Making Stuff Since 2003

My Art-o-mat video

2009-03-12T05:31:00.001-07:00

Hi Friends, I just wanted to share with you the video I made after sending in my most recent Art-o-mat series.

Illinois State Museum Seeks Artists

2009-03-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

The Illinois State Museum's Illinois Artisans Program is seeking the best artists in the state, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Artists and artisans in all media are invited to apply for the program.

Juried members of the program are able to market their work through sales galleries in Chicago and Rend Lake and through museum stores in Springfield and Lewistown, the release said. There are currently more than 1,600 artists in the program.

Artists must live and work in Illinois and must submit an application, artist statement, resume, self-addressed stamped envelope, six to 10 digital images and a $20 application fee to the Illinois State Museum Society. Submissions must be received by March 28.

For more information or an application visit www.museum.state.il.us/artisans or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Illinois Artisans Program, James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 2-200, Chicago, IL 60601.

{Source: http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2009/03/09/82554979/index.xml)

Printsy Interview with Erin Nolan

2009-02-23T17:26:00.000-08:00

I was honored to have been asked to do an interview forPrintsy.com: Printmakers of Etsy. Here is a link.

Barenforum.org

2009-01-11T19:17:00.001-08:00

I just found this website for woodblock print artists and thought I would pass the word along. It has an excellent "mall" for purchasing quality, traditional barens, papers, carving supplies, and pigments. Below is a partial listing and the links included in their website. A GREAT RESOURCE!

Women Works Art Show

2008-12-26T19:12:00.000-08:00

Short Notice! Enter TODAY!
Here is the link
Women’s Works™ is a juried fine art exhibit presented annually by the Northwest Area Arts Council (naac). The show, which coincides with Women’s History Month, has become a much anticipated event in northern Illinois. It is our goal to focus on women artists of North America. We provide an opportunity which showcases the creative efforts of women artists.

21st Anniversary Exhibit of Fine Art by Women – Exhibition takes place at the Old Court House Arts Center on the Historic Town Square in Woodstock, Illinois.

The strength of the show is in you and your participation. Women’s Works has become a much anticipated area event, and the Gala Night Opening Reception sees an excess of 500 people filling the galleries. The show enjoys excellent media coverage and exposure. Along with the Opening Reception, numerous other events are held at The Old Court House Arts Center during the exhibition. Concurrent with this, our Twenty First Anniversary Women’s Works is the Twelfth Annual Little Women’s Works featuring (and nurturing) the artistic achievements of young women. Information on that event is available separately. Please visit the naac web site at www.naac4art.org.

Jump for Art!

2008-12-17T12:52:00.000-08:00

Jumping in Art museums seems like a very Makers thing to do.

knitting graffiti

2008-11-26T22:48:00.000-08:00

A few meetings back we were talking about knitting graffiti. The above picture is one I took while in chicago, it is right outside of the art institute.
Here is a comprehensive post someone put together of knitting graffiti.
Would anyone from the group like to organize a knitting graffiti mission?

Introducing The Makers Flickr Gallery

2008-08-26T04:44:00.000-07:00

Hey! We now have a gallery soley for The Makers Art Group Members! Please feel free to post your finished work at http://www.flickr.com/groups/themakersartgroup/. This way we are able to present ourselves to potential gallerys, shows, etc. as a group. Think of it as an online group portfolio. Thanks!

MORE CALL TO ENTRIES!!!

2008-08-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

11th Annual Fields Project Residency Program (Posted: 7/22/08) -- Oregon, IL - 9 Day Residency Program, 11th Annual Fields Project in the heart of the Midwest, June 20-28, 2009. Plein Air painters, Photographers, Field Sculptors, Two/Three-dimensional artists. Recipients will create artwork inspired by our scenic Rock River Valley Landscapes while experiencing rural life residing with a working farm family, bringing art and agriculture together. Prospectus online at www.FieldsProject.com. Deadline: March 15, 2009. Email: FieldsProject@yahoo.com

"8-Inch Miniature Competition 2009" (Posted: 8/21/08) -- Fontbonne University Fine Art Gallery announces a call to artists for the "8-Inch Miniature Competition 2009", held February 6 - 28, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. Cash awards. Must be 18 years or older. Open to all 2D and 3D work, except photography and digital media. Work not to exceed 8 inches in any direction. Juried by slide or cd. $15 for first entry, $10 for additional entry. Deadline: November 14, 2008. For more information, visit http://www.fontbonne.edu/gallery or send a SASE to: Fontbonne University Fine Art Gallery, 6800 Wydown Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105. Questions? Please contact Lenda Baxter-Simonic at lbaxter-simonic@fontbonne.edu or call (314) 889-1431.

INTERNATIONAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
Palatine, Illinois
Deadline: September 30, 2008
Posted: 6/20/08

Exhibit Dates: November 18 - December 30, 2008
Title: Life's Unique Journey
Sponsor: Northwest Cultural Council
Venue: Northwest Cultural Council, 500 N. Hicks Rd., #120, Palatine, IL 60067
Awards: 4 Cash awards and 4 Honorable Mention Ribbons
Juror: TBA
Eligibility: Open to artists 18 years of age and older. All works must be original and completed in the past 5 years. All media except performance, film, and video are eligible. No work may exceed 48" in any direction, or 70 lbs. in weight
Fees: $25/up to 3 slides
Commission:25% commission on sales
Send SASE to:Northwest Cultural Council, 500 N. Hicks Rd., #120, Palatine, IL 60067-3604
E-mail:Kathy Umlauf
Phone:847-991-7966
Website:http://northwestculturalcouncil.org
Prospectus: http://northwestculturalcouncil.org

Call for Entries: Contemporary Printmaking

2008-08-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

"Contemporary Printmaking" call for entries (Posted: 8/21/08)The Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center in Cincinnati, Ohio announces a call to artists for "Contemporary Printmaking", December 12, 2008 - January 9, 2009. Juried by a committee of professional and academic advisors. $10 per work submitted. Deadline: November 7, 2008. For prospectus, visit http://www.manifestgallery.org/print. Questions? Contact Jason Franz at jason@manifestgallery.org or call 513-861-3638.

Call for Entries: Small PRINT Exhibition

2008-08-25T21:09:00.000-07:00

"Small Print Exhibition" (Posted: 8/13/08) -- The University of Wisconsin Parkside announces a call to artists for its "Small Print Exhibition", January 18 - February 19, 2009. All original print mediums from US artists, including monoprints. Maximum 18 height, width, or depth. Juror: Doug DeVinny. Work due November 7, 2008. $24 for up to three entries. For prospectus send SASE to: Doug DeVinny, Parkside National Small Print Exhibition, Art Department, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI 53141 or call (262) 595-2581. E-mail: devinny@uwp.edu or go to www.uwp.edu/departments/art/.

Call for Entries: 5x5x5 Small Works Exhibition

2008-08-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

5x5x5: Small Works Juried Exhibition" (Posted: 7/16/08) -- The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA announces a call to artists for the "5x5x5: Small Works Juried Exhibition", held December 11- January 11, 2009 at the Target Gallery. Open to all artists nationally and internationally working in any media. There is a strict stipulation that the work must fit within the parameters of five inches in any direction (all framed work must not exceed five inches in any direction). Juror: Elaine Levin. Deadline: October 1, 2008. $35 for three entries. Download prospectus (PDF format) or send a SASE to: Target Gallery, 5x5x5 Prospectus, 105 N. Union St. Alexandria, VA 22314. Questions? Contact Mary Cook at targetgallery@torpedofactory.org or call 703-838-4565x4.

Call for Entries: Emerge Art Zine

2008-08-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

emerge - call for art (Posted: 6/16/08) -- Looking for exposure? emerge is an art zine designed to connect emerging Midwest artists with galleries in the region. Distributed quarterly to over 100 Midwest galleries, emerge features six artists per issue, each hand selected by a rotation of guest jurors. Chosen artists receive an entire color spread, complete with several images of recent work, their show history and a Q&A section where they discuss the ideas behind their art. Visit us online at http://www.sarahearle.com/links.php?43353 to see why emerge is a powerful exposure tool for any serious studio artist in the Midwest. Deadline: September 1, 2008. $12 for 3-10 images. Questions? Contact Sarah Earle at emergeartzine@yahoo.com

Call for Entries: National Art Premiere - Elmhurst, IL

2008-08-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

NATIONAL CALL FOR ENTRIES
Elmhurst, Illinois
Deadline: October 31, 2008
Posted: 8/19/08

Exhibit Dates: February 14 - March 18, 2009
Title: National Art Premiere 2009
Sponsor: Elmhurst Artists' Guild
Venue: EAG Gallery in the Elmhurst Art Museum
Awards: $3000
Juror: Olga Stefan
Eligibility: All styles of artwork, 2-D and 3-D excluding film and video.
Fees: $30/3 images
Commission: 40% of sales price
Send SASE to:
National Art Premiere 2009; 150 Cottage Hill Ave.; Elmhurst, IL 60126
E-mail: NationalArtPremiere@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.elmhurstartistsguild.org
Prospectus: http://www.elmhurstartistsguild.org

Huskies on Parade

2008-08-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that if you wanted to see the dogs in person, the "Taliesan" Huskie will be located in downtown Sycamore, Illinois during September and October, 2008. Thanks!

