Imagination Squared Public Art Project, Part 1

A few weeks ago, I received a telephone call from photographer, Flo Minton, who had been browsing my website. She was looking to take her art to market and requested information about my magnets.

I gave her the information and before we both knew it, 50 minutes of fun-filled chatter elapsed. Yes, I met a new artist friend. Even located her on Facebook and we befriended each other while on the phone. And as friends would have it, she shared info with me about an upcoming public art project.

Imagination Squared was started by two artists, Christina Foard and Dolf James. The goal is to show the importance of art by giving it presence in a public art space. To do this, artists are creating art on 5x5x2" wood squares. The works of art will be hung in a public place (TBD) shortly after the closing date, July 31, 2010. Below are some of the finished squares.

I received my square in the mail yesterday and am excited to be brainstorming about it's possibilities. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this post to see my finished square.

Have a Heart, Soldered Pendant Art

I was very busy in my studio most the the weekend making jewelry art. The term upcycling comes to mind for this adventure.

Upcycling refers to reusing an object in a new way without degrading the material it is made from, as opposed to recycling which generally involves breaking down the original material and making it into something else, using more energy.


These pendants were created using dinnerware, broken into shards and painted with funky designs. Hearts are a favorite symbol of mine. So hearts it was. Then I soldered around them using lead-free solder and added a jump ring to make a pendant. A 30" silver ball chain completes the necklace. Pretty cool, huh?

If you see a piece you would like to purchase for yourself or a loved one, let me know via email at Susan@SusanCalvert.com. Hurry, 'cause I'm heading out at the end of the week to check on some galleries to carry them.

Of course, my blog would not be complete without Lucy dog modeling my work of art...

The Canvas Project 3, Part 1

I'm excited to be participating in another public art project with Art House Coop. In case you haven't heard, they left the beloved warmth of Atlanta, GA and relocated to the happening art scene in Brooklyn, NY.

For this project, I will receive three @ 4x4" canvases with randomly selected words to interpret as I deem fit. Like the previous canvas project, this one will also be turned into a book and at least one canvas from each participant will be included in it.

The opening for the upcoming show will be held on December 3, 2010 at:

The Brooklyn Art Library
201 Richards St #16
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Below is my published image (top, left) of the word "HEAVY" on page 36 in the 2009 book.

Click here to see all of my art entries from the 2009 show.

PROJECT: A Million Little Pictures

During the summer of 2009, one thousand artists from around the world documented their lives in 24 frames using a disposable camera.

On September 25th, 2009, an exhibition housing over 24,000 photographs will be constructed to take you on an adventure through the lives of these artists at:

Art House Gallery
309 Peters Street
Atlanta, GA 30313

On January 10th, 2010, a second exhibition is scheduled from 5-10pm at:

111 Minna Gallery
111 Minna Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(liquor laws require you must be at least 21 years of age to enter the venue)

I was really excited to participate in this project. Upon taking my camera in for development, I learned the film in it was bad. Ugh, there were some hip photos on that roll!

Okay, so I made lemonade from my lemons by taking from my computer stash. Click on the photos to enlarge them. If you have any questions, give me a shout.

(self portrait for graphic arts course)

("Who Farted?" front)

(Vail Village, CO)

("Catching 'rays")

(Ivana Hump-a-Lot Susan & Swinger Steve--Halloween)

(My art @ Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport)

("Indian Corn")

(Lucy sitting on chair)

(1st Place Watercolor Painting Award)

(Sardi's Restaurant, NY city, "Shortstop", 1st Place Watercolor)

("Mummy Dearest", 1st Place Printmaking)

("Reigning Cats and Dogs")

(Baby Lucy)

("Fur-ever Friends" exhibit, Sandy Springs, GA)

(Lucy)

(Teton's final resting place among the poppy flowers)

("Ginger"--Wanted: Domestic Fairy Godmother)

(My studio)

(Steve & Lucy)

("Jade"--In Search of Chocolate)

(The Cheesecake Factory, Cumberland Mall)

(Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Vail, CO)

("Come Fly with Me")

(Lucy's birthday 2008)

Above images copyright Susan Calvert, all rights reserved

The (completed) 10,000 (people interpret one word) Project

Earlier this year, I signed up to participate in The 10,000 Project hosted by the Art House Coop. My project is now complete. Yippee, another one bites the dust!

The word given to all participants to interpret was "chair". I had so many ideas rolling around in my mind. Ultimately, I selected that warm, fuzzy feeling where my passion lies: Lucy-dog. Yes, she rides again!!!

My submission for The 10,000 Project is entitled "Chair Trilogy"--three pictures of Lucy on my patio furniture.

