Illustration Friday: Stripes and Happy Halloween 2016!

I was walking through the woods behind the house and stumbled upon this little abode. I knew that 
these little houses existed because I have written about them several times here and here. To actually find one is quite thrilling and I picked it up and brought it home. I hope to find a tenant very soon.
My submission for Illustration Friday's "Stripes" is " Candy Corn Cabin"  but it is a cross between a teepee and a tent which is why it works so well in the woods.  

"Life in a Candy Corn House is Sweet!" 
Wishing you all a Happy Halloween and happy Trick or Treat!

Illustration Friday: "Orange"

Look around for a place to sew a few seeds  ~ Henry Van Dyke

For Illustration Friday's "orange" submission.

Illustration Friday: Teeth

Illustration Friday : Tattoo

Working on a painting but I couldn't resist this quickie on a scrap of rag paper 
for Illustration Friday's prompt. I love making a neighborhood "Tattoo" Parlour.                         
 Many cities have a lot of closed storefronts, Tattoo shops survive the times.

Wear your heart on your skin in this life~Sylvia Plath

Josie's Garden for Illustration Friday "Childhood" theme

Paper Sculpture for Josephine's bedroom. I had to quickly take photos because it needed to 

be framed and delivered so I took a few with my phone and then with my digital camera. Different views and angles. I added the mushrooms after my first set of photos because I stumbled upon this little fragile world and had to incorporate it into the image. I feel pleased,

not with my photos, but with the original art. The finished painted paper sculpture is called

"Josie's Garden"...

It is the season now to go about the country high and low, among the lilacs hand in hand, and two by two in fairyland.
~Robert Louis Stevenson

dance card

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
Love like you'll never be hurt
Sing like there's nobody listening,
And live like it's heaven on earth"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_card 
“

Illustration Friday: focused

My submission for Illustration Friday's " focused" theme is a cropped portion of an illustration for the book "Return of the Matador" that I painted over the summer. Happy Friday! Have a lovely weekend ;)

2009 valerie walsh

Illustration Friday: hollow

My submission for Illustration Friday's "hollow" is not an illustration but rather a clay pot that is comprised of 4 clay slabs that make 4 separate buildings and a hollow interior. It really isn't hollow but filled with the sky and stars. This vase is owned by a longtime collector of my art and I only made a few of them as they are large and can break and indeed one broke during an earthquake and one got broken that was in transit. Considering all the time and work it left me with a hollow feeling :(

copyright 1995 Valerie Walsh

Illustration Friday: shaky

Sometimes it can feel like you are living on shaky ground, especially in California. Here is my silly little submission for Illustration Friday's "shaky" theme. I have another pressing deadline right now so that's why this is minimal at best. It reminds me of the many earthquakes I have experienced in my life, falling debris, shaky buildings and usually your utilities get shut off for a few days while they restore power and water. As long as no one gets hurt they are a unique experience but every once in a while people talk about the Big one coming...

A bit of SHAKY trivia regarding music icon Neil Young, Neil has directed 5 movies, including 2008 critically acclaimed feature length documentary CSNY/Deja Vu. His nom de cine as a filmmaker is Bernard Shakey, the mythical founder of Shakey pictures.

copyright 2009 Valerie Walsh

Illustration Friday: "plain"

I started delving into the idea of "Automaton" or kinetic sculpture a few years ago. I read a lot about it and admire some incredibly talented artists including my friend Rick Davis who helps me figure out how to translate the idea of movement in some of my dimensional pieces. This combines two things I find interesting, making art from paper and using foamboard instead of wood so that I can really tweak the shape.and maintain my style as well as making it function. This house looks plain at the moment but soon it will be filled with colour and whimsy. In the back I have little wooden parts combined with some screws and washers that make a panel move up and down so it will look as though the windows are winking at you. This year I plan on making more so that when you turn the cranks the door opens, shutters wave and windows blink. I will repost this once I add the architectural details, paint and resin. Plain for now but filled with light soon.

