Creating Free Art Part 2

Posted on April 29, 2012 by Babs

 

Free Art?

Pictured above is what I created repurposing some found objects.  I tried not to over-think, and just let the process take over. It took 3 hours to put together, not the 2 hours I had hoped. It probably took longer partially because I prefer nailing and pegging assembly, to just glue.

The response I received when I’ve shown it to people has been surprising. My daughter said it spoke to her and she doesn’t want me to give it away. Another artist deemed it my best work, which I’m not really sure how to take.

Looking at it myself, I can see an autobiographical aspect, related to growing up in Detroit. Of course, all these elements were in my studio, so these obviously were things I had an affinity for and valued enough to keep. I’m not sure what meaning, others will connect to it.

I was not prepared to be conflicted about letting go of this piece of art. At this point I’m unclear about what to do. I have plans to connect with an artist friend this Friday and participate in this weeks FAFDet.

Do I leave this piece or create something else?

Wondering how other more experienced Free Art Friday artists do this?

Posted in art, Found object art, Inspiration, narrative sculpture, sculpture | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Creating Free Art using; Intuition, Improvisation, Extemporization

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Babs

Possible Art?

When I found out about Free Art Friday Detroit, I knew I’d need to figure out a way to participate. One of the issues I had to overcome was finding something to contribute that would not be as vulnerable as many of my fired clay pieces.

I also decided that I should create it from elements already in my studio. Which, unfortunately isn’t as limiting as you might think. If you work as a mixed media artist for any amount of time you begin to accumulate all manner of ephemera, artifacts, and irresistible gifts from the universe.

What you see above are the seeds of art for me. Included are;  an old wooden fork, a Christmas ornament that didn’t sell, a wooden arm leftover from a failed assemblage, pieces of “street” glass, buttons, magnetic words and other treasures. The “Victorianish” head pictured is one I cast in Paperclay years ago, using an old metal doll’s head as the positive. I still have the mold, and two other cast heads, so there is potential for making more.  The paper bits are what remains of some antique postcards my dog decided to taste.

I also decided I should limit the time I invest in this project.  After gathering the materials, I’m thinking 2 hours is reasonable. Wish me luck. I will post my finished piece here when it’s done. FAFDet here I come…

If there are other artists reading this who have done a Free Art Friday artwork,  I would love to hear about your process.

Posted in art, clay, Found object art, gratitude, Inspiration, Michigan Art | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Free Art Friday?

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Babs

Where have I been? I just stumbled on this art movement that has been happening around the world for several years now. It’s called Free Art Friday. There are variations on the theme. It begins when artists create a painting, sketch, sculpture or installation and leave it in a public place. The piece can then be picked up by anyone who can keep it as their own. Finders are encouraged to use email, Facebook or Twitter to connect with the artist, post a photo and tell them how and where they found it.  A quick internet search lead me to this blog connected to The Portsmouth Creative Movement in the UK. They say that My dog sighs has been doing this since 2006.

Sara Frey of Skidmore Studios in Detroit decided to start Free Art Friday in Detroit (FAFDet) after experiencing it in Atlanta. The Detroit version encourages artists to post a photo on their Facebook page and give clues, kind of like a scavenger hunt, to where it can be found. Frey is quoted saying that this type of fun initiative meshes with their studios vision to “promote creativity, celebrate art in all its forms and encourage people to explore the city.”

I was the happy recipient of free art once.  Artist friends called it”Random Act of Art.” They would leave small pieces of art; greeting cards or artist trading cards, in public, as an act of gratitude. This Psychology Today article talks about it.  What happened to me was slightly different.  We were out of the country in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2009. We were staying in Bled, but made the trip to Ljubljana for the Sunday Flea Market. We had just parked the car and began walking along the river. The market runs between the Triple Bridge and Cobbler Bridge.  It was a beautiful blue sky day and the market was bustling with buyers and sellers.  I was headed for the first table, which I could see had some small religious statuary, framed paintings, books, jewelry and I was eager to see what else. This woman, about my age, intercepted me.  I wasn’t sure what she was up to, but before I could say anything she handed me this tiny plastic package. Inside was this sweet embroidered heart. She spoke english, and said that she had decided to give a gift of art to a random person she encountered at the market. You would have thought I had been selected won the lottery. It was such a delightful experience, which was enhanced by a warm feeling of being welcomed as a stranger in my mother’s ancestral home.

Below are photos of me and the Free Art.

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Having been a recipient, I’m trying to figure out how I can participate. Does this concept match my goals as an artist? So much of what I create is vulnerable to being broken.
I wonder, what do other artists think about this idea?

Posted in Inspiration | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments