Seth Apter's Blog, page 100

Tell All - Chapter 10

 
Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.
Style File, Techniques & Tools, Master Class, It's Still Life, and Playing Favorites were the first five projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The final project from The Pulse #5, Tell All, continues now...

Participants were asked: what is the one thing that you know now that you would have liked to have known when you first started to create art? ------------------------------------------
I started my journey as an artist as a painter and straight away I wanted to sell my art. As a result I painted what I thought would sell and what would be considered to be a good painting. Painting to sell put a lot of pressure on me and I wish I had known then that a sale is much less satisfying than creating something that sings to my creative soul. Lisa Sarsfield
I sold my first piece of art when I was 16 and really got into my painting before taking a decade break because I was both too hard on myself and not fully able to express myself. I was afraid at that age to fully do what I wanted to do or show anyone the results. I always loved anatomy, but thought people would think it was weird to paint a human heart, for example. Now I don't care what people think - and I use LOTS of anatomical hearts in my art. I feel that had I known this at 16, I never would have stopped creating and how nice it would be to have that extra decade of experience. Alicia Caudle
Well, I think about when I started painting using oils in my late teens, finishing several painting back then. I wish I had not let so much time go by before picking up a paint brush again. If you want to be goos at something, I think it takes a lot of practice and time. JoAnnA Pierotti
I have been making boxes all my life. I never called it art. I never knew it was art. Sometime in the 1980's I got to see a Joseph Cornell exhibit. I was spellbound. Knowing that I had a connection with his work and this art form affected me in a profound way. I started looking into "assemblage" and "box art". It was not until the mid-2000's that I actually took the plunge on my own artistic journey. Rebeca Trevino
I started creating when I was a very small child and the need to create has stayed with me all that time. I cannot think of anything that a child needs to know when creating art other than to enjoy themselves. As an adult, however, I would have liked to know how hard it is to sell work - especially in times of worldwide financial hardship. Gillian McMurray
I first started to create art at age 26. It was really a "just for fun" thing then. Now it is a passion. It took me a long time to figure out how important a part of my life creating art is. Wish I knew sooner. Liz Hampton-Derivan
The first time I remembering creating art (not just some activity like coloring in a coloring book) was when I was 7. I drew winter trees, without any leaves, across from where we lived, and I really labored over it. Looking back now, it would have been good to know then that I didn't have to try so hard, and I would have gotten better results if I used a lighter touch. Jude 
Since I started creating art at the age of 5, I really knew then what I forgot and then learned much later - I'm allowed to do anything I please with my art. Shirley Ende-Saxe
I would have liked someone to tell me way back when I wanted to be a working artist straight out of high school, that it is actually possible to have a career in art. If would be so much better if we encourage creativity in kids and then armed them with the skills they needed in the business world. Being an artist can be a day job - provided you have the right skills to turn it into a business. Rhomany
Art is in the eye of the beholder, and within the individual artist. Being criticized in high school art class for thinking outside the box did not help my self esteem at all! I still do not consider myself a true artist. I have never been schooled in any particular discipline, I just like to try all things. When I entered blogland, a whole new, exciting world of art, inspiration, ideas, tutorials and creativity presented itself to me. It's a wonder-full thing! Pat McNally
------------------------------------------Next Tell All will be posted on Sunday, March 17th

Apprentice

Thrilled to be a part of the newest, Spring 2013 issue of Somerset Apprentice, a publication in which artists share their favorite tips and techniques. 

On these pages, I get to hang out with some of my art buddies: Pam Carriker, Joanna Pierotti, Sarah Whitmire, Kristen Robinson and Tracie Lyn Huskamp. It's a great issue, with a ton of inspiration and instruction. Thanks Jana for the opportunity to be a part of Somerset Apprentice!

Trees of Light

I started by painting a 4 x 4 inch cradled wood panel with gesso, acrylic paint, and acrylic wash. I included metallic paint to bring a subtle sheen to the surface.

Next I gathered some large scraps of hand painted water color paper from my stash that I always have on hand for projects.

I selected one scrap that called to me embossed the surface using a clear stamp with a random and grungy design, a watermark embossing stamp pad, silver embossing powder and a heat gun.

Rummaging through my supply of bezels from Spellbinders new Media MixageTM line, I selected three of the medium triangle bezels with hobnails around the edge.