Artist Profile: Michael McMillen

I might have to say that Michael McMillen is one of the artists I have enjoyed working with the most. Not only is his art right up my alley but he is a real nice guy. There are so many sites for Michael that each time you click on his name it will take you to a different link and I hope you click on to them because he and his work are fascinating. When you see his installations you will know why I love his work so much. When I worked at Wasserman Silkscreen we printed both of these prints and I'm glad they are part of my collection. The 1st one "Mojave Desert" is a take on those old magazines from the past where a giant skull is found in the desert. If you notice there are a few different chops or marks on this print, sometimes artists incorporate chops (embossing) and ink imprints/stamps of insects, hieroglyphics and symbols that have meaning to the artist. I have worked with a few artists that incorporate these chops and of course we used an embossed W chop on all of the prints that are printed at Wasserman's shop. It usually is near the artists signature. The other print is a throwback to times gone by. A collage of the past. A ticket to the POP Pacific Ocean Park (a nautical-themed amusement park in Santa Monica circa 1958-1967) , a few old comics, a mezzo tint, crossword puzzle, a UFO sighting. Michael is from California, born in Echo Park in 1946, he uses references of life here and from his past. When I worked with Jeff Wasserman he took me and the boys to an installation by Michael at LACMA. It was an old garage totally reproduced down to the lighting the smells, and sounds. All of the things that represent a garage from our youth. I bet as you are reading this you can recall a garage in your life that left an impression on you, the tools, wood shavings, wood, paint, varnish, nails, screws, the smells, you know what I mean? Well he actually created a real garage with all the nuances, you can't even begin to imagine and it was one of the greatest things I have ever seen. It was a sight to behold right there in the museum! Michael's "Red Trailer Motel" is like going to a decrepit old motel out in the desert and it seems so real. Architecture is the main thrust but it's so much more than that. I hope you check out his art and I have included a comprehensive interview of the artist here.

Comments are most appreciated.

Artist Profile: Jessie Lavon

It certainly is my pleasure to write about this wonderful artist, Jessie Lavon. She is a folk artist, a mother, a daughter, a friend and a kindred spirit. I was introduced to her by way of blogs and we have enjoyed a nice rapport. One of the things I value most about her is that she is just like her paintings. Once you see her work and read her blog you will instantly know what I mean! Her art is fashioned from her childhood and lifelong memories of living in the south, replete with visions of picking cotton, fortune tellers, shanty's, voodoo, Spanish moss and many curious and appealing oddities to a West Coast girl like me. When I asked her if I might interview her she replied " I would be happier than a tick on a dog to be interviewed by you, sweet pea". I have never met anyone that talks like that but I have always wanted to and now she is my new friend. I also love the name of her blog and it drew me in completely "Purple Cucumbers". Here is what her blog says:

A Southern Folk Artist: My art is in collections and Museums in the U.S.A, Canada and Europe. It has been written up in International Magazines like RAW VISION and SOUTHERN LADY as well as being shown at the Huntsville Museum along with the art of Grand Ma Moses and Norman Rockwell. I have shown at the Atlanta Folk Fest and at Kentuck with international artists like Lisa Cain, Woddy Long, Jimmy Lee Suddeth. On Sept 23, after the death of my beloved Mother who died in my arms, I said goodbye to a 30 year art career as a folk artist on the art circuit to sell and paint as an independent folk artist. So come and travel the road back to my childhood days where the late afternoon drifts into long shadows and where I paint the memories of my days gone by. My family canning, making moon shine, the chain gang, working in the fields.

Jessie has an AVM and I believe she has endured a lot with operations and medications. She so graciously answered my questions in her southern style.

Valgal: How did you find your style?
Jessie: I created my style with the help of my Mama and my children. I wanted to tell my childhood stories and as I worked on the style, Mama and the kids would suggest colors to use. I didn't create this style until after the coma/brain surgery.

