Tracey Marshall decided to take ARTE bookmarks for a ride on the busy streets of some unnamed country.
Month: July 2012
ARTE bookmarks in weird and wonderful places – Eva’s CATS
Eva’s Cats decided to use the ARTE bookmarks as lanterns.
Have a look.
Lanterns or bookmarks…..
Use the ARTE bookmark in a creative manner and then photograph your endeavour and send it to us. The photograph could be featured on this blog.
ARTE bookmarks in Weird and Wonderful Places – Fruitbowl Workshops
Fruitbowl Workshops are absolutely creative, not only in the way they do their handcrafts, but also in the way they decided to get their falcon posing next to the ARTE bookmark. How cool is that?
Me want to hug ARTE…..
ARTE VIP visit to the Dubai Mall.
Take a photo of the ARTE bookmark in the weird and fun places that you can think of and the photos could be featured on this blog.
A Head Case for Skulls
Make no bones about it; the skull trend is here to stay! Popularized by Alexander McQueen, the once gothic omens have been transformed into chic accessories and prints to give any outfit a chic and/or rock edge. At ARTE, Skulls have been embraced by several artisans creating fashion and jewellery to clothing and home decor.
Framed Flag Skulls by Gorgeoustuff
Polymer Clay and Sterling Silver Skull Cufflinks by Janys De
Skull Earrings by Lady Mauve
Skull Jewellery by Lady Mauve
ARTE Bookmarks in weird and wonderful places – Paras Creations
ARTE is running a cute incentive – it’s all about using the ARTE bookmarks in a creative way.
Paras Creations used the ARTE bookmarks in two very different yet creative ways.
By the sea, ARTE is the way to be(ad)…
The ARTE bookmark makes it home amidst Paras Creations work.
Use the ARTE bookmark in a creative way and you could be featured on the ARTE blog.
Handmade Gifts for Men
We don’t know about you, but we find it notoriously hard to buy gifts for the special men in our lives. If there’s no one thing in particular that springs to mind, our fail-safe advice is usually a package of little treats, things to make him laugh, and useful objects. It’s a great solution and you can mix-and-match to fit the big guy’s personality.
What’s your guy’s personality? Dapper, foodie, adventurer, sporty, musical or geeky, ARTE has a little something for everyone…
Handmade Model Railways By Model Railways UAE
Handmade Mugs by Irene’s Pots
Scottish Tablet desert by Toffee Princess
Handcrafted Bottle Stoppers by Colin Roberts
All natural Shaving Soap Kit by PAN Soaps
Sterling silver Cuff Links and Tie Pin by Mr. Beaujangles
Elvis stencil art Cushion by Gorgeoustuff
To do or to dodo, that’s the question.
Zee’s work is a sight to behold. As seen at June ARTE fair.
Keeping an eye on Zee’s rainbow of talents, skills and ideas in her art
With the dodo being extinct, Zaahirah (ZEE) got to work to bring it back to life through her art. Thank you Zee!
For those who do not know what the dodo is, a bit of history may help. The dodo is an extinct bird (made extinct in the 17th century due to the Dutch invasion, it is believed). It was only found in the land of Mauritius. Read more about the dodo on Wikipedia.
The extinct bird, comes alive, as part of Zee arts paintings.
The reason you will see the dodo featuring in Zee’s work is this talented artist is from Mauritius. She derives a lot of inspiration from her hometown, which she then translates into her artwork.
Can you spot the dodo?
You just have to google for Zee Arts and the online search map is dotted with her art exhibitions around the world, from Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) and UK-London. She was the recipient of “Oscar de la Jeunesse 2001” in Artistic Pursuit organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mauritius.
Stairway to heaven? The whole canvas is snowwhite with this surprise of vibrant bouquet growing at the edge of the stairway. Takes one’s breath away.
What is so great about her art is her absolute flexibility in using a variety of materials (mixed media). She has the knack to blend together in harmony amongst the ‘amalgam of colours.’ She says, “It is the only time that I feel the real freedom- a sense of peace acumen and inner conversation to myself.”
The amalgam of colours in Zee’s artwork sets the heart on a vibrant frequency
The other aspect of Zee is her involvement in philantropic causes and social issues, involving women and children. My paintings are “a sense of reflection, reconnection or celebration,” she says.
A close up of Zee’s work that uses an assortment of materials.
Visit ZeeArts website.
Join ZeeArts Facebook page. It is dotted with all her recent laurels in the media.
Stained glass flair by talented ARTE-san pair
Bea Bennett and Karen Scott showcase their stained glass wares at ARTE in June 2012
Here is another artisan pair who decided to come together to showcase their work at ARTE, united by their common love for a particular craft. Bea Bennett from Germany and Karen Scott from the US.
Stained Glass work by Karen. These are pretty, little things that can be hung at your windows.
According to Karen Scott, stained glass is both an art and a craft. It has a lot of technical aspects to it because the glass needs to be cut and then soldered according to the pattern. “However, it is also an art,” Karen says, “figuring out what patterns to create and use or draw, what types of glass to use and how to put it together.”
A recent series by Karen Scott called tropical life. The glass pictures can be purchased independently or purchased in a series and hung in a row.
Karen got into stained glass because “I love glass and color and was intrigued by stained glass windows. I simply had to learn how to do it.” It was 15 years ago when she chanced upon an advertisement in a local community newspaper for a class teaching people how to do it. There was no looking back once she signed up for the classes. And we, at ARTE, are glad she didn’t because we now have her lovely stained glass work to look forward to.
Keep up with time in the London Taxi. A stained glass clock made by Bea
According to Karen, Bea is one of the best stained glass craftspeople she has ever met. “I wanted to get better so I took classes and traded ideas with other artists such as Bea Bennett to get better.” Like many ARTE-sans, Karen can boast of a repertoire of art and craft talent. She is a photographer and published author. She also enjoys making jewelry, needlework, crochet as well as mosaics. Looks like her creative life is a mosaic in itself! She however believes that while she has a great eye for colour and proportion, that she is unable to draw.
A stained glass jewelry box made by Bea. The wire crochet jewelry piece courtesy Janys De.
Sun or Moon? This work by Bea was sold.
Bea has been doing stained glass work for only 4 years but she is already reached a high level of proficiency. She had trained as a draughtsman and as a result you can see the technical aspects of her design (clocks, kaleidoscopes, lamps and more). In fact one of the frequent ARTE visitors, Dheeraj Rupani, owner of Veesham Printing Press, was happy to demonstrate how the kaleidoscope created by Bea works. Thanks Dheeraj for being a sport when we took the photos.
Demonstrating the use of the kaleidoscope made by Bea Bennett
Bea teachers beginner’s class so if you are interested in trying your hand at stained glass making, she is the person to contact.
The facebook page dedicated to their work is yet to be set up. We will update this slot once their facebook page is up and running (and of course, ready to be ‘liked’).
Touching lives – the late Alvin Apolonio
The late Alvin demonstrating the basics of watercolours
At ARTE, artisans come together not only to sell their handcrafts to the public, but also to support each other in one’s journey. Jan D’Sa, artist-designer-sculptor-writer and owner of both Janys De and the Cultural Arts Travelogue, has such a story to share.
“I was a repressed creative for nearly 20 years, allowing my sketches and paintings to be viewed by my own two eyes and no one else’s. I also threw my performing artist and musician garb into the metaphorical dark alley and retreated into my shell. I became a very shy and reserved person.” Those who know Jan since she joined ARTE in its early days may probably remember that shy girl.
Jan, instead, chose to showcase her creativity through secondary artforms, i.e. through writing, through salt dough mini-sculptures (below) and wire crochet jewelry making.
Painted Salt Dough sculptures by Jan D’sa, in 2006
Then one day in 2011, a Philipino artist by the name of Alvin Apolonio, showed up at ARTE with paintings that awoke a dormant artistic volcano within Jan. Like many repressed creatives, she was felt a lot of fear in painting again. “I decided to attend an art workshop that Alvin Apolonio held, in conjunction with Carrie Wareham, Black Sheep Art Studio (an ARTE member). It was just so that I could work past this block that I had.”
The late Alvin with one of his fabulous paintings.
“I will never forget what Alvin told me as I started to use the paintbrush after 2 decades and struggled to hold it with confidence.” Alvin said, “I look forward to seeing your art. You have it in you. Just a bit of practice.””
The late Alvin showing the students the basic watercolour washes
Eight months later, this April 2012, Jan finally showed her art to the public for the first time at ARTE. Sadly, Alvin was not around to see it. He had passed away in the Philippines after a brief illness early this year.
“I was devastated as were many other artisans who regarded Alvin not only as a versatile painter and artist, but a friend. I had also experienced another artisan pass away a day after Alvin passed away (she was a jewelry designer), so the devastation of 2 creatives passing away was quite a strong experience.”
Astral Eclipse by Jan D’Sa. Done with the non dominant hand and was a very spontaneous painting
Spontaneous painting done with the non dominant hand featuring Arabic letters. Jan D’sa.
Latest photo at ARTE souk, showcasing Janys De wire crochet sculptures, pendants, with the paintings in the background.
These days Jan has allowed her music and theatrical expression to show itself, though in small, monitored doses. She has also mustered courage to step out and give workshops in creative writing where the art of spontaneity and reconnection with one’s creative self are key. She has dared to create mixed media work where she combines various art and handcraft techniques such as wire work, crochet, acrylics, decoupage and clay. “All because Alvin reminded me that the secret to living more is by creating more.” Whenever Jan gets stuck as a creative, she remembers Alvin’s words and pushes beyond borders into the realm that only other former repressed creatives know of.
A skull sculpture in the making – will be ready in time for July ARTE. Creatively tapping into her love for forensics, anatomy and dark humour.
Visit Janys De website (to be revamped soon), Janys De blog, and Janys De facebook page.
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Has an artisan changed your life beyond what you expected? Let us know how and you could be featured.
Porcelain – Burn it and bring it (on)
An array of fabulous porcelain painting crafts by Sandie as seen at ARTE.
Here is one kind of artform where you can erase the work and start all over again if you don’t like how it looks (before burning or firing it). The art is porcelain painting. Sandie Broedelet, master porcelain painter, finds that porcelain painting is more her thing than painting on canvas. “Painting on smooth and white porcelain is more for me.”
It’s been ten years since Sandie started porcelain painting, while living in Zurich, Switzerland. “When I came across a piece of work painted by my soon to be mentor, Susanna Hofmann, I just fell in love with the concept that you can paint on such fine pieces and you can also be wild and bold on bigger areas.”
These tiny painted porcelain jars remind us of the vintage look…
Sandie has lived in ten countries before moving to Dubai. Some of the places include the Americas, Asia, Europe, Caribbean and the Middle East. “Now that I have moved to Dubai, I find myself using more Arabesque designs. I find them intricate and fascinating and they have such an effective feeling on porcelain.”
“I not only work with geometric patterns; I use floral and animal patterns. Right now, I am mixing geometric patterns with sedate roses, fish and more.”
Sandie loves Geometric patterns. This dish is one such example.
Sandie is also a bridge player and has designed bowls with signs of the cards on the bowls (basically hearts, spades, diamonds and clubs). “I love using olive green, red and black colouring and it has become a favourite of mine to give away as presents to bridge playing friends!”
What a great idea to identify what your favourite sport is and create artwork or crafts that revolve round that sport.
We heart the ace of hearts (no pun intended)….Great nut bowls for bridge lovers.
What is the best part of porcelain painting, we ask Sandie. “The best part of this type of painting for me is that I can be busy for hours and not notice the time going by. I also love the fact that
very often if I am not happy with the painting, I can erase everything and start from scratch (as long as I have not fired the piece). Some people go to the gym, I find painting is my way of relaxing.”
Hmm…perhaps we (this is Jan speaking) will skip the gym in favour of porcelain painting!
Visit Sandie’s facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SandieBPorcelainDesigns