Collaging-Kristen

It has been too long!

2006-12-13T15:15:00.000-08:00

One thing I HAVE done since I commited to keeping a blog, is WRITE in my journal everyday....it has done wonders for me personally, creatively and mostly for my spiritual development. My goal is to continue and commit to my artistic journey and 'make the turns' where and when needed. Acknowledge and appreciate the valleys and be humble and grateful for the peaks.....

This all may seem a bit 'cryptic' but then, when most of your comments are spam about auto insurance, does it really matter? By the way Geico, Progressive and WHAT EVER OTHER SCHLEPPER decides to post their wares.....why don't you click on my link and bid on some art! ;))

“The Mother Artist” according to the 1890’s edition of “Vivilore” is the mother who masters everything revolving around the home. She cooked feasts (three times a day of course!), sewed couture-like garments for her family, and kept an impeccable home….All while being the mentor and inspirational mother and the beautiful, dutiful, and loving wife. Over 100 years later, the ‘mom’ has come a long way! Today, she is still all these things as well as a genuine artist in the true sense, using all her spare time to creating art and enriching her spirit! ;)

available

later this evening.

Rambling to myself

2006-10-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

I’m so wimpy about cold weather…..it’s about 30 degrees for the high in Indy and it’s upper 50’s here in Charlotte….and I’m STILL freezing my tush off! :P

I’ve meant to blog over the past couple of days but the days have really flown by since last Wednesday.

I have to start with my thoughts on the finale of PR….I was really pleasantly surprised with the ending. I was not really rooting for Jeffrey (the winner) at all, but ended up being pretty happy for him. When the runway shows were finally televised, it was Uli that I was swept away by!…..Her style was really refined but with her sense of whimsy and flare for color. I thought I would have been rooting for Laura but it really was kind of a let down….mind you I’d wear her stuff in a minute….but in the spirit of what Project Runway is about “finding the new American fashion designer” her pieces were awesome, but they were not totally innovative. Michael, was a complete let down….but he’s still going to be a huge success. Anyway, those are my thoughts. I’m counting the days til the next season is here….but I have a feeling that will be a loooong way aways. Now, I’m stuck with America’s Next Top Model for my fashion inspiration.

Last weekend was kind of a bust in that we were supposed to go to the Martinsville race with pit and garage passes, but our connection fell through….I guess you have to be approved by NASCAR 14 days in advance of the race to have those kinds of credentials….they even do some sort of a background check for security purposes ala life after 9-eleven. I’m not a huge NASCAR fan myself, but going to Martinsville, Virginia would have been a fun experience!

So, instead we did some mini road trips around rural Charlotte and ran into another LAME flea market. What the heck is up with this state??? I thought for sure I would run into junk yard heaven here because of all the farmland and old homes around. UGH….that’s one thing I’m missing about Indy is my old thrift store, junk store and flea market haunts!

I doodled a lot too and ended up creating something in the ACEO format I liked enough to put up for

auction

tonight. I had a hard time putting a title to it….hopefully this one will sell for a higher amount than the last one! I’m beginning to wonder how I’m going to pull off being a full time artist….

Beehive Yourself! (C'mon! You know you want one!)

2006-10-18T19:13:00.000-07:00

After having the Project Runway Marathon on for the past 12 HOURS, I was inspired to create some of my fashion art. No real connection to the show and beehives by the way.

If you watch the show, who the heck is going to win??? Who do you want to win??

:))

(btw, 'make it work!!!)

For Inspiration.....

2006-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Really wet and rainy today here…..hard to get inspired in such dreery weather…..so instead of telling you about how UN-inspired I was, I went through all of my favorite photographers and artists images and made one of those Flickr collages…..I selected them by color….reds into oranges into violets into deep blues into darkness.

After spending sometime looking at all the variety and colors, I forgot all about the rain and went back up to the studio to work!

As a courtesy to these talented people, here are the titles they gave to these fabulous images:

First Row, Left to Right: GIRASOLE*, OBTAINABLE THERMONUCLEAR SUCTION, Sullen,
She doesn't look back., and THE HORSE NEIGH

Second Row, Left to Right: West, brotherly love, veggies, SUGAR PLUM GARY****** ;)) bon bon* LOOP*, and Living in Rome

Third Row, Left to Right: the yellow crown, Created by Nik! http://www.flickr.com/photos/cargo/, Angels*Sky ( For My Dear Friends..), Created by Nik! http://www.flickr.com/photos/cargo/, and THE CYCLIST

Fourth Row, Left to Right: A pillar of night, Untitled, Story, Blue souls, and peacocks caged

