Sunday, December 22, 2013

Glam Tree I

12/21/13
jewelry on foam


Glam Tree 1


Today's collage is a sculptural Christmas tree made of recycled costume jewelry on a 8" tall foam cone.  Love the glamourous texture of this little holiday treat.  

Also made a smaller companion piece to give the little blue bird some company.  


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Peace for Christmas II

12/16/13
11x14 collage on canvas

Peace for Christmas II


Second in a series of Christmas reindeer collages.  This fellow's enjoying a little peace before guests arrive and the craziness of the season sets in.  

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Peace for Christmas

12/15/13
11x14 collage on canvas
Peace for Christmas

Today's collage features a couple of reindeer who have peace on their mind as the Christmas holidays approach.  


Monday, December 9, 2013

Rubber ducky waits out Icemageddon

12/8/13
9x13 collage on paper


Rubber ducky waits out Icemageddon

Day three of the December ice storm that hit the Dallas area this weekend.  Today's collage is a study in contrasts between a serene rubber duck sitting on a calm counter by the sink (enjoying a warm and cozy house), and an old man trying to stay upright in his boat on a wild and shark infested sea (drivers out on highways covered in ice).   Thankful to be the ducky for this one.  




Sunday, December 8, 2013

Holiday trimmings

12/6/13
18x24 acrylic paint and paper collage on canvas


Holiday trimmings

Today's collage is a celebration of all the ribbons and ornaments involved in preparing a festive scene for Christmas.  





Saturday, December 7, 2013

Stocking stuffers

12/5/13
1x6 Paper collage on pressboard 


Stocking stuffers

Working on some handmade collage bookmarks to share as stocking stuffers at Christmas.  


Monday, December 2, 2013

Birthday Hound

11/27/13
9x12 collage on paper

Birthday Hound

Celebrating a special November birthday, and trying to keep up with this crazed hound in the process.  

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Tea Time

11/10/13
9x12 pressboard and paper collage



Celebrating magnificence on a quiet Sunday.  Today's collage features a rhinoceros beetle and several colorful fabrics to liven up tea time.  


Saturday, November 9, 2013

Holiday Message III - Dare to be Mean Green

11/9/13
9x13 paper collage

Holiday Message III

Enjoying a little pre-Holiday peace in this collage.  Homecoming is today at the 'ol alma mater.  Go mean green. 



Thursday, November 7, 2013

Underwater World

11/6/13
11x15 collage on paper

Underwater World
Feeling a little under-water at work lately with some of the shenanigans that have recently come into play.

Though these Manta Rays are a little brighter orange and more round than Nature's, their swift and silent movement through the ocean and their ability to sense electrical currents in those sea creatures around them (many of them lurking just below the ocean floor), are just as real.

The stacked charcoal and the fossilized fish outlined on the ocean floor represents sly tactics, office politics, and outdated ways of thinking and working.

The little dingy with a single paddle represents my gratitude for lifelines outside the office, and opportunities to get over the daily ripples in the water's surface.



Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Holiday Message II

11/6/13
9x12 collage on paper

Playing around with a little non-traditional coloring for this dove of peace.  


Holiday Message II

Monday, November 4, 2013

Early Holiday Message I

11/4/13
9x13 collage on paper

Now that Halloween's behind us, I'm starting to think about the upcoming Holiday season.  

Today's collage features a light-bearing snowman that would love to lead the individuals, lingering in blue shadows, into the light.  


Early Holiday Message I







Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Made Something 365

Check out my post-Project summary interview and write up (along with many other creatives who are completing 365-Day Projects of their own).

http://makesomething365.blogspot.com/




WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013

A Collage A Day with Louise Hay

Laura E.C. Stukel in Denton, Texas made  A Collage A Day with Louise Hay... 


She explains... 
My goal was to create a collage every day starting October 1, 2012 using mixed media on 11x15
  • watercolor paper as a background, including:
  • scrapbook paper,
  • magazine photos (mostly Interior Design, National Geographic, and Real Simple),
  • watercolor and acrylic paint,
  • Sharpie pens and stencils,
  • and other found objects.
I used positive affirmations quoted from the work of Louise Hay in You Can Heal Your Life, and her website.  Louise is/was one of the first modern luminaries to key in on the connection between mind and body wellness in a way that is accessible to the masses.  She writes about how our thoughts can impact our physical wellness or our experience of dis-ease. 
 
I also used the book 365: A Daily Creativity Journal by Noah Scalin to help guide my themes and techniques each day, and to give me the extra push on days when creative inspiration was needed. 
 


Why did you decide to do this project? I spend most of my days as a facilities designer and project manager in a Fortune 50 corporate headquarters in the US.  Moving people and furniture around an office complex can, at times, be challenging and thankless work.  I was looking for a way to help focus on the positive, to find a new way to unwind from my day besides turning on the TV, and to encourage more creative expression in my typical day.  This project was a way for me to better balance aspects of my life, so that my mind and time were not all focused on work.  

