Saturday, March 28, 2009
Virtually Awarded
In the midst of my diligent and dedicated procrastination (see previous post), I got a comment from Rhonda Carpenter, who's blog Watercolors and Words I visit frequently. Rhonda is one of those fellow artist bloggers who, at times of my not-in-the-painting-mood, kicks my butt via email and comments till I get back into my studio.
Funny, but before I started blogging, I've never met anyone named Rhonda, and now I know two Rhondas (OK, I guess they've never knew someone named Nava either), and I'd love to meet them some day for real, as their warm caring personality shines through their blogs. . .
(to continue reading, click here)
Labels: Art, Awards, Creativity of Others, Damn Technology, It's All About Me, Ode to other blogs
Thursday, September 04, 2008
One Man's Trash...
Pat (of Single For A Reason blog) has come up with a challenge to see what w'all can do with a discarded - yet very photogenic - paper bag. As she put it, "One man's trash is another man's treasure type of thing".Since my creative juices are a bit on the murky side these days, and I am amongst the finalists in the Olympic sport of the procrastination (I persoanlly think I deserve the gold medal!), I decided to act fast while it was still hot and fresh from the email.
So, here is my humble attempt at it.
The first thing that came into my mind when I saw this bag was a cheery Smurf making a fashion statement.
Maybe he's tired of the everwhite Phrygian cap.
Maybe he wants to fly and save the world from the roaming Gustav with his mighty umbrella (you're a bit late for that, little fella!).
Or maybe he just wants to escape reality and feel like Superman for a while.
All that - with a bonnet made from a discarded paper bag, with some extra pieces used for birdies to accompany him.
Oh, and one mighty umbrella, of course.
Ain't recycling wonderful?
So - there. Done, with fun and Photoshop.
Paper bag courtesy of Pat, Smurf courtesy of a free image online. Photoshop courtesy of The JohnnyB and TexieD. Blogger courtesy of Google. OK, enough of the credits!
One thing this reminded me of was my favorite illustration by Mordillo, that used to hang in my cubicle during my early hi-tech days (the poster, not Mordillo, alas).
I think it's titled 'The Non-Conformist'. Sure enough, my manager at the time advised me to take it off, as it was too much of an attitude statement...
Well duh!
Needless to say, I left it there until it was completely faded.
Like many of Mordillo's bitter-sweet creations, it's the kind of image that makes you smile at first sight, but the more you look at it, you realize how disturbingly true it is.
Labels: Art, Creativity of Others, Damn Technology, Ode to other blogs
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
I've Been Arte Y Pico-ed!!!
Blueberry of Texas Oasis has awarded me the Arte y Pico award. Arte y Pico is a blog from Uruguay, whose blogger has come up with this award. It features this angel with a very cool dress (oh, it's a she-angel, or is she one of the muses?), that totally matches her wings. And she is wonderfully balanced on this golden, uhm, thingy - very impressive!
What does Art y Pico mean? As Ana, the award originator puts it, "Basically, ironically, it translates into a wonderful phrase in Mexico, 'lo maximo'. It will never find its counterpart in English, but if it HAD to, it would be something like, Wow. The Best Art. Over the top".
The online translator tells me it means "Art and tip".
Whichever it is - I am honored! (although I am quite confident that Blueberry awarded me before she saw my results from the last drawing class...).
It feels very reassuring to get recognition for something you do. When it comes to one's passion, it becomes even more important.
So - Thank You, blueberry! I'll do my best to keep being worthy of it.
OK then, to business.
First, the rules:
- Pick FIVE blogs that you consider deserve this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.
- Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
- Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
- Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Arte y Pico” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award which is here: Arte y Pico.
To make my life easier, I am going to take this award literally, and go for blogs of visual artists.
Now, opening the five envelops... (Only five??) here we go [drumroll]:
Creativity Journey: Myrna Wacknov, a great artist, teacher and friend, who's becoming more and more famous with her art blog, being a true inspiration to many. Myrna, a relentless experimenter and a curious soul, is constantly sharing her new findings, ideas, successes and even what she calls failures (of course we would kill to paint like her failures!), garnished by weekly and monthly challenges to keep you painting and drawing. Oh, and - don't ever let her catch you tracing a photo!!
Sandy Maudlin's Art Journey: As opposed to Myrna, I have never met Sandy, but I feel like I know her. Another wonderfully prolific artist, she is all over the place with so many styles and subject matters, sharing her art and insights.
