The Wooden Cow Gallery Fundraiser Success! (June 6th, First Friday)

Work by Sharon Bloom.

Our First Friday silent auction fundraiser was a success!

Work by 14 talented local artists and craftspeople were up on the auction block and several hundred attendees strolled through the display, bidding on everything from wire-wrapped gemstone jewelry and lush photographs, expressive acrylics, and daring mixed media work. While snacking on gourmet treats and eyeballing original handiwork, eager art lovers learned about the Wooden Cow project and how their donations and energy helped.

Bid were penned quickly. Hopeful winners hovered around the silent bid sheets, hoping to secure their objects of desire. As the 8 pm closing rolled around, happy winners left Mama’s Minerals with their delightful spoils. A good bid-fest is always a great way to end a Friday night! We raised a nice chunk of funding for our project and we mingled with many interested (and interesting) people.

The silent auction event was held to raise funds for an artist-owned, artist-run gallery and art space, which plans to open its doors in the near future. The Wooden Cow, LLC is a vibrant, grassoots organization, which embraces all forms of art, craft, and creation, in a true democratic environment. The Wooden Cow wants to make Albuquerque an arts destination, not just an airport on the way to Santa Fe.

Many, many thanks go out to the owners of Mama’s Minerals ( local rock n’ bead shop) for hosting the fundraiser event. – http://www.mamasminerals.com

Many thanks go out to Heather Larson, for organizing and coordinating the fundraiser.

Many thanks to all of the great people we met that night, who took the time to drop by and get to know us!

Keep your eyes peeled for future fundraising events and shows…

… the cow is coming!

Enjoying the eclectic view.

A display of work available for bidding. Photography by Fenton Ayres. Beaded pouch by Cindy Chavez.

Yum! Look at that spread, including homemade cheesecakes by CiCi.

Have we piqued your interest? Even a little?

If you’re an artist or craftsperson who’s been seeking a solid, well-grounded organization to join, please contact us for more information at: thewoodencow@gmail.com. We have two tiers of membership available (Full Members/Owners) and Consignors. There are only 4 ownership slots in the business left, so think fast if you’ve been dying to get involved in a co-operative project.

 

 

I donated three original Chinese brush paintings for this event: Roger the Rat, Jellyfish, and White Cloud Falls. Two of the three sold, one for a lot more than retail price!

The Old Man in the River

I haven’t blogged much lately. Life has had me really busy–and bouncing to and fro like a tether ball in the wind, getting whacked now and then by a giant steel bar. At least it’s fun to fly freely in the air before you hit the bar, though! A little exhilirating.

I’ve had a series of health issues this year, which is new to me, as I’ve never had so many illnesses and issues in a row. Stress plays a big role in our ability to heal as well, and a few life situations have made it all worse. I came down with two different cold/flu deals, and have had issues with two separate wisdom teeth (funny, in some way!), including ongoing issues with an impacted wisdom tooth which, today, is reminding me that I’m alive.

It reminds me of one of my favorite Taoist stories:

“A Taoist story tells of an old man who accidentally fell into the river rapids leading to a high and dangerous waterfall. Onlookers feared for his life. Miraculously, he came out alive and unharmed downstream at the bottom of the falls. People asked him how he managed to survive. “I accommodated myself to the water, not the water to me. Without thinking, I allowed myself to be shaped by it. Plunging into the swirl, I came out with the swirl. This is how I survived.”

Going with the flow. Issues melt away. While sometimes we can’t help it if we fall into the river, we can make the best of it, enjoy the ride, and pop out on the other side.

Anyway, I’m working on several new painting series, which has been enjoyable. I had a dry period there, where nothing wanted to travel from my brain to my hand, but I’ve been painting again and working on additions to my Tea Wash series, as well as two other series. “Balance” (pictured below) is part of the Tea Wash grouping. I will post images of the new work shortly.

I enjoy working with tea. It intrigues me that I can use an ancient drink, with calming and healing properties, in a work of art.

Now if more paintings fly off my painting table, with the speed of that rushing river, I’ll be even happier.

Balance Bamboo Painting, originally uploaded by plasticpumpkin.

Original Chinese brush painting, which uses traditional techniques, on white xuan paper. The symbol is an ancient moniker which represents the harmony of man and woman, and which therefore can also be thought to represent balance (or as another way of expressing the yin yang and the sacred copulation of male and female, in perfect balance).

All things Must Age

Age is really irrelevant to me.

