The picture is crappy, and small, I took it with my phone. It was a long night and I don’t have much to say, so let’s just get to it ok?
Archive for landscape
Another Imaginary Landscape
Posted in Art, Collage, landscape, Toni Tiller with tags abstract, Art, Collage, landscape, Toni Tiller on April 18, 2012 by Toni Tillercolumbus day …
Posted in Art, digital, laelia e. mitchell, Photo-Impressionism, Photography, Work in Progress with tags altered imagery, Art, digital, laelia e. mitchell, landscape, Photography on October 10, 2011 by laelia e. mitchellso this is the day that good ole chris columbus invaded the native peoples lands, brought all manner of disease and claimed ownership of said property. sounds like our financial industry! so in honor of that, i’m going to close my bank of america account and find a credit union, get outside and embrace my liberation … and not celebrate columbus’s rapacious ways.
still in the moving stages
Posted in "But Is It Art?", Art, digital, laelia e. mitchell, Work in Progress with tags creative process, doodle, laelia e. mitchell, landscape, Photography on September 26, 2011 by laelia e. mitchellyes. it’s a lot more energy consuming than i thought. while i’ve been going to my new studio digs, getting in a groove is proving to be a wee bit tricky. not that i’d imagined it to be a seamlessly scripted tv show kinda event. y’know what i mean … show opens, something happens and by the 22nd minute (excluding commercial breaks) everything is resolved and folks live happily ever after. not so fast little girl….
what i have been consistiently doing is taking pictures with my phone, then over-proceesing the shit out of them and having some fun. it’s my one consistent attempt at staying in the game. the camera phone has proven to be a worthy sketching device. a handy tool to use when all you wanna do is keep your head in your art. i’ve even found a few worthy of printing and sharing.
so, let me start again… good day fair folk. here are some pics i made while waiting for the other artist side of me to get her studio shit together .
Are Those Flesh Colored Pants?
Posted in Art, landscape, Toni Tiller with tags Art, creeper, fencing, landscape, Toni Tiller on September 14, 2011 by Toni TillerWe had 8 days of no power after the hurricane, which isn’t as horrible as it sounds, but I guess maybe my next door neighbor got bored or something because he took it into his head to put on a little unwanted show for me while I was on my trampoline.
I’m not the kind of chick that gets thrown into a tizzy at the mere sight of a nude man, but there was definitely some creeper element to this situation. Trampoline time is sacred to me, it’s where I get my exercise and work out problems. It affords me the best view of my property and gives me the opportunity to monitor progress from an aerial advantage, so I was deeply annoyed at having this precious position compromised. My first thought was to move it to another location, but that is kind of impossible because it’s enormous, and I almost entirely forgot that I had it installed in place for just that reason, so lifting it anywhere was out. Screening seemed like a better idea, but I kind of hate manufactured fencing and I really didn’t want to spend money because someone else was being a dick. Or showing a dick. Whatever.
Instead I noticed that there was a small copse of trees that arced around it and thought, “why don’t I just build that up a bit?”, seemed like a workable (and free) solution. I strung some plastic cording between two trees at three levels and stood long, narrow, scavenged branches against it, then used nylon twine to bind them in an easy weave. Now wouldja look at that, a 10 foot tall fence that blends in with the natural landscape!
During the parts where the support trees were a little further apart I added some extra durability by making a chain out of the cording, in this case speaker wire was chosen for the flexibility, the plastic coating, and the ability to hold a knot.