FREE CLASSES TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS

2008-07-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

The Small Business Administration has FREE online classes for starting your own business including: Business Planning, Business Management, Finance and Accounting, Marketing and Advertising, Small Business Retirement, and Federal Tax Training. Here is the link.

STARTING A BUSINESS IN ILLINOIS

2008-07-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

"So, you want to start a business of your own? We've assembled information from across state government to help you get your business up and running. From developing your business plan to registering your business, these links will help explain what resources are available and what your responsibilities are as a new business owner. If you still need help, feel free to ask us a question."

http://business.illinois.gov/starting.cfm

DOOR COUNTY CALL FOR ARTWORK

2008-07-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

Deadline: September 1
Knock: Arts & Literature journal is currently seeking submissions of poetry, fiction, non-fiction,
painting, drawing, journal entries, songs, prints, rants, haikus, and whatever else has been eating
away your time...please visit Knock Magazine for more information, submission
guidelines and previous submissions, and share this with anyone who might be interested!

Submission Information. For a stepping off point, the loose theme for issue 6, is Neverland and Peter Pan. The feeling of delayed maturity and sustained paradise in Door County is something that many residents, new-residents, and even visitors have dealt with now and again, within themselves or with others. Are you a lostboy or lostgirl? Chasing a shadow? Still trying to concentrate on that happy thought? Write, muse, paint, draw about it, and share it with us.

CALL TO ARTISTS, ENTRY FEES

2008-07-18T21:25:00.000-07:00

As shown at: Art Calendar Magazine, July/August 2008. I've narrowed down some of the Call for entries to our members' interests and color-coded them for easy access. Hope everyone finds this helpful!

Al: BLUE

Robyn: GREEN

Erin: BROWN

Elinor: RED

DEADLINE AUGUST 1

DESTRUCT/CONSTRUCT. NATIONAL JURIED ART EXHIBIT. Sept.12 – Oct.10. Awards: $500.00/1st; $350.00/2nd; $150.00/3rd.Open to US artists 18+. Entry Fee: $25/3 slides or jpeg,CD format. $15 handling fee for shipped work.30% donation to gallery appreciated. Juror:Gregg Hertlieb, director/curator of Brauer Museum of Art, Valparaiso, IN. Prospectus: Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto St, Chicago Heights, IL 60411, www.unionstreetgallery.org .

DEADLINE AUGUST 1

“FIBER ART” JURIED SHOW. PRAIRIE STATE COLLEGE. Oct 14 – Nov 11. Open to artists in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, & Wisconsin, 21+ years. Cash awards. Fine Art. Entry fee: $20/4 images. 20% commission. Prospectus and entry form: SASE to Christopher Art Gallery, Prairie State College, 202 S. Halstead St, Chicago, Heights, IL 60411 or www.prairiestate.edu/artgallery .

DEADLINE AUGUST 1

SEPTEMBER JURIED EXHIBITION. DAC Gallery. September 2 – 30, 2008. Open to all artists worldwide, 18 and older, not currently represented by CAS working in all 2D media. Three winners will be chosen to take part in a group exhibition at DAC Gallery in 2009. Juror: Allen Terrell, Program Manager, who has been curating shows for over 15 years and oversees three art centers in the Los Angeles area. Entry fee: $35 for 1-3 pieces, $45 for 4-5 pieces. Artists may send color printouts or a CD via mail or images via e-mail. 40% of the selling price will be retained by DAC Gallery. Prospectus: SASE to 828 S. Main St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 or download application form at www.dacgallery.com .

DEADLINE AUGUST 14TH

ANNUAL ALTERNATIVE PROCESSES JURIED COMPETITION. Soho Photo Gallery. November 6 – 29, 2008. Cash awards. Open to US residents 18. Photography Media: Alternative processes including (but not limited to) cyanotype, Van Dyke, platinum/palladium, Polaroid© transfer. $40/5 entries. 20% commission. Juror: Dan Estabrook, artist- photographer. Prospectus: SASE to Alt. Processes, Soho Photo Gallery, 15 White St., NYC, NY 10013, www.sohophoto.com , mbfranklin@earthlink.com .

