Lime sea dragon art on a throw pillow 14″ x 14″ 35cm x 35 cm
Marine Life in Art Quilts
Above all,marine life is front and center in my home town of Santa Cruz,California. For example,this is where three young princes of Hawaii first surfed in North America on July 19, 1885 on large redwood boards. In addition,Santa Cruz is at the top of the Monterey Bay with the world class aquarium just an hour away. The area is also home several national marine research facilities. Surf City, U.S.A takes its marine life seriously.
Art Ranks High too.
However,Santa Cruz is also listed as fifth in the nation as an artistic destination. That is to say that many artists live in the county. That is to say that marine life and art come together in this newer genre of art quilts. Come be inspired to try it yourself!
A Visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium
In the beginning when I first started making marine life art quilts, I visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. In other words, I wanted to observe the fish. What do their mouths look like? What shapes are their tails? My intention was to create a accurate picture of the sealife. However, that idea went out the window very quickly. In conclusion,there is no one way that a fish’s mouth looks. The variety of shapes and forms is endless. My underwater fantasy portfolio was born. In addition, I was free to create an animal in any way I wanted because there was probably a fish that looked that way somewhere.
Deep Blue Sea,37″ h x 24″ w 94cm x 61cm
Sea Dragons at the Aquarium
Similarly, I saw my first sea dragon at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was that a plant? Was that an animal? It was impossible to tell. I was fascinated. Ever since that day, I have been incorporating sea dragons into my art.
Technically,sea dragons are cousins to the sea horse. What? It is hard to believe. Sadly for us humans, the sea dragon display is not longer at the aquarium. Happily for the sea dragons, they have been returned to their natural habitat in the waters of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary. However, they may be on display at another aquarium.
Swimming With Sea Dragons, an art quilt, 26″ h x 22″w
I explored creating marine plants and animals using the fabric layering technique. In the same way, I added texture and movement to each piece! Color,texture and movement lead the way! Lots of thick decorative threads add texture and life to the underwater rocks. In addition, in Sea Dragons in the Golden Kelp, I created the animals by thread painting on Sulky water soluable fabric stabilizer.This thread painting technique creates lacy and leafy animals. Use one’s imagination to see animals among the plants.
Seadragons in the Golden Kelp 32″ x 22″ 81cm x 56cmLife Among the Seaweed, 26″ h x 22 ” w 66cm x 56cmViolet Seascape,33″ h x 26″ w 84 cm x 66 cm
Furthermore, underwater fantasies lend themselves to the use of sheer fabrics. Who knows what shadowy beings are lurking in the depths? Shiny, reflective fabrics cut into the shapes of fish and marine life add a dimension that often only becomes visible is a certain light. What a surprise! What fun!
Large Spotted Fish, 17 ” x 17″ 43cm x 43 cm
In Conclusion
In conclusion, underwater seascapes lend themselves to different colors, textures, and techniques. Create a fun marine world!
In addition you may read more here about the actual fabric layering technique I use. Follow the step by step procedure to make your own underwater seascape.
First of all visual arts are diverse art forms. For example painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, and architecture are visual arts. Furthermore,many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts also involve aspects of visual arts. Wikipedia
Something New-Visual Art Network to Support County Artists
For 34 years, each October artists across Santa Cruz County have opened their studios to the public. Above all,the Arts Council Santa Cruz County sponsered these Open Studios Art Tours. As a result of COVID, the methods changed. Nonetheless,their support has not faltered. The county created the Visual Arts Network, an online space for artists to display their art. In addition,the Network showcases the work of the many creatives that call Santa Cruz County their home. https://annbaldwinmayartquilts.com/2018/04/new-visitor-rack-card/
How The Visual Art Network Supports Artists
First of all,the Visual Arts Network of Santa Cruz County is a directory of over 300 artists. For example, you’ll find a wide variety of creators from painters, sculptors, woodworkers and much more. Furthermore,each artist has their own page. In order for the public to learn about their process and their creations. In addition, one can connect with them directly. That is to say that one may search by name, location or medium, explore all the artists, or meet featured artists.
Finally, local artists are so lucky to have the support of the county. In addition,the Open Studios Event Director, Ann Ostermann is a masterful, innovative leader. Furthermore,her bright personality welcomes everyone to the delight of art. In conclusion, inclusivity reigns supreme.
The Visual Arts Network is no longer active. Arts Council Santa Cruz continues to support artists through the annual Open Studios and in other year long activities.
First of all,trees in art quilts are my most popular pieces.Everyone loves trees. Above all,everyone can relate to the shape and various colors of trucks and leaves. Vacant Lot, is an early example of one of my tree art quilts. Furthermore,five of my art quilt trees hang in local Santa Cruz County Kaiser Permanente Medical facilities.
Tree Friendly Town
I live in a tree friendly town. That is to say that Santa Cruz, California is part of the Tree City USA program. My county is full of fruit tree orchards as well as redwoods. Furthermore,the Spanish explorers saw their first redwood tree in Santa Cruz County. In addition, California’s first state park, Big Basin is also in my county. That is a lot of trees for the second smallest county in California.
Of course,many locales are tree friendly places even if they not they are enrolled in the national urban tree program. We can all relate to trees and leaves; the forms they take and the shapes they make. Creating trees lets me explore and expand my use of texture, color, and movement. Let me take this opportuntity to share my love of trees.
Adding Color
Young children and other people know what color a tree should be. We understand the general shape of a tree including the wide variety of sizes and forms. Adjust the color of a tree to an unnatural color. Our brains will still recognize that it as a tree. This is what makes it fun for an artist.
Palo Colorado,34″ x 32″ 86cm x 81cm
Red and White Challenge
In 2013, my local quilting guild had a Red and White Challenge. Participants receive certain fabrics that must be used. Notice the red and white polka dot fabric. Additional fabrics and details were encouraged. I placed the red tree, Palo Colorado on a background of various pieced white fabrics with red hand stitching for accents.
Along the Path,34″ h x 22″ 86cm x 56cm
Teal colored tree trunk and branches ? Not so common,nor are violet branches. I have received such a positive response from the movement of leaves extending beyond the edges of the art quilt that I have continued to do that.
At the Edge of the Grove,29″h x 26″ 74cm x 66cm
What could be more fun than orange branches!
Tree Along Creek,32″ x 27″ 81 cm x 69cm
This tree along the creek has pale colored branches with bluish green tint from couched yarns and decorative threads. The pop of medium green comes from a piece of dress fabric from the 1940s.
Adding Texture
Celebrating Fall has branches made from a highly textured yet, loosely woven fabric. I couched decorative threads are on top of the fabric to add more interest. This same couching technique is also visible in Tree Along Creek and At the Edge of the Grove.
Celebrating Fall,33″ x 31″ 84cm x 79cm
Adding Movement
In Looking up at Dusk,flying leaves and twigs are carried along by the wind. While creating this piece, I actually toss some pieces onto the quilt top. Great fun! Great serenpidity!
Looking up at Dusk,31″ x 24″ 79cm x 61cmOverlook,35″ x 26″ 88cm x66cm
In Overlook, I choose a green and white patterned fabric for the trunk and branches. I couched decorative threads and yarn to the fabric before cutting out the shape of the tree. The white spaces on the fabric create movement. The curvy line quilting in the sky also adds action. The sky fabric is from an indigo dying class. Can you see the clouds moving across the sky?
Conclusion
My art is all about Color! Texture! and Movement! Tree art quilts are a perfect theme for me to showcase this mantra. Repurposed decorative threads and yarns are a natural fit as well to add more texture and movement.
This whimsical underwater fantasy on a mouse pad includes sea turtles, seadragons, jellies and kelp.
