The Bronx welcomes Monet. The exhibit runs through October 21, so if you are in New York get thee to the Bronx
Happy birthday
28 Jan 2012 Leave a comment
It is said that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. I came across a book about Mr. Pollock and his art last year. Reading if from cover to cover I made up my mind that I was going to make art, for me, not for anyone else but because I always wanted to. And since last winter I have, and the walls in my small Bronx apartment shows the proof.
Happy birthday Jackson Pollock
Drinking wine make art
25 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
I am seriously thinking of opening an etsy shop. I’ve been arranging and compiling all of the crafts objects I have in my very small New York apartment. I’m not sure if anyone will be interested in buying anything that I make but it’s worth a try. And if I don’t try I’ll never know and following that train of thought I’ll never know if I’ll succeed.
Thinking about why I haven’t done this sooner, as from my previous post I don’t have the space or the time to work the way I’d like. I love bottles in any form, and keep them even with no space, which my kitchen can contest to. They sit on the windowsill, across the back of the table on top of the hutch and I’m going to have to remove the beautiful dried flower arrangement I have there to make room. So while thinking what I wanted to do with all these bottles? Low and behold thanks to pinterst I got some ideas. As I’ve said I live in a very small New York apartment and spray painting the bottles would mean I’d have to make a decision about how to do this. I can open the windows in my place and hope I don’t pass out from the fumes. Or I can do the project in the hall way of the building, and hope know one else passes out from the fumes. If it was a bit warmer I would take them outside and do it, but then the problem becomes how I get them back into my place without messing up the paint, and there’s the other part. The bottles will need more than one coat of paint; do I sit outside and wait for them to dry?
As I’m writing this I’m getting the idea that I might be able to use what some may call the New Yorker’s backyard. Yep, I may be able to do this on my fire escape, and pray know one has their window open, but at least if they pass out they will be in the comfort of their own home.
Decision, decision.
Damn you Pinterest
11 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
I’m Raven and I’m an addict.
I am more crafty then It appears here on this blog and have been for as long as I can remember. I’ve been teased by the people I love and love me for loving Martha Stewart. Even though I know she has a legion of people who craft for her, oh how I wish I had minion like her, but alas it’s just me. Recently a co-worker and I have been ragging on the crafters and the craft blogs we read. “But Rave, you’re a crafter how could you?” You ask while clutching your paper beaded necklace with matching bracelet. Well I can and do, there are times when I come across blogs and marvel over the work they do with envy, and then I read their about page. Most if not all are from stay at home moms, now before anyone gets their made from scratch cookie dough in a bunch I respect and admire stay at home moms, it’s a rough job. Now I don’t want to get off on a rant, but if you’re familiar with the term the second shift, you’ll know where I’m going.
Before my children were grown I as a young mother up at 6am breakfast then dressed them for day care then off to work. I worked a 9 to 5, or a 10 to 6 depending on my shift, afterwards pick up the kids, prepare diner, hubby comes home make him a plate while clean up and bathing the little darlings. If you failed to notice the second shift it’s the part where I come home only to be doing a different kind of job. Anyway back to stay at home moms, I’m not knocking their decisions nor, mine but really? Do I have to hear about how after you put Tyler down for his nap, you whipped up a billion felt flowers
just in time for your million Halloween wreaths, then you’re going to save some for the million Christmas wreaths you’re going to whip up afterwards. Get the drift?
Well as if I’m not under enough craft pressure, I’ve been introduced to pinterest, if you don’t know what this site is here’s what the about page has to say:
Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.
Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests. To get started, request an invite.
It’s addictive, and like the person who introduced me I’m willing to introduce you, so wanna sit up most of the night knowing you have to get up and go to work tomorrow but can’t stop browsing pinterst? Ask me, I’ll invite you, which is much faster then waiting for them to get back to you.
Ask me? I dare ya.
Happy carfting, you friendly neighborhood craft dealer.
A wreath by any other name
04 Dec 2011 Leave a comment
I knew I had been doing a lot of painting when a friend came by my place and said “wow, so you’re serious about painting huh?” Yeah my wall space is filling up. Like most things artistic with my mind I got an idea about crocheting a wreath and if you don’t know me, well here is what happened.
Crochet wreath
Crochet wreaths
Book wreaths
I call this one The Adams family wreath
Made from toilet paper tubes
All of these are on display in a public library. So I guess I’m having a art showing.
Freedom of the weekend
23 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in Art
My apartment is starting to look like an art gallery. It’s amazing what how I can just sit and paint what’s in my head when I don’t have to work on Saturdays. The smaller ones I did last month and this month. when I didn’t work the weekend. Cool.
I did this one Saturday, it’s a piece that was a college that I wasn’t really happy with and put it somewhere. While looking for something I came across it and in the spirit of recycling. Came up with this. paper and oil paint on canvas.
This is the start of something that hasn’t worked it’s way out yet.
Yes, I’m an Aquarian
16 Oct 2011 3 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: art
When I was younger I remember telling my mother that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up, which was shot down. I then wanted to be an artist, which was again shot down. But this time I asked why? I can’t remember all of what she said but I do remember her saying. Two things:
1. Artist only make money when their dead, and by then they can’t enjoy it and
2. “You are such and Aquarian.”
I didn’t know what being born in February had to do with anything at the time; looking back I can understand her reasons. She wanted me to do something that would help me in my adult life, like any parent would want for their child. Getting an education and hopefully getting a job that would make my life easier for me, she knew life had a way of, well being life.
Years later when I became a parent and my children came to me with their dream of becoming what they dreamt about; I was determined not to dash their dreams. But like my mother I knew life was not about running through a field of flowers in slow motion. My son wanted to be an astrologer and my daughter wanted to become a chief. So I encouraged them, but I also encouraged them to focus on other things. So while education was focused on, trips to museums, the planetarium and countless cooking programs for children later they were well on their way to be the people they dreamt of so long ago. Pursuing an education at a program at NASA and traveling to Europe. To say that I’m proud is an understatement.
So these many years later I’m doing what I dreamt of doing so long ago. I’m enjoying expressing my art. Writing short stories, crocheting and although I’m no Pollock, Kahlo or O’Keeffe, I am enjoying pursuing painting. So imagine my surprise when I read the headline in the Times on day about De Kooning’s work showing at MoMA, and recognizing the name as an abstract artist, who know one wanted to have anything to do with, but is being herald now that he is dead. I guess my mother was right.
It must be because I’m an Aquarian.
Related articles
- Art Review: ‘De Kooning: A Retrospective’ at MoMA – Review (nytimes.com)
- Leave everything? Or love this life and leave things that suck (writefullymine.wordpress.com)
Harvest Season
05 Oct 2011 Leave a comment
in crafts Tags: Gourd Art, Object-Based Art
Because it’s nice to share during this wonderful season. And because you may know how much I love a decorative gourd check out this great piece. 
Blue
11 Aug 2011 Leave a comment
in other Tags: Visual Art
I’ve wanted to do some art for sometime now, I’ve had some health issues and with that I started to dream what i though was going on inside me. Taking care of my health issue and now recovering I took the opportunity to paint. I’m no Dali, but here’s my first attempt of getting my thoughts on canvas.
Paper and Macy’s
27 Feb 2011 Leave a comment
in rethink
I was passing by Macy’s and had to stop to take some pictures, their window was filled with dresses all made of paper. There’s a reflection but it gives it that NY feel. Okay maybe not. But I love them all the same. 
Leading A Chain Gang 
