Stone Soup Challenge - No More Starving Artists!

I am participating in the Stone Soup Challenge!

I have decided to purchase at least 25% of my supplies from independent artists and sellers on Etsy. It takes an effort, but together we can help each other.

---Today I bought beeswax from beekeepers in Michigan through Etsy.

Excerpted from the Stone Soup Challenge -

No More Starving Artists!

I am hearing fear in the voices of my fellow artists whenever the subject of the economy is discussed. So I've decided to do something about it. Using the folktale, Stone Soup, as my inspiration, I am creating a grassroots movement in the art community to help artists overcome their fears and give them control over their future.

In Stone Soup, a stranger comes to a starving village and looks for food. He puts a boiling pot on the water and adds a stone, telling everyone he is making stone soup. Gradually, the villagers come forward with ingredients to add to make the soup. The contributions are items that the villagers are hoarding due to their fear of starvation. Each villager only contributes a small amount, but the end result is a soup that feeds everyone. Read More and Join us - Stone Soup Challenge.

Your Turn -- GET INVOLVED: What are you doing to help independent sellers and artists?
Happy Art Making! Jaime

Encaustic Paintings and Sculpture - In Progress

Untitled 2 - Encaustic, fabric and collage on plywood

More work today on encaustic paintings. I also used the extra in my pan to make three dimensional works on masonite.

Fire - Encaustic on Masonite


Water - Encaustic on Masonite

Untitled Texture - Encaustic on Masonite

Spiral 1 - Three Dimensional Textured Encaustic and Beeswax on Masonite

Spikes 1 - Three Dimensional Textured Encaustic and Beeswax on Masonite

Your Turn - Do these sculptural works evoke the same reactions as the paintings? Anyone else do any sculpting in beeswax? If so, do you consider them paintings or sculpture?
I would love to hear what you think!

Happy Art Making~ Jaime

Encaustic Workshop - In Paintings in Progress

Today I attended an encaustic workshop held by Josie Rodriguez at the San Diego Art Department in North Park, CA. Even though I have been working in wax for a while, there is nothing like taking a workshop for the experience. Plus all the materials were provided, so I got to slather on the encaustic paint with abandon!

I used the workshop to try something that I haven't done much of - collage. Other times that I have tried collage I have spent hours looking at the composition and agonizing about which pieces to use. But with the clock ticking, I had to go, go go!

Here are today's spontaneous encaustic paintings. Let me know what you think!

Untitled 1 - Encaustic, charcoal drawing and collage on plywood

Eye of the storm - Encaustic on plywood

Portland Oregon Aesthetic - Encaustic and oil paint on plywood

Untitled 2 - Encaustic, fabric and collage on plywood

Your Turn - Share what you make with me! I love to see other artist's in progress works!

Happy Art Making! - Jaime

Call for Artists - Women's Caucus for Art Show - "Herstory" at the Women's History Museum and Educational Center

Call for Artists - Open to all women artists

Due: March 7, 2009
Art drop off at 9-10 am
Juried Exhibition - "Herstory"

Theme - "Herstory":

"Create revolutionary art which breaks the boundaries by forcing us to open our eyes and look at our true herstory through the ages... not just what the boys wrote down. No longer the damsel in distress or the dour domestic drudge...we are divas and divine dames of the art world exposing our herstorical and hysterical diverse creations"


Opening Reception at 7:30 pm
Women's History Museum
San Diego
2323 Broadway #107
San Diego
ALL ARTISTS ENTERING WILL RECEIVE A "HERSTORY" T-SHIRT, AND ALL ACCEPTED ARTISTS WILL GET A CATALOG AT THE AWARDS PRESENTATION

Find the full prospectus and details at http://www.sdwca.org/index.html

Happy Art Making!

Jaime

Found - Call for Artists

I have been wanting to post more blogs but the "preciousness" of blogging something "important" has kept me away. So relieve the pressure of making a perfect blog, I decided to blog more with shorter content. Also, instead of being all about me, I am going give you the the fruits of my Internet searches.

So here are some "Call for Artists" opportunities that I have found. Please check the websites listed for validity, fees and details (I am not responsible for the validity of these opportunities so don't kill the messenger!). Note that they are copied from different sites, so the formatting is different for each.

I have tried to pick only ones with specific dates, but I also included some compelling ones without dates. Follow me for more to come and let me know if you are looking for something in particular.

Happy Art Making and Show Entering to all!

Due in two days! February 14th 2009:

Opportunity SDVAN Juried Fine Art Exhibit

Resource Name Call for Artists Address 4355 Bonita Road City Bonita State CA Zip 91902 Location All Telephone 619-267-5141 Email bonitamuseum@sbcglobal.net Web Site www.bonitamuseum.org Fax Contact Vicky DeLong

Resource Description Juried Fine Art Exhibit Opportunity Description For prospectus - email Vicky at bonitamuseum@sbcglobal.net- or click this link

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Crafting Romance - ATHICA

DEADLINE: Sat, February 14, 2009

Show dates: April 11 - May 31, 2009. Curator: Rebecca Brantley. ATHICA: Athens Institute of Contempo...