Using the matching die, I cut my scrap of embossed and painted paper to fit perfectly within the bezel.



I filled each bezel with Ice Resin, following the easy instructions on the package. I left these pieces aside for most of the day as it takes from 6-12 hours to fully dry. As the final detail, I glued small, metallic beads - a different color for each bezel - to the attached rings at the base of each triangle. 

Next I hand cut strips of assorted painted paper and glued them onto book board which I cut to a matching size. To finish off these strips, I edged the book board with both a silver leafing pen and dye ink from a stamp pad.

To complete these pieces, I used rub on letters to write my text -- trees of light.

I wanted to add more design to the surface of the panel and used a die from Spellbinders Exquisite Circles to cut a shape from scraps of painted paper. I inserted a small piece of wax paper between the die and the painted paper when cutting so I could more easily release the intricate shape from the die. 

For one more detail and added dimension, I twisted thin strips of metal into spiral shapes to add to the die cuts. 
All of these individual pieces came together to form Trees of Light...








---------------------------------
Supply List
Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:
GC-001 SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur® Machine
MB1-004 - SpellbindersTM Media Mixage® Triangles One Bezels
MD1-004 - SpellbindersTM Media Mixage® Triangles One DiesS4-384 SpellbindersTM Nestabilities® Exquisite Circles
Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko Momento dye ink pad, Imagine Crafts Inkblushers sponge
Cross Promotional Partners: Ice Resin® 
Other: cradled wood panel, watercolor paper, book board, gesso, acrylic paint, paint brush, leafing pen, altered metal, beads, rub on letters, adhesive, scissors

Tell All - Chapter 9

*****The open call to participate in the next online edition of The Pulse ends today, Sunday 3/3/13. Please click here for all the details on how you can contribute*****
 
Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.
Style File, Techniques & Tools, Master Class, It's Still Life, and Playing Favorites were the first five projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The final project from The Pulse #5, Tell All, continues now...

Participants were asked: what is the one thing that you know now that you would have liked to have known when you first started to create art? ------------------------------------------
Be proud of yourself! At the beginning I was hiding in my studio. I never thought it could have interest for others - until someone proposed me to exhibit. Yes, you art has meaning for people! Lise Hoffman
I feel art is a journey of discovery, revealing of style, techniques, and tools. It continues to build upon itself as each of us matures in our artistic careers, so I have no regrets for not knowing. It is only through our successes, failures, and experimentation that we become who we are. Tracie Lyn Huskamp
Do what makes you happy. Pam McKnight
I would have loved to know that as an artist YOU have the freedom to decide how, where, what your art should be about. Your art is YOUR personal expression and that's the only rule you should follow. Dorit Elisha
I would have liked to have known that I would eventually make my living as an artist. I would have learned sooner to follow my dreams. "Impossible is only a word" - La Nouba, Cirque du Soleil. Holly Dean
Keep it fun. Annie Kerr
There are no rules. Be inspired by something or someone (visually, spiritually or emotionally) and make it your own. Lottie Anderson
I wish, wish, wish, I had realized that I don't need each and every product that comes out. New supplies are akin to sweets; I want it all. But along the way I've learned that I can make some pretty cool art with what's around my home. I'm beginning to seriously destash and figure out what it is that I really use over and over again. Paula Bogdan
I would say that an artistic career builds over a number of years. Be persistent and confident in your skill and talent, mix with other artists, and form a network or group for support. Kim Logan
Nothing actually. I have enjoyed every step of the experiments and discoveries, the good ones and the bad ones. And I think there will always be more to know. Luthien Thye

------------------------------------------Next Tell All will be posted on Sunday, March 10th

Thoughts on Blogging...

My first social media platform was this blog. Nearly 6 years later, it remains my favorite way to connect with my peeps (i.e. YOU). But over the years I have acknowledged begrudgedly accepted embraced the notion that to be a successful artist in the 21st century means being connected online. And these days, being connected means more than simply having a blog.

So you can visit my Facebook Page, my Twitter page, my YouTube account, and any one or all of my four (!) Tumblr blogs: The Altered Page where I highlight my favorite pieces of abstract art that I have come across, Curiosity Contained where I highlight inspiring, artistic curiosities, Palettless where I post inspiring black and white images, and Seth Apter Art & Photography where I very occasionally and very randomly post images of my own art.

