Idolatrieartist's Curiosities

Mother's Day...

2008-05-07T19:08:51Z

One of the most cherished things I own- I can not hold in my hands. I can't even see it with my eyes.
But I can hear it. Over and over again if I like... and best of all...
I can... Feel it.

This file- is the only recording I have of my Mother's voice.
I found it on my phone at work.

She would call when I was not there and leave me messages.

Always to tell me how much she loved me.

I have waited to share it with you... although- I still have a very hard time listening to it.
I am happy that I can share this with you... for I had the most wonderful mother...

Download 1_audio_track.aiff
(These three messages where send from late August and until Late December... She knew she was sick and by the last message she was... not well- but still called all the time...)

FoRk BoX

2008-03-26T16:08:51Z

Gurrrrrrh! I made this weird little box...
FAR from finished...

The top wires (which are actually this great new strange copper hard
solder wire I bought) needs to be turned into little hook-hangers.

Fork was formed and bent. I need to add a tiny pearl or glass bead to the top notch...
It also needs to be smoothed and sanded a bit. But I love it. It is
strange and nifty...

It will get something added to the inside- maybe something photographic or maybe a tiny little object... maybe set in resin...???
Stay tuned for more...
XxooxX

ETSY Update at 3:00pm EST today!

2008-03-20T16:14:27Z

Huzzah! I managed to make 11 little new pieces for the shop update today!
Be sure to stop by and take a peek later today~
HAPPY SPRING!!!

(I thought you might like a little tease... This in one of my ultimate favorites! )

Making mistakes and messes on purpose...

2008-03-12T21:04:39Z

In order to teach myself things I tend to experiment... and sometimes these experiments are not so pretty.
Exhibit A:

DON'T JUDGE ME! Hahaa- It is a offering to the fire gods!
Exhibit B:

Actually it is a prototype of sorts for an idea I had while I was waking from dream the other morning.
Far from finished and really over heated~!

But still- too lovely to me- to just throw away. Not sure what will become of this finished idea- but there was something inside telling me to make it... I also am going to turn it into a pendant...

I just think it is truly "okay" to share things which are Not Perfect as much as the pretty things. It is important to see the process... you know?
Everything teaches you something.
More later-
XxooxX

Bad Little Goats!

2008-03-07T19:03:39Z

(Love the way big goat steps in to break things up! Ahhhh goats... love them~)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Thomas Wynn!

2008-03-06T06:26:31Z

Who's Birthday is today?

His Birthday!
AND Oh- How I love this man o' mine!
XoxoxoX
(wife)
(P.S. Send him a lovely email won't ya? wynn@comcast.net)

HOT CHA CHA CHA!

2008-02-06T20:43:13Z

WELL NOW!
It seems as if I will be boarding a jet plane headed for Sunny California (Anaheim to be exact) this weekend!
Indeed- I will be going to CHA If anyone of you will happen to be there- do come by to see FIRE and SPARKS and A good ol' DISSECTION or two~

Here are the times which I will be doing some STRANGE Demos:

Sunday Feb 10th: 12 Noon- F + W publications
Monday Feb 11th:10:30am- F + W publications
Tuesday Feb 12th: 3:00pm- F + W publications

I will have some nifty things for you- as well as my book! "Altered Curiosities: Assemblage Techniques and Projects"~

I am very excited for this little trip! I have never been to California! I know! I truly do not get out much... BUT with the help of this sweet little task- I am going to get to see places like Los Angeles- Hollywood- and all places in between! Weeee!

Oh- and I must tell you...
Remember my dear friend from College-
Laura Cherry- who I searched for and found- thanks to this lovely internet?

(The one who too this lovely photo of me...)
WELL I am going to be having lunch with her on SATURDAY!!! Huzzah!
We have been talking over emails and I am so excited to finally get to see her and her husband Hank!

So that is what I have planned for the week ahead!
XoxoxoX

Something in the Blood!

2008-02-04T05:06:09Z

EDIT: OH MY GOODNESS!
THIS is TOO FUNNY!!!
Look what was on the company website this morning!!!
http://www.venablesbell.com/

There must be something in the blood of those WYNN'S...
Wanna know who is to blame for this commercial for AUDI R8? Thomas's cousin Jonathan Byrne! Thats who! Haaa... Dark Dark Dark! And did I mention he is Handsome and brilliant? Indeed! One creatve family.
So Thrilled for him! AND the second commercial during the SuperBowl!!! Hurray- Jonathan!

My Awkward Self...

