Tag Archives: Art

Fanning

During the summer, I added two dozen paintings to the series called Sensu, fan paintings I’d created in 2019. They are encaustic & collage.

Last week, I bought new frames for the Sensu paintings and re-worked some of them, and I spent the past few days adding collage items to the new pieces and placing them all in frames.

Next up is to give them titles and upload the individual images here. And figure out where I can exhibit them all. There are thirty-six paintings, all 8″ x 8″.

In my head I heard “make sixty of them” – which would require me to buy twenty-four more canvases and twenty-four more frames, pull out the encaustic supplies and find the time to do it (Chrtistmas break?) – postpone exhibiting them until next summer or whenever.

Do I need to make more though? When I feel like I have to do something rather than wanting to do it, it is not fun.

What is fun though – creation. So fun.

Face Mask

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My B-day Art-8 students (Chittenango Middle School) created these clay masks.  We used Sax Colorburst glazes.  They have silica flakes that pop in the kiln creating confetti-like effects.

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I offered students thirteen different colors and asked that they use at least six, making sure to place three coats of glaze on the mask for each color.   It was tricky because the glazes transform in the kiln – there is that allowance for serendipity that doesn’t work if you are a control freak, but totally does if you are experimental.

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I added a wire to the back so they can hang on the wall.  Students took them home today.  I miss them already!

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Role Play

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Theory cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria dress and pants, Marc Jacobs booties, Tashkovski bracelet

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Theory sweater, Joe’s Jeans leather jeans, Nine West booties, Tashkovski bracelet

As I sit here writing this post, I am wearing the outfit pictured above.  These leather jeans are like butter (butttaaaahhhhh….).  And the cashmere tunic sweater is perfect-o.  Such is the problem of a fashion blogger – how do you continue to wear newbies in the real world and not your very favorite pieces?  How to you mix it up to keep it all fresh?  

I guess keep doing what I am doing as long as it is fun?  I must be a fashion role model for someone out there.

<3

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BCBGMaxAzria jacket, Milly silk/spandex top, Joe’s Jeans leather jeans, Marc Jacobs booties

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BCBGMaxAzria sweater and dress, Marc Jacobs booties

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Tashkovski choker, BCBGMaxAzria top, belt and sandals, Trina Turk skirt

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Kobi Halperin top, Trina Turk leather skirt, BCBGeneration sandals

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Nine West suede cap, Theory cashmere sweater Free People leather skirt, Sorel bootie, Tashkovski bracelet

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Cinq a Sept silk top, Alice + Olivia silk velvet pants, BCBGMaxAzria sandals Tashkovski bracelet 

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NFS – QUATREFOIL

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Bailey 44 top, BCBGMaxAzria pants, BCBGeneration sandals, Tashkovski bracelet

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$75 . – STONES

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Aqua Cashmere cardigan, Rachel Zoe silk top, Marc Jacobs booties

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Theory cashmere sweater Free People leather skirt, Sorel bootie, Tashkovski bracelet

Theory sweater, Joe's Jeans leather jeans, Nine West booties, Tashkovski bracelet
Tashkovski bracelet, Theory sweater, Joe’s Jeans leather pants, Nine West booties

 

 

Bracelet Factory

 

 

 

More bracelets.  My dining room table is the bracelet factory.  These are from the ethnic series, meme series and horses!  All are leather with fur (rabbit and sherpa).  Rebecca from Tandy Leather taught me how to add snaps.  Bracelets fit 5 1/2″ to about 6 1/2″ wrists.  The ones that tie have eighteen inches of suede string attached, so they can fit a larger wrist.

Mine is 5 1/2″.  I took a poll of wrist sizes via texting a bunch of friends to get a sense for what was standard.  Bracelets really need to be tried on.  They are infused with positive energy – you kind of need to feel the vibe.  It will be so cool when they find permanent homes.  They are like foster kittens.  Kind of hard to let go…but I think I am ready to be ready (to be ready) to sell them.  <3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

War & Peace

These Tashkovski collection bracelets are part of the War & Peace series.  They are made with vintage US Army patches and pins.  There is a Girl Scout patch in the mix (it is from the ’50s!) and a peace pin that was originally designed to protest war.  The idea with these pieces is to respect everyone’s position.  I truly admire those who serve our country.

