Art Fun at the Flat Iron in Wicker Park 10/11
Last weekend, myself and Chicago artist Naomi Martinez (monstrochika), set up for some live art making in the Flat Iron building in Wicker Park for the fall Coyote Festival. We did a fun collaboration of one of her characters and some of my alley cats. Sometimes, girls just wanna have fun….
P.S….also pictured are the cd’s cases I created.
For my friend Amy.
I’m ALWAYS involved in new projects. I’ve been having a lot of fun putting together mix cd’s for friends (don’t worry, you’ll get one!) and then creating art to go along with the cd. The art is inspired from the music as well as from the person I’m making it for. Since I love working with different media and styles of art making, this has been a great way for me to let go of my norm and experiment with a variety of ideas that have been floating around my brain. The jewel cases act as the frame for the art and can be hung, set on a table or shelf and displayed as a sculptural piece…..maybe a coaster too?
This is the first cd in which I added the art in with the music.
(I may owe some people who have the music sans the art)
My goal is to showcase these in a sound and art installation.
I put things that I like on magnetic boards.
free thinkers-root beer-hiking-black and white movies-cats-trees-oceans-rocks-pinon-grafitti-photography-my orange sandals-camping-stickers-rv’s-skateboarding-folk art-fashion-recycling-reusing-thrifting-organizing-sculpture-metal (music and the element)-rust-copper-silver-old frames-green spaces-matte black-converse shoes-art education-science-the brain-buddism-wild flowers-surfing-mountains-punk rock-rude boys (no, the other kind)-dolls-lemurs-wonder women-art galleries-travel-new mexico-sunsets-twilight (not the book/movies)-good movies (according to me)-collage-printmaking-mixed media- pocket parks-avocadoes-voodoo doughnuts-rock and roll-ukelele- colorful tights-rain-daydreams-peacock feathers-pens-markers-glitter-abstarct-concrete-granola-soy milk-being a vegetarian-gatherings-walks on the beach-bon fires-cotton candy-stars-color theory-art installations-alleys-dumpsters-urban hiking-caves-buffalo-rats-lines-calligraphy-the sky-daytime moons-silence-youth art mentoring-glass bottles-fresh bread-multiples-magnets-fences-farming-oregon-clouds-pink-toys-piano-victorian dresses-old cars-chrome-high gloss-faery floss-france-rubber ducks-roadtrips-the redwoods-horizon lines- unscented candles-nag champa-dogs- ambient lighting-paperweights-celtic art-an occasional good micro brew-hot air balloons-gypseys-the planetarium-spraypaint-jeans-smurfette-acoustic guitar-hair ties-bracelets-turquiose-time travel-slugs-snacks-san pellegrino-sun flowers-plants-cactus-mango juice-the road to hana-collecting-green-the smell of burning leaves-auntnm weather-halloween-macs-typography-the little rascals-seeds-grilled corn-politics-music-crystal chandeliers-old stuff-minimalism-decorative-hills-history-milton glaser-documentories-claymation-stop motion-rawness-realness-sweet potatoes-vinyl records-digital art-walking-day dreaming-tea-t-shirts-silouettes-dark comedy-black play-doh-micaious clay-native american history-doors-taos-skyscrapers-NYC-design-my boyfriend-suitcases-patterns-wallpaper-taverns-buttons-hammocks-motor cross-staying up late-the “idea” of waking up early (sometimes it works)-organic farming-buying local-parks- the prairie-swamps-forests-italy-opals-fresh air-npr-college radio-open roads-finding new ways to get from here to there-poetry-hikus-art-youth artists-discovery-science-rainbows-peanuts comic strip-layers-the moon-wings-tumbleweeds-route 66-home depot-tools-shoes-pinocchio-tim burton movies-the wild west-sorting-thinking-creating-storms-clouds-comics-tasty treats-scientific illustrations-trades-legwarmers-fabric-faeries-riff randell-righteous babes (you all know who you are)-instrumentals-puppets-voodoo-being comfortable-elephants-old cameras-lomography-holga-hand sewn-honesty-national geographic-art mags-books-paper dolls-raggedy ann and andy-and that thing in the alley….I’m going to get it right now!
Ellsworth Kelly, Spectrum 1966-67 - The St. Louis Art Museum
Whether it’s on the streets, in museums, galleries or obscure non traditional spaces, I’m inspired by and value the full spectrum of art.
