I know I usually only post once on Fridays, but I had to share this with you before the weekend! Uncommon Goods is sponsoring their second Art Contest and they want YOU!
Here’s your chance for your work to be seen by an Uncommon Goods Art Buyer and The Jealous Curator herself, Danielle Krysa! AND you could win 500 smackeroos plus a deal on limited editions of your work through Uncommon Goods. You can see all the details and how to enter on the Uncommon Goods Art Contest page. But you’d better scoot– deadline for entries is Monday, March 31st!
Artwork above, Jump Off by 2012 contest winner, Matthew Amey.
This post was sponsored by Uncommon Goods. All opinions are my own. Want to sponsor a post on Artsy Forager? Use this contact form, let’s chat!
Spring is officially here! As much as I adore winter, there is something about spring that brings out the joy and hopefulness in us, don’t you think? Like when I owned my little house in Florida, how excited I would get every spring to go to the local nursery and buy pretty flowers and mulch and transform my little yard, keeping my fingers crossed I could somehow keep everything alive! ( Hint: I usually didn’t. ). Even while we’re vagabonding it and renting, I long to transform each space in the spring. This year, I’ll have to just gaze longingly at all the wonderfully artsy gardening products popping up all over. Here are a few of my favorites found in my design foraging this week–
Any plans to do some diggin’ in the dirt this weekend? Mr. F and I are heading over to San Diego for some much needed time with friends. I’m hoping we’ll see some glimpses of spring while we’re there!
You are some lucky Artsies this week! Not only were you treated to a peek inside the studio of this month’s Featured Artist, Peri Schwartz, today you get to see inside the studio of one of our City Mouse|Country Mouse artists, Christina Baker! Christina was kind enough to give us a little glimpse inside her home studio, which just happens to be conveniently located in the kitchen– where the coffee is!– and takes the time to chat a bit about her work.
Give a warm Artsy welcome to Christina Baker!
Artsy | Hi, C! Thanks so much for opening up your studio to us and taking a few minutes to chat. I’ll dive right in.. Every artist has such a different way of working. Can you tell us about your painting process?
Christina | Well, for starters I am used to working in an open studio outside of my house. I’ve been working in that environment for almost 10 years now. Last fall I began working at home. Our kitchen is my favorite room in the house. I love to cook and I love to paint so we decided to turn the kitchen into a working studio from 8am till about 4pm each day. It’s actually really worked for me. There is plenty of light and the best part about it is that I am accessible to my family at any time. I’m also self taught and though I feel it has helped me maintain some originality, it has definitely kept me back a lot. I’ve always had a natural eye for color and composition but what I am still to this day learning is technique– trying to get the paint to do what I want it to do! This has by far been my biggest challenge. I paint in acrylics, although at times use both an oil as well as a watercolor format. My grandmother was a watercolor artist, so watercolor was the first medium, aside from Crayola, that I ever tried. I also like to keep my brushes and paint wet. It not only helps me with movement, but slowly builds a transition for additional, thicker paint with less use of water. I tend to use my fingernails in most every painting I do. It is an impulse as well as habit. Some people have called it a signature of sorts.. I’ll scratch free flowing lines or shapes through some of the thicker painted area. It sort of loosens up the area as well as adds depth and texture. The bad side of this is, it doesn’t always work.
[ pup Java likes to “help” ]
AF | You paint some landscapes in addition to your very successful abstract series. How is your process different when painting abstracts versus landscapes?
CB | Oh boy….This question opens a big can of worms! Just ask my husband. Landscapes, florals, as well as most anything with a subject matter, is so much easier for me to paint. I can usually do a landscape in a day or two. Though my heart is mostly in abstract painting, it carries with it a great deal of discipline and focus. The best way I can describe it is like writing a song. The first few sections are actually rather easy, but the more elements added, the harder it is to glue it all together. Sometimes you start off with one idea, you add your next idea, shape color, composition or contrast and it changes the entire dynamic of the piece. The next thing you know, you have something completely different than what you even remotely thought you would end up with! Another way to describe it is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Well, maybe putting together a puzzle is a lot easier. Anyway, the reason I love doing abstracts so much is that when I am in the groove I truly do get lost in the painting. It’s that certain “zone” where you’re not really thinking anymore, you’re just painting, where all the magic happens. If I am singing out loud ( aka annoying the family ), I am in the zone. This is when I do my very best work.
AF | Where do you find your inspiration?
