Allyson Meier

Blog Makeover

2010-11-03T10:57:00.000-04:00

I've made over my blog, and it's even got a new location ----> My Blog

Check it out!

Complete!

2010-08-17T01:10:00.008-04:00

I've come to discover, that it is my tendency to come up with a "brilliant" idea for a project, get really excited for it, gather all my materials, and lose steam after a couple of days. I do this, over and over again, and have my whole life. Example? I know that in my closet, I have a baby bib that I was making for one of my nephews - he is now old enough to drive. Sooooo.... I am so happy to say, that for the first time (since I can remember?) I began and completed a project in one week!

I was on a mission for a perfect tank to wear to on my weekend trip to Cincinnati. I had one I loved, in black, but I wanted something fun and colorful. You'd think it be easy to find a tank top, but I came up empty handed. So, ambitious little me came up with the idea to make one! I don't know what's gotten into me lately, but I worked on it a little bit each night and was actually was able to complete the project.

Not too bad considering I had no pattern and I haven't sewn in a year or two. (The best part?? I saved a lot of money making it myself.)

I bought fabric to make another tank - we'll see if that gets done. But I also managed to finish a painting last week, too (and I've blogged twice - so I'm on a roll!)

The pictures of that painting will be up soon.

Intricacy

2010-08-11T11:51:00.005-04:00

Tord Boontje fascinates me. The intricate details of his work and the repeating patterns are exactly the type of thing I love. And I really appreciate that he hasn't ventured too far away from his theme of the flower/vine pattern; instead, he explores it in as many different mediums as possible: papers, textiles, lighting, furniture, jewelry, home products, installations, etc.

I had to buy his book and I when I received it, I felt like I got a piece of art. The cover is wrapped in a mesh fabric, and once you get past the pages and pages of glossy photos, the inner pages have his vine patterns perforated right into the page.

"Art for everyone" seems to be Boontje's thing. In 2005, Boontje also did a collaboration with Target for dinner wear and Christmas decor, and you can get his amazing Garland Light at the MoMA Store. I want it so badly - it's a little smaller in person than I thought it would be, so I'm saving up to buy 2 :)

Or I could get this amazing Blossom Chandelier that I saw in House & Garden a few years back. It hangs over Gwyneth Paltrow's dining room table, is made of Swarovski crystals, and starts at... $22,500. I think I will stick with the Garland Light.

You can view the rest of Boontje's work here.

Shopping List

2010-02-25T15:26:00.018-05:00

I've found yet another place to shop, and it's called Supermarket. Very similar to Etsy, in the sense that it's an online store featuring clothing, jewelry, furniture, prints, and all things of an artistic nature. Unlike Etsy, Supermarket is curated, so you're looking at nothing but unique, creative, and as they say, "awesome" design. I love it!

seller: melanie favreau

seller: chroma lab

seller: gneural

seller: brevity

seller: delica

seller: re-surface design

A Creative Education

2010-02-04T16:11:00.003-05:00

Completely disregarding the fact that I have not blogged in months, I wanted to share this video with you:

Yes, it's 20 minutes. I know I'm asking a lot to sit through it. But if you have the time, it's worth it - very thought-provoking and entertaining.

In fact, the whole site is great if your searching for some motivational speaking. Check it out here.

Wish List (courtesy of Etsy)

2009-08-22T10:40:00.009-04:00

There are so many wonderful artists/creators on Etsy, I have a list of favorites that goes on for pages. I've narrowed it down to a couple things I want the most and decided to share! (If you haven't checked out Etsy yet, you must!)

I have a special place in my heart for artsy, emo pictures of birds on telephone wires (nick knows all about this!) /// seller: eyefull

I actually already purchased 2 of these little bags, one for myself and one for a friend, but I still want more! /// seller: madebyhank

Cut paper art is fascinating to me, and Essimar's work is no exception. /// seller: Essimar

These tiles and bowls all take influence from sea creatures. Painstakingly detailed and beautiful. /// seller: elementclaystudio

Yellena's drawings are all brightly colored and intricate... each one is better than the next. /// seller: Yellena

I'm certainly past the days of stuffed animals, but this guy is awesome and I want him. /// seller: Zygopsyche

Just what I need - more clothes. But this pretty ruffled shirt is like nothing I already have! /// seller: artlab

Megan Auman's creations vary from furniture to jewelry to fine art, but the theme of these black petals carries strong throughout her work. /// seller: meganauman

New Design

2009-04-03T15:48:00.005-04:00

Here's a piece of design work - a mock layout for the Cleveland Zoo, both main page and a content page. The webpage design is new for me, so I'm pretty happy with this!

