Billy's Submarine

The piece of artwork I used as inspirtation for this blog, "Billy's Submarine" (above), placed third in the Full Circle Fall Art Competition this week. I'm so pleased, as it is unusual for such whimsical mixed media pieces get recognition in art competitions. This little artwork was inspired by my husband, Bill, who as a childhood genius, actually created a tarpaper submarine which had a bilge pump used to make it "sink". Unfortunately, he couldn't raise it from its watery grave...even so, it makes a wonderful Daddy/Granddaddy story, and a great inspiration for my artwork. I will have to tell you about it another time, because the Full Circle art event starts in 25 minutes, it takes 5 minutes to get downtown from my house, and I don't want to be late. I'm excited. I LOVE being an artist! Later, my friend.

Needle Felting

I am what every art store owner dreams about. I'm what every artist's husband hopes his wife won't become when she buys that first little set of oil paints, complete with canvas paper, turpentine and brushes. I am an addict. An art supplies addict.

How about you?

Actor Greg Kinnear has a line in one of his movies that goes like this: "I just...can't...help myself." I can't remember which movie it's from. But it is stated clearly, with a mischievous glint of delight in Greg's eye. It's one of those movie lines that gets stuck in your head, like Cary Grant's "Judy, Judy, Judy" or James Cagney's "You dirty rat!"...or "Cones! They're just cones!" (From the movie "Wedding Singer").

When it comes to art supplies, I find myself saying that line. "I just...can't...help myself." Now, understand, my friend, that I have been on a self-imposed art supplies buying restriction for several months now, but it seems like forever to me. That's because being a mixed media artist, not buying art supplies is a sacrificial act for me, sorta like fasting. As those of you know who have tried it, fasting is hard when you're hungry and your house is full of wonderful cookbooks filled with recipes you've been meaning to try. Likewise, refraining from buying art supplies is difficult when I come across a book filled with new art forms and creative venues.

So. A couple of days ago, I stumbled across a book in the fabric store on needle felting. Yes, Needle Felting. Before you say that needle felting is a craft and not "art", let me say this. What this woman did with a little wool, a couple of flat, sharp needles and an assortment of ephemora (as they call "stuff, junk and broken jewelry" in the business) was art. Genuine "Art".

I had to try it.

Going on the internet, I discovered wool roving (loose, unspun wool) and ordered some. Then in AC Moore, I found a needle felting "beginner's kit" way back in the corner by the yarn, complete with two sharp little needles, a chunk of foam and instructions for making a strawberry applique' on felt backing.

I didn't "need" a new art medium. But I didn't spend much money, either. And I'm inspired. So far I have made my strawberry applique, 27 striped or polka-dotted beads that are firm enough to go "plunk" when they hit the floor, and a beaded flower applique. Next I'm going to make a case for my phone, and put all that stuff on it. It's going to be cute. Really.

I'm taking photos. Then I'm going to download them onto my Tarpaper Submarine how-to blog. And I am sure that as I work in the future on my mixed media projects, these new supplies and my newly acquired needle felting skills will come in handy.
Art is like climbing up a ladder. Each rung leads to the next, until you reach the top.
See ya'!
deber