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Show dates: April 11 - May 31, 2009. Curator: Rebecca Brantley. ATHICA: Athens Institute of Contemporary Art seeks work addressing romance, its status and construction in contemporary culture. Full call and submission instructions at www.athica.org/callforentries.php. No prospectus, no fee, no sales, no insurance. 160 Tracy Street, Unit 4, Athens, GA 30601.
Contact: Athens Institute for Contemporary Art | 706-208-1613 | www.athica.org | info@athica.org

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San Diego Area:

Opportunity SDVAN Show Opportunity

Resource Name Arts Council of San Diego Writ Address 710 13th St. Studio 210 City San Diego State CA Zip 92101 Location All Telephone 619 865-6943 Email pj@patrickmc.com Web Site http://www.sandiegowriters.org Fax Contact Patrick McMahon

Resource Description San Diego Writers Ink Opportunity Description The home of San Diego Writers, Ink is the Ink Spot, in the Art Center, on 13th, between F and G Streets. The Arts Council juries shows to be hung for about two months. These can be solo or group shows. The Ink Spot is not open to the public, however many events, classes, and workshops take place. Artists may have an opening reception. Please visit the website and download an application if you are interested in submitting for a show in 2009 or 2010. Contact me with questions. Thanks.

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Opportunity SDVAN Call to Artists

Resource Name CASD Gallery Address 3824 Ray Street City San Diego State CA Zip 92014 Location Central San Diego Telephone (619) 543-9791 Email ellylou@cox.net Web Site www.ClayArtistsOfSanDiego.org Fax Contact Elly Dotseth

Resource Description Clay Arts Gallery and other high end hand made crafts Opportunity Description Gallery display space on Ray Street. Min. rent, 1 year commitment. 20% commission. Contact Elly Dotseth (619)697-4597

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Urban Trees 6 Call to Artists

Status: Open
Due: April 6, 2009
Location: San Diego, California

Description: The Port of San Diego has issued a Call to Artists (Request for Proposals) for a sixth Urban Trees sculptural artwork exhibit for the North Embarcadero area of San Diego's downtown waterfront. The new exhibit is to be called "Urban Trees 6." Up to 30 artists (or artist teams) will be selected to create original sculptural artworks for display along Harbor Drive between Broadway and Hawthorn Street. Please download the Call for Artists brochure (in PDF format) for detailed information regarding the exhibit and submittal requirements. If you have specific application questions, please call (619) 686-7246. Submittals must be received by the Port's Public Art Department no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2009.

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National Events:

Sculptors, enter to win many prizes in Sculptural Pursuit's 6th Annual Sculpture Only Competition!
Postmark entries no later than February 28, 2009

Dates: Winners will be featured in the Fall 2009 issue of Sculptural Pursuit
Location: Littleton, Colorado
Entry Fees: $35 - subscriber and $50 - non-subscriber
Eligibility: Open to artists over age 18, original works created since January 2006, works featured in SP or other magazines since January 2005 are not eligible, student/class work not eligible.

Awards:

1st Place: Cover photo with feature article and Images in SP.

2nd Place: Feature article and Images in SP.

3rd Place: Short article and images in SP.

4th Place: Artist profile and images in Creative Wisdom.

Industry Awards: Gift certificates for products and services from our industry sponsors. One $3,000 gift certificate and seven $500 gift certificates.

This year's sponsors are Atlas Metal Sales, Ball Consulting, Chavant Inc, Moonscapes 3D, Sculpture Depot, Sculpture House, The Carving Studio and Carving Center, and
The Compleat Sculptor.

Website: www.sculpturalpursuit.com
Competion site: http://www.sculpturalpursuit.com/Community/Competition.htm
Contact: Sculptural Pursuit magazine, PO Box 749, Littleton, CO 80160
Phone: 303-738.9892
Email: publishersp@sculpturalpursuit.com
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THE TREE PROJECT
DEADLINE: Sun, March 15, 2009

The International Fiber Collaborative announces its 2008-2009 project, Interdependence. Participants...

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The International Fiber Collaborative announces its 2008-2009 project, Interdependence. Participants will create a full-sized tree for display in April 2009 at Big Springs International Park in Huntsville, Alabama. Participants are invited to create leaves to contribute to the creation of the tree. Leaves should be created using fiber or fiber techniques. Each leaf should be roughly 5 inches wide by 7 inches long. Entrants are encouraged to be creative in deciding on materials and techniques. Up to 30,000 leaves may be used. Download an entry form at www.internationalfibercollaborative.com/html/treeproject.html
Contact: Jennifer Marsh | | | blueangle1412@yahoo.com
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Creatures Great and Small - open call for art using animals as metaphor, Murray State University
DEADLINE: Wed, April 01, 2009

Animals, both real and fantastic, have always been compelling subjects in art. Many artists today co...

