Enlightened Spiders

Inspired by this great video clip of Lama Zopa Rinpoche liberating spiders.

























Made with discarded x-mas bulbs and scrap telephone wire. Spiders range from 2" - 3" body with 3" - 6" leg span.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche liberating spiders - http://shar.es/a9qVa

Dinosaur Garden of Dreams - Dia De Los Muertos

"Sleep well in the garden of your dreams..."

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a two day Mexican holiday for participants to celebrate, honor and communicate with friends and family who have died. In most regions, November 1 is set aside for remembering infants and children, or angelitos (little angels). Those who have died as adults are honored November 2.

Day of the Dead 'figurines' and mini altars often represent the activities of loved one's when they were happiest while alive.

Made with a found drawer, can lids, clay, chandelier crystals, glass beads, sticks, scrap metal and wire, natural objects.

Whole piece: 13"x11"
(10" high with tallest crystal arm)See the whole piece here.



Dig this-->I'm honored to be found via Flickr by "ArtEvolved," and added by admin to their cool paleoart site. Be sure to check out this fun blog, and scroll it to see which image of mine they used (hint: it is NOT pictured here)!

Each Grain of Sand a Tiny Work of Art | Earth Science | DISCOVER Magazine

Amazing photographs. A beautiful example of the limitless inspiration to be found in nature :)

Each Grain of Sand a Tiny Work of Art | Earth Science | DISCOVER Magazine

Posted using ShareThis

Rock and Shell Pendants

I just love beachcombing and rockhounding...here are some finds adorned with scrap wire, glass and ceramic beads. Wearable pendants, unique gift tags, decor pendulums, the list goes on! So fun to create out of your favorite nature treasures! Try it, you'll love it!

Message In A Bottle

This my version of a message in a bottle. When you raise the orange bead, you unscroll a message! In this case: the peace sign. This was a lot of fun to make work. I look forward to making more--I have plenty of bottles and jars!

~3" peace bottle
~5 1/2" heart bottle



PEACE bottle RELEASED Feb. 7, 2009, Starbucks in Barnes & Noble, Palm Desert, CA

HEART/PEACE (clear bottle) RELEASED March 28, 2009 Avalon, CA (Catalina Island)




This one (below) made from found and junk store bottles, found key, scrap wire, plastic and glass beads, thrift store material scraps.

Outside bottle has quote: "Peace is our gift to each other." ~ Elie Wiesel
Pull up KEY to "unlock"/unscroll message: peace symbol with wave pattern (both sides)

Ooops, kinda cheating with this one, "released" March 28, 2009, in my aunt's hotel room, Avalon, CA (Catalina Island)...







Another made from found and junk store bottles, found key, scrap wire, plastic and glass beads, thrift store material scraps.

Pull up ORANGE BEAD to unscroll quote: "Whenever there is a sentient being there is a chance for kindness." ~Seneca 4 BC -- 65 AD (although I took liberties and replaced "human" with "sentient" :) One side has human footprints drawn with message, the other side has paw prints with same quote.

RELEASED Saturday, March 28, 2009 Avalon, CA (Catalina Island), at a candy shop window; corner of Sumner and Crescent Ave.'s

Buddhist-inspired APC's

Made with cards from "canceled" decks from local casinos (note drill holes), other thrift store decks and/or pink Bicycle deck. Some have been released for Found Art Tuesday during the Dalai Lama teachings in Long Beach, Sept. 2009.









































For more APC's please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34241256@N07/

Butterflies

Now mounted on my "Butterfly Screen" piece, these are some of the found art butterflies made from old frozen hinges, and a variety of glass and stone beads, quartz crystal, thrift store chandelier crystals, scrap wire...

The Space Bar construction site...

"...cheap beer for broke writers"


The was just so much fun to make. Originally inspired by an old typewriter my mom and aunt found at a yard sale, I immediately deconstructed it with a different concept in mind. But, as the creative process flowed, so did my imagination and this is the scene I ended up with, following a writer's block moment ;)

Made of a variety of found, scrap metal pieces and materials. Construction bugs made with all found things: washer, bolts, metal springs, telephone wire, scrap wire, glass beads, fuses, kitchen utensils, etc.

