Huichol Art and Alter
these are the Huichol Yarn Paintings i bought in Sayulita. These dull photos do not do them justice as they are bright, vibrant and wonderful in person. the Huichol are an indigenous ethnic group of western central Mexico.
"The Shaman are running together to dialogue about a giant serpent. The largest they have ever seen. They are singing to him and trying to learn from his power."
"These Shaman are gathered together in the sacred place of the Gods. They come together singing and praying to hear the voices of the Gods. To learn to live and know the teachings."
these yarn paintings are made from dreams and visions and there is nothing predrawn or illustrated. they apply beeswax to a wood board or surface and just begin by pushing the yarn into the beeswax and creating designs. it's amazing to watch, see and behold.
this is a Huichol beaded belt that is one of a kind. i went to visit it every day for almost two weeks and then decided to spend my birthday money on it. i LOVE it! there was nothing else like this in town and i just adore the work, talent and time that went into it. to me, it is amazing. a million tiny seed beads.
this is a small painting by the same Huichol artist who made the belt. i love the painting because although that is supposed to be a candle she is holding in one hand, i think it looks like a giant crystal, and when I finally bought the beaded belt, he gave me this painting too.
these are the beaded Huichol bracelets i got. the Huichol religion consists of four principle deities, the trinity of corn, blue deer, and peyote, and the eagle. all are represented in the bracelets above. i am fascinated by Huichol myth, their traditional beliefs and and how they are resistant to change. follow the link above to learn more.
and last but not least is the lovely alter i set up to hang on to a little bit of sunshine, beach, vacation and Sayulita, Mexico. most of this is items we brought back and a lot of what you cant really see is the many many shells, beach glass, and broken but smooth tile pieces we collected on the beaches. best beach collecting ever!
i miss you beach
i miss you warm ocean
i miss you whales
i miss you heat
i miss you sun
xoxo - jennette, sitting near a bright window, in smashing rubbish world headquarters :)
Strange Worlds!
Matthew Albanese creates amazing miniature worlds to be photographed.
In these photos, the tornado is being made by using steel wool, cotton, parsley and moss!
Isn't it fantastic?!!
Found via the lovely Astulabee
From Matthew's website:
My work involves the construction of small-scale meticulously detailed models using various materials and objects to create emotive landscapes. Every aspect from the construction to the lighting of the final model is painstakingly pre-planned using methods which force the viewers perspective when photographed from a specific angle. Using a mixture of photographic techniques such as scale, depth of field, white balance and lighting I am able to drastically alter the appearance of my materials.
Tap on Matthew's name above to go check out his website. You will enter a magical and spellbinding world! Who knew?!
Amazing!
Off to continue work on the haunted/witchy/Halloween house. Will have some photos to share soon. It's coming along. Just needs some final touches before unveiling.
xox
Jennette
Stick Painting
We did some stick painting after being inspired by Toronto based artist Ginette Lapalme.
I think I found her through Design*Sponge, or maybe Design For Mankind.
Lapalme is a designer/printmaker and also a member of the print collective "Halo Halo."
Her blog, ETTE's is awesome!
We LOVE her stick paintings!
See below:
These are Ginette's
image via http://www.booooooom.com/
I think she uses driftwood and found sticks. She calls them sticx!
When our friend Sheina was moving back to Montreal, Jasper wanted to give her something special. He couldn't stand that she had to leave. I suggested making a Laplame inspired piece that he could give her to take home. Something to remember him by.
Here is Jasper's set up in the Fireball, pre make-over. I was cleaning so he was keeping me company. We used acrylic paints and sticks and driftwood we had from sea kayaking off Lopez and surfing at Westport.
He picked all the colors and got to work.
Here are our masterpieces drying in the sun before he wrapped his for Sheina. She loved it!
It was funny because I was working on this post when into my Google Reader mailbox came this lovely little post from Anabela at Fieldguided about The Dazzle show at Narwahl. Low and behold, I am scanning through the photos and wouldn't you know it, there is one with a glimpse of Lapalme's gorgeous work. Funny because I wasn't expecting it but, duh, because Narwahl is in Toronto and that's where Lapalme is.....
see:
photo via Fieldguided
So, needless to say, we have a whole pile of sticks and driftwood awaiting the attention of our colorful paintbrushes! This is a great project to do with kids or as a group. The contrast of the raw wood and the bright colors makes my heart do a little flip-flop!
I love it!
Go gather yourself some sticks and get your brushes out! Show us what ya got! And have fun!
Off to dream land,
xo
Jennette
Holy Monsters!
I discovered this amazing Monster Quilt over at sfgirlbybay.
Are you dying?!?!
I am!
The maker, an illustrator and cartoonist named Jillian Tamaki, is teaching herself how to embroider. This is her FIRST project!
Wow!
The detail is amazing!
The colors are Divine!
Her beginners ability is out of this world. And the subject matter, come on, it's killin me! I want this quilt!!
Makes me want to pick my embroidery needle back up, and get back to work on my dolls......
OK, I want a monster themed mini quilt in the worst kinda way.
Jillian Tamaki, you're my hero! Make more, make more, make more! And sell one to me!
Visit Jillian here.
Off to splash and drip blue paint around in the Fireball,
xox
Jennette