While maintaining all these sites takes a tremendous amount of time and energy, I am lucky because I truly love connecting with all of you. And rather than feeling as if my time on the computer takes away from my time in the studio, I see it as another creative outlet that enhances my life as an artist.

What I have come to realize over time is that the different social media platforms attract different types of people. Obviously if you are reading this, you are at least a bit of a blog person. But I am curious...what are your feelings these days about blogs versus other social media sites? Favorites? Reasons? Thoughts?

La Famiglia

I am often inspired by a single object and find myself building an entire artwork around it. That was the case with this vintage photo, complete with a rather ornate, paper frame. It has been in my stash for too many years to count. The sepia tones in the image called to me today.

You can create something similar on a book cover, canvas, wood panel, or - as I did - on book board. To start, I cut a piece of book board to approximately 9 1/4 x 7 1/4 inches. I rounded the corners using sandpaper, and painted both sides with black gesso. I added a bit of depth and interest by dry brushing a bit of white gesso around the edges. 

Next I began to assemble my layers using patterned paper. I hand cut my base layer but found it a little too bright, so I darkened it using spray ink and added dye ink to the edges.


My next layer was created using patterned paper and a die from Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Large Labels.

From there, I created a number of paper elements to be used in the design.
I added texture to kraft colored card stock using Spellbinders M-Bossibilities Bricks Embossing Folder and then lightly rubbed the surface with dye ink to darken the bricks. Lastly, I hand cut the card stock to create two smaller pieces.


Using a die from Spellbinders Shapeabilities Botanical Swirls and Accents, I cut and embossed two different color patterned papers into the same shape.

I then layered the die cuts and, to make this more unique, added brads and a circular found object.

I used the same two patterned papers to create shapes using one of the dies from Spellbinders Shapeabilities Address Book. I cut these shapes even further by hand and created two unique elements, layering the different colors in the final piece for more visual interest.


Using one of my own hand painted papers, I cut, embossed and stenciled this element using one of the dies from Spellbinders Nestabilities A2 Filigree Delight. 

For the final touch, I added several different found metal objects to both frame the focal image and add another design element.

In the end, by combining mixed media elements with my own individual twist on commercial products using tools from Spellbinders, La Famiglia was born!







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Supply List
Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:
GC-001 SpellbindersTM Grand Calibur® MachineLF-168 SpellbindersTM Grand Nestabilities® Large LabelsEL-015 SpellbindersTM M-Bossibilities®  Bricks and Bark Embossing FolderS5-146  SpellbindersTM Shapeabilities® Botanical Swirls and AccentsS5-167 SpellbindersTM Shapeabilities® Address BookS5-177 SpellbindersTM Nestabilities® A2 Filigree Delight
Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko Momento dye ink pad, Imagine Crafts Inkblushers sponge
Cross Promotional Partners: BoBunny Press patterned paper, 7 Gypsies patterned paper 
Other: book board, gesso, watercolor paper, card stock, vintage photo, acrylic paint, paint brush, spray ink, found metal objects, brads, tin snips, adhesive, scissors, sandpaper

At this Point

In 2010 a series of survey questions were posted on my blog as a means of ‘taking the pulse’ of the online art community. More than 40 questions were posed and the results of the survey were presented as sidebars in my book The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed. The survey tapped into a range of issues, both practical and psychological, related to being an artist today.

In Pulse Points, my newest series which ends today with this post on Create Mixed Media, select survey questions from the book were presented to several different groups of artists working in mixed media and beyond. 
Today's rockstar panel includes: Kristen Robinson, Joanne Sharpe, Becky Shander, and grrl+dog.   
Today's questions and original survey results from The Pulse of Mixed Media:
Is it important to you that others like your artwork?It is a bonus but not a priority…77%It absolutely is...17%Not at all. I create for myself only...6%
Overall does your family support your life as an artist?Yes, 100% behind me…59%Sometimes yes, sometimes no…34%No, they just don't get it…7%
And a taste of what our panel members had to say:
Kristen Robinson: "My work is an extension of my soul and as such, it should be irrelevant but truly it is not." 
Joanne Sharpe: "My style isn't for everyone, but it is all me." 
Becky Shander: "My family knows that making art makes me happy, and since they like seeing me happy, they're all for it." 
grrl+dog: "Pulling the thread on this question unraveled issues rolling out of deep inner space." 
Head on over to Create Mixed Media to hear much more of what the panel has to say about these issues. You can also read the first five posts in the series if you missed them. And if you would like, please share your own experiences in the comment sections here or at CMM.

