When we last left our story....

I was working on experiments with mudcloth. There were some notable successes, a few epic fails (as my son would say), and through it all, I've arrived at a way to adapt what I've learned into my work.  Here is a shot of five new pieces in my Talisman Series. The center one measures 5"w x 38" l, and the others are all 5"w x 24" l.  Each combines acrylic paint and polymer, with some of my original stamp designs, polymer beads inspired by Venetian glass trade beads, and metallic inks.   They've been a challenge; one of the many I set myself to develop new imagery and products for my upcoming show season.  There'll be more to come, so stay tuned....



2013 Wall of Talismans

 

Recent Creative Pursuits: Mud cloth experiment

Malian woman drawing pattern on bogolanfini

When people ask me how I create my work, I often say I follow what inspires me, to see where it leads.  Every year, I'm committed to showing and selling something just a bit different.  I say it's because I'm easily bored (!), but the real reason is twofold:  I'm inspired by many things, and I'm always looking for ways to express them in my work, and I never want to be one of those artists who does the same thing year after year.  In my experience of doing juried art shows, I've seen artists who do this; who display almost exactly the same pieces at show after show after show.  Yes, there's something to be said for having your own, unique style and sticking with it, but if you're boring your customers (how many of almost exactly the same thing does a person need?!), and turning off potential collectors, I'd say it's time to shake things up. 

What's been inspiring me lately is mud cloth.  Created by the Bambaran people of the Republic of Mali, west Africa, it is known as bogolanfini (bogo=mud, lan=with, fini=cloth).  Mud cloth is culturally significant, traditionally created by women, and used in ceremonies as well as for modern day clothing and home accessories.

My first attempt at mud cloth

The colors, patterns and symbols of mud cloth resonate with me, and though I don't often work with cloth, I experiemented with canvas, resist, inks and acrylic paint.  I should say at this point that one of my major impetuses to try this was my friend, and phenomenal artist Sharon DiGuilio.  We had a play date in her studio a couple of weeks ago, exploring all kinds of ways to print and use resists with fabric.  At right, you'll see my first attempt.  I'm not certain at this point how I'll use the fabric, or if I'll incorporate it into my wall hangings, but it sure was fun to play!  So much so, that Sharon and I have scheduled another play date this Friday, so stay tuned for more....

Slowly, but surely

As the title suggests, I'm slowly but surely getting back into the creative swing of things.  I have a full schedule of shows to which I'm applying, and while last year's slow sales mean I have inventory, I  still need to create new work. 

Last weekend's time in the studio produced two Talismans, one of which has yet to be titled.  They both feature one of my favorite polymer techniques:  faux raku. My work in this style confuses many viewers who think the polymer elements are raku fired.  I enjoy the process which involves using iron oxide, iridescent powders, acrylic paints, pastels, and patience to get each piece just the way I want it.  You can see some of my 'tools of the trade' above, as I work on the largest element of the finished Talisman at left. 

The one at right is done with the same technique, and combines polymer beads made by Jeanne Rhea with glass beads and a feather.  This one is called "Urafiki, Talisman of Friendship," in honor of Jeanne, who is a fantastic artist, creative inspiration, and dear friend.

Whose work inspires you?  Is it a 'famous' artist?  A friend? 

Have a wildly creative Wednesday.




No Excuses, and a Look Back, part 2

Continuing my 'No Excuses' update, here's what else kept me creatively occupied since August.

Artist Residency

Because of the summer project I'd done with Camp Friendly, which resulted in kids' work being included in the "Celebrating Abilities" show at Marbles Kids Museum, I was selected to become the first Resident Artist at Raleigh's Wake Enterprises (WE), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to assist people with disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independence.  The Residency was a pilot program, and I'm grateful to Betsy Ludwig, of Arts Access, for making it possible. 

During October and November, in one-hour sessions twice a week, I worked with adults with disabilities to create a variety of art projects.  There were nine participants and four caregivers in each session.  Prior to the classes, I was not aware of the types of disablilities of the participants--this was purposeful on my part:  I wanted to meet each person, and assess for myself his or her level of ability for the projects I'd planned.  The only thing I knew was this group was chosen because they were people who usually didn't get to do anything other than their daily work assignments. 

Meeting each participant "cold" turned out to be the correct approach for me, and I learned, right along with everyone else, what they could handle.  The WE staff was excellent; helping me and the artists (which is what they became over that short six week period) to create work they're proud of. 

At the end of the Residency, we mounted an art show, which was a huge success.  The excitement and proud smiles on the faces of artists and audience alike were fantastic to see.   It was a rewarding, eye-opening, challenging, way-out-of-my-comfort-zone experience, and as it ended, I realized I had  learned more than I taught.  One of the unexpected, yet wonderful results of the Residency was the experience of the caregivers who also enjoyed the art projects.  They valued the ability to see their clients in ways they'd never observed them before, be creative themselves, and have fun.  'Can't ask for much more than that!

Below are some images of the work the WE artists produced. Enjoy.

"Kandinsky Trees" and Chihuly-inspired Flowers and Vases

More "Kandinsky Trees"

Painted Paper Collage

No Excuses, and a Look Back, part 1

As the title suggests, I'm not going to make excuses for not having posted since the end of August.  In the next few posts, I will take a look back at the time between then and now, to give you a sense of what kept me creatively occupied.

