Seth Apter's Blog, page 60

The Week Links: 53

Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week.All previous links can be found here.

And here is Week 53...


Don't yet have this book from Lynda Barry but I cannot wait to get it.

Amazed by the detailed illustrations from Sophie Roach.

There is a beautiful simplicity to this journal spread from France Papillon (complete with how to video).

The photo embroidery from Hinke Schreuders is unique and extra special.

50 of the best inspirational and motivational talks for creatives.

Caroushka Strieffert transforms found objects from her island home into stunning mixed media jewelry, as found on Ingrid's Petrinis' blog and first shared with me by John Arbuckle.

Michelle Ward is making maps and I love "the direction" she is going with the process.

Even More Thoughts on Blogging

Seems like every year, at about this time, I reflect on the state of my blog and my life as a blogger. I did this both in 2013 and in 2014. And ironically when the thought struck me again today as I write this post, it is exactly one year to the day from my last post on the subject.

I have had this blog since 2007. I have written over 1400 posts, shared countless pictures, and somehow have received over 935,000 hits -- a number that never fails to astound me. I have met a gazillion people online, many of whom I have also been fortunate enough to meet in person. Although I can be found on most of the other requisite platforms as well, I still see my blog as my online home. And I fully believe that without my blog, I would not be the artist, author or instructor I have become.

In contrast to some artists who blog, I have never seen The Altered Page as a chore or a drain or a time suck. It is my most reliable creative outlet, a connection to my peeps (yes, I mean you), and truly a pleasure to maintain. Often late at night in fact, when perhaps I ought to be sleeping.

In my very first blog post (which I recall struggling to write as if my very words would determine my future), I shared the following...

"Welcome to The Altered Page. I see this blog as one more element of my mixed media artwork. Much like the paper, gesso, acrylics, and other components of each piece, I believe the conversation that I am hopeful that this blog will generate will become an integral ingredient to the creative mix.... Right now, I have 3 goals in mind for this blog. First, to share my art and receive feedback in return. Second, to share artists, websites, stores, books, ideas, and creations that I have found. And third, to share great art finds from the museums, galleries, and streets of New York. Thanks for coming along for the ride!"

Somehow, all these years later, my goals remain just about the same. That doesn't surprise me as I am a creature of habit. That is crystal clear by the facts that 1) I have not updated the layout of my blog once in nearly 8 years of life and 2) I might just be the only artist who is using a canned header that doesn't even include a photograph.

Nevertheless, reflection is good and sometimes change is too. I still grapple with the issue of balancing creative sharing with self promotion (as discussed in this previous blog post). This is especially true now that I am a maker of products (books, stencils, DVDs, etc.) in addition to being a maker of art. Going forward I plan to continue to do my best to maintain that balance and plan to share more posts that can be filed under the label of "thoughts."

And I hope that you all will continue to stay on this ride with me...

The Week Links: One Year of Links

Every Sunday for the past year, I have posted some of my favorite links that I happen upon on my travels through the Internet. Links from all 52 weeks can be found here. There is an endless stream of creativity out there and this is my way of passing that creativity on.  A thank you goes out to all those individuals who have generously shared their talent online so that I can share it with you!

Here is Week 52...


Reflections on a year of daily painting from Jennifer Orkin Lewis. Thanks Traci Bautista for this one!

Amazing paper reefs from Amy Eisenfeld Genser found on Colossal.

Still in love with the notebooks of Jose Naranja.

Found object murals by Bordalo II on the streets of Lisbon as seen on Colossal.

Crowns. Made of glass by Kate Clements and seen on The Jealous Curator.  Have to be seen to be believed.

Just saw the fascinating documentary Finding Vivian Maier. What a story.

10 facts you may wish you learned in art school. Good advice from Renee Phillips.

Join me in June

Spend some time with other creatives - making art, letting go and having fun.Join me in June for my workshops in Maryland, New York and North Carolina.And see my workshop schedule for the entire year here.

Collage CampThe Queen's InkSavage, MarylandSaturday June 6Some seats left
Brick by BrickThe Queen's InkSavage, MarylandSunday June 7Some seats left
52 Card PickupPratt InstituteNew York, New YorkSaturday June 13Some seats left
Layer CreatorSt. Bartholomew's ChurchWhite Plains, New YorkWednesday June 17Workshop filled
Dimensional StencilingRandom ArtsSaluda, North CarolinaFriday June 26Some seats left
Collage CampRandom ArtsSaluda, North CarolinaSaturday June 27Workshop filled
Picture WindowsRandom Arts Saluda, North CarolinaSunday June 28Some seats left

Canada Calls

I am happy to announce that I will be teaching in Canada in early June 2016 near Ottawa, Ontario. I want to thank my friend and fellow artist Holly Dean for making this happen. Although just about one year away, Holly is reaching out now to people who might like to attend and asking them to choose the workshops that want me to hold.


If you might want to join me there (with no obligation at this time), please click here for more information and for the link to vote for the workshops that you would like to attend. Cannot wait to pack my passport, cross the border, and create Canadian style!

The Wonders of Whidbey

After my 2-day class at the Pacific NorthWest Art School in the town of Coupeville on Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington state, I stayed on to teach a 5-day collaborative workshop with Orly Avineri called If Walls Could Talk. This was more like an experience than a class.

