Friday, March 30, 2012

The Fabulous Cross Bottle Guy Giveaway





 I am very excited to present someone you may know very well already, Artie of Color Outside the Lines. What you may not know is that Artie is a very talented Artisan.

Cross Bottle Guy (Artie Vanderpool) is an Interior Stylist and artist living and working in Western New York. Born and raised in West Central Texas, Artie grew up in a home that fostered the creative spirit, energized the artistic nerve, and rewarded coloring outside the lines


Sea Life Collection

Since 2009, Cross Bottle Guy's hand made art, marries the rough to the refined with an artistic approach of the most creative regard. Shapely glass vessels - some vintage, some antique, some just gosh'darn gorgeous - are festooned with crystal, shells, and corals. 

 
 
Crystal Faceted Cross Bottles
 
 
These crystal, and sea life combination creations are made using the antique copper foil stained glass method, and each piece of work requires hours of hand work and many steps to result in the final, beautiful work of art. Recycled, reused, remarkable!
 


Simply Elegant Crystal Cross Bottle

After I underwent two surgeries Artie very kindly sent me a Crystal Cross Bottle which was so beautiful it took my breath away. It raised my spirits so much! I then had to have another. Artie started what I believe a lifetime collection. I cannot wait to order another special piece. My two are below. (My lighting was quite bright for this images. Trust me they are gorgeous beyond!



My Crystal Cross Bottles. They look so nice in a grouping I cannot wait to acquire more very soon!


Artie has offered two (2) of my readers a $50 Gift Certificate to use toward the  purchase of one of his Cross Bottles. These Certificates are to be used by July 1st, 2012. This offer is for USA residents only.



To Enter this Giveaway:

1) Must Be a Follower of Art by Karena Via GFC or Linky In my sidebar. Then go to Artie's site Cross Bottle Guy; peruse the site and tell us what Cross Bottle you like best.You will not believe the beauty of these works of art!

2) For an Extra Entry go to Like Artie's Facebook page Cross Bottle Guy


Two (2) winners will be chosen on Easter Sunday April 8th at Midnight EST


Thank you for your support and comments on my site. I truly appreciate your friendship!
xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Artist Series 2012 Sculptor Reilly Hoffman

  • Schramacus Abalonius
As part of my Artist 2012 Series I want to Introduce Sculptor Reilly Hoffman





1)      When did you become interested in creating art?

  I have been interested in art and processes for making things for as long as I can remember. My first notable experience happened at age nine while touring a small foundry of an Arkansas sculptor. I watched the molten bronze get poured into the sand molds and I remember being enamored by the glow of the molten metal.

Steel Feathers

2)     Tell me about your decision to work with metals and your methodology.

  My interest in metal came from that first experience in the foundry as a child. This developed into an exploration of metals and processes after working in that foundry for a time. Later on while in school, I started using steel to fabricate forms using conventional welding processes.  The satisfaction of building the forms directly from the ground up was satisfying in contrast to the translation of wax into bronze as in casting.  In regard to steel as a sculptural medium, 

I felt like most of the building processes that are so common in contemporary steel sculpture did not exploit the potential of steel as a medium and I wanted to find a way to actually sculpt my material in a process that was intrinsic to the properties of of the metal. Through much experimentation and research into archaic metal working techniques a method of carving intense texture was developed that takes steel and treats it more like a piece of stone or clay rather than the structural shape steel is typically extruded in.



Corax


 3)     What inspires your work? I also see you have sculptures from very large scale to small in size.

Much of the work is inspired by the desire to create objects that reference nature, but not to replicate it directly. The work is often inspired by ancient texts that reference shapes, objects and ideas that span cultural and geographic barriers that invoke a sense of community and universality. In regards to the scale of the pieces, I like a thought that Albert Paley expressed about scale that irregardless of size that work should treated with the thoughtfulness and delicacy the is required for a piece of jewelry.




  • Alms Matara  a collaboration: Kelly Dickens & Reilly Hoffman
 4)     Who are your mentors in the art world?
 
There have been many people that have contributed to my growth as a person and a sculptor in this city and if any point can be expressed about this growth. It is that artists cannot exist without the support of their environment. Some notable people in my development would be Ursula Von Rydingsvard and Bill Zahner of Zahner Metal in Kansas City. 

