India Inspired Art+ Trash Installation

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

This installation piece was inspired by my comparison of American methods of dealing with trash and other countries. America tends to hide our trash even though we have way more trash than most countries. I compared this with the crazy amount of trash in the streets in India and other countries I have visited. In addition to the visible differences trash is often upcycled and reused in various ways. The reuse of trash and recycling leads to various jobs as well.

Check out the video below and be sure to subscribe to see my artists statement when I publish that post. Also subscribe to my YouTube channel to see lots of Art videos.
 

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

Felicia Follum Trash Installation Art

World Water Matt Damon Press Conference Response

World Water by Felicia Follum

Matt Damon recently put out a video with Water.org. The video really made me start thinking about what I saw in Haiti.  I created this poster in response to some of the children....

...and I created the video response below to talk more about my experience in Haiti, why I think it is important to help other abroad as well as locally and to show off my graphic design world water poster.

You can view Matt Damon's video here.

#TheLilyPadProject Update Video

#TheLilyPadProject update Video

 

I have prints and greeting cards for sale! 
 
Check out my Portfolio to see Card Packs

All individual cards $5 each

Assorted Card packs (pick either watercolor or prints)

3 cards = $14
4 cards = $17
5 cards = $22
6 cards = $25

#TheLilyPadProject Vlog Video

Hey guys!! Be sure to come to my art exhibition #TheLilyPadProject in the next couple weeks.

If you can't make it to Laramie, Wyoming no problem. Host in a local venue. I am always looking for places to share my artwork.

I wanted to share my exhibition Vlog video with you all.  If you haven't found me on YouTube be sure to head over to my channel.

Art In Haiti

Me sharing a a Paper Bead Lesson

Here is a post from my religion blog. I talk about my experience teaching art in Haiti leading art lessons. I will edit the post a bit. To see the original and more about the religions of Haiti and my spiritual experience check out my SckRlgn Blog.

As many of you know I was fortunate to be able to take a trip to Haiti last summer (2011). The goal of our group was to build a chicken coupe in a small village community while spreading the Good News.

One of the cultural differences led to the Haitian males taking away most of the American women’s jobs while working on the chicken house (polaye in Creole). Though frustrating for some of the ladies in our group, this was a good thing for two reasons. First, I strongly believe that it was our job to equip people rather than do for them. And second (third, fourth and fifth), this dynamic led to me being surrounded by tons of kids, and the opportunities to lead art lessons, learn some Creole, and having the chance to spend quality time with one of the older girls. One-on-one time with a role model of some sort is a major need for many young women in Haiti. In fact if I go again I plan to take nail polish to share with the young women (probably women of all ages).

The photo above is me teaching some of the order girls and young boys how to make paper beads. You can read more about the Upcycled paper beads in my tutorial. I also took around 60 friendship bracelet kits (just cut string ready to be braided or knotted) Using art to connect with people was a unique and beautiful experience. I went in with no Creole and some of the older kids knew how to count to 5 in English and say Miami. The art lessons allowed me to make friends with one of the families as well as some other kids and leaders in the community. Using art allowed us to teach each other basic language skills but also forces us to use sign language (actually having sign language experience was more beneficial than my Spanish) and other forms of communication such as body language and sounds.

I would love the opportunity to go back to the small village again, to show the kids that it was not a one-time event, but rather a sincere investment in their lives. I also have a small amount of money to take back from selling my art in response to the first trip.

Ink Lounge Screen Print Workshop

This workshop was a wonderful opportunity to learn some fairly simple DIY printing processes.

All you need is a screen, photo emulsion, wax paper, a squeegee and ink.

First you choose your bottom color and cut that shape out of wax paper. The paper will stick to the screen because of the ink.

More photos and my final print below.

Education in Response to Haiti

Did you know that less than 1% of what the world spends on weapons in a year was needed to put every child in school for the same amount of time, but it did not happen?

The above poster uses this quote and a photo of school children in Haiti.  The community I was in seemed to have a decent number of kids in school; however, most of the kids were still just running around.  All of the children I gave art lessons to were not in school this was about 40 each day.

For each 11x17 poster sold ($25) I will donate enough to Thomazeau, Haiti to sponsor one child in school for a year.  Please do let me know if you are interested.  If you would like more information about sponsoring a child or teacher for a year, please let me know. 

See more artwork inspired by my trip to Haiti.

Marcus Garvey

Marcus Garvey is a significant figure in the field of African American religious culture for a variety of reasons.  He played a major role in the Back to Africa movement as well as the RastafarI religion.  In addition he was viewed by many as an African prophet.