2008-01-22T20:41:10Z

Finally...
I am thawing out and returning to you. I have been so bogged down with life that I have just not been able to devote time to this blog. I think that is okay though. It makes me really want to come back and talk about things and share work with you.

This week is sort of a tough one for me. This is the week that my Mother passed away- last year- January 25th. I plan on taking my Dad out to dinner that evening. I kind of want to be with him.
He has been doing somewhat okay- although it has not been easy. I know he must be sad and lonely at times. He is now in the house alone. Well, he does has his cat named William who he eats dinner with each night. Still... it is not at all easy.

Here is a photo from around Xmas.

I get the silly faces I make honestly! It must be genetics!

As for other things which are ~NOT SO HEAVY-HEARTED~ I have been working on a painting which I finished late last week. It is for a gallery show for MARY LOU ZEEK GALLERY- "WHAT'S INSIDE" show. (Click the link to read more).

I took the time to photograph my processes of creating my piece for you. It is a lovely- and yet- Oh So awkward oil painting.

It started with the box that they sent me to Alter:

I took it and sanded it and gessoed it:

Added the little fancy corners to it and sanded the layers of gesso
.
And wiped it clean of dust. I then applied my image to the surface

And began to paint the under painting with thinned down oil paint.

It looks like a watercolor painting at this point.

After several layers of building up the color it was almost finished...

After it was finished I sealed it -adding a tint of amber color to give it an aged look:

And here is the final image.

Awkward?
Yes...
I see the issues but- at the same time- I love it completely. It reminds me of one of those portrait paintings from the late 1700's to 1880's which are painted somewhat out of perspective and yet feel so charming for what they are.

I say- if you really want to try something and you are afraid of it- Give into the fear of making something perfect and just make something.

Until you try- you shall never know. I still find painting in oils to be really difficult and yet I love doing the tango with paint and brushes. I don't care if I have two left feet. At least I am moving!

Okay- I better get hopping! I have office work to do.

XoxoxoX

Type your cut contents here.

Please help the sweet animals...

2008-01-15T17:16:45Z

Hello-
You know I hardly ever post things like this or ever ask for your help- however I think this may really help a friend of mine reach her goal- and help her keep rescuing her animals...
Even as little as $10.00 makes a HUGE difference.
I donated $50 today in memory of my mother who passed away a year ago this month- with her loving cat at her bedside...
Please... do consider this~(SEE BELOW)
XoxoxoX

2008- and the war inside!

2008-01-10T15:52:56Z

Well- have you noticed that I have been absent lately? Serves me right for saying how healthy I am out loud when everyone around me was getting sick.

Indeed- I have been sick... SUPER SICK... still sick.

It all started on Xmas Eve with getting sick. It turned out to be Bronchitis and Strep Throat at the very same time.

Okay- So after taking antibiotics and a variety of cough medicines I tried to get back to normal. The cough and the amount of nasty phlegm seem to just drag on and on. So here it was- Sunday and the weather was nice and I felt sort of fine- but then Sunday night I got sick. I completely threw up my dinner.

This was the start of round two. It seems as if Maryland has been hit with a nasty stomach virus which has been going around and around. Well- it found me. I spent the last few days feeling horrible and trying to fight off the feeling of getting sick. Yesterday it was too much to take and after arriving to work- I just had to turn around and come home. I stayed in bed- which is very hard for me to do- and just gave into being sick again. I took some Imodium AD and Mylanta and it has kept things down.

So today I am back at work at the office and trying to make a go at the day. This lovely little sickness has turned into a lower GI issue. Sounds terrible to some- but to me- it BEATS the PANTS off of Nausea... The sounds of bombs and rolling thunder coming from my stomach are SO incredibly loud that it is making me laugh. Having to talk over these ghastly sounds- to coworkers is pure comedy! Well- actually I am a little embarrassed about it but like I said- it is better than puking on someone- right?

Thank you all for your well wishes. I am sorry to have not emailed you or commented back or done much of anything lately.

I will try to stay on top of life soon again- once I am feeling better. Promise...

XoxoxoX
J a n e

Hurray!

2007-12-29T22:11:06Z

Xmas 2007

2007-12-25T04:56:52Z

SO! What did I get for Xmas?

The sick...

What did Thomas get for Xmas?

The Sick...

Hurray! We got eachother than same thing!!!
(Uuugh! Oh well- we both took medicine and it is off to be for us- sore throat, chills and all...)

ETSY Updated...

2007-12-07T04:48:22Z

ETSY is a little fuller tonight...
WynnStudio.etsy.com

WTF!!!

