Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Shaking It with a Craft Knife

Howdy, Readers, 

This post could be titled "I finally bought sequins for all these shakers I keep making, and I finally figured out how to use a craft knife."

To address the first part of that statement, I kept seeing craft videos with super cute sequins mixed packs, but all the ones I wanted kept being sold out, so I went to Joann's and just bought a bunch of different cheap sequins and the below plastic container. I mixed together some combos I like, and now I have a shaker go-to.






I was becoming and more and more frustrated at not having a die cut machine, so I dedicated myself to honing my craft knife skills. Lots of the shaker card videos I have been seeing have random shapes or multiple shapes as shakers, so I thought I'd give it a shot with this July 4th card (now you know how far behind most of my posts are from when I actually made the items!). I really like how this came out--especially that the two sections have different colors of sequins inside.







I also made this anniversary card for local Baltimore comedian Chris Hudson who has now hosted the comedy show Everything Will Be Okay for two years. I just thought having his body be the shaker card would be absolutely hilarious...not sure if that was just me...it may have just been me...anyway...check out his show if you're in the Baltimore area!





--LJE

Sunday, July 26, 2015

I may have gotten carried away with 5 x 7's...

Dear Readers,

After returning to water color after 13 years, I just couldn't stop thinking about doing more. I bought some water color paper in 5 x 7 size and painter's tape. Meanwhile, I dug through my drawers of old art supplies and found a beautiful set of wax pastels given to me as a gift by a dear friend a few years ago. I looked at the package and realized that the Caran d'Ache Classic Neocolor II Water-Soluble Pastels were just that--water soluble and could be used to water color. Here, I had something great in my stash all along! I bought a $1.99 white plastic plate from Target to use as a palette which worked very well. I simply drew the color onto the plate and sprayed with water. 

I think you can tell I'm an art historian because I experimented with lots of styles. I did a few by "smooshing," using acetate to dip into the color. I did several meant to evoke sunsets, seas, flowers, or skies, but also a bunch of more abstract ones. Once I started, I could not stop! Making these was one of the most relaxing activities I've done in a long time and was great for my mental health. 

I show you all 13 of the images I made, as well as the clipboard I was using and several of my palettes.

--LJE





















Monday, July 20, 2015

Artscape 2015: Baltimore Pride Edition

Howdy, Readers,

Today I give my photographic review of  my personal experience at Artscape 2015. Traditionally, Artscape is my favorite event weekend of the year--this year being no exception. Friday night was the most temperate night of Artscape I have ever experienced while Saturday was the normal above 90 degree sweltering. You'll see I took some photos of the same items after dark on Friday and again on Saturday.





































Favorite Vendor Booths

As with recent years, there were more booths returning to actual art and crafts and, in my opinion, an increase in woodworking.

Moongirl Paper Works (paper art)

Renata Mastroti Pottery (pottery)

Drawn Metal Studios (wire metal sculpture)

Andrus Stoneware (pottery)

Fernworks (jewelry)

Printemps Pottery (pottery)





























Gamescape

Moved to the University of Baltimore this year, Gamescape did not disappoint. From Nintendo and Sega nostalgia to video game bands to the Oculus Rift, it was quite a treat.























Virtually reality from designer Cole Pritchard and artist/programmer Karen M. Chang was amazing. My partner in crime for the evening had a wonderful time.























Street Art and Music

As always, there were a lot of amazing works on the street, in the grass, and on the bridge by Penn Station.


















Favorite Art Car of the Year:





Storm Drain Mural at Charles and Lafayette:


Misty Mountain Royals:

Admittedly, I managed not to attend that many of the great music events happening this weekend, but I did catch some of the amazing video game magic that took place on the LED billboard by the Charles Street Bridge.




I also did catch a bit of Rob Fearless of Save Your Soul on the Station North stage on Friday night. 























BROcean City, MD, featuring the Rock Opera 6-Pack

For you out-of-towners, BROS stands for the Baltimore Rock Opera Society. They took up an entire parking lot this year with amazing nods to the Boardwalk at Ocean City, MD, as well as side stages with bands and other shows (see the awesome puppet show below!), as well as a large tent featuring the rock operas from their spring show 6-Pack. 



































Thanks, Artscape for a wonderful weekend. As always I saw a lot of amazing things, but missed a lot of performances and other art. There's just that much to see and to do! But, I felt the Baltimore pride every moment. Here's to art in all its forms! Until next July, my love!

--LJE