VG: What is your creative process?
J: I surround myself with things of beauty, photos, incense, flowers, fudge, love truffles and find my quiet place and in my heart and mind I return back to the cotton fields. There I can hear the sounds, voices and smells of my childhood. The slamming of the back door, the sound of rain on the tin roof, Mama, Nanny and Aunt Bea's voices and the smell of the kitchen while we were canning etc.

VG: Ho do you market/promote yourself?
J: Since I retired from the art circuit I no longer market but I used to do a lot of networking with other artists, see what galleries they used and contacted them. I used to do at least 30 shows a year. Kentuck, folk fest, etc. and when I wasn't at shows I painted to keep a good supply for the next show. I keep my name out in the newspapers and keep in touch with my states art council who put me in shows, museums and galleries. All artists should contact there state arts council with their bio and portfolio.

VG: Did/Do you have an agent/rep?
J: My Mama was my agent. Now I just enjoy my art and friends.

VG: Do you ever have a creative slump?
J: So far no. As long as I have my memories of childhood I think I can keep it at bay. I thought of giving it up after Mama died but then I realised it was my connection to her and if I retired from the circuit then I COULD ENJOY IT MORE.

VG: What do you do for fun?
J: Garden, blog, work on my books, hunt for trash and treasure to make art, enjoy my children and talk/ visit with other artists.

VG: What is the best part of what you do?
J: Living my childhood dream from age 6 of being an artist and glad Mama lived long enough to see it happen.
VG: Do you have any advice for budding folk artists?
J: NEVER GIVE UP AND ALWAYS BELIEVE IN YOURSELF FOR ART COMES FROM THE HEART. GET IN CONTACT WITH YOUR LOCAL STATES ART COUNCIL. Set aside time to paint every day, network with artists you feel comfortable with, if you get rejected move on to another gallery and STAY AWAY FROM VANITY GALLERIES THEY ARE A SCAM.
VG: Do you want to talk about your illness?
J: Yes darling, Brain AVM's are of special concern because of the damage they cause when they bleed. They are very rare and occur in less than 10% of the general population. Mine occurred while I was 4 months pregnant with my 10th child. I was in a coma for 6 weeks and had a 10 1/2 hour brain surgery. All my memories were lost except for the years from age 10-14, everything else I had to relearn except for my art. That's why my art is so important cause it is a way for me to go home again to a time I so loved.

Jessie Lavon is a rare gem from Alabama. If you want to join her in an old-fashioned porch party than pull up a chair and get prepared to be served delicious ice cold lemonade with berries, some truffles and watermelon and you will be glad you did! Jessie my friend, I'm so glad I found you, Thank You for this interview it was a privilege.

Please click on to Jessie's name to go to her blog.

mini profile on artist Mark Beam

And now for something completely different! I love all kinds of art. I love thinking about art, talking about it, making it, reading about it and writing about it. I love art that makes me think and smile. I love this piece conceived by artist Mark Beam and printed by the Valgal. Mark generates really wonderful art that makes you laugh, smile and remember. I love that about his work. Long ago these pieces had a base that Mark had molded. They were blue. It made the can more of an art statement. But I always saw these in a kitchen, displayed in rows. It would be great if it was a stark environment with gleaming granite counters and rows & rows of canned smut behind glass and chrome shelves. Or maybe a country kitchen with red and white plaid table cloth fabric and Mom serving up a batch of smut. Maybe I see it this way because I printed these labels in the kitchen of my friend Patti up here in a remote area of Topanga. She was out of town and said I could use her place. I had a kick stand on the silkscreen so I didn't require assistance and I printed these babies out in a couple of hours. It was not the most complicated job but when you print something that is recognizable it must be clear, clean and legible to the naked eye so you need to keep the screen real clean. Especially since Mark included a bar code and a nutritional breakdown in a very small text. I remember that we had a discussion about whether to keep the deckled edge on the paper which I loved and felt kept it in an artsy vein. This is beautiful rag paper with a gorgeous torn edge. The date on this project is 1990, 17 years ago! I think this art is fun, clever and very well done and I loved being a part of it. We made an edition of 20 and Mark signed, dated and numbered each one.

