Ballon Art!

What do you know? This came across my email and I don't know anything about it, but it sure is creative!

How Cool Is This?

I have so much respect for a family that truly encourages their children to express their creativity. This is my friends front porch wall. She told her two girls to paint whatever they wanted. She didn't tell them anything expect that painting on brick would be more difficult than they expected. Then she let them do whatever they wanted.

How cool is this? You have a love a woman that doesn't stifle her kids with, "honey, paint in the lines", or "this color would look better than that color". Go Kelly and kids! I can't wait for the finished piece!

Another treat from Tree Town Murals

Mary Thiefels is the brain and talent behind Tree Town Murals. They adorn many walls, planters and train trussels around town. This is an example of her latest work.

Enjoy!

War Horse

Disney, dream on! This is part of a dance show where the horse is a giant puppet that is part of the show.

As far as I am concerned, this is gorgeously made and far superior to anything found in the Lion King.

An old weathered owl....

This is in my neighbors front yard. I love it when nature is incorporated into an art piece. Especially when it is only slightly modified.

How cleaver when a dead tree is turned into an outdoor sculpture. Love it!

Is that a bike?

I walked by this every day while I was in Charleston, SC on my way to a conference I was attending. I loved that it was randomly placed and different components needed for bicycles were used to make this. Just what was the inspiration? Who knows, but it made me smile every time. Love random.

Car Art

Is it a car? Or rolling sculpture? I find it amusing when folks adorn their cars with items. This is not one of the best in our area, but given time, it just might materialize into something quite interesting.

It's a Flying Fish!

If I had a front porch!
Be da, be da, be da dum!
I would have a flying fish!
Be da, be da, be da dum!
But I don't, so I'll have to like this one!

I found this on the west side of town. I love it when art comes outside of the house, either on the lawn (see below) or on the porch. How nice to have a cup of coffee under this fish in the morning. Alas, I have no porch either....

Hippo Love

There are infrequent times where I wish that I had a lawn. When I find art that belongs in a sculpture Garden, then it is one of those times.

I once visited in gallery in Douglas, Michigan that had a beautiful walking sculpture garden. It has always been a fantasy of mine to have something similar. If I could, I would add this piece to my collection.

I am fond of animals and especially hippos after watching, Jessica the Hippo on Animal Planet. This reminds me of this endearing show. If you love animals and preservation of animal life, then this show might be for you!

A Chance Meeting...

Imagine our delight when my friend Julia and I stumbled upon this fabulous find!

We both love to walk art fair the day before it opens to preview what is coming and we found this young woman painting this piece. (It sits on the former location of Pinball Pete's that recently burned down.) It is in the heart of the newest fair in the collection of fairs that occur in Ann Arbor from July 21st to the 24th this year.

Ellen Rutt is an art student at the University of Michigan and didn't want to see this wall unadorned. She spoke to the owner and convinced them to allow her create this cheerful piece.

We loved the drips on the circles and felt they took on a life of their own. If you want to see this up close and you are headed to the fairs, you'll find this on South University between Church St. and Forest. Stop by and see the finished piece as she was still adding the finishing touches.

Nice job Ellen!

A Towering Sculpture!

This completely cool tower was made from Ash trees that succumbed to the Emerald Ash Bore. They burrow between the bark and the base of the tree and worm around in wiggly patterns that eventually kills the tree.

Wendel Heers constructed this piece from dead trees. He used a crane to put the pom on the top. I had the pleasure of viewing this piece up close. I crawled into the piece an took photos looking up. I got to view the bore paths up close. It was amazingly beautiful!

Oh, and one last thing. The first three trunks were as tall as I!

More Sidewalk Surprises!

Here is another piece that I found on a sidewalk. Alas, once again, I can't remember where in downtown Ann Arbor I found it. I need to start keeping better records.

And no, this photo is not a reverse image. If you note the word on the forehead of this piece was actually written backwards. Why is anyone's guess....

Sidewalk art

Another find while strolling in Ann Arbor. I don't remember where I saw this, but it is another example of the unexpected....

Look Close!

I spotted this telephone pole by the Ann Arbors Farmers Market this morning. It is a rare day indeed when one encounters a pole without any flyers posted to it. I thought this was quite beautiful and remarkable at the same time.

Button Collar

Meet Mr. Wags. He is sporting his new button collar made with vintage buttons. He receives many compliments about his fancy new attire. I'm quite sure he may end up with a couple more. They are fun to make and I was thinking he might need a "black tie" collar at some point.

Is it art? Coffee pots? Or the best of both?

Blue Dolls!

These dolls are found in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are two to three feet tall and the benches are facing one another. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to view them in person. My Mom took the photos and forwarded them. I liked them enough to post (finally) again. I hope you'll like them, too!

Now these are some paws!

How's that for a pair of shoes?! 

These are custom made by an artist from Kharkov, Ukraine named Bob Basset. He makes all kinds of leather items, but these are my favorite. I have a passion for shoes and these would be a wonderful addition to my collection. Especially since I am such a fan of bears, too! 

Grrrreat Shoes! (Couldn't resist....)

Impromptu Art

What a fun find! I was shopping at the farmer's market when I got a great space that was free! Then as I exited my car, I found this lovely piece of impromptu art.

I love it when people take what is at hand and use it creatively to make something unexpected. In this case, the artist(s) used stick and placed them randomly in a sign post. How fun is that?

Unless we have more art in our lives, we will live a mundane existence. Here's to those that add unexpected joy to our lives!

Street finds

I was walking across the street the other day when I found this guy stuck to the street. I'm told they are all over town. How fun! 

One just has to be careful not to get hit by a car while looking at them. 

Cat and Art?

Meet my foster cat, Penelope. She is fitting right into our house. A cat that loves to sit next to a replica of 'The Schoolgirl" by Edward Degas, is okay in my book. 

I find her sitting looking out the window regularly. I suspect she really just likes the view, but who can resist thinking she might actually appreciate art!

Creative and a cause

This catches your eye doesn't it? I have a true respect for window painters. Especially ones how can paint at this detail. 

I found this on the window of a downtown hair salon named Anneke's. I like it that they are promoting a cause that is near and dear to their clientele. Smart advertising with a creative bent. Nice.

Anna Wins!

I love fashion, although you may not know it from how I dress sometimes. But I do appreciate a creative eye and wish I had that ability myself.

I've been watching The Fashion Show on bravo over the past couple of months. I was so pleased when my favorite designer won! Yea Anna! 

She made me wish I had lots of money and a much lighter figure. Very nice Anna! You go girl! Loved your work! This is a dress that she designed. If I were a size 6 I would buy it in a heartbeat, even without a place to wear it. Love it!

On a not so nice note, the show left a little to be desired. It is not anywhere near as good as Project Runway, but it was still a lot of fun. Will I watch it again? You bet. 

Obama Handbag

I found this at a local merchant. I wish the quality of the photo was better, as I couldn't find anything on the internet about this piece. Odd. You would think this would be easily searchable. 

Anyway, I like handbags by Debbie Brooks. There was a store in town that sold her pieces, but my budget never allowed me to own one. If I had the money today, this is NOT one I would buy, but I still thought it was noteworthy.

Gobama!

You Need More Art

These bike racks sprouted up in town almost overnight. When the news reported the installation, they quoted a man that said he didn't immediately know what they were.

Really? It seemed obvious to me. But then I've been entrenched in art my entire life. I think the fact he didn't know there use, is yet more proof that there isn't enough art in our lives. When you don't learn to be creative it is hard to conceptualize items that may serve more than one purpose. Demand more art!