The Art of Abandonment

Art Abandonment

"... art is a great way to make people's lives richer..." 
- Michael DeMeng, artist

About a week ago Michael DeMeng started the facebook group Art Abandonment  after leaving a few of his unique sketches around Eugene, Oregon. 

photo courtesy of Michael DeMeng

In a recent blog post (click here to read), Michael talks about how he has left random bits of art here & there for years, in hopes that the pieces find a home. A week ago he started this facebook  group for anyone who want to play along - to create & abandon something on the off chance it finds the right person. In less than a week, the group has over 3100 members (& growing). I think I was around number 200-wowzers!!

How does it work? Basically you make something, leave it somewhere (with a note stating that it is free for the taker) & post a photo in the facebook group. Taken from Mr. DeMeng's site:

1. All you have to do is make a piece of art.  (as simple or as elegant as you like)
2. Write a little note on it explaining that it is a gift 
3. Also mention that if the finder would like to share info about its fate they can contact the FaceBook group by emailing ArtAbandonement@groups.facebook.com
4. You should also leave you're web address contact info…you never know…you might have created a new patron.
5. Photo what you're leaving
6. Then leave it…walk away…run…try not to get caught.
7. Then on Facebook share the location and photo of your gift with the rest of us.  Here's the group address: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtAbandonment/
8. Keep your fingers crossed that someone lets us know what became of it.  I certainly doubt that everyone will take the time to inform the group, but I'm hoping we get a few periodic bites.

I haven't abandoned any art yet but I am  making plans to start next week.  I am leaving on a trip soon and will be abandoning it all along the way.

If you like to create and share, listen to these words straight from the man himself:O)

Also,  check out the facebook group here, DeMeng's blogpost here, or just drop me a note & I am happy to chat with you about it. In the meantime, never leave a stone unturned!

We now have a beautiful logo, compliments of Andrea DeMeng.  Thank you Andrea and Michael for providing so many people so many reasons to smile:O)  This whole thing is truly incredible.

TGIF

I am so glad that Friday is finally here.  This has been one crazy week.  I've been busy as a bee and don't feel like I've accomplished much.  Do you ever get that feeling?

I am pretty happy about one thing I accomplished.  Today, I stepped out of my comfort zone and did some soldering.  I've taken about every class ever offered on soldering and it still rules my life.  I either melt the metal or apply fire scale so thick I don't need to patina the piece:O)  Today, I needed to solder six balls on to the piece I wrote about yesterday.  I knew that I had to do them all at once or not at all because when one is soldered in place and you go to solder the next one, you take a chance of the first one coming loose.  This afternoon, I finally sucked it up and set about accomplishing the task at hand.  The first attempt failed!  Into the pickle pot everything went.  Second attempt a success!!  I was so pleased with myself for trying something that I considered extremely difficult.  THEN, I realized that I needed to solder my maker's mark on the back - yuck!!  With the balls all tightly in their place, I had no choice if I wanted the maker's mark on this piece, and I did.  Into the pickle pot again to be certain that everything was as clean as a whistle.  Now for the big move - turned her over and squirted four little dots of solder on the tag, lit the torch and SHAZAAAM......soldered in place!!!  I sat there for a minute, smile on my face, enjoying the best moment of the week.  I had taken a chance and won!!!

Tomorrow I will decide how I want to proceed with this piece.  Do I want to just attach a jump ring to connect the 2 pieces or do I end up creating a more complicated attachment?  I can almost guarantee you that it WON'T be a jump ring - way too simple.  I'll also add a nice patina to her and I think the old girl is going to be beautiful!  Do you think these two piece look good as is or should I split them up and  have 2 separate pieces??  So many questions, so many decisions to make, so little time.

I really need to start thinking about packing for our trip soon.  We leave on the 27th for Ohio.  Oh, what the heck, I can do that next week. 

Nite everyone.....tomorrow is another day 

I'M GOING BLIND!!

I have just spent the last 4 hours trying to organize my computer.  I have "stuff" sprayed all over the place and half of the time, I can't find what I'm looking for or it takes me way to much time searching for it.  I have a new Mac computer and I am experiencing quite a learning curve - to say the least.  I suppose it will all fall into place eventually but today was a blinding experience!!

On top of that adventure, I have spent the day trying to organize myself.  I say "trying" because I seriously think I am suffering from SADD - senior attention deficit disorder:O)  I start doing one thing then ten minutes later, I'm off on another project.  One minute I am taking pictures of my jewelry, the next minute I'm cleaning my studio, and from out of nowhere - I'm now on my computer.  I need to start a list and follow it - that's the only answer I can think of.  Any suggestions?

I'm kind of in a funk today anyway.  My class is having our 50th class reunion July 1st and I can't attend.  We have never had a reunion in all of these years and now I can't go!!  Why, you ask.  Because John and I are leaving on a 2 month RV trip in our Airstream Trailer June 27th.  We are headed to Camp Perry, Ohio again for his shooting competition.  We will be visiting friends along the way and when he is finished, we will go spend a few days with Dave and family.  I'm looking forward to that part but will miss not re-connecting with my classmates after all of these years.  I'm putting together a goodie bag to send to each of them and I'm going to include one of those cheap, disposable cameras.  I'm thinking that they will take lots of pictures for me and mail the cameras back so I can develop them and enjoy the moment that way.  I am planning a trip to Idaho next year sometime and hopefully will be able to connect with some of them at that time.  I love Idaho and there is so much beauty to be enjoyed there that I think it will be a great trip.

Here is a project that I'm working on.  I've been playing with these two pieces of sterling for weeks and just can't seem to come up with a good idea.  I think I am on the right track now and will be working with it some more tonight.  What do you think?  Any design ideas for me?

I am going to add silver balls along the right side of the oval where you see the black dots.  I am just trying to thing of some other way to connect the 2 pieces other than a jump ring......HELP

The silver was hand etched with a random pattern, but I see a coyote howling in the top piece and the swirl pattern is his tail - ok, maybe I have a big imagination but it looks like that to me:O)

Just received an email from a dear friend in Dayton, OH.  She already has a party planned for us when we arrive July 3/4.  We have several military friends in the area so it will be a good time.  Can't wait to see them.  I miss our military days.  We had a wonderful career and made the best friends in the world.  On a sadder note, I also received an email from John's secretary - when he was on active duty at Edwards AFB, CA - that another dear friend is in serious condition in the hospital.  No one seems to know what the problem is but she on a feeding tube and being given radiation.  It has something to do with her throat, and I hate to say this, but she has been a lifetime smoker.....Please say lots of prayers for her comfort and recovery.  I am just sick about this news;o(

Well, I guess I've rambled on long enough now, I need to refocus and get something done before it gets dark.  Thanks for reading and if you have a minute, I would love to have your feedback on this piece of mine.  Hugs to all.

It's Been a Long Dry Spell

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since my last post.  I will admit, I have been busy.  I got myself in over my head this spring and signed up for 4 art/mentoring courses.  I loved each and every one of them but really, there are only so many hours in a day.  I've always said that if we didn't require sleep and food, we'd have more time for the more fun things in life.  I know, eating can be fun, but let's face it, it can also take a lot of time to prepare, consume and clean up.

I mean, really, I'd rather be playing with fire-like in torch fired enamel.  This was one of the course I just completed.  Barbara Lewis and her fabulous book, Torch Fired Enamel just captivated me and I had to learn how to do it.  Here is her website:  http://www.paintingwithfireartwear.com.  Check it out, you will be glad you did:O)  Her class is online and it is well worth your time if you are interested in this sort of thing.  I personally love it and most recently placed an order to China for 16000 iron beads........did I say I LOVE it.  Well, I didn't realize how many beads I had ordered until the order had been submitted and I was a bit frazzled at first.  Once I told my torchy friends what I had done, they all placed orders with me.  You see, these beads are hard to come by in the states and if you do find them, they are expensive.  Whew, I think I might survive this online order yet:O)

Well, I have so much to tell you but it is late and I need to go get this sleep thing over with for another night.  Until I can figure out how to survive without it, I am forced to comply.

Cheers my little chickadees and thanks for stopping by.  Please leave me a little comment to make me feel like someone is reading my ramblings once in a while, I'd love you for it, really I would.