Colbert's "Art Me Up" Challenge

Satirical news reporter, Stephen Colbert, challenged the nation to send in their artistic interpretations of his portrait by Sheperd Fairey, Andres Serrano, and discussed by Steve Martin and Frank Stella.

The original portrait is going to be in the Phillips de Pury & Company auction on 2pm March 8, 2011, in New York at 450 Park Avenue, with all proceeds going to DonorsChoose- to fund art projects in high need schools

Check out this clip from last night's Colbert Report (2/28/2011) to hear him talk about the auction,
as well as the latest artistic interpretation.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Art Stephen Up Challenge - Phillips de Pury Auction
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

Here are some of my favorite renditions:

Robert Thibeault

Brian Paik

Jerry DeFrese

Justin Bruegger

Lord X

[DonorsChoose is a charity connecting you to the classrooms in need.]

Writing Advice

In my public relations classes I've learned that writing is the most important thing. Without well-written work, you can't sufficiently communicate ideas to your audience.

However, it's hard to get started, right? We sort of hit that initial wall because we haven't sorted out our brain yet. My media writing teacher recently introduced my class to a little exercise popularized by author, Natalie Goldberg. Before drafting your piece and tackling it blindly, do a free-write (similar to an exercise I posted in a previous post).

Instead of staring at your keyboard and the type cursor taunting you over and over again, take out a regular old piece of paper and the writing utensil of your choice. Do a free-write for as long as you can: usually 5, 10 or 15 minutes. Don't worry about spelling or grammar. In this case, though, write down all that you wish to accomplish in your paper. What ideas are you trying to communicate? Obstacles? Whatever comes to mind. Don't be afraid to stray off topic. It's a way to be aware and collect your thoughts.
Your raw "stream of consciousness" flowing from the tip of your pen, if you will.

Another piece of advice is to write daily. We've heard it a million times before: Practice makes perfect.
Last semester, I didn't have many assignments that required writing. This semester- I feel like it's all I do! But as the weeks go by, I've noticed that it's not so 'painful' anymore.

A fun and useful site I StumbledUpon last night is http://oneword.com/

simple. you’ll see one word at the top of the following screen.

you have sixty seconds to write about it.

click ‘go’ and the page will load with the cursor in place.

don’t think. just write.

It's kind of startling because the timer starts as soon as the page loads, so be ready!

Here's what I composed for "bench":

I suggest trying it out and see what you can come up with. It's fascinating to read what others have come up with too!

Happy Writing!

Conrad Roset

From his latest series Cosas Intimas

Roset is a 27 year old Spaniard illustrator studying at the School of Design in Barcelona. 

View his blog here or visit his homepage to see more resources.

Where do you find inspiration?

More like- where does inspiration find you?

For the last few weeks I have been swamped with papers and midterms. Unfortunately, the chance to get my artistic juices flowing has been null. I have numerous canvases in my closet and under my bed is a neglected crate of paint. But it’s not only because I’ve been so busy lately- I was just as busy last semester.

I just haven’t had any inspiration!

That is until yesterday: It came to me during some much needed retail therapy (shortly after a PR research exam).

A pair of earrings? Yes, I agree. This source of motivation is so random, but it hit me instantly to the point where I took out my phone to take a picture. (Hopefully I didn't come off too creepy). I was attracted to the primary colors and the burst of circles- the earrings were simply lovely. 

I'm not sure if this muse will be of any significant product, but it reminded me of my virtuosity and ignited my desire to create.

If you are under pressure to generate a piece of work- whether it be a painting or paper, then you probably don't have the nonchalance to let inspiration come to you. So you must find it yourself. 

The mall is full of many sources: window displays, fabrics,  a diverse array of people (we all love people watching), and print ads, to name a few. You can hang out in bookstores or your local coffee shop. 

"Headphones Girl"by ~Gh30 on deviantart

Maybe music is your muse. Have you ever put your headphones on, closed your eyes, and let your imagination run wild? Try it sometimes. It's amazing where our mind can take us when listening to different types of songs. 

Inspiration might not come to you right away. It could be hiding in your environment or streaming in the depths of your mind. 

Just relax. You'll find it!

Experience the Mysterious.

New York University’s Bronfman Center Gallery- Einstein on Witherspoon Street: Expressions for Social Justice

 "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."

 -Albert Einstein

Pressure Release

If you’re like me, procrastination and late hours are too familiar during exam season. Tunnel vision sets in and before I know it, I’m watching the sunrise. I’m strange though. I’ve found that my most creative writing or ideas stem from late night cramming. (Most likely from sleep-deprivation-induced delirium.)

Whether you consider yourself a creative person or not, try something different this semester: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the information that you’ve been staring at for what seems like forever, then stop.

Take a break. Walk around the library (or wherever you are) for a little bit, and come back to your workspace. Pull out a sheet of blank paper and your favorite pen and have at it! (No computer screens)

Here's what to do:
Free-write for as long as you can, shoot for 3-5 solid minutes. It doesn’t matter what you write about. Just write! Maybe it's about how badly you can't wait for the semester to be over, or maybe you're thinking about the material you don't quite understand, or (realistically) you're thinking about how much time you've wasted looking at Facebook! But just write. Whatever comes to mind. It’s a good way to purge all the stress and pressure that you’ve accumulated during your cram session. If you’re really feeling creative, start a doodle and see what you come up with. Who knows? It could be the beginning to your next project! It’s a good way to release energy or any bottled up emotions that you might be feeling.

Now that you’ve cleared your head, you can continue on with a little less on your shoulders and more room in your brain to retain the key information.

It’s important to remember in stressful times that all your time and effort will be well worth it in the end. As long as you follow up and do your best. Just imagine that feeling of relief & satisfaction when everything is said and done.

“For anyone struggling out there just remember that diamonds are made under pressure.”

Good luck on exams! 

Luiza Vizoli

Etsy.com is a great way to discover up-and-coming artists and find great handmade items. Think of Etsy like the eBay for all things handmade- minus the auction.

I’m an Etsy member and I love checking out the “Art” section of the website. You can find anything from quick doodles to amazing works of art.

One of my favorite artists that I’ve discovered is Luiza Vizoli (username: LUIZAVIZOLI) - a European native, who’s now living in Minnesota.

Here is one of my favorite works from her:

"Seasons Serenade"

Her description reads:

“SEASONS SERENADE ORIGINAL ABSTRACT MODERN FANTASY TREE LANDSCAPE WHIMSICAL LARGE PAINTING

Medium: oil,acrylic,varnish on gallery-wrapped cotton canvas(staples are on back, not on sides).The sides are painted.

Support: wooden stretcher bars.”

Vizoli has a common theme to her artwork. Most portray abstract plant life but you can find various abstract geometrics as well. I admire her style and her use of color. I also find her composition interesting in that she uses all of her workspace. There rarely is a focal point. She always paints the canvas colorfully vibrant and full of life.

"Wild Flowers"

Vizoli has had great success on Etsy and I hope to see more of her in the future. 
I can see myself adorning my future home with some of her pieces.

I really suggest checking her shop page here and also checking out what else Etsy.com has to offer.