mixed media

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One of the things that I think held me back artistically for a long time... was this preconceived notion I had, that to be an artist you had to specialize in something. ONE thing.
As in... I make jewelry. Or... I carve walking sticks. Or... I am a photographer.

Well... that is not me. Perhaps I have schizophrenic tendencies... but I feel like I wear alot of different hats. I am a photographer. Yes, I also draw. Oh... and I have been making jewelry since 1995. And... well... I have quilted and done embroidery of all kinds since the 70's. Plus.. wait... I have studied herbology and know how to make all kinds of potions and lotions that would make my Irish gypsy ancestors proud (I hope). I believe in recycling and re-purposing items... and incorporate them into all kinds of paper goods, mixed media, collage and more.

So where did that leave me?! Be it good or bad... this notion was also supported by several other artists I knew ... and it sort of re-enforced this idea ... which meant in my little brain... that I must not really be an artist. I was simply someone who liked to do alot of different stuff... but didn't really excel at much of anything.

Well. For those of you who may be reading this and wondering... yes, you can be an artist... and STILL do alot of different kinds of art/ craft.
And so... I bring you... samples of some of my "stuff"...


...jewelry (beading, wire-wrapping, metal fabrication, resin, altered and more)... and prayer beads of all faiths...


... all kinds of recycled paper goods such as envelopes, collage, mixed media, and more...


...making birdhouses, birdfeeders, and carved walking sticks...


...crochet... needlework... and quilting...
OH! ... and I like to take pictures :)


((all photos by Elaine A. Russell -- except the last one... which was taken by BAJ))

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On Sunday.... a friend, my daughter, and I all went down to Tome Gallery for their Day of the Dead Art Show.

Needless to say; it was fabulous.

It was not only a gorgeous drive there... with the roads weaving in and around beautiful cottonwood trees, lush farmlands, and fall splendor... but it was great company... and great conversation the whole way.

I always enjoy going to gallery shows... it is a fabulous way to see what other people are creating... and it amazes me how much talent is right here in our own backyards.

So... here is a sampling of what I saw...





*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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................artwork by Elaine A. Russell


I feel a little better about things today... mostly because we all went out to Starbucks for an iced coffee... and to Chili's for a light dinner... and then tonight I picked up a couple plants at Home Depot to fix up the pots on the front patio. The coffee was excellent... the food was delicious... and the plants I got are gorgeous.
Working in the dirt always has a therapeutic effect on me... and I always feel better when I have healthy plants around me.
As of tonight, I also have a huge pot designated for herb plants to cook with. I have always had an herb garden, but these past 2yrs I haven't had the time to prepare one as I have been traveling back to PA so much. I have missed that.

About my photo for today -- I did this piece almost 3yrs ago.. but came across a photo of it today. Using this photo, I added the vintage TTV layer to it... making it new and fresh. I had made it for a former friend... who may not even have it now... so I am glad I kept a photo of it. And while it was not that great an art piece... I do love yellow prairie cone flowers; which was my inspiration for the piece.

To see more about these kind of flowers: Look HERE

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Art Gallery: Sneak Peek #4

Today I will be featuring Dreamscapes Gallery.


Dreamscapes is a local art gallery located on 5th street in downtown Albuquerque, owned by artist Jan Jackson.

"Jackson works in an original style she calls “Dreamscapes”. Her paintings of people, animals, and events are stitched to pastel paper or canvas with bright slashes of bold, pastel color. She also works in acrylic, oil and clay. Her most recent work is multi-media sculpture using animal bone, doll parts, fabric and found materials." ...ABQ ArtsCrawl review

I first went to Dreamscapes Gallery this past fall. It is a quiet, unassuming building; and at first; I think the tendancy for most people is to drive right past it. What a shame. While it has a fairly benign exterior; the inside is brimming with color and vibrancy. There are a series of little rooms (this used to be a house), and inside each one (*yes, even the kitchen and bathroom) are works of art to be enjoyed and purchased.

In December, I went for the opening reception of the "Vally of the Art Dolls" show. Wow. It was wall to wall people!!! ... .and the works on display were absolutely stunning. Here are some highlights from that show... which will give you an idea of the cool artwork offered there on a regular basis.


I highly recommend checking it out. Owner Jan Jackson is a very talented artist, and the gallery is one of ABQ's hidden jewels. Bright and funky art abounds here... :)

(*all photos by Elaine A. Russell)


artwork by Melody Mock (link)



