Chupavispa Art Chicks this year in Mexico resulted in this funny little character. Alebrijes are supposed to be fantastical creatures, a mix of animals. What could be more mixed up than a wasp mixed with a chupacabras? Except, this guy is definitely harmless, with only two big goofy teeth! Here you can see him in various states of being made, and the final composition. The most fun was the painting, I just love adding more and more details.
  ¶ 2:10 AM 0 Comments

  Frida Swap

Labels: frida, swapbot

  ¶ 7:03 PM 0 Comments

  Swap-bot I just joined Swap-bot, http://www.swap-bot.com/ it's a website that allows you to join or initiate a swap around a theme, such as jewelry, postcards, handmade, junk, whatever. I'm going to try it out. It seems like an interesting way to jump start some creativity and get rid of stuff that I am not using but someone else may cherish. I've signed up for 2 initial swaps: 1) heart shaped beads, 2) pick 5 (picking 5 things from a long list such as post it notes, embroidery thread, etc.), both of them involve sending stuff to 2 partners which seems do-able. The biggest hassle is the post office / mailing part...I wonder if I can do that online somehow? I'll check that out, it would make it much easier.

Labels: swap bot

  ¶ 1:16 AM 1 Comments

  Trojan Water Horse This beautiful work of art was in the Mountain Springs Corporate offices. I got to get up close during a recent visit to Hot Springs Arkansas. Art Chicks is coming up and I'm eager to get my hands on some glass and start melting....This art piece is made with fused glass water bottles.
  ¶ 11:10 PM 0 Comments

  Found Frame

Funny coincidence ahead! During the last repujado class I taught at the Latino Cultural Center I was working on a frame. The final touch was to stain it. I put it outside to dry and when I went out it was gone. Turns out a fellow flickr-ite saw it, took this picture, posted it and wrote the story on his photostream, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/bbd/295818921/in/photostream/

It gets better, I commented on the picture and my daughter came by to see what I was chuckling about...and she recognized the name of the photographer, it turns out his kids go to the same school as she does!!!

Turns out that the piece got taken by a passer by--the photographer didn't take it...oh well, at least I know what happened to it!

Labels: frame, latino cultural center, repujado

  ¶ 12:42 AM 0 Comments

  Van Gogh's Final Painting

Yesterday it was announced that what is believed to be Vincent Van Gogh's last painting is coming up for auction, and is expected to sell for $34 million. He shot himself in the chest two days after completing the painting. It's ironic how much money that it, when you think of how much he suffered, how poor he was, and now how much his paintings are valued. I love his work for the ability he has to cut through the clutter of details and focus on the raw beauty of color.

Labels: sunflowers, van gogh

  ¶ 12:48 AM 0 Comments

  Repujado Classes

One of the things I've enjoyed the MOST in the last year has been teaching repujado classes at the Latino Cultural Center. It's been so much fun to bring this Spanish Colonial art form to the Latino community, and non-Latino's interested in Latino art and culture. I've taught three 2-week sessions and look forward to teaching more. Students have picked up the techniques quickly and walk away with 3-5 hand decorated boxes, crosses or other objects.

Repujado has a strong following throughout Latin America and generates a lot of interest here among scrapbookers, crafters, traditional artisans, and anyone who likes to work with paper. It can be as easy as tracing, or as advanced as any drawing. The final result is a wooden object (such as a box, plaque, cross) on which a fine laminate of handworked aluminum is attached. The aluminum is the "repujado" which means something like "reworked" in Spanish. It's a form of embossing combined with line drawing.

Please email me if you would like to be on a list to be notified for future workshops. My email is carlamarieweir@yahoo.com.

Labels: latino cultural center, repujado, workshop

  ¶ 10:31 PM 0 Comments