Day 7 - 365/2014

Day Seven

If you thought you heard a triumphant "ta-daaaaaaa!!!" off in the distance somewhere, it was me!  (I know...that should be "I" but it doesn't sound right).  I have conquered that wall space in my main studio -- ha ha!

Now to fill it up!  I want this space to be for collected series and a few pieces from a collaboration from my personal Art-o-mat collection.

I needed to put magnets on the back of some blocks before I could hang them.

Here are the Woodie Anderson "Wood | Play" series 1 & 2 -- the pieces I was able to collect, that is.  I love, love, LOVE Woodie's work -- in addition to this series, I have a number of her "Spam" (collapsible fine art prints -- that I need to think of a way to display) a bunch of her "Hankie Pankie" (limited edition fine art prints on cloth), and one of her full-size (as in non-Art-o-mat) pillows.

Kettle is another artist I found through Art-o-mat.  I love his work, too.  It turned out that he liked my Animal People.  We did a collaboration of his painting with my collage elements and called it "KT Goodlove" (K+T for Kettle and Took, and the last name is a favorite teacher of his...I think that's how it went).  Kettle would paint the blocks first and leave me some room and then send them to me to add my stuff to and then I would send the completed series to Artists in Cellophane...headquarters of Art-o-mat.

Many times Kettle used to do a multi-block set within the series he sent in to AIC.   As a collector of Art-o-mat art, this is really cool...but also really frustrating...how could you possibly be able to know that you were getting a part of a multi-block set when you pull the machine handle...and how could you know if you'd gotten the whole set.  I mean, most of the parts can stand alone but when you look at them (if they are not together in their set) a character can have half a face, or a cloud will be cut off, etc.   But that is where being a machine host comes in really handy -- Carol used to let me know when there were multi-block sets and I could sometimes grab them.  But if Carol wasn't the person packing an art order for me I wouldn't know about it.  In any case -- I adore Kettle's artwork and I have really enjoyed the collaborations with him.  I was lucky enough to be able to meet Kettle and Woodie at a couple of Art-o-mat anniversary swap meets.

So here are some examples of Kettle multi-block sets...  I also put a few of the KT Goodlove blocks in this display...I have a few more to add magnets to.

Here is an example of a complete multi-block set by Kettle (I know this one is complete because they are numbered on the back).  I will have to display these on a different surface so they can stack like this.

I think this one and the next one might be complete but I'm not sure.

Here are some examples of the KT Goodlove collaboration...Kettle's painting and my collage elements.  It was a great series and we did several editions.  It was quite a challenge for me at first to try and work around his characters because I didn't want to cover them up...then I got the hang of making tracing paper masks and cutting my guys to fit so they'd look like they were either in front of or in back of a Kettle guy.

I also loved the blocks that had conversation elements where you weren't sure exactly which guy was saying what.

Sometimes I masked in the background (if Kettle had left it unpainted)...this is pink tissue paper cut to fit around his robot.

There were even a couple of two-block sets that Kettle and I did for KT Goodlove...but I snatched them up.  This is another example of a masked in paper background...it was butcher paper that caught the overspray from alcohol inks and water that I was using on another project...I couldn't throw it away.

Man -- it feels SO good to have these pieces from my collection on display.  AND it is really satisfying that I was able to conquer that stupid wall!!!  I still have a whole lot of Art-o-mat art from my collection to unpack and display.

365 Day 165

PLENTY to keep me busy!

I need to get down to work -- I have quite a bit to do! Two Art-o-mat series and plaster cloth pieces for a couple of upcoming local shows that I hope to submit work for.



These are the Penciled In blocks (for Art-o-mat) that I have to finish off. I transfer my images onto the small blocks and Juana Moore brings them to life with incredible color combinations. Now I need to paint the edges of the blocks, finish making the little hangers for the backs and print out the labels. We made 100 blocks this time!










Yep, more Kettle-y goodness! Kettle (John Soukup) and I team up for the Art-o-mat series called KT Goodlove. Kettle paints his characters (lots of pickles, girls, and rabbits) on the blocks then I add my collage elements. There are 50 of these to do.










These are 9 plaster cloth guys I am working on for the Small(er) show at the Detroit Artists Market. I hope I get the majority of them done in time for the submissions deadline!

KT Goodlove 199 and 200

We are more than what we seem.

KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. These are the last two blocks in this set -- #199 and #200.

On some of the blocks I make a reverse mask of Kettle's image and add in things to the backgrounds. For this collage I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors.

And look what it is, it's two more of those worms/snakes coming up out of those holes again. These two blocks actually fit together with block #196 and seemed to make a triptych but I couldn't get the combined collage to work over three blocks, plus I think that #196 works well as a stand alone. Another reason for making two blocks and then a separate one is that cutting a reverse mask that would fit over three blocks would have been pretty tricky. It was challenging enough with two.