artwork by Steven Art Watson


artwork by Michael C. McCormick


artwork by Mercedes Allen



artwork by Leighanna Light (link)

~~~

For more information; please check out the gallery website: http://dreamscapeson5th.com/


Here is the flyer for the next show at the gallery; featuring artist Nick Harmon.


(click on photo to enlage it)

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*all photos by Elaine A. Russell


Today was very much of a "life gave me lemons" ... kind of day... so... that was my inspiration for my photo of the day as well.
On the plus side... I am really enjoying my class with artist Cynthia Cook at the Harwood Art Center. It is truly an eye-opening and mind expanding experience ... both in terms of freedom of self expression ... and in the liberating use of various materials in our projects.

Art should be fun. Sometimes, we as artists; tend to get bogged down in the "business" side of making art. We worry about saleability, cost effectiveness, making things as pleasing to the largest number of people as possible ... to make things as marketable as we can. However; we (I), also need to occasionally be reminded that it is my art after all ... and that no one can really tell me what my aesthetic is. No one can direct my course of action ... better than me.

I am also in the enviable position of not really having to rely on the proceeds of my art to completely pay for my living expenses. As such ... I need to allow myself the luxury of really expanding my horizons and being adventurous with my art.

I am so grateful for the group of artists taking this class with me ... they are strong men & women with definite ideas about art ... and it is really inspiring me to be bolder and more confident.
I think this is something I really need to learn more; and incorporate more into my being.

Here are some samples of some of the art these artists are producing in the class....





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Windows of opportunity often come disguised. More often than not; for me; it comes in the form of endings that I am usually quite distraught over. It's not that I am adverse to change; quite the contrary. But I do find comfort in the known, the comfortable... the predictable.

"It is often hard to distinguish between the hard knocks of life, and those of opportunity"...Frederick Phillips



Sometimes I have a tendency to get stuck in a rut... to park (so to speak) ... and get a little too lackadaisical in my approach... sometimes I need to just "mix it up" ... and try something completely new in order to open my mind and horizons.



I am starting a new class at the Harwood Art Center. It is going to be 4 classes over the course of the next month in various techniques primarily used in mixed media art. I have done some mixed media projects, and I have enjoyed doing them. However, I don't think it is my "main focus" when it comes to artistic endeavors. I do hope, however, to learn some interesting techniques to incorporate into my jewelry making and fabrication. It will be really interesting.. and even if I don't come away with something I can personally use in my day to day art, it will no doubt open my mind to a whole new world... and that is fabulous.


**all photos by Elaine A. Russell

last night at the Harwood

This is a self portrait done by Cynthia when she was attending UNM


Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a class at the Harwood Art Center by Cynthia Cook.
I have posted on Cynthia before (/moongipsies/2009/11/baubles-bits-and-bites.html) and (/moongipsies/2009/12/abc-wednesday_08.html).
And, I have met her in person... at her show reception at Mariposa Gallery earlier this month, and at the Recycle Santa Fe Show (/moongipsies/2009/11/recycle-show-part-1.html).
But, that pales in comparison to actually being able to take one of her classes.
Ms. Cook is sort of an inigma. If you search for information on-line about her; she is essentially non-existant. Yet, she is an icon in the mixed media world.... and greatly sought after for classes and such.

So... about her class. This was a basic introduction to the wonderful world of collage/decoupage/ assemblage... mixed media. With a background that includes jewelry arts and metal-working.. I was hooked. Never mind that her talk focused on glues, tools, techniques.. and the chance to actually MAKE something .. coolness!

Anyway--- here are some photos from the class.

Thank you!!! to the folks at Harwood for providing such an awesome event.

a portion of one of her recent works showing at the Mariposa Gallery



an example of another one of her art pieces



giving a demonstration




working on a project during the class



**all photographs but the self portrait photo at the top, are by Elaine A. Russell

gothic visions


feeling a bit goth today.. .. probably from the onslaught of promos for "New Moon" and anything vampire..... But it's ok... I really do love the look. Years ago... long before it was cool... I was a huge collector of anything Victorian and Gothic. Lots of lace, lots of candles, old dark wood furniture... but alas, married and changed everything to be more comfortable for the tastes of a family lifestyle. Not complaining.... everything comes back around in it's own sweet time. I actually like a variety of styles... so.. my house is a happy mix most of the time.
Yesterday I had the opportunity to see Cynthia Cook at an artist's salon at the Mariposa Gallery. She is charming, intelligent, funny.. and irreverent... just the way I like my artists :)
Her artwork is simply stunning. It is something you would perhaps chance to see at the home of a scientist/ collector/ eccentric in the Victorian times. Tucked away in an old castle-like fortress, hanging on the walls along with those stark portraits of olde....wine goblets by the fireplace, weird violin music in the offing...I don't know.. maybe that is just my take on it.... but I love her work. It evokes a mood.... a reverence... a look into a world that is just a little more fragile, a little more delicate... a little bit more awe-inspiring than most of us tend to see. Or perhaps.. it is the way the world really is... we just don't see it through our bill-laden, foggy from work ...need another espresso just to function --mentality.
Either way.... it was fabulous.

To see more of Cynthia's work:

*photos by Elaine A. Russell


---and on a completely different note... here is a cool video called "Pipe Dreams."
This video is featured on: http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/musicmachine.asp -- as it was mailed around as some kind of "urban legend."
All I know is that it's pretty damn cool.

Recycle Show -- Part 2

a portion of a mixed media work by Leighanna Light


jewelry by Darlene Fortier


Silverware Creations by "The Cat and the Fiddle"


I fell in love with these ... paintings by a co-op group called "Humble Works"


fantastical works by S. D. Meadows


Jewelry art by Kristin Deiner



The show was incredible. I can hardly stand it. So many things to look at.. so many things to be inspired by. And so many artists not represented here :( , as recorded by my trusty little camera.
But there will be other shows, and other chances....
And in the meantime... go make something !
**all photos by Elaine A. Russell