RED Art Project Artist: Gufobardo

When the call went out for artists to participate in the RED Art Project, I had no idea such highly acclaimed and talented artist would emerge.

"My name is Stefania Morgante and my job is also my passion."

I’ve studied at the Artistic Liceo of Lecce, then I went to the University of Bologna, DAMS, where I took my bachelor in

Teoria delle forme

(theories of Shapes) in 1992.

After University I collaborated with the cultural page of some newspapers. I took care of the public relationships for some theaters. I’ve also taught Drawing and Art history in the secondary schools and in some courses about tourism.

Then I decided to reflect and I asked myself: what do I want to do? This is how my activity was born, it joins fantasy, technology and the tradition of the artistic creation with the desire of realizing my dreams."

Stefania lives her Life Through Art in a variety of mediums.

You can see more of her art at Gufobardo.

RED Art Project Artist: Faerie Enchantment

Who can produce such a versatile slate of work, always having a child's spirit at heart?

Faerie Enchantment by artist Lisa Kettell that's who!

Lisa is an artist, photographer, instructor and author. Her work is always whimsical, enchanting and magical.

"The whole look of Frosted cupcakes and twinkling paper sprinkled with tarnished silver is so magical and enchanting, anything odd and out of the ordinary has mystery surrounding it and I love to learn about those curious things, waiting for me to either find them or create them."

Lisa, a participating artist for the RED Art Project 2008 definitely lives her Life Through Art

RED Art Project Artist: Marilyn Radzat

An amazing artist participating in the RED Art Project.

The Fantasy Art of Marilyn Radzat

"I am often called a Curator of Enchantment. I feel that Enchantment offers, in her very essence, inspiration. It is that serendipitous coming together of the unexpected . . . a tiny orange mushroom on the forest floor, a circle of young redwood trees forming a cathedral space, a flash of silk caught by a branch . . . I believe in Enchantment in her highest form. Not as an escape from reality, but as a window into what is possible in that fertile and complex world of imagination."

Marilyn Radzat lives her Life Through Art.

RED Art Project Artist: 3rd Eye Muse

"I am a breather, a be-er, a lover, a friend, a bee in a hive that dances and dreams, a maker of things ... and so much more."

One of the talented artists who is creating for the RED Art Project.

Michelle' at 3rd Eye Muse lives her Life Through Art.

RED Art Project Artist: Tinsell and Whimsey

Sue, at Tinsell and Whimsy is an artist who's life is all about art. She is one of those people who I have the pleasure of knowing and can truly say that she lives her Life Through Art. Every thought, every action, every story is connected to her creative muse.......a clown!
Sue's story:

I create one-of-a-kind folk art ........always with a pun! You can literally see my fingerprints on everything I make.

For me the journey of creating art is almost more important than the resulting art. I am most always on a new journey somewhere, usually without any preconceived notions of where I am going. To forget any artistic techniques I have learned and to make mistakes is my freedom in creation.

By day and sometimes at night too, I help at our family winery Madonna estate doing art related projects, such as labels, etc., and whatever else is needed. I like to work on my personal creations into the night from about 11:00pm until about 3:00am. I find this time to be my most creatively inspired. I love all manner of junk, found objects, and oddities, and I am absolutely, passionately, wild about creating the art of Halloween.

You can see more of Sue's art on her blog at: Tinsell and Whimsy

RED Project Artist: Wall Dancer

I am so impressed by artists I find here in blogland. I have decided to start sharing some of them with you. We all need art and some have figured out how to live their Life Through Art.

Here is Keri's story.
I began the "Wall Dancers" in February 2003. After 15 years of being a Senior Designer, I lost my "passion" for my art. Just when I said "No Mas!" and "I knew' where my life was going (silly me!) - Our Higher Power decided to display a sense of humor and I've been 'along for the ride' ever since!I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease in February 2002 that kept me literally bed-bound.
In 2003, the first dolls were actually made in bed with me in my jammies! I was told by all of my doctors that "these were impossible to do" because of my late diagnosis I was a MESS! I was literally crawling, could not focus or see well & I was forever in a brain-fog & in a state of confusion. Apparently a little bit of spirit that was left inside of me was strong enough where I chose to try not to think sick. I kept myself busy so my illness did not totally dictate my life anymore & regained my self-respect back.


