I have to thank Shirley for the Free 4 All challenge today. Marvin Gaye...what a smooth voice! In honor of Mr Gaye and Earth Day, I selected . Such a fan of Gaye's music.
I am so glad you issued a recycle day to honor Earth Day #51, Sabrina. Funny how things go in my creative life. Reading the challenge on Wednesday night, I had NO idea what I would create. But after reading my local newspaper Thursday morning, I knew EXACTLY where I was gonna start! Of course, there is a story behind it...
The photo which is the focal of my mixed media work, is of a mural in town which was created by Artist Helen Liu (pictured here). It is titled 'We are all in this together". This is a 40 by 20 foot quilt made of discarded plastic bags. It is on a wall of the Academy of Arts and Academics. The project involved dozens of community members including 3A students. I hope you can see the details of the plastic bags...you'll recognize some of the products and be amazed and challenged by the use of the recycled products and the thought how can we reduce our usage of plastics.
I had originally thought to use this world die cut in my card, but once I got into it, I dug through my stash to find suitable papers that could represent our different land masses. The poles are covered with Snow Glitter and a base circle of brusho stash. I love the bold contrast of it against the mural.
Finished it off with playing with the newspaper headings, and a tiny Forever21 in the bottom right corner. Remember being 21? The whole ahead of you...possibilities limitless. I want that for my children and my future grandchildren and YOURS!
Thank you very much for hanging with me...I'd love reading your thoughts that were sparked by my art.
Photo Credit goes to Chris Pietsch/Register Guard. I am going to mail this to him with a note. He is a photo journal artist...I think he will appreciate this.
Date: Friday, April 23, 2021 GMT Views: 756
Favorited:3
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: January 7, 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 42877
Fri, Apr 23, 2021 @ 12:00 PM
Fantastic in highlighting Earth Day and honoring Marvin Gaye. I love R&B and Motown music so was super excited to see this challenge. Mercy, Mercy Me... such a great match up to call attention to our planet and our need to look forward and respect the Earth. A 1-4-Joy fabulous creation.
------------------------------ Kathy Stamp n Sip with me
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Registered: May 18, 2004 Location: Southwest Michigan Posts: 37094
Fri, Apr 23, 2021 @ 12:30 PM
Oh my, this is just fabulous! I've been gazing at it for several minutes now and loved reading your thoughts behind the piece. Love, love the various colors on your globe; that was inspired! How very sad it is that 50 years after this song was released we humans have only continued to make things worse for our planet. And Gaye's writing for that 1971 album, "What's Going On" had a number of songs that are still, sadly, very relevant today. "Inner City Blues" comes to mind as well.
I chose the same song for my card today!
------------------------------ Claudia Splitcoast Fan Club Member
Registered: May 26, 2015 Location: Oregon Posts: 5533
Fri, Apr 23, 2021 @ 1:21 PM
WOW!!! Thrilled that you are sharing a little piece of our Eugene/Springfield recycling world with our SCS friends. You created another framable piece, Deario! Curious to know your non-conforming size. Maybe we can go see the real deal together?
Registered: June 29, 2004 Location: Sugar Land. Texas Posts: 79770
Fri, Apr 23, 2021 @ 1:47 PM
So good to see you in the gallery today sharing your awesome art with us. All the elements you used are so thoughtful and fitting for these challenges, but I have to say, there is something about the texture that comes from that torn back box to reveal the layers of the cardboard that I love best of all.
------------------------------ LizThe joy of the LORD is my strength.Right Brain Madness --My blogProud member of the redDivasKSS certified multi-step stamperFan Club member since 2004
Registered: August 15, 2007 Location: Twin Cities MN Posts: 50660
Fri, Apr 23, 2021 @ 3:42 PM
I'm hearing Marvin's song in my head as I examine this...Such a cool image with the artist in front of her creation..I do see some plastic bags I recognize...I will look at them differently this spring as I plant my flowers and see that potting soil bag...Fab way to celebrate Earth Day 2021.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Host Proud Fan Club Member
Registered: April 11, 2016 Location: Posts: 30054
Fri, Apr 23, 2021 @ 10:41 PM
Absolutely awesome. I loved reading your story about the photo, artist and additional elements. I’d love to see the mural one day. TFS. Happy day...oooh I heard it through the grapevine....I grew up on Tamla Motown music....lol.
------------------------------ The Difference Between Try and Triumph Is Just A Little Ump Wednesday: Alpha Challenge
Thursday: Ways To Use It Challenge
Monthly: MMJ Challenge….get inky and have fun
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni SCS Gallery Moderator Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: July 27, 2007 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 132001
Sat, Apr 24, 2021 @ 12:21 AM
Very cool take on the challenge, Susan. That mural must be amazing to see and pore over in real life. A couple of times I've seen art college students make dresses from from recycled bags. I like that you added ice to the icecaps! Such a perfect card for the challenge.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Splitcoast Challenge Hostess Teapot Tuesday TEAm
Registered: January 19, 2014 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 90987
Sat, Apr 24, 2021 @ 4:09 AM
Great recycling and what a wonderful story of that quilt too. I agree Marvin Gaye has a super smooth voice. I started listening to him yesterday to make a quick card and ended up leaving him playing all day while I worked. Made for a very enjoyable day.