2007-11-29T05:20:40Z

DEAR Shitty Curb at work-
I hate you. I am sorry you are crumbling and unkept but I hope that you are destroyed in parking lot renovations. I hope the snowplows come and shovel snow on you until April to only find that you are gone. I hope that wind and sun and rain and bitter cold will deteriorate you into dust...

But honestly- I hope no one else trips off of you onto the pavement and hurts themselves like I did tonight...damn it!

Oh vainity I know thee well-
First thing I did when I fell- I noticed that my favorite lipstick dropped out of my pocket- so I clammered to find it and put it back in my pocket- right before for I shouted "FUC%$^&! I think I broke my ANKLE!" -I didn't... It just looks bad. I am a tough sport- and went out to the studio tonight to work.
It wasn't from heels or fancy shoes- just a shitty curb and not paying attention I guess... I honestly- am not prone to falls. Uuugh!
xoxoxox

It's The Holiday Season...

2007-11-25T19:19:57Z

Working on this years Xmas card. Revisiting one of my favorite themes- conjoined kitties- who has happened to have eaten a rare conjoined bird.

More to come...

(See more photos on my Flickr: Click Here)

Art*Star Holiday Show!!!

2007-11-21T17:23:37Z

I will be here on Saturday! So will some of my art

Annual Holiday Exhibition
November 24th - December 30th, 2007
handmade ornaments, cards, and stockings
Opening Reception & 3 Year Anniversary Party:November
24th , 5-10pm / Sponsored by:

http://www.artstarphilly.com/exhibitions.html

A lot of nothing! Haaa!

2007-11-14T17:42:59Z

I have been finding myself sleeping a lot more than usual these past few weeks. I usually try to only sleep when I need too- and spend my waking time working on art and things, but every now and then- I get hit by a sleeping bug. (Must be this time of the year~!)

Everyone around me is sick, getting sick, getting over being sick, talking about being sick, knows someone else who is sick, and I am thinking to myself- JANE-DON'T GET SICK~! So far so good- although I suspect that this excess sleeping is a sure sign that I am fighting something off.
When working in the world of medicine, it seems as if you can not escape things like "sick talk". I am surrounded by the thoughts of germs, and antibacterial hand potions, and the use of elbows for hands when opening doors. I am very grateful that I am not across the street, working in the Hospital. I hear things get really crazy when it comes to working in those places. When my mother was sick, and I was in and out of hospitals, I really took notice of all of the hand sanitizer dispensers ever few hundred feet.
Last night, Thomas and I decided to go to the grocery store and pick up dinner. When I got home, I assembled it together and we ate- total comfort food- including fresh baked cornbread. Well- I made a really small plate for myself and enjoyed it while reading the new Martha Steward magazine on the couch. After I was finished, Thomas took my plate and cleaned up- about that time I thought, I need to take a quick nap before heading out to the studio. So upstairs I went to recharge myself. The next thing I know- it is almost 1:00am!!! UUugh! I missed my studio window of work time! I was so groggy and out of it- I just gave up and went back to sleep. Thomas got up about 3:00am and shut things down, turned out lights, and came back to bed.
I totally BLAME the dinner. Too delicious. Next time, I need to make something terrible.
So now I feel the need to really get crack-a-lackin on the things I need to finish. I also have to clean the bathroom which I have been re-painting (in time for Thanksgiving). I refused to cover the floor because I am stubborn and now I have to scrape up paint drips. I need to re-hang the cabinet and do some fancy detail work with silver leaf to make it pretty. Then- I have to paint the corner cabinet in the dinning room- a nice pale shade of green. I have art to hang back up on the walls, and I have furniture to move around as well as a ton of general cleaning to do. Not to mention: Switch out the curtains to the lush shade of rich illuminated brown which I bought last year. Put the fall slip covers on the chains and the futon. Clean the kitchen and check to see if I have enough cooking pots, bowels, and pans.
This year- since we have not "Entertained" at our house in SO LONG... we discovered that we needed some basic things- like dishes and nice/interesting forks and spoons, etc. Well thank goodness I married Thomas- because he totally loves to be involved in these things- like house decorating and entertaining. After talking about it, we decided to do the old- mix and match theme and make nothing look the same. Kind of like our wedding- where our caterer "Sascha's" used all kinds of vintage dishes and serving bowls and even pretty bird baths for h'orderves! LOVED THAT!