Whether you’re 2, 20, or 200–each person has a set of experiences, a place in time, and a position in the universe which is unique, immediate, and ultimately transitory. I’m not one of those people who only wants to hang around with people my own age, or pursue people younger than myself, as if satisfying some latent fear of getting older by surrounding myself with what I believe is “youth,” and layering myself with the styles and trends of the illusionary world, just to keep myself “young.”

In the bigger scheme of the universe, we’re all such tiny little children, anyway! And even still, mountains which are millions of years old, are only wee little things compared to geographic formations that’ve been around the block for a billion years… And in the end, the mountains fall, and the formations change..

I have, however, noticed that I’m older than I used to be. Yep. It’s true. This isn’t a bad thing at all. It’s just different. It’s just interesting to be passing through that point in my life–the point where I realize I’m transitioning. In fact, it’s fascinating. It’s weird. Fun. Strange. Crazy.

I had an epiphany last night. I bet we all long for times when things seemed nicer, especially in our own lives, when things aren’t going perfectly in the present day–and I’ve lately been enjoying 70’s and 80’s cop and detective shows, which have always been a secret passion of mine. I was watching Miami Vice. Yes, really–an epiphany while watching dated TV, with droopy eyed Don Johnson, and lots of overacting by secondary cops and bad guys.

I realized–it’s been 25 years since this episode aired! And I remember it so clearly when it aired. 25 years! One of the investigators I work with everyday is only 21.

And yet–who the heck am I to have a revelation like that? I bet Don Johnson says, “Man! It’s been 25 years sinceI was 35?! How the hell did that happen?”

I have never been worried about it before, but lately, little interesting things have popped up. Like the episode. Like remembering things that other people don’t. And I’m sure there’s someone else reading this blog, chuckling at my innocent, youthful naivety–that I have only just had the 25 year epiphany.

Aren’t we all one day older than the day before? Isn’t it interesting?

Here’s to 25 more, and 25 more, and 25 more…

Duke City Renegades Art Show Review

Ok, so I’m a little biased. Our show rocked. We were featured in the paper, had lots of great advertising, crappy weather–and we still had a great time!

The Duke City Renegades are a local Art & Craft Guild (centered in the Duke City, of course. For the uninitiated, Albuquerque, NM is Duke City). We have a diverse membership base, talented members and serious drive. Our goal is to help each other grow our art, our arts & crafts businesses, and our range of abilities–all while we have fun.

Our participants included:
Paula Manning-Lewis, Sandra Williams, Ken Murakami, Cari Pier, Robyn Vines-Smith (as Burst of Happiness AND Babycakes Aprons), Kris Hunt, Susan See, Alex Williams, PD Rearick, Crochet and Crafts, Raine Klover, Jolie Designs, Joyce Shafer, Barbrie Chavez, Barbara Clark, Me (Ren Adams), and Robert Redus.

Aaron Lewis provided elegant classial guitar for the event as well.

Customers admiring Raine Klover of Iconolatrie’s outstanding photography and gifts.

 

Cute goodies by Tara of Crochet and Crafts.

 

Flirty aprons by Babycakes

Mixed media work by Sandra Williams (Electric Nomad)

 

Paula Manning-Lewis and some of her nice note cards!

Beating Artist’s Block, Part 2

Some of you may remember the article I wrote earlier this year on beating artist’s block (something akin to writer’s block). (Read the original article here).

Well, I recently hit an even bigger block. This one was a towering, mocking brick bastion. It rose right after the New Mexico State Fair (the worst in-person show I’ve ever experienced) and I just couldn’t beat it.

Weak paintings just spilled out of me. I sat in silence in my studio, trying to force my brushes, pens, ink, pencils, (heck, anything) to create. Nothing wanted to come out but badly composed junk. I used all of my old tricks to get the creativity flowing. I used mediums I hadn’t touched in a while. I tried a new medium (batik). I grabbed books and used found poetry and snippets to jog intriguing imagery.

Nothing worked.

I started to think the gross humanity of the fair, in all its unbridled cruelty, had somehow permanently damaged me. I started to worry. I got mad, angry, defensive, and paranoid… you name it.

