A website we love: Spoonflower

"Camping" by Bora

We are always looking for cool new sites for artists.  We just heard about Spoonflower. See it here: http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome
This site allows artists to create images at home that can transferred to high quality commercial fabrics including silks, cottons, or organic blends.  The site is fun, and has a fabric of the week contest.  This week's contest is "camping."

"Camping Crests" by Retrorudolphs 

"Camp Firefly" by Wendy

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KU'S OPEN DRAWING

The fall session for free open figure drawing at KU has started.  The sessions are in room 405 of the Art and Design Building, from 11:00-2:00.  The upcoming dates are Saturdays: 9/22, 10/20, 11/10, and 12/1.  

Iconic Christ Image: Why do we love it?

The "it" story of international art this week comes from Borja, Spain, where 80 year old Celia Jimenez took it upon herself to touch up a fresco by Elias Garcia Martinez of Christ wearing a crown of thorns in the Misericordia church.  The net has embraced the Jimenez image, and it is now an icon.  There is something very memorable about the Jimenez image.  

I think we love this image because it is so child-like and innocent. 
We will not be surprised if the Jimenez painting  lands itself in the prestigious Maryland's Museum of Bad Art someday soon. 

Fresco Before and After

On a crepe

Finding Creative Flow in EIght Easy Steps

Had enough excuses for not getting started with your creative project?  Here are eight strategies that Karen created to help her through her creative anxiety. She presented them last night at Nerd Nite.

1. Realize that you want flow. 

2.  Infinite choices can be paralyzing, stick to your goal. 

3. Clear your mind of chatter. 

4.  Create habits or rituals. 

5.  Do not overanalyze.  Never ask, "Why am I doing this?"

6.  Self deception is a good thing.  Athletes call this "Championship thinking."

7. Know there is a time limit on creative output. 

8. Do not regret the choices you have made.

Stay tuned.  Karen will expand on these ideas and the data to back them in upcoming blog posts!

Based on presentation of Karen Matheis from LFK Nerd Nite on August 8, 2012. 

Nerd Nite on Wednesday

Nerd Nite is this Wednesday.  Travis and his crew have put together what looks to be an interesting night of presentations of "Smarts and Crafts." We even love the poster for this event!

Of course, Nerd Nite always emphasizes the nerdy side of any topic. Admission is free.   Speakers start at 8:00, but get there early; seats tend to fill up at Pachamamas for Nerd Nites. 

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Today we think about Andy Warhol.  August 8 is his birthday!

Grave of Andy Warhol.