Soon to be--and, only in my imagination, mind you--a bar with outdoor seating/gathering. The Space Bar is targeted to writers and other creative buggers. "Opening soon" sign reads, "Let our service be your muse, join us for Freelance Fridays and get 2-for-1 lunch!"


Patio heaters made with found auto fuses, metal washers, and faucet knobs. Sign reads, "Larvae, instars, and newly molted NOT ALLOWED after 9 p.m."

Construction bug hauling material to the salvage dumpster...

Every construction site has a port-a-potty. Made with a piece of scrap steel and a can lid, and a small metal screen (out of shot) for the all important port-a-potty vent. Yes, I guess I'm showing you strange things, but I get into the details of things like this :)



One of the construction bugs adding to the salvage pile. Dumpster is a car door ashtray filled a bottle cap, wire and various debris ;)

I just like this shot. This is the menu in progress with homage to three of my favorite authors: Christopher Moore, Clive Cussler and the bottom one says, "Twain it, if you're hungering for an American classic"


29"H x 36" L x 20" W; 47" at highest point (crane)
More photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34241256@N07/

FunkyArtGirl cruisin' Water Woman Festival!

I am truly excited to participate in the upcoming Water Woman Festival as an artist (and presenter). This amazing eco-centered festival will be held in Joshua Tree, CA, Oct. 1 thru Oct. 4, 2009. Look for my "Family Totem" on grounds (previous blogpost)...and definitely some F.A.T. goodies throughout the 4-day festival!

Please check out the festival site here, or the link above. For detailed photos of "Family Totem" visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34241256@N07/

Dragonfly

Made with thrift store chandelier crystal, scrap wire, and found metal washers, bullet shell, and metal spring. This was my first "release" for F.A.T, a dragonfly left at The Living Desert, Palm Desert, CA.

~3"

Bird Nest - F.A.T. project

Originally inspired by an artist at our local street fair about a year ago (him/her nests were much more refined and held wonderful and special treasures in them!), and much more recently, by the little nest with baby birds that have made their home at my friend, Diane's new home.

Made with LOTS of scrap wire, embellished with found blue jay feathers, and 3 African beads. Released for Found Art Tuesday by my partner in crime (my mom!), Aug. 15, 2009 at the Sofitel Maeva Resort in Papeete, Tahiti.

4" diameter

...superhero by night

Face made with found scrap metal misc. including bottle opener, old TV channel plate, frozen/rusted chain, scrap wire. Mounted on two scrap wood panels from an explosives crate.

~8"x10"

Kachina

This was one of my first large pieces. When I first layed it out, it reminded me of a kachina. It is made from various found metal rings and scrap, a hub cap, saw blade, metal and glass beads, scrap wire; along with three antique/junk store finds--a metal trivet and two bread (5-loaf) baking pans.

~6 1/2 ft. tall

Family Totem

Photo collage of "Family Totem" with faces that represent my moods, my family story (~akin to Northwest totems), and affectionate exaggerations of certain personalities.

FACES are made from various found materials like cans, metal lids, nuts/bolts, metal springs, scrap wire, beads, etc.

TOTEM POLE includes: --scrap 2x4's--found car speaker embellished with Kumeyaay clay beads, scrap wire and rolled can lids--found bicycle rim embellished with bamboo beads surrounding a found aluminum hub--scrap metal sheet embellished by curling and attaching can lid, quartz crystal, found metal washer, scrap wire; also rolled can lid w/clay bead--found metal ring--acrylic paint/embellishment

7 1/2 ft. tall

More of Family Totem: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34241256@N07/

Faces (collage)

Some of my earliest faces--several of which are now part of my "Family Totem" piece, a 7 ft. tall totem pole. Many of these faces were born out of the trashed treasures I collected from one of my first serious junking expeditions ;) Often, they just create themselves...like the smashed soda can that screamed 'grumpy' face, or the curled lid for the 'worried-about-to-cry' face, and the mangled/punctured lid that became the 'ick-I'm-sick' face (with a fuse for the thermometer).



All pieces here made entirely of found scrap wire, junked and rusted metal objects: lids, utensils, auto parts, cans, hinges, saw blades, springs, nuts/bolts etc., with glass or ceramic beads for embellishment.