Why stop blogging?

Just because ArtPrize is over does not mean we have to be. Currently, Stimulate is looking for a venue to show the work that YOU created at ArtPrize. We will update you, here, once we secure all the necessary info!

And, just to keep you going, here is a round-up of inspiration:

Whip Up: this site is FULL of tutorials. Fabulous.

Pandora: go create some new stations and discover a new artist that you have not heard before.

Dear Ada: this site has posts about a variety of different artists. Go check it out.

The Design Cubicle: this site has tutorials, advice, round-ups, you name it!

Lost and Taken: this site is full of high resolution textures available to download and use for FREE!

There. Go have fun and be creative! Also, we would love to hear your comments so please leave us some! Let us know what you created, too. If we get enough, maybe we can start a Flickr group or something.....

We Just Wanted To Say Thanks

Thank you to all of the people who came to see us during ArtPrize and a double thank you for creating some art work! We filled seven large MDF boards, that fabulous dolphin canvas and five other, smaller canvases. Currently we are looking for some place to show all of this art. In our opinion it is a documentation of the very first ArtPrize...something different and a little more unique than just a photograph. We'll keep you posted if this happens. Until then, go create some art!

Stimulate Day One

Here is a little peek at first night of ArtPrize for our little experiment in communally created artwork:

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.

Seriously...so much cool art in downtown Grand Rapids right now! We had the official opening day for ArtPrize last night and are happy to report that the canvases are filling up fast, the cookies are flying off of the plate and people dig us. Sweet. Come see us at 45 Ottawa!

Come see us tomorrow!

There is some great art at 45 Ottawa...and all over Grand Rapids. You won't want to miss it!

The Art of Re-Purposing

Did I mention that canvas I found at Goodwill with the dolphins on it? Well, here it is getting a nice coat of gesso. We are using it for ArtPrize. So check back to see the official before, during and after post to come soon!

We've been busy

So the countdown to ArtPrize has begun! Only four more days....wow. All I have to say is that excitement is in the air! We have been gathering supplies, organizing "stuff" and installing the show this weekend. So to make a long story short, look for LOTS of activity on this blog starting tomorrow.

Some more images from the show

We got our ArtPrize badge!

Eye Candy

A few more images for you to enjoy, pre-show. Make sure to mark your calendars for the grand opening of ArtPrize on Wednesday, September 23. The official opening for our venue will be on Saturday, September 26 from 4-8 pm....come be a part and make some art! The best part about our show is that it will change everyday...we just need you to come and participate.

Voter Pre-Registration Starts Today!

Don't forget to go pre-register to vote today for ArtPrize!

The creative process

One of the best things about the creative process is not knowing exactly what you will end up with. You start off with an idea, which seems like a good one at that time, and then that idea evolves and sort of takes a shape of its own. Take this piece above, for example. The original idea was to have one print for each of the five senses. Each being very literal and obvious. Then I stumbled across my lily pad photos....which reminded me of Monet....so I started to go with it. I took a long walk and took some more lily pad photos, paying close attention to the stimuli around me....the frogs jumping in the water, the smell of pond scum, the hum of the electric lines above, the pounding of a jogger's feet on the road, the feel of the weeds that I gently moved out of the way to get a better shot....well, you get the idea.

The above image is one of the five images by me that will be in the ArtPeers show. It is still a work in progress, so come see the final images!

Lots of arty-goodness

Wow. ArtPrize is only one week-ish away. Right now the team is organizing everything to get ready to install the show next weekend...ArtPrize opens September 23!

Also, don't forget to check out the ArtPeers show, September 25-27. One of the members of the Stimulate team will have some artwork in that show.

If you want to keep up with all things ArtPrize in Grand Rapids....check out this new website: art happens.

A little more info on the installation

So we thought it was about time that we gave you a little more info about what we need from you. We need you to come down to ArtPrize and be a part of our installation. How, you ask? Simple. We need you to create the art. We will provide various stimuli (video and still images to look at, cookies to eat and smell, music and noises to hear and art to touch) in order to stimulate you to create some art. We will provide the large canvas and lots-o-art supplies.....you just need to supply the art. The community created canvas will be displayed the last day of ArtPrize. So, come be a part and make some art!

The Stimulate Card

The Stimulate Card. Pretty sweet....and I cannot wait to see it printed!

We're on Facebook

Come become a fan on Facebook....don't forget to register to vote for us, too. Pre-registration begins September 14 here!

The Beginning of "Work"

I thought I would share with you as I go through my part of the creative process. Here are just a few images that I am considering using for part of the video for our installation for ArtPrize, September 23 - October 10, 2009....also, another fun thing, five of the still images created for "Stimulate" will be featured in the ArtPeers show, September 25-27, 2009. More details on that in the very, very, very near future!

Stimulate is a collaboration between three artists: Andy (video and tech), Nate (music and tech) and Elizabeth (art, design and very little tech). It is a multi-media, multi sensory installation. It depends on community participation; part of the show can be created by you! Some come out, get stilmulated and be a part of our community art experiment!

As always, please leave comments. We love 'em.

A logo design

Here it is. The logo for the group and I am already thinking about changing it. What do you think? Should it stay like this or should I go with the new idea? Does this ever happen to you after you have finished something? If you have an opinion, we would love to hear it!

FYI the new idea involves the five senses and, I think, may be a better logo. We'll see......better get designing!

ArtPrize is right around the corner

Wow. Only two more weeks until ArtPrize.....guess that means we will be posting lots of activity on this blog. Our process, our triumphs...our successes and failures. So stay tuned and check back often. You will not be disappointed.

Stimulate Your Taste Buds

I thought it would be fun to do a tiny round-up of some of my favorite food websites and/or blogs to get your inner foodie stimulated:

In the Kitchen with on Design*Sponge

101 Cookbooks (my personal favorite)

Smitten Kitchen

There. Now go make something tasty. If you do, leave a comment about how awesome it was. Know of a foodie site or blog that we might like? Please leave a link in the comments!

Also, please do not forget to visit your local Farmers' Market for fresh produce and other goodies. Not sure where one is in your area? Try Local Harvest.

Stimulating Sight

Need something to look at and inspire you on those boring walls of yours? Or perhaps, you are just looking to create a t-shirt or a card or....whatever!

Well, friends, head on over to Indie Fixx and check out the Feed Your Soul FREE art downloads. They are FREE to download and print. You just have to decide what to do with them. Sweet.

Plus, check back here for some upcoming free downloads, too! We at Stimulate think the Feed Your Soul project is a great idea and want to continue this spirit of stimulation, creativity and generosity. Make sure to come to the installation during ArtPrize. We'll be giving away a few things to stimulate your senses.......

Our Venue - 45 Ottawa

It's official, we have a spot in a great venue right near the GRAM. We have a room to ourselves on the ground floor. Here are a few pictures of what it looks like at the moment:

Stimulating Inspiration

HOW Design magazine's top ten list on getting inspired and stimulating your creative brain.

Welcome

What is Stimulate? Well, check back to see the progress. We (the stimulate group) just got started blogging! We will be having an installation during ArtPrize and will post our progress here for you to see. We will also be posting about inspiration, philanthropy and just plain old cool stuff. Check back soon!