The only other time I've taken on the challenge of a daily project was in 2011 when I wrote a thank you note a day for a full year.  I’d heard an NPR interview with John Kralik about his book, 365 Thank Yous: The Year a Simple Act of Daily Gratitude Changed My Life, and thought I would like to try it.  I had to be creative toward the end of the year in order to complete the full 365, but I count the experience a good one and an exercise in gratitude and discipline that I'd recommend to anyone.  Each note required a moment to pause and reflect on something I could feel grateful for, and an action to reach out and thank someone for that moment.   


How has doing a yearlong/daily project affected your life? This project has been a self-exploration and endurance race that I've found immensely rewarding.   It has had ups and downs.  Some day's the collages turned out better than others, but it has gotten me back in touch with a creative aspect to my personality that I had set aside in service of a steady paycheck. 

Each day as I sat down in my work area, I knew I'd have at least an hour to ponder a positive and affirming thought.  As I started the project, I wrote a full year's worth of Louise Hay’s affirmations into Noah's Creativity Journal without thought to what they said or how they might work with the Journal exercise.  As the days progressed, I marveled at how the affirmation and the technique of the day (or the affirmation and some experience that had happened earlier in my day) matched up, as if by design…  Divine guidance?  Perhaps.

This project turned out to be a scratch for some unexplained itch that I felt as December 21, 2012 approached and I felt my anxiety rising.  Of course, that date has now come and gone without visible incident, and I look back now at my collages as helpful Art therapy in working through my feelings at the time.

This project also helped me through the tense days that followed my first and only trip to the Boston Marathon, during the one year in its history where the Marathon was targeted for homemade bombs and chaos.   Made it home safe and sound... and got back to work.   

Noah's book was invaluable at keeping me on track and out of a creative rut.  I appreciated the encouragement/directive in 365: A Daily Creativity Journal to post my project to an online blog and share as I went.  (Would probably have never done it otherwise.)  Hope others have enjoyed seeing the progression throughout the year athttp://interiarts.blogspot.com/   Had to work through my self-consciousness about whether my Art was any good or not.    Ironically, I found that staying true to the 365 day project regardless of whether anyone was paying attention online was also key. 

On days when inspiration was flagging, I found that working with dogs as subject matter always pulled me forward.  Before this year, I used to think that ‘dog art’ wasn’t really serious ‘fine art’.  However, I also learned through the course of the year that if dog art makes me feel good to make, then as subject matter it’s as good as anything else.  (The two basset hounds that slobbered and snored at my feet as I worked through this year were patient muses.)

I spent a lot of my collage time listening to a range of audio topics that helped me learn and open my mind as I worked.  Thanks are due to the Paranormal Podcast, Darkness Radio, Mysterious Universe, The Honoring Hour, and Essential Oils Experience, and others on Blog Talk Radio.

I see this past year as an extension and expansion of my original 365 thank you note project in 2011.  I still write an occasional thank you note, but I feel that this year has been a catalyst to continue on in visual and expressive Arts.  I’m excited to try new artistic themes and techniques as I move forward, and to keep up a daily creativity habit.  Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!

Counted Blessings

10/27/13
9x12 Collage on Paper

Counted Blessings

Today's collage features a contemplative woman thinking about the "pearls" in her life and the blossoming of new blessings that are bound to come. 



Monday, October 28, 2013

Art Appreciation

10/24/13
11x14 Collage on Paper


“There is more to life than simply increasing its speed.” 




Art Appreciation
  

I've come to the conclusion that if a person is set on plastering TV monitors and iPad's all over a building, it's hard to convince them to appreciate Art for the value it can bring to the overall design of a space, providing a place for the eye to rest and the mind to contemplate... and elevating the soul in the process.  Van Gogh and Monet are becoming merely images in a quick-cycling slideshow, if they're present at all.  (Wonder how they'd embrace technology if they were around today?) 

Today's collage is about the role of Fine Art and technology in workplace design, and a few challenges I've been experiencing in my work lately.  The background of the collage represents the two-hour long commute I travel each day to get to a job where my better design judgment and personal feelings are many times shipwrecked by a clueless 'moose in the tundra' that happens to be higher up the organizational chart than I am.  The red stapler references the movie Office Space and its appreciation for many of same themes I encounter every day in corporate life. 





Friday, October 25, 2013

Lighten Up

10/21/13
9x12 paper collage

Today's collage features a brave and fun-loving penguin who appears to be thinking up bright ideas as he/she walks the spinning cogs in the machine that is corporate life. Time for me to lighten up and enjoy the walk too. 


