It seems that the hipster craft craze has given birds a bad name in the art world. If you’ve seen the “Put a Bird On it” sketch from IFC’s hilarious Portlandia, you know what I’m talkin’ about. Bird “art” is everywhere. It’s those mixed-media collagey things that you see at outdoor art festivals and markets, it’s the ubiquitous black bird on a bare branch. Now don’t get me wrong, some of this bird art is lovely and fun. But after a while, it all begins to look the same.
I want to set the record straight. Restore the good name of bird art. Here’s a round up of my favorite pieces featuring our fine feathered friends…
Barn Owl by Mary Alayne ThomasTrespasser by Camille EngelClover by Jim DraperGolden Light by Diane FarrisBeginnings by Susan HallCaeli by Vicki Sawyer
Think we may be doing a bit of bird watching this weekend. If you’d like to do some online birding, check out the featured artists’ websites for more ornithological goodies.
Artists have long held a fascination for horses. Some of the earliest cave drawings were filled with equine imagery. Modern artists are no different. Today’s faves feature artists with a penchant for ponies. Enjoy!
Yesterday I went out searching for some artsy inspiration in the area around Aberdeen. I’m sorry to say that, though I visited a couple of galleries in Ocean Shores, I found only one artist’s work that caused me to take a second look. Unfortunately, most of what was there was pretty touristy, not-great-art-but-there-must-be-a-market-for-it kind of stuff. So I came home feeling a tiny bit defeated.
To give myself a pick-me-up, I watched an episode of So You Think You Can Dance ( guilty pleasure confession time! ). While the commercials were playing, I found myself glancing out of the windows of my office/studio and found myself inspired. So I started sketching– for the first time in a long time. It turns out I did find some artsy inspiration yesterday, from a surprising combination, the view of Aberdeen out of our windows and my own inner spirit.
So today, we’re celebrating other artists who’ve inspired me to make the most out of my current view! On with the show!
Vertical Horizontal Break I by Hamish MacEwanEarly Morning Breeze by Camille EngelWindowpane by Sharon SprungParthenon I by Lisa Ernst
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend! Take the time to enjoy your view, whatever it may be.
Today is my birthday, ya’ll. I will be happily spending the day with the one who birthed me, touring the Downtown Jacksonville studio of Christina Foard and researching downtown galleries for an article I’m writing for EU Magazine ( my first published print article! ). In the spirit of Steve Martin’s SNL “Christmas Wish” sketch, I’m indulging in my own Birthday Wish list.
These are works of art that, “If I could have but one birthday wish this birthday”… to own any one of these would be my birthday wish. These are the pieces I covet, the pieces that I know I would love forever and ever and give them a kind and loving home.
The title alone makes me smile. I love how the palette is both warm and cool AND neutral all at the same time. And I have a thing for circles. I’ve seen this in person and it is stunning.
I fell in love with this the first time I saw it on Christina’s Facebook page. It reminds me of the devotion and complete commitment it takes to make a life with someone, to be a united front through thick and thin, to be sure of each other no matter what may lie ahead. Maybe I’m just a starry-eyed newlywed.
I could go on and on adding more and more to this list– believe me, there are MANY more! But I was raised to not be greedy, so I’m limiting myself to these five. Even if I don’t have the real thing, they will always be here for me to gaze upon lovingly. Happy birthday to me!
Happy Friday everyone! If you’re in North Florida, no, that light coming through your windows is not an April Fool’s Day joke– the sun is finally shining! If you haven’t made it to the beach yet, here are a few of my favorite beachy pieces to get your through until then.. each one brings a little somethin’ different, dontcha think?
