Part of Something Bigger Than Yourself

truth page, (c)SZing 2013

King of Hearts page (c)SZing 2013

Brink of Ruin page, (c)SZing 2013

We seem to live in a culture of apathy.  Or maybe it's laziness.  I'm not sure.  We are comfortable and it's easier to sit on the couch and watch TV than it is to commit to a project.

But I've found a set of projects that really stir my creative blood up and get my creative juices going.  It started with a participatory public art project through Artify Projects.  I was looking for a something where I could explore art journaling and I was also wanting to art where I might get some exposure in an art show since I moved away from the mainstays of my art show locations.  As it turns out, the Inspiritus Art Journal Project 2013 did just that.  Here are a couple of my collage art pages from that journal.

Glass Windows Page, (c)SZing 2013

Goddess page, (c)SZing 2013

Scribble Hand page, (c) SZing 2013

Body Electric page (c)SZing 2013

The project last year was seen in several cities last year including Atlanta GA and Cincinnati OH.  I loved that I created my own individual artwork and it was uniquely my own take on inspirations and things that make me go, Hmmmm.  And then I sent it in to the project organizers, Artify Project.  They confirmed receipt of the art journal and then they made arrangements for it to be included in their art shows.  It was exciting.  I loved that my art was included with hundreds of other artists as a whole show and yet there were so many individual parts to the show.

And I loved it so much that I'm participating again this year in Inspiritus Art Journal Project 2014.  The art journal kit is about 5" x 7" and includes 40 pages.  That isn't a terribly difficult to achieve goal or commitment.  I even was able to do much of my journaling on the couch while "watching" TV with my sweetie.  The added benefit, as if just the creative aspect AND inclusion in an exhibition were not enough, is that as a result of my participation my art journaling has continued in its evolution.  I can't wait to see where my journal this year will take me. And I can't wait to see where my journal will get to go.

So if you've been apathetic, want something that is relatively low stress/low demands to work on and want to be able to be a part of something bigger than yourself, I highly recommend Artify Projects.  I found them so valuable that I've even committed Bohemian Art Cafe to be a sponsor of several of the projects to assist with marketing and preparation for the shows. They have other projects open for participation and will unveil additional projects throughout the year.  Get off the couch, get signed up and then you can cuddle back up with your artwork. 

The Art of Words

I just completed my art journal/sketchbook for The Sketchbook Project and I have to admit--it was difficult to let this very personal work of art go--knowing that I may never actually lay hands on it again as it will become a part of the Brooklyn Art Library's permanent collection of hand crafted artist made artworks.

(c) 2014, SZing, Cover of my sketchbook

I titled my book "The Art of Words" to fit with my chosen theme "Say Words Out Loud." I chose words that are inspirational to me.  Each page features a different word and are artfully embellished.  They are even cinqo-lingual (is that a word?)--in any case, each word is on the page in English, Spanish, French, Italian, and Danish--of course, some words, like "Vision" are the same in several of these languages.

I also included quotes relevant to the word or idea, or in some cases, I journaled briefly about that word or idea.

pages from The Art of Words, (c) 2014 SZing

After spending what I am guess-timating to be some 200 hours or more creating this little 32 page art work, you can imagine how letting it go was a real challenge.  It was rewarding as I saw each page develop from a blank sheet, then to a lovely painted background, then receiving their words--Love, Joy, Create, Wealth, Serendipity, Freedom...just to name a few.  Each page took on its own originality and I can honestly say it became a labor of love.

My great hope is that "The Art of Words" will leave its viewers feeling enlivened, refreshed and invigorated. Perhaps even inspired.  I contemplated, for about 48 hours, not sending it back to be completed with the project--but I know that it will serve the world far more where it is headed than it would on a shelf in my office or studio.

pages from The Art of Words, (c) 2014 SZing

I'm excited that my little book will potentially be seen by hundreds or even thousands of people in its lifetime--maybe even millions since it is being digitized on both Bohemian Art Cafe (where you can see all of the pages) as well as eventually with the Sketchbook Project site.  Plus it gets to see the country as it goes on tour from Brooklyn New York and traverses across the continent to end up in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco before zipping back across country to land in its final home in Brooklyn.

