Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wish You Were Here...and then you are.

Relate, Drozda 2010
4x6 inch Arches postcard
Media Blend


Each week I take samples of  mixed media pieces to share with my adult Tuesday evening 'Media Blend' studio at the Contemporary Art Center. Last evening I shared this new series of postcards.

I had been particularly intrigued, and unsettled, by the felled tree graphic on this Russian stamp. Imagine my surprise when the youngest member of our group, a school teacher, offered to translate. We're in our 4th week together. Her English is flawless. I had no idea she had emigrated to the US seven years ago. She was as interested in the imagery as I. The date on the stamp is 1990. She remarked that she was in the second grade at that time it was issued. She translated the text as 'Humanity Stop!' But she stated that Russia didn't have any kind of vigorous environmental policy in place. This led us to a discussion of the artist's job thoughout time to enlighten the public regarding what often lies hidden from view. Who can say that this artist wasn't doing just that.

I was recently invited to take part in an exhibition titled 'Wish You Were Here'. In addition to paintings participating artists were also asked to create and include 5 postcards.
I laid out five Arches postcards from one of those nifty bound books of blanks that have been in the studio for way too long. I began to assemble a 'media blend' of materials and today I took the postcards and three paintings to the gallery at the oceanfront.

Grow, Drozda 2010
4x6inch Arches postcard
Media Blend


 I may have mentioned how much I love the work of cultural anthropologist Angeles Arrien and her book Signs of Life. Five cards. Five elements.


Unite, Drozda 2010
4x6inch Arches postcard 
Media Blend



If you aren't familair with the research and the continuing opportunity to consciously observe the recurrence of these elements no problemo...just begin to look around you and soon you will be seeing them everywhere...the world of nature and of art are made up of these forms and endless configurations of them. They are also well defined in the workbook How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael Gelb.

Dream, Drozda 2010
4x6 inch Arches postcard
Media Blend

Ian Foster shared a beautiful introduction to The Elements of Design by Loan Oei and Cecile De Kegel on his blog. I bought it immediately. I hope you can take time for a visit. As you will see from the sample pages and the text he shares this wonderful book also explores these recurrant elemental shapes. 

Some years ago I invented a game called 'I Spy with My Artist Eye' to share with my kids at the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia. The young ones take delight in going on treasure hunts, drawing board and 2B drawing pencil in hand. We explore indoors, outdoors and in the exhibition galleries looking for the 'artist alphabet' and its endless variations. It's wonderful how it levels the playing field and gives everyone an entrance point for self expression...no matter what the age.

Take a look around. Wouldn't it be fun to play 'I Spy with My Artist Eye'. Go ahead...relax and begin to notice how your environment suddenly speaks to you in fresh new ways.

Wish You Were Here...and then you are.


Build, Drozda 2010
4x6 Arches postcard
Media Blend


~Sing the day
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16 comments:

  1. Tracey HewittMay 6, 2010 at 1:20 AM

    Iona, I'm so impressed by the way you embrace and make positive learning experiences from circumstances many would stumble on! Turning 'scared' into 'sacred' is a powerful thing to consider...thanks for the quiet strength you share here!

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  2. pMay 6, 2010 at 8:32 AM

    i think 'grow' is the one that i'd pick in a heart beat if i were shopping and saw it. its wonderful!
    i can only imagine how shocking that was to have the youngest member suddenly translating russian! wish i could have been there to hear the discussion about artists and their 'role' sounds fascinating.

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  3. Caterina GiglioMay 6, 2010 at 9:42 AM

    what a great story about the tree stamp and the being synchronistically with someone who can translate russian!! the universe is amazing!!! xx's

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  4. Karin BartimoleMay 6, 2010 at 1:53 PM

    These are great Donna! and I love that you were able to receive the stamp's translation - wish it was there, and there it was ;^) I'm going to check out your links - thanks for ever inspiring, my friend. Love you!!

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  5. Sandra MosleyMay 6, 2010 at 2:24 PM

    Absolutely wonderful. It is inspiring to see your newest creative activities.

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  6. indigomarMay 6, 2010 at 10:16 PM

    I share the love of the Signs of Life w/ you. You've created beautiful postcards illustrating each sign. :)

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  7. Meg MitchellMay 7, 2010 at 6:57 AM

    I love your postcards. Not only are they beautiful, the special messages on them are positive and uplifting. The colors are glorious.

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  8. merci33May 7, 2010 at 3:06 PM

    Hi Tracey ~Yes to me scared sacred = quiet strength...the most powerful energy in the long haul...as long as we're expressing and not stuffing!!

    OK Paula...what ARE RR fish trays??? See I did read about your inspired clocks. Thanks for your interest in the 'art chats' ...perhaps that will come back around as a post.

    Cat~Yup, we are the Universe: one song.

    Hey K~ that amazing collection of stamps is part of a gift that you sent along...I wish you were here...and then you are ;-)

    Mrs. Mosley~I love seeing you here...we'll chat soon

    I know we're both Arrien fans... Indigo Girl...so thanks for the good words.

    Meg: your glorious design sense rocks...and truly makes me appreciate your feedback.

    Thank you all... may your day sing

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  9. rivergardenstudioMay 7, 2010 at 7:41 PM

    There is something magical in this post, nature and her designs, your five postcards and your signs of life... may your day sing as well... roxanne

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  10. KadiraMay 8, 2010 at 7:33 AM

    Great postcards Iona - I like grow particularly

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  11. HannahMay 8, 2010 at 4:37 PM

    Iona,

    I like how you tie the postcards to the elements (I'm familiar with Angeles Arrien's work) and the elements to the Artist's Eye Spy game. Your writing has a wonderful connectivity and an great ability to calm.
    Thank you:)

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  12. merci33May 8, 2010 at 9:58 PM

    Thanks Roxanne, I'm so glad you stopped by...it's been agreat singing day with the kids at the Art Center.

    Hi Kadira ...it's that spiral shape and movement that makes 'Grow' a favorite of many artist types. That shape connects us to originality and the desire to be a bit different from the mainstream. My first pick when I first took the Universal Shapes Test.

    Thanks Hannah ...it was fun to make the postcards for the theme of this particular show; 'Wish You Were Here'. When the 5 postcards were requested the universal shapes just popped out on the paper...I love how that happens.

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  13. pMay 9, 2010 at 9:34 AM

    rr fish TIES. fish tie plates. all my rr clocks use those as they come from the railroad tracks. they are what the 'rails' lay on.

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  14. layersMay 10, 2010 at 1:08 PM

    such colorful and wonderful postcards here-- I love the idea of mail art.

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  15. hw (hallie) farberMay 10, 2010 at 7:19 PM

    I so enjoy your blog--it lifts the spirit.

    Your work is wonderful and I love that the five signs don't include plans or goals--dream and build instead. I'll look for these books; received a B&N gift card for Mother's Day--a perfect gift for me.

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  16. merci33May 11, 2010 at 12:16 AM

    Paula thanks for the info...I'm going to go back and look closer.

    Thanks Donna...I did these for an invitational and they were so much fun...I normally love to work large so that contrast was refreshing too.

    Hallie, that's so sweet of you...and as you know I am a fan of your view of the world.

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Thanks for stopping '-)

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