The workshop was held off-site at the Pacific Rim Institute, the perfect backdrop for a week of creativity.
We were surrounded by beauty of both the natural and the manmade kind. These pheasant coops provided much inspiration and exploration.
The space we worked in was comfortable, large...
...and was filled with natural light.
We painted with abandon.
 We explored the beauty of the island...
...and all its mysteries.
There was laughter. There were tears. There was art.
And in the end...there was group of artists that were forever connected.

The Week Links: 51

Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week.All previous links can be found here.

And here is Week 51...


Loving the layers in this stitched fabric journal page from Ruth Rae.

Wish I could visit this incredible exhibit at the Venice Biennale from Japanese installation artist Chiharu Shiota.

Studio inspiration from Arts Business Institute.

Sensational lace mural street art from NeSpoon as seen on Huffington Post.

Loving the dimensional dots on Louisa Boyd's woodland paintings, originally found on this post from In Need a Guide.

The world's most eye-catching art galleries - from the outside, found on The Telegraph.

A book of colors from 1692. Thanks to Roxanne Coble for the find.

Wonderful Whidbey

I have the fortune to be teaching right now at the Pacific NorthWest Art School in the town of Coupeville on Whidbey Island off the coast of Washington state. I first taught here in 2013 and am thrilled to return to the beauty, serenity and magic of Whidbey.

The ferry to the island from the mainland
Downtown
 One of the many gorgeous views
 The Island milkman
The school has some incredible, upcoming courses from artists such as Roxanne Evans Stout, Jill K. Berry, Cathy Taylor, and in a collaborative workshop -- John Arbuckle, Terry Garret and Brian Kasstle.
 The first class I taught this past weekend was a 2-day, mixed media painting workshop called Cover to Cover. It was all about the layers and making creative messes.
The calm before the art storm
Building layers
Happy hands
 Surface details Layer after layer
Some of my demos from the class
 Workshop selfie
Evidence
Stay tuned for updates from and about workshop #2

The Week Links: 50

Join me every Sunday when I share some of my favorite links I discovered in the previous week.All previous links can be found here.

And here is Week 50...


Is scrapbooking the new trend? From Huffington Post.

Janice Mason Steeves shares her experience as being a juror for an art show.

Beautiful papercut artworks of nature by Marina Adamova on My Modern Met.

Improbable libraries that have to be seen to be believed. From Huffington Post.

The beauty of Tuscany's marble quarries as captured by the lens of Frederik Vercruysse on We Heart.

Love the whimsey of these journals pages from Kim Henkel.

How to buy art. A beginner's cheat sheet from the New York Times.

Living With Art: 13

When we see art posted on the blogs from our community, by far the majority of times it is a cropped picture of a particular piece. We don't often get to see pictures of the art in the space where we actually live. Hanging art. Art on the walls. Art over the couch. Art leaning on the bookcase shelves.

Living with Art is about showing and seeing art in real life settings. Every Thursday I will be posting a series of images shared by creatives showing all of us just how art is displayed in their spaces. Each participant is opening the door and inviting us all into their surroundings. Please contact the artist if you would like any information about the pieces on display. If you want to share yours, simply email me an image, a few lines about your artistic aesthetic, and a link to your own online site. Now sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

-------------------------A big thank you to everybody who has shared their home for this project and to all of you who have viewed and commented along the way. All good things must come to an end and this will be the last posting for "Living with Art." --------------------------- Previous posts can be found here...
and here is week 13...



Jackie P Neal
Our home has an eclectic mix of of vintage art as well as modern pieces and works of friends and our own. Being the treasure seekers that we are, we keep a regular source of vintage art to change up our look every now and then.
(and see more of how Jackie lives with art here)

Maike
As I got to know artists in the Chicago area I also wanted to collect their work, and my fascination with butterflies soon provided the theme. I decided to take advantage of my picture molding to keep my collection flexible for additions. Here is the hanging process.

Chris Miser
I have art displayed at home, at work, and in my studio space. It's a way of not only surrounding myself with pieces I find pleasing in beauty and meaning, but also a way of honoring artists. People entering my office space or home will invariably ask about one artwork or another, and I love being able to discuss an artist or a style I'm drawn to. It's an eclectic mix of styles, as my tastes are wide-ranging.

Annette BoucheyI love my fireplace, bookcase and large mantle. I put up projects like the collage I'm making on an old player piano roll, other favorite things like doll heads, old books, and of course my rescue dog Sweetie is included.
Patricia Coulter
Originally working with watercolour, I was always attached to the intermingling of colours in the wet-on-wet technique. I even liked how the colours flowed and merged on my palette. When I discovered fluid acrylics, I was in love with the bold colours and how they blended. I find these large paintings with bold sweeps of brilliant colour that contain a vibrancy and energy that is uplifting and vibrant.

Darlene Koppel
I live in a home with white walls that provide me with a tranquil and soothing backdrop. Yet I enjoy filling the corners of my home with both my colorful art and treasured items. I purchased the card holder at a thrift shop and I use it to display my mixed-media, postcard art. I found the abandoned nest and filled it with faux robin's eggs. I created the assemblage piece as tribute to Christmas.