Found Object Friday with Guest Artist Shary Bartlett

Found Object Fridays: We artists love our collections don't we? Even as a child I remember foraging through flea markets and looking for special trinkets that caught my eye. Going for walks, to this day I find myself scanning the ground looking for interesting bits of metal or unique rocks to add to my collections. Long before I knew what I would be doing with them, I collected objects that pulled on something inside of me. As an artist I was thrilled to find there are others who love and collect little oddities and curiosities too. 

Over the course of ten Fridays I am honored to introduce ten different guest artists who will share some of the objects they love. You may recognize some of these names, while others may be new to you, each one is somebody whose style I admire. Check out the photos of their found object-and in a virtual show and tell, read about how it caught their attention and what they plan to do with it. Then check out their bios and links to learn more about each artist. . .

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I was first introduced to Shary through mutual friend and artist, Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch, when Trish invited Shary to join the team of EncaustiCamp instructors. To be totally honest with you, I was intimidated to meet Shary after viewing her beautiful work on her website. Shary kindly offered to pick me up from the airport as she drove down from Canada and I was delighted to find her to be an outgoing, fun and down to earth artist with a lyrical voice and distinct Canadian accent. I can't wait to connect with her at EncaustiCamp again this July!

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As a mixed media artist and teacher, I am lucky to live in Vancouver, Canada, where we have a delightful store called Urban Source that collects “alternative art materials” (what others might call “junk”) from local industries.  

Urban Source - Vancouver

This found object paradise diverts safe, useable samples, discards, off-cut paper and over-stock into the hands of designers, teachers, parents, children and creative people like us. For about $7.00, one can fill a paper bag full of artistic opportunity: overstock tile sample, fabric swatches, sheet music, tubing, Plexiglas, buttons, shiny bling…you name it! Every time I visit it’s a new store offering something different.  And the local industries are happy, as Urban Source hauls away their unwanted goodies, thereby reducing land fill and disposal costs.  It’s Win, Win, and the world becomes more beautiful with art! I understand several cities in Canada and the US have stores like this one.Once at Urban Source I found a container of floor sweepings: curlicue wooden cuttings leftover from laser-cut lettering.  

Shary Bartlett, Found Objects

The laser process had lent them a delicious smoky wood smell -- like a campfire.  I was struck by their recognizable - but illegible – calligraphic form.  Placed side by side, I thought, these might appear to be a secret language no one could read!  Images and possibilities blossomed in my mind; I love to write poetry and adore the addition of text in artwork but am always looking for unique ways to  integrate the two, as this look has become commonplace over the years.  I scooped a few of those into my paper bag -- You bet! At first, I glued them to fabric and painted text-like shapes around them.  I liked that.  

Shary Bartlett, Found Object Friday

Then, I included them on a collage painting.  Didn’t like that so much.  

Shary Bartlett, Found Object Friday

Then I became curious about their similarity in shape to Hebrew and Arabic lettering, so…I admit to getting a wee bit diverted on the internet, researching early forms of writing.  I learned that the two languages share the same early alphabet and both read from the right side of the page.  That’s one thing I love about art – it’s endlessly educational and knowledge deepens the meaning of the resulting artwork.  But finally, the sweet-bee scent of my encaustic wax began flirting with those smoky “letters” and drew me away from the screen and back to the studio!  I decided to string the shapes together to form mysterious sentences that might communicate with, but speak a different meaning to, each viewer.  I lay the letters across the wooden substrate starting from the right.  This took a few tries and “mistakes” as I developed the technical skill involved in affixing the characters so they would stay in place.  

Shary Bartlett, Found Object Friday

I finally mastered the process, but decided the text was too busy, so turned back to an earlier “mistake” on which I had practiced with the addition of beeswax and successfully affixed only one row of letters.  I scraped into the wax, laying down an illegible poem filled with personal meaning, then inlaid oil paint into the crevices and wiped it out.  And voila as we say in Canada, a host of new painting possibilities began filling my imagination!

Shary Bartlett, Found Object Friday

Shary Bartlett is an artist and Fine Arts instructor at Capilano University and Langara College in Vancouver, Canada. She has taught art in the United States and Bali.  Her mixed media body of work includes encaustic, collage, acrylic, fibre arts, altered photographic prints and sculptural assemblage.  Find her on Facebook, Pinterest and her website:  www.sharybartlett.com.   