I have now sold 1,000 dolls-woo-hoo! Now 7 years later it still is a battle I take on with a smile! And every year at Christmas my docs & nurses who are now dear friends all receive their dolls and love them!

I know after infusing along side of 2 year old cancer patients how truly blessed I am. These lil angels were not going to have their lives to live - and there I sat knowing I have a BEAUTIFUL family that I adore and how lucky I am.


I feel that "everything does happen for a reason' and I 'accept' that I am 'exactly where I am supposed to be today. I have learned MANY lessons and have met some of the greatest people on this adventure so I enjoy my 'ride' with a smile.

You can find more of Keri's art at:
Kerijoy etsy
Walldancers blog

(info was taken from Walldancers blog spot)

RED ART PROJECT

Ready for an art challenge?

This is going to be a fun one and for a great cause.

Life Through Art Foundation is based in Burbank, California. We provide art opportunities for children across the US. As an umbrella non-profit organization we work with children and art educators to provide opportunities for under privileged kids to experience the arts.

All disciplines in art...culinary, musical, visual and theatrical.

Every year we hold an amazing event named "The Red Party". This year we are going to partner up with you to create art for an "art auction".

So here are the guidelines:

The Theme is RED...somewhere there needs to be the color red.

Other themes need to be encompassing any area of the arts

and/or

the image of an umbrella somewhere in the piece.

Create a piece of art: Textile, fine, doll, sculpture, jewelry, etc.

It can be two or three dimensional work.

The size needs to be no larger than 18"x18".

(E-mail me with any questions. Needs to be financially shippable.)

We are going to photograph and post photos of the art, along with the artists name and contact information.

This blog will have a running blog roll of all artists who are participating.

When your art is finished you can also send your link and I'll update it.

Sign ups are October 1 until November 1, 2008

Projects need to be received by November 1, 2008

so they can be photographed and posted.

We are requesting $5.oo to cover shipping costs.

Items will be up for auction at the RED PARTY 08

Now here's more fun stuff.

12 art pieces will be chosen for a full color 2009 calender!

The calender will be sent to each of the participating artists and be handed out as the red carpet VIP gift at the RED PARTY LA on December 6, 2008.

They will also be available for purchase for the public.

Send me an e-mail sabiiwabii@aol.com if your are interested.

Send me your link to your blog, web, etsy, flickr, etc.

Please link our button. (The Red Project) and tell your friends!

We want to have great participation for the kids!

87

more days until

the Red Party,

Los Angeles, California

It's all for the kids!

Living Life Through Art with color.

Flickr photo by: Marielito

Flickr photo by: aviva007

Flickr photo by: Stubbert's

More art can be seen at Enter from the Exit

Etsy photo: Withatwist by Tara Anderson

Flickr photo by: Realeon

Whimsical and Colorful

Chihuly bridge of glass in Tacoma, Washington.

Flickr photo by ms.donnalee/donnacleveland

Artwork by C.Karen Flickr photo

Artwork by J. Brooks Flickr photo by Sabiiwabii

Artwork by Yellena on Etsy

Artwork by irregular expression Flickr photo

Chihuly exhibit Flickr photo by Schwatoo

Artwork by Mariana Carvalho for tchibi line

Artwork by Apo-Art

All living Life Through Art

Butt Uglee

An interview with Jennifer Jones founder of the soft sculpture line called "Butt Uglee". Jennifer talked with Leslie from Funky Art Queen. Both of them live their Life Through Art.

I first discovered Jennifer Jones while pouncing on Etsy one day. I spotted her big, fabric sculptured flowers in all their glory. Oh, they are just awesome and fun. The black and white stripes on the stems got me too! So, I marked her as a favorite and kept an eye on her. I knew that I would want to get to know her better and I'm betting you will be glad she agreed to let me interview her for

"I Must Share This".

Here is some of that interview.

Tell us who you are and what you are about?

