You've had your sneak...

...peek, and the Material Change show is open now.  Maybe you'd like to see some teaser vignettes as a second appetiser before the main course show?

Darcy Wanuk's 'Green Scene' reconstructed work on the back left is dynamite, right?  It's two sweaters combined and accented with handmade buttons.  The Vintage Lime shirt on the right is actually two shirts and some of  'Grandma's closet lace'.  The 'Fire From the Centre' occasional table in front is my contribution to this grouping, and Bart Bjorkman's (Puffin Design) Grain Scoop Lamp is on the bottom right.

Here's Bart's Snare Drum Lamp, The Impossible Clock (a co-conspiracy by Bart and I),  my 'Squaring the Circle IV' above, and Darcy's 'Like a Rhinestone Cowgirl...' denim jacket on the right.  What wedded bliss!

Alison Bjorkman's (Puffin Design)  'Fat Bottomed Girl Swivel Chair' is dynamite, especially next to the 'Lineberry Railway Luggage Cart' concrete-topped coffee table by Bart.  Above is my 'Glimpsing Autumn' repurposed tabletop mirror, Bart's 'Handmade Metal Funnel Lamp', and Darcy's glorious shaggy sweater the right.

Here's an array of Darcy's deconstructed/reconstructed jackets from her Denim Series I, ready for trying on at the Puffin Design mirror.

You were no doubt wondering whether those dryer sheet curtains ever got finished.  I'm amazed to tell you they did, and here's the proof.  I'll do a post about them soon, but don't they look terrific with 

Bart's Bistro Table (love that industrial base topped with the decorative concrete)?  Alison created those 'Graffiti Bistro High Stools', and the 'Red Crab Trap Lamp' above is Bart's.  My 'Muse on Fire' vase and 'Who Let the Genie Out?' mini bottle are currently behaving themselves on the table.

And yes, that's my totally crazy 'Ukulele Gone Wild' hanging next to Darcy's  'Denim Romance' jacket...those pale pink silk accents are beautifully subtle (jacket, not ukulele - it wouldn't know subtle if kicked in the teeth with it).  My 'Good Fortune' journal is on the table, with 'Eileen's Flower' just behind it.

The 'Industrial Chic Coffee Table' by Alison and Bart is a favourite of mine, and the 'Coffee Lamp' next to it is a knockout.  Alison just recently completed the 'Tub Chair' - the wrapped metal back on it is just amazing to see.  On the coffee table are my 'Pick Up a Six Pack' coasters, 'Who Needs Gucci?' cocktail boot, and 'Midlife Crisis' book sculpture.  On the wall behind the table is a coffee bag burlap hanging called Retired.  I used a host of too-well-used teaching tools and leftover goodies to create this piece.

Please take the time to stop and see the Material Change show at Centre 64 in Kimberley.  Details are on the poster, and we'd love to see you at the artist opening this Saturday, June 10 between 2-4 pm.

Here's a sneak peek...

... for you.  And trust me, it's really sneaky because they're closeups of some pieces I've been working on over the past while months.

This one is part of a book sculpture called Expat from Arcturus.  It's created from a science fiction anthology, and every time I look at it I giggle (how very mature, right?).

If you've never seen a rosette made from a dryer sheet, this piece could remedy that.  Who Let the Genie Out? is a tiny altered bottle.

You know I have a thing for shoes, so when I found a cocktail boot in a thrift shop, Who Needs Gucci? was born.

 Another book sculpture, this one is Midlife Crisis...so organic-looking considering it's made of something nobody wants!

Do you know what those little medallions on top of wine bottles are?  They're part of a supply called wine bottle shrink capsules, and yes, I had to google that.  They're really fun to use in mixed media when they're part of something called Squaring the Circle V.

Distressed toys call to me - always - so how could I pass up a Ukulele Gone Wild?  I think this piece would be a great addition to a child's room!

This is all in aid of an upcoming show at Centre 64 called Material Change.  The brainchild of Darcy Wanuk, an extraordinary textile artist, all work in the show features upcycled, repurposed items. From the fabulous design stylings of Alison and Bart Bjorkman at Puffin Design to Darcy's deconstructed/reconstructed clothing and my crazy mixed media incorporating all sorts of items that were headed for the landfill, it's an amazing array of new from old.

While the show is running from June 6 to July 1, we'd love you to join us for the opening reception on Saturday, June 10 from 2 - 4 pm.  Meet the artists, and be amazed!