SO over the weekend- we went in search of Vintage types of dishes and bowls. We found some really fun things- all in a theme of White- with gold or silver trim and a variety of tiny flowers or scenes on them~(SWOONS). In the middle of all of this- I found a smart little teacup and saucer which I had to buy- all of the whopping price of $1.00! Such a deal! Haaa!

Last night- before we ran to the grocery store and before I passed out with my sleeping sickness- we went to Joanne's fabrics and managed to buy some amazing Upholstery fabric. Each piece was different. Stripes, flowers- although it did share a sort of color scheme- of vintage pinks, teal greens, beige, browns, and a smattering of black here and there. (I will take a photo later tonight) to replace the chair covers in the dinning room. Why? Because it seems- that nothing needs to match in my life! Haaa... And as Thomas mentioned that if something happens to one seat- it can just be replaced with another fabric and no one would know... I guess it is time to get things together in life and tie up these loose ends. I didn't really think about all of this until forced. I mean- all this time with things in a start of unfinished. Uuugh... Well- I can't tell you HOW HAPPY I will be to have things looking finished and pretty again.

Yep- that is how my life is going lately.
In the middle of all of this- I did manage to take a few photos of my studio when I was taking the photo of that tea cup-

and I somehow also managed to finish this little Moth Pendant which had been sitting there patiently waiting for a few weeks now. (Inspired by an Essay by Virginia Woolf called, "The Death of the Moth, and other essays") Go peek here: MOTH

Okay- lunch time is over... More later.

Epoxy Resin Solution...

2007-11-13T05:42:34Z

I posted about a product for resin- tonight- over on my Typepad...
http://idolatrieartist.typepad.com/

ETSY- take me away!

2007-10-30T15:35:39Z

I am drained from the events of the past few days and need to crawl out from under my sad-rock!
So I am thinking about updating my ETSY store today at 2:00pm (eastern time).

I will be featuring some slightly STRANGE jewelry such as:

and this:

Some romantic and yet so very dark writers such as these dear souls:

And I have More prints of some odd images:

This is only the first set of things- I have more in the workbench which need to be finished.If you are interested in something specific which is not here- just send me an email and I will be happy to create it for you! (I love doing that!)See you at 2:00pm!

WynnStudio.etsy.com

Doing what I can...

2007-10-29T05:55:08Z

Just trying to keep busy- and trying not to think too much...

See more on my Flickr- Here
Tomorrow I will catch up on email- to thank all of you who sent me your thoughts and love at the sad time.
More in the morning...
xoxoxo

Perth Wynn- 1996-2007

2007-10-27T16:19:21Z

EDIT: I updated my other blog with the events of this past weekend- Do not feel like you have to read it- It is filled with sadness and I am not one for wanting to bring people down. This is why i did not post it here...(LINK)

Thank you again for your compassion and thoughts... they mean the world to me- and really help me feel better...
XoxoxoX
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I had a terrible morning...
I had to say goodbye to Perth- my sweet love of a kitty.
She got sick on Wednesday- and this morning we had to let her go.

I am filled with saddness and grief- again.

I think I want death to take a Holiday from me.
I am officcially Breaking up with death. I am done.

February 14 1996 - October 27 2007

idolatrieartist @ 2007-10-10T10:04:00

2007-10-10T14:08:44Z

Hello~
I am home from my trip to Art & Soul in Portland. I had a lovely time with my students. They are always so enthusiastic and FULL creativity. Makes me dizzy! I love that!

I got to see my dear friends which is always a treat. I was greeted by a warm long hug from Nina which always does my soul good. And of course, it is always fun to have dinner with Michael early on in the week, before I was teaching. I only get to see him once or twice a year so a savor the time. Best of all- I got to see Tonia which really makes me happy... although it is honestly not enough time... that is just the way these things go...

I managed to take a few more photos from the trip that I will share:

First- The weather was wonderful to me- coming from the east coast drought and temperatures in the high 80's! Uuugh! As you can see- the weather was wonderfully complicated!

My favorite weather occurrence! Ahhh rainbows...

I know- it LOOKS like a tornado... but it is sadly- not. You KNOW how excited I would really be if it were...

Then we had fun Hawthorn and Division streets...Haaa! I SWEAR! We did! Haaa!

This is Pix Patisserie! Amazing food and may I say- AMAZING Mocha's- according to Thomas- he had TWO! A rarity for him! He said he could have had 3! After asking, he learned that they use real Chocolate ganache!YUM! And of course- a heart! (F0llowed by an odd shaped pumpkin- although the nice boy behind the counter said he was still practicing...)

And of course a fun trip to VooDoo Donuts late at night- after all the Magic is in the hole... and the graffiti is on the wall! Thomas noticed that the Decemberists eat there!

