Artist Swap: What I Received and Thank You

My partner for the Artist Swap, Emily, took on two partners for the swap since we were an uneven number, if you recall me saying. Chris, Emily’s other partner, received his swap gift before me and as he praised Emily’s craftsmanship it only made the anticipation of what I might be getting even greater.

Well, I was not disappointed. I received this beautiful mosaic frame inspired by Emily’s and my favorite artist Frida Kahlo. I opened it when I arrived from work and it was the perfect ending to a long tiring day. I am blown away on how beautiful this frame is. When I opened the large bubble envelope the frame came in I immediately showed it to my husband and said, “Look what I got from my swap partner! Isn’t it amazing?” He agreed. I walked around the house with it trying to decide where I would like to hang it. I’m not sure where yet but when I have my Frida Kahlo party, which I really want to through, a group picture of my guests and me dressed up as Frida will be going in the frame.

Emily also has an Etsy shop, click here to see her other wonderfully made ceramic pieces.

I want to thank everyone who participated in this small but mighty Artist Swap. The artwork created  inspired by other people’s favorite artists was unique, exciting, and wonderful to see. Also a BIG thanks you to Emily. We, Emily and I, put this Artist Swap together. Though we have never met in person we both made this swap possible through numerous emails. Thanks Emily for letting me put this great swap together with you.

Artist Swap: Inspired by Patssi Valdez

Brandon Gradillas made this beautiful landscape painting for Maria Romero inspired by Los Angeles artist Patssi Valdez. In Patssi’s paintings you’ll see individual paintbrush strokes making up objects, for example the sea, the floor, and walls. Brandon said he used Patssi’s usage of lines in Maria’s painting as well as adding his own personal touch. Brandon took pictures of his progress while working on the painting.

Maria loved her Patssi Valdez inspired painting. See what Brandon received from Maria here.

Artist Swap: Inspired by James Ryman

Since we had an uneven number of participates for the Artist Swap, Emily was nice enough to take on another partner. Her other partner other than myself was Chris Murray who chose artist James Ryman as one of his favorite artist. James does fantasy art and uses digital, painting, and airbrushing to create his artwork. Check out his artwork here. On his site he has two digit pieces titled, “Student Body” and "Face Food” which inspired the bowl Emily made. If you haven’t guessed it, there are zombies in the artwork. My favorite from both is “Student Body.” Plus, I like the clever title.

When I asked Chris to email me pictures of his Zombie bowl that he kept bragging about he stated in his email, “It’s so cool. It’s the best and only bowl I’ve ever received.” It is obvious to say that Emily surpassed Chris' expectations of this swap. He is eagerly awaiting the next.

Check out what Chris made from Emily for the Artist Swap here.  Chris Murray is also a creative genius; check out his blog here.

Artist Swap: Inspired by Phil Hansen

Brandon Gradillas, an Artist Swap participate, received this cool little box influenced by the artist Phil Hansen, from Maria Romero. When you see the box from afar you'll see a horse standing on grass. When you take a closer look, you'll see the horse is made up of numbers and the grass reveals the message LIVE YOUR DREAM. Maria did a wonderful job in capturing Phil Hansen style.

As I write this post, I’m going through Phil Hansen website and it’s very moving. Why? Many of his artwork when seen up close reveals his viewers’ personal experiences in life, written in permanent marker. He also uses pages from the bible, photographs, and even food when making his artwork.

Check out Phil Hansen website here. I guarantee you’ll find his artwork and methods cool and interesting. Thanks Brandon for sharing this amazing artist with us!

Artist Swap: Inspired by Frida Kahlo

Artist swap pieces are gradually arriving in the mail and I’m ecstatic to hear that Emily’s participates and mine are loving what they received. I will be posting pictures of the artist inspired swap pieces and the artist who inspired the swap piece. My swap partner who happened to be Emily received her package yesterday. Emily’s favorite artists are Frida Kahlo, Oliver Jeffers, Vincent van Gogh, and Margaret Kilgallen; I choose Frida Kahlo as the artist to inspire me for the swap piece. Though, I’m familiar with Frida’s work, okay she’s one of my favorite artist too, I did learn more about her. Like she wrote poetry too.

Frida’s Kahlo’s painting, “The Little Deer” and her poem, “The Wounded Deer” inspired the shadow box gift I made for Emily. Frida’s poem talks about her nine antlers battling nine arrows, so I painted nine toothpicks to look like paintbrushes that have become arrows. The branches are from my backyard. The arrows cause the branches to bleed. They represent the pain that Frida paints in her paintings. I added color to the photograph of Frida and her deer in Photoshop. I used a container with a lid as a shadow box and I cut a window on the lid so when closed Frida and her deer are seen through it. On the back of the shadow box I wrote an excerpt from Frida’s “The Wounded Deer” poem. I love the way the inspired Frida shadow box turned out, especially since I used a container as a shadow box. I might even make one for myself.

I also embroidered some cards inspired by Frida’s embroidered clothing and her “Viva La Vida” painting. I made a Mexican flower made out of tissue paper, of course inspired by the flowers Frida wore in her hair and used it as a bow for Emily’s package. I doodled a picture of Frida on Emily’s package label. Helen Dardik, a Canadian illustrator, inspired the style of the doodle. Helen Dardik is one of my new favorite artists and sells her colorful children illustration on Etsy.

The rest of the week I’ll be posting more inspired artist swap pieces.

Artist Swap: Creative People Wanted

 

I'm partnering up with Emily from The Morose Bee to do a craft swap!

Here's how it's going to work:

ARTIST SWAP: DISCOVER A NEW ARTIST, GET INSPIRED, GET CREATIVE!

Each of us will pick a favorite artist and receive something inspired by them.

You’ll each be paired up with a swap partner from The Morose Bee, you’ll email your partner and give them:

 · The name of your favorite artist.

 You may give your partner 3 artists to choose from if you wish. 

 · Any helpful links about your artist, especially if he/she is a new upcoming artist. 

 · Your address. 

 Then you’ll research your partner’s favorite artist and create something inspired by that artist for them.  

Dates:

To participate email me at creativitylizette@yahoo.com with your name and contact email, by April 30th. 

On May 4th you’ll receive an email with the name of your swap partner and their email. 

Artists swap pieces should be mailed by May 31st. 

You are welcome to include any extra goodies if you like. 

Anyone is welcome to join this swap. So, be prepared to mail internationally.

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