Mosaic Guitar

After posting “June Bug” today, I looked at my last post and noticed that I promised to share the photos of the mosaic guitar now that it is done.  I had posted photos on BeesATC and neglected to post here, so my apologies!

Mosaic Guitar

Mosaic Guitar BACK

If you want to see it in person, it will be in the  32nd Annual YWCA “Women Artists: A Celebration!” show June 21 to July 19, 2014 at the YWCA of Youngstown building located at 25 Rayen Avenue in Youngstown, Ohio.  Tickets are required for the opening night preview party, otherwise the hours are Monday – Saturday, 12 to 4 PM (closed on July 4-5 and all Sundays except July 13th).

The mosaic guitar is priced at $300 because it is my first mosaic guitar and it is not perfect so I would not feel right asking top dollar.   It is grouted and sealed for indoor display.  The back of the neck is painted (not tiled) so it could be hung on the wall with a standard U hook bracket used for hanging guitars.

NOTE:  click on photos if you want to see it bigger.

A treble clef made of copper wire dangles in the sound hole as a tribute to American artist Lily Harmon (1912-1998) because I got hit by a Deja vu when I walked into the Butler Museum of American Art to see her life retrospective show (Trumbull County Branch, 1997?) and saw her guitar assemblage with the strawberry hanging in the sound hole.   I recognized it.  I  knew I had seen that same strawberry dangling inside an old guitar repurposed as art years ago (before 1970?) as it had captured my full attention when I was a child absorbing the colors and textures of art up like a little sponge.   Our guitars may look nothing alike (hers was assemblage art, mine is mosaic, different designs and everything) but my thoughts often turned to her while I was working on this guitar.  I knew that I had to hang a dangle in the sound hole as my way of saying thank you to an artist who influenced future generations.

There are no strings because when some old guitars die, they donate their organs (reusable parts: tuners, nut, bridge, etc.) to cigar box guitar makers so the music can live on.

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Cups & Meta

Wrapping up unfinished art projects here, including this colored pencil and watercolor piece called “Cups” shown above (cell phone photo snapped before glass was added to the re-claimed frame).  It is 8×16 inches or roughly 9×17 framed, if you are in need of long skinny artwork.  Available for view or sale at Metamorphosis in Struthers, Ohio.

This mosaic tile is also at Metamorphosis now.  Did you see it on display at the YSU Festival of the Arts?  Tiles for the public art project were laid out like quilt squares near the rock.  Here is a photo snapped when I was there. 

I was surprised by the lack of entries this year, not as many as in years before.  I hope more people participate next year as it is fun and I always like to see what others do with the object provided.  Maybe some people shy away as they think they have to be an “Artist” with a capital A to play.  I happen to be an artist of the camp of the little a, who laughs at, snoody attitudes.  Anyone can make art. 

Yes, the copper/steel floral piece called “Art Grows in Youngstown” was in the back row (the only 3D scupture/assemblage there) but I accidentally snapped the photo too low, cut the height off.  That piece is also at Metamorphosis, look for it in the window if you happen to drive by.  Or better yet, stop and wander in during open studio hours.

Metamorphosis is an artist co-op with shared studio space located in a store front in downtown Struthers, but it is not like your average art gallery type place.  It is pretty laid back.  Anyone can wander in during open studio hours on Thursday and Saturday nights to check out the art on display, watch artists at work, or kick back and enjoy coffee and conversation.  Feel free to bring your own art supplies and play in a creative environment, check place out and talk to Becky, if interested in becoming a member.  Meta needs more artist members (and/or art sales) to be self-sufficient.  I plug Meta because I am a member and I want to see it keep going.  This is Becky’s dream, Meta has a purpose, but I will let Becky tell you about that… I believe in her dream.

Monday nights at Meta are “open mic” poetry nights, which is fun and also open to the public.  The crowd is friendly and not too big, so it is a great practice place if you want to get comfy reading your poetry out loud.  I read my first poem there last Monday.  It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be.

Oh well… thanks for viewing my art.  If you are local to the Mahoning Valley, I hope you come to Meta and see it in person.

Fifteen Square

My other tile for public art project is also ready to go the Summer Festival of the Arts at YSU this weekend.