Read more about Marcus Garvey on my religion blog, Sick Religion.

Human Trafficking: Art+ Global Justice

My next body of artwork will be focusing on the sex industry and human trafficking.  I am not sure where this will go but I would like to share a photograph I took over Christmas break while back home in Rapid City, South Dakota. I am not sure if I will use this image or not; however, I do think that it is a strong image.  It shows the contrast and addiction that our society possesses.  There are so many addicted to porn, many who think there is nothing wrong with and few who understand the effects that it actually has on our county.  Be sure to follow my blog for more information on the sex industry and human trafficking as well as my artwork in response to the topic.  This link will take you to posts directly relating to this body of work.

My goal is to have an idea by the end of this semester and a body of work by the end of summer (or a couple months after).  This may be pushing it but I think I can make it happen.

Phenomenal Woman

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Who Taught You to Hate Yourself?

Although King and Malcolm had their differences (theological and social) I would like to share a poster I created featuring the famous Malcolm quote "who taught you to hate yourself" in honor of Martin Luther King day.  Malcolm and King were both extremely important leaders in the African American community and the Civil Rights movement and both deserve to be honored.  The goal of my art exhibition was to create dialog about race, religion and the significance of African American history.  King and Malcolm both succeed in pushing this same conversation forward.

The famous "Who Taught You to Hate Yourself" speech by Malcolm X.

Below is an example of how young children have been taught to hate themselves through the images they see and what they are told.

Another video on the topic (great for parrents)

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American Dream: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Truth

American Dream

Though America is great, it is important to remember the true history of our country.  It was built on the backs of African slaves and is currently being built on the backs of underpaid, overworked Latinos and other under-privileged people groups (sometimes slaves). Avoiding reality will not make it go away (as we just saw in "History can't be Undone, But it can be Erased").  The idea of the American Dream is based upon ideas that many will never be able to achieve.

Inspiration for American Dream

This work began as a part of 1892 (post coming soon), a work depicting the large number of lynchings in 1892.  America began with the slave trade.  Laws were passed allowing the murder of blacks and lynchings were a weekly occurrence after church on Sundays.  American Dream depicts how American history and some aspects of culture are so ingrained in the culture and our understanding of what it means to be American (even if some refuse to admit and confront this history).  This work is meant to be a criticism (constructive criticism) of America today as well as a reminder of our history.

The American Flag

I understand that the American flag can be overused; however, it can also be a powerful symbol for cultural values. The flag is the perfect symbol to show our country's history.  I would like to continue to use the flag as a symbol in my next body of work which will be focusing on sex trafficking.  The flag has also been used in mys past bodies of work.  See my Native American history poster "Incarceration." 

Exhibition Feedback

I was talking to a man at the opening; he was reading a slave narrative and this piece really resonated with him.  The book he was reading talked about how breeding with female slaves was just an everyday topic and part of American culture.  One of my favorite aspects of having this exhibition is how many conversations were started in response to the serious topic.  Art is a powerful too for social dialog an change.

On a side, but related not, attacks on the LGBTQ community are becoming increasingly common by the same groups (such as the KKK, neo-Nazis, radical Nationalists, and racialists).


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1892: 230 Lynchings in America

There were 230 people lynched in 1892 and this piece is dedicated to each of those individuals.

Lynchings in One Year

1892 (originally titled 230 nooses) is the piece that started the idea of using nooses. Through research I found that there were 230 people lynched in 1892.

Viewing X and Cone in Historical Context

I had been trying to figure out how to help people understand Malcolm X and James Cone, two historical figures often misunderstood. Using nooses to show the extent of the overwhelming hatred, racism, ignorance, and bigotry to which they were responding seemed like a perfect solution to help people see the necessity for their intensity. I wasn’t sure where I was going with this idea of creating nooses or how I was going to display the 230 drawings. All I knew was that I had to make over 20 every week to make enough in time for opening night.

Experimenting

In addition to the 230 nooses, this piece actually morphed into several other works including Negro Family Tree, History Can’t be Undone, but It Can be Erased, American Dream, and Noose. The variety of works developed through the process of making 230 drawings.  I experimented and the experiments ended up being separate works.  The text hidden in this piece is composed of quotes from KKK leaders and essays I read while researching for Make it Plain.  These quotes and more text will reappear in a post about one of my books exhibited in this art show.


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History Can't Be Undone...