Nathalie With An H's confessional: A great blog I discovered very recently. Nathalie is an awesome photographer, whose black and white photography seems to be full of color - as does her writing.
Paintings by Holly Van Hart: an emerging blogger, Holly's blog shows her bold style and uniquely designed compositions, whether it is her intriguing abstracts or her current favorite subject: Rodin sculptures.
Watercolors And words: The art blog of Rhonda Carpenter, who is sharing her art, from figure drawing (which almost got her in trouble, as they are - how shall I put it gently - nude! Ahhhh!! HELP!!... C'mon people - this is art. Grow up already!!) to experimental watercolors, with her husband's great photos sprinkled in between. It's a fun blog.
OK, you know what, I'm going to follow the footsteps of Blueberry and expand the award to six blogs (hey, we can share!).
On Painting: another blog I discovered lately, shared by Bill Jones and Lisa Towers, who combine witty writing, laughter and venting with painting.
And now, dear awarded artists, go pay it forward.
Labels: Art, Creativity of Others, It's All About Me, Major Achievements, Ode to other blogs
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
ArtPact #54
I am not painting these days. Haven't painted for several weeks before we went on the trip to Utah and Arizona, haven't really painted since we came back.
I'm busy and distracted. My one and only sister is coming to visit us for a month (she's landed in New York today for 5 days on the East Coast, and will arrive to our house on Monday), and it got us in a frenzy of house improvement, or at least converting the house from a pigsty (lot of neglect in the past year) to a welcoming cozy home - not just for her, but mainly for us.
And yet - I do have the urge to dip a brush into some paint and go for it. And am in the eternal catch 22: I have so many images I want to work on that I cannot choose any of them. Plus, after not painting for a while, you kinda get into regression, and need to start two steps behind (at least two, that is). Armed with all these lame excuses - no wonder I haven't visited my studio for quite a while.
In the last couple of days I've been browsing through Rhonda Carpenter's Watercolor and Words art blog, and was inspired by her recent work, of going nuts with masking fluid, letting it dry, and then pouring watercolor all over. I decided this might be a good way to loosen up and get over the well known fear of a white paper staring you in the eyes. Plus - I am on a quest for new ways to get away from tight realism, and this process has really appealed to me. Nothing frees you up like making a mess and then creating a painting from it. (Thanks, Rhonda, for the inspiration!!)I took 3 different color triads, and played with five pieces of paper this way. Without thinking of the subject, I simply tried to create interesting shapes with the masking fluid, smearing it with a scrap piece of foamcore and using spray bottle to move it around a bit (hmm... still need to work on that). Waited for it to completely dry (which wasn't hard, as we're having a heat wave as I write. 94 degrees tomorrow!), and then poured the paint. It was pure fun to see the colors intermingle and become acquaintances without the interruption of the brush. When this dried out too, I removed the mask (which is a very annoying stage - I hate doing that!), and was rewarded with five pieces of paper with interesting colors and patterns.
OK... now what?
I can see things in some of these, but nothing really screams at me yet.
Because it's so much fun to make these, I think I'll just start a pool of poured papers, and use them when the right mood and subject strikes. Some will serve as backgrounds, some as under-paintings, and some will sit in the dark closet until their day comes to be torn and reincarnate as pieces for collage.
Still, they look really cool even as they are now. So, I played with them a bit on my "Picture It!" program (the poor cousin of Photoshop), and - lo and behold, just juxtaposing them together came out as a cool abstract piece! (The JohnnyB claims he likes it more than most pieces of nonobejctive work he's seen).
Sometimes, art can be just for fun - I need to remember this more often.
previous ArtPact ... ...next ArtPact
Labels: Art, ArtPact, Creativity of Others, Ode to other blogs, Time Out
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Taking Off!!!
It's past 1am, and we are flying in the morning to our long anticipated vacation in some of the national parks. Zion, Bryce, Antelope and the Grand Canyon are awaiting us, and I am beyond excited to see all that glory.
The photo on the left, of Bryce Canyon (courtesy of the beautiful Landscape Wallpapers Blog) has been my laptop wallpaper for several weeks. Now it's finally time to go and see the magic in person.