After almost two weeks of nothingness, Paula (fellow artist and friend) caught my attention. I was in the main hall of the Factory on 5th (where Paula has her studio) and I heard faint music. It was Beck. One of my all time favorite human beings. I felt this swell of happiness. Sometimes, on the solitary paths we pave as artist-beings, we can forget what it’s like to find connections. I sometimes (as we all do) feel as though I’m the only person who likes fill-in-the-blank music, movie, or life pathway. Obviously we are not alone. Sometimes separated, but never completely alone.

I grabbed a pen and paper and drafted a view of Lomas at 5th St. in downtown Albuquerque; a view that had lingered in the back of my mind for weeks. Tall buildings with thick, voluminous clouds ranging just beyond their white-washed exteriors. Young trees, planted to improve the neighborhood, catching the 4 o’clock summer-into-autumn light; a rare, radiant orange with hints of yellow in the greenery. Shadows cast at strange, mesmerizing angles as they dance across the asphalt, stretching their blue-black bodies at that special angle unique to autumn.

The image spilled out of me. Then another. And another.

I realized it was the music. I hadn’t been turning on my stereo in the studio. I love silence and am happy in peaceful quiet, but it seems music plays an important role in my creative process. I hadn’t even realized it. The playful personality of music I knew well and loved triggered a flow of ideas.

Maybe I was defiant about the idea that music (or lack thereof) has such control over our subconscious. Now, I am happy with the idea. We are all creatures of pattern and music is quite simply a cosmic pattern, distilled into something tangible.

I’m happy to turn on my stereo every time I get ready to paint now.

If you’re stuck with artists’ block right now, I feel for you. If you haven’t already tried it, why not get a little CD player and a favorite disc? You never know what might grow out of it.

Wishing you all the best.

New Mexico State Fair Recap (With a Bit of Bite)

We just returned from the New Mexico State Fair. What a grueling experience! As the vendors there all agreed, “it would only have been better if we’d had MORE flies.” No, really. I’ve never attended an “art show” across the aisle from a petting zoo before and we fought flies, heat, and dripping ice creams with kids attached for over 10 hours a day, sometimes longer. Not to mention being wedged into an odd corner where we discovered the ability to become invisible. Yes. It’s true. We can become invisible at will. Simply insert us into a small space between a pet tag vendor and an outdoor lighting shop and we vanish.

In a smiling, day-after sarcastic tirade, let me share the top 10 things I’ve learned when trying to sell art at the New Mexico State Fair:

10.) Kids cannot eat a popsicle without hovering over someone’s handcrafted items or white table covers.

9.) A $5.00 plastic dog tag is far more desirable than a hand-painted card, a beautiful fused glass ornament, or carefully crafted earrings or ceramics.

8.) Four out of ten people have really bad tattoos.

7.) 80’s hair is back.

6.) It’s OK to spend $18.00 0n two hot dogs and two drinks, but a $10 original painting is outrageous.

5.) People like to squeeze anything that makes noise.

4.) People try to win giant stuffed objects (like huge florescent green Scooby Doo dolls) and then regret having won the thing, dragging it weakly through aisles for the rest of the fair.

3.) If you have print racks or bins for customers, crowds of people will invariably stand in front of them and block access for potential customers.

2.) Those kid rolly-tennis-shoe-skate things ought to be outlawed wherever there are glass, ceramic, or delicate items on display.

1.) “Handmade” and “arts & crafts” don’t have the same connotation for everyone.

(oh yeah, and the last observation: Flies spontaneously reproduce in the air. All the time. Everywhere.).

I did meet quite a few fascinating artists and new friends there, even though the show was less than stellar as far as art fairs go. I hope to keep in touch with all of you. I enjoyed talking to each and every one of you and I’m looking forward to inviting you guys to my next Factory on 5th Show, and to working with some of you on collaborations.
Many thanks to those art collectors who found us and purchased work, too. We love you!

Yupo Techniques Series - Featured Artist - Andy Mathis

My own endeavors in using Yupo as a primary canvas has inspired me to feature several outstanding artists who use it on a regular basis.

Yupo Techniques Series, Featured Artist - Andy Mathis

Andy Mathis is an outstanding watercolorist and a signature member of the Georgia Watercolor Society. His work is fluid and charming. Intense and delicate. Radiant with light and lush with shadow. There’s no doubt his mastery of watercolors on Yupo is noteworthy.

He’s been working with watercolors since this early 90s and he enjoys the endlessly expressive nature of the medium. He says of his work “I strive to create paintings that are both interesting to view and technically challenging. Watercolor is my favorite medium. I love when colors bleed together with transparent luminosity. I would describe my style as “loose with a bit of restraint”- combining fluidity and detail together.” That sense of open fluidity with a controlled hand are what make his works so inviting and refreshing.

