Friday, November 23, 2012

The “Exquisite Doodle” Artist Project, Post 27

Preparations for the Exquisite Doodle video are under way!  Here’s a sketch capturing the idea of the background for the video, and also the cardboard construction in the making.


It’s the Exquisite Doodle Machine coming to life!


Thursday, November 15, 2012

The “Exquisite Doodle” Artist Project, Post 26


The Exquisite Doodle boxes have all made their way back to me in Madrid, Spain!  If only they could talk for they’ve been with the most wonderful artists, in their studios and homes, quietly waiting to be worked on.  And now they’re back and I am faced with the task of conveying to you the magic they are made of.  

The first returned Exquisite Doodle box I received was from Bob Seal (Australia) who created a jubilant scroll with loving messages.  Bob’s amazing drawings make his generous spirit bounce off the paper.
Post 17 shows how Bob’s ED box went out (“Eye Am What Eye Am”) and post 18 shows how it came back (Trust in the heart!).
And when I first laid my eyes on Tom Haney’s scroll (Atlanta, Georgia), to my surprise I saw him staring back in vibrant colors.  He left his magic touch on every inch of the paper.
Post 14 shows how Tom’s ED box went out (“To Be Or Not To Be A Flea”) and post 23 shows how it came back (Setting the stage, where magic happens).
Kristine Suhr (Denmark) was all too happy to make her scroll into a murder mystery.  I hear she is searching for more clues, but the butler is not off the hook yet.
Post 11 shows how Kristine’s ED box went out (“Target Practice”) and post 21 shows how it came back (The butler did it!).
Keith Newstead’s scroll (England) gives an endearing lesson in perseverance through his delightful drawings.  And I must say that I have no doubt that Keith can build himself a pair of wings to fly with if he was ever inclined to do so.
Post 12 shows how Keith’s ED box went out (“Give The Rifle To The Hare”) and post 20 shows how it came back (Learning to fly).
Paula Joerling’s scroll (Atlanta, Georgia) made me smile and think about how nothing is more comforting than spending time with good friends, especially when there’s cooking and dining involved.
Post 15 shows how Paula’s ED box went out (“Onion Rain”) and post 19 shows how it came back (Going to lengths to be a good friend).
Lisa Kaser (Tigard, Oregon) filled her scroll with little characters that seem to sail and drift their way across the paper.  The contentment they exude makes me wish I could be there on that scroll to hang out with them.
Post 16 shows how Lisa’s ED box went out (“Starlight Serenade”) and post 25 shows how it came back (I recommend pleasant, and have you seen my Pooka?).
When I opened John Frame’s scroll (Wrightwood, California) I was struck by the smell of damp wood.  It was similar to that familiar “old book smell,” and it gave me the special feeling that what I was holding in my hands surely had some treasure within its drawings and cryptic writing.
Post 13 shows how John’s ED box went out (“Go Inside”) and post 24 shows how it came back (It is to this life I belong).
And I happen to know that Mary Lou Zeek chose a rainy day to stay inside and work on her scroll.  Just looking at her drawings I can see she did them with a joyful heart.
Post 10 shows how Mary Lou’s ED box went out (“Night Flight” ) and post 22 shows how it came back (Dream harvesting).

All the Players have given something which is most precious to each and every one of us, and that is time itself.  I wish to thank them from my heart.  They inspire us every day with their boundless creativity and devotion to their art.  And just like all great artists and performers, they make it look easy.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

The “Exquisite Doodle” Artist Project, Post 25

Lisa Kaser - I recommend pleasant, and have you seen my Pooka?

I was thrilled to receive Lisa’s Exquisite Doodle box which made its way to Madrid from Tigard, Oregon.  Her work enchants me and I think we are kindred spirits in the way we express our feelings through our art.  Photo: “While Balancing, A Little Fish Whispers In Her Ear,” ©Lisa Kaser
For one thing we both love to tell stories and to use text to accompany the images we create.
Lisa seamlessly wove a ribbon of text and images across her scroll incorporating the little drawings I had started for her.
Lisa’s beautiful giclee prints are like scenes from a story and so it makes perfect sense that on her etsy site, where she sells her illustrations as prints and cards, there is a caption for each one.  The caption for this print which is called “Pup's Pooka” reads:  “Pup’s trusted guardian offered sound advice in the realms of both fashion and life's pursuits.”  http://www.etsy.com/shop/lisakaser.

And now that we are on the subject of Pookas, I can’t help but write a few lines from that marvelous movie based on a play called “Harvey.”  

“P-o-o-k-a.  Pooka.  From old Celtic mythology.  A fairy spirit in animal form.  Always very large.  The pooka appears here and there, now and then, to this one and that one at his own caprice.  A wise but mischievous creature.  Very fond of rum-pots, crack-pots…”  It is easy to see why my own pooka is very fond of me.

“Harvey, A Comedy in Three Acts,” by Mary Chase, ©1944, 1971 Mary Chase.
Photo: “Pup's Pooka,” ©Lisa Kaser
Looking at Lisa’s sculptures on her website (http://www.lisakaser.com/index.html) I observe how they act human although they look like animals which gives them a whimsical air.  They seem to be frozen in time.  They are delicious moments we can savor with the help of their narrative titles.  Photos, from right to left:  “Marguerite Holds Fast To Her Dreams,” “Do Like This,” “Two Ships Passing In The Night,” ©2008 Lisa Kaser

And now, back to “Harvey” because his way of being comfortable with himself fits so perfectly to Lisa’s own characters:

“Harvey says that he can look at your clock and stop it and you can go away as long as you like with whomever you like and go as far as you like.  And when you come back not one minute will have ticked by.
- And does he do this for you?
He is willing to at any time, but so far I’ve never been able to think of any place I’d rather be.  I always have a wonderful time just where I am, whomever I’m with...”

“Harvey, A Comedy in Three Acts,” by Mary Chase, ©1944, 1971 Mary Chase.
Here is the way the scroll turned out after Lisa doodled in the white spaces I left for her!  See Post 16 to compare.  Scroll pic 1 of 3,
scroll pic 2 of 3,
and scroll pic 3 of 3.
Lisa’s caption for this giclee print which is called “Charmed By Life's Little Wonders” reads:  “Early morning kick ball in the courtyard, dappled sun shadows across the weathered tiles, a breeze that ruffles one's hat strings and pompoms and an unexpected glimpse of Marilyn on her superlative overland descent.”  http://www.etsy.com/shop/lisakaser.  Taking time to marvel at the little unexpected things as we go about doing whatever it is we do, now that’s a good plan.  Can I just say I want a hat with pompoms too?  Photo: “Charmed By Life's Little Wonders,” ©Lisa Kaser
To my delight Lisa also added her magic touch to the interior of her box by including tiny handwriting all over.
“… my mother used to say to me, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh, so smart or oh, so pleasant.’  For years I was smart.  I recommend pleasant.  You may quote me.”
And so I have.  May you have an extremely pleasant day!

“Harvey, A Comedy in Three Acts,” by Mary Chase, ©1944, 1971 Mary Chase.