Treat

Raiders of the Lost Art

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post called Computer Hypnotism, after realizing that I've been personally affected by this phenomena. I've been working so much on the computer that it has become a crutch. It has become easier to use hand and mouse rather than hand and pencil, and this makes it easier to lose one's natural artistic talent. Don't you feel a disconnect when creating on the computer? Doesn't it feel a bit artificial? There's no substitute for hand done illustration.

Frankly, I didn't realize it until my Dad mentioned something about my own work, and it really made me think. Part of what he said helped me to realize that I was forgetting how to draw—which is how I started along the path to design in the first place.

What I decided to do, since I realized that the patience I once had was no longer there, was to start by drawing the objects around me. So, I'm starting slowly, but surely. 

So, Designers/Creatives who have been captivated by the raiders of the lost art, I challenge you too to get away from the computer for a while and go back to the basics. Pull out your pencils, your paintbrushes, your conte crayons, or whatever medium/media you use to use! Take a step away from your computer—actually, go into another room and nurture that natural ability you once had! Afterall, you never know what you might create!

Rafael Lopez

It's been raining in Chicago for the past couple of days, and although the sun comes out, the rain-clouds can tint the sky a bit gray. So, I decided to stay inside and look through some of my design magazines. I was flipping through an old Dynamic Graphics and suddenly stopped when I saw this beautiful flash of color and rich texture. After being mesmerized for a bit, I realized that this was the work of artist Rafael Lopez. His work is absolutely stunning! What I love about it, in addition to the color and rich texture, is the story or message. I see some recurring themes in his work. Flight/Freedom, Growth. Do you see them? What other themes do you see?

He has an impressive bio, creating paintings for Oprah's school in South Africa, a Latino dance stamp for the U.S. postal service, and his Voz Unida was selected to be an official poster by the Obama/Biden campaign at Artists for America.

Check out more of his work at RafaelLopez.com (you'll want to see his murals) and his blog rafaellopezstudio.blogspot.com. Thanks Rafael!

Left:  Dream – Image for Shift Magazine 
Right: Mind Traveler – Painting for Oprah Winfrey and her School in South Africa

Left: El Diseñador
Right: Diversity at work

Left:  Latino Film Festival – Poster for the 2007 Latino Film Festival
Right: Chamber Music Festival – Poster for the 2009 Chamber Music Festival in San Miguel

Left:  Poster for the California Teacher's Association

Arra

Check out the abstract art by Arra. A former graduate of RISD, Arra moved to Los Angeles to work as an Architectural Designer. She combines her interest of Architecture with her passion for photography to create these colorful surreal works of art. You can find her on Etsy Artists of Color or check out her Flickr site to see more of her outstanding work.

Henry Ossawa Tanner

Henry Ossawa Tanner was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1859. His father—a bishop of the African Methodist Episcopalian church—and his mother moved to Philadelphia when Tanner was age nine. Because he was born into a middle class family, it was easier for them to send him to one of the finest art schools of that time, thus becoming the second African American to attend Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Robert Bustill Bowser was the first).
    In the beginning, Tanner's works were mostly landscapes with little detail, but he later painted The Banjo Lesson and The Thankful Poor— paintings which captured realistic moments in the lives of African-Americans during a time when many works portrayed Blacks as uncivilized and negatively comedic.
    Tanner felt that he could not continue his artistic aspirations in the U.S., thus he moved to Paris, France. There, he began painting religioius themes such as Daniel in the Lions Den and The Resurrection of Lazarus, which won him prizes and more recognition. In 1937, Tanner died in his sleep in Paris, France.

For a more detailed biography, click the above links or read this beautifully written article by Sharon Kay Skeel on AmericanHeritage.com.

The Banjo Lesson (credit: Hampton University Museum, Hampton, VA)

The Thankful Poor

Chicago artist Cheryl Holz

I love abstract art. I guess its because my natural talent is detailed and realistic.