DEADLINE AUGUST 8

THE PERFECT FIT: SHOES TELL STORIES. Fuller Craft Museum. June 6, 2009- January 3, 2010. Starting in February, 2010, the exhibition will travel to exhibition venues around the country. Open to all US artists working in any craft medium. This exhibition will explore how shoes can tell stories, addressing topics such as gender, history, sexuality, race, class, and culture. Artists looking to apply for this opportunity should review the recent and upcoming exhibitions at Fuller Craft to understand the mission of the museum (e.g. we do not exhibit photography, paintings, or prints, and our focus is contemporary craft). Objects made in 2006 or later by artists working in the United States will be considered. Any size is possible. Any craft medium is possible. Any extraordinary concept is possible. If accepted, artists will be responsible for all incoming shipping, crating and transportation costs. Entry fee: $10. Apply online only at: www.fullercraft.org .

DEADLINE AUGUST 15

MIDNIGHT OILS. Mills Pond House Gallery invites artists to submit works ranging from the macabre to the whimsical. We are looking for works that celebrate the awesome power of art as a spiritual instrument that helps man transcend its primeval fear of death and of the unknown. Juror: Alain Khadem. The juror is not interested in works that are gratuitously gory, but is looking instead for works that have an added dimension and portray frightening subject matters in a philosophic, romantic, or humorous light. Download prospectus from www.stacarts.org/exhibits or e-mail HalloweenArt@stacarts.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 2

UPSTAIRS/DOWNSTAIRS: A FINE CRAFT EXHIBITION AND BOUTIQUE AT THE PEN AND BRUSH GALLERIES. Oct. 9 – Nov. 2, 2008. Open to all women artists working in decorative and wearable fiber, jewelry, glass, wood, metal, enamel work, ceramics and sculpture. Entry fee: $50/3 images. 25% commission. Juror: Joanna Rothbard, owner of American Craftsman Galleries, NYC. Prospectus and info: www.penandbrush.org or SASE to CRAFT, Pen and Brush, 16 E. 10th Street, New York, NY 10002, or e-mail: info@penandbrush.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 4

SMALL WONDERS JURIED EXHIBITION. Maryland Federation of Art. Dec. 2 – 27, 2008. $15,000 in cash awards. Open to US residents. Media: any 2 or 3D work following size guidelines. (slides or digital) Entry fee: $25/1-2 entries; $5/ea.add’l up to 6 total. 30% commission. Juror: Diane DiSalvo, Curator & Director of Cultural programs at Villa Julie College. Prospectus: SASE to MFA, Small Wonders Dept AC, PO Box 1866, Annapolis, Md. 21404, www.mdfedart.org , or info@mdfedart.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 8

THE ARMORY ART CENTER invites all artists in all media to submit recent work produced after 2006 to be juried for October 17 to November 8, 2008 exhibition. 35 mm slides or CDs allowed for submission. Fees: $35 for 1-5 slides/images; $5 for each additional slide/image. Jury winner will have their work exhibited. All work must be for sale. for more information, details and entry form please e-mail Michelle.Nichols@armoryart.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 15

ONLINE OPEN INT’L ACRYLIC JURIED SHOW. International Society of Acrylic Painters. Opens November 14, 2008. Open to all artists 18 years and older with using 80% acrylic painting on any surface. Juror: John Cogan, landscape and wildlife painter. Entry fee: $25 for 2 images for ISAP members; $35 for 2 images for non-members. 15% donation appreciated for work sold during the online show. Prospectus: download at www.isaponline.com .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 15

ALLIED ARTISTS OF AMERICA 95TH ANNUAL NATIONAL EXHIBITION. Nov 13 – Dec 2, 2008 at the National Arts Club Galleries, NYC. $22,000.00 in awards in cash and medals. Open to all artists. Media: Oil, watermedia, pastel, graphics, sculpture. Slide or jpeg accepted. Prospectus: SASE to Rhonda Yanow, 19 Springtown Rd , White House Station, NJ 08889 or www.alliedartistsofamerica.org .

DEADLINE SEPTEMBER 15

SEEING THE LAND 2008. Juried Show. University of Indianapolis Dept of Art & Design. November 10 – December 5, 2008. Cash Awards; Three merit cash prizes. All media. Open to all artists residing in IN, OH, KY, IL, and MI. Entry fee: $20/2 works of art. No commission. Juried by the faculty of the Dept of Art & Design. Prospectus: SASE to University of Indianapolis Dept of Art & Design, 1400 Hanna Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46227, 317-788-3253.