First Stop: New York City

Travel the USA without leaving home. Join Marit Barentsen, art blogger from Marit's Paperworld and creator of the mixed media magazine Featuring, as she embarks on the virtual tour she has always wanted to take. Every Monday, she will be bringing state and city inspired blogposts that will evoke creativity of all sorts. Each stop along the way will include at least 2 posts, one from a local guest blogger and another which shares what her readers have to say or show. You can read all about the project here.

I am excited to be kicking off the tour with an insider's guide to Marit's first stop and my hometown: New York City. I have pulled together a long list of must-see and must-do locations and activities for every artist and art lover that visits NYC. Most of these are off the beaten track suggestions that you might not find in every traditional guidebook. And each one comes with a hint to help you make the most of your visit.

So fasten your seat belts and make sure your seat back is upright and your tray tables are stowed. The Big Road Trip starts in NYC here!

Tell All: Chapter 8

 
Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.
Style File, Techniques & Tools, Master Class, It's Still Life, and Playing Favorites were the first five projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The final project from The Pulse #5, Tell All, continues now...

Participants were asked: what is the one thing that you know now that you would have liked to have known when you first started to create art? ------------------------------------------
I wish I had known that it was okay to make mistakes. In the beginning, I was such a perfectionist that I was afraid to take risks or try new techniques; I hadn't yet realized that making mistakes is a vital part of the learning process. when that finally dawned on me, it was extremely freeing, and a major turning point in my evolution as an artist. Sharmon Davidson 
That art and money DO mix. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to be okay with making money from something that comes easily to me. It was hard to frame art/teaching as WORK when I enjoy both so much. I felt unnecessarily conflicted for a really long time about making money from my passion. I wish I had found out so much sooner that it is okay. Deb Eck
Every single idea, sketch and doodle has the potential to become something great - but you've GOT to honor the muse and the process by showing up to the sketchbook and regularly recording everything. Then let it simmer...sometimes for years. Then go back with your artist's eye and cultivate the diamond. Victoria Crowder Payne
That it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. I used to have a "deer in the headlights" reaction - to the point where I stopped creating because I was worried how the end product would be received. If I could go back in time I'd tell myself to trust my gut, just do the work and stop getting distracted. Stacey Merrill
No one in the world can tell you if you are an artist or not. That choice is up to YOU. Don't wait until you're "good enough" or get paid enough for your art. All of these things come second. FIRST, you have to embrace what makes the creative side of your heart beat, and allow it to flourish. Withholding the title of artist from yourself or allowing others to withhold it from you is not the way to do that. Rachel Whetzel
If I had known that art would have me to deal with many painful memories and express my deepest feelings, I would've definitely started creating earlier. Svetlana Spasojevic
This is a difficult question to answer. Therefore I quote Robert Motherwell, that "Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it." Eric Adama
That art is a personal thing. It's not about who likes what, it's about what speaks to you. If you like something or enjoyed creating it, that is enough. The views of others are their opinions and not something you can influence. Trying to make things to appeal to others that don't make you happy is something I've tried to do for far too long. It takes time to learn this, but you feel so liberated when you can escape that thought pattern and create things that make your own creative spirit soar. Billie's Craft Room
An artistic voice and artistic skills are developed over time and require hard work plus the willingness to persevere even when the process yields less than stellar results. Yes Virginia...good art is directly linked to bad art. Denise Aumick
Forget what I've read and heard - and just paint! Evie Zaccardelli
------------------------------------------Next Tell All will be posted on Sunday, March 3rd

Open Call for The Pulse

Just a friendly reminder that the deadline to participate in the 6th online edition of The Pulse is fast approaching: Sunday March 3, just 8 days from the date of this posting. Every person who contributes will be included. In a bit of a twist, this edition of The Pulse will collect your favorites in 10 categories. The results will be tallied and collated and will form the basis for a series of online resource manuals for both artists and art lovers.
All the information you need to participate can be found at this link, which can be accessed at any time from both the [PULSE 6 OPEN CALL] tab just under my header as well as my sidebar. But tally your favorites quickly so you can be included!