Lighten Up



Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Number Three

10/20/13
9x12 paper collage
  



The number Three

The number three was the subject of a rerun episode of Ancient Aliens that I watched on TV this afternoon, and just happens to be my Life Path number in numerology.   Got me thinking about the number 3 today.  


Today's collage features a kaleidoscope of reds and yellows, along with a few other symbols:   
A classic Eames chair representing design and aesthetics, 
The number 3 representing my lifepath and career choices, 
Yellow representing the color of the third chakra (solar plexus chakra), 
A sea creature representing the stinging comments or reactions I sometimes receive from others around me,  
and A butterfly representing change and growth. 


Message from Ask And It Will Happen deck by Joanne Gregory:  
Don't Be A Victim.  
"Recognize when you are in victim mode and know you can be free of it. Make the choice to stop hurting. Choose to believe that you are doing better, and that good things are coming to you.  What you believe to be true will be."  



Monday, October 21, 2013

Rhino knows

10/18/13
12x12 Mixed Media

Today's collage is a profile view of a rhinoceros whose surface is textured with paper covered washers. 


Rhino knows

Inspired by an earlier collage and a card pulled from my deck of Animal Messages by Susie Green, Rhinoceros has a good message about calming the mind so that, in the stillness, the truth can come through.  Since I'm still working on goal-setting, Rhino's advice should come in handy. 


Friday, October 18, 2013

Energy colors


10/14/13 
9x12 Paper Collage


Energy colors

After work today, got home and decided I would take a few minutes for a quick guided meditation on my ipod. My basset hounds were glad of the company after being home alone all day and didn't recognize that meditation typically means quiet time, and a break from the usual pets they get.  



I finally decided to include Cleo in the meditation rather than keep shooing her off. Noticed that the third eye and the crown chakras are pretty close together on a dog.  The long ear chakra, though, is the one that really took us some time.  

  





Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Ulimate Future II

10/13/13
12x9 Mixed Media Collage

Still playing around with Chameleon's today and ruminating on Animal Messages related to goal-setting. Today's collage features a mild-mannered lizard sitting in a tree, thinking about what his/her future holds.
    
Ultimate Future II

Chameleon


Inspired by the Chameleon card, in a deck of Animal Messages cards by Susie Green.  According to the card, chameleon represents both beauty and the bizarre.  He/she fascinates and bewitches.  Brings a message that rare energies surround me.  And I possess senses beyond the normal five- psychic communication, awareness of auras and vibration of energies. Much the way chameleon changes color as an expression of his feelings in certain situations, he also tells me that others need to know how I feel. 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Garnish added

10/6/13
11x14 Mixed Media Collage

Having fun with repurposed costume jewelry that I picked up at an Estate Sale for an early start on Christmas gifts for this year.  Also used the back of a Indian wedding invitation I found in an empty drawer at work and newsprint from a 1963 Fort Worth Star Telegram as a the background.  Love that there was an article headlined, "Turkey Good With Garnish of Cranberries."  (just to the left of the lamppost) 


Garnish added


Sunday, October 13, 2013

The Ultimate Future

10/11/13
12x9 Mixed Media Collage


The Ultimate Future
Chameleon

Today's collage, on the subject of setting goals, is a bright Chameleon in a wild purple setting with a message for my future.  This card, in a deck of Animal Messages cards by Susie Green, turned up when I spent time today thinking about my ultimate future as I look for new creative direction.  



According to the card, chameleon represents both beauty and the bizarre.  He/she fascinates and bewitches.  Brings a message that rare energies surround me.  And I possess senses beyond the normal five- psychic communication, awareness of auras and vibration of energies. Much the way chameleon changes color as an expression of his feelings in certain situations, he also tells me that others need to know how I feel.   



Saturday, October 12, 2013

What if THIS was the last year of your life?

10/10/13
9x12 Mixed Media Collage

Now that I've completed my 365 Collage a Day with Louise Hay project, I've been thinking about what's next for me.   I'm still trying to come up with my next creative project, so I think I'll spend some time on the topic of goal-setting for a bit.  

With the help of some card decks I bought on Amazon.com and an archived audio program on Darkness Radio (Jan. 4, 2012) here's my collage and some thoughts on goal-setting.


  
GOALS
Set a goal and write it down, and release the outcome.  Small steps make a big difference. 





ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

You were created limitless.
There is nothing you cannot achieve. 
You have no limitations and no goal is out of reach.
The only thing that prevents you from bringing all you desire to you is what you believe. 
Whatever you believe to be true will be. 




WHAT IF THIS WAS THE LAST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE?
On first glance, this topic seems a little dark.  The more I thought about it, though, the more I felt there were a lot of possibilities for positive change and growth built in.  