Decorative Mouse Pads
Decorative mouse pads and mouse pads in general serve several important purposes. If speed and precision are important, then a mouse pad will help. Of course,gamers fall into that category. In addition,pads also keep your desk scratch free. The repeated actions of the rubber or plastic feet of your mouse against the surface of your desk will leave marks regardless of the type of surface one has. A mouse pad also keeps dust out of the interior of your mouse .
Enter the Artful Mouse Pad
Above all,an artful mouse pad is an affordable way to add a bit of beauty or uniqueness to your desk. Express yourself. Here are some examples of my art that I have had digitally attached to a mousepad. Each of my portfolios- Mexican Inspired, Nature(trees and underwater fantasies) and abstract art is represented. What a creative conversation starter!
Beautify for Your Desk At Home or Work
La Danza de Los Viejitos, Danza de Michoacán, México
This decorative mouse pad is the male regional dress for Michoacán, México. In La Danza de Los Viejitos(the Dance Of the Little Old Men), young costumed men wear masks and fringed hats. The dancers wobble with canes onto the stage imitating old men.
Then a dance competition ensues to see who completes the liveliest dance steps. Dancers try and knock each other over with their canes. In the end, the dancers all wobble off the stage again.
Market Day mouse pad
A brightly colored Mexican inspired mousepad of a woman off to go shopping.
Nature Art on Mouse Pads
Underwater Serenity mousepad
Another fun underwater fantasy full of plants, animals and fish.
LoneTree mousepad
Trees are one of my most popuar themes. Multicolored leaves overreach the borders.
Vacant Lot mousepad
This tree has a lot of activity and variation in the background.
These artful mouse pads are available for $32. with free shipping from my etsy shop.
LOC ART app has launched with the goal of revolutionizing art sales. Created by Santa Cruz residents Derick Delucchi and Dominic Elkin, Loc Art is an app that intersects art and technology. The process of browsing, buying and selling local art becomes more accessible, social, and smoother than ever before.
Both Delucchi and Elkin grew up in Santa Cruz. They experienced the abundant local art scene first-hand. After college,while returning to work here, they decided to help this cultural epicenter thrive in a more clear and consistent way. Delucchi envisioned an app as an easier way to connect the community with local creatives. In early 2017, Elkin began designing Loc Art App around this vision. Together they refined the product. The Loc Art app officially launched in the fall of 2019.
A Unique Guide
Loc Art App is a unique guide to the Santa Cruz art scene. The Loc Art app gives art enthusiasts the opportunity to discover talented artists. Original artwork located locally. Through the Loc Art app, collectors can browse and shop diverse forms of art from high-quality artists. The platform provides a convenient way for shoppers to communicate directly with their favorite artists. Commission are also available. Artists have the opportunity to showcase their work and sell it.
Loc Art app offers a digital art market experience that is user-friendly, personal, and professional. Additionally, the app provides a calendar with notifications of local art events, allowing people to keep track of classes, festivals, and markets happening around the county throughout the year.
Active Members of the Community
As well as pioneering the app, Delucchi and Elkin are active members of the community. Delucchi (whose family has been here for over 100 years) is a 4th generation firefighter who works for Cal Fire throughout the county. Elkin currently works for iheartjane, a Soquel-based startup software company.
We recently caught up to co-founders Derick and Dominic to talk about what motivated them to create Loc Art and how they imagine it evolving as more people jump on board.
Local Santa Cruz: What inspired you to launch Loc Art?
Derick: It started mostly by talking to friends who are artists and hearing about the challenges of trying to market and sell artwork. Especially when they really just wanted to spend more time creating. Then, when Dominic and I toured Open Studios a few years ago, we talked with some of the participating artists who were experiencing similar issues. That’s when we started working on the project and came up with the idea to design an app that would help local artists sell their work to the community.