CB | It’s absolutely everywhere! Aside from friends and family, which are always such an inspiration, I would say that color in general is something that has always sparked that feeling of “I can not wait to try this!” sort of thing. I remember back in the 90’s when films were using this sort of orange and green tint and I just loved it. The basic simple composition of every day visuals is also very inspiring to me. It could be something as simple as a bottle cap laying on the sidewalk but just shy of the grass line, a photograph, the way the street lights sort of trickle down our beveled window at night. Sometimes it is a current event which could be personal or universal. Other obvious forms of inspiration for me come from the work of other artists which include, photographers, writers as well as painters.
AF | Do you have a finished composition in mind when you begin or do you just feel your way through?
CB | I wish I were able to plan out my work but I can’t. Usually the only thing I can control is the colors I have chosen to use for a specific piece. Even that can and will change as I go! There are countless times when I am “seeing” the outcome in advance but usually the finished piece never matches that vision.
AF | How has your work changed since moving from Florida to Tennessee?
CB | I haven’t seen much change inspired from my move to another state but what I have seen and felt is change inspired by my life here in Tennessee. I have finally met my soul mate, another long but very beautiful story! He has brought so much joy and happiness to my family and my life that it has definitely shown up in my work.
My husband collects comic books, bear with me as I’m going somewhere with this, and though it may seem unrelated to painting I feel it is relevant to the direction my art has taken. Learning more about the culture behind comics, and it goes so much deeper than Spider-Man, I have learned how wonderful it is to become open minded to so many areas in life some may have never thought to explore. Simon Pegg could not have said it better with this quote:
Being a geek is all about being honest about what you enjoy and not being afraid to demonstrate that affection. It means never having to play it cool about how much you like something. It’s basically a license to proudly emote on a somewhat childish level rather than behave like a supposed adult. Being a geek is extremely liberating.
How does this fit into me being an artist? It’s becuase I am living my life and expressing myself via my work with the most liberating mindset that I have ever had. I am trying so many new things and have so much yet to discover that there is just not enough time in the day to do it all!
AF | I asked Deann this question, so I just have to ask you, too. If you weren’t an artist, what would your dream job be?
CB | An interior designer! I love interior design and Pinterest has totally been heaven for me in this department. Though my taste leans more contemporary, I have always had great appreciation for antiques. My mom owned an antique shop when I was a child, so for obvious reasons my love for antiques will always stay with me. As I grew older, I realized my eye was more drawn to simple clean lines, the less is more sort of thing, but over all, I honestly just appreciate all interior design. Especially when the two words, old and new are combined. In other words, eclectic.
AF | Thanks so much for chatting, Christina and a special thanks to your hubby, Jeremy Baker for taking such lovely photographs!
CB | Thank you for this really fun interview, Lesley!
If you’d like to see results of Christina’s studio work, please check out her work in the City Mouse | Country Mouse show and sale currently up in Found Gallery, as well as on her website.
One fact presents itself to me every day: there is an overwhelming amount of amazing art to be discovered in this world! And sometimes, I get so caught up in finding new artists for you that I neglect to share extraordinary new work by artists who have already been “foraged” by moi. Never fear, because those days are over! This is the first in a new monthly series, Artsy Lately, in which I will bring you new work by an artist previously featured on the blog. But wait, that’s not all! If you’re on Pinterest, you’ll also find a new Artsy Forager board titled Artsy Lately, where yours truly as well as the wonderful artists themselves will be pinning new work! Exciting stuff, ya’ll!
Now let’s get down to the business at hand. I’ve been in love with the work of LA artist Geoff Mitchell since the first time I saw it and immediately featured him on the site. Then I was able to see his work in person during my visit to Florida Mining back in November. So when I saw Geoff post a new crop of work, not only did I respond with an elated gasp, I just knew I just had to share it with you.
Sunspots, mixed media on panel, 20×20
As with all of Mitchell’s work, these are images put together with more thought toward the imagery and compositions themselves rather than the associations we may make– the artist leaves that completely up to us. He hands us the puzzle, yet there is no rightor wrong completion or conclusion. We see what we see.
Magic Lantern, mixed media on panel, 20×20Music Box, mixed media on panel, 20×20Thin ice, mixed media on panel, 20×20
Mitchell’s work always has such a wonderful sense of mystery.. like pages torn from a book, we are only given a few chosen details, graphically executed from which to mold our own story.
Rose Cara Cara, mixed media on panel, 20×20
To see more of Geoff Mitchell’s work, please visit his website. I’m hoping before Mr. F & I leave Southern California that I’ll be able to get over to LA and give you a glimpse inside Geoff’s studio. I think there are stories awaiting there.
Be sure to also check out the new Artsy Lately board on Pinterest. We already have 16 artists who’ve joined in and started pinning their latest work! Are you an artist whose work has been featured on Artsy Forager? Send me an email at artsyforager(at)att(dot)com and I’ll send you an invitation to pin!