AND of course our trip would not be complete without visiting P-Town Scooters!

Hello FUN BLACK Scooter with little caboose!

With octopus and rider! OH MY!

Yes- I attempted to make friends with the locals!

Then- I fell in love with this little silver machine!

Ahhh... 1980!

Later on in our trip we took a quick side trip into Barns & Nobel and saw THIS!
Needless to say- seeing your very own work in book-form IN a Public Place is beyond words. I actually started to tear up and had a very hard time fighting back my silliness of emotions.

See! I took several photos to remember the moment! haaa!

Then there was vendor night. Which was nice. Especially when Pam and Jack stopped by with sandwiches, brownies, grapes and Hershey Kisses for us for dinner! THAT was SO sweet since we were stuck at the table from 6-10pm! THEY are such dears! I love them so!

I am happy to say that all of my books sold out. Not bad for 60 books! Heee! WHAT a surreal feeling it is to sign books- I am not sure if I can wrap my head around it...

I came home to 4 very emotionally needy cats which is just fine with me. Virgil rolled around on the floor and rubbed against me and allowed me to give him lots of kisses. Perth- howled a good bit before finally coming around and being super Lovie. Poppy- well she gave me an attitude just to let me know that she was not happy at the amount of time we were gone- but then made sure that she kept one paw on my arm every moment she could get near me. Finally there is Vespa- who is just a dear. He sticks to Thomas like glue. Thomas picked him up and carries him around the house...They are inseparable!

It is nice to come home to a calm house. I am grateful that I have two wonderful friends who keep an eye on the house and the furry's for me.

Now onto life again- I don't know if this happens to others, but I sort of come home feeling a little depressed and out of sorts after teaching. I am trying to dig into the "next" thing to work on- but I sort of don't really know what that will be? I guess I will put a bunch of stuff up on ETSY on Thursday.

Okay- well... thank you for taking the time to peek. I will be back later today/

tonight...

Odd in Oregon!

2007-09-30T14:03:51Z

Good-morning!
Sitting here with red hair dye on my head- waiting for it to do its thing- getting ready to leave for Portland OR.

Question- for those of you out in that neck of the woods...
Any suggestions for fun and interesting things to see?

Shops- beads, jewelry, great thrifty places, arty is always good (Galleries included)

Food- sushi, indian, or a place with a nifty flair?

And of course- anything strange and unusual?

I have not been to Portland and was hoping to hear what you think... I love love love what you think!

Thank you ever so much for your help-

Now - back to the haircoloring!
XoxoxoX

I'm Easy to Please!

2007-09-28T18:13:25Z

Hello Friday!

Remember that lovely Nickel I was working with? (Above photo)
See how deliciously dirty it looks in this photo? (below)

Well- as much as I like things dirty... I do like things- Clean and Polished too!

Amazing uh???
And this:

Ahhh... a little sanding and buffing... and it becomes lovely and warm.
After I got all of my little dumplings in tip top condition- I managed to fill them with resin, without issues... (Go figure)

Pardon this photo- it was taken late last night- in very ambient lighting- but I am sure you get the idea. Tonight I will begin to turn these into necklaces. That is the part I love- it is like putting icing on the cake. More photos to come...

Before I go- I wanted to share with you an email I received last night. (*I asked her if I could post it and she said Sure! hee!)

"Hi Jane,
I ordered your book Altered Curiosities and received it yesterday. I
absolutely love this book. I have purchased others only to be
disappointed. You give in-depth instructions and it is awesome. I
recently found I have this desire to create altered jewelry (I have
always been an artist) but needed to do something different to express
myself. This book is such a treasure for me. Thank you thank you thank
you for writing this book. I hope you will be writing more. You
certainly have a following with me.

Sincerely,

Cindy
cindyforrester.etsy.com "

AND she is THANKING ME? HA! I am the one who needs to be thanking her (Which I did... in fact I think I might have gushed with too many Thank you's!). She made me STOP and take the time to really think the things I have accomplished and to stop from racing from one deadline to the next. I seem to be living my life one step ahead of myself these days...

Not only was I thrilled that she liked the book- But I am happy to learn about her ETSY shop! I LOVE her work... so it was a funtastic discovery.

Anyway- I am glad I took a moment to reflect on things. I understand how life can really get in the way of living at times- and we all need a moment to stop and breathe deeply. Might I suggest that you take a moment to do the same too? Thats right... Do it now... Take a minute and breathe deep.
More in a few...