I'm also editing a video with the before and after of the process of creating the book (unfortunately, I got so wrapped up with the creation of the book that I forgot to document and video the actual art process). Eventually I'll post the video here and on Bohemian Art Cafe, and maybe, if I'm very daring, YouTube.

pages from The Art of Words, (c) 2014 SZing

I  know my art journal is in good company as there are over 17000+ other participants who made their own art journals. I love the idea of the diversity not only of how each page and book looks, but the diversity of the artists and the lives they lead. It's a very intriguing chain of connection to participate blindly with other artists and creators.

And perhaps, one of these days when I am back in New York City for a visit, I can stop by the art library and say a fond "hello and how are you doing" to my little book.

(c) 2014 SZing, Bohemian Art Cafe

Don't Just Fly...Get A Hit of Culture

In almost every area of the country, you don't have to go far (a couple of hours drive at most) to find hidden gems of artwork for the public to view.  In my case, there are many areas and I don't have go to New York City to get high quality art experiences.

In fact, I only have to drive to the Tampa International Airport, a drive of about an hour and a half.  No, I don't have an immediate plans to take a flight anywhere.  There are a surprising number of artworks on display at this airport--enough to fill a small gallery.  Today's challenge, find a hidden cache of artwork on display in a town where you never expected to see it.  And then...go see it.  You might not even have to fly to get your hit of culture.

Richard La Londe Fantastic Fused Glass Paintings

I have long been an admirer of Richard La Londe.  He is a fused glass artist and glass "painter."  While he makes some smaller fused glass slumped vessels, the work I admire most are his large scale fused glass 'murals.'

(c) Richard La Londe, "Masked Intentions"

He has been a part of the studio glass movement since 1974.  He crushes glass and "paints" with that crushed glass, which he then fuses in a kiln.  His works appear in schools and public venues primarily on the West Coast.  He has been commissioned over the years to create 15 glass murals, including one located at SeaTac airport in Seattle.

(c) Richard La Londe, "Look to See"

He was one of the first fused glass instructors through the Bullseye Glass supplier, and has served as an instructor from his studio and at the famous Pilchuck Glass School.

What I have admired about La Londe's work are the brilliant colors and the intense amount of symbology he uses in his work.  While I am not certain how much background he has with Native American cultures, I find it in abundance throughout his works.  And I quite like it.

(c) Richard La Londe, "World View"

I have tried, without success, for the past two years in a row to get to his class on Whidbey Island.  It is still amongst my artistic bucket list to study with him.  Perhaps, assuming the world hasn't ended beforehand, 2013 will be the year I get to take classes with/from him.

(c) Richard La Londe, "New Beginnings"

I have both his books and have poured over them intently, studying the color combinations, the manner in which he constructed the larger murals and to just enjoy the overall works. While it has been a few years since he has apparently done any large scale commissions, I believe that his experimentation with the Bullseye Glass in the 80s was seminal work and that I, and other fused glass artists owe thanks to him for his experiments.

(c) Richard La Londe, "Mythopia"

Public Glass Artist Narcissus Quagliata

Narcissus Quagliata is an Italian-born glass artist who is world renowned for his exquisite large-scale installations in brilliant colors.  My favorite is the piece he is probably best known for and which garners an enormous number of photographs by visitors since its 2007 installation. "Wind, Fire and Time" Dome of Light at the Taiwanese mass transit station is a show stopper. It has 4,500 glass panels with four themes: water, earth, light and fire. Respectively, these represent birth, growth, glory, destruction and rebirth.

 (c) Narcissus Quagliata

But he has other works that are equally gorgeous such as the 

at the "Divinity in Light" at the Santa Maria Degli Angeli cupola/rotunda.

and at the Discovery Center in Washington D.C. he created the

"Discovery Mural"

Quagliata has had his work featured by the Bullseye Glass company (one of the largest glass suppliers to fused/flat/warm--these are interchangeable terms--artists).  He has taught at the highly regarded Pilchuck School, founded in part by fellow studio glass artist Dale Chihuly.  He is regarded by fused glass artists as  the master of flat/warm public glass installations.

Video with Quagliata

For me, he is an inspiration and a mentor of sorts--his methods and techniques are of great interest to me and his ability to create such enormous large scale glass artworks is a feat which I'd dearly love to emulate.  It is a matter of practice and opportunity.  In the meantime, I can learn a lot form his artworks, his book, and his videos.