Meaningful Moments in Art

This is a piece I created in a class last November. It's created from an old hinge, a polymer transfer image of my maternal grandparents when they dated (they are wearing ice skates!) and my late grandmother's ring. I love how the rusty hinge symbolizes their important role in our lives and how the ring is centered in front - when it's hanging, you almost have to see through the ring's circle to see them which reminds me of their eternal bond of love.

Another Nana piece, this one was for myself. I had been inspired by the dolls I'd seen at the class I was at, though that wasn't the focus of the class - it was really a jewelery making class, but I obviously strayed! I got home and pulled out all my stored and hidden bits from her collections and compiled a piece that maybe only I am drawn to. The substrate is a piece of driftwood from the shores of Lake Michigan where we camped together when I was a child. The matriarchal crown was cut from a cookie tin she gave me years ago. Then there are bits of her old sewing kit (thimble heels, measuring tape skirt with old buttons), The white of the skirt is a journal entry from her camping journal from 1972 when I was just a little girl. It includes all the things we did that day together and a side note that I spent 17 days camping with them. I love it!

Wine Bottle Art

Here are a few of the wine bottle art pieces that were commissioned by our Chamber of Commerce for their annual dinner. Students from the High School Art Club were asked to help create 11 of the 30 bottles that were used in 2010 and at the recent 2011 dinner. Each one was inspired or themed according to the label or the bottle shape so no two were alike. I loved each one!

Felted Christmas Ornaments

These are a few of the felted ornaments I made for my nieces and nephews. The size of the snowmen are about 3 inches.

Ok, so these aren't recycled, well, I guess the sheep that provided the wool might think otherwise. I can't help but make mini felted critters - they are so fun! These are just a few of the ones I haven't given away, yet.

A few years back I made all of the Winnie the Pooh characters for my newborn nephew. Wish I had a picture to share.

I'm learning that working with wool is like painting or drawing, except easier and more forgiving. And way more of a sensory experience (especially when you poke yourself with the needle!).

Nativity Scene

Well, this is the first post on my blog. Welcome!

I thought it might be nice to document some of the art I've found myself working on and share it with whomever is interested. I have so many whims with the materials we have at Messes & Masterpieces, my art is a reflection of whatever I'm experimenting with at the time.

My most recent piece is this nativity scene. I'm really happy with how well it turned out. It was my first experience using the materials I used.

This nativity scene is 5 x 5 feet made with 4 sheets of the strongest plexiglass. Sandwiched between the plexi are pieces of colored vellum cut in shapes and layered to detail and emphasize the trim on the robes, etc. It's backlit with 2 floodlights.

Thanks to the NR Parks Dept. for giving us the opportunity to temporarily replace the very old ceramic nativity that has traditionally sat on that corner for years!

We hope you like it!