Saturday, October 5, 2013

30/30: Elizabeth Bunsen



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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"I am a sensualist, I love tuning into all my senses. Process, the imperfect, the impermanent and the unfinished sing to me. I am a wabi sabi wannabe.


Along with wood and stones, I stack words. The crunch and scent of fallen golden leaves underfoot makes my heart race. I see madonnas in mud puddles. At dusk, when the sky turns a raspberry cream, the crows call my name.


I wander, gather, collect, arrange and put small treasures in tiny boxes. I make lists and cross things off. I hang out the laundry and watch the light and breeze paint and play. I make gypsy tents in which to drink tea and write poems."

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When I think of Elizabeth Bunsen, I think of the name of her blog: Be... Dream... Play... It sums up her essence as a creative free spirit, an explorer of the world around her, a dreamer who makes her dreams come true, and a person who makes the most out of every moment of her life. I spent an afternoon with eb in NYC last year amongst a group of blogging friends and happily realized that her blog persona truly reflects who she is as a person.

I have always been mesmerized by the way eb approaches her creations. She seems to carry with her a never ending curiosity and sense of wonder. So many of us "grow out of" the freedom we typically feel as children making art for the pure pleasure of it. Somehow, eb seems to have held on to this and the resulting art that she creates is infused with color, spirit, and a feeling of joy. I think we would all do well taking a page out of her book.
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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. 

89 comments:

Angie said...

So inspiring!

Bill said...

Be ... Dream ... Play ... May we also add "eat" in there? (Sorry. I shouldn't have read this after midnight when I'm thinking about needing to eat before going to sleep.)

Linda M. Cain said...

LOVE the colors and the process!

~Linda

Nan G said...

eb's work is mesmerizing. so rich in texture and color. thank you for the introduction.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Interesting textures.

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

Her work has a dreamy quality that I really like. Now I'm off to visit her blog.

Kim Mailhot said...

You have captured Elizabeth's artistic spirit so beautifully here, Seth. Thank you for sharing the "be...dream...play..." !

Elizabeth said...

Love all the nature elements in Elizabeth's work.

Roberta Warshaw said...

She wrote a really beautiful blog post today about you.

ArtPropelled said...

eb is a delight! Queen of the stripeys. There is always a creative buzz at her blog. So glad you are featuring one of my favourite bloggers.

Kiki said...

A great Saturday morning find :) Thanks!!!

Once A Cowgirl...Always A Cowgirl said...

This is the artist I was MOST interested in reading about! I love her colors, textures and use of natural elements! I have followed her blog and love her art!

lara said...

" wabi sabi wannabe"!!
Love it! Thanks for bringing this wonderful artist into my life!

elle said...

oh, thanks for introducing me to Elizabeth. Her work is very inspiring! And her writing!!!

Darlene K Campbell said...

I want to Be...Dream...and Play with Elizabeth. Amazing spirited energy for creating. Jumping over to her site right now!

Unknown said...

Elizabeth's work is like a mixed media dream come true on the page! Loved this post, thanks Seth and Elizabeth. x

Luanne Ripley Kreutzer said...

Love her work! Thank you for introducing be to us!

sharon said...

I have seen and liked Elizabeth Bunsen's work on Pinterest. Thanks for featuring her and giving us more insight into her art and being.

Kathryn Dyche said...

Love her approach to art, an inspiring artist.

Patty H said...

Talk about inspiring! I'd love to spend some time with eb just to bask in her creative energy.

Anonymous said...

Lovely lovely Be Dream Play is how I live my life as well.... I recaptured my inner child and am nurturing her with my art.

https://www.facebook.com/cindy.hogg.56

Barbara I. said...

I have followed Elizabeth's work for quite some time now. I love her organic creations. They are so beautiful and mesmerizing. They draw me in with their earthy, rusty feel. Thanks for including her on your 30/30, Seth! Barbara -- bkisrael@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Fascinating. Thanks for the inspiration. Slshokler at uwalumni.com.

gina armfield said...

she is magical and so is her work!

Mrs Pretzel said...

Nice to "meet" you, Elizabeth!!

Hue and Me Art said...

What an amazing artist and writer!
Very inspirational to me.

Miri Agassi said...

Great work

Anonymous said...

Wow Seth! Another of my favorite artists! Elizabeth's exuberance is contagious and inspiring. I so admire that ability to create with child like abandon!
Olivia

Linda Naprstek said...

Love her work and her studio too.
Linda

Carolyn G said...

It's so wonderful to be introduced to each artist, and to witness open hearts; yours Setth, the artists and the community

trish quilty said...

I love Elizabeths work and thoughts. Thanks for the introduction.

Ashley Gordon said...

I am so excited to follow 30/30. Love it. The Idea and everyone who is and has participated, Thank you.

donna joy said...

always admired her work-thanks for featuring her!

Don Madden said...

I know I'll like the book but will the final exam be Open-Book?

cg said...

This art really speaks to me. Wish I could see it in person. The textures must be amazing.

queenb2u said...

Sooo inspired by eb's art. I too am a "wabi-sabi wannabe" It just goes from better to better. Thanks, Seth.

Trace Willans said...

So looking forward to my workshop with EB next year in Oz. te

Patti Sandham said...

