Penny Raile

The Birth of Another Dada

The thrift stores were calling out my name yesterday and next thing I know, there is another Dada on my work table. Isn't he cute?  I will keep my eyes open for potential arms for him, but in the meantime I am working on a couple of other Dada's - one of them involves an old vintage coffee percolator.

The parts of this particular Dada include two pepper grinders, a computer part, and some cake decorating things.

Mail Art From Kim

I received this wonderful piece of mail art from Artfest friend, Kim Smith.  I didn't even want to open it for fear I would ruin the envelope.  Inside were copies of some her new zentangles.  She is developing a unique style.  (I removed my address for you would be stalkers - ha!)

I want to finish today my new zine, Zentangleness, but the thrift stores are calling me, "Come and find wonderful things that you can transform and make everyone worry about your mental health."  I believe the thrift stores are going to win.

Colander Dada

After taking Linda and Opie Obrien's class "Who's Your Dada" at Artfest 2009, I have been searching thrift stores for "body parts."  This particular one I finished this morning (unless I find the perfect mouth which I will add later - I am looking for a specific kind of meat thermometer).

Several other Dada's are in production lined up on my work table.  Next in line is "Man of the World."  It involves a globe and Christmas lights.

Love Staying Home

The Dada's have invaded my place.  I spent many hours sorting all the various "body parts" I have collected.  I now have boxes for heads, bodies and limbs.  I have one new one made, but not ready to reveal him yet (I guess he is shy).  The other one is only partially done, but he makes me laugh every time I see him.

I also have finished several new "Fantasy Garden" tangles.  Here is one of them and will continue to post the new ones.

I am thinking about hand creating watercolor backgrounds instead of creating them in Photoshop.  It actually may be easier.

A new vintage collage

I stumbled upon a wonderful collection of vintage cycling photos on Flickr posted by Peter .  He graciously allowed me to use this one to create one of my vintage collages.

I want to do a series of cyclists.  Hopefully he will continue to let me use some of his great photos.

Who's Your Dada?

Who's Your Dada?  This was the name of one of the classes I took at Artfest 2009 taught by Linda and Opie O'Brien, and I absolutely loved it!

The second photo is the piece I made at Artfest, and the first photo is the one I made yesterday after making a visit to the local salvage yard.  (The thing in the middle turns.)

If you can't tell, the head on the top photo is a vintage pencil sharpener.  The second photo includes parts from a cake decorator,a meat thermometer, a Brillo pad and salad tongs.  Who's Your Dada #3 is already in the works.

ATC Zentangle

Just for fun, I made an ATC Zentangle tonight - (size 2 1/2" x 3 1/2").  I drew it first then used markers to add color.

Tried to spend some time today organizing my loft.  I have so many different projects going at the same time, they were starting to overlap each other.

Additions to the store

Two new pieces were added to my Etsy store today.  This particular one was drawn at Artfest.

I am hoping to finish my Junk Mail Art piece today.  It has many layers, and I must let each one dry before I move to the next one.

I am so energized after returning from Artfest that I am having a hard time deciding which direction to go.  I do want to rework my "Zentangleness" booklet into a zine and perhaps sell it on-line.  There is so much more I could put in it besides my own work.  It could be a fun little piece.

The figure I saw in the parking lot cracks

I have returned from Artfest 2009.  Just like last year, it was an amazing experience.

The Shuttle Buddies, including Kim and Lorraine and myself, met at the Pilot House at the Seattle airport where we hugged and talked as fast as possible.

After Kim organized the boarding of the shuttles, she put our traveling companions to work creating two group drawings to keep us busy for the two hour ride to Fort Worden.  (The incredible finished pieces will be posted later.)

This being our sophomore year at Artfest, Kim, Lorraine and I decided to skip the orientation and plant ourselves in the common room wearing our pajamas to catch up on everything.  (Of course, we were drawing most of the time.)

Classes started the next day and I could not have been happier with my teachers.  I will blog later the stories and post photos of the finished projects.  At least one of them will make you laugh (it involves a meat thermometer and cake decorating equipment).

Oh yes, I must not fail to comment on "The figure I saw in the parking lot cracks."  After taking Carla Sonheim's class, I am seeing imaginary creatures everywhere - even though the class I took from her was "Junk Mail Art."   Check out her blog and you will see how she influenced me. 

More about Artfest in my next post.