Chick Art, Vol. III

Chick Art is the theme of the week here at Creative Influences. No discussion of contemporary chick art would be complete without mentioning the enigmatic Kathie Olivas. Kathie's rise to international fame has been exceptionally rapid. She is, perhaps, the queen of cute and creepy.

This brings up a very interesting point for me as a curator. I find all art fascinating, even if I don't find it aesthetically pleasing. The act of creation itself is fascinating. As an artist myself, I know that Olivas is creating what she must. But why?

This is the first time I have featured work that I do not find beautiful. In fact, I find it disturbing. Her images of ghostly children with nailed up mouths are at once compelling and repulsive. I would love to discuss this work with fellow artists, but I could never hang it in my home.

Images from Circus Posterus.

Olivas obviously resonates with a huge crowd, her popularity cannot be denied. When Olivas has a show, it sells out immediately. Witness her current show at My Plastic Heart entitled Uninvited Guests. The show opened on October 17, 2008 and is already sold out!

Images from Olivas' blog (link).



Okay, I admit it. I find her character Winston kinda cute.

But I still wouldn't hang this piece in my home. Image from My Plastic Heart. I would love to hear from my readers. What do you think of her art?

Chick Art, Vol. II

This is a subject I am fond of. Last week I promised more on this subject. See previous post here. I guess I should backtrack a little - Chick Art is art featuring chicks or done by chicks that appeals to the feminine psyche. It's a little cute, and a little creepy too. In my previous post, I quote Merriam Webster's definition of creepy. "That which produces a shivery anticipation." Good chick art has just the right amount of creepiness to offset the cuteness, rendering the work more edgy and complex. Just like a sexy, mysterious woman.

Probably the first, and most famous, artist to produce this type of work is Frida Kahlo. Ruthlessly unapologetic and biographic, her art speaks to the soul of feminist artists.

Images from OCAIW.

Frida said that she painted self-portraits the most because she knew herself the most. Through these remarkable portraits of agony, passion and longing, Frida has rendered herself an icon in the contemporary art world. Many contemporary artists paint Frida's image, lovingly paying homage to her very recognizable brow. The contemporary artists tend to create cuter images, but maintaining just the right amount of creepiness.

Artist Mara Cardenas Ruz (aka Lunara) is one artist who creates fascinating, loving images of Frida.

I adore these! What a fine tribute to Frida. Love the big eyes. Cute, but complex. My favorite is the blue one. I would love to have it. Even more than that, I wish I'd painted it. You simply must check out her other art, it is sublime. Mara's flickr set is here, her blog is here and her Etsy shop is here. Oh and Mara - Amelie is my favorite movie too!

Charming Frida collage by Heather Sleightholm of Audrey Eclectic. Heather's flickr set is here, Etsy shop is here, and her blog is here.

Viva Frida! The Frida in Heaven Series by Bethann Shannon available at Etsy.

Frida paintings by Tascha. Her Etsy shop is here and her blog is here.

Tomorrow we will look at the queen of creepy. Stay tuned.

Evolution of a Painting

This painting is in honor of the full moon.

24" x 24", acrylic, glitter and metallic glaze on canvas.

For me, painting is all about experimentation. With shapes, texture and most of all color. When I am satisfied with a painting, I leave it alone. But some paintings become new paintings with layers added. It amuses me to think of the paintings that lie beneath the paint, like a dirty little secret.

Monochrome fascinates me. I fantasize about decorating a room in all white and silver. This painting would fit in that scheme. This painting is interesting to me on many levels, one being the texture. The other being how it changes with the lighting so it never looks the same.

Here is a photo of the painting taken at a different time of day.

Like the moon, this painting has gone through many permutations.

It started out yellow.

I added blue and red. And then obliterated it.

I enjoy obliterating images with white. I don't know why.

I added red. And then obliterated it again to end up with the final product.

I don't know why I do what I do. I just know I have to.

Of Muses and Pretty Things

I am lucky. I have many muses. They never neglect me, filling me with so many ideas I cannot keep up. Even overwhelming me at times. Sometimes it is a difficult decision to bring focus to one path, oh so many choices. Lately, the muses are speaking to me strongly and forcefully about politics - they won't be silenced. I've been contemplating a way to broach political change without so many words.

So for today, why don't we just focus on beauty and leave politics to tomorrow. My mail box obliged me by providing beautiful catalogs to contemplate over the weekend. I'd like to share my favorites with you. Today, let's pretend we are not minimalists and that money is no object.

The following are from Acacia.

Shoji solar lantern. How cool is that? It collects sunlight during the day and glows at night, requiring no electrical cord.Himalayan Crystal Salt Bowl Lamp. Great ambient piece. I think this would be great on dry winter nights. Way cuter than a humidifier.

Cherry Blossom Lantern. Love it. Reasonably priced too. Thinking of ordering.

Bamboo screen. Would look great in an industrial loft.

Hinoki shower stools. How cool would these be in a sauna? These simple pieces would also look great used as extra seating.

The following are from VivaTerra. (Don't you love that name?)

Rock cairns, candleholders and vase.

Stone felt pillows. I dig these! I think they would look great in an industrial loft.

Recycled glass vases. Not my colors, but beautiful. And oh so perfect.




And speaking of perfect - I am swooning over these sea glass dishes. But muy expensivo.

I adore these footed bowls. Thinking of ordering one.


How cool is this? A table and chairs made completely of vintage yard sticks!

Moroccan tea kettle, tray and perfect white tea pot by Pol's Potten from Le Souk.













Sari pillow from Urban Outfitters.

Remember these vases from the last year's West Elm holiday catalog? I love them and regret not buying them. I hope they offer them again this year!

I still dream of decorating a place entirely in silver.

Image by Peggy. I saw these curtains in a shop window and nearly had a heart attack. How gorgeous! I want them.

Virtual decorating is so much fun. In the virtual world you can have anything you want, and the cost is minimal and you don't have to worry about dusting or storage.

Stay tuned for more chick art, politics and the state of my apartment.

A Change is in the Wind

I'd like to interrupt the regularly-scheduled posting for a moment to discuss hope, change and optimism.

Brothers and sisters, we are all one. Or as Obama eloquently puts it: "We have a stake in one another, and what binds us together is greater than what drives us apart." From The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. Image from Amazon.

Can you feel the change in the wind? Certainly everyone feels its necessity. Change need not be feared, but looked upon with optimism. This is an exciting time.

Images from Urban Outfitters.



Student for Obama. Image from em.chill's flickr set.





Poster by Shepard Fairy. Image from Neu Black.
















Image from future president Obama's flickr set (link).

Image from Is Barack Obama the Messiah? If you like propagandist art, you will love this blog. But please place your tongue firmly in cheek before pressing this link. Just take it as fun. Remembering these words by Barack will help sort out any rhetoric: "Any challenge to convention harbor[s] the possibility of its own excesses and its own orthodoxy."

Images by Peggy.

Obama is a leader who is relevant to our time. To be willing to take on the daunting tasks ahead is beyond courageous. So, on November 4 remember to:

Image from Obama's flickr set.

And hey, super heroes who recognize the need for change - we must remember to protect and support Obama during the difficult opportunites ahead. We must be compassionate with each other, it's not only the right thing to do, but it is what will save us.


Okay, I know this is supposed to be a blog about creativity and art. But in my opinion all art is political, and politics is art. All paths lead to the same place. We are all one.

More chick art tomorrow.