Thursday, September 10, 2020

Rain's Thursday Art Date: Eyes and ears


Today we're meeting at Rain's for her Thursday Art Date.  This week, the theme is Eyes and Ears.  Unlike last week, when I struggled to find anything, this week I have a plethora of art to share with you.

Part of a larger piece, the gray area was colored using two water soluble crayons.  The image, a piece of junk mail, was sewn to the other layers using variegated thread.

Although I showed this for an earlier TAD, it certainly applies here.

Back when it was safe to eat out, this iconic image at City Bites meets the theme today.

This lady definitely has at least one eye and ear and has been layered over water soluble crayons on watercolor paper and colored card stock using variegated thread.

Created for a challenge, these ladies have more than lovely legs.  They also have eyes and ears, too.

Also created for a challenge, I colored this piece using both water soluble crayons and watercolor pencils.

Nothing is too small to qualify, including the man in the postage stamp.

I realize I've shown this and the next altered book page at a previous TAD, but they certainly apply today.


One of my 365 squares I made last year.  This one is called Eye on the trigger.

The paper dolls became part of a larger page when paired with images in my 7 Continents altered book, this time showing places to visit in the Tuscany area.  The background was spritzed with my handmade shimmering mists.  The images came from an offer to visit Tuscany.

For this page, we return to Tuscany in my 7 Continents altered book, this time we headed to the Tuscany hills.  The paper doll had a big ear you couldn't miss, so it became important, too.

I bet you can tell who insisted we use this page I created for a challenge.

He even insisted I clearly show the metal "sentiment," too.  I gladly listen to Bleubeard, since he's the face of our blog.

The splatters and splodges were created on black card stock using my handmade shimmering mists, while the other decorations I chose were two matching strips of decorative silk ribbon.  The focal image came from a travel magazine.  I outlined it using a green chalk paint marker.  The sentiment was computer generated and colored using two shades of green water soluble crayons.

This is a play on the eye theme I called Spud.  No ears here, though.  For this page, I began by cutting out pictures of potatoes from a seed, plant, and gardening catalog.   If you've ever gotten one of these catalogs, you know how thin the paper is.  I decided the best way to adhere the various pictures was to sew them to the black card stock substrate.  I created the letter to Spud because simply showing a bunch of potatoes on a page made no sense to me.  It also added the touch of whimsy I was going for.

Here's an index card from 2019 using an image and washi tape.

Here's a fun look at fish eyes with this challenge entry called School's in session.

My attempt at a collage that includes several animals with eyes and ears showing.

Back in 2008, I joined an ATC (artist trading card) swap.

I used a technique that almost assured I could draw a great face. I gessoed a bunch of women featured in ads, and fussy cut them mostly from the waist up. I dry brushed thin gesso onto the images. I don't use expensive gesso, so it didn't completely cover in one coat. I put less gesso on their faces, because I can't draw. By leaving just enough of the faces intact, I was able to see where to put the eyes, eyebrows, noses, ears, and mouths. I think they are perfect for this TAD.

For Easter one year, I used these

to create this,

to sit in this.

I created this for an Alpha challenge back when my scanner actually worked.

However, I cut off some of the right side, so had to scan it separately.  Obvious the eyes were for the letter E in the Alpha challenge.

Although I've barely scratched the surface of my journal or altered book pages, I suspect you are tired of seeing the art I've created.  I'll now show a few photos I've taken on trips out and about to various museums.

Memorabilia and propaganda found at an art and history museum.

This phenomenal bookmark was part of a larger gift I received from my dear friend RO!

A uniformed mannequin from a museum has both eyes and ears.

Bleubeard would be very upset if I didn't include these banners found at an art show for their eyes and ears.

I was really impressed with these eyes (and a few ears) also from the same art show.

In the mural department, there is none better than WichiKitty, the iconic cat with part of the Wichita flag in its right eye.

A propaganda poster showing Uncle Sam and a Chinese fighter joining together not long before before WWI.

I couldn't forget this iconic bug with the big eyes.  Not sure where the ears are, since I'm not an entomologist.

Although this Marilyn Monroe statue graces the front of a drinking establishment, you can see more of her tush than her eyes and ears in this photo I took during a T Stands For Tuesday outing.

Even though there were plenty of eyes and ears showing in this painting at the same drinking and eating establishment, the lighting was appalling.

These paintings are part of the Americana Collection at our local art museum.

These children and the two dogs found in the same room of the art museum are good examples of eyes and ears, too.

It appears people showed their ears a lot more in early America than they do today.

I found this refinery worker mannequin at a Kansas Oil and Gas Museum.  Even with his hard hat and protective eye gear in place, you could still see his ears and eyes.

And finally, here's a large tortoise at my local zoo with one eye and ear showing.

I had to sneak this one in when Bleubeard wasn't looking,  These two boys are still not fond of each other.

All altered book and journal art created by me.  All photos taken by me.  Bleubeard was extra thrilled because he was able to choose some art today, too.  Don't tell him that Squiggles got the last word, though.

Thank you ever so much for stopping by.  I am truly grateful to you, my friends, followers, readers, and lurkers for visiting.  Please also join me at Rain's Thursday Art Date.



30 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely selection E. I'm not joining in today, I have an appointment this morning and am giving a talk this afternoon, so don't have time. Have a great day, hope your internet stays with you! Valerie

Elkes Lebensglück said...

These are all beautiful images for the subject.
The selection is large and interesting!
I wish you a nice Thursday, take care, hugs Elke

Karen said...

Lot's of great eyes to see and ears to hear ~ Terrific art examples to enjoy ~ Blessings on your day

Mae Travels said...

Your selection of images is delightfully varied, with so many styles and interpretations of the theme.

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Sandra Cox said...

That Squiggles is such a handsome fellow.
Everything today was so clever. 'I got my eye on you.' Love it.
I especially enjoyed the kitty with the family collar.
Glad you're back on line.
Take special care.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Elizabeth,

WOW, you really invested your time in this week's theme. The vintage paintings on displayed is something I'd like to see with my own eyes. :) Murals are so interesting and cool. I wonder how artists do an image of that size. Getting mine proportionately right in sketch pad is challenging enough for me to manage. Marilyn Monroe's iconic pose! It's sad that her life came to a tragic end much too early in her life. I always got the feeling that she was a woman who craved real love and never got it. Have a wonderful day, my friend.

Christine said...

Lovely images for eyes and ears Elizabeth!

Jackie McGuinness said...

WOW that is quite the collection. I will have to check this challenge out.

Further to your comment and question on my blog I would be honoured if you added my blog to your sidebar!

RO said...

I remember that snowman!(lol) Most of us have them, but I feel like we take our eyes and ears for granted until something happens and we can't see or hear something. So I love all of the ways you've focused on their beauty and importance throughout life. When I meet someone in person the things I notice right away are eyes and smiles. So I thank you for all the great pics and artwork focused on eyes and ears. Hugs, RO

Divers and Sundry said...

What a variety!

Barbara said...

Wow! So many! Bluebeard looks pleased in spite of Squiggles getting final billing! I have two females who will never be fond of each other. Love your Easter bunny too!

My name is Erika. said...

Fabulous eyes and ears today. It was fun to revisit some art and see some for the first time. And I can tell you where the ears are on your bug. Their eardrums would be directly on the sides of their bodies. Now that you know that, you day must be complete-ha-ha-ha! Hope its a great Thursday. Hugs-Erika

Sami said...

Lots of beautiful art Elizabeth. Loved the cats of course :)
Glad you're back online, your internet problems seem to be ongoing.

craftytrog said...

A great selection of art, great choices Bleubeard, and lovely to see Squiggles at the end!

lissa said...

So much to see, so much to take in. So many ideas and images to linger on.

Have a lovely day.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

DOOD !!!! itz total lee awesum ta see ewe two day !!! ~~~~~~ wavez two ewe all sew squiggles :) we noe which oh theeze iz R favez !!! we just canna chooze a fave oh de favez :) ♥♥♥☺☺☺

da tabbies o trout towne said...

N we had thiz bak werdz...R bad.....squigglez wavez two ewe N bleubeard over ther !!!

CJ Kennedy said...

Fun and delicious eye candy. My favorites were all things cat. I thought the Wichita flag symbol clever as the eye of the Wichita cat. Squiggles is cute, too

DVArtist said...

Hi, you really nailed the theme this week. So much good stuff here. You mentioned you are seeing very little on the Oregon fires. I finally saw a bit this morning on national news. However, they didn't cover much. Entire towns are burned to the ground.

Lowcarb team member said...

I did enjoy this post, so much to see, including Bluebeard and Squiggles :)
I hope your internet behaves itself now.

All the best Jan

Jeanie said...

What a variety of eyes and ears. You know my favorite. Bleubeard in stamped form. Yes, definitely family.

Leigh said...

What a treat for the eyes. The 7 Continents altered book is especially wonderful, and of course, so is anything with cats. :)

Kokopelli said...

Love Eye Spy and the huge bug and the kitty! Fun pictures!

sheila 77 said...

Goodness me, Elizabeth, this is a huge selection of your amazing art. I came in for a quick look and got to the end and saw Squiggles! Isn't Squiggles gorgeous, I'm a great fan.
Good that Bleubeard is doing some management work too.
I'll be back to comment on the art later.
Love from Sheila

Rita said...

Lots and lots of eyes and ears! Glad you includes some cats. ;)

Birgit said...

These images and works you created are always unique, inventive and fun. One day your pussy cats will accept one another...one day:) I love all the ears and eyes. I think I saw the eyes of Elizabeth Taylor and my favourite eyes, human that is, is Sophia Loren's

sheila 77 said...

The crossword rabbit!
Bleubeard's very serious cat and his magical background! Great choice, Bleu.
And how touching that he chose the metal "Family". He knows.
I love the piece with the Eiffel Tower - it has a terrific background.
I love all the sewing.
Seriously, the potato page, hahahaha!
And I get another look at Squiggles.
Love,
Sheila

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Prolific you are indeed. So many interesting and fun samples of your art of the past, which I thoroughly enjoy because I haven't seen them when they were posted before. Of course, I enjoy everything that Bleu Beard contributes(via you) and even sneaking in a pic of Squiggles (his nemesis). Our boys got along fine, it is our two little girl kitties who hiss and spat when they see each other ... a territorial issue I assume. So Diva lives upstairs with my daughter and Buffy stays down in our MIL apartment with us. Keeps the peace, which is not an easy thing to do in today's world. So great job Elizabeth and my fur babies sent greetings to your fur babies :) ...

Andrea @ From the Sol

NatureFootstep said...

wow, you have been busy. So much of interesting things to see that my head spins.

Take care.

Rain said...

Oh the Bobby Sox and Loafers!!! I love that one! Sorry I'm late this week Elizabeth! Very neat take on the theme with your spuds!!! That makes me think I need to harvest my potatoes soon! :) Bleubeard has the right idea for the theme too, I think you should always take his advice! ;) The photos are great, but that big bug on the power line gave me the heebie jeebies lol...Beautiful tortoise! I've never seen a huge one like that! Squiggles is so cute, I hope the boys start to get along soon. Our three fight now and then, but I bought this stuff called "Feliway" it's a pheromone spray and it works like magic. I spray it near their litters and around where they hang out and eat. They rarely fight anymore and have stopped scratching up the sofa!