Creativity Boosting Prompt #15 - Change Things Up

Sometimes moving to a new setting is good. I love my art studio but there is still something unique about going to campus and creating art with the people that I went to school with.

Here is a list of ten places that you could try creating artwork, journaling, or sketching.

Garden + Greenhouse. Instagram for more pics.

1. Outdoors - Garden, green house, back yard
2. Indoors - Coffee shop, restaurant 
3. Your home - Different room
4. A friend's house
5. In a hotel or other lobby - Random
6. Somewhere while on vacation
7. An Art Gallery or Museum
8. A Sporting Event
9. Class
10. A Dance Studio

Graphhics and Art Jobs

I absolutely love it when people are inspired by my videos and/or my art and take the time to comment. Here is a recent comment on Google+ that made me smile.

Check out the comment and video below.

“Watching you and listening to you has rekindled my interesting in art--I've been feeling lost and was starting to doubt whether or not I should continue majoring in graphic design while in college--but you reminded me that there is so much to be done with graphic design and art. I especially love that you mentioned how you liked working with people because I do too!! Thanks and I'll check out AmeriCorps”

Wow, this comment was so kind. I really hope to share valuable lessons that I have learned from my own experience. I am currently editing a series of videos based on my volunteer experiences and what I learned. If there are any other questions out there, please let me know as I would love to create some video responses to your questions.

230 Nooses for Black History Month

I hope everyone has a fantastic Black History Month!!! I wanted to share some artwork with you from my last exhibition titled "Make it Plain."

This video shows a piece names 1982 and talks about why I chose to create 230 nooses. The song playing in the background, Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday, was also written out in one of my books. As you will see he goal of my noose artwork was to help people understand a bit more about African American history and the racism that existed and to some extent still does exist. You can see images of the finished piece at the end of the video.


To see more of my art check out my YouTube channel.

Creatress

Creatress

Cre`a´tress

n. 1. She who creates.

2. A person or thing that creates

3. Originator

Watercolor Paint Palate

As an artist it is always interesting to see the process, tools, and work area of fellow artists.

My watercolor palate started with 17 basic colors (the green on the left through the blue on the right, and white in the corner).  As I learned to paint I have slowly added more colors on the outside.  Since then I have also added colors to the inside of the large spaces.

You can also see my travel watercolor kit.

My Urban Art+ Studio Mini Garden

Even though we have the best apartment in Laramie, I would argue that there are some pitfalls to every great thing.  One of ours is that we have little to no natural lighting, forcing my husband and I to plant our urban garden in my art studio.  (My studio space is actually in our apartment building on the same floor and everything, so its not a big deal at all.)

I purchased some starter plants from a local greenhouse.  An older lady starts all of her plants in her garden at home and sells them.  This was great to know because it means they all grow well in Laramie.  Each small planter was $1.  8 plants for $8, not bad.

For the planters I used some plastic containers the lady at the green house gave me.  I will be taking the leftovers back. 

I also had some wood drawers that were from an old paint desk, from the old Fine Arts building.  Another student had used these drawers for an art project which I later found next to a dumpster.  Upcylcing and urban gardening in one shot!


Here you can see our plants from above.  In the back there are three pepper plants, two Cute Stuff and 1 Hottie.  In the front we have the spices, parsley, dill, mint, chocolate mint, and one more that I just forgot.

 

Do you have an urban garden you would like to share? Any tips? What plants do you grow? Feel free to share in the comments below.

Backpacking Art Kit

I am currently packing up for a backpacking trip. It has been too long, almost 3 years since my last trip, and the last couple weeks, arguably months, have been way too busy, stressful, and painful for my own good.

I photographed some of my supplies figured I would share my traveling art supplies that I will be taking on this trip. I took a similar set to Haiti with me.

Keep reading to see what is inside this little guy...

My New Art Studio

As promised, here are some photos of my new art studio.  

See photos from the move into the space.

Workspace. I have three more “scalia” watercolors in progress, one watercolor from Haiti, and one that is a bit messing around featuring pirate imagery.

Storage. I am not one to be overly organized but I must admit, I am proud of this supply closet.

Wall Art and Seating. Prints from a screen printing workshop a while back.  I will post some photos from that soon. All of the processes were pretty simple to DIY. The giant bean bags came from Salvation Army. I was stoked to find them for only $5.

It is a bit messier at the moment...

Paper, matting and framing station.  Finally space that is not our dining room table!!!

Moving into the New Studio

In-between finishing up classes, making art work, hanging artwork for SAL (Student Art League), preparing for graduation, and working two jobs (finishing one and starting another) I have been moving into my new art studio.

The room has not been inhabited in over 7 years and my landlord has 30 apartments turning over.  Due to this combination of circumstances I finished cleaning the studio space in exchange for the first month free.

The studio space is basically a small hotel room. We got a great deal and there is even a bathroom and closet. The space is in the same building we live in, so our wireless Internet works and it is close by.

The window that you can see in the photo looks out over 3rd street and is located right above Grand Ave. Pizza.  If you are not familiar with the area, it is a great location.  If you would like stop by feel free to get a hold of me on Facebook or call my cell. 605.863.0818 and we can set up a studio visit.  Be sure to follow my blog and Facebook for upcoming studio and other events.