Assemblage Artist: Ron Pippin

Long amazed by the art of assemblage, I am in awe of the work of Ron Pippin. These wonderful images are only part of his alphabet series. Much more to enjoy HERE.

Images copyright Ron Pippin, 2009 ~ all rights reserved.

Artist Profile: Claudine Hellmuth

Tell me a bit about yourself..

I live in Washington DC in the U Street area with my husband Paul and our fur-children, cats Mabel and Stanely. Of course I can never resist posting photos of my babies to my blog, so you're sure to see tons of pet photos there!

I have been creating art as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, my mom would spread paper across the kitchen floor and set me down in my diaper with finger paints and let me just go crazy. When I was in high school I took extensive after school art lessons totaling about 20 hours a week to prepare for art college. I first went to the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus Ohio where they had a very strong foundations program, drawing and painting the figure. After my second year there I transferred and finished my BFA at the Corcoran College of Art + Design in Washington DC.

After graduation in 1997, I took a short course in web site design from George Washington University on web site design (at the time I had never even used a computer with a mouse). I somehow learned to code web sites by hand-- possibly out of fear that I would never be able to get a job. I moved back to Orlando where I worked for a small web design company. When it closed its doors I signed on at Cox Interactive Media.

Even while I was working at these jobs I was building my art business on the side, hoping it would grow enough that I could make the leap to full time artist. In 2001, after the Internet bubble burst, I was laid off and got my chance to go for it. I have been a full time artist ever since!

Apart from creating art, what do you enjoy?

Reading, napping, snuggling with my pets, and watching movies.

What first made you want to become an artist?

I never had a moment of realization that I wanted to be an artist. I have made things as long as I can remember, always took extra art classes when I was young and when it came time to choose my college it was a given that I would go to an art school. I hope to expand further into illustration and also licensing more of my artwork in the gift industry. I really enjoy illustration because I love the challenge of working with a theme and combining my vision with the needs of the assignment. I would love to animate my artwork, more advanced animation than what I have done for my ecards. I have always wanted to illustrate children's books, so that is a goal that I hope is in my future.

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.

Right now my studio is the second bedroom of our apartment. It's a combined studio/office with a computer on one side and all my mess on the other! My process for creating a custom artwork order or an illustration is different from when I am creating artwork for myself. When I am creating something for a client I start with their idea and work my way towards what I think will work. When I am creating artwork for myself I am often inspired by a photo or a phrase so I use that as a jumping off point for the rest of the piece. Except for custom art pieces, I use my own family photos and also my friends family photos. When I run out of those or when they aren't suitable, I "create" my own photo heads by combining 3 or 4 photo images together to "make" my own people. For example, I'll purchase vintage photos from ebay and then combine a nose from one person with eyes of another and a hair style of another person until I arrive at the look I want. This has been a lot of fun and it's very useful because then I can make sure the photo image fits with the context of the artwork.

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?

I am inspired by so many varied artists and sources. Folk artists--I love folk art! I am also inspired by retro 40's and 50's magazines and I love all the domestic ads, they are so funny.

Where else can people find your work?

My web site, my blog, on Twitter, Facebook, and my Etsy shop!

*************************

Claudine is a nationally recognized collage artist, author and illustrator. She combines photos, paint, paper and pen into quirky, whimsical-retro collages that she calls Poppets®. Her artworks have been featured on The Martha Stewart Show, in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine, The New York Times, on HGTV's "I Want That!", on HGTV's Carol Duvall Show and on the DIY Network's program, "Craft Lab."

In addition to creating her artwork full-time, Claudine teaches collage workshops in the US & Canada, and she has written two books about her techniques, "Collage Discovery Workshop" and "Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected." She has also produced three instructional DVD workshops and has a line of art supply products produced by Ranger Industries including paints, mediums and brushes.

Claudine Hellmuth Studio Products are for sale online at these locations: Somerset Shoppe, ScrapLovers, Joggles Online, Schmooze with Suze...and many more. Google for complete results.

All images are by and copyright of Claudine Hellmuth, 2009.

