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.