RocketHub Ends with nearly 50% funding!

"Fallen" 10" x 10" collage by Crystal Neubauer

I'm so happy to share with you that my Rockethub campaign ended at nearly 50% funded! While that still leaves me short of my original goal, I don't see it as a failed campaign, I see it as a tremendous boost toward achieving my dreams! 

You may have seen my post on Facebook last week about the passing of my grandmother, but if not I just wanted to share this news with you briefly. At 93 Gramma was still a fighter. She taught me much about the importance of family relationships. I was fortunate enough to have been able to see her before she passed and then to be able to spend time catching up with family members who have not gathered together for quite a few years.

I am, and will always be grateful for these connections in my life and for the very sweet time I was able to spend "back home". What that meant for me on a career level was making the choice to pull out of the American Craft Council show in St. Paul this weekend. It was an easy decision to make, to place my priorities squarely on my family without distraction, but today I can't help feel a tiny bit disappointed at not being there as the show opens. As I said, the richness of what I received instead is priceless, there will be other shows. 

American Craft Expo in Evanston, IL
And speaking of other shows! If you did not catch my announcement before, I am so excited to share with you that I was accepted into the American Craft Exposition Show and Sale in Evanston, IL. This show is held annually in August and is among the top art/craft shows in the nation. If you are in the Chicagoland area or will be visiting in August, I do hope you will plan to come visit the show and see me!

RocketHub and Beyond
The backing funds so generously provided will now be used for the ACE show in August in the same way I planned to use it for the ACC show. I will be following through with the purchase of my booth panel system and will also be able to pay the fee for the show without straining my family budget. I will also be making an investment in framing material and art supplies. 

The funds I was able to raise were just shy of half of what I needed, so I have decided to schedule a couple of special series to continue my efforts. I will be creating a series of 6" x 6" works and offering them 10 at a time for $50 each. This is a savings of over $150! This is a great opportunity to add to your growing collection of original artwork or start one. In addition to the offer of original work at such a substantial savings, each person who purchases will be entered into a drawing for some exciting prizes. Stay tuned for the announcement of my first "10 for 50" campaign on the blog!

Studio Spotlight with Guest Artist Tye Johnson

Over the course of ten Wednesday's join me in welcoming 10 guest artists as they share a glimpse into the spaces that foster their creative process. One of our ten guest bloggers referred to the artist's studio as "Sacred Space", and indeed it is just that for me. Working in the silence of my own studio is the place I am most easily able to connect to my Creator. As our guest artists share images of their own sacred spaces, they tell a bit of their creative process through the answers to four simple questions. Read about the artist in their bio and then explore the links each one will provide to get to know them a little more.

Tye Johnson first crossed my radar as an artist when I received a newsletter from a gallery that was promoting an event Tye was involved in for the Dreamcatcher foundation, a non-profit group raising funds for a shelter and awareness about human trafficking in the city of Chicago. I contacted Tye about donating art to the cause, and though it was too late for me to participate in that event, it opened the door of communication between us. I so admire the passion Tye has for social justice issues, especially where women and teens are concerned. And I so so admire Tye's style as an artist, where the female figure is often the focus of her work. It is so evident that she is fully living out the passion she has for empowering women openly and authentically. Read on and Enjoy!

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Tye Johnson Studio

What is your favorite time of the day to create & why? 

I would probably choose mid-day as my favorite time of day to create because I am most rested and alert then. Sadly, I rarely get to paint during this time because I also work during the day as a 5th grade teacher. Typically, I like to create when I can create enough mental space to get into the process and when I'm well rested.

What do you love most about your studio?

When I'm in my studio, I feel like I'm transported into another world. It actually scares me to go sometimes because I get so engulfed and I don't want to leave, eat, sleep, etc. Although I'm not there as much as I'd like to be, it's the place where I feel the most creative peace.

Tye Johnson Studio

What can always be found in your work space?

In my work space, whether its my painting studio or my classroom, you will always find an assortment of materials that I  can use at whim. I love the spontaneity of creativity and being able to use random tools, from paper to fabric to chalk to ink to whatever is available. I try to teach my students to operate in the same way- to be creative thinkers and problem-solvers and to use the resources around them.

What dream supply would you purchase if money were no issue? - or alternatively – What medium would you want to learn if time were no issue?