Green Apples on Yupo is a fine example of his work on Yupo. The light seems to dance across the surface of the bowl and richly enhances the apples, giving them a feel that’s at once figurative–yet incredibly detailed. I liked how his brush strokes brought out the best in Yupo’s sleek surface, invoking the watery “slide” effects with great results.
For Pretty Girl 2, Calico Cat on Yupo–he captures a momentary pause in the sunlight,
before the furry cat rushes off in a ball of movement. The light, sparse layers and fuzzy edges remind us that she is a fountain of activity, with time for reflection. The Yupo lends its crips white background nicely to this piece and Andy’s ability to layer active, subtle color is outstanding.

Yupo paper gives the artist a chance to work with liquid color on a non-absorbent surface. This allows the artist to push and pull the watercolor in ways they don’t normally flow. Andy can use these unique blending techniques (along with his other techniques) to create a sense of color movement that’s not quite like anything regular paper can handle.

If you’d like to see more of Andy’s outstanding watercolor works, be sure to check out the links below. He’s an outstanding watercolorist (and Yupo should use his art to advertise their pads and boards!).

Andy Mathis - Art on Etsy

Andymathis.com

Andy Mathis Blog

Balloons Cruising By

Hot air ballooning is popular in Albuquerque, thanks to the crisp morning air (even during many of the warmer months) and the warm “chaser” air. Some mornings, the sky is alive with bursts of color as balloons drift here and there over the city landscape.

Several times a month, balloons also end up coming down either just outside of our yard, or within a few blocks of our home (one even narrowly missed clipping the second story!). This morning, 5 balloons visited our corner of the desert and I caught one skimming along, above the neighbor’s home (see photo).

I thought I would share this with you as I’m planning to do a brush painting of it (in approximation).

Artist’s Block - Staying Motivated when your Creativity Crumbles

We’ve all heard of “writer’s block,” the ubiquitous condition which causes seemingly brilliant writers to hit seemingly real brick walls. They get stuck and can’t write another “and” “if” or “but” without some kind of mental motivation.

It seems there’s an artsy version of the legendary pen-stopping disease. Let’s call it (for lack of a more creative name) “Artist’s Block.” And all the artists I know (myself included) get it from time to time.

Could it be hereditary? Could it be from eating too many french fries? Who knows. It seeps in through the cracks, and before you know it, you’re either sick of painting & crafting, you feel like you WANT to do something, but you’re not sure what.

In an effort to stave off writer’s block, I developed a few tips and tricks (and incorporated a few I’ve heard elsewhere). I tried applying these tips to Artist’s Block, when it strikes. Guess what? They work quite well, and I thought I’d share (for the sake of irritated artists everywhere).

Tips for Busting Artist’s Block Before it Busts YOU!

If you’re stuck and it feels short term, take a short break. Really, it’s OK. Even if the show is next week, you’re never going to get anything done if you sit and stare at a blank canvas, or an unmolded lump of clay.

If you need to take a break, do something totally different for a while. Pull weeds. Walk the dog. Go for a walk. Run a brief errand. Come back. If you’re not ready to create again, now’s the time to pull out a few art magazines or art history books and just absorb. Let ideas grow out of the break you took and the new images you’re seeing.

If you’re stuck and it feels “long term,” it’s time for evasive action!

The Food Copywriter Trick - I write a lot of product descriptions for food, candy, and scent companies. Writing about the tastiness of cheese or the creaminess of caramel is fun because it requires you to evoke the five senses when you describe something edible. It’s also fun to use your own specific art medium to describe something yummy!

I know–it sounds weird. Don’t tune out yet.

Think of something that tastes incredible–something you love to eat, or that was surprisingly different (maybe even something that tasted terrible). Was that caramel apple crisp deliciously sweet and melty? Was ham, apple, and feta cheese artisan sandwich you snacked on, decadent in its quirkiness? Did that strawberry taffy melt in your mouth like a cloud of fresh berry juice? Or, was that store-bought pizza a crude combination of bad breath and cardboard crust?

How would you describe that excellent cookie, or hair-raising soup–with your artistic medium? Sit down at your worktable and think about it. How could you express the yumminess of sweet, cold plums in oil pastels? How can you relate the soft, fluffy coolness of whipped cream with your cross stitching?

