Prints, Paints and Polka-Dots

Yes, I know. It's been a while. But here I am and hopefully here I'll stay for a bit longer than last time. As I may have mentioned in a previous post, I've been away for good reason! Though that doesn't entirely mean good news. But here I will try and stick to the positives. 

I have recently finished semester at University, and so all you student readers will know how much that can swamp you for time. But it's all been pretty fab. This semester I had been doing a creative arts unit. Two of my assignments consisted of five recorded musical performances and five created artworks. I think I was in my element and got out all my old work and equipment from my art school days. I went nuts with the brayer and indian ink whilst printmaking, and in the end somehow ended up covering myself in acrylic paint as well as the bathroom. Not to mention that I carpeted the lounge almost completely with all the prints. It was good fun to do again. I hadn't created art seriously for a long while. The musical performance on the other hand was a bit of a winged job left to the last minute. Lucky I also have a musical background!

I've gotten some lovely things recently, some bought new and some bought old, such as this lovely vintage perfume bottle and this sweet little manicure set in a heart shaped purse (actually that one was won at an arcade). I hope to do a post showing you all these knick knacks soon, including a new record to add to my collection. In other news, the boy and I may also have a place to ourselves for the next six months. We shall see.

Anyhoo, above is the outfit I wore out to the movies the other day with the boy. The belt is by far my favourite item. It was passed down to me by a close family friend. She had kept it all these years since her youth in the 1960's. It is also perhaps the first ever vintage piece I ever wore out ,about ten years ago. 

Have you been doing any projects lately, work related or for leisure? 

Or do you have a treasured vintage piece that was handed down to you?

Some Things Andy Warhol

I've liked Andy Warhol's art since as long as I can remember. It's not hard to like his work. But I never really considered myself a fan until I was in my mid years of high school. After analyzing a select handful of his artworks for an assignment and critically analyzing them through the different art-frames I grew to love them. Towards my later years of high school I considered him one of my art idols, as I became serious about creating art myself - one of my passions that you may not know about, and even took to University level.  

Then the time came in 2007 that the Queensland Art Gallery held the largest Australian exhibition dedicated to the artist, featuring everything Andy Warhol that you could possibly think of. Numerous films of his were playing within in-built theatres, the walls were covered in his silk screens, sketches and unfinished works with his smudged finger prints still upon them, a couple of his time capsules were encased in glass, his Brillo Boxes were piled up here and there, and there was even a recreation of his art installation "Silver Clouds" (1966). It was such a brilliant experience that I went twice and could have gone again and again. I very much wish that I could go there once again now at this age.

This love of mine for his work has even come to the point where my family often call me 'Andy' as a little joke and I've been given little Warhol gifts over the years here and there. The above notebook I bought for myself as a present last year. I couldn't resist. This little book by the Museum of Modern Art was given to me by my mother a few years ago. 

Both this notebook and little Andy figurine within an inspiration box were also given to me by mother for a birthday some years ago. I love this little model. I have him sitting on my bookshelf near all my art gear.

I also bought these folders last year. They are perfect for storing loose University documents and scraps of drawings for artwork ideas that I do here and there. These are also sitting on the shelf with my art necessities. 

There are other things Warhol that I've bought or received over the years - bookmarks, pamphlets, cards, stickers. But after the chaos of trying to squish everything from my unit into one little room I'm afraid they are floating somewhere unknown within a box.

Do you have anything Andy Warhol? What do you think of his work? Do you have a favourite piece?

Mine is by far his yellow "Electric Chair" (1971) as part of his American Death series, which I was lucky enough to see in the flesh.