Inspired by Whimsy

It's time once again to join Gill at Gibby Froggett Craftations, this month's host at Art Journal Journey.  Her theme is Inspired by . . .
 
and today I'm inspired by a bit of whimsy.

I found these mountains in a magazine, and wanted to use them in some way.  I have a thing for old cars, so when I saw them in another magazine, I fussy cut each one and adhered them using a glue stick.  My detail scissors are getting really dull, so a few of these teeny-tiny automobiles were hard to cut.  

The one misstep was the computer generated words I colored using pink dye ink.  I picked up the wrong color, thinking I had gotten orange.  I didn't notice until it was too late.  However, I hope you found some whimsy in this entry I created in my large art journal.

Thank you beyond belief for joining me today.   I hope you will join me at Art Journal Journey, too.

Marilyn

Sometimes we are inspired by a person, and other times we are inspired by the various materials we find to work with.  Today I'm once again joining Gill at Gibby Froggett Craftations, this month's host at Art Journal Journey with her Inspired by theme. 

In my stash, I found these playing cards of Marilyn Monroe, which inspired me to create this spread I have now added to my large art journal. 

I considered using Bernie Taupin's lyrics that began with "Goodbye Norma Jean" (Candles in the Wind, 1973)

then decided I liked her quote even better.

I can't exactly say I'm inspired by Marilyn,

because she was a tortured soul, often used by others,

became a sex symbol, used and confused sex for love, and often felt uncared for, even by those who gave her unquestioning love.

If only Marilyn had actually lived by her words!

I found these playing cards in my stash, so decided it was time to use them.  I painted the used file folder with two colors, then added the cards and sentiment.  Next, I added the stenciling, which took forever because the stencil was so small.  As a final element, I found a metal wire I formed in the shape of a number 6.

Thank you for dropping by and spending time with me today.  Please don't forget to meet me at Art Journal Journey today, too!

I also have some really, really good news, too. 

As I was preparing to mow this evening,

look what I found in my "flower bed."  The severe cutting of the rose bush seems to have worked wonders!

Friday Smiles 277: a visit to the Coutts Museum

Today we are visiting the Coutts Museum of Art.  I don't know anyone who wouldn't smile at these horses that flank the columns leading to the interior of this museum.  Also in front of the museum is the sculpture "Tell Me About It" by local artist Frank Jensen.

In the alley way on the north side of the museum is Sculpture Alley, featuring a tile mosaic mural by Phil Epp and Terry Corbett, bronze statues "His Brand" by Gene V. Williams and "In Flight" by Jim Brothers.

All of these, including Jensen's sculpture in front of the museum, are part of the El Dorado Main Street Artscape Public Sculpture Program.  One of the things the Coutts Museum is famous for, is its support of work by local artists.  Coutts provides several impressive art scholarships each year for deserving local artists.

Does the name Phil Epp ring a bell?

If you have visited my blog for any length of time, you will remember this sculpture by Epp I found in another city a few years ago.  I've seen it twice, once by myself, and once when I took my friend Sally.

Back at the Coutts, we began with "local" art created by children who visited the museum.  What a fun way to turn a paper plate and a hand print into a work of art!  If only I were so gifted.

We were then treated to what I consider sums up this museum.  Truly some lovely art, but eclectic.  Vintage furniture (in this case, a lovely grandfather clock) sits next to a modern silver sculpture, which leads to a lovely painting, possibly by Eva Makk.

 

More eclectic art.  So many periods, so much to ponder.

No need to ponder this work.  This is a Remington, and Coutts Museum boasts one of the largest collection of Frederic Remington bronzes in the U.S. Midwest.

  

In addition to the various Remington bronzes, 

there are also a few by Charles M. Russell

(another Russell)

and Frank Tenny Hoffman sculptures.  That led to my favorite area. 

I fell in love with the planes, 

more planes, 

trains,

and automobiles.

Surely one of these paintings 

will put a smile on your face
 

as it finally did my foodie friend Sally's.

Thanks for joining me today at this museum, and thanks for your continued visits.  Now let's visit Annie's Friday Smiles, where it never hurts to begin the weekend with a big smile, just like Annie's.