Fifth Row, Left to Right: Crystal Weather, Ricardo Wang, broadway, Cover Your Springy Heart In The Apple Of Your Eye, For It May Become A Saggar-like Creature [Piece 2], and misery is a butterfly..... part 2

And, a list of the URLs….be sure and check these pieces and other great works of theirs:

REDS (First Row)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/delphines/197882903/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/83543381@N00/195041710/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/venusthemuse/162028594/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allisonbee59/175361548/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-casado/87589964/

ORANGES (Second Row)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leannetv/260145769/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rehuxley/221042390/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redleppard/222668569/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/billywarhol/145038922/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gdominici/31955899/

VIOLETS (Third Row)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fouramjava/219030769/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85571665@N00/244595168/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/delphines/247314421/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85571665@N00/244595168/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-casado/220198547/

BLUES (Fourth Row)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/16357080@N00/222808155/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ck3/223505940/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carolinebacher/197825500/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magic_fly/194701804/

DARK BLUES BLACK (Fifth Row)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bfelice/176730058/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magic_fly/220958213/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deadair/104458722/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/didrooglie/270599419/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/derricksphotos/166048632/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deeplydubbed/116353717/

Anyone Missing a Button?

2006-10-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

Being true to my word about blogging every day, here I am!

Mondays, even if they’re a holiday they are always so, well, “so-so”; and it ALWAYS takes me twice as much coffee to get anything done!

“Anywho” (as my dear Grandma would say!) Since I’m working from home now, I have kinda designated “Mondays” for house-cleaning, literally and figuratively. You know do more of the annoying organizational things than anything else. Like, for example, collect all those buttons I had scattered everywhere and finally put them up on ebay

As much as I love buttons, I never end up using them because they are so precious!….especially the teeny tiny bone ones with the four holes! I have the same problem with beads too….I could have a whole room dedicated to beads and buttons, but I just will never ever have the heart to use them.

So, when the drawers, boxes and jars of these goodies just get too full, I let them go to someone who’ll actually use them!…..Bye-bye little buttons, may you button up something beautiful!

Let's go on a hike!

2006-10-15T16:44:00.000-07:00

What is going ON with me??? I'm on this huge kick of exploring anything and everything here in my new state. It's like I can't get enough of it. I dragged my boyfriend Mike bright and early this morning to see what this nature preserve was like near our place. Ended up that it was a "nature preserve under design---DO NOT TRESPASS!" So, what do we do? We trespass!

There was a trail that outlined the treeline along this clearing so we walked along it.....looking here and there at the trees...occassionally we'd here something strange in the trees...Mike kinda was spooked because he thought we'd eventually get chased by some farmer who actually owned the land or some serial killer that decided to hide out there. It was pretty funny because here we were in broad daylight and any little rustling sound that wasn't caused by our feet made us look this way and that! I just kept wanting to walk and see what was around the next bend....but we finally decided to head back.

I was actually ok with it, because my hangover from too many Heinekens was starting to kick in....such the nature girl, eh?

For the first time in a LOOOONG time I decided to put up some art....it's an ACEO I call "Somewhere, Someday"....a tiny ode and oath to going to Europe Summer 2008. A Flickr friend mentioned that Vienna was a great place to visit, especially to go see the Hundertwasser architecture. Anyway, here's what I did today....I usually don't finish art in a single sitting, but this one just flowed!

It's up for auction now. If you're interested click HERE

:))

Presence in the Moment

2006-10-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

Unfolding on a new morning in the unfoldedness...spiritual lives...orientation....souls need...happy acceptance...get somewhere...place of now...western culture...orientation...the loneliness...the sadness...the avoided...the meaning of being human...experience the now and allowing...patience...cultural conspiracies...degress...permission to be where you are...there can be some joy found in sadness...dream of a rock and a daffodil...resonance...simple...image...emerge...connection...deep inside the soul...allowing the images to speak to you...freedom of flying...paying attention to the soul for clues...pretection...retreat...the power of now...surround and surrender...love and life...themes...concrete courtyards...majestic...national strength...quote...matix...eight...quote...twenty two...worry about where something is going...healing gardens...expand and explore...synonymy...stimuli...reach out...hummingbirds and butterflies...contrary...express the essence...freedom...autonomy...blessings...respect...society...exclusivity...discovery of self...humanity ownership...depth...modesty...respect...alluring...sensuous...share...trails of connectivity...paths towards peace...seaching for sanctity...validity of self...journey journal...grace and gratitude...new hearts and old souls...numbers...6 knots...one year and a half...chosen...learning...nature made...hurdling allowances...expressive...dance vocabulary...critics...graceful...amazing...survival...realization...reaching out...discovering spiritual journeys...somewhere along the way...locations...projection...thoughts...sensory...relationships...one more time...work in progress...versus the destination.

