November 05, 2010

Art Finds Friday - November 5, 2010 & giveaway



1) POETRY

I am reading B.H. Fairchild's latest book and so far it is excellent. He is a master at long sentences that somehow don't lose the reader's attention and narratives of strange characters' momentary events, steeped in unusual histories. I love how he sees the deeper character in those people he comes in brief contact with or imagines. His poetic voice is very American, independent and confident. Good stuff, interesting. (Not for kids).

There is a very powerful poem 'Madonna and Child, Perryton, Texas 1967 about a screaming baby who calms down only when the momma nurses her baby, his description is so spot on. It is such a poignant moment that 'forty years later this scene still hangs in my mind'.




2) WHAT I MADE THIS WEEK

A junk mail journal with painted junk mail for the paper and cover, my own photography, and rubber stamps - these Fanciful Outline Lowercase Alphabet. I received these stamps in my capacity as an Artist On Call for Stampington. Every few months I get some new stamps to work with, some of this work then appears in Stampers' Sampler magazine.



3) THE ARTISTIC MOTHER

I spotted my book in my local Hobby Lobby. This photo is of my dad looking at his daughter's book and his grandkids' photos!



4) FOLLOWER LOVE

This week I would love you to go check out the blog of Kelly Thiel. She is a very talented sculpture artist, art journaler and mother. She gives her readers a very interesting look at the process involved in creating her bronze sculptures. She also blogs about being a mom and posts some recipes. Worth a look.

5) GIVEAWAY

I came across this book 'Inner Excavation' on Liz Lamoreux's blog about 6 months ago. The subtitle is 'Explore your self through Photography, Poetry, and Mixed Media'!!!!!!! As those are the same arts that I am involved in I immediately went to Amazon and hit 'pre-order'. About 2 months ago I was again on Liz's blog and I read more about her book and, completely forgetting that I had already done so, I pre-ordered it again! Imagine my surprise one day, when the book was released, that 2 copies of the book arrived to me!  I guess I really was meant to have this book.


Well, as I have 2 copies I am going to give one of them away. To you, or one of you!

So leave me a comment and tell me which is your favorite of these 3 arts: Photography, poetry and mixed media. I will announce the winner next Friday (11-12-10).

51 comments:

  1. I just saw Inner Excavation in B&N this week. I held on to it for a while and decided to put it bakc but have seen it twice online since. So funny!

    For me everything is rooted in mixed media - it minght contain photos or poetry but the roots are always mixed media. I love paints and papers and fabrics. I love building layers and talking to God while I create. It's always a time when I get quiet and he speaks. It's why I create.

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  2. Mixed Media is my fav. I can combine everything I love-photography,papers,quotes,poetry,painting,sewing,etc...into one final piece.

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  3. Definitely mixed media for me. It encompasses photography & poetry too, both of which are also interests. I have a wonderful book called "Essential Pleasures" edited by Robert Pinsky, of which the subtitle is "A New Anthology of Poems to Read Aloud". Once this holiday season is over, I hope to draw upon the inspirations in this book for much of my art for a little while.

    Thanks for the book recommendation--if I don't win, it will surely go onto my own Amazon wish list!

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  4. Thank you so much for offering this book, it looks really interesting. I would say that currently photography is my favorite. (But it may change in a few months!)

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  5. MIxed media for sure because I can include my love for words and photography within this title!

    Thank you for offering How fun it would be to win!

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  6. I prefer photography because I am absolutely inept at the other 2! I love going to the park/lake with my kids and just taking pictures of what I see. It opens my eyes so I can see more! I once found a tree made of eyes!

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  7. Poetry. I've been writing poetry since I was a teen. And, in the many years of motherhood over the last 15 yrs, poems were scarce... Then,on Jan. 1, I made a commitment of writing @ least 1 poem a day & oh how the Lord has worked in that ever since! :) Photography is a close 2nd! :) living4jesus[at]jesusanswers[dot]com

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  8. I ♥ your art find fridays! What a sweet photo of your dad!! Great giveaway. I would have to say mixed media is my favorite followed by a close photography in second. :)

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  9. So many fun things here today, Shona! First of all I LOVE that pic of your Dad! How cool is that finding your book? I was just re-reading your book again this week. MUST get back to doing it!