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Animals, both real and fantastic, have always been compelling subjects in art. Many artists today continue to use animals to examine a wide range of issues including: spiritual, ethical, social, political, environmental, and personal. This exhibition aims to explore how art depicts animals as a way to confront humanity in all its complexity.

Open to all media.

For complete information, please visit our website (www.murraystate.edu/artgallery) and look under “prospectus.” Or contact Becky Atkinson, Gallery Director, 270.809.6734, becky.atkinson@murraystate.edu


Contact: Becky Atkinson | 270-809-6734 | www.murraystate.edu/artgallery | becky.atkinson@murraystate.edu
___________________________________________________________________ More to come! Let me know if you like what you see!

Process pictures of "Offering" - Suburban Land Art

Since the journey is as important as the destination, I am posting the "making of" my suburban Land Art piece called "Offering."

There is a little piece of nature trapped in the suburban landscape near my house in San Diego, CA. It is a wild artichoke field which is normally almost covered with wild artichoke flowers. It is refreshing to walk in nature without having to drive to some remote place. Seeking out nature in the suburbs draws my attention to the wildness in the land that we take for granted.

One day on a walk, a few months ago, I found that the about half of the field had been cut down.


It looks like someone just drove a tractor right through the main part of the field.

They ran over plants and small trees and left trash in their wake.

It seemed cruel and unnecessary.

So I decided to make an "Offering" to Mother Earth...

In hopes that the destruction that was inflicted would not be the end of the wild artichoke field, my son Xen and I built a nest.

As a mother, "nesting" is very important to me, which is why it shows up so frequently in my work. When you build a nest (literally or figuratively), whether for a bird or for your family at home, you protect the things you love the most. You show them that they are treasured and worth protecting. This nest is an "Offering" to Mother Earth to let her know that she is important.

We gathered fallen branches from all over the field, and started construction. The sound of the wind and us gathering and assembling branches was all I could hear for hours.

After a few hours of construction, the nest was built. Then we gathered cuttings from all over the field to ensure that the plants would survive.

The nest was over 6 feet tall (I am 6'1, so you can judge the height accordingly). The nest's imposing height is meant to dissuade someone from casually destroying it.

My "Offering" to Mother Earth...



Only two weeks later, after a light rain, the field began to sprout again.

I take this a a sign that the "Offering" was accepted.

I hope you have enjoyed my process pictures. I plan to post more pictures of my sculptures in progress.

Artists! I love to see and hear about YOUR process! Please email me, comment on this blog, or friend me on Facebook.

Share not just what you make, but how and why you do it!

- Jaime Lyerly

Recording and Sharing the Process of Art

I have recently came across so many amazing artists, that I cannot keep them all to myself. You need to know them and I am here to share! A lot of them are participating in the smARTist Telesummit 2009 this week, which has been super.

One of the things that makes me stay long on their blogs and web pages are descriptions and pictures of their PROCESS. Finished art work is great, but seeing the messy beginnings, sketches and models brings me closer to the artist than a finished product.

So in the spirit of exploring this artistic journey, I will start posting some of my own sculptures and works in progress. Until then, please check out these amazing artists and see how they lay out their path on the Artistic Journey.

Cathy Erdmann - spirited figures in clay and bronze
Rebecca Shapiro - abstract paintings in encaustic

And for when you are not connected to the internet, books!:
"The Figure in Clay" by Lark Ceramics -show amazing figurative sculpture in process and descriptions of the concept written by the artist. Most inspiring!

For music to inspire your own process, we have my partner and independent record company owner Chris Miner of Mind Altering Records. His music is exploding with colors and is expansively inviting to your creative muse.

All these artists and more can be found on Facebook. You need to connect with them! They need you!

I love to see works in process! Artists, let me connect with you and show your pieces in progress! I'll show you mine soon.

Jaime

Taking the Long Way

On Wednesday, after dropping my son off at school, I took a long walk around my neighborhood. I ventured away from the streets I normally walk to explore new streets. Turning off the path, I wandered into a new neighborhood that is adjacent to the suburban streets I am familiar with.

Henry David Thoreau would take long walks in the country to connect with nature. I take long walks in my suburban area to connect with myself. The streets look all the same, so I focus on my movement of my legs, the breeze, the music in my headphones. Walk, think, walk, think. Taking the long way around to get where I need to go, experiencing the world and myself differently each day.

So begins journey as an artist - realizing that my world is still the same, yet it has become filled with wonder. I have started this blog to connect with others on the artistic journey.

I start this blog with a quote from Thoreau which dangles on a metal sign above my computer:
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams!"

What drives you? What makes this journey we are all on so unique? What will you find along the way? What quotes or comments have sent you out the door looking for answers?