Inspiration From a One of My Photos

I started this blog as a way to explore artistic inspiration, to keep my self inspired and to hopefully share what inspires me and maybe even to inspire someone else to create something... anything. Imagine my excitement when I found a post on Kim Cavender's wonderful blog showing a beautiful polymer clay brooch made by Oksoon. As soon as I saw it I thought it looked amazingly like a photo I had taken last year of some strange multi-colored berries that we found while on a walk . I started scrolling down as I read and sure enough there was my photo and Kim noted that it had inspired the brooch. How cool is that? My heart is honestly swelling with pride. I'm so excited that all my crazy macro photo taking is not in vain, and so thrilled that someone would be inspired to create something from one of my photos!

So, this is just a little more fuel for my fire to keep on keepin on with this blog! I'm hoping you all continue to follow along with me. If you are ever inspired to create anything from one of posts, please feel free to contact me at blockpartypress@yahoo.com and send me a photo. I will be more than happy to feature it here and I will send you a free item from my shop as a little thank you once it's posted!

Here's the photo that inspired the brooch:



I hope it inspires you too!

Through My Eyes - A Mixed Bag

Well, I have had a wild weekend. I was lucky enough to be chosen Etsy's featured seller this weekend, and I have had a great time! Thanks so much to everyone who sent me well wishes! They have honestly been the best part ! Seriously, the sales are great, don't get me wrong, but the money will eventually be gone. The warm feeling I got from those many messages will stay with me for a long time! So thanks!!

I really should have been prepared with an exciting post since I linked to my blog, but I had a crazy week last week with a birthday, school events, being sick and Thanksgiving. So I thought for the last day I would post a little something quick so people might be enticed to actually return to my blog. So here are some of the mixed bag of things that inspired me this week:



I just loved the shape and shine of the eye pins on my work table. Individually they aren't much to look at, but together they become something very interesting.



We had our first snow last week! It was just a dusting, but nothing is more inspiring that that first snow. Especially when it lands on a bright green and red bush!



I just love these walnut shells (I think they're walnuts). The have a great texture and of course the little heart on the inside is just precious. We find them whenever we go to the park and we have quite a stash. While we were all sick and stuck in the house, I decided to get them out for a little photo shoot. Check my Flickr page for the full photo shoot.



Still being inspired by pinecones!



Who new birthday candles could be so cool? I just loved the bright colors and they way they looked when I had them piled together on my counter.



Making multiple birthday cakes makes you look at beaters in a whole new light!



A sweet little bunny from my childhood. I just loved how it looked against the pink paper. I think it has inspired a new bunny obsession.

So that's what inspired me this week. I hope one of them inspires you too!

You Were Inspired by What? - A rabbit in the sky

Remember laying on your back and looking into the sky to see what you could see in the clouds? I always saw a rabbit (maybe it was the fluffy tail?) and I always loved that everyone could find something different and that if you closed one eye, or squinted just right, you could see what they saw too. This idea of just laying back and using your imagination inspired a new ring, the "Imagination" ring. I like to wear things that bring memories or thoughts to mind when I look at them. When I wear this ring, I remember to use my imagination to make my world more interesting and to never forget to enjoy simple things like the clouds (and the rabbits in the sky).





















Take a little time this week to lay back and see what you see in the clouds. Maybe you will be inspired to create something too! If you are stuck in an office or it's raining, or even if there are no clouds in the sky, you can still play along. Check out these clouds on Flickr and see what you can see. Also check out the 1,191 rabbit clouds on Flickr. Apparently I'm not the only one who always sees rabbits in the clouds:)
















Rabbit Cloud Photo credits:
Rabbit by Aaron Cooney
2008 12 august rabbitcloud (1) by AK Yakstrangler.flickr

Through My Eyes

I am trying to learn the art of the short post, so here are some things that inspired me this past week. Maybe they will inspire you too.

Through my Eyes - Texture

Here is a mosaic of pictures I took this summer that feature texture through my eyes. I hope they inspire you to use some texture in your creations. If you haven't already done so, remember to go to PCAGOE.com to vote for your favorite piece in the Texture Challenge! You can see my entry in the previous post.