Anyway...in person this collage looks kind of space-y. (To me) It looks like they are sitting on a planet surface and that cat girl better be careful not to lean back too far or she will fall off and go floating in Space forever.

And these blocks complete this set of KT Goodlove for Art-o-mat. Tomorrow I will ship them off to Artists in Cellophane for distribution to Art-o-mat machines across the country! I wonder where they will end up?

KT Goodlove 198

I'm a French duke.


KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #198.

On some of the blocks I make a reverse mask of Kettle's image and add in things to the backgrounds. For this collage I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors. In person it sort of looks like there is a pathway winding through the picture.

The phrase is a reference to Vince Noir in The Mighty Boosh.

KT Goodlove 197

I seem to have run out of vodka.


KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #197.

On some of the blocks I make a reverse mask of Kettle's image and add in things to the backgrounds. For this collage I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors because I just wanted a dreamier background.

365 Day 37 -- KT Goodlove 196

What freakin' language are you speaking?


KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #196.

On some of the blocks I make a reverse mask of Kettle's image and add in things to the backgrounds. For this collage I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors because I wanted to see if I could get a bush and sky feel without adding an actual bush or sky. I like it.

I also like how I can't decide if it is the dog man or the snake/worm guy asking the question. (I always think of these characters that come out of the holes as snakes...but I suppose they might be worms.)

KT Goodlove 195

If you see Tony, you let me know.

I don't remember where the sentence comes from. It was not The Sopranos. It cracks me up looking at the collage and trying to figure out who is speaking. And perhaps Tony is a creature who is invisible sometimes, and sometimes you can see him. Yes, I am easily entertained!

KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #195.

KT Goodlove 194

No? Well, you're clearly the expert on these things.

I was going to put in something for the cat girl to be pointing at or waving her baton at, directing...but I decided it looked better without something else there. Also, it allows the viewer to fill in the story.

I'm also crazy about how well the head matches what the body is doing.

This is another one of those characters that is painted in that fantastic beyond-Barbie semi-metallic intensely pink paint. Maybe I will go back and take a detail shot at another time if I can get the color right with the camera. My scanner -- and camera -- just refuse to "see" this incredible shad of pink like it really is.

UPDATE: I just added two detail shots -- the color is almost right.

KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #194.

KT Goodlove 193

He's comin' right at us!

I couldn't resist coloring in the star. I know it doesn't match the cat girl's eyes, but it is close (in person). I like the colors in this collage. I also like the intense look on her face.


KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #193.

KT Goodlove 192

We like dancing & we look divine.

This is yet another beyond-Barbie-semi-metallic intensely pink painted guy that just won't show up correctly on my scanner. Oh, and I left the background the color that it is because it pretty much matches the cat guy's eye color.

KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #192.

KT Goodlove 190

I know...isn't this wicked?

This collage has all the things going on that I love the most with the KT Goodlove series. The animal person's eye color matches the background color of the block and you can't really tell who is talking -- the cat girl or the rabbit -- maybe both.



KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #190.

KT Goodlove 189

come with us now on a journey through time & space



KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #189.

This is a block where Kettle left the background unfinished, so I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors. I made a reverse mask of the cloud and fit my altered paper onto the block.

This is also one of those collages where my scanner does not pick up the true beyond-Barbie pink of the cloud. The paint also has a metallic element to it (not glitter). The actual intense pink is closer to the color of the cat girl's top than what shows up in the scan...it is really a great color.

The text comes from the opening of the British television show The Mighty Boosh.

KT Goodlove 188

Your clock is six minutes fast.



KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #188.

On some of the blocks I make a reverse mask of Kettle's image and add in things to the backgrounds. For this collage I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors because I needed to change the color of the plain painted background in order to get more to look at without additional cut paper elements to overcrowd the piece.

KT Goodlove 187

I'm burning with indifference.


KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #187.

KT Goodlove 186

I barely made it here.

KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #186.

On some of the blocks I make a reverse mask of Kettle's image and add in things to the backgrounds. For this collage I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors because I needed to change the color of the plain painted background in order to make the cat girl's eyes blend in with the background color(s).

365 Day 36 -- KT Goodlove 185

well, I don't know what to tell you



KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #185.

On some of the blocks I make a reverse mask of Kettle's image and add in things to the backgrounds. For this collage I used a piece of butcher/deli paper that I colored with alcohol inks and watercolors because I needed to change the color of the plain painted background in order to make the cat man pop a little more.

365 Day 35 -- KT Goodlove 184

The tulips were placed in this collage to cover a portion of the cat girl that had copy from the magazine in a circle over her body. You can still sort of see the very edge of blue to the right of that one tulip and underneath the right bottom edge of the flower.

I chose not to put any text on this collage because there was already a lot going on...both story-wise and visually.

KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #184.

KT Goodlove 183

Woah.

KT Goodlove is the collaborative collage series that Kettle and I make for Art-o-mat. Kettle paints on the block and then I add my paper bits. This is #183.