Artist Profile: Rosa Murillo

Tell me a bit about yourself name, location, affiliations, personal stuff.
My name is Rosa Murillo, I grew up in Mexico City and I paint and create mixed-media art in North Carolina. Trained in Mexico as an architect, I then moved to the United States, was married, became a mother, and a freelance artist. I started a project called Found Art Tuesday, in which I give away art in unexpected places to unsuspecting individuals.

twist - original painting

Apart from creating art, what do you do?
I am a Mom and a Wife and it's a wonderful job to have. I love my family and I try to spend as much time with them as I can, but at the same time, having time to be alone with my thoughts and doing something creative gives me a sense of fulfillment, makes me happy and makes me feel like ME again, not a mom or wife, but just me. I've found that inspiration and creativity are always around but I need to stop and listen to them so that it can all make sense.

lazarus heart - assemblage box

What first made you want to become an artist?
When I was in architecture school I found that the part of the projects I enjoyed the most were the ones that needed illustrations, model making and design, that's when I discovered that there was more art that I wanted to explore. Life took me in another direction for a few years, until I decided to explore painting as a new experiment, and I fell in love with it.

superhero blue bird - print of original painting

Please describe your creative process how, when, materials, etc.
Since I am a mom of two young kids my time to paint is seriously limited. I try to make time for painting whenever I can. The best time for me is when my kids are at school, and I aim to devote at least a few hours a week to the paintings that require more planning. I've been working on smaller projects in between painting and steal a moment whenever I can to play in other mediums. I recently discovered polymer clay and I can't wait to experiment with it more. The most challenging thing for me is not having enough time to materialize all of the things that fly around my mind--I know these ideas could become great projects if I had more time in my days to sit still longer than a minute!

cafe latte - digital file of original painting

What artists have influenced you and inspire you to create?
I like to follow other art and illustration blogs because I feel inspired from so many things that people create. Bloggers usually write about the things that motivates them and what they are interested in--it's a positive drive that I love!

cigar box assemblage supply kit - finished boxes by Rosa

Where else can people find your work?
Along with my Etsy shop, my website includes a selection of my past work and links to my blog where I share the pieces that I create. I also share my process and the things that I've learned along the way. Like many blogs, there's also a number of random things I like to write about besides my art since I have so many interests. My Flickr stream is where you can view my entire portfolio. My YouTube channel features a few instructional videos I designed about epoxy resin, polymer clay and collage. Last but not least, I've also been bitten by the Twitter bug!

My goodness, where am I not--that's the real question!

Photos are by and copyright of Rosa Murillo 2009 - all rights reserved.

Neat Things: Random Green

green world collage sheet - $5 found here



bicycle photo journal (blank) - $9 found here



earth tote - $16 found here



vintage green glass pitcher - $75 found here

Etsy: Valentine's Day #9

l 2 r: tall bud vase felted wool with glass - papaver vert, to see you better print - joutomaa

Etsy: Valentine's Day #7

l 2 r: colour card collage (pink), colour card collage (white), colour card collage (red) - a view to

Etsy: Cowgirls

Click this photo grid for a much larger view (it's so worth it!)

l 2 r, t 2 b:

ranch exit fine art photo - lauri, annie oakley collage pillow - lipstick ranch, vintage leather cowgirl bag - surrender dorothy, smokey distressed leather belt - moxie and oliver, golden fine art photo - art in mind, vintage navy cowgirl boots - vintage booty, cowboy on fence wall decal - freckled hound, vintage tooled leather mexico wallet - small earth vintage, cowgirl fine art photo - mary palmer photography, annie oakley denim jacket - lipstick ranch, sassy cowgirl collage - big girl art, vintage denim cowgirl hat - moxie thrift

All items displayed in this post are from the shops of Etsy--yeah, that handmade site we all know and love. Some art handmade, some are vintage, all are terrific, western and fabulous!

Art Cards

In the summer before last, as in 2007, I discovered a quirky little website called ArtCardsWanted.com. I posted a handful of my ACEOs [aka Art Cards] for no charge, and not too long after, all but forgot about it.

Yesterday I received an email from PayPal informing me that I have sold not one, but TWO of those aforementioned ACEOs. Was I surprised? Yes, well, that is an understatement...especially since this was an endeavor I had not been keeping tabs on!

Fairy Series I, Harlequin Man (from Bohemian Souls Series) - mixed media collage ACEOs by Tina (aka me)

But maybe you're saying, "What are Art Cards?"

Just like sports fans collect baseball cards of their favorite players, art fans collect art cards of their favorite artists or artwork. An art card is a small pocket-sized piece of art. They are commonly know as ACEO (Art Cards, Editions & Originals) as well as ATC (Artist Trading Cards). ATCs are only traded between artists, ACEOs are purchased. They can be original artwork or prints/reproductions of original artwork, collage, photography, mixed media, etc. These cards are bought, sold and traded all over the world--and also very popular on Etsy! The official standard size of an art card is 2.5" x 3.5" (64 x 89 mm).

There are three main categories of art cards:

Open Edition - Prints/reproductions of artwork or photography that is printed in the standard card size. Open editions can be printed and reprinted depending on the demand for the card. There is no limit to how many will be printed. This can also be a mini-print of a larger original artwork.

Where's Alice? - mixed media ACEO from Art by Candace

Yellow Pansy Butterfly - screenprint ACEO by Checker Spot

Limited Edition - This type is also a print/reproduction, but there is a limit to how many cards will be ever printed/sold. These cards are more valuable then open edition cards, because there is only a limited amount of each card that is available in the world. Many times, limited edition cards will be numbered on the back of the card.

Madeline - original illustration ACEO by Matou en Peluche

Let There Be Lights - altered photo ACEO by Marisa Allegra Williams

Original Artwork - This card is a unique piece of artwork done by the artist. It can be painted or drawn, but it will be 100% original and only one card exists in the world. This type of card is the most valuable and usually (not always) carries a higher price point.

Pink Flowers Aqua Sky - photo ACEO by Stimples and Strummels

What's Behind - etching ACEO by Ingrid Art Studio

If you haven't tried making these mini art gems yet, give it a whirl. Whatever medium you dabble in, in any theme or design. Use that sheet of watercolor paper you've had lying around...or a page from that Bristol pad. Cardstock of any sort--smooth, textured, hot or cold pressed, it all works well. If you want your cards pre-cut and ready to play, search the SUPPLIES catagory on Etsy, keyword: ACEO blanks. I've also received great service and fun and creative art supplies for a number of years from Vickie at Bemuse!

More ACEO Galleries and Supplies:

ACEO ArtCards.com - Gallery, supplies, community & more!

ACEO Supplies - Squidoo.com

Shabby Cottage Studio - Gorgeous stuff here!

Retro Cafe Art - Gallery and art supplies

Manto Fev - Collage and art goodies with a retro vibe. Be sure to check out her VINTAGE and FLEA MARKET catagories...trust me, it's sinfully good.

Art Chix Studio - Collage, art, ACEO, papers...all the fun stuff. Tell Helga I sent you!

Art displayed in this post is copyright of the individuals listed...click the links to visit their Etsy shops and enjoy!

tina's whimsy revisited

I have always been an artist. Before I fell in love with photography, I tried a bit of many mediums. Drawing, watercolor, rubber stamp art, decoupage, assemblage, jewelry design, and my eventual favorite, collage.


t 2 b:
Dream a Little Dream, 2.5" x 3.5" - ACEO Collage, Open Edition
Love Many Things, 4" x 10" - Original Collage on Canvas Board

Techniques of collage, were first used at the time of the invention of paper in China around 200 BC. The use of collage, however, remained very limited until the 10th century in Japan, when calligraphers began to apply glued paper, using texts on surfaces, when writing their poems.



t 2 b:
The Wild Joys of Living, 8" x 10" - Original Collage on Canvas Board
Inspire, 2.5" x 3.5" - ACEO Collage, Open Edition

The technique of collage appeared in medieval Europe during the 13th century. Gold leaf panels started to be applied in Gothic cathedrals around the 15th and 16th centuries. Gemstones and other precious metals were applied to religious images, icons, and also, to coats of arms.


t 2 b:
Retro Green Girl - 11 x 14 collage on canvas board
Life Requires Beauty - 2.5 x 3.5 ACEO Collage, Open Edition

In the 19th century, collage methods also were used among hobbyists for memorabilia (i.e. applied to photo albums) and books (i.e. Hans Christian Andersen, Carl Spitzweg).

The term collage derives from the French "coller" meaning "glue". This term was coined by both Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso in the beginning of the 20th century when collage became a distinctive part of modern art.[1]



t 2 b:
Ladies Bingo Night - 4 x 5 collage on canvas board
We Can Claim Ruffles all for Ourselves, 10" x 10" - Original Collage on canvas

I used to offer my collage work in an Etsy shop, known as tina's whimsy. I sold a handful of my items in the two years that the shop was alive online but then I discovered I was spending far more time trying to sell and less and less on the process of creation. And so I stopped altogether--the selling and the creating.

The pieces displayed in this post are a handful of my collage works from 2004-2007. I plan to begin some new work in 2009, and would love your comments on these. Let me know if you'd like to see more and I will include them in a future post...thanks!


[1] Wikipedia 2008.

collages displayed are all copyright tina's whimsy 2004-2007.