I am finally packed (packing is one of my most hateful activities, even more so when needing to pack shorts with gloves, sandals with a warm scarf, as the weather website tells us it's gonna be hot during the day - up to 31 Celsius (as in 87 Fahrenheit) and damn cold at night, all the way down to minus one Celsius (30 F).
This vacation was very close to getting canceled due to work pressure, but The JohnnyB made some truly heroic efforts over the past two weeks, worked his butt off day and night (weekends included, needless to say) and managed to enable this vacation and have it cut by only one day. A major achievement on his account, and I am insanely grateful! Both The JohnnyB and I are in desperate need for some time off, and the desert seems to be the ultimate place to wind down. A birthday at Zion National Park - now, that's a cool way to celebrate!
Photos, stories and adventures to follow - when we get back. Until then, please blog safely.
Labels: Birthday, Creativity of Others, Damn Technology, It's All About Me, Ode to other blogs, Vacation
Monday, March 31, 2008
Braggin'
Those of you who are seriously into watercolors do not need an explanation of what AWS is. The mere mentioning of this acronym is always accompanied by awe and wistful eyes, and the thought of "some day, I wanna make it into that show!".
For those of you who do not belong to that crowd, AWS stands for American Watercolor Society, whose annual show is probably the most distinguished one to be accepted to. Hundreds of entries (if not more) are sent every year, which makes it extremely difficult to get in. Many artists try again and again, getting rejected, and keep on trying. And then, one day, they make it in.
This year, 96 paintings were selected. Both Mike Bailey and WackieM made it into this prestigious show for the first time, each with an incredible painting.
And - WackieM (who goes by Myrna Wacknov in the non Nava-blog realm) got an award on her painting "Reflections on Turning 65".
This is so incredibly cool!!!
"So, what are you bragging about!?", you ask. "It's not like you won an award or even got accepted!".
True, very true. I am still wading in shallow water and muck with the unwashed masses, making my first steps in the art world, one tiny step at a time.
And yet - I am lucky to have both Mike and WackieM as great teachers and mentors, which kinda has some braggin' value. I can bask in their glory, I can hope that - along with their teaching - some of their mastery rubbed off on me, and I can just be very happy for them, 'cause they both deserve to be recognized.
But there's another thing: The JohnnyB and I now get to wallow in the glee and piousness that comes with the good ole "Told ya so!" - which is always an undeniable fun.
Y'see, just before the annual show of our organization in October 2007, WackieM was deciding between two paintings, and I was one of those whose she asked for. Both The JohnnyB and I unanimously voted for the one that had striking novelty and uniqueness in its composition and the idea behind it, as well as a powerful emotional effect in its honesty and vulnerability. WackieM decided to go along with that painting - and indeed, as you may recall, got the First Place Award, together with an unprecedented consensus and countless comments about how much it's touched everyone who saw it. The painting also won the first place in the Popular Choice vote. (I can now say how relieved I was that it got awarded; when you give advice and it turns out sour, well, I have a sensitive conscience).
Realizing this painting has something very special about it, she decided to give it a try at AWS. . .
. . .CONGRATULATIONS, WackieM!!!
Labels: Art, Creativity of Others, Major Achievements, Ode to other blogs, Wow
Monday, February 11, 2008
A Thousand Words - And Then Some #18
I am sure it's been a while since you last visited The JohnnyB's blog.
Yup, he hasn't blogged for quite a long time now.
But, if you do go there today, look around you at the empty, lonely desertscape. Listen to the whistling wind - can you hear that faint gloomy western tune coming from afar, played by a runaway convict on his harmonica? As one of those wheel-like plants (what are they called???) is rolling towards you, you'll spot popping heads of little animals with startled eyes gazing at you, ready to escape at the very sign of movement.
But do not get distracted by all that desolation. Do not let your spirit fall.
Look up and you shall find the green banner, exclaiming that today, February 11th, is exactly ONE YEAR since The JohnnyB has stopped smoking.
And since then, not a cigarette has touched his lips.
very, VERY cool, The JohnnyB!
previous 1000 Words... ...next 1000 words
Labels: Damn Technology, Major Achievements, Ode to other blogs, Wonders of The JohnnyB, Wow
Sunday, January 20, 2008
A Little Lunch For Thought (TM) #11
I'm almost recovered from the intensive and extensive 5-day workshop, and have some time to breathe. I got several comments on the breakthrough I've made at the end of the workshop. Retrospecting on the experience, I did get a lot from it: using shapes to create interest and introduce abstraction to realistic paintings, applying value bridges to achieve gradation and softness. Also, I am notorious for being the master in knocking back bright colors, and I think this workshop has finally convinced me to spare some of the color and leave it pure, so it can sing among all the neutrals. (and yes, color can sing! All you need to do is listen).