Exhibiting and Selling My Work

Customers admiring work at the 2012 African American
Cultural Festival, in Raleigh

In early September, I participated in Raleigh's African American Cultural Festival; a 2-day, outdoor show I had done last year for the first time.  It was a good, not a great show, and as usual, weather had a role in the results.  I exhibited my 'Naima-biles' for the first time, and though they looked great hanging from the tent supports above our heads (see photo), they didn't generate sales.  Disappointing, yes, but since I love them, I've given some as gifts, and have five of them hanging in my studio. 






Fumu, Man of Majesty

Najah, Ancestress of Success

Later in the Fall, I made some direct sales to a couple who've since become friends.  It's wonderful when someone "gets" my work.  Then, no overt selling needs to take place; I can just share my experience of creating the pieces, and answer questions without having to worry that I'm being pushy, or giving more information than the potential collector wants.  Two of my Ancestress Series shadow box masks now have a new home.  In the interest of full disclosure, "Fumu" is a male mask (I've made only two males in the series), but I'd always envisioned this male and female existing together in the same space, and now they do.  These collectors have also acquired one of my Talisman series pieces, and they look great in their home (if I say so myself!).

 

I don't usually do shows in the fall, and last year was no exception.  But, I was still creatively busy.  In my next post, I'll tell you how.

 

Are you planning a busily creative 2013?  Tell me how!

Recent Creative Pursuits: Naima-biles

Just a quick post to update you on my month of August, which is unbelievably, almost over.  I've continued teaching, worked on a CMMAG project, and got word last week that I was to be included among the artists in the third annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh and Wake County (wow, that's a mouthful, isn't it?!).  I'd been on the waiting list for over a month, so I'm glad to know I'm finally in. 

Our CMMAG project:  "Winds of Change," debuts next month, and will continue through October, Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Participating members are creating wind chimes or mobiles which will be auctioned off in early October, at the Carolina Artists Colony in Sanford, NC.  It's a great cause, and a lovely idea, but when it was announced, my first thought was: Here's another one of those "out of my comfort zone" projects, since I don't work with anything which makes a good wind chime sounds!  Polymer clay is clunky, and beads don't really make sounds, so I was at a loss. 

My second thought was:  I'll make a mobile.  Yay.  But wait, I don't know how to build a mobile...uh oh...I need help. After a bit of moaning and complaining, my son the architecture student came to my rescue, and sketched out a design. We figured I could use paper, fishing line, and lightweight wire, but needed a way to hold the wire at the top.  So, I made a small cylinder of polymer, cut the wire, and pushed it through.  Once baked, the wire stayed inside, and we were in business.  My paper shapes are cut, painted and stamped with my original designs, and I love the result!  So much so, that after submitting the first one for the Winds of Change event, I've made four more to sell at the African American Cultural Festival.  I'm calling them "Naima-biles." Naima is the Arabic word for joy, and these mobiles bring a smile to my face whenever I see them.  I hope they will do that for others, too. 

Isn't it funny how when you're nudged (or shoved) outside your comfort zone, wonderful things happen that you'd never imagined? 

We're still working out how to best photograph them, but here's a first effort.  What do you think?

Naima-bile II
©2012 Michelle Davis Petelinz

Celebrating Abilities

In late February while I was the Marbles Kids Museum 'Playdate Artist', I attended a workshop on teaching art to children with developmental and physical disabilities, presented by Betsy Ludwig, the Program Director of Arts Access, Inc.  The nonprofit organization, founded in 1982, is based in Raleigh, NC.  Its  mission is to ensure that the arts are enjoyed by everyone.

 Last month, Betsy asked me to assist with a kids' art project which involved developing an exhibit idea and guiding the kids and counselors through it at Raleigh's Camp Friendly.  The goal was to have the project displayed at the "Celebrating Abilities" art show, at Marbles Kids Museum.  I was honored to have been asked, and jumped in with both feet. 

Upper right: a bugs in the grass scene, using the melted
crayon technique. I love the wiggly worms!

My idea for the exhibit was an undersea theme, which was perfect; the campers were learning about ocean life during the weeks I was there (synchronicity!).  The campers painted three large boards which would become the water, along with papers which would be used for the ocean floor, seaweed, and fish.  Once all the painting was done, I cut a variety of fish shapes from the painted papers, and the kids had a great time decorating them! Next,it was time let the fish swim in the ocean where I had glued strips of the sand-colored paper on the bottom, and cut some "seaweed" for them to swim around.  After the kids placed the fish, I added some real shells and sand dollars. 


This is the first time I've taught children with disabilities, and while at first I was a bit dismayed that I didn't know anything about the campers or their abilities, I found that it was better for me to approach them as I would any other child.  Presenting the colorful fun and messiness of painting, and seeing what the kids did worked out just fine.  Some vignettes:

A child entered the room and lay on the floor, seeming to want to block out what we were doing.  When his counselor encouraged him and held his hand, he painted the seaweed green papers intently. Each time he completed one, he proudly presented it to me. After he was done, he went back to laying on the floor.   

Other campers didn't speak, but were able to paint and decorate multiple fish, and smiled while doing it. 

A girl shyly touched my hand and said hello when she remembered I'd been there the week before.  Her fish is decorated with many pom poms. 

I love the fish with feathers, and the orange one
about to take a bite out of the sand at the bottom.

I observed, guided, and stepped back to let them create, and here's a closeup of one of the finished pieces. The "Celebrating Abilities" exhibit will be up until September 30, and  I hope the kids will be able to go see their work on the walls of the museum...it's a thrill for any artist, isn't it?! 

I'm so glad I got to be a part of it.