    That book you are giving away sounds simply amazing. Off to check it out.

    Out of the three of I adore mixed media!!!!!!!!

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  10. My roots are in mixed media. Although I've recently fallen head over heels with photography. And poetry just sounds like icing on the cake! Love your blog!

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  11. Shona...I love your photography and photos and mixed media...can I pick them all? I'm sorry, I just can't choose. Your photos are 'experiences'..I love looking at them. And your art work is fascinating. Your poetry is so intriguing!

    Thanks for sharing!

    Love,
    Donna

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  12. Shona, I love Kelly's blog, especially that she shares about her art process. And she is a very nice person on top of it!
    My favorite art is photography. I simply love to compose photos and try out many things I never did when I was still using film (this really is a huge advantage of digital). When I'm taking pictures I am whole and settled.

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  13. Shona,

    I am a psychotherapist, poet and starting about a year ago, an Art Journalist and Mail Art addict. I read your blog - now Monday, Wednesday and Friday and enjoy learning from you.

    Have to say that poetry is my favorite way to express my thoughts to process my life and to make something good to put out into the world. Mail Art and Art Journaling makes me feel 6 years old so that is pretty wonderful too. Thanks for your inspiration.
    Myra Bridgforth (MyraLPC@verizon.net)

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  14. The poetry and mixed media appeal!

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  15. Photography, since I'm commenting anyway. :D

    I saw your book about three weeks ago at Hobby Lobby. Fell in LOVE with it, but $$ is tight right now so I've borrowed a copy from the local library. Am enjoying it very much. Thanks for the great work and all the inspiration. I may have to dabble in some poetry and mixed media yet.....

    Blessings!

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  16. This looks like such an intriguing book! I would have to say that mixed media and photography are tied - I love them both, for very different reasons. And I can combine them in one piece which I did with a memory piece for my Mom.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  17. This book sounds right up my alley! I love photography but want to improve my mixed media. I used to write a lot of poetry when I was a young girl and need to tap back into that as well. :)

    thanks for all your inspiration!

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  18. Shona:)
    What a wonderful collection of friday finds -- I am so attracted to your journal -- wonderful colors, gorgeous photo and the stitching is perfect!
    xo

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  19. Dear Shona...BTW..have my photos improved??!! I would so appreciate your feedback. I've been working hard to get better angles..use only daylight..crop..keep the subject in the camera up close.

    What's next? I'm falling in love with photography! It's so fun..and I LOVE my new camera!

    I would so appreciate your input. In particular about my recipe post and the Ren Fest post which was up today.

    Congratulations on the win at the art show last week! Your photo (it seems unfair to call it 'just' that.. maybe photo creation?) is stunning..moving..and so pretty! I'm glad you won--you and Shannon both. You'all deserved it!

    xo
    Donna @ Comin' Home

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  20. I'd have to say that mixed media is my fav, probably because it makes art journalling so interesting.

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  21. Laurel5:58 AM

    Mixed media because it is so freeing for me. It can incorporate poetry, words, photos, fabric, paint all my loves to express my thoughts.

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  22. how exciting! i would love a book. my favourite art is photography of the 3. my friends rave of my photos, most are out the camera. i dont know pse well enough to do too much. im a paper/book kinda girl, so instructions on a computer dont do much for me. i love books!
    keep up the lovely work.

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  23. Morning!
    Thank you for you sweet comment - I have been enjoying catching up with you - and loved your post about Shannon and those great photos below. LOVE what you made this week and seeing your Dad eye your book - he must be so proud!

    Thank you too for the opportunity to win this book - it looks FAB and I would love to participate. Let's see, although I'm not a photographer, I always have a camera on me, and I have been venturing into poetry a bit recently, but it has to be mixed media that really gets me going . . . xo

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  24. Mixed media is my favourite, although I like to experiment with all 3.

    I've just added this book to my wish list, so would be thrilled to win

    xox

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  25. I believe we are all little bits that when arranged together make up a whole, So, It is Mixed Media for me also. Even when art seems to be one medium, when you consider all the inspiration sources, it is mixed

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  26. your Dad looks very proud of you with your book in his hand..(my dad keeps everthing I make for him which means a lot to me). Well as you know I love mixed media which at the moment involves a lot of painting & sketching as I am in that phase! Good luck to everyone and thanks for this great giveaway Shona

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  27. Poetry has been woven throughout my life since I was a wee one; right now though, it is photography which fills my days - oh the love of capturing a moment in a single frame! And then the thrill of interweaving that with poetry . . . Thank you for your inspiring blog Shona, and I love your new format :) best wishes for an artistic day, x.

