I finally realized that my winter nest was missing a very important element...the winter. A surprise overnight snow flurry dusted her with some sparkly white glitterness. xo
Before
After
back detail.
a close up.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Papier Mache Children's Magazine for All Ages!
Oh...my heart swells this morning as I work my way back again and again through this most incredible treasury of art and kids and design and handmade marvels...have you seen it? Papier Mache- A free online bi-annual magazine full of wonder and light! I was marveling over the work of Barbara Berrada again when I came upon Papier Mache via Barbara's blog b/c the new edition features several pieces of her artwork and imaginings! Its simply chock-full of the sweetest and most artful editorials and links by a collaborative effort of some truly imaginative folks! xo
The curls- of course- and the brooch by my favorite doll artist, Eva Monleón
aka Misako Mimoko had me at Hello!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Holiday Goodies are in at the Fat Finch!
A sponsor shout-out today to let you know that new holiday items are now in stock and online at The Fat Finch! I really think I need to send the Charley Harper Bird Puzzle to a few friends who love to hunker down and get their winter jigsaw on! Thanks, Roberta! xo
*Interested in sponsoring The Constant Gatherer?
Click on the green Sponsor button in the right sidebar! xo
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Kathy P. Thompson (my favorite artist and mentor) and her brilliant Hboxes!
If you've read my blog or guest blogs for some time you may have previously read about my dear friend, artist and designer, Kathy P. Thompson. She was gracious enough to share her home with readers on Design*Sponge for my guest series of posts on the women artists who have shaped my artistic career and lifestyle. Kathy has been in the process of developing a new business- Hboxes (H short for History) and has created a fantastic website to share her concept.
Meet Kathy P. Thompson...
I described a bit about how I came to know Kathy in my D*S post...please read here if you missed it! but I'd like to share more with you now as I feel it has been a long time coming for me to share her work and the profound influence she's had in my life.
Self-Portrait by Kathy P. Thompson
Kathy has been creating self-portraits for most of her career. My earliest style of painting was an attempt to work in a similar style...my apologies, Kathy! All I can explain is that I was young and InSpiRed! Kathy never let on if it bothered her that I was so under her influence- a little copycat!-and let me slowly figure out my own style as I developed. She in fact invited me to exhibit in my very first group show in her downtown studio. Kathy ignited a fire in my heart that I badly needed since leaving my first college experience after three semesters following a serious meltdown. (I'll spare you the details!)
Kathy in her downtown Fayetteville studio-where I first took classes from her and discovered the bountiful and magical magpie qualities of mixed media artist's studio. The sight of it makes my heart sing!
Hbox by Kathy Thompson
Kathy has been a "constant gatherer" since her childhood and her work, even her paintings contain a very object-oriented quality. She moves effortlessly between found object assemblage and sculpture, mixed media painting, and ceramic painting on molded platters and bowls and tile installations. I know Kathy's example gave me the independence to work in the same spirit.
The Hboxes above are installed at The Fayetteville Arkansas Public Library. Kathy also designed the Library's Cafe and several other locations for the towns favorite neighborhood coffee and pastry house, Arsagas! (click on the images to enlarge!!)
Kathy's latest venture, Hboxes is- I believe- a culmination of her life's work and natural inclination to collect and assemble the meaningful minutia of life by thoughtfully arranging the pieces in a new order that agrees to her sensibilities, and thereby developing a new understanding or appreciation. Only this time, it occurred to her that she could preserve the treasures of others so that they may enjoy and find comfort in their preservation, rather than allowing them to be lost in attics or the shuffle of everyday life.
Kathy's hands. In addition to my own mother's... I cherish and miss these hands dearly! Here she is creating a box to celebrate a couple's recent wedding using the bride's dried winter berry arrangement.
Views of Kathy's bustling studio.
These illuminated installations are two in the series of Kathy's original idea for Hboxes. Kathy embedded them in the walls as part of her incredible interior design for Fayetteville's most exquisite Italian restaurant, Bordino's(see image below). Don't miss this spot if you find yourself in Northwest Arkansas! View more interior shots of the space and the Hboxes on Bordino's website.
Kathy never boasts about her credentials but I've always been impressed and intrigued by her accomplishments as a female studio artist. I'm waiting for her to create another website that catalogs her thirty years of creations-no pressure, Kathy! I'll be sure to let you know when that's available! xo
Visit Hboxes website to get more details to commission Kathy for your very own personal work of art!
Interior Shot of Bordino's Dining Room Hboxes installation.
Kathy beginning construction on an Hbox.
Watch Kathy's video introduction to her Hboxes Series...
The filmmaker- Archetype Productions- together with photographer M Taylor Long did a beautiful job capturing Kathy's aesthetic and demeanor and the spirit of the Hboxes.
Kathy never boasts about her credentials but I've always been impressed and intrigued by her accomplishments as a female studio artist. I'm waiting for her to create another website that catalogs her thirty years of creations-no pressure, Kathy! I'll be sure to let you know when that's available! xo
Visit Hboxes website to get more details to commission Kathy for your very own personal work of art!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Michael Pfleghaar
Have you noticed the work of Michael Pfleghaar around Etsy lately? He appears to be a man of many art forms including ceramics and paintings...and has yet another shop full of silk screened guy-wear appropriately called JOCK SHOP. Etsy led me to his website where I found more of his paintings and illustrative works. I'm especially enamored of his mid-century modern ceramic house sculptures and paintings. I'd like to move right in! He also makes swell bird and botanical related pieces that are sure to never fly or wilt away! *Note: The Fat Finch- my fantastic sponsor-carries Michael's Cardinal Birdhouses in her Albuquerque brick-and-mortar shop! Call to inquire: 505-898-8900. xo
oil on canvas 30" x 30"
oil on canvas 30" x 30"
Oil pastel on paper
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Nick Cave (The Artist-Not the Bad Seed)
*Tonight* there will be a free and open to the public performance by multidisciplinary artist, Nick Cave at The Savannah College of Art and Design. Cave is an artist and educator (Professor at The School of the Art Institute) known around the world for his "Soundsuit"creations made from a multitude of found objects-including metal toys, plastic, fabric, and dyed human hair. He crosses his background in dance with art to create performance pieces in which his Soundsuits are animated by the movement of the dancers who wear them. More in this NYT article. The performance is tonight- Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m., Hamilton Hall, 522 Indian St., Savannah, Ga.
mixed media
dyed human hair
vintage beaded flowers, cotton, afghans, bird figurines
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Black Apple
Its a shame I've never posted about Emily Martin's work here before.
Her details are always so fun to examine! xo
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Nathalie Lete at Anthropologie
My heart nearly exploded when I came upon Anthropologie's art gallery featuring original ceramics and limited edition silkscreens by Nathalie Lete. Never before has her original work been so accessible in the States...and boy, howdy does Anthropologie know a good thing! Its also a good thing I don't have any money because I would probably spend it all on purchasing her work and forget about necessities like food and shelter. xoxo
Bambi-silkscreen
Squirrel and Mushroom- silkscreen
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