1. Macro 365/161, 2. Macro 365/161, 3. Macro 365/160, 4. Macro 365/155, 5. Macro 365/140, 6. Bronze gingko- Macro 365/132, 7. Macro 365/125, 8. macro 365/107, 9. DSCF9912

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

**If you are ever inspired to create something from one of my posts, please let me know as I would love to be able to write a post and share it with my readers.**

I'm Still Here!!!! - BPP News & Updates

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, I have been soooo busy with the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. I have had to put the ole blog on the backburner. This will probably be my last post for another 2 weeks as I have a craft show I am working on while trying to keep my boys occupied. I have some good artist interviews to post, but I want to make sure I have the time to do them justice and not just posting them quickly. Here is the latest from Block Party Press:

Early this year I joined the "Baltimore Etsy Street Team" (BEST) which is a group of artists in the Baltimore Area region. Look out for more info, projects and events from this group. We have a great blog going with great info about events and art happenings in the Baltimore area.

I started a new 365 group on Flickr featuring Macro shots (my latest obsession) called Macro 365: A Closer Look. Myself and those participating will be taking at least 1 macro shot a day for 365 days. Sounds difficult, but it really isn't if you carry your camera with you wherever you go and keep your eyes open for interesting things to take a "closer look" at! Don't be afraid to join the group. I am not a task master, so if you miss a few days so what, just pick up where you left off. If you are too busy to join, just come and check out the amazing creative and inspiring shots from our group members. Once I get back to bloggin, I will be featuring shots from this great group! Here's my set of shots :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blockpartypress/sets/72157604273666018/
Here's today's Macro shot (day 94) & my favorite shot (day 35) so far:













Here are some new items I've recently added to the shop:



















I've been published in the book "1000 Jewelry inspirations" along with a bunch of other Etsy sellers. I haven't gotten my book yet, so I haven't seen what made the cut, but a little bird told me one of my retro trees is on the back cover.

I have some pieces in the first show of the super cute Fact & Fancy Gallery's "Wet Paint Show" in Brooklyn, New York. They are having a reception on the 21st. If you are in the area make sure to stop by.



















This is what's really keeping me busy.... I'll be at the Washington City Paper's "Crafty Bastards Show" on Saturday, June 28, 2008, 10am-5pm at the Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center at 8230 Georgia Ave. (Google Maps) in artist-friendly Silver Spring, MD. Come on by and see my stuff in person. I would love to meet you!


Finally, I am only 4 sales away from hitting 1000!!!! So........I am having a blog exclusive sale! Sales 97 through 1001 will receive 25% off their order & free shipping and # 1000 will receive a free magnet set of their choice (up to a $25 value). Just put blog1000sales in the message to seller and wait for me to send you an invoice before paying. If you forget and pay, I will refund the discounted amount to you! This is only for sales # 997-1001, so when I've hit 1001 it's over. The only place I have posted this exclusive sale is here on my blog (do you feel special?). This discount can not be combined with any other offer.

Well, that's the wrap-up. I'll be back again again in about 2 weeks with some new posts! Happy summer!

Be Inspired by Patterns

Just about everywhere you look, you can find patterns. From the lines on the road to the rows and rows of windows in a skyscraper to the tiny patterns of veins in leaves. Patterns also are prevalent in home decor and clothing. I find a lot of inspiration in these patterns. There are so many possibilities; stripes, dots, checks, florals, diamonds, etc... Something about the repetition is very appealing to me and I enjoy sketching patterns and creating patterns with the textures in my work. Apparently many other artists are inspired to create and use patterns in their work. Check out the creative use of patterns I found on Etsy (click on each picture to see more work by the artists featured):



































Take a little time this week to look at the patterns around you and think about how you can incorporate patterns in your artwork. Create your own patterns by repeating a design. Go to a fabric store and browse the different fabric patterns or browse scrapbook papers for new and interesting patterns. Here are some great Flickr groups all about patterns: Patterns and Designs, Patterns in Nature, Repeating Patterns. Please remember to use all of these things as inspiration and not outright copying. I leave you with my idea of a perfect pattern. Wake-up, be inspired, create, go to sleep, wake-up, be inspired, create, go to sleep and repeat everyday!

