The Blank Page

Michael's art is in the news!

2009-12-28T18:31:00.000-08:00

My new friend Melissa Clement is an arts writer for our local newspaper, The Fayetteville Observer. She saw my art on display at Greg's gallery and asked me for an interview for her column. You can read it here.

I am very thankful to Melissa and The Observer for the chance of being featured in the local art section.

The Keeper of Bees

2009-12-26T10:41:00.000-08:00

The Keeper of Bees is an assemblage shrine piece that I made this week. Tombstones, altars, shrines have always been fascinating to me. This piece has an old saw blade, and some wood scrollwork painted antique white with a plaster cast of an old baby doll face, a rusted washer, a plaster cast star all mounted on some old barn wood. This piece is available at Greg's Downtown Pottery and Gifts.

Skateboard Graphics

2009-12-21T17:53:00.001-08:00

My friend Terry has opened a skate shop here in Fayetteville called DaVille. I have designed a deck and a wheel set for the shop. I always thought it would be cool to design skateboard graphics. I can't wait to design another one.

Sardine Can Shrine

2009-12-21T17:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a sardine can shrine inspired by the work of Michael DeMeng. I decided to go with an antique white monochromatic color scheme instead of the usual dark, rusty color palette normally associated with these types of assemblages.

Barn Wood Angels

2009-12-21T17:42:00.001-08:00

Here are some of my latest creations. Barn Wood Angels.

Just a few more...

2009-11-18T08:51:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more I forgot to upload. The one at the top was sold this past weekend at our annual Bohemian Festival. I really liked the way that one turned out, so don't be surprised to see some more!

New Art Doll Assemblages

2009-11-18T08:27:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a long time since my last post so I thought I should upload some images of my latest creations. I have always enjoyed the creepy doll imagery so I thought I would give it a go myself. These creatures can be found at Greg's Downtown Art & Pottery here in Fayetteville. My Etsy store is empty at the moment but I hope to have some new items ready next week...and if you know of anyone getting rid of some cool junk..hollerrrrr!!!!

Wood Art Tile Collage

2009-08-26T11:27:00.001-07:00

Here is another wood tile collage. I am really digging these. I think I like the british flag tile the best.

Wood Art Tile Collage

2009-08-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

While browsing the vast array of craft blogs the other day I came upon the work of Karen Michel. The wood collages she makes are so cool. I was inspired by her work so I decided to try and make my own. Here is the result. (click on image to view larger)

New Works

2009-07-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some pics of my latest projects. The quality is not so great because I took these pictures at our Art from the other side of the tracks show which was held last Friday. We will be doing the second installment this Friday. We will be "coinciding" with the Arts Councils 4th Friday event so let's hope we have a nice turnout.

I have to give thanks to my friends Christina Cole and Sam Guin for putting this show together so quickly. Everyone had a great night sales wise and we made a lot of good contacts. Also a big thanks to The Dead Kat Zombies for the music and to The Fayetteville Feed for a great write up.

Okay, I'm off to create more stuff for the show...peace out homies!

Far out, man

2009-06-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some cards that I finished yesterday. Some are shabby, some are groovy! I have started to just make my own chipboard style embellishments. I will make some shapes in Illustrator, print them out on cardstock, cut them out for stencils, and then just trace onto whatever papaer I may be using. It doesn't take that much longer and I'm not using the same stuff everyone else is. Yay, Individualism!!

Self Portrait in Paper

2009-06-18T12:55:00.001-07:00

Here's a silly little project I did today. Basically just some cut up grunged up papers in the shape of my head. I think this could be a good idea, but I'm not happy with the paper selection. I need to work on that.

New Cards

2009-06-17T17:48:00.000-07:00

Here are two new cards for my Etsy site. The first is called "Love Hurts" and, well I believe it's pretty self explanatory. You know, boy meets girl, girl dumps boy, boy sobs on like a pathetic wretch, thoughts of suicide ensue...perhaps a slight xanax overdose just for a good scare...I mean, come on, we've all been there haven't we???....haven't we?

