ATCs: Street Art

We often use materials such as paint, chalk, yarn and other fibers in our ATCs [Artist Trading Cards] and other artwork, but these mediums are also used to create Street Art.

"Yarn Bombing" by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

Street Art is a form of art or self-expression that is created in public areas. It's also referred to as public art, urban art, street installations, and graffiti. The word, graffiti, (plural of the Italian word, graffito) means a drawing or writing scratched on a wall or other surface (from archaeology).






The theme for the November/December FiberAntics ATC swap was "Street Art." Have you seen any public art displays similar to these in your neighborhood?

"Rakin' up" by Cathy Dillon

"Street Art"  by Diane Pineschi 

"Street Art" by Karen Downer

"Street Art by David Zinn" by Dawn Spagna

"Bon Hiver (Happy Winter)" by Marilyn League.

"Street Art" by Diane Pineschi

"Street Art" by Cathy Dillon

"Street Art" by Diane Pineschi

"The Sky Scarf" by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

On my trip to Houston for Quilt Market at the end of October, these ghosts floating in the breeze for Halloween in Discovery Green Park next to the convention center.

Ghosts swinging from the trees in Discovery Green Park.
Houston, TX

Houston is also sponsoring the Art Blocks project that infuses colorful and compelling art into a three-block promenade on Main Street, in downtown Houston.

Art Blocks public art project.

This is one of the Art Blocks installations. It reminded me of a Dr. Seuss hat.

Art Blocks installation, downtown Houston.

ATCs: In the Kitchen, My Town

"In the Kitchen 1910" by Marilyn League.

So, what happens in your kitchen? Cooking, baking, eating... maybe a little dancing?

In our kitchen, the cooking utensils, food canisters, a bread box, cutting boards, microwave and panini maker span the kitchen counters. How 'bout you? Do the gadgets line up around your kitchen begging, "Use me next! Use me next!"?

There were two themes for the September Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap. The first is "In the Kitchen."

"Save your Fork. Dessert is coming."
by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

Wouldn't it be fun and interesting to use the old, tried-and-true family recipes with today's state-of-the-art cooking technology and gadgets?

"Generations in my Kitchen" by Cathy Dillon.

This is the inside of Cathy's ATC. You could write in your own family favorite.

"Generations in my Kitchen" by Cathy Dillon (inside).

"In the Kitchen" by Diane Pineschi.

"In the Kitchen" by Dawn Spagna

The other ATC theme was "My Town." It's fun to be an armchair traveler and visit the landmarks and tourist attractions via Artist Trading Cards.

"Santa Monica" by Dawn Spagna.

"My Town: Los Angeles" by Diane Pineschi.

"My hometown, Arlington Heights, IL"
by Cathy Dillon

"Chattanooga and Moon Pies" by Karen Downer

"You can take the girl out of the Windy City..."
by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

"One Woman's Gardin is a City's Weeds."
by Marilyn League

ATCs: My Town; In the Kitchen

"Chattanooga and Moon Pies"
by Karen Downer

We had two themes for our Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap this month. I made an update to the themes early in 2016 after posting them late in 2015. Everyone did not receive the update, so today we get a double-header of ATCs for August. Nothing wrong with that! The two themes for August are "My Town," and "In the Kitchen."

There was no mistaken about the interpretations of the theme, My Town, in the first set of ATCs. Landmarks, trademarks, special events and even a little city politics were illustrated in these cards.

"You can take the girl out of the Windy City...
but she'll still be a Chicago White Sox [Chicago Blackhawks] fan."
by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

This next ATC has a real life story (or should I say drama?) behind it. I was in Memphis right about the time my friend, Marilyn, received a notice from the city that someone had complained about the garden in her front yard. Apparently some [cowardly?] neighbor disagreed with Marilyn's arrangement or choices of plants and greenery.

"One Woman's Garden is a City's Weeds."
by Marilyn League

If you've ever had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn in person, she is bright, kind, caring, generous, creative, easy-going and funny. She also has strong character and a tenacity for what it right. So, she didn't roll over and let this go without voicing her side of the story. The garden in her front yard? As of this day, it's still blooming... and she has not gotten a reply from her rebuttal. Another example proving that there is inspiration for your art anywhere—drama, local politics and in the garden.

Back view of "One Woman's Garden" ATC.

Cathy from Arlington Heights, Illinois, says she's been to the horse races twice, despite the fact that the "Arlington Million," an international event, runs in her home town. It was held just recently on August 13, 2016.

"My hometown, Arlington Heights, IL"
by Cathy Dillon

And here are the ATCs depicting the alternate theme, In the Kitchen. Can you smell the cookies and other sweets baking in the over?

"In the Kitchen" by Diane Pineschi

"In the Kitchen" by Dawn Spagna

ATCs: The scent of ___ reminds me of ___

The smell of Corn Fields reminds me of
the Summer Days of my childhood.
by: Cathy Dillon

Have you ever been driving down the road and a certain song comes on the radio that transcends you back in time? Maybe to your high school prom, or a fun time with a bunch of your BFFs, or a crazy time in college...

Or while perusing a photo album [digital or the old-fashion paper ones] memories of a vacation, a family gathering, a wedding or other special event come to mind...

What about our sense of smell? Can it conjure up memories too? The theme for the July Artist Trading Card [ATC] swap was "The scent/smell of ___ reminds me of ___."

The following ATCs illustrate how certain familiar smells do bring memories for these ATC artists.

The scent of lavender reminds me of Peace.
by: Karen Downer

The smell of rain makes me feel creative.
by: Diane Pineschi

City smells remind me of shopping!
by: Dawn Spagna

The smell of food... reminds me that I'll get fat!
by: Marilyn League

Magic Sizing reminds me of my mom.
by Veronica Hofman-Ortega

ATCs: Three of a Kind

"3 of a Kind" by Marilyn League

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "Three of a Kind"?

A hand of cards?
A winning spin on a slot machine?
Matches for three missing shirt buttons?
Perhaps the story of Goldilocks and her furry friends?

The theme for the June FiberAntics Artist Trading Card (ATC) swap was "Three of a Kind." Here are the cards that ATC artists created for this theme.

"Three Little Pigs" by Cathy Dillon

"Three of a Kind... whooooo said that?"
by Dawn Spagna

"Three of a Kind" by Karen Downer

"3 of a Kind" by Debbie Joyner

"3 of a Kind Lottery Ticket"
by Sharon Joyner Griffith 

"Three of a Kind" by Diane Pineschi

"Mark Making" by Veronica Hofman-Ortega 

"Three Naturals" by Bonnie Stevens

"3 of a Kind" by Marilyn League 

"3 of a Kind" by Marilyn League

"3 of a Kind" by Marilyn League