If money and time were no issue, my dream 'supply' would be to form a band and the 'medium' I would like to perfect is playing the guitar. I love music and I love to sing. I play the guitar a little, but wish I had more time to devote to really learning it.

Artist Tye Johnson

Bio:

As an emerging artist, Tye Johnson has exhibited with international artists, had an award-winning painting at the Woman's Works art exhibit covered by Chicago Gallery News, corporate sales with companies such as Intren, Inc., and her studio is at the Zhou B Art Center in Bridgeport, home of the famous Zhou Brothers and other prominent globally-known artists. She is the vice chair of The Dreamcatcher Foundation, an organization helping victims of human trafficking, a fifth grade school teacher in Oak Park, and is the founder of Tye Johnson Artistry, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to igniting social change and reform through art. This nonprofit includes a network of artists committed to social change and proprietary service-learning curriculums. Tye is also a speaker within the Women's Empowerment (WE) network and a workshop developer who covers people empowerment, social justice, and self-branding.

www.tyejohnson.com
www.thedreamcatcherfoundation.org

Redemption Stories Series with Guest Artist Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch

Redemption Stories Monday: For the next ten Monday's join me in welcoming 10 guest artists as they share a story of redemption from their own life or work. These stories may be a broad overview or observation, or they may be very specific, deep and personal. The post may be very short or very lengthy. I have left the specifics up to each of the ten. View images of their work as you read their words, and bios. Be sure to check out the links each one will provide to learn even more about them. 

There is so much I could say by way of introducing Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch (or Trish as she is known to go by). I owned her book on encaustics and admired her work and her words from afar by way of reading her blog and keeping up with her on Facebook. Eventually our paths crossed, one thing led to another and there she was, sitting in my workshop in Portland, Oregon learning about Wax & Wire as if she were just another student, as if she hadn't written a book on encaustics herself. I now have the privilege of being an instructor at EncaustiCamp, the brainchild born of Trish's journey of "getting to" and "what's the next?", but even more than that, I have the honor of calling her my friend. And I could go on and on about that honor, but right now I'd like nothing more than to share her story and work with you. Enjoy!

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"All I Was Doing Was Breathing" by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch

I am still working on it, this series I’ve extracted from my heart and put out for all to see. It may never be complete; and it may not ever become

more than this.

Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch Gallery View

The show went up 7 February, 38+ pieces of all shapes and sizes adorning walls and plinths.

Wax and Words.

The intersection of passions.

The intersection of passion and Passion.

Crystal asked for redemption stories in this blog share.

I can’t seem to compose ‘my’ redemption story.

The difficulty is up there with trying to explain what I am doing in this life.

"The Mysteries We Ache After" by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch 

It is not difficult because I do not have a redemption story,

or heaven forbid, I feel I’ve not been redeemed,

but rather,

as is the case with this ‘doing’ I am in,

I am in it.

It lives, breathes, grows, changes, takes on new form every year.

Every day.

Every hour.

"Between The Lines" by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch

How does one tell the story of their

redemption

when the redeeming happens over and over,

continuously in miracles and wonder

each and every day?

There is nothing to tell.

Only life to live.

And let it speak.

"Peel Your Image Off The Mirror" by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch

Wax and Words

Where passions collide

Solo exhibit

Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery, Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia

"Book Bits" by Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch

Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch is an encaustic artist, author and instructor.

To hear her tell she is the lucky girl who gets to be the one to create and host the fabulous EncaustiCamp each year in Seattle, Washington.

To hear her tell she is the lucky girl who gets to be the one to travel Australia and New Zealand for two years simply on the desire to reach more, teach more and inspire more to encaustic.

To hear her tell she is the lucky girl who gets to follow her passion and see it live.

I say not luck; you earned it girl; through bold trust, simple faith and crazy risk-born of pure hope.

"set yourself on fire with passion, the whole world will come watch you burn." ~Wesley

BE.convicted. 
www.pbsartist.com

encaustic retreats worldwide~

Studio Spotlight with Guest Artist Laura Lein Svencner

Over the course of ten Wednesday's join me in welcoming 10 guest artists as they share a glimpse into the spaces that foster their creative process. One of our ten guest bloggers referred to the artist's studio as "Sacred Space", and indeed it is just that for me. Working in the silence of my own studio is the place I am most easily able to connect to my Creator. As our guest artists share images of their own sacred spaces, they tell a bit of their creative process through the answers to four simple questions. Read about the artist in their bio and then explore the links each one will provide to get to know them a little more.

