Steampunk refers to a genre of writing that marries modern technology with the Victorian era. Ingeniously intriguing, it also encompasses movies, television and some of the most delightful art I've laid amazed eyes upon.
When I think of steampunk, Dr. Who and the Wild, Wild West pop immediately into my head – shows I loved before the term 'steampunk' was ever coined. It's safe to say that steampunk bore roots in the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and the like. To be fair, the rapid technological advances of the last few decades have made the genre even more captivating, and the term itself also reflects the 1980s era in which it was created.
Artists everywhere have embraced the steampunk style. One of my current favorite sites (and mentioned in this space before) is Remnants Of Olde. Wonderful pieces – mostly jewelry – crafted with old watch gears and bits and thingamajigs and copious amounts of creative genius. And they are not alone! I see fabulous examples of steampunk art and jewelry all the time.
Art Alchemy Studio is offering a Steampunk Doll Class online, taught by Georgina Diaz and Chaska Peacock from June 5th through June 28th. It sounds like fun. Please visit the site and check it out, ASAP. The doll pictured is definitely 'funky fun'. I have to be honest – by posting this blurb I have a chance to take this class for free – very cool! Thanks to my lovely Moon (and art!) sister, Gena, who knows me well enough to alert me to this possibility. I love doll making and am totally fascinated with steampunk, so... maybe I will be lucky. :)
The photo above was borrowed from Wikipedia. I want that, too. ;)
I have loved this little film for a long long while, now, and have to revisit it now and then. It has moved me deeply, inspiring awe and even tears from the first, as it has done with countless others. It was through Duirwaigh that I was introduced to the wonderful art of the likes of David Delamare and Wendy Froud. And the music..... oh, to my soul...
Some of the original artwork has been updated (which does make me a little sad), but it's as enchanting as ever. I only wish that I could embed a larger image without it overlapping.
If you have never seen it, you are in for some Magic.... if you have, it might be time to visit again.
If you've been a previous visitor to this space then you'll notice that I've done a complete revamping – created a new background, new banner, lighter colors. I was tired of black... so dark and heavy. When I started this a couple of years ago, I chose black because it allows photos of artwork to really pop. Recently, though, I have begun to notice that a LOT of art blogs have adopted a black color scheme, probably for the same reason.
I guess I just wanted to lighten things up a bit... spring cleaning after a long, dreary winter.
I'm still playing and tweaking a little... Let me know what you think. :)
The above digitally altered photo is of a tulip from the garden (with apologies to Andreas).
The first of the journals for the Mariposa Project have arrived, courtesy of Carol Moore! Carol sent five books, each uniquely and beautifully decorated. Some are covered in fabric, some in paper... embellished with collage and stamps and wonderful quotes and images:
Check out the back and inside cover art:
And as if five journals wasn't enough, Carol also sent a box filled with goodies for the shelter:
Activity books and papers and fabric and stamps, stamps, stamps! Wow! It's all I can do to keep from getting into the box myself and playing. :)
Carol, thank you so much for your wonderfully generous spirit. I know that each and every item will be enjoyed and appreciated.
Read more about the Mariposa Project: 500 Journals – anyone is welcome to participate. Please read through the guidelines and contact me if you'd like to make a journal. This is an ongoing endeavor and I gratefully welcome anyone who wants to join us!
The challenge: Create a doll using recycled items. I love found object art and the creativity it inspires. I've seen some amazing art come from the least likely places. So... I started gathering anything and everything in a box, wheels turning each time I tossed in another object. How might I use this? Will this work for head/body/arms/etc.? And probably the most dangerous question of all: Wonder what's inside of this??
As it turned out, I didn't use nearly as much stuff from my box of goodies as I anticipated but that just means there's more for the next doll... or... :)
Not knowing at all what direction my doll would take I was delighted when the Queen of Hearts emerged.
Her recyclables include: a plastic lotion bottle body which has been covered in paper towel from a dye project; copper wire which forms her (poseable!) arms; copper tape; fabric scraps from a blouse create her wrap; watercolor paper scraps for stamped face and hands; an old, dried up paintbrush make a spiky hairdo; heart and crown fashioned from a Starbuck's sleeve; and the ever-popular altered Altoids tin. Plus reclaimed silk fibers, netting and buttons and other miscellaneous reusable goodies.
"open your heart"...
"to Magic"
You can see photos of some of the other dolls on swap hostess Carolyn's blog.
To see some incredible found object art, you really have to check out Remnants of Olde, in the blog list on the right. Each time I visit, I find something else to love (my current favorites are 3 Bird House and Time Capsule).
Everything is blossoming, blooming and greening up nicely. Temps are warm and the grass needs cutting. It must really be Spring.
I haven't posted since Easter. The last few weeks have been challenging as we've dealt with an icky virus that swept through our house, followed by other urgent family concerns. Things are settling back to whatever it is that passes for normal around here, thank goodness. It's great to open the windows wide and let Spring breathe in abundance through every room.
The above photo is the May calendar page created by Michelle Geller. It flows with the sweetness of the month itself – trailing vines and blossoms, vintage trims and this wonderful verse by Heinrich Heine:
Sweet May hath come to love us, flowers, trees their blossoms don and through the blue heavens above us the very clouds move on.