Once the initial structure is finished I plan on going back and staggering a second layer across the front of fill in the gaps and cover all the ugly wires. Hopefully my neighbor can keep his pants on in the meantime.
mondays and transitions
Posted in Art, laelia e. mitchell, Photography with tags Art, laelia e. mitchell, landscape, Photography on August 15, 2011 by laelia e. mitchellso … this being my first post and a rainy, dreary monday in boston, it seems appropos to sink into a long diatribe about art intended to bore and tire you all out … wait … no … there are plenty of others fufilling that niche, and so i’m just gonna add a little bit about me and my studio practice.
i’ve been a working artist/photographer for well over 30 years which puts me at the tail end of the baby boomer generation. my work is an amalgam of forays and yet, i always return to the landscape for inspiration and voice. i’m transtitioning from a home studio to a … er … uh ..studio studio. a place where all my supplies reside and where all the magic happens. it’s been a long time in coming and it’s almost here. i’m excited and terrified. i’ll no longer have the boisterous internet that can suck the life out of me for hours, no more dishes to load and unload, not even the prospect of a car filled with dog hair that desperately needs vacuuming. nope … none of that. just me and my stuff … right!
my life as a studio artist is a really messy affair, there are tons of fits and starts that might yield an image worth noting. there are the voices in my head screaming “wtf is that??” ”you need to keep your day job” and of course … “y’know, that load of laundry REALLY needs to be folded” as well as, the occasional (and quite welcomed) “whoa, sister, you’re really good” . however, all that aside, i’m opening up my artistic life to you the reader. so … be gentle fair folk … it’s just me here.
In Progress
Posted in Art, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, Toni Tiller on August 3, 2011 by Toni TillerYesterday JD posted a photo of his ever so slightly messy workspace on his Tumblr feed, a scene I am familiar with from occasional visits.
I’m not even going to try to lie, I looked at that photo and I wanted to fly to Berkeley just so I could clean it all up, and while I was out there I could stop by my friend Andy’s new place and probably clean something there too. I haven’t been out to visit yet but it is a pretty safe bet that there is something going on because he is the one from this post that was responsible for leaving all of this behind.
That is a lot of stuff.
I have managed to trim it down to this so far.
Sketch of a Nude
Posted in Art, art on paper, Drawing, figurative, mixed media, nude, Tom Bennett, work on paper with tags abstract, Art, Drawing, figure, landscape, mixed media, nude, paper, Tom Bennett on June 23, 2011 by Tom Bennettanother pencil/ink/mixed media sketch
Nude as Landfill 2, mixed media on paper 8″ x 10″
WIP – My Yard
Posted in Art, design, Toni Tiller with tags Art, design, landscape, Toni Tiller, wip on June 8, 2011 by Toni TillerI’ve been busy busy busy lately. My friend has decided to get rid of one of his houses and invited me to raid it for plants/rocks/supplies and since all those things, especially plants, are expensive I’m going to happily take him up on it. What it means is I spend most days right now loading up The Pig (my Chevette) going over to his house digging up plants and rocks and moving them to my house. Repeat.
So far I’ve moved about 60 plants, and I probably have another 70 or so to go, and since this doesn’t leave a lot of time to cut paper and make collages I am going to label this a design project and post it here. Title – My House, Size – 2.25 acres, Medium – Mixed Media.
This is my little cat house, which I have posted on Twitter before, but it’s had some changes and has now been landscaped with some variegated shrubs and a lot of Hosta, which hopefully the deer won’t eat. I swapped out the previous “deck” for a more natural wood plank. I’m thinking a few more plants and rocks, and maybe a slate walkway leading up to the plank.
This is a piece of woven metal that was gifted to me which I have decided to incorporate as a lattice for some climbing plants and a little Vinca will be coming soon too.
And this is where some new shrubs, Rhododendron and Azaleas were dug in and now I need to make a rock retaining wall along that dark dirt line. Hopefully it will be finished today.
An Ex-Soldier and Painting
Posted in abstract, Art, figurative, Harry Bennett, homage, nude, oil painting, Painting, plein air, Tom Bennett with tags abstract, Art, figure, harry bennett, homage, landscape, memorial day, Painting, plein air, Tom Bennett, Towson, world war 2 on June 2, 2011 by Tom BennettI’m spending a week care-taking my parents. My father Harry painted through memorial day weekend.
