Slow Art

I'm not really referring to the Slow Movement as much as the idea of NOT rushing art. Not sure about others, but sometimes I get this minor guilt I should be cranking out work. Then I read about people like George Tooker, who just died at the age of 90. In the  New York Times article about his life they mention he "he produced from two to four paintings a year." I remind myself it's okay to time my time.

  George Tooker Landscape with Figures

This painting says it all, yes? 

Meanwhile

Talked trash on the jafagirl radio show yesterday and trying to remember which definition correctly identifies the difference between recycled, upcycled, repurposed.

Tried to find a NEW location for the pub alley project.

Took pics of things that caught my attention in town as my pal and I scouted locations.

Faces and Shadows

Started working on a 2" x 3" painting for the Miniature Show in June. Will glaze it with some colour once the Grisaille is dry.

 I love it when the sun shines through the window and shadows dance across the walls.

How's this though, shadow art created from junk, to see more click on the link.

from enviromental graffiti

photo by pashasha

Here is some info about the artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster.

I am facing an ugly demon

Insomnia 

There was a time when storms & squealing banshees in the night could never wake me, but now my nights seem filled with fragmented sleep and it's starting to take it's toll.

is how this spuggy feels. Hung around Ha Ha pizza with my jafapals, but now I am totally fagged out.

The magic needle

It looks that way in the pic with the sun reflecting off the needle.

This is part of my current piece and very tedious,all long & short stitch, but I'm  liking the effect and the abstract elements.

One of my favourite Abstract Embroidery artists is Takashi Iwasaki

It has a lovely Juan Miro feel to it. The colours, compositions and patterns are beautifully done.

 

Moon shadows

Love sitting outside on a cool night watching the flames of the firepit and the moon shadows.

Children's Art in Stitch

Used with permission

I went to the celebration of the knit knot box's return. As local story box ambassador, Jonatha, said:"since the Storybox was a national and international favourite, it was stuffed to overflowing with old and new stories. In fact Dr.Kevin Cordi told those present the contents of the box had to be divided into several boxes in order to handle the huge volume of contributions added during it's two years of world travel."

The Storybox

I had so much fun digging into the box and found the most sweet and charming set of drawings by some 5 year old children in England.  I decided to do an embroidery version of some of them and return one to the box,and one to the school it came from.

I am amazed the box was still in pretty good shape.

On April 29th the box with travel to Mt.Vernon Ohio for the O.O.P.'s Conference (Ohio Order for the Preservation of Storytelling). After that it will be permanently housed at the new Urban Arts Space in Columbus.

My Jafagirl Story starts here.

Photo by Scott Kissell

Observations this St.Patrick's Day

I made a special breakfast for myself as this is my 33rd wedding anniversary, Kippers.

Watched this sweet video


The Dogs were rescued by the Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support

Graffiti from Libya

Photo by Finbarr O'Reilly at LENS

Shaking my head at this

Corporate Bullying & Nadia Plesner

Darfurnica (detail), Nadia
Plesner, 2010

It's ironic that Vuitton sues one artist for copyright infringement but on the other hand hires artists who infringe copyright.

Links: Nadia Plesner Website

The use of this original image was to raise funds for Dafur,and it's re-use in  this painting (which is NOT for Sale) is for educational purposes and promote fundraising.

Telling our Stories

My story is here, a continuous journey expressed with arts and crafts. Right now I'm working on some children's art from the StoryBox Project.

Used with permission.

 As I look at the back of the embroidery it reminds me of how quickly our lives can become untangled and to treasure each day.

How the Red Cross is helping Japan

Sticker Art: Pizza Bunny

I couldn't resist leaving this at my FAVE local pizza place called Ha Ha Pizza

He is blue to match the sign!

Hard to Talk about Art

when the world really is turned inside out. The images coming from Japan are truly frightening and this isn't over, there are fires at the Nuclear Power Plant.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/japan-earthquake-tsunami_n_834380.html



Meanwhile I can say I am *blessed* with minor complaints.I seem to be having major probs with editing on blogger for a week or so now grrr. Oh well, since I want to gripe. Sawing a hole in my panel did my back in, and I hate that, so there!

You can see my dog rufus gaping through the cut out shape in the panel. Once it's hung in the alley the brick wall will show through.

TED: Use art to turn the world inside out

Some of his (JR) projects are amazing, and yes I can see why his work has an impact. The rooftop eyes seem to be treasured by the inhabitants in Africa and the clever solution to wheatpasting in India. I also love the way he considers the placement of the images, and the attempt to change perception.

Listen to his Wish & Participate

Inside Out Project

I suppose in  our own way (I refer to all yarnbombers), we have done our bit and kinda turned the knitting world inside out :)
Jafagirls got a nice mention in the Crimson Times with some pics about yarnbombing being a new style of urban art.

 I want to thank Fiona for the lovely flowers  and shout out on her on her blog for International Women's Day. I was honored to be included in your list.

 New York New York

 Yep Jafagoil is going to New York and going to be in a movie :) 

That's all I know for now and all I can share wheeeeeee!

Drips & Knitting News

Now I just have to wait for it to dry and then I can move onto my next urge, cut out a section.  Once done it will be hung in Pub Alley, which will be soooooooooooon.

Knitting News

 very excited to announce the jafagirls are featured on pages  132-133  and wow are we in some amazing company.  Actually I'm  *awestruck*, I mean check  out these GIANT anatomically correct knitted flowers on Lela's Blog. Hits the bookshelves March 24th from voyageur press

Can't wait to get my copy

I have tremendous urges

to do drips



but suddenly I have an urge to do something else. OH! these urges. Maybe I will incorporate them both, but first I must finish the painting.
Anyone local recognize who it is?

It's been a while since I painted and I was reminded how much I love painting with oils, so buttery and yummy.

In my Dreams
I love it when dreams show me things to create. I woke up thinking how cool, will start working on it today.
Dream Art

Who Knew

Ink Splatters could be so gorgeous

Sherin Guirguis

photo by Amir

Of course it's a little bit more complicated than that as Amir explains on Beautiful Decay.

Here is a link for Sherin's Blog

Had to share this

and these

Amazing

Creepy photo manipulations

and wheeeee! our first show

about yarnbombing

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