What would I change?
What would I do differently?
What would I start?  Or stop? 
Who would I connect with?
Who would I forgive?
Where would I go? 

p.s. I didn't notice until I had finished this collage that there's a creepy little black hand reaching out for the E below the jester playing his happy little song on his tree branch. Weird.  (Click the photo to enlarge)



Friday, October 11, 2013

House of Perception - The Back of My House

10/4/13

As a treat-to-self and celebration of the culmination of my 365 Day Project,
I found a meetup group for creatives in the Dallas area (Express Yourself Artistically) and joined a class called,

We made a 'house of perception' based on the five senses, using several intuitive exercises and a guided meditation.  Great day and several fun, talented and artistic women in class.   Artfully led by Rosemary.


Here's my final collage from that day.

Back of House


The Back of My House
During class I found a hand-made sticker with flowers, a sun, and my name on it. Since there weren't names on any of the other materials we had to work with in class, I figured it was "meant to be" and used it for my house.  Found out later it was made by our instructor, Rosemary's, sister during another art class... prior to her sister's passing.  For a moment it was melancholy in the room, but then I felt delighted and privileged for happening across such a precious item.  I get to enjoy a colorful symbol of light and life, and Rosemary got to have a good memory of her sister and their time together. 



Thursday, October 10, 2013

House of Perception - Intuition Attic

10/4/13

As a treat-to-self and celebration of the culmination of my 365 Day Project,
I found a meetup group for creatives in the Dallas area (Express Yourself Artistically) and joined a class called,

We made a 'house of perception' based on the five senses, using several intuitive exercises and a guided meditation.  Great day and several fun, talented and artistic women in class.   Artfully led by Rosemary.


Here's another collage from that day.

Sense of Intuition


Intuition Attic
This room represents the intuitive attic in my house.  It has a window to nature and an outline of one of my favorite flowers- the sunflower.  I used pine needles and an oak leaf from my neighborhood as a reminder to get out and enjoy the natural world, even if some days nature is nothing more than a dog walk with my spouse in the neighborhood.



Wednesday, October 9, 2013

House of Perception - Room of Touch

10/4/13

As a treat-to-self and celebration of the culmination of my 365 Day Project,
I found a meetup group for creatives in the Dallas area (Express Yourself Artistically) and joined a class called,

We made a 'house of perception' based on the five senses, using several intuitive exercises and a guided meditation.  Great day and several fun, talented and artistic women in class.   Artfully led by Rosemary.




Here's another collage from that day.

Sense of touch


Room of touch
This room in my house signifies tactile experiences and a reminder to feel life as I live it. 
I used both shiny and soft fabrics, a spongy colorful eraser, a row earring backs for tactile experiences.  Also used the color violet as a reminder that some of things we touch or that touch us are more spiritual in nature than physical. 



Tuesday, October 8, 2013

House of Perception - Room of Taste

10/4/13

As a treat-to-self and celebration of the culmination of my 365 Day Project,
I found a meetup group for creatives in the Dallas area (Express Yourself Artistically) and joined a class called,

We made a 'house of perception' based on the five senses, using several intuitive exercises and a guided meditation.  Great day and several fun, talented and artistic women in class.   Artfully led by Rosemary.



Here's another collage from that day.

Room of taste
This room in my house is about eating more vegetables, and turning the traditional food pyramid and Standard American Diet on its edge.  Each day is a new start with healthier eating habits. 

Sense of Taste

Monday, October 7, 2013

House of Perception - Room of Hearing

10/4/13

As a treat-to-self and celebration of the culmination of my 365 Day Project,
I found a meetup group for creatives in the Dallas area (Express Yourself Artistically) and joined a class called,

We made a 'house of perception' based on the five senses, using several intuitive exercises and a guided meditation.  Great day and several fun, talented and artistic women in class.   Artfully led by Rosemary.



Here's another collage from that day.

Sense of Hearing


Room of hearing
This room in my house is about the sounds of creation during my 365 Day Collage Project. Dogs snoring at my feet and keeping me company as I made collages each day.  Louise Hay and Noah Scalin keeping me on track with my daily project plan. Voices from my workday carrying into my 'moving meditations', as I worked at my collage table.  Angels whispering in my ear about what to put on paper and what to throw out.  


Sunday, October 6, 2013

House of Perception - Room of Smell

10/4/13

As a treat-to-self and celebration of the culmination of my 365 Day Project,
I found a meetup group for creatives in the Dallas area (Express Yourself Artistically) and joined a class called,

We made a 'house of perception' based on the five senses, using several intuitive exercises and a guided meditation.  Great day and several fun, talented and artistic women in class.   Artfully led by Rosemary.


Here's another collage from that day.

Sense of Smell

Room of smell
This room in my house is about my learning journey over the past year related to essential oils, health and well-being.  And how we are each our own best healer.  Love the uplifting feelings and peace, and calming that comes with citrus smells.  
  
Sense of Smell