Laura Lein Svencner is another artist whose work I loved and whom I followed on her blog for some time before I realized she lived in the Chicago area too. I was super thrilled to meet her when I joined the mid-west collage society and was doubly thrilled to find her to be one of the most down-to-earth and generously kind artists I know. I have had the privilege of visiting Laura's studio first hand and so it was a no-brainer to invite her to join the series when it began. I know you will enjoy this visit to her studio and I encourage you to head over to her website and blog after to see her amazing collage work. 

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Laura Lein-Svencner's Studio

1. What is your favorite time of day to create and why?

This is a question I don’t have one answer for, being mom of four and an artist from a young age I had to learn to grab the creative time when I could. Sometimes it was forced as this is it this week so best get to the studio now…and other times I would grab the time early in the morning while the house was still a sleep and quietly work in my studio with a sense of great peace. I’ve recently experience a purged studio and room to do yoga in there and then I gently work for about an hour or so afterwards which is so wonderful to do but not always easy. What has settled lately as a favorite time is the afternoons leading into the dinner hour? All the computer stuff and homestead chores are out of the way and I settle in to a quiet afternoon in the studio.

2. What do you love most about your studio?

Living with a house full of 6 including myself space is hard to come by, The husband has had his garage space for some time and I took over the master bedroom of our home that we’ve been under construction for some time and converted into my studio space. I love to look out and see my backyard, and neighborhood. With my studio on the second level I’m allowed to bare witness to the tree top canopy. Watching and listening to the birds brings great joy. So I guess I would have to say the part that I love most is it’s a space of my own and being able to create and observe nature out the windows all at the same time. Best of both worlds.

3. What can always be found in your work space?

Paper, paints, brushes, family photos that mean a lot to me hanging on the wall, cat and dog hair, lots of books on the shelves, projects in process, large tables being I work standing up and flat most of the time. You might see collectable things hanging or resting on a window ledge, a kite hanging from the ceiling, always a kid at heart. There are many things in my studio some that have sentimental value and other things that I just like, and then there are those things that I can see being something else. I’ve become more selectable as it’s so easy to over have. When asked if I would like something from some I have to think about where my art is going and if this could be part of the directions, then I say yes but lately I’ve been turning things down like I said and being more selective.

Laura Lein-Svencner's Studio

4. What dream supply would you purchase if money were no issue? 

Wow, this is a great questions…but there isn’t one thing that comes to mind right now…I think for a collage, mixed media, assemblage artist the surprise of the find is more exciting than a purchased supply. I know there are many new products coming out left and right which is great but I seem to want to explore with the materials I have and push them as far as I can before jumping into any other supply. Not sure if this makes sense.

5. What medium would you want to learn if time were no issue?

I think I would like to go back into printing not so much for the final piece but for the process, I’ve dabble in many printing techniques but carving a linoleum plate from a drawing really excites me… 

Laura Lein-Svencner

About The Artist

Laura Lein-Svencner was raised in Downers Grove IL not far from her grandfather's farm and resides now Darien Illinois for the past 29 years. She's continued with her personal studies in drawing, printmaking, sculpture/assemblage, papermaking and collage. Seeking inspiration from one artist to another, Laura has pursued her love of paper; this steady pace of exploration has led her to become a member of many local and international collage groups. She also co-founded the Midwest Collage Society which exhibits throughout the Midwest region. Her works has won many awards and most recently the 27th Annual Juried Exhibit with the National Collage Society. Her work has been published in Watercolor Artist Magazine 2009, Creating Collage in all Dimensions 2010, Flavors for Mixed Media 2011, Painting in Mixed Media 2012. This Fall 2013, Laura's work can be seen in Incite, Dreams Realized and Mixed Media Artist, from North Light Books. Gallery presentation The Flying Pig in Algoma WI. Currently Laura teaches her techniques of collage at Naperville Art League and at Mayslake Peabody Estate. During the summer months you will find her creating in her studio, gardening and walking in the woods with her dogs but when she's not doing that you will see her exhibiting at local art fairs and teaching collage workshops throughout the Midwest.

Website: http://www.lauralein-svencner.com

Blog: http://www.lonecrowart.blogspot.com