"Adaptive Reuse 3" and another acrylic sheet painting

When I painted the background for Adaptive Reuse 3, it seemed a shame to have to cover it up. So I took a few pictures of it.



Then I added the first layer of objects. My plan is to use another split complementary color scheme. This time, it will be blue, purple, and yellow. Usually I prefer analagous colors, but I am trying to challenge myself.


I was even able to use the cardboard packaging from my new camera for this one.


I am still trying to decide what I want to put into this little "window." The box is left over from an interior design project. It once contained a little round side table from Urban Outfitters. A few of my classmates said it reminded them of a pastry or pizza box.

I'm using the leftover paint to create an acrylic sheet painting. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I stumbled upon this marbling technique accidentally.


I added some glaze to the top right corner to break up the purple that had puddled there. The shape it created reminds me of a jellyfish.

My biggest challenge in creating the acrylic sheet paintings is finding a flat level surface to leave it to dry for a few days. Sadly, most of the taborets and tables in the studio are lopsided or wobbly.

more doll project rejects

I am "de-stashing" a few more dolls that I do not need for The Doll Project.

Tressy decided to leave because--as you can see from her disapproving glare-- she could not stand living next door to Casey and Francie's swinging 60's bachelorette pad any longer. So she's for sale on Etsy.

Remember how I called that one Maxie doll a teenage zombie? Well I've got something even worse: a Zombie Bride Marie Osmond doll!

Maybe there was an accident at the doll factory that day. Or perhaps poor Marie wandered into the home of a mad scientist who needed a bride for a creature he made from the parts of stolen cadavers. Or maybe she was infected with the Rage virus. Whatever the case, something went terribly, horribly, tragically wrong and now this doll's face is disfigured. There is a greenish gray discoloration all around her eyes, and the white paint for her teeth has come off. The area around her mouth is a bright orangeish pink. She came with a stained, dingy wedding dress.

She was part of a group of dolls sold as a lot on eBay. But I figured out why she's a zombie: she's an extra from the Thriller video! Why else would she have come with a Michael Jackson doll?



So if you need a zombie bride doll, you should visit my Etsy shop. And then I can use the money to buy Mr. Jackson a real Thriller jacket. (Though he looks pretty good in the Speed Racer outfit.) No, he is not part of The Doll Project. Just part of my collection.

I have more dolls available in my Doll Project Destash store. Click the link to see them. You might find something you like.

ambivalent spring

My favorite season is probably Spring. Everyone thinks of Spring as gentle, delicate, pastel-colored, but really it is a volatile and unpredictable time of year. Rain, snow, wind, sun, new leaves and baby flowers. And the kind of weather that makes you sick because you never know how to dress for it.

Like today. It snowed. I went out in it for a little while. I already have a cold so it makes no difference now. I wanted to check out the Chicago Modernism Show and Sale.

Even the entrance to the show was a work of art. It reminded me of my Kaleidoscope House. Since I only stayed for a little while, I didn't have time to take pictures of everything I liked. But I did pick up a few cards from some vendors, so here are a few pictures from their sites.

The pieces above are from Higgins Glass. I love the fun colors and whimsical designs.


I don't remember seeing this Lucite and glass coffee table at Uber Modern, but I love it.

On my way back to the car, I took a few pictures of the snow. I am still trying to figure out how to use all the functions of my camera. At least I got a chance to try taking a few outdoor pictures.


I need the practice for when the real winter comes.
The snow is always so gorgeous when it first begins to fall... and I don't have to drive in it.

My newest artist statement

I've been working on updating my artist statement. This is what I have so far:

I like to push the boundaries of what materials are acceptable for use in fine art while still creating work that is visually pleasing. My improvisational and intuitive style is all about adaptation, making beautiful things out of trash. I am gathering the fragments of consumerism, the disposable detritus of a one-time-use society. Cardboard boxes are meant to ship things, plastic bags are meant to carry things, LDPE and bubble wrap are meant to cushion things in transit from factory to store to end user, but none of these things are typically thought of as things in and of themselves. Seldom are they used as a material for making art. By using these otherwise disposable materials to create art, I am giving permanence to the impermanent. I am making the byproducts of the products we buy artistic products of their own right. It is a kind of alchemy. It is not just about salvage. It is about redemption.

Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

my Etsy store is now open for business

While stuck at home with a cold today, I got a great idea. Now is the time to start my Etsy store. Not only can I start selling prints from The Doll Project, but I can also get rid of some of my extra dolls in the vintage section. So those doll project rejects can move on to a new home.

The URL for my Etsy shop is http://tjgholar.etsy.com
As I add new items, I'll be posting information on here about it.

Stop by soon!

Pictures from the "Toyth" Show

Here are my pictures at the "Toyth" art show. I am so pleased with how they look on the wall of the exhibit space.

I realized yesterday that I have the perfect accessory to wear for the opening tonight, a cute little doll necklace that I picked up at a consignment shop. I had never worn it before. I was saving it for the right occasion. And tonight was the perfect occasion.

I want to thank everyone who came out to see the show. I was graced with the presence of a very special guest, my friend's daughter Iris.

Yes, that's right. There is even something for 2-year-old art patrons to enjoy at this show. After all, what's a show about toys without children to play with them?

Meanwhile, back at the painting studio...

The Doll Project may have been taking up all my free time this week, but it's not the only thing I've been working on. I still have paintings to do for school.


I have made a lot of progress on Adaptive Reuse 2. On Thursday I started on Adaptive Reuse 3.


Here is that gorgeous Electric Blue I was talking about.


Adaptive Reuse 3 is off to a good start.

More new pictures from the doll project

Here are a few more pictures taken this week. Acrylic box framed 8x10s will be available for sale at the art show I am doing this weekend.

Which paintings should I submit to the student show?

Last year I only had one or two completed pieces to choose from for the student show. This year I have so many that it's hard to keep track of them all! I have narrowed it down to the ones below. Let me know what you think by commenting on this post. We are allowed to enter two pieces into the show. I have until April 6th to make a decision.

Stimulus Package

Horror Vacui

Solar Storm

Untitled

What a difference a new camera makes!

I am so glad the new camera arrived when it did. It gave me a chance to shoot additional photos for the Toyth Art Show this weekend. Below are some new photos of Black Ana and of Kennedy.