At the moment, Loc Art is currently only available in Santa Cruz. But the inspiration was to create some kind of business that could grow community to community. Hopefully, something that could possibly spread across the U.S. and maybe even internationally. While still maintaining a grassroots feel. Once we get a business model down locally we can hopefully take that model and bring it to other communities. That way we can share the app in others interested in helping out their art scene in the same way.
Dominic: We feel like there is a big inefficiency in the way that the community interacts with art culture. We want to bring the same functionality that people experience anywhere else into the art realm. We think it would make it feel less like a “walled garden” . It would be approachable and easier to find something you are interested in.
Why do you think it’s challenging to become immersed in the local art scene?
Derick: SC has such a great art scene. But it can still be difficult for artists to dive in. There’s not always enough time for collectors to find new or established artists. Opportunities like Open Studios, for example, often only happen once a year. There were over 300 participating Open Studios artists this past October. I only made it to about 50, so there were still hundreds of artists I wasn’t able to visit. Art markets featuring a number of artists pop up around town as well. But we’ve talked to people at those events who were overwhelmed trying to get around to see all the booths. They want to have enough time to check everything out.
In terms of collectors, there’s also kind of a stigma around buying original art. That it’s only available for people who are maybe a little bit older in life or who have a larger amount of money to invest in art. For both locals and newcomers in the community, it can sometimes be a high barrier of entry to get into the art scene. It helps if you know people that are already a part of it. These are things we hope to change with this platform. We see art as something that everyone should be able to enjoy at whatever level works for them.
Dominic: Right now, you almost need someone you trust to show you around the art world. It’s hard to know where to go to look at paintings, take a photography class, or even just explore artists that you mightlike.
How does the app provide a solution for all types of artists and collectors, and what excites you about the potential of this platform as it continues to develop?
Derick: The more we became aware of the difficulties the community was facing, the more we thought it would be easier to have everything available on one platform. People could discover artists and search through a large number of them quickly. Artists could present their work or communicate with buyers at any time of the year.
Based on the technology of the app, we’d like to eventually include videos of the artists talking about their work. There are also more chat features on the app. It is less about you being on an app just to buy and receive an order. It becomes about having opportunities to get to know the artists and learn about their inspiration and work. So, there’s a more personal connection available when you shop on Loc Art than if you were buying a piece on Etsy.
Right now we have a QR code that takes people to the app if they scan it. We might implement a QR code for artists who hang up their art locally, So, you could quickly scan artwork you see around town on your phone. The artist’s profile would come up, and you could follow them and stay connected with them that way.
Another big thing we’re excited about is the calendar on the app that helps people get out to more art events and classes. For right now, we’re sharing dates of events that other businesses in SC are putting on, like the Makers Market, Open Studios, and holiday markets. We’ve partnered with the Cabrillo College Extension program to promote their art classes, as well as the All Hands workshops. Hopefully, in the future, we can branch out and host our own community events.
Dominic: We’re excited to continue to innovate tech for the art community. Eventually, we would like to give artists the ability to treat Loc Art like their virtual store – with a unique link to their own account, where their artwork is hosted. We are looking to build features leveraging feedback from the community of artists who are actually using our platform.
How has the SC art scene impacted you personally and inspired the creative design of Loc Art?
Derick: Dominic and I were both lucky to have had so many great art classes available to us throughout all our years of school. I took several classes in film photography as well as ceramics and jewelry classes. I was aware that many people around the country don’t have the luxury of having diverse art classes. Getting that first-hand experience and enjoying the process of creating was a huge draw for wanting to bring attention to local artists and support other art-oriented people.
The business has come a long way since my original idea. I never thought I’d have my own app, but it’s been exciting to see technology merging with the art scene. There’s a huge connection that happens that makes the experience of art so much easier for everyone to enjoy.
Dominic: What a great question. I think growing up in Santa Cruz (and around the art and creativity here) pushed me to walk my own path. There are some “characters” in Santa Cruz that aren’t afraid to do things their own way. I think Loc Art reflects that in its own way, too. We are going against the norms, but for the right reason – to support art.
