Rainbow Brights, Rainbow's End

I have recently discovered the joy that comes from Appropriation. For those of you who don't know what appropriation means. Its when you take a commonly known or used image or symbol, and use it in your art work.

With Halloween around the corner I have been seeing a whole new side to appropriation. (I never realized how slutty you could make a Power Ranger or a Police officer) But in the spirit of holloween I have been exploring ways to appropriate them in my own way.

So I hope you enjoy the first of Childhood favorites, shown in a new light.

"Rainbow Bright's, Rainbow's End"

The new bird addition.

It has been a while since my last post but I figured it is about time I updated my blog. It has been a busy year of teaching but I have not lost my love for drawing birds. The owl was part of a commission done for one of my fellow teachers at the school. The sketched birds were part of an experiment I was conducting on building birds using an anime eye design for my starting point. This was inspired by my fourth graders and their constant persute of anime in the art room.

2013 arts cape on main submission

Every year rice lake Wisconsin does an banner project where local artists can show off. This year I decided to go with a simple origami and tree design. Enjoy!

Painting favorites

Sorry the quality of this picture isn't that greatest. I realized I have forgotten the cord to load photos, so I decided that was not going to stop me. I finagled my phone, camera, and computer to get it to do what I wanted wahahahahaha!

This was my most recent commission That was purchased by a good friend of mine. She wanted something with chickadees. I was always told a person should avoid things they know very well, or things you love because you are so attached to them that you get over critical over what you do. You start to see mistakes that aren't really there and even if it is perfect to everyone else; you see every brush stroke and every flaw, so to you the piece is never finished. I grew up with chickadees so it was like drawing a family member. I have to admit it was a challenge, but in the end I was able to finish and get past all those little annoyances.

Feeding myself

This piece is not really titled. As soon as I made it, I sold it. Which is never a bad thing, and it is not something I can say happens very often. I suppose right now, starving artist could very accurately describe my current employment status, but we are going to think of the glass as half full.

As an example of my chipper outlook, people are willing to buy my art! Since this painting was sold I got 2 more commissions. One is still pretty small, but the other will be quite large. So there is hope for me yet.

Hang in there. Sarah out.

Summer Fire

"Summer Fire"

This was a Painting I donated to Rice Lake's Artscape on main. For such a tiny town they are really trying to show pride in their local artists. And even though I am no longer local, since I grew up there they still let me participate in the event.

I was watching the Frog princess and there was a scene in the movie that was so cool to me. Its the part where all the fireflies are singing. I mean I want you to, right now, say "floatin down the bayou". Puts you in a good mood just because it sounds awesome, in a redneck, noodling, backwater sort of way. Well back to the painting. It was done when the winter was just awful, and I painted as a wish that it would just end... and guess what, it did! It is now April and it is 70 degrees outside. I do believe you can thank me.... Your welcome.

Hope you enjoy the painting. Stay warm and stay sane.

Ceramic Work

Recently I was able to take a ceramics class. This allowed me to get the much needed experience on a throwing wheel. I was also able to gain experience in clay terminology, which was wonderful as well.

So me of these pieces are hand build and some are done on the wheel. I have to admit I am a little partial to the functional piece. I like to think of art as something anyone can use or find beautiful. Some of the ceramic art only has a place in a gallery, but ceramics origonal purpose was to serve, and I believe in continuing that theme in my work. I did however do a few small decorative pieces. It was a learning experience. I guess it never occurred to me until now that when you make a wall hanging out of clay, you have to plan in advance how you are gonna get that sucker to stick on the wall.
Hand built: Red body clay

Wheel thrown: cone 6 glaze

Handbuilt: White body earth ware clay

Wheel thrown: throw body clay
This is my innovative fruit bowl. Each fruit has its own specifically sized bowl within the bowl.

Wheel thrown: Used an iron oxide to get a rusty look and layered a crawl over green to antique the smooth areas of the clay.

This is one of my favorites. I wanted to create a piece that would fit my lifestyle. I have had over 50 roommates, lived in dozens of houses, and have even been homeless twice. And after moving so many times I had to get used to packing so I created this set of bowls that I could easily pack up and put away to take to my next house. Everything I need for cooking is in this little set, and it all packs away into this easy little carrier. Someone asked me why does in not have handle. Well when you are packing a box, it is really hard to get everything to fit when there are awkward handles and appendages sticking off your possessions.