DEADLINE SEPEMBER 30

LIFE’S UNIQUE JOURNEY. 5TH Annual International Juried Exhibition. Northwest Cultural Council. Nov 18 – Dec 30. Cash and ribbon awards. Open to artists 18+ worldwide. All media, except performance, film and video. Entry fee: $25/3 slides. 25% commission. Jurors TBA. Prospectus: SASE to Northwest Cultural Council, 500 N. Hicks Rd, Suite 120, Palatine, IL 60067-3604, northwestculturalcouncil.org , 847-991-7966.

DEADLINE OCTOBER 3

BEYOND PRINTMAKING. JURIED EXHIBITION. Texas Tech. January 2009. All media including time based and installation. Include statement of concept ’beyond printmaking’. Original works by artists 18+. $25/3 entries. $5/ea.two add’l. Juror: Holly Morrison, Virginia Commonwealth University. Notification October 31, 2008. Details, prospectus available online at www.landmarkarts.org or send SASE to Beyond Printmaking, TTU School of Art, Box 42081, Lubbock, TX 79409.

Rockford Midwestern

2008-07-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Al for showing in the Rockford Midwestern show at the Rockford Art Museum. We are all very proud of him.

WEEEEEEEE!

2008-06-04T17:07:00.000-07:00

I wanted to congratulate Makers Erin and Elinor on their brand new studio space!

Resin Video

2008-06-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

Since we were talking about working with resin at our last meeting, here
are some links for a series of videos on working with resin.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
I wish I could find out where he buys his rings. I've had this plan in mind for years for doing collage pieces in silver rings with resin, but other than forming the rings individually I can't execute my idea. His rings are exactly what I've been looking for, for years. I've searched high and low on the internet, in catalogs (like rio grande) and the closest I've come to finding something like that was actually in a craft store. Unfortunately, it was all decorative and ornate, and I'm looking for plain, basic and simple. I imagine his ring blanks have to be purchased in bulk because he sells the finished pieces for $16, and their just silver plated (which is fine by me). So, if anyone has any idea where they might be able to attain a similar ring blank, please leave a comment. Thanks.
Oh, and while we're speaking of working with resin, my friend Rosa made this cool youtube video where she shows how she makes some of her artwork.

Sketch Tuesday

2008-04-25T03:29:00.000-07:00

I'm completely inspired by this video I just saw on youtube. This group has organized an event called Sketch Tuesday in San Fransisco.

"Sketch Tuesday is a monthly live drawing event at (a local) gallery. It takes place a certain tuesday each month. It's where artists come and draw live, or sketch and when the work is done they hang it up and it's available for sale, for very little prices."

Wouldn't this be a wonderful project for The Makers to propose to some of the local galleries? We could promote this to KVAL, NIU and the Kish Art depatments for a call to artists. We could inform the local newspapers and radios and they could spread the word to both artists and buyers. I just think it would be a great addition to DeKalb. I have a vision of local artists bringing minimal supplies, and the tables and chairs are provided by the gallery or a group. Afterward the artists just tack up the artwork like in the video and people from the community are able to purchase affordable artwork. In my mind the gallery would hopefully do it in an interest to get people into, and become familiar with the gallery, not as a direct money making venture. People could be encouraged to bring appetizers and even wine, etc. so that buyers and the artsists could snack and shmooze. The pieces would need to be made that evening. In the video it sounds like it is an invite only group. I'm not opposed to the group being open to all artists, depending on how big it got.

I'm excited. We'll talk more about it tonight.

-robyn (robayre.com)

REMINDER:

2008-04-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

The 04.25.08 meeting will be held at Kishwaukee Community College in the art room at 7:00pm where Natalie will be demonstrating her metalwork skills. Come earlier to join the college in celebrating it's 40th anniversary!

Polaroid Week

2008-04-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

Today is the beginning of Polaroid Week. Everyone can join in on taking a picture and posting it daily here on the 'Roid Week 08 group on flickr.

This is my picture for Monday. Today was the first time I've ever taken Theo outside and let her be on the ground/grass. I've always been too afraid that she would get startled and run away, get attacked by some animal seeing her, or get a tick or fleas or something in the grass. She seemed very curious and I could just imagine what she was thinking..."What is this weird place where the ground is made entirely of food?"
-Robyn (robayre.com/news)