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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Under the Egg-fluence

The BJP that I'm trying to complete is actually for the month of March - so yes, I'm a month behind. During the month of March, I made a trip to see an exhibit titled The Marriage of Art, Science and Philosophy at the American Visionary Art Museum here in Baltimore.


This museum is a gem of a place that houses art created by self-taught individuals -- it's unique, it's inspiring and it's wonderful. I've visited a lot of museums and the creativity expressed in this museum sets my muse on fire like no other museum I've been to. I try to make sure I see all their exhibitions and I'm rarely disappointed.

The exhibition of the Marriage of Art, Science and Philosophy was dedicated to the late Sir Arthur C. Clarke, one of the world's best known writers of science fiction. I loved watching the video about this amazingly playful and wonder-filled individual. It's why I chose to read 2001: A Space Odyssey as one of my books in the 1% Well-Read Challenge.

This Saturday, May 2, they are holding the Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race which is a race made up of human-powered, amphibious kinetic sculptures that spend the day racing across the harbor and through the City of Baltimore. It's a zany, crazy event and even the spectators get involved by dressing most outrageously. You can't help but smile when you see it.

Well, if I show you some of the marvelous sculptures that live outside the museum, perhaps you will notice how they influenced my March BJP?

This nest is a balcony off of one of the buildings....

This bird stands guard and faces the roadway that runs by the museum...

This sparkle tree stands next to the museum and is a total delight for the eyes in all weather...


And, this egg was my inspiration


for the egg that's now in my nest...


I used a felt "bead" and cut it and manipulated the wool until I got the egg shape I wanted, then beaded away!


And now you know, some of the rest of the story...

15 comments:

  1. The museum is really amazing.
    And so is your egg!

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  2. Wow. It s not the first time when your work and your blog amaze me.
    The blue bird and her egg - they are so beautiful and sparkling, an exquisite piece!

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  3. Susan, this piece is so gorgeous! I'm really enjoying watching it develop. I've just put a link to this post on my blog in hopes that even more people will have the chance to delight in your work.

    Denise
    http://needlework.craftgossip.com

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  4. That nest and sparkle tree are soooo cool... I love sparkly things way too much. ;0) Love your egg, too. How much dimension will you be putting into your bird?

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  5. How fun! I want a bird that lays eggs like that! Love your new header, too; did you stitch those pansies?

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  6. I can't believe I didn't figure out from your first post of this page that the brown was a nest! DUH! Not only is this page magnificently bead and threaded, the transition from art objects to your page is facinating. You are just so creative. I think you have "Thread Thumb".

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  7. When I saw the bird right away I thought Susan is going to use some of this on her bird. You surprised me with the egg instead but what an egg. Very clever. Still waiting to see what happens with the bird.

    Hugs

    FredaB

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  8. Susan, those museum pieces are incredible and I can see how you would draw inspiration from them. I love this BJP piece you're doing, and it even motivated me to begin exploring the whole BJP website(s). Love your egg, blossoms and, like Freda, am eagerly anticipating your bird! Hugs, Cathy

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  9. Ohhh my!
    That nest balcony is amazing.
    That's going to stay with me forever.

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  10. Susan-

    Fabulous, once again! I love the nest and the egg! And I love the nest on the outside of the museum! And the sparkle tree...it is so up my alley!!!

    I have always had a secret wish to be discovered by the curators that museum. I read before they opened that you could not "apply" you had to be discovered...I want to make a visit there one day even more now that you have shared the photos!!!

    Have a great weekend!

    xoxo Camilla

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  11. I want that big mosaic bird for my backyard! WOW! and your bead journal for my wall. . . but I know, I want too much.

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  12. wowee Susan
    I love your egg and its inspiration and the Museum is amazing- I love the tree and the Bird and its nest! Its so beautiful
    love n hugs bear xoxoxoxo

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  13. Wow...what a museum! Everything is so big and shiny and wonderful! Your beading project is so great...it is really awe inspiring

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  14. Sheila8:39 AM

    Susan, your work is amazing!It's so much fun to see what you'll come up with next!

    How did you do the nest? It's a really neat texture, and it perfectly captures the feeling of your inspiration. From your pictures, it looks like two colors of thread. Did you machine sew the darker brown on the bottom, and then pull the lighter brown through stitches to make that angular effect? Any chance you'd be willing to show us what the underside looks like?

    Many thanks for the great inspiration!

    Sheila

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It's always a happy day when I see that you've stopped by and left a note. Thanks for taking the time to send me your beautiful thoughts. I try to comment back when life isn't too hectic and when Blogger has your email.

Have a wonder-filled life!