The Art Planet

Living a circular life…

Jan — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:00:17 +0000

As any of my Planet followers probably know by now – I like painted circles. I like circles done in pen and ink…pencil…with acrylics…with scissors. I can’t explain it – but I enjoy the balance, the simplicity…the harmony and the composition of circles. So – the artwork of Therese Murza touches my soul…lightens my load and rolls the stones away from the complications of life.

And Elevations just reminds me that summer solstice is this Friday.

anatomy…

Jan — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:00:25 +0000

I just bought this new book by Mary Roach called Gulp. It’s about food..and what our body does with it. Mary Roach takes subjects most people really don’t think about much and makes them fascinating…like Stiff. Just the title alone is enough…no really – read it. It’s simply amazing and ~~kinda~~ really gross, just a ~~tad~~ really gruesome and grisly but enthralling at the same time. Anyway – that’s what I thought of when I saw this work by Ana Teresa Barboza. I thought of anatomy. Do you?

Acrylic done right

Jan — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Jimmie James does curious paintings on wood which is one of my favorite substrates. You can scratch it, sand it, dent it and paint over it and it doesn’t get mad or break – it just keeps on giving. And these paintings most certainly do keep on giving. With hidden messages, typographic accents, horizon lines and tasteful stripes Jimmie thrives on bold expression and keeps the viewer wanting.

all things irish….

Jan — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:00:30 +0000

I’m on vacation..so here are my vacation posts. I decided it would only be right to start with something Irish because…it makes me happy…and it’s where I will be. So…these photos simply magnify the reality and show the true colors of this magical land.

Enjoy this journey and I will post photos I took when I return.

Ballycastle from APC Photocreations.

Pub art from APC Creations

County Down from Judith Kimber.

And now for something completely different. These bird feeders. Simple blocks of wood…simple shapes…providing something beautiful in our outdoor spaces for us to feed our feathered companions. This is what happens when modern design meets nature and it is a marriage of tremendous possibilities. I really want one of these. Like tomorrow. Via Bird on a Tree.

…and for some truly magical images check out this link to Flickr.

when ceramics is so much more…

Jan — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:00:53 +0000

I’m a huge fan of utilitarian design. I believe things should have a purpose - if not they are using valuable space for no reason. Seems wasteful to me. Why shouldn’t a house be utilitarian and still be beautiful – such as an Eichler House? And why can’t art also be functional? If I am going to display something beautiful – how much better is it to be able to use it as well. Granted – if it’s hanging on the wall it pretty much has one job; hang on a wall and be nice to look at. But if it sits on a shelf or table the it’s a good thing to be able to use it as well. Because if not I could place my wine glass on the space which most certainly serves a function.

Where am I going with this? Ah yes – the work of B. Feiss. A ceramic artist who serves a utilitarian function.

and…here are compositions of ceramic displayed in ways I would never have thought of.

Have a great week. Celebrate something good. Like donuts.

things that hang…

Jan — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:00:30 +0000

I like mobiles. I need one for my house that will hang straight down a wall – not in the center of a room. It can’t be childlike. It must be modern. It must have clean design and it must be something I can make that won’t cost me a shit ton of money.

Oh my dearest Pinterest how I love you for ideas. So here are my mobile ideas for today.

How is Mr. Art Planet going to feel about these?

I made this the other day. 4″ x 8″ mixed media on wood panel. Sometimes going into the studio (aka garage) and gluing and painting is so satisfying.

simple shapes

Jan — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:00:50 +0000

Today I am inspired by simple shapes that define color, give it space, send positive energy and feel somewhat like space travel. And also – make me feel kind of groovy.

Deborah Zlotsky makes it look easy but I bet it isn’t.

Andrew Brischler brings color together in complete peace and harmony; I feel a little kumbaya going on- a little like a John Lennon song. And then gives them some interesting titles. Which don’t sound like John Lennon at all. ( a little f-bomb now and again is totally ok)

Illest Motehrfucker alive…

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

I’ll come running back to you…

and btw – go Minnesota…you betcha. Feeling some rainbow coming on…

I mean – why not???

Jan — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:00:38 +0000

Man Bartlett asks the questions that goes unasked. If you could wear a suitcase on your head; would you?

I think he answers it quite well. Would you agree?

Stripes – that’s all I’m talking about.

Jan — Thu, 09 May 2013 15:00:36 +0000

Erik Barthels makes stripes. But no ordinary stripes. These ones have depth and dimension and kind of make me go all ga ga and stumbling over my words. Opaque. Transparent. Thick, thin, Uneven & straight. Asymmetrical. Benign. Gracious I do like these… I do I do.

Just go. I tell you. Now. Open Studios. SF

Art Powers…like super powers…

Jan — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:00:12 +0000

Etsuko Nakai clearly has powers beyond the normal art powers that us mortals possess. I’m pretty sure this artist has lived in other dimensions. Wait – art powers. What is that? And can I get me some of those?

Let’s support our local artisans. Thanks.