This piece honors all the girls with beaded braids who grew up watching the Williams sisters, finding strength and pride in their grace, power, and unapologetic excellence—both on the court and in the court of public opinion. Venus and Serena embody Black excellence, breaking barriers and redefining what is possible. This artwork is a salute to their legacy and to the generations inspired by their resilience and brilliance.
Crafted from two vintage tennis rackets, African print fabric, paracord, loop yarn, bottle caps, ribbon hair beads, a watch face, acorns, and other ephemera, the work weaves together materials that symbolize both heritage and individuality. The beaded elements evoke the rhythmic sounds of braids on the move, echoing the energy and determination of every young girl daring to see herself in their story.
Exhibiting Artists: Janelle Abbott, Lexi Arrietta, Stacy Bogdonoff, Emily Budd, Rebekah Burgess, Malina Busch, Matt Cohen, Cathy Cooper, Rhonda Donovan, Rosalyn Driscoll, Vincent Frimpong, Kim Garcia, Gina Herrera, Eric Hines, Yasmine Iskander, Bonam Kim, Catherine Mellinger, Clara Nulty, Mari Renwick, Morgane Richer La Fleche, Sarah Rieser, Olga Rudenko, Theda Sandiford, Lauren Dana Smith, Maria Vasconcelos
Join me on Saturday May 21st for two mixed media workshops at the Center for Contemporary Art; 2020 Burnt Mills Rd, Bedminster, NJ 07921
Register for my class online by clicking here or call 908-234-2345.
Joyful Resistance… Create a self-portrait, an autobiographical composition unifying diverse materials to illustrate Joy. Consider what brings you joy and what may be standing in the way of you being joyful. With this as your guide, collect autobiographical images, sketches and textiles for your story that provide context and bring them to the workshop.
Overview:
The visual fusion of diverse materials describes the mixed media process. The juxtaposition of “found” things (recycled fabric and plastic waste), mixed with art materials create visual tension.
We’ll explore diverse materials, memory and the processes used to create rich juxtapositions and powerful compositions.
Mixed Media processes enlist a variety of mediums to bind different papers, fibers, textured and 3D materials & paints together.
Use a mixture of color relationships, shapes and found images to create a figure with abstract pattern and color.
Consider the contrast of complimentary colors; Red/Green, Blue, Orange, Yellow/Violet…
And contrasting shapes: geometric against more organic shapes, rectangles, circles, squares, maps, stamps, music score…
Or the use of meaningful words laser printed in various fonts/sizes layered in the background.
Collage materials are important ingredient for your compositions- Bring a variety of images from different sources (magazines, old books, postcards, photos (laser prints work best in mixed media works).
Checklist:
Personal Objects: Please bring items that are unique to you and will help tell your story. Bring photographs, laser printed images or drawings in pen, pastel, charcoal, colored pencil to be incorporated into larger works.
Materials to Share: Please bring 10-15 scraps of paper, a magazines, fabric, plastic, or other materials to share with other members of our group. Bring things that are interesting, and things that are not so interesting for negative space. Recycle items from your everyday life.
Substrate: We will focus on 2D and 3D compositions. Layering and a denser relief will be demonstrated.
Paper: Please bring whatever paper, old books, torn maps, stamps, paper currency, tissue paper, newspaper, magazines or any other kind of paper that you might like to use. I use a lot of tissue paper to layer and obscure images.
Acrylic Paints: If you want special colors bring it with you.
Brushes: Please bring brushes. They do not need to be expensive. Two Home Depot 1”flat and 2” flat (soft, flexible brushes), and one nicer #7 or #8 round (also soft, flexible, white or gold nylon) are great tools for your mixed media kit.
Pencils: You may want to bring drawing materials, pencils, colored pencils, etc.
Pens: Bring a couple of your favorite pens. My favorites are Uni-ball Signo, Faber-Castell PITT, gel pens, acrylic markers, and Sharpies of various sizes.
Glitter & Confetti: Craft glitter, confetti or shredded paper can be interesting.
3-D Objects: Small beads, buttons, metal parts, plastic bottle caps, broken jewelry, small beads. shells, watches, found objects etc.
Glue: Regular matte medium (NOT FLUID) and YES paste.
5 Minute Epoxy: To apply heavier items, E6000 is my favorite. You can find this at Home Depot and Amazon.
Scissors & Knives: A pair of scissors and an X-Acto knife.
Rulers: Rulers, triangles and other drawing/drafting tools may also be useful.
Gloves: You may want to wear gloves. I use non-latex gloves.
Clothing: Old clothes or aprons may be in order. You know your own working style and comfort needs. Dress accordingly.
If there are specific tools or materials you do not have, do not stress. Someone will likely share what you need. I have a large tub of scrap paper, tissue paper, deli paper you can use. I will also prepare some other materials you can play with too.
What if i let my mind wander and see where my hands lead me…
These abstract figurative self portraits where made over the course of 5 weekends using the fine print from my MS medication, Tysbari and other recycled paper scrapes Ive been hoarding all year.
Acrylic paint, Sharpie, colored pencils, pastels, Distress Stain, mica spray, Tysabri newsprint, hand printed deli paper, construction paper, recycled Tazo tea box, tulle, glitter stars, glitter glue and rhinestones on 12″x9″Canson paper.
If you are friends with McCarty you may be a lucky recipient of one of 24 Wood Block Prints of a sail boat viewed through a port hole, that i made for his holiday gifts.
The Port Hole series is inspired by our Caribbean sailing adventures.
I used Purple Speedball block print ink, Distress Stain, Gelatos, Watercolors, Acrylic paint on Hamilco white card stock. Each 7″x5″ print is unique.
Late Summer I started working on an edition of linocut mixed media self portrait collaged prints on paper. I used the fine print from my Tysabri infusion and boarding passes from my travels this year to mark the passage of time.
All works are 7″x5″ in a 10″x8″ mat ready to be framed. These works are priced to move on my Shopify store at $75 each. A steal for an original piece of art, if you ask me. So if you have been meaning to get little something for yourself click here.
Record Locator
Record Locator
“Record Locatorâ€, 12â€x 9†Acrylic paint, Sharpie, colored pencils, pastels, Distress Stain, mica spray, Tysabri newsprint, hand printed deli paper, construction paper, recycled Tazo tea box, tulle, glitter stars, glitter glue and rhinestones on Canson paper. 2018
Hamilco white card stock, Speedball block printing ink, Golden fluid acrylic, Sharpie, paper boarding passes, Mulberry paper, construction paper flower, glitter glue, glitter and sparkle.
By The Seat of My Pants has been selected for ‘State of the Art 2018’ exhibit on display from February 2 – April 27, 2018 at the Academy Square Galleries located at 33 Plymouth Street in Montclair, NJ.
The opening reception is Friday, February 2 from 7:00-9:00pm. I’ll be there. Please come.
I define my own identity and relish the opportunity to occupy the position of both insider and outsider rather than insider or outsider.
