Sunday, September 16, 2012

Playing Favorites: Chapter 5


Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.

Style File, Techniques & Tools, Master Class, and It's Still Life were the first four projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The fifth project, Playing Favorites, continues now...


Participants were asked to: share a picture of a favorite piece of art that you have created and explain its meaning to you...
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Svetlana Spasojevic
"Tragic events in my home country in the late 90s have resulted not only in the disappearance of a country from the world maps but more importantly have left many generations of people with wounded memories. This altered book Retrieved from Ashes is dedicated to my mother's sporting career."

theresa mARTin
 "Julie's Dream is made up of components that remind me of people and different times of my life. The wooden house part is from an elaborate birdhouse constructed by my late uncle. The horse and its china wing were given to me by a friend names Julie. There is a tintype from my antique photo collection beneath the magnifying glass. The chain is like the chain of swings from years ago. It's made with objects that evoke happy moments from the past."

Darlene AkAHugGeR Wilkinson
"I can't say this is a fave because I don't have faves but this is one of my pieces."

Luthien Thye
"This must be the most meaningful piece of art I have ever made. Wee is inspired and especially created in tribute to my little 29-weeker baby, Maia Fae. It represents the struggle she had to face upon her arrival in this world...her fight to survive, her strength, her tenacity and her spirit. The stamp numbers are the identification number on Maia's NICU tag. The littlest washer of course represents her...small (she was 1.3kg at birth) and unique but has as much right to be amongst us as her larger counterparts. My wee one, my fighter, my miracle..."

Kim Palmer
"I created this piece as part of the Pulp Redux collaboration for Debrina's book and it is for me representational of my own ability to overcome obstacles. It required so many problem solving techniques to complete the ideas that I had formed in my head, and I wanted to work with metal in ways I hadn't previously. The finished piece also had to perform within the book structure. As I said, lots of problem solving but I was really happy with how I overcame the construction obstacles and was able to produce the piece as I had envisioned it."

Leslie Marsh
"This is my 365 Grateful project and the book I made to house my daily photos. One of my favorite pieces - this week. It's not that large - about 6" by 9"- but it's 3 inches thick, with two days' photos on a page! I like the feel of this book in my hands, the image of the girl stopping to smell the flowers and the combination of an old book cover, metal elements and waxed linen thread. I like knowing that this book will hold a year's worth of gratitude, and my heart will hold the fresh perspective that the exercise brings."

Pam McKnight
"This was created with found objects but has a much deeper meaning as each tag honors a person that died in a horrendous fire at the Pioneer Hotel represented by the hanger."

Art by Canace
"Eleventh Hour is a very powerful assemblage for me. Many religions, prognosticators and ancient civilizations dictate some sort of Armageddon or apocalypse in our near future. These predictions in my  opinion are totally unfounded, however they have for centuries manipulated peoples' thoughts and judgements about their future causing them to experience untold anxieties, pain and fears."

Jeanie Thorn
"This is Patch which is composed of the basic elements of lines, planes and shapes. In addition to the engineering challenge of fabrication and assembly, it contains many of the elements of design I find so important: balance (in this case asymmetrical balance), harmony, rhythm, texture, emphasis and focus, contrast and variety, proportion and scale."

Debbie Price-Ewen
"This piece is called Driftwood Girl, in honour of myself, because I loved walking among the driftwood and combing the beach (Foxton Beach, New Zealand) for 'finds'. Some of my best, creatively inspired moments have come to me whilst scouring the beach. As well as being an endless source of inspiration, it has a rich history.  In colonial times it was a 'highway' of sorts because there were no roads, and so I constantly think about my ancestors doing the hard miles along this is the connecting coastal beaches."
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Next "Playing Favorites" will be posted on Sunday, September 23rd.

20 comments:

Jeanie Thorn said...

Seth, I love the way you group the art. I think being a curator is somewhere in your future. Thanks again for including me.

Unknown said...

Hi Seth. Bet the leaves are turning in that city of yours hey? Well Svetlana Spasojevic's piece really got my heart a bit heavier in this post. Her phrasing of 'wounded memories' is so ON. Sending a special shout out to her this day...hugs, Norma, xo

Robert said...

What a wonderful gallery of works of assemblage collected here, Seth! Some pieces incorporate materials weathered by time, the elements, or someone's hands. Some use materials not yet altered by nature or man. All of these works are amazing examples of the "whole" being far more than the sum of the parts which create it! I am drawn-in by the stories that these pieces, and their creators, communicate to us. I am particularly touched by the stories of affirmation and wonder in the work of Svetlana, theresa, Luthien, Kim, Leslie, Pam, Canace, and Debbie. "Playing Favorites: Chapter 5" continues to to be a heartfelt excursion into the reality; the soul, of what it means to be human!

theresa martin said...

Thanks Seth. I agree that your grouping/curating is great.

theresa martin said...

Thanks Seth. I agree that your grouping/curating is great.

Carol said...

So many interesting pieces and even more interesting the artists reasons for choosing their favorites. Thank you for this compilation of art and artists.

MrCachet said...

As always, Thanks for hosting the whole shebang, Seth. I'm headed to the wilds, but (I think) Grandma now has broadband, so I intend to visit the others this week. Looks like some great pictures and words to "Go With"!

Bill said...

The background stories are as wonderful as the works. Each piece is so full of meaning and richness.

Rebeca Trevino said...

always a thrill to stop in and see what you are cooking up!
thanks Seth.

Sandy said...

Seth,

Your Pulse posts are making getting out of bed on Monday mornings so much easier, I adore visiting the links to all the artist while enjoying a morning cup of brew. What could be a better way to start the week than art and coffee?

The Creative Beast said...

I have to agree with Jeanie Thorn - i can see curating in your future as you have curated some excellent artworks in this series. I am amazed at the work shared here and the use of items to create them. You've got a great eye for presenting the work of artists Seth! =-)

Leslie said...

Always a pleasure, Seth. Thanks!

Luthien Thye said...

wonderful! the thoughts that go with the art pieces are intriguing and heartfelt. it's wonderful how art can make the artist bare her/his soul without reservation. this collection is a great example of that. thank you for doing this Seth ...

Jo Murray said...

I do so love your blog Seth. There're always yummy links to follow...and this is no exception.

Canace said...

It's always fascinating to see artwork and read what emotions play a part in their creations.

Thank you for yet another journey into the minds of other artists and thank you for including me in your selections. :o)

Lisa said...

a perfect collection of inspiring, bold pieces bearing powerful stories. bravo again Seth!

Gaby Bee said...

It's wonderful to see these artist's favorite work of art and their thoughts! Gorgeous works, as always! Thank you, Seth!

Gaby xo

Jill Zaheer said...

Another great visit to THE GALLERY showcasing "Playing Favorites"!!
What a treat to take a tour of these great works- so inspiring with the added benefit of seeing the special meaning that the works have to each of these creative artists! Thanks so much for continuing this great series.

Artsnark said...

fantastic assortment! Thanks for sharing

Pam McKnight said...

Better late than never,I've been on the road for 3 weeks (having fun, I might add). thanks for hosting this, Seth and including me! I agree with all the other comments you do have an eye for the whole curating thing!