Harry was a reconnaissance officer in the south pacific throughout World War 2. Rarely talks about it nor his bronze star medal for bravery. He is a very special man.
His painting above. oil on board, 16″ x 20″ He may still want to tweak it a little. I think he should call it Memorial Day.
Mom and Dad.
I realized how much I miss talking painting with him and his thoughtful insight. He took a look at a painting I started months ago and gave me some valuable input on design and rhythm.
This is it:
Daughters (revise) oil on glue gesso board, 20″ x 26″
W.I.P. #2 And White Square Project
Posted in Art, digital, Links, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, Links, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller, tumblr on February 9, 2011 by Toni TillerI am working the same source image as last week and am about half way through this one, two runs through the press so far, and at least one more to go. I have realized recently that one of the real benefits in using fabric is that it can be soaked and re-soaked as many times needed without breaking down, an option paper doesn’t offer. What I am learning is that because fabric is more selective about what ink it wants to grab multiple printings gives me an opportunity to build values slowly and gives me more decision making options. So far I like where this one is going, hopefully I won’t fuck it up.
In other news I was contacted the other day by the friendly people over at The White Square Project, a fun participatory Tumblr blog. Every two weeks they give people a new theme and a 250 x 250 pixel square to fill. The current theme is color, and this was my contribution*:
I chose a digital piece, but they accept all mediums, so come on over and play!
*confession – I wish i knew how to quilt like JD because I would totally quilt the hell out of this pattern.
W.I.P. It Wednesday
Posted in Art, landscape, monotype, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller, winter on February 2, 2011 by Toni TillerThis is the second in an attempt at working from images of winter donated by artist Molly Sanger Carpenter. This is my first pass at it, and while I am not in love, I do see where I might want to make some adjustments and take it next. The plan had been to make a few attempts at this in a row, but the weather conspired against me by forcing me into shoveling heaps and heaps of snow cut into art making time, at least it got me in a wintery mood though.
The Day Isn’t Over Yet
Posted in Art, monotype, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, monotype, Toni Tiller on January 26, 2011 by Toni TillerFinally made it home, so here is my 3rd attempt at the same image I’ve been working, this time on paper. Might do it again, who knows.
Our Father Who Art in Towson
Posted in abstract, Art, Harry Bennett, oil painting, Painting, plein air, portrait, Tom Bennett with tags Art, figure, harry bennett, landscape, maryland, oil painting, Painting, plein air, portraiture, Tom Bennett, Towson on October 7, 2010 by Tom BennettAs I had mentioned last week, I hung out with my parents these past 10 days in Maryland. I brought down a paint box and small easel, brushes, prepared boards, etc and my dad, Harry Bennett Sr., went to work. We painted for 3 days out side, and then it turned cold and wet. But in those 3 days he did some great stuff. He is the master. Watch the videos that illustrate his quiet confident command and focus.
We painted each other simultaneously, and the next day he did a lovely expressionist landscape from life.
Here are some images and videos.
Harry Bennett, Painting of Tom, oil on board, 14 x 23
Tom Bennett, Painting of Harry, oil on board, 23 x 14
Harry Bennett, Untitled, oil on board, 20 x 16
Harry painting me:
Harry starting a painting:
Some Studies
Posted in Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller on July 14, 2010 by Toni TillerA little while ago JD posted some images of a building being torn down in his neighborhood. We spent part of an afternoon wandering around the block and taking pictures and I was hoping to use some of mine to make a few of these monotypes I’ve been working on. These aren’t finished pieces, but studies for future pieces, I plan on playing with the compositions a bit more.
Two Views (Again)
Posted in Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller on July 7, 2010 by Toni TillerAs I attempted to discuss two weeks ago part of what I have been exploring with this process is working the same plate twice. Mostly it’s just because it gives me a chance to continue to figure out how to manipulate the materials. If I put the ink down this way this is what happens and if I go back and do it another way I get to see what happens when I do that. It’s a slow process of trying to get a command over some pretty lo-fi technology, but it’s also fun and I’m actually wondering what would happen if I did the whole thing even more low tech and use a rolling pin or something. Maybe I’ll run over my plates with my car, I don’t know, but I like how a simple change in viscosity here can produce two very different moods in the same visual structure.
I Need To Start Titling These
Posted in Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller on June 30, 2010 by Toni TillerI always find naming art to be a little challenging, and these have proven the hardest yet. When I was working on the abstract subway pieces it was easy, things would just pop into my head, but these are too close to being representational for my mind to wander that way. I feel like they should be appropriately vague and artsy right? I better think of something soon because I am out in California and I just took about 500 new reference images to work from.
500 images.
I think I just scared myself.
Nevermind. Here’s the latest untitled piece. 8 x 10 monotype on fabric
Two Views
Posted in Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Toni Tiller on June 23, 2010 by Toni TillerIt’s hot and I am distracted so that means I have started and forgotten to finish this blog post about 6 times now. I can’t seem to string together words without getting lost. I think I was going to say something about working two views of the same image, but I can’t remember so I’ll just post my images and get back to wallowing.
monotype on fabric 8×10
monotype on fabric 8×10
Semi-Dramatic Update
Posted in Art with tags Art, landscape, nest, sculpture, Toni Tiller on March 17, 2010 by Toni TillerI worked on it some more today, and now it sits at about 3 feet at it’s highest, I’d like to go another foot or so, but I ran out of daylight.
Here is a detail shot
Feeling Nesty
Posted in Art, sculpture, Toni Tiller with tags Art, landscape, nest, sculpture, Toni Tiller on March 17, 2010 by Toni TillerWe’ve had a lot storms up on the New England coast this week, and that means fallen trees, snapped power lines, and no power for days on end in some parts. It also means my yard is full of fallen branches and the occasional dislodged bird’s nest, so my wandering mind made a connection and I decided to build one of my own. I’ve experimented with these materials before but I was just figuring them out without any real specific end goal in mind. This time I have a cohesive idea I am working toward, and a better understanding of the material. What I have learned so far is that it isn’t enough to just dump all the sticks in pile hoping they take shape because they just kind of fall over. So I took a look at some of the nests in my collection and tried to decipher how they work. What I have discovered is that you have to start with a loosely overlapping base and then take sticks of various lengths and thicknesses and then begin to weave them, creating tension between each piece. Each branch needs to be looked at and put in the right place, and the back of the structure needs to be feathered with a mix of leaves, grass clippings, and small sticks to bolster it’s overall solidity. It’s a time consuming process, gathering everything, looking at each piece, running back and forth to look at it’s shape as it grows, but honestly I can’t think of a better way to spend my spring mornings.
This is the very beginning, it’s about 30 feet long and 1 foot high here. It’s grown in height since then, but I am going to wait until I have a more dramatic advancement before posting the next update.
I also found a bunch of work based on similar inspiration from other artists – have a look after the jump.
Accidents Will Happen
Posted in abstract, Art, art on paper, figurative, landscape, monotype, printmaking, Tom Bennett with tags abstract, accident, Art, figure, landscape, monotype, paper, printmaking, Tom Bennett on January 14, 2010 by Tom BennettAnd with the monotype process, it often does. And it did! The paper had been soaking too long: over night, and I had dried it out. Then a few days later I soaked the paper again, and somehow it had degraded to a point so when I pulled the print, it stuck to areas of the plate where the medium and been especially tacky. But I thought maybe it was salvageable in it’s serendipitous abstraction. I thought I’d share my mess with you, like an audience member on Dr. Phil.
Tom Bennett
darteboard
jdhastings
ssstephg
Tom Bennett
Toni Tiller
Jason Gray
probrucer
laelia e. mitchell
galinatodorova