Ultimately, peace is the goal.  Find peace within yourself first and your world will change.  I promise you that. <3

 

 

Bracing Myself

I have been working on photographing, pricing, labeling and cataloging the Tashkovski collection bracelets.  Here is the group I just finished – a combination of cameos, vintage pieces and St. Christopher medals.  Each is one-of-a-kind.  Handmade bracelets created with pins in leather, rabbit fur and sherpa.

I have a bit more organization to do this weekend before the launch.  Once I get it all sorted, I will free up time to make more (and start the process all over again). <3

Domino Effect

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Dominoes have become my bread and butter –  I have been collecting them for many years, using them in my oil and collage paintings since the ’90s.  I think they look amazing in these bracelets.

The idea is to create a domino effect.  You pick numbers that have meaning for you.  You run into others wearing domino bracelets.  You find you have a number/numbers in common.  You strike up a conversation.  Friendships are born.

It is an idea, a dream, a deep wish, a desire that people can find an element of common ground through fashion and accessories, if that is the way.  There are no coincidences.

They are priced at $20 or $25 depending on style.  I love the vintage flavor to these pieces.  That they have survived for so many years and have such delicious patina.  And the smell of leather is intoxicating.  <3

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Measuring Up

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The Art Galleries at Syracuse University are designed to facilitate education.  In other words, it’s a teaching museum.  Professors require students to go to there – to critique the art/learn how to judge a work of art.  Students journal about experiences for classes, attend the receptions and lectures, and even work there (which has to be the greatest work-study gig).

Last year, former Director Domenic Iocono mentioned it was the reason artists like Jasper Johns, James Rosenquist and Kiki Smith wanted to collaborate by sharing their work with our community, enhancing the walls of the spaces with their respective visions.

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In this season’s first exhibition, Not a Metric Matters, the university galleries led by new Director and Chief Curator Vanja Malloy, Ph.D. hosts its own – the School of Visual & Performing Arts faculty.  It is an opportunity to showcase their talent, yes, and also turn the tables on the critiquing process allowing the professors to show students how it’s really done.

Margie Hughto has been affiliated with the university for many, many years.  When I spoke to her last month, she said teaching is still fun and so, she will continue to share her expertise with students for many years to come.

Her ceramic and found object work is exquisite.  It is perfection in editing – selecting just the right found object pieces to coordinate with the ceramic pieces.  The work alludes to the recent discarded and forgotten in terms of technology.

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The thought provoking concepts aside, Hughto’s artwork screams of her strength of character.  She finds beauty in every angle, in each piece fused as one.  They are signatures of her style while continuing to surprise and delight us, continuing a growth trajectory as an artist and that in itself is the lesson.

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Holly Greenberg has isolated grief in this productive series of drawings.  These pieces resonated with me – as you know my father recently passed away and his belongings are still in the closets, his car in the driveway at Mom’s house.  Using these ordinary objects as memento gives them a lovingly somber power and isolating them in their compositions drives the message home.

It is curious how objects can retain the emotion of the spirit and Greenberg’s proficiency in rendering provides the elevation of their status.

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Ann Clarke‘s fiber artwork is marvelously original.  Texture is my thing and seeing monumental work on the walls creates a bold statement about time.  The fabrics are traditional, but the techniques are fresh and alive.  The hooked rug eye is really incredible in-person.  I love the idea of taking a method we all used in the past and formulating this new pattern, which seems to denote to me that someone is watching over me, loving me.

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Clarke’s statement does imply that she is the watchful eye for her ailing mother and that is a beautiful thing.  That the old becomes new again, and time is cyclical.

