Art in the Park in Dana Point

Art in the Park 2011 a photo by smashgirl on Flickr.

I had an incredible weekend down in the harbor at the Festival of the Whales "Art in the Park"! I met fellow artists and chatted with people from all over the world. I sold some of my mosaics which was great but my greatest joy came from the opportunity to share my 'Save Our Oceans" mosaic. When the idea first came to me back in January of 2010 with the yellow sunglasses, my hope was to educate with this project. Many people stopped to take a look at my art and the kids were drawn to it like bees to honey. They all wanted to touch it...it's full of colorful toys embedded in grout. The biggest shock to people was the fact that all of this plastic trash was collected in a single thirty minute period on Doheny Beach one day. I overheard parents telling their children to pick up trash and don't let it go into our oceans. My heart was happy that day, my project was educating and entertaining kids and adults. My hope is for this art to be installed in a public place to continue it's job on saving our oceans. Stay tuned!

Save Our Oceans was entered into the Chaco Waves for Change Art Contest and won honorable mention!

My Ocean Awareness Project...Where Does All This Plastic Come From?

When you live near the beach I think it's only natural that you take an interest in keeping it clean. I always deposit my trash , and will even pick up trash around me that was left by others.  But in the last few years I've begun to notice a larger amount of trash on the beach. Where does all this trash come from? There can't be that many litterbugs out there?

Last January after a intense week of rainstorms in Southern California I took a walk with my 12 year-old son down to Doheny Beach to check out the damage. We were amazed at how much trash ended up on the sand. Gigantic piles of wood....a big mess to deal with I'm sure but it's a natural element.

 We enjoyed the creative souls that had came before us and left their masterpieces.

 As we looked closer into the wood piles we saw bright and colorful things....plastic toys, sunglasses, balls.
I noticed some broken yellow sunglasses and picked them up. This is when I had the idea to use this trash to create a mosaic. We spent the rest of our time collecting brightly colored plastic to use as my tessarae. I think most people who live inland don't realize how far trash can travel and how much damage it can do to our oceans sea life.  I'm hoping that my finished project will open eyes to this problem.  I'll be updating my blog as I create my mosaic.

Irene

Meet Irene...my latest eyeball mosaic. She currently sits atop my mantel awaiting adoption. To learn more about her visit my Etsy shop!

I Have a Stalker!

I was so excited to find out I'm being stalked! Not by a creepy, obsessive stalker...an Etsy Stalker named Violet. She's harmless, so not to worry my friends. Her posting today is called, "Mosaics: Picking up the Pieces". I feel honored to be included in her beautiful, eclectic collection of mosaics made by Etsy arists. You can see my "Bali Bowl" in all it's glory at www.etsystalker.com.

Be sure to check out all the various mosaic methods showcased in her blog article. The materials to make mosaics vary from plates(like mine) to fabric and pretty much anything you can think of. Feel free to stalk my shop anytime!

Turning trash into art

I am not a wasteful person, I try my best to keep my regular trash can empty and my recycle can full. My eco-awareness spills over into my art. If I can find a way to make something new, you can bet I will.

Remember Iris, the old broken clock? Or her offspring...who used to be croquet balls?
My latest art pieces both are an example of upcycling.

"Freckled Legs" came from an old 70's coffee table I found one day while driving down the street. The top couldn't be saved but I salvaged all four legs. A bit of sanding and filling in the holes where the screws once were and they were on their way to a new life. A few coats of black paint finished off with white "freckles" and voila! At the moment they look stunning on my mantle but if you really want them visit my etsy shop they're for sale!
"Thirsty" came from my collection of plastic beverage lids I had started awhile back. I played around with different ideas and designs and decided to go with a simple pattern with a black grout. As one twiiter friend described as "not pop art, but lid art"!
"Thirsty" would look really cool in a modern decor, it's also for sale in my shop.
What's next??? The kids are soon back in school so I'll have more time to create new things in my studio...stay tuned!

What's new in the smashgirl studio?

My Bahama Bowl sold as I was listing my new Bali Bowl. The bowl was a garage sale find, I just added a touch of drama to it using these beautiful floral plates and finished it off with black grout.

Mega Rock Star is the plus-size version of my little rock star. I love working with rocks and pebbles! Sea Star is a mini-star embellished with sea glass, some pieces gathered this summer from the beaches of San Clemente!

Bubblegum is a fun wavy vase covered in clear and colored glass gems.

What's next? A few new things for Valentine's Day!

Table Transformations

I'm driving down the street through my neighborhood and out of the corner of my eye I see it...that old discarded table sitting on the curb. Quickly I pop the trunk and send my kids out to heave it into my car...and as I head for home I start thinking of the makeover this table will receive. A little sanding...some paint...and of course a mosaic on the top will make it beautiful!

The thing that attracts me the most about a table are it's legs. I love the funky shapes and styles from the 70's. My recent find had really attractive legs but the table itself was beyond repair. I decided to take the legs and use them for my next project. So I'd like to thank everyone who leaves their old junky tables next to...not inside...their trash cans. You are a mosaic artist's best friend!

Eye have an idea...

WIP
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

I dug into the 129 eyes that Jennifer sent me and have started working on the offspring of Iris (my Why mosaic). I grabbed some old croquet balls that were headed to the trash and had an "aha" moment. They were just perfect for my new creations! This is my first one, I've named him Ivan. In the works are his siblings, Ivy, Issac, Irene, and Ida. Time to rub some grout in my eyes...eye'll be posting finished pictures soon!

I think I hear the Ice Cream Man!

