my powder room- functional art

I Just read in the Tuesday Houston Chronicle, Alyson Wards article

regarding  tiny under-stairwell powder rooms

"Creating a 'jewel box' ". I treasure mine and consider it functional art - a installation if you will...

 

Here it is. 

Such a tiny jewel it is near impossible to photograph.  

Such a tiny jewel it is near impossible to photograph.  

The space under the stairs is tight. Not able to find a sink that would fit I salvaged an old copper bucket and made it my sink. I mounted it on 3 claw and ball legs on top of a circular piece of royal oyster marble. My plumbing is hidden with a skirt of beaded fabric (perfect for a jewel box) I found in the evening wear section of High Fashion. My splash of color is a tiny antique oriental rug from The Pride of Persia. Two walls and the angled cieling are mirrored head to toe creating a bit of a fun house. Above the sink is an antique guilded mirror (mirror on mirror). The surprise treat in my jewel box is the patina inside the copper sink. I love checking it out when I wash my hands. 

 

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Curtis and I were like little kids.

 I am trying to see more local art so last week I volunteered Curtis and myself to help out at the Lawndale opening. That way I knew for sure I would see the exhibit. Before our shift started we found tucked away on the second floor a fabulous installation, "Prismatic" by Melissa Borell. We were like little kids walking through the installation the light plays with translucent colors and geometric shapes that are suspended from the cieling. It is like a room full of beautiful ultra modern rainbows.  "Prismatic" was a visual treat for this kid.

 

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How to- shake shake Shake II in coffee, walnut oil and Soap bubbles

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 I really do use soap bubbles. I mix them with corn syrup to make them stronger and coffee if I want them light blonde, walnut oil for the dark golden color and gesso for white bubbles. I start by blowing bubbles in the direction I want them to land. Once  the bubble area is established I start drawing in the dog then add more bubbles and splashes. I usually get as much on me as I do on the paper. I really appreciate all the positive feedback and request. 

My inner thoughts while drawing the first day of advance drawing class at Glassell.

Thursday was the first day of my advanced mark making and gesture drawing class.   Considering the first day of class  jitters I decided to draw a figure I know well (less stressful). My goal was just stay loose, stay loose,  stay loose, draw instinctively, no plan, DON'T get stuck in details. Experiment with the materials - how many different looks can I achieve with a charcoal chunk, spray bottle and a push pin? Stay loose stay loose stay loose. Do not worry about details. 

FYI-I used the push pin to mark on the paper by slightly tearing the paper, similar to engraving.  

Happy dog VII 

Happy dog VII 

Happy dog IX 

Happy dog IX 

Happy dog X

Happy dog X

Happy Dog X 

Happy Dog X 

Happy dog XII 

Happy dog XII 

Happy Dog XII 

Happy Dog XII 

Happy dog VIII is my favorite. 

Happy national dog day

Everyday should be happy dog day.  

 Happy dog in wildflowers  Collage, charcoal,  pastel8' x 6'" On cloth (vintage sheet

 

Happy dog in wildflowers  

Collage, charcoal,  pastel

8' x 6'" On cloth (vintage sheet

It is intimidating and fun to draw on something as big as a bed sheet. Plus starting on a busy patterned surface is not the norm. I used color pastels to enhance the flowers that worked and gesso to wash out the colors that were not working. I found this old sheet on eBay. I think I had this exact pattern when I was a teenager. this was a lot of fun - I hope you can tell. 

Happy dog day- 🐾🐾 

Playing with bubbles

It just does not sound right to say "working with bubbles" or maybe it is just more fun? Any way it is what I did today. 

My mess is below. 

My goal today is to creat 6 pieces in my shake shake shake - in coffee and walnut oilSo I can put together a couple of lenticular prints.  

My goal today is to creat 6 pieces in my shake shake shake -

in coffee and walnut oil

So I can put together a couple of lenticular prints.  

It is or I should say I am very messy.  

It is or I should say I am very messy.  

Bubble detail.  

Bubble detail.  

My water lilies and art

I walked out to my patio late this morning to find this breath taking beauty.  I understand how Monet was inspired to paint so many paintings of  his pond.  It is especially inspiring  this time of the year, since the night blooming lilies take their time in the morning to close as we move into fall. Bisexual the lilie will open 3 nights the first night it is a female and the 2nd and 3rd nights it is male. The large bloom is about 8" across. How cool is that? 

I would draw this lilie by I just don't think you can beat a photo of this lilie.  

Missouri water lilie still open at 9:00 am.  

Missouri water lilie still open at 9:00 am.  

Sculpture is all about lighting and never under estimate the importance of the title of work.

Museo Soumaya Sculpture Exhibit - post number 2

The light from the skylight was hitting this small sculpture so beautifully,

 as I got closer it just got better and better......

but when I saw the title "La noche"  - well I will never forget this piece. It is terracotta on a wooden base by Albert - Ernest Carrier - Belleuse of France c 1860

I will definitely put terra-cotta on my list of materials to explore. The texture of the clay looks like pores in her skin. The imperfections = beauty. + light + great title never hurt.

 

 

Drawing with coffee, walnut ink and bubbles.

Anna is a whitish golden retriever who has lovely white paws and legs with golden ears. Last week she was in her first wedding. When the groom whistled she ran down the aisle with a wreath for a collar right to the feet of the beautiful bride Sarah. This is a wedding gift for Sarah. Thank you Gina for the wedding play by play. 

I experimented with drawing with coffee instead of ink.  I thought it would make a better likeness for a golden retriever.  Black ink just says black Labrador. Did it worked? 

I will mail it next week Sarah.  I would love a picture of the bride and groom and anna to post. 

shake shake shake -Anna                     33" X 20" coffee, walnut ink and bubbles  

shake shake shake -Anna                     33" X 20" 

coffee, walnut ink and bubbles  

Muralist Movement

Since I love monumental drawings I am particularly drawn to the Mexican Murals.  On the way to the Belles Artes Museo we saw the below mural. I am not sure the message or the artist, but the pieces does a great job of expressing anger and frustration. The drawing is 3 stories tall and interestingly the broken gun is on the corner of the building. It was cool to see a modern day mural right before we saw the works of Diego, Camarena, and Siqueiros. The Muralist movement started in the 1920's and was a powerful way to make a political statement. 

A mural a block away from the Palacio de Belles Artes. 

Curtis and Griffin lead the way to the Palcacio de Belles Artes in Mexico City- Neo classical , Art nouveau with an interior that is Art deco all rolled into one. The dome is crystal and there is a Tiffany in the theater. 

Curtis and Griffin lead the way to the Palcacio de Belles Artes in Mexico City- Neo classical , Art nouveau with an interior that is Art deco all rolled into one. The dome is crystal and there is a Tiffany in the theater. 

Liberacion or (The man is released from the misery)1963 by Jorge Gonzalez Camarena part of the muralist movement 

Liberacion or (The man is released from the misery)1963 by Jorge Gonzalez Camarena part of the muralist movement 

Work in progress 8-19 More bubbles

shake shake shake - anna 

Today I am experimenting with a "shake shake shake " of a golden retriever named Anna. Anna is so loved she was in her owner Sarah's wedding. I didn't think black ink would work for a golden so first I tried coffee then I added a little walnut water color for the darker areas. These need to dry then I will add more bubbles and shakes. Then I will send the best one off as a wedding gift to a beautiful bride. 👰🐾

Works in progress  

Works in progress  

Source: http://cindeeklement.con