W is for Welcome Back!

BREAK FREE… THINK… GREEN!

 

Get ready! Trash Bubble Tuesday returns on May 1st!

Each week’s post will feature one or more Trash Bubble variations created by individual artists. Whenever possible, we will include a few words from the artist about their creation and their art practice.

The hope is to provide readers with an opportunity to more deeply connect and engage with the artist’s vision on the theme in an effort to inspire others to create beauty and meaning from the everyday discards of the detritus of life.

If you have a Trash Bubble creation you’d like to be featured in an upcoming Trash Bubble Tuesday post please mail it in! Details of the original mail art call can be found here: https://trashbubblesandlifeslittlebits.wordpress.com/2017/08/21/monday-morning-mail-art-call-trash-bubbles-a-poetic-exploration-of-trash/

Happy Trash to you, until we meet again!

 

Another Trash Bubble Update

Since the first of the year, there has been an increase in the Trash Bubbles received at the Studio. A few of them will be sprinkled throughout this post. You can find the others here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/516868958656429/?ref=br_rs While you’re there, join us, won’t you?

From Michael Orr

New Bubbles continue to come out of the studio, as well.

The deadline for the call for Trash Bubbles as originally set forth here: https://trashbubblesandlifeslittlebits.wordpress.com/2017/08/21/monday-morning-mail-art-call-trash-bubbles-a-poetic-exploration-of-trash/ has been extended indefinitely. If you have a Bubble brewing, please send it on. We need all the pieces we can assemble for the mural of your creations that is part of the proposed exhibit.

In addition, I have been researching and applying to receive grants to further the project, Trash Bubbles: A Poetic Exploration of Trash, as it morphed from a one and done exhibit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to a traveling exhibit. The broader scope allows for greater participation and therefore greater impact.

From Alicia Starr

Creative Capital was the first chance I took, hoping that the idea would be edgy enough and interesting enough to garner support on a grand scale, knowing that the project would benefit from artist services as well as the funding. We’ll find out in June if the project will advance. Keep your fingers crossed!

Just this last week, I applied for a Black Earth Institute fellowship. I feel strongly that the fellowship, which lasts three years, will allow me to work alongside other like-minded artists to affect change on several levels while providing peer support and critique for the project.

From Catherine M. Bennett

Eager to get to the nitty-gritty of putting all of our samples to work for the cause, I am entertaining any funding that suits the project. Should you have any ideas along those lines, please feel free to contact me with the pertinent information. You can do this in the comment section, or via the link at the beginning of this post.

Happy Trash to you, until we meet again!

 

 

Happy New Year! A Trash Bubble Update

Hello! Happy New Year!

Long time, no write. I know. But you know what? For once, I feel no guilt.

Time well spent, in my estimation. I have been practicing self-care, giving myself the much needed time to mull things over, plan out my course and readjust to where I am in my life and my art.

Today, I am here to share with you a little bit of what’s been going on and where I intend to take things in 2018. Hopefully, you’ll join me on my journey. At the very least, I hope you might take away a little inspiration for your own journey.

Last year was another big one for me, in that I have continued to step outside my comfort zone, stretching myself and my art. I took more chances. I experimented more with marketing and sales of my art. That meant doing three art/craft shows (up from one the previous year) and applying for a local Awesome Foundation grant. http://www.awesomefoundation.org

It’s true that the shows didn’t yield as much income as I would have liked. BUT! I learned from each one. In addition, I spent time attending shows (market research) trying to find ones that were a good fit for my art and found a few to experiment with this year. It was all part of the learning curve for me.

That grant I applied for? It was for my Trash Bubbles! And guess what?!?

I GOT IT!

Awesome Pittsburgh honored me with their 69th award! Check it out here: https://awesomepgh.com/2017/12/07/award-69-trash-bubbles/

That brings me to the request that you join me…

In August, I issued a call for Trash Bubbles. https://trashbubblesandlifeslittlebits.wordpress.com/2017/08/21/monday-morning-mail-art-call-trash-bubbles-a-poetic-exploration-of-trash/

Sadly, I have only received a few. By few, I mean less than a dozen. Trying to put together an exhibit to include the Trash Bubbles of other artists alongside those I’ve made falls a bit short when participation is low. I know they cost about $3 each to mail and that might be an issue for some of you. Understandable. Others of you may have had good intentions, but forgot, got sidetracked by life, etc. That’s cool, too.

You still have time to participate! After all, I am still seeking a venue for the exhibit. It may be that it happens on a smaller scale this year. That’s okay. Just know that I am still looking for your own interpretation of Trash Bubbles. I will be taking submissions thru March 1, 2018.

Even if you are merely curious, please check out the link above for the details. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired.

In any event, I wish you all a healthy and productive 2018!

Happy Trash to you, until we meet again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday Morning Mail Art Call: Trash Bubbles: A Poetic Exploration of Trash

There were rumors… people were talking… it was whispered in corners….

Now, it’s official!

Trash Bubbles: A Poetic Exploration of Trash is an exhibit designed to bring about an awareness of trash as art.

Intended to coincide with Earth Day 2018, it is to be an exhibit of my own Trash Bubble creations alongside those created by other artists and mail artists around the globe. In addition, there will be public workshops culminating in a mass mailing of commemorative Trash Bubbles.

The purpose is to bring about an awareness of trash as art, as poetry. These pieces shock and awe on a fun and engaging level. I hope to spark conversation and encourage participation. A venue is currently being sought in the Pittsburgh area, details to follow.

In the meantime, I’d like all of you who said, “I might like to try my hand at creating one of those Trash Bubble thingies!” to get the ball rolling.

Here’s what I need from you:

• Make a Trash Bubble using ANY SIZE of clear plastic consumer packaging. Note: I have found that pieces smaller than 4x6x2 usually require an envelope, so they don’t get lost. A piece measuring about 4x6x2 can easily be mailed without an envelope and currently costs less than $3 to post within the continental US.
• Fill it with trashy bits. Let the bits speak to the viewer, telling whatever story you wish. Think Trash Poetry. If necessary, add words to guide the observer.
• Seal it with tapes, stitching, staples or other fasteners, making certain that your piece will survive the post.
• Decorate the edges if you wish, but leave room on the back to address it to:

Trash Bubbles: A Poetic Exploration of Trash

The Studio at Piney Creek Acres

107 Marigold Lane

New Brighton, PA 15066 USA

• Be sure to include your name, email and mailing address
• Send your Trash Bubble along for inclusion by March 1, 2018
• NO JURY, NO FEE, NO RETURNS
• Join the Facebook group: Trash Bubbles: a Poetic Exploration of Trash to see the contributions of artists as they arrive and to receive updates concerning the exhibit.

This is going to be a grand adventure! I am eager to see your interpretation of the theme.

Happy Trash to you, until we meet again!