Update From My Studio

This weekend I finished the fourth piece for my "Peel Away The Layers" series. I decided to call it "Renewal". The color palette reminds me of Spring, hence the title. The total size is 20"x20" with the main mosaic area is approximately16"x16". I blogged about the work in progress here.


Renewal by Mia Bloom


The other pieces in the series are "Peel Away The Layers II" (which was purchased), "Peel Away The Layers" and "Torn".

Photo Friday

Most mornings when I drive to my day job I'm on autopilot. Recently, I noticed this "Teach Art" billboard on top of a vacant building. It's at the corner of Magnolia Blvd. and Hollywood Way in Burbank, CA. I couldn't find any information regarding it. So, my guess it's an example of Art Bombing.

"Delphinium Field" Exhibit

Last year, I started a piece for Artistic Expressions' "Delphinium Fields" exhibit. I blogged about it here. This exhibit will be on displayed at all 7 of the Mancuso Shows starting in May 2013 in Denver, CO. To see all of the pieces in this exhibit, please visit the Artistic Expressions blog.



"Aged Beauty" by Mia Bloom


My piece was inspired by the natural aging that every living things goes through. I made this piece using raw edge applique so, it will age and wear as it travels the 7 Mancuso shows.

"Definitions" Exhibit

I'm excited to announce that "Peel Away The Layers" and "Torn" will be part of the San Fernando Valley Arts Council and Valley Arts Alliance exhibit called "Definitions: An Artist's Relationship to Techniques + Medium".

"Peel Away The Layers" by Mia Bloom

"Torn" by Mia Bloom

The call for entry wanted artwork that showed the techniques and mediums that have made a lasting impact on the artist and their art.

I thought about my "Peel Away The Layers" series that incorporated used tea bag papers. I've been so inspired by using this material. This technique is being used as a metaphor for growth/aging.  As we get older or grow, the layers are peeled away to reveal the person we have become.

The exhibit is being shown at the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center, 7222 Remmet Avenue, Canoga Park, CA 91303. It runs from Monday, March 4th to Saturday, March 16th. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, March 9th 6pm-9pm. I will be at the opening reception and hope to see some friendly faces.

Face Value

It's time for another trade for Serendipity Art Group. The theme is "Face Value". I decided to stretch the definition to fit my style. My piece is called "What Do You See?"

Definition of Face Value: To accept something exactly the way it appears to be.

My artist statement: Abstract art can be left to the viewer to interpret. This piece should be viewed at face value. It's a black and white piece with a red cross.

Artist Interview Series 2013

I'm so excited to share some news! Recently, I was interviewed by my dear friend and amazing artist, Deborah Stanley for her blog's Featured Artist Series 2013 section. She, also, posted the interview on her Patch online newspapers blog in Southern and Northern California editions at: The Patch Southern California and The Patch Northern California.
 

Photo Friday

 

 

I drove by this artwork on the way to work. It helped to put my life into perspective this morning.



More ice cube dyeing

Recently, I blogged about ice cube dyeing fabric. Well, I'm at it again. This time I only used one dye color - Gun Metal from iDye. The results were similar to my previous attempt. I really love the effect of one dye color as oppose to multiple dye colors.

The shirt dyed a bit lighter than the fabric but I am happy with both of them.



close up of shirt

close up of shirt

close up of fabric

close up of fabric

Mini Art

Happy New Year!

I'm not one to make resolutions but I do set goals for myself. One of my goals for the new year is to participate in more ClothPaperScissors Reader Challenges. The recent challenge that caught my eye is "Make Mine Mini". It was a fun challenge because I normally don't make mini art. I brought three 4"x4" stretch canvases and went to work.

I thought incorporating the simple designs from my guerrilla art project, Graffiti Inspirations, would work in a smaller format. The artwork is uploaded to the Reader Challenge gallery and emailed to the magazine. Wow! It feels great to hit the ground running with my 2013 goals. I hope to keep the momentum going.

Mini Flowers

Mini Fun

Mini BWP

Adventures in Ice Cube Dyeing

Back on this blogpost I mentioned that I tried ice cube dyeing. It's a super easy why to dye fabric. I equate it to cooking with a crock pot. Put everything in at once and let it cook.

Being that it was my first try at this technique, I wanted to dye a piece of clothing along with fabric to see how each would take to this process. Sometime ago, I brought a T-shirt from Dharma that would be fun to dye.  I decided to use the leftover Dharma's Procion dye in Periwinkle, Blue Violet and Sapphire Blue from my Delphinium project.

First, I soaked the shirt and a piece of cotton fabric in soak ash. After both pieces had dried, I started by layering the fabric in the bucket. Alternating fabric, ice cubes then sprinkling the dye. Then the t-shirt was place on top of the fabric. Again, layering t-shirt, ice cubes then dye.

After the ice cubes had melted, about 24 hours, I rinsed out the t-shirt and fabric then left them to dry. I was pleasantly surprised to see the results once both pieces had dried. The t-shirt had dyed the way I thought the technique should look with good variation of light and dark areas.

front of shirt

back of shirt



 





The fabric dyed a bit darker that the t-shirt due to the difference in the type fabric. I like the results of both items. This is definately a technique that I will try again.