by lockwasher
These delightful Robots are all made from gathered bits and pieces in the workshop of Lockwasher.
As you can see, each one is a work of art and has a unique personality. Read the rest of this entry »
by Nancy S.M. Waldman
This photo is one I took two days ago, after becoming inspired by Manu’s playground photograph.
I was, afterward, tuned into the sun coming through my windows, the play of light and shadow on objects and the transformative power of the sun.
This photo is of a group of objects that have gathered themselves on a shelf in my laundry/mud/back entrance room. I use the passive voice because that’s precisely what it is, an unintentional grouping. It’s not a true display, as no one sees it except whoever does the laundry (mostly me 
).
Most of the objects are things I’ve picked up while walking in the woods near our house. There are fragments of china that were thrown into a backyard rubbish pile decades ago. There are bottles and broken bottles and a perfect little teacup that my dog brought out of the woods. The wheelbarrow is not a found object, but is one I can’t remember acquiring, so it has the feel of something found.
These objects are outside things that have found their way into my house, but they are just barely inside the door. Because of this, I like the way the photograph shows the outside and the inside. They almost merge into one.
When we turn our attention to ordinary things in a creative way - whether by photographing, drawing, painting, or repurposeing them - we first see them in a new way and then we appreciate them anew or, maybe for the first time.
Today, choose to focus your attention on something - or someone - in a new way. It will alter the way you perceive them and you’ll be reminded that appreciation is its own reward.
Here’s an article on gathering and collecting
with links to the results of our Collectors Survey
Originally published in February 2006 in the Practically Creative blog
by Nancy S.M. Waldman
I have boxes on my mind.
This week, I covered a small cardboard box in old photos and gorgeous, vintage gold paper I found in my late father’s art supplies. I lined the inside with beads and feathers. Fun!
That little project got me going on containers. Now I’m working on making a box out of a couple of my paintings that have been in a drawer for a decade or more. In bed last night, just before sleep, I came up with an inspiration for a see-through lid so that the painting-lined interior won’t be hidden. This is fun stuff and all inspired by our recent issue on Alterations.
Our image today is from assemblage artist Mary Bogdan. You can see more of her work here in our on-going look at Alterations.
Mary collects boxes and more boxes to use in her constructs. This piece, entitled “scroll/reset” is 19″w x 14.5″h x 6″d. This is what she has written about it:
Religion, the meaning of life, spirituality as opposed to religion. These are the themes of many of my pieces. The New Testament with a rusty nail through it. FIT FOR LIFE (diet) book torn page by page and inserted one by one into a wooden box, the whole book stuffed as I have often stuffed myself. |
Well, Mary, I wish I could touch it, look in that cigar box, ruffle the pages. It’s so *FULL*.
I ran across a fun site yesterday called Box Doodles. Whoa, is this ever right down The PCQ’s alley. On this site, people are encouraged to make quick things out of boxes, but that hardly begins to describe the outcomes. Take a look. You won’t be sorry. The box doodles and Mary’s decidedly more sophisticated box assemblage can’t help but inspire!
Here are photos of the boxes I mentioned above. The first is a craft store box that I covered with vintage paper and old photos and lined with beads and feathers.
This one is literally made from one of my paintings (acrylic) bent into shape and glued. The lid is made from a web of machine-sewn threads (done on tissue paper and later removed) sewn onto more of the painting paper with embellishments of beads and lots more thread in the corners.
thanks, Mary.
See all our Alterations articles
See New Again, an Alterations Challenge
- with more photos of my boxes -
See more of Mary Bogdan’s art: The Tide Series
See all our Collecting articles and surveys
Originally published March 2006 in the Practically Creative blog; edited slightly for re-publication
by Nancy S.M. Waldman
I missed a day (or was it two?) of posts. Some days I just don’t have *it*, you know? I’m busy shovelling out my workspace as it has gotten overwhelmed in the last two months.
When I get inspired, I start pulling materials out of the closets and can’t even think about putting any of it back because I might need it! Since my work room was such a mess, I started working in the tv room and several other rooms of the house. Whoa. Creative energy has a way of spreading, sometimes taking over not only our minds but whole rooms. *grins*
Anyway, it’s time to get things under control again. So that’s what I’ve been doing… as well as working on several small projects - all over the house!
Today’s image is charming, isn’t it? Lockwasher does these great sculptures out of found objects and metal do-dads. Each one has such personality and the craftmanship seems meticulous. I’m very impressed.
I chose this one because it’s made from a fancy tin. And, well, yeah, maybe because this one has a heart. Click on the image to see more of Lockwasher’s bots and rockets. They’re simply wonderful (and inspiring).
Must go work on my space.
Happy Sunday, all and thanks, Lockwasher!
Here are more wonderful robots that lockwasher has created.
See all our Practically Mperfect articles
Here’s a wonderful article on the process of creativity and how clutter enters into it: Mind Space
See all our Alterations articles
See our New Again, an Alterations Challenge
Here’s an article on our human need to GATHER things
(with links to the fun results of our Collectors Survey)
First published on March 5, 2006 in the original Practically Creative blog;
Re-published as written as an informal Practically Mperfect article
The TIDE Series by artist, Mary Bogdan
All images copyright © 2003, Mary Bogdan; 12.125″h x 11.5″w x 6.5″d, mixed media on abandoned Tide laundry detergent box
All about this series in Mary’s own words:
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Mary - painter & assemblage artist - says of herself:
Mary and her husband, artist Sol Lang, were exhibited recently in New York City at the M!WAA @ NEW ART CENTER ; her images can be seen at flickr.com/photos/marybogdan/ |
Originally published in the January 2006 issue of The Practically Creative Quarterly, theme: alterations