Well, wasn't The Box Project...

...an amazing show?  It's come and gone, and it was mind-boggling.  You can see the start of this year's action here and here, and in this post, some amazing works by local artists.

Here are some of my favourites:

Madonna of the Discarded, Alison Masters, side view showing both the vacuum cleaner version and painting.

Madonna of the Discarded, Alison Masters, showcasing vacuum cleaner version

This raving beauty is by Andrea Revoy!

Part of the 'I Was Here' project by Alison Masters.  It included Gelli prints, clay and paintings

Laura Leeder with her lovely painting

Win Dinn with her Valley Fortune boxes

This rooster by Anne Fetterly was a knockout

Maureen's goddess was fabulous...check out the shoulders and mid-section especially.

Gorgeous clay by Lorene Lyons

There were so many wonderful pieces, it was truly hours of looking and drooling.  Were my camera skills only up to the challenge of photographing amidst the crowds that saw the show.

Retro?

You bet!  The Creston Museum hosted the most amazing opening for the Irwin & the Retro Girls exhibit this past Saturday, and in spite of working that day at Puffin, Bart kindly gave me a break so I could get over and see the shenanigans.

The artists - Sandy Kunze, Alison Masters (sorry, no close photo), Andrea Revoy, and Alison Bjorkman were all dressed appropriately for the occasion.

Andrea Revoy

 

Sandy Kunze

Alison Bjorkman

 With creative collaborations and unbelievable uses of clothing,

each display was unique.  Alison Masters' paintings were often coupled with dresses which she had also tarted up.

The first time I saw this mannequin, she was wearing a white fright wig.  I suspect that some attendee snaffled it in the 'donations only' sale.  I'm in love with that Masters painting behind her.

The shoe paintings thrilled me as well.  What woman doesn't have a secret hankering for more shoes in her life?

The all-dressed-to-go-out-and-party chairs by Alison Bjorkman just had me in stitches (pun intended) - retro indeed!

 Every corner I turned had something new and exciting to see.

The most amusing part of the afternoon was watching the attendees trying on (and buying!) all the retro clothing - there was more laughter and 'give me that!' than one could imagine.

Alison Masters - painter extraordinaire is second from the left

Do these photos take you back a bit, or a bit more?!  They certainly did for me.

It's a fabulous thing when a local boy hits and big time and the Irwin portion of the show certainly did during the fashionable 60's. His section was so popular and chatting with him was in such demand that getting pictures was a challenge.

Congratulations to these local artists - they have done a stellar job of creating a fun and interactive show.

Arts, culture, crazy heads and tea....

...what a dynamite combination.  Alison Bjorkman's Tea Party at the Ingham Centre this past Tuesday evening was a delight for all the senses.

With an amazing array of teapots created these past months in a new range of glazes and styles,

there was one,

 after another 

after another to lift and test.  Best of all, they were all gorgeous.

It was another chance, too, to check out the Crazy Head show.  This Day of the Dead head is Andrea's homage to the Mexican celebration.

I ‘Ave an ‘Ead Ache

Ceramic, LED lights and a wee bit of gritted teeth

by Andrea Revoy

I very much enjoyed this dual brain head from Brandy Hunt.

Left or Right? by Brandy Hunt (left brain side)

Left or Right? by Brandy Hunt (right brain side)

And I can see that Alison has a darker side to her - caught me unaware!

The Grim Reaper Hits the Road

Scarf, upholstery materials, really big earring

by Alison Bjorkman

 This luscious silk head is yummy - I LOVE the hair!

Screwed, Blued and Tattooed.

Head;  Silk, screws, string, indigo, logwood and myrobalam, dyes.  

Base; mixed media, fused glass.

by Anne Fetterly (head), & Janet Holder(base)

Maureen and Audrey obviously had a blast with this one.

Bird's Eye View

Vintage birdcage, feathers from a boa and a whole lot of sex appeal

by Maureen Cameron, Audrey Herridge

 Words just cannot describe - must be seen to be believed, and appreciated!

Dahling! If you must!

Extreme mixed media awesomeness by

Jacqueline Wedge

  

Nightmare Nightlight

Ceramic by Sandy Kunze

This 'nightlight' really makes me smile - can you imagine a child waking up to this?!

These heads and more (I managed to miss a couple -  and you can check out my Roadside Crosses entry here) will be auctioned at WineArt on Friday, May 30 this year.  You will definitely want to be there to bid on your favourite, taste some terrific wines and support the Rotary.