"Driven" - featuring work by artists with disabilities

"For the sixth year, VSA arts and Volkswagen of America, Inc., have partnered to recognize and showcase young artists with disabilities, ages 16–25, who are living in the United States. This collaboration supports these artists at a critical time when many are deciding whether to pursue the arts as a career. The award validates, and helps finance, that life-defining choice.

VSA arts sent more than 20,000 calls for entry to high schools and colleges around the country, inviting submissions that illustrated the theme 'Driven.' Participants were asked to consider the motivations behind their work—what moves them to create. The call also encouraged artists to contemplate the relationship between life, art, and disability. Selected from 204 submissions, these 15 finalists were awarded a total of $60,000 generously provided by Volkswagen of America, Inc."

From VSA Arts' website.

The image above, "Untitled," is from one of the talented artists, Jessica Merrell of Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to Merrell, who was born with epilepsy, "I started a new body of work dealing with epilepsy and finally felt comfortable opening up a dialogue about it.” This new body of work centers around mandalas, which are ritualistic, geometric designs symbolic of the universe, used in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation. According to Jessica's artist statement, “I am influenced by my disability and the theories of Carl Jung. In his theories on the subconscious mind the mandala is an instrument of meditation, concentration, and self-immersion. The mandala is a symbol of healing in every culture. Working in this format has an ordering effect and is a traditional antidote to chaotic states of mind.”

To see all the work by the 15 chosen artists please take a look at VSA Arts' website here.

Homes made from recycled shipping containers

This is genius! I have been reading recently about the newest craze in "green" living. Several companies are using recycled shipping containers to create prefab modern homes. Not only are they cheaper than the traditional building costs of a new home, they are strong...and easily transported. That is why companies are springing up all over the world that are beginning to specialize in this niche market. Addis Containers, a New Zealand company that specializes in container house design and construction, has created a website where you can not only learn about the benefits of building with shipping containers, but you can actually browse layouts to find the design that best fits you and your lifestyle.

In addition to homes, recycled shipping containers have been used to create student housing, "portable" hotels, artist studios, and on-site camping for special outdoor events.



Click here to read a great article on container homes by Ecoble.
Visit Addis Containers website here.

Images from Ecoble and Addis Containers.

Today's find on Etsy

"Week 48 SEVEN" by Iris Schwarz

"SEVEN" is a weekly edition from artist Iris Schwarz. Every week Schwarz creates an edition of seven prints from one of her original illustrations.

See more of her work in her etsy shop.

The Art of Light in Design

I've always been amazed at what can be accomplished with great lighting and design. For as long as I can remember I've collected lamps. Not the most practical thing to collect...I have so many most of them are stored away in closets. But I am always amazed at their beauty. A lamp, however, is nothing compared to some of the amazing lighting you see in corporations, hotels, and businesses all over the world. Take a look at this stunning creation by Brazilian design firm Metro Arquitectura which was designed for the Club NOX nightclub in Recife, Brazil.

The following description of this design is from Metro Arquitectura's website:

"Entering the high ceiling dance floor area, the impression is that a membrane or transparent skin from the ceiling and walls had just detached by the vibration of the sound waves and now embraces the entire space with the light that it reveals.

This membrane of translucent fiberglass is made of a series of parallel and perpendicular continuous stripes, as if they had been sliced in two directions. When these stripes cross themselves, they create a matrix that configures the center stage of the dance floor, allowing creating infinite possibilities of light movement and effects."

Take a look at Metro Arquitectura's website here.

Now...if I could only take a trip to Brazil :)

Today's find on Etsy

"The Balloon" by Katrine K. I LOVE her work. Admire more of her prints and originals in her etsy shop.

Bow to the Goddess

A few months ago I had the pleasure of curating a group show at The Arts Company titled, "Wood, Canvas and Clay" which featured the work of four amazingly talented artists. Being a clay artist myself, I am always drawn to ceramics more than anything else. I was thrilled to find the work of Atlanta artist Krista Grecco, and even more thrilled that she agreed to be one of the artists in my show. This new piece, titled "Greek Goddess," was created specifically for the show. According to Krista's artist statement, her new series is "especially personal, busts based closely but loosely on the women who have shared their love, companionship and knowledge with me."

Although I have spoken with Krista on numerous occasions, I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet her. Luckily, that will change next month when I make a trip to Atlanta. I have already made arrangements to meet Krista and take a tour of her studio where she is working on several new sculptures to be featured in a new show at Ferrin Gallery in May. She's been a joy to work with, I adore her sculptures, and I look forward to seeing what amazing things happen to her in the future. She's definitely one to watch!

Today's find on Etsy

I love these salt and pepper shakers! Created by artist Michelle Tinner, these organic forms are...in her own words, "modern, sexy and sophisticated." I couldn't agree more!

See more of Michelle's work in her etsy shop.

Stunning. Haunting. Beautiful.

"Creator of the world’s first underwater sculpture park, Jason de Caires Taylor has gained international recognition for his unique work. His sculptures highlight ecological processes whilst exploring the intricate relationships between modern art and the environment. By using sculptures to create artificial reefs, the artist’s interventions promote hope and recovery, and underline our need to understand and protect the natural world.

The sculptures are sited in clear shallow waters to afford easy access by divers, snorkeler and those in glass-bottomed boats. Viewers are invited to discover the beauty of our underwater planet and to appreciate the processes of reef evolution."

From Jason de Caires Taylor's website, www.underwatersculpture.com. His work is absolutely amazing. You MUST check out his website to see more beautiful images.

Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday, March 16, 2009, was my 30th birthday. To celebrate my 30 years on this planet I decided to treat myself to a few things. Luckily, this birthday just happened to fall on a Monday which happens to be my day off. I started the day by laying in bed until 11:00 am. Heaven! Then I decided to head into town. I live in Nashville, TN, but I live outside of downtown Nashville. Working in downtown Nashville, I have to make the drive in and out of downtown nearly everyday, so I don't usually do it on my days off unless it's absolutely necessary. Yesterday it was. Upon hearing the sad news that American Artisan, my favorite craft gallery in Nashville, would be closing it's doors for good at the end of the month...I decided to make a special trip to buy myself a birthday gift. I wasn't sure what would be left, but I was hoping there would be a large selection of pottery remaining. I am a pottery freak. It's like my drug of choice. I just can't get enough. I walked into American Artisan and immediately noticed that the selection of pottery had been wiped clean. There were a few odds and ends scattered around, but nothing that really screamed, "Take me home!" I was almost out the door when I noticed an interesting piece of art on the bottom shelf in one of the rooms in the store. I picked it up and knew I had to have it. I didn't even realize that this unique piece was also a mechanical piece of art until I was taking it to the cash register. When I moved the metal piece on the side, the little man's feet clicked together and he pulled down a piece of paper that read, "HELLO WORLD." It made me smile. I was very pleased with my purchase.

This unique piece of art was created by Ann Wood and Dean Lucker of Minnesota. Please check their website for more of their beautiful work.

After the trip to American Artisan I decided to treat myself yet again. Next stop...Gigi's Cupcakes.