crafty

This week's craft night was hosted by Mary Claire, and she picked a super fun project for us to tackle. First, we taped our canvases.

Wake kept track of the supplies and an eye on the cat to keep him from disturbing us.

Then we sprayed our canvases.

This part was tricky for me, as both my paintings were multiple colors, so I had to attempt to keep the paint from running or spraying other sections.

Voila! Aimee's are the top two, mine are the middle, and Mary Claire's are at the bottom of this picture.

I look special needs in this photo but it's the only in-focus photo from the group shots of us. Mary Claire looks adorable (as always), and Aimee always looks good. Note to self, the next time you leave the house in the same outfit you also plan to wear to bed, think twice about it.

Here are my two masterpieces. Don't know if I'll keep them or gift them. I do like how, completely by accident, the two diagonal stripes seem to travel from one canvas to the other. Kind of neat, huh?

The next craft night will be at Aimee's, and I know she's got something really spectacular planned!

Bel Canto

Nature has become my religion.
When I take the time to ponder and appreciate my natural surroundings, it's when I know, in my soul, that there is a higher being.
And that higher being is an artist.
And I was given a camera in order to better capture and appreciate this art.

"Some people are born to make great art and others are born to appreciate it. It is a kind of talent in itself, to be an audience, whether you are the spectator in the gallery or you are listening to the voice of the world's greatest soprano. Not everyone can be the artist. There have to be those who witness the art, who love and appreciate what they have been privileged to see."
- Ann Patchett
"Bel Canto"

Moss Rock Festival

This past weekend, Dirk, Aunt Jane, and I spent a few hours walking around the Moss Rock Festival, taking pictures, eating tofu hummus wraps, and gathering Christmas ideas (you all know how I love to pick up new hobbies around Christmas time....) Last year it was jewelry, I wonder what it will be this year? Hmmmm....

Art Appreciation 101

Piper went on a 24-hour bender of destruction last week. Or maybe it's just that she loves and appreciates art so much she wanted to breathe it, live it, and (literally) eat it. I was a little disturbed how she managed to rip out ONLY the pages showcasing pieces with religious symbols and figures. A possible possession, exorcist style? Or maybe the ink used in art books just tastes better? The pages are of a much better ripping quality than say, a National Geographic magazine (left untouched, mind you.)

Whatever her motivations, it's kind of hard to fault this face. And honestly, the book was just a little something I picked up at the Tate Modern in London. I can always find a copy on Amazon, I'm sure.

Earrings!

I got supplies this weekend, and diligently went to work. It's so rewarding creating something with your hands! And fun, too! I always loved putting together Legos as a child (especially the ships and castles that came with instructions.) Earrings are kind of like that. So here are the options I gave to all my female family members. I've been making around six to nine pairs a day since I started on Saturday.

Right now I'm working on a secret Christmas project in conjunction with Aunt Jane. I'll tell you all about it after Christmas!

Magic City Art Connection

Every year artists and musicians gather in Linn Park in downtown Birmingham to share their work with the rest of us.  In addition to art and music, there is also carnie food (funnel cakes!)  I've been visiting area art festivals since I moved to Birmingham, and it's so much fun to spot familiar pots, jewelry, paintings, metalwork.  Chris Clark is an area folk artist whose work has become extremely popular in the last five years.  For instance, Brooke and I purchased a piece of his for Mama's Mother's Day gift a few years back for $75.  Today, his smallest paintings are going for $500!!  Dirk and I took Sipsey with us, and she was the belle of the ball and got tons of attention.  Luckily there are lots of fountains in Linn Park, so when her paws got hot she could cool off a bit.  My favorite part of the day was when Sipsey spotted a metal cat and mistook it for a real one.  She got very anxious and did not know WHAT was going on.