Detail of center image

...but It Can Be Erased

This piece is a series of three prints made from a pink eraser.  As they go from left to right they fade.  This speaks to the forgetting of and changes to history over a period of time.   The center image is torn out and placed on the top of another print underneath.  The covered print relates to covering up the past and the idea that those who have the power teach us the history they want us to remember, while those who choose to look a little deeper will see the truth.

The title is from a lyric from the band Spoken and is an incredibly powerful idea.


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Negro Family Tree

Interesting Welcome

Negro Family Tree can be seen from down the hall before you enter the gallery space.  People recognize the framed pieces and how it looks like a shrine, altar or simply photos that your grandparents would have of their family.  As you get closer, you realize that these images are not portraits but nooses.

The piece originated as I was playing around with 1892 (I will post more on that later) and ways to display the 230 drawings; I decided to frame some. I enjoyed the irony of framing something like a noose.  The feeling of having something morbid, yet beautifully drawn in ink sit on my desk, in the studio, while I was working as intriguing.  I wanted to share that feeling with others, so I decided to take the 15 framed nooses and make them a separate piece based on the idea of not knowing details of ones family history but rather knowing the way family members died, an idea of which Malcolm X spoke.

Exhibition Feedback

From those I talked to about this piece, my goals of depicting a beautiful shrine in honor of someone from outside the gallery space did work.  The piece was met with sad shock upon the realization that this shrine was composed of noose portraits.  


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BordoBello

The BordoBello skateboard art fundraiser is an annual event that works to spread the arts throughout Denver, CO.  The proceeds from this years event event went to the Access Gallery & Studio and toward the Robert Taylor AIGA Colorado scholarship.

I was fortunate to have my work in the show a few years back, as a part of course took that was taught by David Carson. 

Though my boards were a part of the show in 2009, here are some images from the end of last month's show.

What image would you want on your skateboard? I picked my pet salamander. Why? because he is really really cool.

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Short Lived: Complete Story

Artist Statement from the show

The drawing technique of ink and wash along with graphic design concepts are both influential in my current work. Ink and wash is a medium that I have been exploring recently. As part of this exploration, I was excited to combine ink and wash with book arts, as the two work together well. My formal training in graphic design also had a major influence on my current work. The technical skills and precision needed in graphic design translated well to the construction of the books. The communication of ideas is also a strong focus within the graphic design discipline, and this skill is especially important with the political and social topics that I choose to address. I’ve found that these topics are well suited to book arts because of their interactive and intimate nature. For these works, I was fortunate to find that my formal training, current artistic direction, and personal interests fit well together within the book arts discipline.

The book show will be up through September 29th.  At the Works of Wyoming art gallery. As mentioned above, I often address social topics.  The topic of abortion still leads to heated and controversial arguments (or discussions, if lucky).  I like addressing serious topics through art because I can allow the viewer to think for himself.  I not telling the viewer what to believe or what to think but there is still interaction and dialog.

As an artist I am fortunate to be able to talk about topics in a unique language.

I like that my art can be as bold or as mellow as I want it to be.  It can be in your face and powerful or it can hint at an idea or symbol.  What are some social topics you would like to see addressed in my artwork? Take the one question quiz or let me know below. 

Inspirational Social Justice/Artist Posters

"James Cone's Jesus" and "Malcolm X: Who taught you to Hate Yourself"



Grace is Queer

From the time I was quite young, I have been passionate about helping others. I have also been blessed with artistic talent. I believe that making a difference in people's lives is one of the most important things that I can do with my artwork. The top several posters are my work and the bottom ones are some that have inspired me. I hope you enjoy.

Incarceration

Church and State

GRACE

Keep reading to find some inspirational posters designed by a variety of artists.
Click the link below the image to find the artist or get more information.

The ArtsVan

A short slideshow from my summer with the ArtsVan.

The ArtsVan travelled to various parks in and around Yakima, Washington, giving art lessons to kids.  Art is something that has almost completely disappeared from the school in Yakima.  Allied Arts also provides art lessons in the schools to help the kids get some exposure. 

Some of the communities that we worked in are heavy with gang violence, poverty, and single parents.  A goal of the van is to help these kids have a positive outlet as well as some positive role models, all while teaching them some basic skills (such as using scissors).

In the future, I would love to go back to Yakima and work with kids who are into gang tags and help them to put their efforts and talents into making artwork.  I will post some of my ideas for projects in the near future.

Last Thursday Portland

For those of you who were unable to attend Last Thursday on Alberta in Portland,
here is a bit of what you missed

My Art

And a whole bunch more craziness....