Just a couple of thoughts.

New Neighborhoods

2006-10-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

After going to a 'holler' and back (if you're in the south, ya know what a holler is.....it's a huge area like a hole that's filled with these gorgeous weed like plants....basically good for nothing land).....don't you just LOVE how I act all southern now ;)....like I know the lingo?)....anyway, I digressed.......

I have had a HELL of a time getting on line and getting the computer to jive with Cable internet access....for all the hurdles, I have to say it is a lot faster....and hope it keeps up!

I'll start off this eve by just saying it is HEAVEN to be in Charlotte....it really is beautiful here....the hills, mountains, the PEOPLE, little towns are just so much better than what I was hoping for!

We ended up renting a townhouse in an area just north of downtown, and south of Lake Norman in Birkdale Village in Huntersville.....there are a ton of great cafes, restaurants, little shops all walking distance.....there's even this little pond near by where this lone blue heron resides with a gang of Geese.....

I have also decided to become a full time artist! A big risk but I have I hopes that I can "make it work" (thanks Tim Gunn!).....I'm giving myself about six months to do what I can to ensure that I deserve to become a real artist.

I think there have been some signs/prayers answered because the first weekend we got here, we ran into the Mooresville Artist Guild....and they were accepting art for their Fall Juried Show....I ended up entering two....mostly so that I could become a member and get involved in an artist community....well, last Friday was the Opening for the show and ceremony....and to my surprise, one of my pieces came in third! I was sooo happy because I really took that to mean that I need to go for it now....

Anyway, I could go on and on about my recent adventures, but instead....I'm going to write EVERYDAY......I have a feeling I won't be short of inspiration in my new town!

:))

Back, but just for a sec!

2006-10-02T18:30:00.000-07:00

I'm finally back on line temporarily as I use my boyfriend's laptop from work....hoping to be totally online and ready to update the blog and check out what has been happening in my cyber-neighborhood.

LOVE LOVE LOVE North Carolina...I've journalled a lot and will share some of my thoughts from my first week here. The weather is sunny (I can't believe it's October here, I would say it feels more like April!), the people are super friendly, and the overall scenery in Charlotte is sooo beautiful....everything I expected and more!

I can't wait to share everything....

Until then, I really look forward to catching up with all my artfriend's blogs and see what everyone is up to!

Hugs! Kristen

Embarking on a New Adventure!

2006-09-22T06:39:00.000-07:00

This is an ATC I call "New Adventures"....created and inspired for my new adventure and long awaited move to Charlotte, North Carolina.

Today is UGH moving day....(you're jealous, I know!)....and
we'll be hitting the road tomorrow early....not sure when we'll have access to the internet after then....but hopefully mid week or so.

If you're interested in this Artist Trading Card, email me and when I'm back on line we'll exchange some art!

:)) Ciao for now......! (shhh, don't tell if I sneak back on line! :P)

Juggling Time

2006-09-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

As much as I see lots of potential in this blog.....I really struggle with keeping it up as much as I do my Flickr image blog.

On Flickr, you have all these groups you can relate to...here it's like the blog is just out there in space....

Anyways....I returned last week from Laguna Beach for my grandmother's funeral....and let me tell you...as sad of a day that was, it was also one of the most special in my life. It was really a special week for me and my family. My dad and aunt (her two children) you could tell were really sad...but you have to know them...they are very strong and will always use humor to hide everything. I think it was one of their most difficult moments...but I was really proud of them.

I still have photos I have not developed from LB from last Thanksgiving (isn't that LAME??) It's one of those disposables, so I'm never really excited to see how blurry everything turns out....or see one of my fingers in the photos! :P

The image here I posted is one of my latest mixed media pieces...I call this "Charlotte Tweed"....it is getting f'n cold here in Indy....topping 60 during the day and bottoming to 40's at night. Uggggh....Mike says it was 84 in Charlotte.

ONLY 3 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!

Vanity Reigns with a Paper Crown

2006-08-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

I think it was complete coincidence that when I was finishing up this piece that there was one of those cheezy made-for-tv movies on the late beloved Diana on! She by no means was vain...but I did think of the analogy of using paper to compare and describe crowns. I rather think that she would have readily crumpled her crown to just be a normal beautiful woman and mother.

Anyway, I used up my very last chunky slab of wood and this is what I created....I did buy some canvas paper, but I think I'm addicted to working on wood. It allows me to do all the sanding, painting, collaging, and then sanding and distressing and the integrity of the base remains unchanged.

When I tried my process on the canvas paper, it all literally came apart! Ugh, what a disappointment.