The next card is a Thank You card for a friend of mine. Well, actually it's my moms friend from work. Anyways, she hooked me up with some cool papers, so I of course had to make her a thank you card with them. I think it looks pretty damn dope-a-licious. I hope she likes it.

Two New Retro Style Cards

2009-06-11T14:48:00.001-07:00

Today I have 2 new retro styled cards. I am using clippings from vintage album covers that I get from the thrift store. I love looking at those records because they always have some advertising about "the new stereophonic sound" that we spoiled little brats have always taken for granted. I couldn't imagine having to listen to the sound of a record coming out of a single big ass horn-shaped thing. I mean, like, how did DJ's mix on those things anyways??? I can't see Grandmaster Flash cutting it up on the hand-cranked 78prm Victrola, can you?....well, maybe.

Papers: We R Memory Keepers
Inks: Distress ink from Ranger
Other: stitching, distressing, collaged album covers, chipboard
Size: "Sing Along" 5.25"x3.75", "True Stereo" 4"x6"

Father's Day Card

2009-06-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

The top card is a Father's Day card I made for my dad. It says "Happy Father's Day" on the inside. I hope he likes it. I'm sure he will because his wonderful, caring, thoughtful, and loving son made it for him. I'm just awesome like that, what can i say? LOL. I got the idea of using a stencil "D" from a card I saw by Melissa Phillips. I have to admit that her work has a major influence on the cards I design. Somehow I stumbled across her website and I was floored by her card creations. They were so freaking amazing that I had to try to start making my own. So, muchos kudos to Melissa for the inspiration.

The bottom card is a "Just because" card. It says "Just because" on the inside. These are the first cards I have made with proper "sentiments" on the inside. I need to make more of these.

Both of the cards employ the usual suspects...Papers by K&Co., Bezzill, Flowers by Prima, Distress Inks, stitching, layering, and all that jazz.

Retrophonic

2009-06-04T08:11:00.001-07:00

This card is titled "Retrophonic". Some vintage retro style stripes and circles with collaged embellishments.

Paper: K&Co., and dot pattern from Michael's
Other: Chipboard flower from K&Co., collage vintage album cover clippings, painted chipboard buttons from Making Memories (I think), ribbon, and stitching.

Groovy, baby...yeah!

Vintage Album Cover Card

2009-06-03T15:22:00.000-07:00

I was about to go to bed last night and I was looking at this huge box of my old DJ vinyl when I had the idea of making a card from an old vintage album cover. Now I'm sure I'm not the first to have this fan-freekin-tastic idea, but I will pat myself on the back anyways. So, I went to the Goodwill and grabbed a couple of old crusty dusty Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass records to experiment with. What I was really looking for was some cool colors and maybe a good image of a chic from the 50's or 60's...but it was a bust, no such luck. So, I just cut up one of the album covers, painted over it with some white paint and used that as my base for the card.

Paper: Vintage album cover, floral print from K&Co.
Inks: Peeled Paint Distress Ink from Ranger.
Other: Paper ribbon from K&Co., flower from K&Co., button, twine, stitching, and collaged cut out from the album cover with some stuff about music on it...cool.

Love Will Tear Us Apart....The Remix!

2009-06-03T15:04:00.001-07:00

I decided to remix this design and clean it up a little. This card is like so ridiculous..I would have to charge like $10 for it cos there is so much stuff all over it...it's crazy. Let's break it down.

Size: 5x6
Paper: Green, Black harlequin pattern, Black glitter, Black and grey canvas print
Stamp: Embossed black ink swirly thing
Other: Grunge letters from Ranger, Button, Twine, Heart Charm, My own paperclay heart wrapped in red wire, Flower from Prima, decoupaged lettering printed off my compy,and some bitchin' stitchin.
Inks: Tea Dye Distress Ink from Ranger.