I Love Elizabeths work and you have created such a lovely post about her here Seth.

Cheers

Anonymous said...

smiling wide
xox
always

nelda said...

Elizabeth's blog is amazing. Her photography is beautiful and her words are poetry. I wish I could see her art in person and perhaps take her workshop one day.

Kathy said...

I'm just blown away by this. I want to learn and learn.

Hastypearl said...

I LOVE Elizabeth. She's able to find the colors BETWEEN colors...and the patience it takes to get there! Great choice, Seth! Laura

Frances said...

Elizabeth - love your thought process with creating art!

Teri said...

I have been following Elizabeth's work for quite some time and just recently have been seeing more of her work when she posts on FB. You are right: it does seem as though she really knows how to have fun with things still...the kind of fun we all had growing up. Only she never fogot how to marval at things that happen in life daily. She is amazing!

RJ said...

Love Elizabeth's work!

Unknown said...

Love your letter to Seth! So loving, sweet and generous.
Beautiful, beautiful work.

Jan said...

Love her descriptions of herself and her relationship with her artwork!

Mary C. Nasser said...

Love her rich layers, the translucency and luminosity of her work!
Looking forward to reading your new book, Seth! Congratulations!

Create Beauty with Laurajo said...

Gorgeous work. So inspiring.

Paula said...

I have loved EB and her blog for so long! She truly makes magic.

Lois0607 said...

I love the colors and textures. Beautiful

Deborah J Bein said...

two of my very favorite symbols seen here: OOO XXX. can't get enough of them! Thanks Elizabeth! dbein@hvc.rr.com

Lynda said...

Had to go to her blog after seeing the pictures here... much more satisfying to be able to see larger pics for the detail EB puts into her work... thanks Seth!

Candice Thomas said...

I'm a wabi sabi wanna be as well!Love your stuff.

Jo Murray said...

Thanks for putting EB on the list. I so enjoyed following the link to her blog. Her dyed papers and cloth are just wonderful...and the finished works...I'm speechless (and that's rare)

Mickie said...

She really creates magic with the little things we all take for granted. Love the textures and all things of naturel.

rivergardenstudio said...

You have done such a superb job with this post Seth, actually with all of them. I am off to read the rest now. I love EB's work, her words and everything about her!

Eloise Taesali said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eloise Taesali said...

I just LOVE her!

Smadar said...

Thanks for introducing such an amazing artist!

Unknown said...

Very interesting work!

Fallingladies said...

I love eb's blog! Thanks for the chance to win!

Donna said...

I found myself looking, then searching. So much texture and color.

Heather B. said...

Wow- very textured and complex pieces. Beautiful

Anne Camille said...

"...infused with color, spirit, and a feeling of joy. I think we would all do well taking a page out of her book." Totally agree!

JLeigh Designs said...

I am loving the color and texture of Elizabeth Bunsen, so amazing.

Christine Kiehl said...

I like Elizabeths style very much. She has a great eye for color combos!

Becca said...

Color and texture are so inspiring to begin with but she takes it to a new level!

Laurie Richardson said...

"wabi sabi wannabe"-YES! How intriguing her art is!

Anonymous said...

Elizabeth Bunsen opens new dream doors in your mind and heart with her joyful creations...

Leslie said...

eb is one of the first artists I met online, and the first artist I met in real life. She was wandering down the dirt road by her house on the banks of Lake Champlain, with an armful of flowers, headed to meet us as we got off the ferry. She is exactly as you hope she might be when you read her blog and follow her work.

hArtist said...

her work is fabulous, I am off to go and see more

Jan's Art and Musings said...

I love her work and always enjoy visiting her website.

Glenda said...

Love her work!

Chris said...

Wonderful work...textures!

Barbara Mason said...

Love her style...I think she is Wabi-Sabi...no wanna be ..is.

Anonymous said...

EB is a complete Wabi Sabi genious, not a "wanna be"...I love her work, she impresses me so much almost daily. You did great Seth, wow, what an intriguing selection of artists you got here.
XO, Orly

Anonymous said...

I love Elizabeth Bunsen's art. I am always on her blog studying her stuff and wondering how she made some of the things she has on there. She makes beautiful things.
fay beech

Peg Englishman said...

love the textures and softness of her work, so beautiful.

stlbarb said...

I really admire Elizabeth free-spiritedness. She puts her all into her artwork.

Unknown said...

really beautiful work...

Keryl said...

Love her blog too
Keryl

Beverley Baird said...

Such beautiful interesting pieces - so textured.

Lura said...

love all the texture. very exciting. but love seth best. xoxo

Parabolic Muse said...

Her art is always so luminescent and fluid. I love her caring spirit.

Jill said...

Elizabeth.... Beth is truly amazing. She is a true artist who finds beauty wherever she looks. I have admired her playful spirit for as long as I can remember. She inspires me to be... to dream... and to play....

Jorin said...

I love love love the rusty thing.

Gillian Pearce said...

What a lovely variety of work. Very inspiring!

Anonymous said...

There's a daughter in Vermont
Who's art was/is always her wont
Her work spreads as ripples in a pool
I'm included with all saying "it's cool"
She still climbing the mont.

You knew I wrote limerics Beth. I never said they were any good-smile. Love & congratulations, DAD