I personally would rather invest and build my collection of Golden acrylic paints and mediums....so I don't really have enough in my art budget to keep buying canvases, but probably in the long run that's the way to go.

Any suggestions?

Crimson Resplendence!

2006-08-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

She always knew how to light up a room....when she went to the swanky Slipstream Lounge she lathered herself in crimson.Art processes...This is a mixed media collage on a chunky recycled wood block (approx. 5.5 x 5.5 inches). The background is a layering effect that I used frequently in my collages which is a process of using layers and layers of vintage text from old dictionaries, foreign language books etc. I layer them in a criss-cross pattern and then sand off the layers until I'm happy with the resulting depth effects I am looking for. I then use a variety of acrylic paints and ink for the background and distress the heck out of that. When I'm happy with the background I find a muse for image transferring sand that and then add my own detailing and colors to her. And voila!

Hope you enjoy!

Goodbye Grandma! I will miss you!

2006-08-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

I just received a call that she passed, thank God in her sleep.

She was 95 and still the most beautiful woman I ever knew. She was the matriarch of my family, she was my rock. She never understood why in the world I would leave southern California (Newport Beach, no less) for cold places like Chicago and eventually Indy. Whenever I saw her or spoke to her, I would say that she was one of the few people I thought of or was reminded of EVERY day. She would smile, but I think with the miles apart she doubted me....

I think now she knows that I do and always will.

Thanks for letting me share.

"Follow Me to Nowhere; Lose Me When You Get There"

2006-08-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

I'm no 'wordsmith' to be sure.....but what I wrote here is exactly how I've been feeling with regards to art and inspiration. After doing that art show a few weeks ago...my mind is really blank.

From where I sit
From where I stand
The perspective is unclear
The journey I tread on is a knife's edge
All my colors and creativity elude
Like sand through my fingers
Where have you gone?
My soul aches, my heart waits
For your return
Was it you, was it me?
Did I watch too much TV? (*)
OUTBOUND:INBOUND:SIDEWAYS:CROSSWAYS....
The path still goes nowhere
But in circles
Follow me to nowhere;
Lose me when we get there
For a torment of time
My mind has no allegiance to my brush
I see what I want
But lose you in an instant
Ramble on for the time is now
To release the grasp of the elusive one
Sit tight, till the time is right
Try as I might, I'll not fight
The Elusive One this night

(*)::: The portion/lines "Was it you? Was it me? Did I watch too much TV?" are lines/verses from Pink Floyd's "The Final Cut"

Inspirations

2006-08-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

This is a collage on chunky wood I created a while back for my boyfriend's mom this year, which I would say is inspired by one of my favorite artists! If you are familiar with Teesha Moore and her use of vibrant colors, brilliant sense of whimsy and provocative journalling, you are probably also a fan....if you are unfamiliar with her....check out her blog and sink into the decadence of her art.

tee's spree's: how I spent my summer

No art today :(....

2006-08-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

We did manage to get all of our annoying 'moving' chores done though! I also cleaned out the computer and deleted all my old art and uploaded it on flickr.

These were from an altered book I created I titled "Women of Destiny".

It's really interesting to run into art done a year ago and compare it to current works.

Tonight we're going to have some cocktails at our corner bar....then take a walk and see where the road leads us.

:)

Little House of Dreams

2006-08-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

I've had strange dreams all week....nothing scary, nothing with impending doom....just strange places kinds of dreams. Places I have either been before, or places I have dreamt of before. There's always a house.....and there is always an oceanside. Sometimes there are these fabulous clothes....in gorgeous jewel colors and extravagent fabrics. The styles are unknown to me....it's much more about the textiles.

The house always has a million little ornate rooms....hallways that bend and the lighting is very minimal.

Any dream analysis people out there who can tell me what this all means??

;)

More later.....hopefully I can finish some art today....This collage I included was an altered book page I did a loooong time ago...It seemed to fit for today.

"Her Beauty, Her Weapon" by Kristen Peterson

2006-08-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

This is a mixed media collage on a 5.5inch by 5.5 inch chunky wood block. I used these great vintage NRA target practice sheets for the images in the foreground. The woman is someone I found in an Italian Vogue a long time ago.

The background is composed of over 4 layers of image transferring and acrylic washes. Sometimes its the back ground that gives me the most difficult problems......But when I added the ascending circles, it was like magic.

To blog or not to blog.....

2006-08-18T16:06:00.000-07:00

I say, Blog! Baby!

This one, I promise I'll be dedicated to....Collaging Kristen will be about my ups and downs as a mixed media artist.

I am primarily self taught and find most of my inspiration from fashion, pop culture, my own surroundings and music.

More on me later.....just wanted to start this thing and see where it will take me!