"Meet" Cheryl Holz, a Chicago artist who is fascinated by the patterns found in nature and how they mimic each other. As she states, "The veins in our bodies branch like a river delta. Music whirls and spirals like a whelk shell. Stars and galaxies cluster and mirror what is happening on a cellular level." I love that she sees the pattern relationships between two different natural elements. See more of her work by visiting the Chicago Artist's Coalition.

Mary Emma Hawthorne

One of my favorite parts in the design process is collaging. I love to layer images upon images.  creates beautiful paintings with pieces of nostalgia and one of my favorite creatures, birds.

 

Museum of Modern Ice

I had to let you know about this one thing before the weekend. Millenium Park, in downtown Chicago, is featuring the work of Gordon Halloran's work, Paintings Below Zero. This colorful ice installation is 95 feet long and about 12 feet high. Friday, February 29, is the last day the ice paintings will be available to view.

(pictures from Museum of Modern Ice website)

Out Da Trunk Show—Che Woo Design

Creatives! Che Woo Design, in conjunction with Project Osmosis, is looking for people who'd like to set up a table at the Out Da Trunk Show! See more details below:

Out Da Trunk Show
Che Woo Designs
DATE: March 8, 2008
TIME: Doors open to the public from 11am - 7pm
LOCATION: 2941 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60618

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!!!!!!! BOOTH PACKAGES START AT $25!!!!!!!! OPEN TO ALL CREATIVE PEOPLE (Artists, Photographers, Fashion Designers, Indie Brands, DIY, Crafters, Beaders, etc.)
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION @ http://www.chewoodesign.com/outdatrunk

Designers/Artists in Chicago!

Help promote self-esteem in youth as well as giving them a hope for a future in design and the arts. Check out this wonderful volunteer opportunity below.

Project Osmosis Education Mentoring Initiative presents
Express YourSelf-Portrait

The Express YourSelf-Portrait program creates self-esteem by having kids paint a portrait of themselves with the assistance of a professional designer or artist. OSMOSiS volunteers work one-on-one with children to help each of them use the basic principles of design, such as color, line, and shape, to create a large-scale self-portrait.

Saturday, February 2, 2008
Chicago Public Library
West Pullman Branch
830 W. 119th Street
Chicago, IL 60628

 

(click image to view larger)

Volunteers needed! If interested, please contact Lisa at lisam@projectosmosis.org. Must be available from 9:00am until 2pm, Saturday, February 2.

Trace magazine

Trace magazine focuses on transcultural styles and ideas through music, fashion, film, art, and politics. It was established in London in 1996 then moved to New York just two years later. See the cover of the current and past issues below. Click here to check out the Trace magazine blog.

Abbott and Ellwood figurative brooches and sculptures

When venturing over to cuteable blog, I discovered these delightful handprinted figurative brooches and sculptures by Abbott and Ellwood. I like the colorful and whimsical nature of their artwork. Just by looking at them, I can't help but create little stories for each figure.

 

Gentle People Calligraphy

I've always had an interest in other people's penmanship and the artistry that goes into calliagraphy. It's amazing how you can sense the emotion or personality of a character, word, phrase simply by the pen stroke. Check out the calligraphy of Gentle People at http://www.gentlepeople.it/index.html.

Flax Art & Design

These products at Flax Art & Design are so colorful and fun! Check out the broom and dustpan! Aren't the colored pencils at the top right corner cool? And, I love the illustrations on the brushes! These are some great products to inject more color in your day.

 

National Arts and Humanities Month

Did you know that October is National Arts and Humanities month? Support the arts and humanities by creating something to inspire someone else, participating in local arts events, or advocating for the arts on a national level. To learn more about National Arts and Humanities month, go to www.artsusa.org.

Romero Britto

As I was passing by one of the Atlas Galleries on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, I could not miss the colorful and electric artwork of pop icon Romero Britto. I saw these bursts of color and was intrigued! My eyes were like a plant needing water; They couldn't help but soak up long needed color! Check out his website and see a video of him at work! Here are two pieces of his artwork. You do have to see it in person because the color is even more magnetic!