One of my fondest childhood memories of summer is that magical tinny sound of "Pop Goes the Weasel" coming around the corner. My brother and I would dash through the screen door at lightening speed to shake out some change from my Mom. Our biggest fear was that no kids on our street would flag him down and we'd run outside only to see the back of his truck turning the corner. It seemed like the end of the world as kids!

These days my neighborhood has no stickered singing trucks driving through and I feel a little sad for my kids that they don't get to enjoy the thrill of the Ice Cream Man. Where did he go? Did he trade in his truck and start working at Cold Stone? Maybe the price of gas shut down his business? Does he still come to your neighborhood?

Featured Etsy Shop~Flowering Moon Designs

Joanne of Flowering Moon Designs has a self proclaimed obsession with glass. It is her medium of choice when it comes to making mosaics. I just love the garden stones that she creates! The beautiful iridescent glass shimmers and shines in the sunlight. What a gorgeous piece of artwork to have in your garden beds. I'm not the only one who loves these...the Etsy shoppers have cleaned her out and this is the last one available! What a steal at only $16.00!

Another signature design of hers are these beautiful and useful mosaic wall hooks. Everyone could use one of these in their house to hold keys, or your dog's leash. Art with a purpose, you got to love it! Again she's used those beautiful iridescent pieces of glass that catch the light.

For all of the musicians out there that are looking for some unique artwork, take a look at this mosaic guitar she created for an EMA (Etsy Mosaic Artists) challenge earlier this year, titled "Dragonfly Medley". Joanne's husband is a musician and this inspired her to join together her passion for art with his passion for music. What a romantic and beautiful idea! Her husband must really love her since he parted with his mint condition Martin Backpacker guitar! It even comes with the Martin gig bag!

Besides mosaics, Joanne is also an amazing stained glass artist. If you love fairies and angels then you'll love this! This is an inexpensive way to have the feel of a stained glass window in your home!

Joanne will also do custom orders! Be sure to visit

her Etsy shop Flowering Moon Designs to see more of her beautiful art!

Perfect for a Mermaid

The Mermaid Mirror
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Living in California near the beach certainly inspires me. Seashells are so beautiful so I thought that I'd use them for my first mosaic mirror. I used a layered style and set the shells on top of one another. I really love the feminity that the shells create. The Mermaid Mirror is currently for sale in my Etsy shop. More shell creations coming soon!

Don't miss the "Yart Sale" going on now until Friday June 20th. Selected mosaics are 20% off and I have a special "10 Dollar Sale" section also. Search "Yart Sale" on Etsy for all participating shops!

The Story of Stella

You'd think it would be easy being "The Lady in Red". You're beautiful, people stare at you, and someone even wrote a song about you. What could be wrong? Why is "The Lady in Red" so depressed and drinking alone in a bar? Stella(her real name)can never get away with wearing any other colors. The paparazzi would have a field day if she was seen in the grocery store wearing blue! Men are afraid to even approach her and ask her out for a date. Life can be pretty lonely when you are a legend...will Stella ever meet her man?

Will Stella go home with Stan and live happily ever after, or will Stan and Stella both go home alone? Well it's up to the buyers in my Etsy shop...will they buy one or both???

To be continued...

The Story of Stan

The End of the Day
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

The End of the Day

Stan seems to have it all. He's a successful business man living the good life, or so it seems. He lives in a beautiful penthouse full of only the best things. He's charming and a snappy dresser. At the end of the day, he ends up here drinking alone. Then he goes home each night to an empty place. Something's missing from his seemingly perfect life. Stan needs love. Will Stan find the right woman to fill the empty void?

To be continued...

Why did I name this Why?

The name simply comes from the shop in Paris where it was bought! A funky little gift shop in Les Forums De Halles. A must visit shop if you go there!

Work in Progress

Wip of the parisian clock
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

This is turning out even better than I had envisioned! I'm bringing out the funky side of me. I've finished adhering all of the pieces and now it's time to grout! Stay tuned for the finished pictures!

Headed to the trash?

Headed to the trash?
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

No way!!! My son bought this clock in a Paris gift shop a few years back. The hands have fallen out and the clock no longer works. This is now my next mosaic project. I love the modern design and shape! I'll be posting wip pictures soon!

Cupcakes!

Kyle's cupcake
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

My cupcake mosaics are now featured in Cupcakes a go-go's gallery and gift shop in Sarasota, Florida. If you're a cupcake lover and live near here then you should visit Lorrie and tell her smashgirl sent you! She makes custom "real" cupcakes and is quite an aritist!

http://www.cupcakesago-go.com/

More Aloha

Finally finished!
I like the way it turned out and love the texture that the seashells add!

My addiction

Recent donations to smashgirl
Originally uploaded by smashgirl

Being a mosaic artist is a little like having an addiction,...you can never get enough dishes! My family and friends always think twice before throwing out that chipped mug or broken plate. They walk into my house with a cardboard box and my little "plate senses" perk up. What will be in the box this time? They hand over the stash and I feel like I just hit the Mega Jackpot in Vegas. If you're reading this and are a mosaic artist yourself then you'll understand. It's an addiction rarely discussed. I need help...need intervention for my plate obsession...I'm a plate junkie looking for her next fix...what do you have for me?

Thinking of Hawaii

Here's my latest WIP (work in progress). I'm getting ready to grout it today and can't wait to see the finished results!

I spent a week in Kauai last summer alone with my husband. We took a zodiac boat tour on the Napali Coast. It is one of the world's most spectacular places. As we cruised along the coast, friendly dolphins came up to our boat. We landed at a beach and snorkeled in the warm ocean waters. Well, I guess I'll have to save up those miles and make another trip soon!

Until then, I'll just use my island memories to create some Hawaiian inspired art!