So, a big part of it is thanks to the tedious process of exactly following the rules that John Salminen gave us, and doing his process, step by step, grunting and hair-tearing included.
However - around the second day of the workshop, I realized that if I hadn't taken Mike Bailey's 'Watercolor Beyond The Obvious' class (twice!!), I honestly don't think I would have gotten all the things that John Salminen was teaching. Looking around at the workshop, you could easily tell those of us who went through Mike's class (which also comes with its share of hair tearing and being kicked out of your comfort zone), from those who didn't; the latter looked utterly puzzled and didn't quite know what to do with all that knowledge that was so generously showered upon them.
So Mike - I know I've said it to you many times, but it's never enough:
THANK YOU!
This class you're teaching is truly, utterly and absolutely invaluable! And the fact it keeps proving itself over and over again, even more than a year after I took it, speaks for itself. OK, now you can go blush at your convenience.
Y'see, sometimes, when the rain is plenty but the soil is too dry, the abundance of water form paddles or flow away rather than penetrate, enrich and bring new growth. It's the same with art (and many other domains). The more you know, the more you can absorb additional knowledge. And once you found a really good teacher - you don't let go. You take the same classes over and over again.
'cause even if the class is the same, you are different. Each time you start from a higher place; things you already know get deeper meanings and connect with other bits of knowledge; things that were Greek to you suddenly click and make sense - and your level of knowledge is spiraling upwards. And this is what growing is all about.
I consider myself very lucky to have found several such teachers (four, so far). Now, if I only had the time to be a frequent taker of their classes...
And, to two of these teachers (who are actually closer to being mentors!) who read my blog, Mike and WackieM: I often wonder if you are aware of the impact you have, and I think it would be so cool if one day I could be the same to some artist who's doing his or her first steps in the ocean of creating.
A friend from my hi-tech past once asked me, "you are taking this class again??? Why? did you fail it last time?".
Quite scary to think that I also used to think like this only 5 years ago...
previous little lunch... ...next little lunch
Labels: Art, Little Lunch for Thought, Ode to other blogs, Stating The Obvious
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
ArtisTag
I've been tagged by WackieM.
Where do I begin?
I wonder if I should just start calling her by her real name, which she uses on her blog, rather than this wonderful blog name I created for her.
No, let's stick with WackieM. Much more fun.
WackieM is one of the most incredible, creative and prolific artists I know, who never sits still. The woman paints from the heart and right brain, and once she gets her hands on anything that moves, grows, stands still or did not escape in time, she will use it to draw with, paint with or create texture. Wearing shoes with an interesting pattern on the soles? beware, as she will make a stamp out of them. See her standing with a camera and an angelic innocent look on her face? That means she's on a hunt for a fascinating face. You just never know...
WackieM is starting to get known and pick awards and other fruits of success that she deserves, big time. She is an inspiring teacher, amazingly generous with her knowledge and wisdom; she would share with you anything new and exciting she's just discovered, knowing that by enriching others, she is not taking away from her own art, as she keeps moving forward - - - and good luck trying to keep up with her! And - she is extremely funny, too.
Sounds like I'm sucking up to her, Eh? Naaaaaa. That kind of crap does not work on WackieM, as she is as down-to-earth as can be, with X-ray eyes for "art barnacles" (a phrase I heard recently and decided to adopt)
So, why am I so superlativic? Well, beyond teaching me to paint portraits, WackieM has inspired me A LOT, mostly as her work gave me the courage to not be afraid to put my soul on the paper and let it show. (can you tell?). She's the one who showed me that figurative painting (and painting in general) is not about likeness or the right shade of pink on the cheek, nor is it only about having the right color scheme or a dictated combination of design elements, but rather about my own interpretation and what I add to the painting, and that sometimes it IS about the subject. She kicks my butt whenever I am about to give up, pushing me to go forward, without trying to affect me to paint like anyone else but me. And that, my dear readers, is very, very rare.
Check out her blog, which she uses to share and inspire whoever wants to join the creativity journey.
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Oh, the tag...