The inside has a black notebook style page to write on with your glitter gel pen about how sad and depressed you are about breaking up with your significant other.

Vintage Flower Card

2009-06-03T09:28:00.001-07:00

This card is titled "Vintage Flower"...whatever that means. I am pretty pleased with this one I think. The new sewing machine makes a world of difference. The paper is from K&C0., the "vinatge" flower is from Prima, the other little button flower is from someone that I can't remember. I made the gold distress button myself out of paper clay and a stamp from HeroArts. And of course, some twine and ribbon.

Pink Damask Skull Greeting Card

2009-06-01T15:31:00.000-07:00

I made a skull shaped stencil and painted white around it on pink damask print cardstock, roughed it up a bit with some sandpaper, added some rather sloppy stitching (I need more practice), buttons, and flowers for eyes. Attached all that to a vintage floral print cardstock, tied on the ribbon and boo-yow...finito.

Just For You.

2009-06-01T08:32:00.001-07:00

This is a set of four cards titled "Just for you". For some reason this card was a nightmare. I was completely at a loss as to what to do to it. Everything I tried just didn't seem right....until I tried a new technique. Well, new to me anyways. The flourish stamped image was made by stamping with evaporated milk...I know, gross huh? You take a blank white or cream or light colored card, brush or dip your stamp in the milk and stamp the card. Then take your heat gun and dry it, not too much, just let it bubble for a second...you don't want it to get too brown. Then take your inks and dab or spray over the card, then immediately wipe it off...instant total bad ass image. I used a combo of Ranger Distress "Peeled Paint" with a spritz of Tsukineko Walnut Ink. The image may be a little sticky...so just lightly brush with baby powder and it's all good in the hood, baby!

I found this technique in an old copy of Somerset Studio magazine...So, it's not like I made some great discovery on my own! LOL

My New Toy

2009-05-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is my "new" vintage JCPenney Stretch Stitch sewing machine (model no. 6940). I found it on Craigslist for $35....can't beat that. I was using a piece of crap Brother machine that finally gave out. It was old anyways. My Aunt let me take my great grandmothers Sears Kenmore machine, probably from like the 50's or something, but that thing requires way too much restoration and I'm in it for a quick fix. So, off to Craigslist where I found this beauty. The machine seems pretty solid and has lots of crazy features that I may never use, but I thought it was a good deal. I'm only using it to sew on my greeting cards but I would like to learn more about sewing. Plushies and hoodies are projects I have in mind for the future. I wouldn't mind learning how to make bikini's too......yeah.....bikinis! :)

Star Greeting Card

2009-05-28T13:55:00.001-07:00

I just finished this one. I guess I like it allright...I think. This card took almost 4 hours to make, from choosing paper to deciding on layout etc. I really enjoy making these cards but I don't see how anyone can really make any money designing these things. After materials cost you are barely making $1 an hour. I guess the way to do it is to come up with maybe 4 or 5 designs and then be able to duplicate them at a quicker rate. Then while you are selling those, come up with new designs. I would like to knock heads with someone who actually makes a decent living selling cards or crafts to gain some knowledge on how to make my art work for me. Know anybody???

Musique Greeting Card

2009-05-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

A new music themed card titled "Musique". This card has music notes , cool skull flowers and is blank inside. I am trying to go for a vintage style with slightly dark undertones. I am slowly learning better techniques to make my cards more "professional". Hopefully soon I will be satisfied enough with my quality that I will be able to start selling these cards.

Sweet Love

2009-05-22T11:49:00.001-07:00

Here is my second greeting card titled "Sweet Love".

My emo/goth greeting card

2009-05-21T10:12:00.001-07:00

Here is my first attempt at a handmade greeting card.

Various Beauty Spot email blast designs

2009-03-07T15:24:00.000-08:00

An assortment of email blast designs from The Beauty Spot.

Illuma Minerals Make-up

2009-03-07T15:08:00.000-08:00

Display Signage for Illuma Minerals Makeup.