festive. All with a nod to tree forts and music.

I plan to make up to seven of these using 10 ft. square vinyl tarps, which happen to come in an amazing array of colors: blue, green, red, orange, silver, brown, black…

then string them together just like the papel picado banners they are modeled on, and hang them the length of a building in downtown Boise. Not just any building. My bright eyed friends will recognize this immediately as the back wall of the Record Exhange.

There are two other terrific artists, Mike Landa and Bobby Gaytan who are designing projects as well. All three of us have gotten approval up to this point — actually we were told our concepts were “wildly positively approved” — and let me tell you, that feels great!

Now I am waiting for final approval from the building owners to hang my piece at this site. I hope to hear this week, and the minute I do I will be buying a rainbow assortment of vinyl tarps.

Gotta tell you, I have lived in Boise off and on for 23 years, have never claimed to be anything but a city girl (Why do we camp?), and frankly I’m relieved to finally find a purpose for these tarps that makes perfect sense to me.

Now get ready to listen to me whine about how much work it is to cut out 700 sq. ft. of vinyl.

Just keep those triple shot breve lattes coming!

Jan 31 2014

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

By melissasasichambers Holidaze

Gung Hay Fat Choy! That means “Congratulations on your prosperity!”

May it be so for you and yours all year long in more ways than simply financial — though more pennies in the piggy are always welcome too!

This morning I thought I might get clever with all the wonderful joss papers I’ve collected up in my studio.

I didn’t know quite what I’d do. Maybe make a door wreath, or fancy-dancey mobile or string up a colorful banner. Something.

Today was Friday though, which meant Art Friday, which meant Lula and I headed over to mom’s….where we didn’t get to watch a lovely Chinese artist cut a horse out of red paper.