(click on photo to enlarge)

I picked Lucy up and carefully placed her on each chair. She stared at me with those big brown eyes saying: "Mom, are we done yet? Okay, I will pose for food."

Back to that warm, fuzzy feeling... It's all over the house--Lucy and her fur! I love my puppy dog and wouldn't change a thing including her black fluffs of fur adhering to the legs of all my chairs.


PS: You and your family are invited to attend the exhibition of The 10,000 Project on Friday, December 11, 2009, from 7-10pm at the:

Art House Gallery
309 Peters Street
Atlanta, GA 30313

The (Completed) Canvas Project, Volume 2, Part 2

It's official! The Art House Coop sent notification they received my 5 paintings for participation in The Canvas Project, Volume 2.

For this project, I received 5 @ 3x3" canvases with 5 randomly selected user-generated words to interpret as I deem fit with my art. At least one of my canvases will be published in a book entitled "The Art House Encyclopedia VOL. 1" and one canvas will be on display at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

The goal of the exhibition was to create a visual encyclopedia using mini canvases from artists from all over the world. The project closed on July 1, 2009 with over 1100 participating artists.

The exhibition locations & dates will be as follows:

July 31 - September 4, 2009
Atlanta Airport Atrium Gallery
6000 North Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320

September 25, 2009 (Opening)
Art House Gallery
309 Peters St
Atlanta, GA 30313

My 5 words were:

Heavy, Foe, Over, Greeting and Series

As promised to my friends on Facebook, below are my paintings including my favorite:

"Heavy"

This is my favorite painting. It says Lucy all over it as she lays looking like she has "heavy" thoughts happening in that noggin of hers. I wish I knew exactly what she was thinking. I'm sure it is probably something like this:

Pet me, food, (*sniff-sniff*), potty, take me for a walk, (*lick-lick*), sun bathing time..., (*slurp-slurp*), food, nap, pet me, potty, roll in the grass, pet me again (*bouncy-bounce*-the ball) ride?!!, food, potty, tv time, scratch my butt, please, pet me more and I'll pet you in return by washing your entire face (*kiss-kiss*).

So what do you think? Sound familiar? Does that say it all in dog language?


"Foe"

This is my second favorite painting. The vivid colors work well together, don't they?

I recalled the saying "fighting like cats & dogs". Cats do seems a bit more persnickety than dogs at times. I painted the kitty with a halo so everyone would realize I was just kidding given the title "Foe".

Also, Halloween is my favorite holiday. Cats and Halloween go hand-in-hand and this one reminded me of a Jack-o-lantern. What do you think--Jack-o-lantern or not?


"Over"

The command "over" was more of a challenge for Lucy to learn. I painted a poodle, one of the smartest dogs, giving it a scholarly look with a faux mortarboard and glasses. I remember Lucy looking at me funny when learning the word "oooooooover". Hence, the circular mouth expression.


"Greeting"

Whenever we arrive home, Lucy greets us with her ears up and back, her eyes like swirly spirals practically popping out of her head, a big smile and lots of french kisses. Oh yes, and the words, "Got food?"


"Series"

This is my interpretation of the word, "series", using Retrievers--Yellow, Golden, Chocolate and Black. I'm paying homage to one of my favorite pop artists, Andy Warhol.

There you have my story about The Canvas Project, Volume 2. Thank you to all who participated in my Facebook poll telling me your favorite painting. If you did not have the opportunity to participate, by all means leave me a comment at the end of this post. It will be fun tallying them up at the end to see the most popular. Until then.....Lucy says "woof!"

These paintings are available for purchase on my website:
http://susancalvert.com/paintings/poppets.html

The Sketchbook Project, Volume 4: Library

Yippee, I am participating in The Sketchbook Project, Volume 4: Library through the Art House Coop located in Atlanta, GA.

Thinking Inside the Box
© Susan Calvert

all rights reserved

Sketchbooks offer a personal glimpse into an artist's life. For this project, I will receive a bar coded Moleskine sketchbook to create art in based upon a randomly given theme. I love the fact Art House is selecting the theme. It forces me to think "outside" the box.
(Image, right: "Thinking Inside the Box")

The bar code will link my sketchbook to a searchable database library. Visitors will receive a library card and be able to view my book at exhibitions around the country. My sketchbook will become part of a permanent collection once the U.S. gallery tour is complete.

I am really looking forward to this project. I've never used a Moleskine sketchbook nor have I ever sketched in a book so small, 5-1/4 x 8-1/4". And as mentioned above, I am so excited about being given theme to stretch my creativity. Yippee!

The exhibit will start December 11, 2009 at:

Art House Coop
309 Peters Street
Atlanta, GA 30313
404-584-7967

Below is a short CNN video from the previous Sketchbook Project: