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I think it's a great idea; more so for people who don't have the time to swing by their local library or just are not able to such as elders and children. I love seeing my neighbors stop by during their evening walks. People pick up and drop off books. Pretty neat.
Here's our setup:
At first we did the top Little Library but one day while working in the shop, I noticed a little girl approaching the Little Library. I went up to her thinking she needed help looking at the books.
As it turned out, she was, and I quote "Running away", too adorable. I struck a conversation with her and showed her the Little Library. I pulled out a children's book and handed it to her while looking around for her Mom.
She was nearby all this time watching. She stepped out and approached us. I told her about the Little Library and she told me that her daughter was "Running away".
If you could see this little girl... she had a stick and at the end of it was a fabric tied to it and inside it was her little teddy bear.
We chatted and as the night was upon us, the little girl decided to return home and read the book.
That's when I realized there needed to be another Little Library for children. My husband built both boxes and I did the artistic painting and acrylic artwork allowing you to see the book and yet keeping with the theme of the painted artwork.
A closer look of both our Little Libraries:
The above Little Library has books for Adults while the Little Library below has books for children. I'm a kid a heart. I love seeing and encourage young minds to reading.
Learn more about the Little Library at the Little Free Library http://www.littlefreelibrary.org
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
A few days later I return to the white canvas. I pulled out my acrylic paints, brushes and other painting tools. I began to add the basic colors of red, blue, green, and yellow. A splatter here and a splatter there soon the colors were melding into one another and eventually grays appeared. I took my brush and made motions with in the grays.
Chaos it was, I tell you, chaos... that's how I felt...it was a series of emotion running through my hand onto the canvas by the time I walked away.
Another day or two went by before I returned to it. I stared at it for a long, long time.
This time I felt that it yearned something simple and soft. Aha, I'll paint a flower. I went with the Nerium Oleander in a shade of soft blue which adds a nice cooling and relaxing effect to the chaotic background. Several hours went by before I was done with the flower. I had hardly noticed the time fly by.
Some my wonder, why I chose the Nerium Oleander? Life is so much more complicated (chaotic at times) and even though there's such beauty beware--sometimes that beauty comes at a cost.
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
Below Ron is looking at an early watercolor artwork by Katy Nail.
We were invited to her opening reception of Flesh & Stone Art Exhibition. It was quite magical seeing Katy's artwork close up.
We got there early to hear her talk about her artwork. She's an amazing lady and artist - full of passion and quite spirited. Everyone gathered around her to hear her stories and adventures.
She enjoys painting people while they're here with us since you never know when
if ever you'll see them next. For example this lovely couple below. 
At the time she knew he was sick but didn't really know that his illness would eventually take him away. Katy points out that with every brush stroke she tries
to capture the soul of the individual. With respect to other mediums (such as video or photography) she feels that painting truly locks in time the essences of that person she is painting.
In another part of the exhibit she express her love for the outdoors. With a flare she move from on adventure to another going from New Mexico National Park where she painted boulders to Texas Big Bend Nation Park where she and her husband Jim hikes deep into the park to find the ideal location for artwork.
Currently she enjoys painting wells. Below she is standing in front of the well and on the left are her art illustrations which are publish in her mother's books.
I enjoyed everything Katy had to share. For me, the words that struck my heart the most the following quote:
"The true artist is responsible to no one but himself. He donates to the centuries to come only his works; he stands surely for himself alone. He dies without issue. He was his own king, his own priest and his own god." -- Baudelaire
Then she really took it a notch by saying, "There's something about when working in the studio -- if your working on a commission, painting a portrait for somebody or whatnot; you can't think of pleasing that somebody because you'll do a bad painting. So you have to go in there; in your own crazy world, there's something about being an artist that rings so true. You have to really block out a lot. The only way to do it is by really blocking out."
Thank you Katy... Distraction and whatnot do really hurt the creative process. I'm so glad we went. We had a great time and enjoyed chatting with all. I hope to one day be an example to others as you are to me. Afterwards we walked around and about at the site. It's such a beautiful location. Take a look.
Beautiful location and very peaceful. An ideal place for this art exhibition.
See Katy Nail's Flesh & Stone artwork being exhibited from now until March 1, 2012
at Nancy Wilson Scanlan Gallery 6500 St. Stephen's Drive, Austin, TX 78746
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
When I got home I decided to play with this image and I created this lovely photo.
We depend so much on others' love that sometimes we forget that one of the most basic feelings lies deep within us. The feeling of being honest with yourself and admitting that you truly worry, care, and love thyself. Without it life can be depressing. Furthermore, others pick up on it and they are either
attracted to you or not.
So love thyself, be honest with yourself, and be honest to others.
You'll be surprised how quickly you'll attract others into your life. It's a mutual
thing of love and respect on which one must strive to achieve on a daily basis.
So, Share the love, I say.
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
It's that time of year... fall is here and the cooler weather has made it possible for
me to return to the shop and work.
This past summer has been a record breaker of 90 days above 100 degree weather thus making it quite difficult to work in the shop. Still I've had plenty of other
things distracting me from my passion. Luckily that's in the past.
Recently my passion for drawing was sparked since I'm working on this year's Halloween theme, "Monster Mayhem"
It's completely different from last year's "AREA 51":
Our vision is creating in our own way the 1950s Japanese Godzilla movies.
So Monster Mayhem begins.
I've started by researching the scales of each Monsters and get a feel for the
complexities of this project. After some information gathering I was ready to
get cracking on making Monsters. Time to get the initial materials.
Ron and I agreed to make a quarter scale of (more or less what we envisioned)
Monster Mayhem. Monsters and some of the building were cut using a CNC
cutter while other model building were hand cut. All hand painted.
In the photo below Godzilla's fire breathing was done using a LED and setting
the camera for long exposure. It's a new form of light painting which we discovered
this summer. Pretty cool lighting effect.
Next up making the full scale version. I started with drawing Godzilla. I got 5mm think plywood and using pastels I started to draw. After a two days of work I got Godzilla sketched out. I took a photo of the quarter scale Godzilla next to the full scale. Pretty neat.
Putting him aside I started to work on the next Monster - Gamera. I got so absorbed in sketching Gamera that after a while I was totally detailing him. I so wanted to bring him to life. As a child I so loved to watch Gamera fight Godzilla. Now, I'm creating them. Ron took a photo of me working on Gamera.
Our goal is to have all this stuff layered 2-D to create the illusion of 3-D in a
platform of 8ft wide by 2ft deep. Here's another shot Ron took while I worked.
It's going to be a month of pure creation, imagination, and lots of hard and fun
work to make Monster Mayhem a success. I just love to paint, draw, cut, build,
and make something out of nothing. Oh, and lots of good music to keep the flow
going. More to come.
Update:
Here's Monster Mayhem:
Here's another video I made of the pre-tour Trail of Frights:
Thanks to all my neighbors for making such a fun filled event.
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
About a week went by before I had another idea. I thought how about using the same art piece but modifying it in different way to see what effects I could get via an art software tool such paint.net or photoshop. I took the original and used a water-color effect. The art piece seemed to come alive and the intensity of the gray scales gave it more depth.
I wondered how would the original look and feel if it was in color. I brought back the original and colored it.
Add the color look nice but somehow it didn't feel alive. I tried the watercolor effect on this color version and I was pleasantly surprised.
This version seemed to come alive. I felt motion and the intensity of the colors brought out more depth to the artwork. I'm liking this effect. Let's see what else I can do. I decided to try the plaster effect.
The plaster effect created a nice simple colorful silhouette with soothing and calming image. Pretty cool. Now let take it to the extreme. I wanted to see what else I can do with these effects tools. I started to use several effect and finally got this one:
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
I've had to re-evaluate
the past few months.
Change is wonderful and I'm looking forward to a better future. No more distraction. YEAH!!! Soon I will be focusing on stuff that had to be put on hold.
I have many skills such as electronics, painting in acrylic and oils, woodworking, photography and photoshop, filming, video editor, computer skills, and everyday I'm learning something new. I've helped others with their presentations and custom making projects. Yet I can't seem to get into the rhythm of creativity.
Prior to my absence, I had been working on an art project which I lost momentum due to the unforeseen events.
How do I build up the creativity that has been lost? Any suggestions?
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
See...
Closer view:
Update: 2010 Photos of Trick-or-Treaters:
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I couldn't get many photos of Trick-or-Treaters since I was alone.
I wish I had more since there were some very creative homemade
costumes. Maybe next year my husband will be with me.
Happy Trails...see yah next Halloween.
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
Here are a few moments to enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFrrohWwh
Happy Halloween
It's time for some fun.
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
Previous entry: Halloween 2010 Aliens and flying UFOs preparation continues
I finally had a chance to work on the 2010 Halloween Video of AREA 51:
Have a happy and safe Halloween, Booo.
(c) 2006-2012 All context and photos by Sybarite13
