Decline and Fall - In the Beginning

A trip to buy beads - diverted.  Just happened upon an antiques store.

Books!  I could use a few "new" books to slice up.  Was I feeling lucky?

Yes.

  

Not much to look at from the outside, but a promising subject.

And another promising subject.

But, most importantly, vintage gray end papers.  Gorgeous vintage gray!  $5 per book.  Two end papers per book.  Worth it.

Now, I needed a project.  And I had certain colors in mind for this gray.

I always know the colors are right when I feel it in my teeth.  Too much contrast or too many jarring colors and to look at it makes my teeth hurt.  But the teeth just felt right with this.  Just enough of a twinge.

Wonders Never Cease

Wonders Never Cease, 20 x 20" mixed media on board ©2012 K. Hambric

Wonders Never Cease is part of an ongoing series of collages.  While the series itself does not have a name, it has a theme.  The ugliness and beauty of nature.  Human enjoyment and fear of nature.  The urbanization and suburbanization of our world.  Human happiness among the chaos.

A new website will be coming soon and will contain all of my new, larger pieces.  I am scouting out appropriate galleries here in Charleston.  I must rewrite my artist statement, bio and other blah blah blah items.  I'm sure that is easy for some, but I do not find it easy to talk about myself or my art.  I've heard about those elevator statements where one must be able to explain their work in the time it takes for an average elevator ride.  Strange how it can take me months to come up with something to say about my world in 20 seconds or less.

Now it is time for coffee and glue.  Hopefully not together.

Destination

Destination II, 12 x 12", collage on board ©2012 Kim Hambric

Thanks everyone for the birthday gift suggestions for my nieces.  Something has been ordered.  (Actually one has shown up and the company neglected to send the second one.  Things must be resolved.)

Hopefully I will see them this weekend.  Typical of people their age, they move often and quickly, so chances are I will miss them.  They no doubt have destinations.  Temporary destinations.  Places to perch for a moment or so.  Bags to pack.  People to see.

I miss those days.  Wondering and planning (a bit) for whatever comes next.  Always on the lookout for the next destination.  Brushing off those pesky roots whenever they begin to emerge.

Living Vicariously

Vicarious Voyage, collage on board, 16x16" ©2012 Kim Hambric

Often (too often), I prefer being a spectator to being a participant.  I am an observer, not an adventurer.    Those messages to get up off of my butt and get out in the world fall on deaf ears.  Maybe, just maybe, when I don't think anyone is watching me, I'll put myself out there.  Briefly.  Not wanting or waiting to be judged.

This piece is now in my Etsy shop.

I wonder if I added the houses to this piece because, after a couple of days away from home, I long to return.  Or, no matter where I go, I always want to see the homes of the natives.  Could be that I'm just obsessed with real estate.

My Favorite Art Tool

Seth Apter has a recent post about artists' favorite tools. That got me to thinking about mine.

My intention is not to get all new-agey here, but to really distill what I'm thinking and doing when I'm creating.

I do love working with all sorts of different materials:  fabric, beads, paint, glue, scissors, paper, etc.

I can't choose a favorite medium; therefore, I can't choose a favorite art tool.  Except for my hands.

When I'm painting, I don't use my eyes to see if paint is dry, I use my hands (often to find out the paint wasn't close to being dry.  I spread glue (and often paint) with my fingers.  It's the best way for me to know if I'm using the right amount.

Did I add enough texture to a piece?  My hands will be able to tell me quickly whether more is needed or if I have gone too far.

There are so many materials I get to touch over the course of a day in the studio.  My fingers tell me what they crave.  Will it be a beading day?  Will gluing satisify me?  Am I hungry for fabric and softness, or do I need to spread paint on boards.  The hands know the answer quicker than the eye.

Today, the hands need to do some typing and affixing price tags onto about 30 pieces ready to go into a new shop.   They are happy enough to do so, but I think they are calling for some glue.  And I think they are craving the feel of my vintage wooden letter stamps.

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Thanks to everyone who responded to my last post.  It is very encouraging to know that there are still bloggers out there, especially ones that actually come here and leave a comment.

Summer in the City

Me, 6 x 6" collage on board, ©2011 Kim Hambric

You, 6 x 6" collage on board, ©2011 Kim Hambric

It's finally hot enough here in central PA to put those window units in.

Also, it's time to put these cool and refreshing pieces in my Etsy shop. Thanks for all of your comments on my previous post.  Just a bit more tweaking to be done on the blog appearance and I (the hubby) will be done.