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  28. I so loved your book! If I had to choose one favorite, it would have to be mixed media. With mixed media, I can incorporate both of them. :)

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  29. kathy k11:16 PM

    I am new to the blog. I guess I'd choose mixed media...sewing is my favorite thing.

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  30. I'm not so skilled at poetry... words are not my strong suit. Mixed media has definitely been my favourite, but I'm feeling the photography pull. Although, my main joy and delight these days has been photomanipulation, so I guess that mixed media still reigns supreme :)

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  31. I am a fan of mixed media. I am not an artist but I love to come to expositions of my friends who love to mix and use all kind of staff they found in their backyards - and the results are usually unique and modern!
    thanks for a chance to enter! Lubica
    lubaska dot k at gmail dot com

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  32. wow - tough question! i don't know if i can separate the three as they all seem to intertwine in my mind and in my work. i guess if i were being pushed to grab one thing only, it would have to be my camera. without it i could not find the visual poetry that inspires all my work.

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  33. Mixed media. I love combining all elements together. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  34. photography.
    I particularly enjoy closeups.



    slmartin at vtc dot net

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  35. Mixed Media for sure! But would love to learn more about Photography beyond my digital point and shoot.

    I've never heard of this book until now and from what I can see on amazon, It looks inspiring! -- Very generous of you to share your "mistake". Haha

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  36. I've always loved mixed media, but I'm starting to love photography a lot too. Right now photography is easier for me to do. Just pick up the camera and have fun!

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  37. I've always been fascinated with Photography. I love taking pictures, editing pictures, basically anything to do with pictures and cameras. :D

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  38. lol...just one? out of the trinity huh? there all a part of the same piece you know? photography is poetry is mixed media is poetry is photography...but if i have to pick? poetry...because if the words are right the visions come...

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  39. Isabelle10:32 AM

    Mixed media for me... we just moved into a new house and I am still unpacking boxes, open to have time to create before my 2nd daughter is born in 10 weeks.... I am sure this book would help!
    Thank you so much,
    Isabelle

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  40. From these 3 I would say mixed media : )

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  41. I love looking at others mixed media but photography is my love!

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  42. I love photography, mail art and art journaling. But i am nowhere when it comes to poetry! I love to read it though. My favorite of all poets is Paul Geraldy, especially "Toi et Moi" ("You and Me" in english).

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  43. The one I actually DO the most is take pictures, but I love to read about mixed media projects and creations.

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  44. I will have to check it out. My favorite to DO is photography, but my favorite of other people's is probably poetry. But you know, I love all three.
    augustgirl01 (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  45. I am beginning to explore different mediums and am loving mixed-media. This book would be a great asset to me. Thanks so much for being generous to give your twin copy away.
    If I don't win, I still will think you are great!

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  46. I came across you blog through googling art of motherhood... because I truly believe it is an art. I love mixed media. So many different kinds of art I love. Would love this book!

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  47. mixed media because I can incorporate every media I love

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  48. looks like a fabulous book! I think its a toss up between photography and mixed media for me!

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  49. Anonymous12:10 PM

    I love...love all forms of art, but my absolute fav is photography. I have been in uber love with photography since as far back as I can remember being alive. I have always been mesmerized by people and the things that they do and how they react in and with the world around them. At times beautifully and at times horrifically. Freezing those moments and exposing them is breathtakingly magical to me.

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  50. Anonymous6:09 PM

    Which is my favorite...mmm....not sure I can choose...I love them all...need them all...crave them all but I can say this i love your blog redo...its very cool...but then everything here always is...so here is my question...for you...
    homeschooling...what prompted you to do this...and how does it work for you as a family and the children...how are they and will you continue all the way through middle school and high school...my 10 year old is yearning for it...homeschooling...she is is so totally overwhelmed with the structure and long hours of homework which frankly I am too...what to do...what to do....

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