How to Steal a Billboard

August 31st, 2007 admin

Last night I watched the movie POPaganda, The Art and Crimes of Ron English. For me it was a profile of an artist that raises a lot of questions. (which is good) Ron English has made a career of attacking consumerism and corporate america. (though he has an online store that sells mass produced plastic reproductions of his work. hmm?) He found his place on the map by high-jacking billboards in big cities. Joe Camel, the fun loving, cigarette smoking, cartoon camel was his first target. Ron would play up the already cartoon image to show what he believes the cigarette ads were really saying.

From there his billboards grew to target other corporations, politics, and religion. English has also moved on to creative oil paintings that attack pop culture.

“The Last Breakfast”

The movie is only 75 minutes and well worth watching. Though it can be hard to find. And at the end he teaches you how to steal a billboard! Ron’s web site has a lot of his work as well. It can be found at www.popaganda.com

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Brave New Photography

August 29th, 2007 admin

If your more into photography than you are into camera ads I have a publication for you. It is called JPG Magazine and it is a breath of fresh air in the photography section of your local magazine rack. Here is what JPG has to say about itself:

 JPG Magazine is for people who love imagemaking without attitude. It’s about the kind of photography you get when you love the moment more than the camera. It’s for photographers who, like us, have found themselves online, sharing their work, and would like to see that work in print.

JPG is a website. Here any photographer can join and upload photos and stories to their member page. You can also submit your work for consideration in the magazine.

JPG is a community. JPG exists because of, and exclusively for, photographers like you. Without you, we’re nothing.

And if you do not have room in your budget for another magazine JPG puts each complete issue on their website. They also offer free PDF download of each issue. How cool is that?

If you missed the links you can find the site at www.jpgmag.com.

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Resources (free resources)

August 26th, 2007 admin

Part of the process of creating is finding resources. Most artists must be savvy in this regard due to income limitations. That is what I am here to tell you about two places to find free stuff.

The first one is Freecycle. It uses Yahoo! groups to manage posting of free items that people in your town have. I have found Freecycle to be a good place to find items I could not otherwise afford and also to find homes for items that would be harder to sell via classified ads but I did not want to throw away. The place to get started is www.freecycle.org.

Craigslist is the other site for unloading and finding free things. There is a free category in the site’s “for sale” column. I have not used that one myself but I know people who have had success with it. www.craigslist.org is the main site and click here for the Fort Collins “free” section.

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Art Inside and Out

August 23rd, 2007 admin

A few days ago I picked up a copy of the 2007 MOCA Studio Tour Date Book. And at first glance I already noticed a few upgrades (and downgrades) from previous years.

For a second year in a row the guide is in a date book format which means it could be useful after the tour is over. Though your year would have to rotate around the tour because the calender is September 2007 to September 2008. But unlike past years the street map is part of the book and not a separate pull out page. Which will be more manageable. Also the front cover is designed in a way it can be used as a bookmark. Another handy date holding feature. And the artists on the tour are indexed in the back of the book which will make it easier to find the artist information your looking for. These simple upgrades should help in navigating from studio to studio while on the tour.

On the downside there are fewer artists listed. 39 studios are listed on the map as opposed to the 60 studios on last years tour. And at $30 for a family pass this year’s tour cost more for less available studios. I wonder if less artists want to be on the tour or if MOCA changed its selection process?

Posted in Art, Event, Fort Collins | 1 Comment »

Chinese Cultural Engagement

August 21st, 2007 admin

Just got word on an interesting event happening down at the Poudre Arts Center this Friday the 24th.

Expand your knowledge and experience about China and its culture through authentic homemade Chinese cuisine, Art Exhibition and Demonstration, Chinese Calligraphy, Music, Tai Chi, and more! Full Dinner served at 6:00pm Watercolor Demonstration by Ning Sun at 7:30pm

It is presented by Arts Alive and tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for kids. You can buy them here.

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Your Feet Your Face

August 21st, 2007 admin

The photo website photojojo.com posted a great article about Ellen Ugelstad’s The Show Project.

Basically a set of photos, one focusing on the sitter’s shoes and the one above it a more traditional portrait. You check em all out here.

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Art of the Day

August 21st, 2007 admin

The Loveland Reporter Herald offers a daily email called “Art of the Day.” After checking it out for a few weeks I think a better title might be “Sculpture of the Day.” Yes I know sculpture is art but every email seems to feature a sculptor, I have yet to see another medium featured. And yes that does also make sense coming from Loveland.

It did make me wonder if non sculpture artists in Loveland get frustrated by all the attention sculptors get?

Any who… the email comes out every morning and includes a picture of a work of art along with its title and artist. There is a link as well to more details about the artist and the work.

You can sign up for the daily email here.

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Art For Your Computer

August 19th, 2007 admin

Still using the desktops that came preloaded with your computer? Pixelgirl Presents is a great little website to find new desktops and new icons to use on your computer.

The site can be found at www.pixelgirlpresents.com.

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Fort Collins MOCA Studio Tour Artist

August 16th, 2007 admin

It is that time of year again. The MOCA Studio Tour is about a month away. One of the artist you will find on the tour is Dottie Boscamp. I recently asked her a few questions about the tour:

Why should someone visit your studio? After all there are so many options. I’m the only soft glass blower on the tour, some people have said “Wow, it’s like watching Discovery Channel live.” while visiting my shop.

What will people see when they visit your studio on the tour? Live, traditional glassblowing. Bowls, Vases, Flowers, etc.

What will you have available for sale? Everything - bowls, vases, flowers, garden balls, plant starters, wall vases, platters, flowers, etc.

Will there be snacks? Lots - food and drink

Where can your art be found around town? Trimble Court & The Collective Gallery

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Film Festival

August 14th, 2007 admin

Did you know Fort Collins has a film festival? Not just a film festival but a celebration of film, television, and theatre. Tickets go on sale this month for the TriMedia Film Festival.

The festival runs from September 7th to the 9th and 4 venues will be taking part.

For all the info go to www.trimediafestival.org

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