Thursday, October 17, 2013

30/30: Crystal Neubauer



30 artists...30 days. Spend the month of October with me at The Altered Page to meet the 30 spotlight artists in my book The Mixed-Media Artist: Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams from Over 40 Amazing Artists. See them in action in their studios, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Mixed-Media Artist.


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"It looks like garbage but it is really about us. These little scraps of paper I bring together.


They represent life. Somebody once thought they were worthless. But did they look? Did they really look? Not one piece can be removed from the composition without altering the entire picture. Not one piece of your life can be changed without altering who you are today.


When I look at these pieces of paper I see worth in what has been deemed worthless. And value in the valueless. Ultimately it's about humanity. And redemption. And love. It really is all about love."


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I have known Crystal online pretty much since I started blogging in 2007. In fact, I bought 3 small pieces of her art in early 2009. I love them just as much now as then. Crystal has been involved in the online versions of The Pulse and I am thrilled to now have her voice and her work on the pages of my book. I have always admired the way she created small worlds out of bits and pieces of paper, book covers and book spines, combined with splashes of paint, layers of wax, and scratchy pencil marks.

I was lucky to have been able to finally meet Crystal in person this past August at Art Unraveled in Phoenix. It was such a pleasure getting to know her a bit more. At the same time, I was able to see some of her more recent work in person at Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale. As I often say, if I like artwork on the Internet, I know I will love it in person. And Crystal's work is the perfect example of this. Run, don't walk, if you have a chance to see her art in real life.
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GIVEAWAY

For every comment you leave in October on one of the 30/30 posts on my blog, you will have that many chances to win a signed copy of The Mixed Media Artist. I will be giving away a total of 3 copies. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have (but only 1 per post please). Please make sure I have a way to contact you. Winners will be announced in early November. 

72 comments:

Meg said...

Oh, I love love love her work. I love the relative sparseness, and I love her colors.

Jo Murray said...

Crystal's work really speaks to me. Glad you put her in the book.

Unknown said...

Amazing how she brings life into the pieces of paper that others considered worthless. Really inspiring work.

Mia A. said...

These works touch something in me.. The colors, the importance of every bit and piece, and the overall atmosphere.

amy of studio four corners said...

I concur that her work is amazing...the beauty that comes out of nothingness...scraps on their own that are insignificant...but put together tell such a story...have been following her for some time as well...hoping to someday see her work for real...

elle said...

What a great philosophy, creatively expressed!

Angie said...

Delightful work!

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

The fragments contained in Crystal's work are exquisite lttle moments in time.

ArtPropelled said...

LOVE Crystal's work! So glad she is featured in your book.

Nan G said...

Chrystal's work is wonderful. Look forward to exploring her web site.

Peg Englishman said...

I really enjoy Crystal's work! can't wait to see her in the book. Keeping fingers crossed for the giveaway. And would love to have your autograph :)

Caterina Giglio said...

I am also a big fan of her work..

Beanie Mouse said...

Oh WOWWWW....!! I wanna do that...!

Sharon Barfoot said...

I have been a fan of Crystal's work for some time now. Happy to see she is included in the book.

Maike said...

Happy Birthday Crystal! SO excited to see you featured here and I want to jump into those collages and examine them further.

Hue and Me Art said...

Crystal is one of my favorite artists....we are of the same spirit. Hope to meet her someday too.

froebelsternchen said...

I love her style! AMAZING!

Iris J.Duarte said...

I've been looking at Crystals work ever since I met her in Portland several years ago , at an art conference .
What strikes me about Crystals work is the feeling of the immediacy and genuine creativity that come from a deep soulful place . Not only is Crystal's work intruiging, fascinating and a pleasure to ponder , one never grows tired of exploring the line, text , shape , colors and patterns .
She is indeed a very talented artist and a wonderful person.

Angi in hana said...

I am in love, tx for another one seth! Aloha, angi in hana

jean brown said...

I have only known about Crystal and her artwork for a few months, but her warm and inviting collages
and inspired paintings are surpassed only by her generous and kind personality.

Kim Mailhot said...

I so adore the careful placement and reconfiguring of bits of life's flotsam and jetsam into Crystal's art work. Amazing !
Thanks for celebrating her work in this way, Seth.

Beth Fedigan said...

I love seeing art using recycled things...my favorite is old books..

Linda D said...

I'm one of Crystal's biggest fans, but so are you :)

Bärbel Born said...

I want to learn about Mixed Media :-)

Anonymous said...

Thank you for including Crystal Neubauer's work and comments....soooo inspiring!

Robert said...

I love Crystal's amazing work. The "Mixed Media" board on my Pinterest account is filled numerous examples of her inspirational work. Her art really demonstrates that a few well-chosen elements in a piece can end up being far more than the sum of these elements, separately.

Nancy said...

I have been enjoying Crystal's art since she was a little bitty girl. As her mother I have really been blessed! Thank you for including her in your book and for featuring her on your blog on her birthday!

Teri said...

