Sunday, June 14, 2009

ART BUDDY


What to do ? What to do? My quest was to alter this little guy as part of the First Annual Art Buddies Invitational hosted by the energetic and talented Dayna Collins of Alley Art Studios. I was stumped for a while. The little guy is great fun to play with. His joints are articulated so that he is as flexible as a yogi. My first inclination was to paint him, but, nahhhhh, to predictable. Then beeswax, of course, crossed my mind. Nope. That would freeze up his movement. And he is such a pretty color wood. So why not leave that to shine through in some manner?

The decision was made to give him some tatoos !!! Transfers would have been impossible. And simply collaging elements onto his surface would have taken an eternity. Rub-ons were just the answer. 7 gypsies makes the coolest sets and the images and patterns just lent themselves to the idea of body art for the art buddy. The rub-ons went on perfectly. Now he sits on the edge of a collaged canvas with the words "Just Start" scribbled at the top as a reminder to myself not to overthink this stuff. Jump in and begin. It doesn't have to be perfect. Creativity comes in bouts, some more productive than others. But it is all a process and all in the name of fun. A good reminder from a little guy.

Ciao for now.

Shelly

12 comments:

Sandy said...

Wow Shelly what a fun idea.
Lovely.

Anita said...

Very cool! I look at these things often but always end up putting it back on the shelf. Now that you've got the wheels turning in my head I may have to adopt one of my own art buddies to pretty up! Thanks for the great idea :o)

thekathrynwheel said...

He's cute little guy! I know what you mean about over thinking things but I think you got this just right :-))

Fiona Rainford said...

I love the Art Buddy and I totally agree with the "Just Start". All the best creative ideas come when you are working.

Kim Palmer said...

Too cool Shelly! Love what you have done with him, a true original! So will he pose for portrait studies now, LOL? (P.S. have ordered some books on encaustic. Can't wait to get my hands on 'em and get waxed, hahahaha)

Lady Di said...

Your art buddy is so cute and I agree, I do love the original colour of him. I've been feeling a creative slump of late (it may be that it's getting cold here ...) so I'm going to take your words and just start ... thanks.

Artsnark said...

How fun!

farmlady said...

Sometimes less IS more. You maintained his integrity and still make a work of art. Very Cool!!

Dayna Collins said...

The tatoos on your Art Buddy are perfecto! Just Start. I think I'm going to have to write that in large letters on the wall of my new studio . . . thanks for playing with me!

Sueann said...

Art buddy is great!! Love his tattoos!! Good advice too!
Hugs
SueAnn

Sam Marshall said...

Hi Shelly,
I just love the tattoos!!!

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