This past weekend, I made a trip to St Louis and one of my stops was the St. Louis Art Institute. They are currently under renovation and in between shows, but that didn’t leave for a lack of inspiration. As I walked through the contemporary art section, I found myself drawn to photographing the works in both black and white as well as in color. I’m really interested in color theory as well as value scales, so this piece by Ellsworth Kelly caught my attention.
Art Memory….
As I mentioned, I’m really interested in color theory. It was one of my favorite classes when I went to school for my undergrad in visual communications. Our first project was to create a complimentary color value scale, I choose red (magenta) and green…I still like that color combination to this day. We had to measure out 20 or so rectangles for each color and then paint them with acrylics. Daunting and tedious for some, good times for me!
Found this on one of my urban hikes...I have no idea who the artist is.
I love hiking. Put me on a trail in the mountains or by streams, lakes and forests and I’m at my best. But living in the city doesn’t provide me with much opportunity to head down a mountain trail, so I make due with some “urban hiking”. I saw this the other day and it made me smile.
"untitled..."
Since the focus of my art is about our interconnectedness with, well…everything, much of my inspiration comes form nature. The light through the trees caught my attention. I found the image to be more profound in black and white, as to capture the true feeling of that moment.
White Castle 1971
Another aspect of my art career is fashion design. I recently started up Re-Girl Apparel and Accessories and partnered with a long time friend and fashion designer, Graciela Llorente (who is absolutely AMAZING!!!). We use clothing that’s had a past and bring it back to life (some people call this up-cycling) along with organic and artist designed fabrics…being eco friendly and handmade is a must.
Here comes the “Art Memory”
…I started my very first fashion endeavor when I was around 11-12 years old. I received a micro loan from my aunt Sophie and ordered a bunch of florescent orange, pink and green shirts and jumpsuits from a catalogue. To create my designs, I used fabric paint, studs and rhinestones (it was the 80’s, hence the color choices and bedazzle-ing). YES, they were horribly ugly, YES my friends bought them and we all wore them…and NO I don’t have any pictures, too bad, those jumpsuits would be great to see. I think I still owe my aunt $75.
For my current fashion designs, I’m calling it “urban rag-doll meets street art meets I’m not afraid to have fun kind of a look”. In the back of my head I keep a few icons in mind: Punky Brewster, Molly Ringwald in “Pretty In Pink” and my childhood idle, Riff Randell (look her up if you don’t know who that is). I love going to thrift stores and finding rad shirts like the one pictured and bringing the past and the present together…hanging out as a teen at my neighborhood White Castle brings on a whole other set of memories. The first Re-Girl pieces were all leg-warmers (another reference to the 80’s) and now we’ve added arm-warmers, shirts, skirts, dresses and more.
Looking back throughout my life, I can now chart a timeline on when this crazy art obsession started…and how it all comes full circle.
100 year old Church Door
I came across this door the other day at an antique store in Chicago. I love old doors in general and am thinking about purchasing this one. The simple repetitive designs and subtle glass etching makes for a powerful contrast against the dark wood frame.
"The Candy Store"
“The Candy Store” is a temporary Pop Up Gallery located at Right-Brained Studio for 3 weekends in August starting Friday 8/12. Artists will turn this studio into an art installation as well as offer art, fashions, stickers, buttons and more available for purchase.
Opening Reception:
Friday August 19th 6:00-9:00pm
Candy will be served.
Participating Artists: Blutt, Mindy Fisher, Brandon Garrison, Claire Kowel, Niaomi Martinez (monstrochica), Kelly D. Pelka (paranoidgirl), Czr Prz, Deva Suckerman and Craig Taylor.
Gallery Hours:
Fridays August 12th, 19th and 26th 6:00-9:00pm
Saturdays August 13th, 20th and 27th 10:00am-4:00pm
Sundays August 14th, 9th and 28th 10:00am-2:00pm
“The Candy Store” Logo Design: Craig Taylor
(Right-Brained Studio, owned by artist, fashion designer and youth art mentor Kelly D. Pelka, is a youth art studio and gallery for artists ages 18 and under along with their parents, guardians, families and friends.)
Please click on the Right-Brained Studio link for location and contact info.