Your Artist’s Block breaking challenge: pick a meal or food item that you’ve eaten, which had a strong impact on your mind; something wonderful, something strange, something terrible. Now, you must put that down in “words” by using your pens, pencils, paintbrush, sewing machine, or whatever else you prefer.

It doesn’t matter if it turns out OK. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t express the idea completely. What matters is, you’ve taken a new concept and tried to express it using your medium. It will encourage you to think about your five senses, and to use them with your materials. This project forces you to think outside your medium.

When we have tasks or projects to do, it often gets rid of Artist’s Block.

The Found Poetry Trick - for writers, this is a stimulating exercise that pulls you out of your own rut of memorized words. For artists, it can pull you out a self-dug design idea rut.

Grab a book. Any book from your shelf. Randomly. A poetry book. A magazine. A How-to book. A random novel, short story, or travel guide. Anything. Do it randomly. Then, flip it open and look inside at a random page. Find a line of text that pops out at you (if you have trouble doing that, choose the second sentence of the second paragraph).

Take that sentence and study it. Don’t worry if it doesn’t make much sense on its own. You’re going to use it to SEED your block-breaking mini project.

Think about the sentence. If it has imagery in it (if it describes something), try expressing what it’s describing through your art. If it doesn’t have imagery in it, try expressing its structure through your art tools. Try expressing how the sentence makes you feel.

If none of the above stimulates for you, try taking the sentence and working it into a piece. Add it to a collage. Paint it into a painting.

Some of the most beautiful sounds in language and art are found by accident.

The Different Medium Trick - Sometimes we get stuck because we’re sick of handling the same old paint brushes, or the same old beading cord. Even if we don’t realize it, things can get old and stale.

For this block-busting trick, you must choose a different medium than ANY medium you currently use. Pick something practical (don’t take up glass fusing and buy a kiln just to dispel Artist’s Block), but pick something different.

If you usually do quilts, hit the craft store and buy some clay. If you’re a painter, pick up scraps and try doing a collage. Pick something that will be easy for you to mess with, but something which you’ve never tried before (or don’t usually use).

Now, do something with it. Don’t feel pressured to create something that must be sold. Just mess around. Let your juices flow. Get a feel for what it’s like to use a different medium. It can give you new perspective on your old mediums.

The 5 Minute Journal Writing Trick - For writers, this means grabbing your journal and freewriting for 5 timed minutes. For artists, this means taking tools you’re comfortable with, and just freestyling it for 5 minutes. Use a timer. Just go at it. Don’t worry about whether or not you’re developing a desired image, or doing “something.” Just do.

I have more tips and tricks to post in time! I hope you enjoy these and that they help you get past our “stuck points.”

–Ren Adams

All things ACEO (Trading Cards for Artists!)

Ever heard of an ACEO? That’s “Art Card Editions & Originals” or “Artist Card Editions & Originals.”

They’re a groundbreaking form of original artwork that originally germinated on, of all things, eBay.

Also called “ATC” (Art Trading Cards), these mini masterpieces are all the rage (and we’ve started our own collection).

Let’s face it. Not everyone can afford original artwork. Sometimes we can’t even budget fine art prints or poster reproductions. But everyone (or at least most folks I know) enjoys the original piece–even when we can’t always afford to splurge. The original beauty of an ACEO card is that it allows a wide variety of people to collect authentic, one-of-a-kind pieces of artwork at an affordable price. Since you can afford to buy the REAL work, it really sparks your taste for more.

ACEOs are also brilliant because they inspire a new way to look at the ordinary canvas. We’re all familiar with traditional sizes (constraints like 11 x 14, 9 x 12, and the like). Since the official size of an ACEO is 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, imagine the possibilities. It’s like opening up a visual haiku that you must decorate with carefully placed brush strokes. It’s minimal, but as vast as the imagination. It forces you to reconsider the concept of “small.” Can something small be the gateway to something infinite?

ACEOs are available on places like: eBay and Etsy.com. Many are also available from an artist’s official e-commerce site, or from other online retail venues. We will also be offering our ACEOs here on plasticpumpkin.com in the very near future.

Here’s some of the neat materials and media we’ve seen used in ACEOs:

Oil Paints, Acrylic Paints, Oil Pastels
Pen & Ink
Pencil
Cloth ACEOs made from stitched or sewn media
Collage ACEOs made of collaged ephemera and other items
Metal ACEO cards

and more!