I grew up in a home full of creativity. For as long as I can remember both my parents had some sort of art/hobby going on. My mother was a quilter and loved to do crewel work. My father was a carver. He did mostly birds of the Eastern Shore. Every night they would sit in their “green chairs” and do their thing. My mom had her glasses riding low on her nose … so she could see. My father had his balsa wood and carving knife in hand. He would have a pile of wood chips all over the floor. This went on EVERY night! I don’t remember my Mom ever complaining about the mess my Dad made.

I was into everything! You name it … I did it! I loved to color. I loved the smell of the newsprint paper in Elementary School. A new box of crayons would send me over the edge. I would make all kinds of characters out of rocks, shells, clay, pipe cleaners, glue and construction paper. If I found something on the ground I was sure I could make something cool out of it. I couldn't write or spell but I sure could draw a mean picture.

I notice that your work is very unconventional and original. Tell me how you have the courage and confidence to create such original and funky things?

I can't help but think that your work sends a certain message. You don't care what others think, you don't need patterns because you do your own thing, you are brave and you don't care one bit about staying "inside the lines". Your thoughts on that?

Wow! Great question! I would be lying if I said I didn’t care what people thought of my work. I do … but my intention is not to create what I think will sell. I really just create what makes me happy. It takes a “special” kind of person to like my work and really understand it. I know BuTT UgLee is not for everybody.I have never been one to stay “inside the lines.” I don’t believe there are lines when your art comes from your heart. (God that sounded good.) I draw my designs free hand. I have made a few copies of my favorites but that is about it. Give me a bolt of muslin and a “marker be gone” pen and I am good to go.

So have you considered copyrighting your work? What about making PDF patterns and selling those?

This is something I think about often. I love the idea of PDF patterns. The immediate gratification is what I like. I think I will sit on this egg for now.

Tell us about your hopes and dreams

I dream some day of having a real “studio.” For now we are in a 3 bedroom condo. Hubby (who also works from home) our 17yr old daughter Samantha, a 100 lb Bernese Mountain Dog named Lilly and three cats … Colby, Cheddar and Honey. My “stuff” is everywhere! Only on rare occasions can we cook in the kitchen or use the kitchen table. Needless to say … we eat out a lot.
I would love to be able to sell most of my goods online. I really don’t like packing and traveling with them. Etsy is awesome!! I have “met” some of the most creative people on this site. My dream … is to one day have my work published. Somewhere .. Anywhere … a park bench will do. I think it would be so cool to see one of my creations on or within a magazine.

My hope is to find some relief for my depression. I was diagnosed 4 years ago and it has been a drain on me since. I am blessed to be my own boss. I could never be self employed. I never know what kind of day I will have. Each day is a mystery. How am I going to feel tomorrow? My art is a reflection of my depression. When you look at the faces on my creations and analyze them they all look whacked out … or … totally lost and confused. I guess whacked out will do for now. Sewing and painting keep me sane and off the streets. And last but not least … I dream about renting a big RV (with my husband of course), packing up the animals and touring the USA. Not for the scenery … I want to go to all of the food festivals you see on the cooking channel. You know what I mean…. the onion fest, the chili cook-offs, the festivals that most all of the states have at one time or another the honor some type of food. That is it … I don’t ask for much.

I asked her to give me some of the things on her Bucket List

1. Travel/vacation somewhere with my daughter before she gets too old and I am wearing diapers.

2. Spend a week ( with my hubby ) in every major city in the USA. Stay is the nicest hotels, eat the best food and drink the finest wine. Maybe even go to the spa.

3. Spend a whole summer, in a beach house … RIGHT ON THE BEACH … I mean right there by the water. I am thinking maybe Stone Harbor New Jersey. I used to be a beach inspector there when I was in college.

4. Spend a winter in the mountains of Colorado. Nice big lodge, fire place, spa and room service. It must be a place that takes dogs. My big girl Lilly would love the cold climate.

5. Own an old, restored to mint condition, VW Beetle or maybe even the cool vans they had back when I was a kid. The two tones ones with the VW logo/emblem on the hood. I love the purring sound they make.
I want to be a hippie or a pirate when I grow up ....I feel this important to note!!!

Jennifer, thanks so much for participating in this interview. You are wonderful and very talented. You just keep it going sistah. By the way, you have been published now. You were just published on my blog!!! And this one too!
Interview by Leslie at Funky Art Queen