My Kid's Art - A New Flickr Group and a Contest

Well, if you have been checking my blog, you will notice that I post my 4 year old son Kyle's latest art project on my side bar. He loves seeing his artwork on the computer so much that it inspired me to create a new flickr group just for kid's art called My Kid's Art.


The group is for showing off your kid's artwork. The group is like an online refrigerator where you can share your kids' artistry with the world! They will get a kick out of seeing it on the computer and will love all the comments receive (don't forget to comment on other artists too!). The art is by kids 18 and under and can be in any medium. You do not have to have kids to join the group, your can also share the art of your nieces, nephews, children you babysit, your students, brothers and sisters, grandkids and just about any kid who's art you want to brag on.

There will also be a weekly theme and kid's projects so you can encourage your kids to create something each week. Come by, check it out and join in the fun!

We already have over 100 members, so to start the group off right I have decided to do a contest. I think part of the fun of kid's art is trying to figure out just what it is they made. Their views are so different from our own that sometimes it is difficult to know what they created. How many times have you looked at one of their pictures and said, " That is a great house, only to be told it is a tree?" Take a look at Kyle's clay creation in this post and leave a comment telling me what it is. Everyone who guesses correctly will be put into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to my Etsy shop. You have until midnight (EST) Friday, September 21, 2007 to get your comment in. Only one guess per person please! I won't post the comments until after the contest!


Create a little art with your kids everyday!

Inspired by "Trash"

Have you ever been taking out the trash when inspiration hit? Ever thought that the bottle or box in the dumpster could be come something more? Well trash is exactly what brought inspiration to Lee Gainer and it led to some amazing art pieces that you can really feel great owning. One because they are gorgeous. I mean, hello, circles, colors texture (I think I'm in love) and two they are environmentally friendly, what more could you ask for? Here is Lee's piece, Magnolia, it's description and the interview about what inspired it.


Original and unique design on 48" x 48" cradled maple board. This piece is from a series of very large collages I created with each being named for a flower. The title is an expression of the "opposition" or things organic and natural, which this artwork is the opposite of. It is organic in it's appearance (like a field of flowers) but created from completely man-made materials. Each took just over a month to build. This piece contains a variety of recycled (upcycled) materials; fabric, paper, felt, foil, caps, carpet, metal, plastic, styrafoam, dried paint, beads, padding and cardboard, that have been hand-rolled into circles and swirls and placed perfectly and securely using Golden Soft Gel. Featuring a rainbow of colors and textures, this piece is unusual and gets noticed by every viewer.
What inspired this piece?
I used to live in a normal townhouse burb that threw out an amazing amount of "trash" each week. I am talking about entire living rooms sets, working light fixtures that just needed a new bulb, $150 of blown glass Xmas ornaments (with the tags still attached), perfectly good stuff! I knew there was something I could do with all these things so I began creating my rolled work in larger forms, using found materials. I had to find a a way to keep some of this good stuff out of a landfill.

Can you detail how you translated your inspiration into your work of art?
I was already working with various materials (dried paint, felt, papers, etc.) by rolling them up into "swirls". I wanted to use those "trash" materials and decided to work bigger. I contacted Al Souza and inquired about the boards he glued his puzzle pieces to. He gave me some pointers, nice guy! I taught myself to use a table saw, went to my local lumber yard and started making my own huge cradled boards. This allowed me to use the heavier, larger "trash" materials.

Where do you tend to find inspiration for your art pieces?
All over. How a shadow falls, the shape it makes. Trash, other artists, lights at night, images from books, bird's nests (they use all sorts of things!), video game screen shots, childhood memories (water slides, girls in parades, ice cream trucks), just about anything.

Any advice for someone feeling uninspired?
It's so frustrating when you get "that block". I will go read a book, do some chores, anything to get my mind completely away from art. After a while, I get an idea or the "spirit" again and hit the ground running. I think that your mind needs to rest its creative side sometimes. In physical exercise, you push a muscle just past it's strength. The fibers tear. You rest. The fibers heal and grow stronger. I think it's the same with creativity.











