quintessential quotes

The life of the consciousness is boundless. It interpenetrates the world 

and is woven in all its imagery. Therefore, we must listen closely to our inner voice. 

Oskar Kokoschka

Occupy an Experiment in Creativity #18

I really love,respect, and support the Occupy Movement. The one thing that fills me up with constant inspiration is the individual and collective Creativity, which is the heart of this movement. Specifically I have been been intrigued by the ART(The Expression) that is being created from the movement, I really think the signs that individuals are creating and holding up in public to protest, embody it all.  To me the mark making and the words are really an ultimate Art Intervention, which gives voice, empowerment and expression to the beholdee and the beholder. 

Signs have power-Found this one at the Mother of Dada's Art Center and Living Art Studio, Ojai, CA

As Art imitates life and vice versa with this Experiment in Creativity

•  I want you to create your own Occupy Art Sign and place in the public sphere to engage in your own Art Intervention. 
• Have Fun and Express what ever you need to Occupy
• Document your ART and Experience 
• If you feel inspired by your Occupy Art you can also submit it to GOOD Magazine, they are holding a contest "to create a creative sign for the 99 percent."

Looking forward to seeing what transpires. 

 -Lisa

Happy Gratitude Day!!

Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
 -G. K. Chesterton

HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!

Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; 

the larger kind we feel for what we give.” 

— Edwin Arlington Robinson

ART Local: Answer to Experiments in Creativity #17

Last week I was in Northwest Arkansas. which includes the towns of Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville, visiting my Dad. He lives in Rogers on Beaver Lake and this was the town where I decided to complete my Experiments in Creativity #17.  Although the new and grandiose Crystal Bridges Museum  is only a couple miles away in Bentonville, it was really a challenge to find the Local Art Scene in Rogers, Arkansas.The population of this town is sprawling, it is around 55,000 and most folks work for the Moguls of Walmart, Tyson's (factory torture farm for chickens) and JB Hunt. As I was trying to explore the Local Art scene in Rogers, I went into the historic downtown, which has cute cafes, shops and that is where I found the lone Artist Collective and where I completed my experiment. 


Step 1: Find the local art scene and document your adventure to and fro.

Poor Richards Artist Collective

Historic Downtown Rogers, Arkansas

Step 2: Pick a local artist who inspires you

Inside Poor Richards where I met Artist Damon Chatterton

 Step 3: Provide us with the website, images, etc. of that artist.

Damon Chatterton is a self taught Artist, who works in Polymer Clay. 

You can find more of his work at Poor Richards Art. 

Here is what Damon says about his process "Polymer clay has become my sweetest vice; working the clay makes me hungry, it feels like making candy or sushi. The colors and versatility of the medium allow me to make images with Millefiori, sculpt figures or build vessels, and even hand-roll my own beads.  I do not use paint to make my designs, only pure hand-worked clay."

Step 4: Create a work of art as a direct response to the artist and his/her work.

Work that I created in response to Damon's PolyClay. Spiral; Medium Sumi ink and Oil Pastel

Step 5: Tell us why you chose the artist and how the new work you created was inspired by him/her.  

I choose the Damon's work because I actually met him and we had nice conversation about the Poor Richards Art Collective. I checked out his work and what I liked was that his worked was inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Deco, two movements I have always been a fan of. The piece that I created in response to his work was a Spiral mixed media piece. It was inspired by Damon's organic forms and his strong color choice of grays tones and blacks. Also, I think subconsciously I choose the archetype of the Spiral because the Artist Collective is going through a journey as after the holiday season they will be closing and they hope to open up in new place in downtown Rogers. I wish them luck, they fill a necessary and very important role in their community. I do hope in the near future with the opening of Crystal Bridges  the Local Art Scene will start to flourish. Also, I know that the National Endowment of Arts has a cool community arts grant program called Our Town. Although, sadly the NEA is on the government chopping block these days and that grant might not be available very soon.
From this experiment a couple things came to my mind. I strongly feel that every town and city needs a thriving Arts Community it essential for individual expression, Civic Pride,community building, and empowerment. As Sir Ken Robinson eloquently surmises, "Creativity now is as important as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status."  

Community Arts in truly my passion and in the near future, I hope to open a thriving and Transformative Community Art Center were ever I live that gives back to the community! 
Also, I am looking forward to hearing about your Local Art Scene and your creative response to it!  This was a fun EIC it is awesome to creatively embody your experience.-Lisa

Our NEW Online Store!

WE JUST OPENED OUR FIRST STORE!

We are so excited to share all of the wonderful artworks we have collected over the years with you for purchase.  Below is just a small sample of what you can buy in forms of greeting cards, photographic prints, matted or framed prints, and more!  Every dollar that you spend on your new work of art will go straight towards supporting Art is Moving.

Help us on our mission to get the world to "take an art break together" and get art into hands of everyone so they have a chance to discover the power of art!

• American Flag
• Confusion of color
• Profile of a Woman
• Orange Chicken
• Bird in the Sky
• Circles
• James and his…
• Pigeons in the Park
• Purple Twilight
• Color Amoeba
• Love, Peace, …
• Waves of color

We also have a collection of T-shirts for those of you who want to spread the word!

And, Lisa came up with the quote, and Lauren came up with design for this one.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support!
Lauren and Lisa
Art is Moving

A Peek @ Crystal Bridges, Museum of American Art

On 11/14/11, I visited the brand spanking new Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.  I believe I read somewhere that Alice Walton, the founder of  Crystals Bridges, intention was for the museum and its grounds to be a zone of  stewardship for Art, Nature, and Knowledge, here is a peek at what I discovered at this amazing treasure.
As you approach the entrance of the museum, you are greeted by this spectacular metal tree sculpture by Roxy Paine. When you look down at the vista of  Crystal Bridges designed by the stellar architect Moshe Safdie it is really a stunning example of the merging of nature, time,space, and form all nestled in the forest of the Ozarks. The day that I went it was raining, which was lovely and moody; however,  I sensed that this structure and its vibe changes in time and weather. In the sunlight the copper and silver roofs probabaly sparkle in the sun and in the evening the lights must created a glow like a group of fireflies surrounding the museum.

 In one of the galleries there was a  Contemporary American Exhibition called the Wonder World featuring well known and emerging artists. I loved this exhibition which included such super stars as Nick Cave(Sound suit below) and John Baldessari which explored the notion of Nature and Perception.

This was a eclectic piece (below) a portrait done on an artist palette

In another which encased 19th work, I was really intrigued by (below) this portrait of a monkey whose expression was questioning the viewer, he was holding a book by Charles Darwin. I was intrigued why Walton collected this piece as Arkansas is in the Bible Belt and evolution in some sects in still being challenged.

The Indian and the Lily by George de Forest Brush, purchased  December 2004 for $4.824 million

I also loved the metaphysical topics of some of the early 20th century work.

I really enjoyed my visit at Crystal Bridges it is obvious that Alice Walton collects for the love of Art and she wants everyone to experience the joy that she feels from Art, It seems with her eclectic collection she wants to open a conversation about Art. 

Crystal Bridges is a successful hub of the stewardship of Art and Nature. I feel this adds a lot of potential to the community to expand their horizons--the tickets are free to attend, they have an extensive education department, and books are everywhere amongst the collections so you can sit, absorb, and do your own art investigation.  Art should be for all!!

On our Flickr account you can see the rest of the photos that I took that day at Crystal Bridges, Museum of American Art, I hope to walk the Art Trail at the Museum  this week, I am dying to sit in James Turrell installation and connect with the woods.