Once you get tagged, you share 5 little known facts about yourself and then tag 5 other artists, and link to their blogs. This is a fun way to learn new things and find new places to go for inspiration. Don't forget to let them know they are tagged.
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So, 5 little known facts about me:
1. I was in the army. Yup, that's what you do when you turn 18 in Israel. Although I came back home every day, these were amazingly forming two years for me, with so many new people, places, and experiences, for better or worse. And yet, despite what some people would like to think, I cannot kill with my bare hands.
2. I have a devoted relationship with food. As The JohnnyB likes to comment, many a waiter have almost lost their arms trying to take plates before I was done.
3. I cannot keep a painting pretty, clean or nice, even if my life depended on that. I always start with gorgeous washes and cheery colors, and soon enough they all get neutralized and tuned down, hard edges get blended together, complementary colors fall in each other's arms and stick together forever to create dark tones that take over. It's not me!! It's the brush!!!
4. I, uhm, like... ah, (be brave, Nava!), play the accordion. wait! WAIT!! don't start with all those accordion jokes! I played classical music on accordion since I was 12, under the guidance of a super-ultra-strict Russian teacher. She was the best, and taught me to play from the heart, rather than use the cheap tricks of squeezing whiny tones from that instrument. I made people cry in one concert, playing Monti's Czardas. Had to quit at the age of 18, when I went to the army (see #1), and my mom kept mourning the career opportunity I lost, as I could have become an accordion teacher. I was pretty good - and I keep hoping to someday, maybe, get back to it.
5. I danced Tango on stage at the world famous Señor Tango hall in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in front of an audience of 300 people who shouted "La-va, La-va" (it's Nava!). That was about 9 years ago, when we went on a hiring recruit from my company.
6. I know, I know, I always have to do extra. Here's a 6th fact: although everyone keeps telling me how great my English is, I wish upon a star that the whole USA (at least the people I come in contact with) would learn to speak and read Hebrew. I mean, it is so much easier for me, so it's just gotta be easier for everyone. No? Please?? Anybody???
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And now to the tagging.
I got tagged by an artist, I should tag 5 artists, and I am going to expand this to other forms of art, beyond painting.
Why these people? 'coz their blogs and comments on my blog sometimes brighten my day.
And so, I hereby tag:
Rhonda of Rhonda's Blog - an artist of the real things in life, who also posts lyrical photographs from time to time.
Simple Blog Writer of Simple Words I Understand - a nativity scene artist, a writer, and a photographer in denial.
Blogauthor of Don't Try This at Home - a writer, a remarkable woman, and a great appreciator of art :-) (hey, she is the first person to buy my art!!).
Neil Shakespeare of Neil Shakespeare - a writer, as well as a uniquely poignant photo-collage artist.
Blueberry of Texas Oasis - a writer, a devoted Pastafarian, and a visual artist on a break, at least for now.
And, if I may add two more: Michael Bains of Silly Humans and Daniel Bruckner of Indigenous Beliefs - two writers and thinkers, whom I'd really like to know more about.
Labels: Art, It's All About Me, Ode to other blogs, People
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Color Green
The JohnnyB is back from vacation.
Since he spent most of it being seriously sick, he obviously had a lot of time to contemplate some serious life issues.
One of them is reducing carbon footprint by, like, not eating.
Kinda.
So, drop that bag of chips, put away that beer (yes, you!) and go read it!
.
Labels: Food, Nature, Ode to other blogs, People
Saturday, July 07, 2007
On Pointer Duty
The JohnnyB has posted another one.
Prius owners - brace yourselves...
Labels: Damn Technology, Driving, Meta Bloggin', Ode to other blogs
Saturday, March 17, 2007
And he is back!!
The JohnnyB.5 years with me here. (*).
......5 weeks sans smoking.
............3 weeks newly addicted to "Civilization IV".
..................3 days on Vista.
Read all about it, while I am going to sleep for a month or so to recover from this insanely busy and condensed week of the workshop with CoolieDZ.
We painted and discussed art all day, got together for dinner 3 nights, and I am now beyond exhausted.
Still, it was so amazingly fun and inspiring!!
(*) Yesterday, March 16, it's been 5 years since the airplane landed in San Francisco, bringing a very excited and nervous me to the USA, to give it a try with The JohnnyB. 5 years!!! And one day.
Labels: Art, Damn Technology, Ode to other blogs, Wonders of The JohnnyB