Another contribution to my growth over the last year is my collaboration with artist Kelly Dickens. We have combined our individual knowledge and skill sets to create such things like the current Alms Matara show in The Crossroads district of Kansas City. Fortunately, Kelly has an equally esoteric wealth of knowledge in ancient practices but in areas like theatre technology and scene design. All this aids us in having a holistic approach in our collaborations.

Alms Matara in Reilly Hoffman in collaboration with Kelly Dickens Current Exhibit at The Todd Weiner Gallery


 5) I loved viewing your sketchbook (on Reilly's website) . Do your drawings come from images you have seen or your imagination?

 Most of the drawings that have been done reference things that I may have seen, but they are typically done without direct subject matter. Drawing for me as it is for many others is an exercise for the hand, eye, and mind to connect.


St Lukes Hospital Installation

 6)     Where do you show your art and do you have any exhibits scheduled in the near future?

 As mentioned above, Kelly and I are currently have an exhibition at the Todd Weiner Gallery that closes on March 31st. We currently have some commissions at various stages of completion. One public commission is an 11 foot sculpture that will be installed this May as Park Place in Leawood, KS. We are currently building a new website to showcase our collaborative works and illustrate many of the ancient processes that we employ to create our work.
Padma Theosis


 7)     What  advice do you have for aspiring artists of any age?

The best advice I can advocate to anyone is to find creativity in everything you do and be willing to take risks with ideas or techniques. I would also suggest collaborating with people in and outside the the art world. Don’t be afraid to seek out knowledgeable people as we rely on the knowledge and skill of many craftspeople to make our creations. Lastly, don’t be afraid to work really hard.


Reilly thank you so much for the  interview for Artist Series 2012...visit Reilly's website & find much more images and information at Reilly Hoffman

Photography by Matt Nichols and Kelly Dickens

I truly appreciate the interest in my 2012 Artists Series, You know that comments are very much appreciated!


Art by Karena

The winner of the Fresh Produce Giveaway is Dianne of Yonks!!

Much Thanks to Jessie of Mix and Chic for the $50 Gift Card to Kirklands

I also received a lovely Monogrammed Lucite tray from Pink Birdie Boutique 
 sponsored by A Beautiful Life

Monday, March 12, 2012

Fresh Produce for Springtime An Artful Giveaway!

Aren't we all looking forward to a getaway spot like this. I know it is one of my favorite types of vacation!
I have chosen Fresh Produce clothing for years as a Spring and Summertime go to for a comfortable casual, artful look. There are so many wonderful and comfortable pieces in the Spring Clothing Line

They have sent me the Catalina Dress above in the Laguna Color Palette. It is the perfect dress to throw on for a glass of wine on the terrace at the end of the day as well as many other occasions.


This lovely Seasons Change Sweater is perfect to wear over any of their outfits for those cool spring nights or to top a sleeveless dress for shopping and lunch with friends. Visit the Women's Cardigans selection!
This Catalina Scarf shown here in Truffle is the perfect accessory. I admit to wearing a scarf nearly every day! Check out their fun collection



The Impromptu Dress- White with The Starfish Scarf in Tropical Punch.  Such a Great Look..... Artfully Fresh! The selection of Simple Dresses is amazing and so comfortable!






Adorable Girls Tiered Dress in Ocean Waters The Children's Group is too,. too cute


Girls Twirly Dress in Happiness. Children having lots of fun always makes me very happy!
Always looking for the Perfect Beach or Pool Coverup? You will not believe the styles and colors at Fresh Produce


Now for the Giveaway! Fresh Produce Clothing is  offering the
winner the choice of any color maxi dress in the Catalina Maxi  (the first dress pictured at the top; and will ship Internationally if the winner is abroad. This dress is available from XS to XL

1) For a Chance to win Visit Fresh Produce and comment on what you love on their site.

2) Also Be a Follower of my site through Google Friend Connect or Linky. The Icons are in my side column 

3)  You can get 2 Extra entries:  Like Fresh Produce on Facebook and  Twitter

A Winner will be chosen on Friday March 23rd at Midnight EST 


4) Spread the word for another Entry!


Thank you to all of my wonderful friends and followers. Look for more giveaways as well as additional 2012 Artists Series

xoxo
Karena 
Art by Karena

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