I, too, own a couple of Crystal's artworks. I feel lucky to have seen the value in them long ago and purchased because they spoke to me. I, like you, love them just as much today and when I first purchased them. They hang in my living room and my dining room. I know that soon, her prices will be beyond what I can afford but if I had the money, I would buy as many as I could. She really is a visionary.

Anonymous said...

Crystal's work makes me think about things I have forgotten - I am totally inspired! Thanks, Seth!
Olivia

























Bill said...

The textures the different papers create are wonderful!

trish quilty said...

thanks for the introduction to Cyrstals blog and art. I enjoyed reading her blog about her life and art.

Brian Kasstle said...

I have long loved Crystal's work. Her work is so inspirational to me. Wonderful. Can't WAIT to see the book Seth!

Unknown said...

Collage/Mixed Media at its best. Nice work Crystal!

Barbara I. said...

Crystal's collages are lovely. They are the type of collages I gravitate to. I'd love to see them in person as you were able to Seth. I'm sure they are even more amazing when you can experience the textures and layers to the fullest. I love to use found papers etc. in my collages too so I guess that's why I am drawn to Crystal's art so much. Thanks for introducing her art to me! bkisrael@gmail.com

plumz soapz said...

I need to learn more - need to learn. inspiration EXACTLY like this to be added to my life. Blessings !

Carol said...

I have long admired Crystals work and was lucky enough to see it in Chocago and speak briefly with her a few years ago. Something she said always stayed with me, "I break all the rules.". She does so beautifully.

Darlene K Campbell said...

Reading her philosophy, her descript of her work almost had me cheering outloud. Yes, I would love to run as fast as I could to see her work in person..and to meet her! Plus, I want those shelves in my studio!!

Kathy said...

This is wonderful! I can't wait for the book.

Irma said...

Crystal's work is new to me, but from the photos I can tell it speaks to me. Thanks for the intro!

Sandy said...

I am looking up Xanadu Gallery's address right now! Thanks for introducing her work to me.

Candice Thomas said...

There is really a great talent in the way Crystal assembles her art.

Deborah J Bein said...

mega talent here! dbein@hvc.rr.com

Anonymous said...

love her work and echo her sentiment not one scrap of paper is worthless, not one person either

queenb2u said...

Love Crysal's work and thoughts. Thanks, Seth for introducing another fab artist.

Jan's Art and Musings said...

Glad to be introduced to her work. I love the "spirit" in it.

Lynda said...

Crystal's work is so inspiring... have been following her for quite some time...

Barbara Mason said...

I too have had a love affair with Crystal's work from afar...so glad that she is in your book!

wandamarie.blogspot.com said...

THANK you seth, for running this for an entire month! you are bringing such wondrous artists in to our VIEW, and I am loving it!

Anonymous said...

Crystal's work is amazing! I am so glad that I have discovered a "new" artist whose work I love.

donna joy said...

really love her work too-i'm sure it's even more fascinating in person!

Chris said...

Crystal's work is so thought provoking. Beauty in the ordinary.

Hester said...

Harmony out of so many different elements!

Mickie said...

Such beautiful work, love the elements and textures. Also loved reading about her and can't wait for her book as well as YOURS!

Unknown said...

I love her altered art. Simplistic.

Sharon Eley said...

I especially enjoy the black and white work and natural colors of what you do. Very new and refreshing.
S. Eley

rivergardenstudio said...

Crystal's work is beautiful, I have one of her pieces as well and love it. Seth, you are doing such a great job with these posts and sharing the stories of these artists. This book will be amazing!
roxanne

Sassy said...

Wonderful work - she is scraps of life!

Mickie said...

Another intriguing artist, so enjoyed her blog.

Deborah Gregg said...

Crystal, your work as I have told you before is inspiring. I feel your energy and hope to cross paths in person sometime.

ArtZest said...

I love her work. It's very raw and I enjoy allowing my mind and imagination wander as I look more intensely at each piece.

Patty H said...

I love ephemera, and am so in synch with Crystal's philosophy.

Patty H said...

I am so in synch with Crystal's philosophy. Her work is beautiful.

Renata said...

"Not one piece can be removed from the composition without altering the entire picture. Not one piece of your life can be changed without altering who you are today." Wow. So true.

Beverley Baird said...

I am so in love with Crystal's work! Love how you create and what your philosophy is about using the materials you do!

Blessedsue said...

Incredible art, so inspiring.

Thank you,
Suzanne

musictoliveby08 on YouTube

Supria Karmakar said...

Crystal's work is magnificent...I loved reading about her finding worth and value in the thrown away bits...pieces that were deemed worthless by someone else..which she had created beauty from and exposed its beauty
Magnificent.

Lura said...

i just love her work. what an introduction into greatnes. xoxo

HeARTworks said...

I love the pictures of artists at work in their studios! More more more! Patsy from
HeARTworks

stlbarb said...

These are the types of collages to which I aspire.

Jorin said...

I want to make collages like her, I love them.

Christine Kiehl said...

Very nice artwork.

Gillian Pearce said...

I really love these collages. So much so I had to rush and look through here gallery. Very inspiring!