Please click on image to view larger.

Illustration Friday: Remember

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Remember" is from a tea package I made for a tea company called "Three Tea and Tonic". I did a night version and a day version but they chose the night version so this was never used. I will always remember the beauty of Topanga in the spring.

The delay in my post is due to my not having Internet access since Thursday evening. There is something wrong with my dsl. I hope to be back online tomorrow so if you have written to me I will get to you soon. I'm at my neighbors for a limited posting as I have never missed IF yet!

Art Show Opening: Marion Peck

I have been working so hard I needed to get out of the studio so John and I attended the "Soft Paintings for Gentle People" opening last night at the Billy Shire Fine Art Gallery. John will always go up to the artist and ask if they would like to pose for a picture and Marion Peck was gracious and sweet. I asked her if she would stand in front of her most amazing painting "Young Lord Oliver" and she walked to it and suddenly 20 cameras started flashing. It was fantastic and she smiled beautifully. What an amazing painter! I talked to one of her friends, he purchased "Ducky" (the one I love) and he told us the show sold out the day before the opening. Not one painting was available! I can see why as her art is truly inspired. She frames each one creating an elaborate masterpiece, some you view through convex glass, some resin. There was a room curtained off for "Sweet Dreams" a collaboration between Marion and Mark Ryden. It is a big hurdy-gurdy type piece that you view through 2 lenses on the front and inside is a movie going on with full sound and beautiful colour. But the thing I loved most about it was the little theatre they built inside with real lights in the mini chandeliers and sconces. The audience was filled with little people decked out in their finery. You're watching the film along with them, slightly above them and it is magical and nostalgic. Popcorn was served from a cart while you stood on line in anticipation, all the little girls giggling and we LOVED it!

please click on images to view larger

Illustration Friday: Green

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Green" is from my 2001 HomeMade calendar and the title is "House Boat". I have shown Green House here so I thought this would do for the theme. This was for the month of June and the quote is: The lovely cottage in the guardian nook... with its own dear brook, It's own pasture, almost its own sky. ~Wordsworth

coppyright 2001 valerie walsh

Artist profile/ Lois Keller

I had a whirlwind couple of weekends! Normally I am a reclusive artist who rarely leaves Topanga but my social calendar has been packed with fun activities and exciting people. I have to start my series of posts with an artist profile on Lois Keller. Lois is the cutest and most charming of artists you could want to meet. She has a smile that would light up anybodies heart and she is downright beautiful. These qualities seep into her artwork and create a body of work that glows. I have been blogging with her for a year and a half and we have tried to hook up a couple times without success so when she contacted me personally to come to her show at Aroma in Studio City I didn't hesitate. It was a blast! Aroma is the most charming coffee house I think I have ever seen and the whole vibe on Tujunga in Studio City is appealing and like an old-fashioned neighborhood. I love her paintings that feature oranges because it reminds me of how California used to be, all orange groves, sunny and citrusy. Her poster for the Metro is awesome and her drawings using pastels on thick handmade paper are delectable. Her style incorporates a sense of whimsy with much movement, glorius colour, female spirit and I totally dig it! You can view more of her art here and here.

Illustration Friday: I Spy...

My submission for Illustration Friday's "I Spy..." is from my 2003 HomeMade calendar and the title is "Open House but I originally titled it "Fun House". This was for the month of January and the quote is: A small house well filled is better than an empty palace. I chose this image because it reminds me of the I Spy... books by Jean Marzollo. I spy with my little eye somthing red that grows in your garden, a 4 leaf clover, a heart and a diamond. She even wrote an I Spy book called Fun House!

I also reworked this image for a holiday card here.

copyright 2003 Valerie Walsh