Another World
November 19, 2023 at 9:51 pm | Posted in Art Studio, mixed media collage | Leave a commentTags: abstraction, Egyptian music, Michael Atherton, mixed media collage, music
©Joan Desmond, Another World. Mixed Media Collage, 7"x5"
It’s important to push boundaries in studio work, there are so many wonderful unknowns to explore, always so many new ways to learn and grow. In this case, I’m using an unfamiliar color scheme, neutrals with just some flashes of pure color. I rarely use black in painting or collage. While that shade may immediately create strong contrasts, it can also pull the viewer into a dark hole, leaving the eye stuck there. In the studio, I was listening to “Ankh: The Sound of Ancient Egypt” by Michael Atherton. Using traditional Egyptian instruments he considered how they may have been arranged back then. He created haunting melodies and rhythms, some including voice, with occasional elements of familiarity. I don’t know whether that imprinted on my working process. At the end this abstract, mixed media landscape, brought to mind something extraterrestrial, hence the title, “Another World”. Look closely, it’s there.
Rhythm-scape for Blog post 100!
August 11, 2012 at 12:27 pm | Posted in Art Studio | Leave a commentTags: abstraction, digital design, music, rhythm
©2012, Joan Desmond, Rhythm.
Singing In The Rain, Singing In the Art Studio
February 26, 2010 at 4:41 pm | Posted in Considering Ideas | Leave a commentTags: Angel from Montgomery, Art Studio, CREATIVITY, John Prine, music, singing
Excuse me while I digress from visual art, again, as there’s the rhythm talk on this blog also. It all started in a fit of studio cleaning with Foreigner blasting from the CD player, fast feet, drumming hands, and singing. Allegedly, also involved was half a bar of Green & Black organic milk chocolate with peanuts. Fiery energy whirled ‘round the space. Aside from the shoe shuffling, floor sweeping was neglected, but the counters, palette area, and drawing table are cleared, ready to go now.
Creativity all comes from the same place as we are expressive creatures, it just takes various forms. Our human bodies are tools and instruments; from our brains, eyes, mouths, to hands to feet and shaking hips. Exploring all of it is just natural, enhances life and gives me insights for the visual work.
And sometimes, when there’s a snag in the creative process, or when the pipe feels clogged, doing a 180 is exactly what is needed. At times a walk clears the head, or I pull out music, the drum, the guitar, the twinkling toes. It’s a swirling out to the edges process so I can come back to center refreshed.
I certainly don’t consider the other artistic expressions equally to my visual art as the originality is not there. I haven’t given it enough time for that. My art images come from inside of me, from my soul. With music, I’m using the melodies and lyrics of others-a huge difference.
But it’s fun, and so rewarding.
Still, my tendency is to jump into a project with both feet and carry it to a level of resolution. To illustrate how far I took this singing, for instance. I’m sharing my, hang on… Ta Dah!… raw GarageBand version of a favorite song. I actually purchased a mechanical license to make 25 copies (minimum) of this song from the publishers, Harry Fox. For the understanding and experience of doing it, to acknowledge John Prine as the writer of Angel From Montgomery, and so I don’t have to look over my shoulder. It’s from my album titled: Not Ready For The Big Time. They asked for an album title in the licensing process. It’s so not ready that right now there’s only one song on it.
The next post may be musings on distractions in the studio.
Women’s Creativity and the Midsummer Moon Art Celebration
July 5, 2009 at 12:57 pm | Posted in Art Exhibitions, Art Studio, Considering Ideas | 1 CommentTags: Ankhet, CREATIVITY, dance, drum circle, drumming, Exhibition, Midsummer Moon Art Celebration, music, Out Of The Question, painting, Photography, Poetry, rhythm, short story, Summer Solstice, Tribal Moon Rising, tribal style dance, women artists
photo by Sherry Gaskin
From the “make art” table. One little girl’s version of a prayer flag, sending a positive message out on the breeze.
What have I been up to lately?
Several months back, my friend Elaine across the lake, had a terrific idea about assembling an event celebrating local women artists, and hosting it in her backyard at the time of the Summer Solstice.
Getting involved would distract me from immersion in studio work, but it sounded SO RIGHT, particularly at this point in time, when so much is doom and gloom, and people are holding back. This is exactly when we need to brainstorm, and realize that we possess many resources for creating new directions. Also, it would create a fine venue for art display, which is always welcome, so I committed to the idea.
We discussed the artists we knew. There’s an incredible wealth of female talent in this community in the Fine Arts. Besides, we could identify many cool ladies who would attend and enjoy such an event. As individual artists’ names came up, it was apparent that this could be expanded to include singing, dancing, and poetry, in addition to visual art, creating a balanced day of the arts. This also meant being selective about participants, keeping physical space and time in mind.
From experience, I know that a select group of women can produce a supportive, encouraging, co-operative, and inspiring atmosphere. That was the intent behind the Celebration, and that attitude carried through all the planning.
Color framed the day, heavy on burgundy and reds, as reflected by the postcard invite.
photo by Sherry Gaskin
Out Of The Question kicked off the festivities.
Music was by the group Out Of The Question, with Pat Seamount, Katharine Edmonson, and Kris Wilber. What’s more, most attendees contributed their music during a later percussion fest.
photo by Ellen Schafhauser
Keeping the beat with gourd shakers. In the background, art displays line the entry.
Visual Artists participating were Eve Laeger-watercolor, Sherry Gaskin-photography, Elaine Shrader-painting, Ellen Schafhauser-photography, Katharine Edmonson-assemblage, Pat Seamount-painting, Marjorie Carroll-sculpture, and myself.
photo by Sherry Gaskin
Jill shares her short stories
Ann Beman with a poetry workshop, and Jill Sloan reading her short stories represented literature.
photo by Sherry Gaskin
Ann drums everyone in for the poetry workshop.
photo by Ellen Schafhauser
That’s me introducing drummin’ fun.
photo by Ellen Schafhauser
Friends Hannah and Emma collaborate on a frame drum.
photo by Sherry Gaskin
Graceful Heather from Tribal Moon Rising
There were many attendees, a number of which had only planned to drop in for a bit but then got caught up in the flow and stayed all day. Day flowed into the evening with individual dance performances by Pamela, Marluna, Ankhet; and members of the troupe Tribal Moon Rising– Heather, Melynie, and Kristie. The grand finale was everyone on their feet dancing, celebrating our common abilities and potential.
The June 26th issue of the Kern River Courier, page 12, has a lovely article by columnist Donna Fitch, about the Celebration, titled Show fetes Midsummer Moon Art
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