Lee is also a talented painter and I don't think it will take you very long to see what inspired her paintings! My personal favorite is her M&M paintings. My boys collect the little M&M guys that come out at every holiday, and they would look perfect on the wall over top of their collection! And the Necco wafer one really brings back memories! So fun!

You can find more of Lee's incredible work in her Etsy shop, her website, www.leegainer.com and her blog .
Wouldn't it be great if we all followed Lee's lead and started upcycling trash into amazing art. We could probably reduce global warming by at least a third! Al Gore would be so proud! But, seriously finding inspiration in your trash is a great way to add something new (or old) to your artwork! The next time you head to the dumpster, the recycling bin or trash can, take a closer look and you may be surprised by what you find, and no I don't mean the leftovers from last week (or maybe I do). Look at the shapes of containers, the colors of junk mail and even the strange, alien shapes of the mold that starts to grow after awhile. Remember, keep your eyes and mind open (I did find inspiration in spillt milk after all) and your nose closed, because while there is tons of visual inspiration in trash, the smell is still not so inspiring.

Also remember, supporting artists who use recycled materials is good for the environment!!
To see more cool upcycled art, jewelry, clothing and home decor items, search "upcycle" or "trashion" on Etsy.com, visit the Trashion Street Team page and it's member shops, check out the article, Upcycling for a Greener Living in the Storque and if getting close to trash is not your thing, check out check out these Flickr Groups: Trashion Nation , Trashionista, Free Market (the bargain bin), and The Reuse Project.

The trash photo was found on Flickr and was taken by hammerf.

Inspired By Leaves

I don't know about you, but the first thing I think of when I think of fall is leaves. All the amazing fall colors are so inspiring, so I thought I would take this week to pay homage to leaves. Plus leaves are a favorite subject of mine and I love to recreate them in my work. Hopefully you can find the same inspiration this week. There are so many shapes, textures and colors of leaves , that the possibilities are vast. The life cycle of a leaf is incredible to watch and offers so many different inspirations; from the first glimpse of a sprouting leaf to the soft, smooth, bright green baby leaf, to the mature leaf in all its dark green splendor and distinct shape, to the dying leaf as it changes color to reveal something completely different. Even a dead, dried up leaf or the "skeleton" of a leaf can provide interesting textures, shapes and patterns which can be translated into some form of art. Of course you can also use the actual leaf in your work, or as the subject of a photo. Here are some leaf items I found on Etsy. It was very hard to choose just a few, there were so many gorgeous leaves (I told you they were inspiring). To see more work by the artist or purchase one of the items, just click on the photo to be linked to their Etsy shop! The skeleton leaf photo above was found on Flickr, and is titled "Delicate" and was taken by Kit, the 2nd is a photo, titled "Fallen" was found on Etsy and was taken by annwidner.etsy.com .




















So take a little time over the next couple weeks to study leaves, especially as they begin to change into their fall colors. I love to see the leaves that are just beginning to turn or are halfway there. You might find vivid bright greens next to bright yellow or red with a little brown. They truly look like watercolor paintings at that point. Look carefully at the structure of the leaf, it's shape and it's veins and pay careful attention to how they connect, and the patterns they create . Look at how the leaves are arranged on the tree and











it's branches. For example think of the fern and how it is leaves are very symmetrical and made up of many tiny leaves. Pay careful attention to texture as well, like the texture of my favorite, the ginkgo leaf, or the texture of a dried leaf and how it contrasts with the smoothness of a new leaf. The best way to study leaves is to get out in nature and observe them in their natural habitat. Take a walk in the woods, or just look at the leaves in and around your neighborhood or yard. I make it a practice to collect interesting leaves whenever I take a walk. I dry them and save them for later when I need a reference or a little inspiration. If you can't get out to see some leaves in person, then get a reference book from the library or check out the amazing photos in these Flickr groups: One Leaf, Leaves, Leafs and the Like, or Leaves.

A great way to share a little inspiration with your little one is to do leaf rubbings. Gather some leaves and place them under a piece of paper and rub crayon over the leaves to see the impression. This never ceases to amaze kids. They think it's magic and they get to create a beautiful piece of art.

So get out there and jump into a leaf pile for a little inspiration. You may never look at raking the leaves the same again. It may seem more like a treasure hunt than a chore!