It’s raining today in Southern California. This song came on in the car this morning and it went so well with the rainy scenery passing by my window. It’s Dr. Dog’s The Beach from their 2008 album Fate. It’s a live version that is just killer. I’ve been kinda obsessed with this band ever since my good friend lent them to me. (thanx man) Also from the same album, Fate, is The Ark. Totally rainy too. Here is the official video that is pretty trippy too. Kinda has a Pink-Floyd-live-at-pompei vibe to it Hope you dig it too.
I really love the album cover art work for Fate. It was inspired by the photo below. Dig!
It’s been a while since my last smashion fashion post. Too long! Though I probably won’t be able to afford all these lovely things, I know they will make their way down the fashion pipe to the more wallet friendly places I frequent. (or find their way to ebay) Oh joy! I love the bits of leather everywhere & I am smitten by the simple yet ingenuous design of Alexander Wang’s cut out socks…do I see a DIY project for the future?
That’s a lot to take in, I know. I really enjoy checking out the fashion shows. So much goes into creating a new season of offerings. It just blows me away how much these artists produce! Here are a few videos of spring shows that I loved…
There’s just something about working on cardboard…it’s a great texture for pencil & charcoal, the color is perfect for white and it’s pretty tough. I especially love the look of gouache on cardboard. They were made for each other. Here’s a work in progress.
That last image is the whole thing so far. I’m really diggin’ my gouaches and watercolors lately. Vine charcoal is another favorite of mine. Really keeps it loose. Here’s a little music to go with the images.
Because today is my husband’s & nephew’s birthday, I give you an image burst of Aquarius. I have a soft spot for those quirky, strong, and unconventional water bearers. (my best girlfriend is one too)
Here is a little look inside the sketchbook I’ve been using lately. Just a small visit.and a little music to go with, one of my favorite Doors songs ever …before you slip into unconsciousness…
One year ago today, Take A Walk On The Creative Side entered into the world of blogs. It’s been a fun & creative year and I look forward to many more posts! Thanks for reading :)
So, I just recently went to my new & improved local library to get reacquainted and check out the newness. It was very exciting. I set myself up with a new library card & checked out three books. It was a good day.A few days later, still warm & fuzzy from my library excursion, I was reading a blog I follow, eastside bride, and noticed a little badge on her page that read “I pledge to read the printed word” Hmm. That’s cool. So I clicked on the link and quickly added a badge of my very own.Turns out esb & cevd put together this movement. In this day of internet, cell phones, & kindles, this movement is definitely called for. Don’t get me wrong, I love the internet & my phone (i have yet to accept the kindle) but I LOVE print …magazines, books, comic books…you can touch, smell, bookmark, underline, and tear pages out of them.So, my fellow creative souls out there, join the movement, spread the word, and PLEDGE TO READ THE PRINTED WORD. While you’re at it stop by eastside bride and cevdand give em a high five :)images from fashion spot
"I have given the world my songs" From Negro Woman, 1946-7. Color linoleum cut by Elizabeth Catlett
Well, Muse of the Week has been on vacation for quite awhile! What’s up with that? Well, it’s back… ready to thrill! So, while rekindling my romance with my local library (another Muse of the Week entry in itself) I happened upon this book Elizabeth Catlett: In the Image of the People. I snatched it up to learn more about this woman who created these soulful printmaking pieces.
"I have special reservations" from The Negro Woman, 1946-7, linoleum cut by Elizabeth Catlett
Civil Rights Congress, 1950 Linoleum cut by Elizabeth Catlett
Elizabeth Catlett was born in Washington D.C. in 1915, the granddaughter of slaves. In 1940 she was the first student to earn an MFA in sculpture from the University of Iowa. That same year her sculpture, Mother & Child, won first prize at the American Negro Exposition in Chicago.
Left: Catlett's Mother & Child Right: A couple portraits of the artist & her work.
She became an art teacher and found herself challenging southern segregation in some cases. She was determined to be a voice for the African American people and their women. One of her students from Dillard University said this about her … “for the Dillard students Elizabeth Catlett was a commanding and fascinating individual. Although she looked like many traditional ladies of the South, her manner and actions were very different.”
Lovely Twice, lithograph by Elizabeth Catlett
After teaching for a bit, in 1946 as part of a fellowship, she traveled to Mexico to learn more and study the art there. She was inspired by the Mexican muralists and the printmaking graphic design group Taller de Grafica Popular ( People’s Graphic Arts Workshop). She appreciated their skill of direct engagement with the experiences of ordinary people and their deliberate accessible style. The artist there were creating an identity for the liberal Mexican. All these elements were inspiring to Catlett as she was trying to connect the public to the experiences of the African American woman.
"My reward has been bars between me and the rest of my land" from The Negro Woman, linoleum cut by Elizabeth Catlett
After her stay in Mexico, she returned to the U.S. Soon after, she returned to Mexico to take up permanent residence. The fear of communism was starting to make it’s mark on the U.S. Fearing complications, she left. It was around this time she produced the series The Negro Woman. It consists of 15 linoleum cuts with an accompanying narrative. Here is the narrative… (the numbers refer to the piece that goes with it)
(1) I am the Negro woman. (2) I have always worked hard in America. (3) In the fields. (4) In other folks’ homes. (5) I have given the world my songs. (6) In Sojourner Truth I fought for the rights of women as well as Negroes. (7) In Harriet Tubman I helped hundreds to freedom. (8) In Phillis Wheatley I proved intellectual equality in the midst of slavery. (9) My role has been important in the struggle to organize the unorganized. (10) I have studied in ever increasing numbers. (11) My reward has been bars between me and the rest of the land. (12) I have special reservations. (13) Special houses. (14) And a special fear for my loved ones. (15) My right is a future of equality with other Americans.
"I am the Negro Woman" from The Negro Woman, linoleum cut by Elizabeth Catlett
"My right is a future of equality with other Americans" from The Negro Woman, linoleum cut by Elizabeth Catlett
She became a mexican citizen. She taught sculpture at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and retired in 1975, she continues to be active in the Cuernavaca, Mexico art community. She is 94. What an amazing woman! What a tough time to be a woman artist as well as being an African American. I find her images haunting and powerful. Her lines range from complex to stark simplicity, always being utilized thoughtfully. I’m so glad I found her in the library. Learn more about her here. Or this book as well. She has many more works in sculpture and lithography out there, so look her up! I am so inspired by her images and her story, I hope you are too. Have a creative day & remember to see the beauty all around you :)