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Other teaching artists in this show –

Yasser Aggour, Cooper Battersby, Emily Vey Duke, Don Carr, Deborah Dohne, Heath Hanlin, Seyeon Lee, Sarah McCoubrey, Su Hyun Nam, Vasilios Papajoannu, James Ransome, Tom Sherman and Chris Wildrick

Their work takes dimension as paintings, drawings, photo-collage, video and installation – and all have something important to say within the context of their visualizations.

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There are more exhibits in the space, all curated by different people.  DJ Hellerman is the curator of this show.  He is the Art and Program Curator at the Everson Museum of Art and collaborates with SU’s Department of Transmedia.  I met him while stumbling into a critique of university students’ final exhibitions at Apostrophe’s.

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David Prince curated the display of former VPA faculty members.  As you know, I am an SU grad (B.F.A. ’85, M.S. ’93).  These professors are my people.  I absolutely loved Rodger Mack.  He was so devoted to building the sculpture department and his bronze sculptures are THE BEST!

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Seeing his hands portrayed by Jerome Witkin brought a tear to my eye.  There is so much love here, people.  Going to Syracuse University was a dream come true for me – I feel incredibly blessed to have been the first person in my family to ever go to a university –  and to see the professors being honored is such a gift.  They deserve every accolade.

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They were and are true working artists, not just people showing up to collect a paycheck.

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There’s lots more to see of these exhibits and the vast permanent collections.  It will all be on display until November 24, 2019.  There will be an art reception on Thursday, September 12, 2019 from 5 – 7 pm.  And Holly Greenberg will be giving a presentation in the adjacent Shemin Auditorium on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 6:30 pm.

Syracuse University Art Galleries is located in the Shaffer Art Building on Syracuse University campus.  Free parking is available on Sundays and on Thursday evenings in the Q lot – or at least it was when I was there yesterday.  Call (315) 443-4097 for more information including hours of operation.  <3

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Boxed In

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Two years ago, my colleague Katy C. and I led an in-service workshop for teachers on a Superintendent’s Conference Day at Chittenango Middle School.  We shared information about Joseph Cornell and how his concepts would work with every subject matter from book reports to math lessons to foreign language family trees.  His boxes pertained to celestial themes and celebrity, and animals (mainly birds), but it is not a huge stretch to see the diorama-ic-ness of it all with the addition of text where applicable.

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We made samples using Mod Podge to decoupage utility boxes then filled them with curriculum.  These are the samples we made.  We kept making them and sharing them with each other.  It was so fun the way we kept making more and laughing at their awesomeness.  So fun building on what came before and getting more and more creative.

I love when everyone realizes how instrumental art is to all other subjects.  It is the visual language of dreams.

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P. S. The workshop was a huge success!

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Can’t wait to start the new school year next week!  So ready to get boxed back into my classroom and to begin making art with my new amazing thirteen-year-olds. <3

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Theory Week

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Theory cashmere cardigan, Banana Republic T-shirt and pants, Marc Jacobs booties

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Theory cashmere sweater, Trina Turk skirt, BCBGeneration booties

I am currently obsessed with Theory cashmere sweaters.  I have five and wore them every day this week.  Love, love, LOVE!!! <3 . I guess I also love that it is still chilly enough to wear them to work, lol  (it is May, after all).

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Theory cashmere sweater, Trina Turk skirt, Marc Jacobs boots

Love how you get one new thing and all of a sudden everything in your closet feels new too.

One more week until the school fair.  It is on Friday, May 10, 2019 from 5:30 – 8:00 pm at Chittenango High School.  On Monday, I will make final edits on what I will be bringing this year.  And after that, we will be on the tail end of the school year!

There is still a lot to do.  My Art-8 students are all making papier-mache sculptures or reductive floral foam sculptures.  Next week, 8th grade Studio in Art students are going to take a time-out from their still-life paintings to do a clay project and my Art-5 students are glazing clay sculptures.  We are very busy/very messy right now.  It is really fun!  I love my life!!!

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Theory cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria top and pants, Marc Jacobs booties

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Theory cashmere cardigan, BCBGMaxAzria sweater, Trina Turk top and skirt, BCBGMaxAzria sandals