When we get a glimpse inside the studio of this month’s Featured Artist, Peri Schwartz, we not only see into gain insight into where she works, but in this video, we are also given the privilege of seeing how she works. I promise you will never look at one of her paintings the same way again.
What better way is there to officially kick off Spring than a chance to win some art?! I assert that there is none! That’s right, Artsies, Art Association is back and this one is going to be crazy good, I can feel it! After February’s contest Erin, my partner in AA crime over at artsocial, and I persuaded this month’s artist, Karen Schnepf to participate and we think you’ll love her work just as much as we do. Seriously, it is gorgeous!
If you’re new to Art Association, here’s the what’s what — You create a Pinterest board around one work of art ( which we provide ), filled with anything and everything that pops into your mind while gazing at the catalyst piece.
Are you ready to get started? Of course, you are! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and you’re ready to pin your little hearts out. Our catalyst piece for this month is.. Wedding Day by Karen Schnepf!
Step 2 | You create a Pinterest board titled Art Association, like mine here, where you pin any and all images you associate with the featured artwork ( like word associations, only visual )– here’s a sneak peek at some of my associations
Step 3 | Leave a link to your Art Association pinboard in the Comments section of this post
Colors Layered 26 by Karen Schnepf, collaged painting with high gloss finish, 12×12
Erin & I will choose the best board entry, who will be the lucky new owner of Colors Layered 26 by Karen Schnepf ( below )! Colors Layered is a series of work in which paper is painted, cut, then layered onto panel and coated with a smooth, high gloss finish. ( The work has to be photographed before the finish s applied or else it is impossible to capture without glare ). Isn’t it stunning? I’m incredibly jealous of whoever wins this lovely.
The pinner with the best Art Association board ( as judged by me and Erin ) will be chosen on Wednesday, March 27th at 5pm (mountain standard time). I can’t wait to gaze upon all the beautifully colored boards I just know you guys are going to come up with! This currently desert-dwelling-gal needs some color!
OK, now go forth and pin!
**So sorry but the contest is open to US residents only. Stupid laws.
Cornish Window Sill, mixed media on panel, 80×60 cm
Often dividing her surfaces into planes of color, Pamphilon treats us to glimpses of moments that, though simple as they may be, draw us in with their sweetness and humor.
Blackbird Eyeing Up Sleeping Lily Wondering If He Can Borrow Crumbs From Phillip’s Plate, mixed media on canvas, 50×40 cmStudying India, mixed media on panel, 30×30 cmIndian Seed Pods and Chai, mixed media on panel, 30×30 cm
There is such a sense of collected spontaneity about her work, as if each finished piece is just a quick little sketch in her journal, a remembrance of the day, sights, sounds, and findings.
At the Old Rising Sun, mixed media on panel, 40×30 cm
Sigh. Her work makes me wish I was a better journal keeper. Guess I’ll have to settle for Instagram. To see more of Elaine Pamphilon’s work, please visit her website.
More and more of our interaction and how we present ourselves to the world, as well as how we perceive others is based on online representations. In his Off II series, Danish artist Johan Rosenmunthe places digitized images of friends from the internet into entirely analog settings. See more from this series of work in my Artist Watch on Escape Into Lifehere!
Do you ever have days when you just feel abundantly blessed? I hope you do!! These days I’m feeling amazingly thankful for so much. Mr. Forager, the life we lead, the life we’re building, what I do here and everyone who shares in it. When I was gazing at these abstract paintings by Conneticut artist Sandy Welch, one word came to mind: abundance.
Springtime in the Park #2
These paintings are filled to overflowing with vibrant color and energetic rhythm. Fairly frenetic with joy, they are brimming with life, just as the world explodes in color each spring.
All That Jazz, acrylic, 30×40Spring II
The paint is almost dancing off the canvas, isn’t it?! Each one is just brimming with hopefulness and frivolity. I think we need to remind ourselves sometimes that it’s OK to be happy. Life isn’t perfect, no, but overall it is pretty darn good.
This was our 3rd weekend in a row at home in Joshua Tree.. let’s just say we’re getting a bit stir crazy! Especially since we heard of a possible job assignment for Mr. F in an area we would really like to see and experience ( could possibly have more news on that front even today! *fingers crossed* ). So much of our weekend, in between Mr. F doing coursework, baking bread, making pasta, drinking pina coladas ( we like getting caught in the rain ), piles of laundry, Mr. F’s fourth turn at home brewing, and tending a delish Beef & Ale Stew for St. Patty’s, we talked and dreamed about what could be our next landing spot. All the while melting in the Southern California spring sun.
How about you, Artsies? Any daydreaming and plan-making happen in your world this weekend? Want to see more snaps from our artsy life? Follow me on Instagram!