I've been working on some drawings for my sister, more black and white drawings, and hopefully some notecards/greeting cards, soon, too. Maybe a painting.... more to post soon.

New Inspirations

2009-03-16T22:34:00.003-04:00

Today was a wonderful day on the internet - I found quite a few new sites and artists worth sharing. Check near the top of my of 'My Favorite Places' for Tauba Auerbach and Richard Sarson, two artist/designers, as well as Pitch Design Union, yet another blog to obsessively check!

More Love for Etsy

2009-02-25T15:45:00.004-05:00

My blog has been much neglected now that I've been posting my work on Etsy. Many relistings have resulted in a sale... although just one sale, its been enough to keep me believing in it. Here are some of the pieces I've been putting up for sale:

Busy Busy Busy

2009-01-26T13:06:00.001-05:00

I've been adding a lot of images into cyberspace, mainly through Etsy, and now, Flickr. I'm really happy to have work for sale on Etsy again. Check it out!

Painting for Gina

2009-01-21T12:06:00.006-05:00

map #4 (purple map) . 50 x 30

detail 1

detail 2

detail 3

New Year, New Work

2009-01-11T22:39:00.010-05:00

all of my graphic design work from last semester:

Touching Base

2008-10-27T19:45:00.008-04:00

Many months since my last update... I've been busy with various things and some of them have been art related. I am now being represented by both Local Girl Gallery and Lake Erie Artists (links on the side.) Be sure to check out Lake Erie Artists in particular, as my name and link to my work is posted right on her site. How exciting!

I've been drained dry - both in my physical work (I almost have no paintings in my possession right now!) and inspirationally. I haven't painted in a while, so I'm anticipating some changes in my work in the near future.... In the mean time, here is what I have done most recently

map #3 (red map) . 36" x 48"

map #3 (red map) - detail

fushia map 1 . 12" x 24"

fushia map 2 . 12" x 24"

depth/revealing . 22" x 36"

New Work

2008-07-23T13:59:00.005-04:00

shadow/light . 36" x 36"

detail

untitled 1 (blue map - painting for anne) . 12" x 12"

detail

map #2 (ocean map) . 18" x 24"

detail

Tiny Squares

2008-05-20T11:57:00.005-04:00

All pieces are 4" x 4" except the last:

texture 1

texture 2

texture 3

texture 4

texture 5 . 5" x 10"

detail

In my absence...

2008-05-20T11:30:00.008-04:00

...this is the work I have created. I haven't been painting as much. In fact, I haven't been doing too much of anything, at least nothing that has produced results to show. I'm hoping with the new season of summer brings new inspirations (and motivations!)

wither/grow . 24" x 18"

detail

love/hate . 24" x 24"

detail

untitled (painting for nick) . 10" x 10"

detail

untitled (painting for kate) . 11" x 14"

untitled (painting for julie) . 10" x 14"

detail

Art for the electronics

2008-03-20T16:57:00.003-04:00

I would love to get a new iPod or computer, just so I could do this to it:

amazing!

Art in Action

2008-03-11T23:33:00.009-04:00

My sister has been so kind as to display my work all over her life:

a small watercolor on the right

a 2-D project from back in the day

my favorite print series

The commission piece for my sister's friend, Marnie. The painting is for new baby Vivienne's nursery. There she is, a few days old, with her Nana.

Something new...

2008-03-11T23:20:00.003-04:00

untitled revised . 50 " x 17"

detail shot 1

detail shot 2

i wanted to break away from the expectancy and repetition of what i had been doing, without completely abandoning the idea. the piece is has a lot more spontaneity... i feel that the marks have more character and emotion in them. i enjoyed experimenting with the texture and i am sure you will be seeing more of it.

Commission #2

2008-03-11T23:13:00.010-04:00

This second commission piece is for my fantastic friend, Michael. I was quite please with how it turned out, so I was a little sad to see it go so soon. This piece marks a bit of an end for me, as the next time I picked up the palette knife, someting a little different resulted...

forward progress . 22" x 36"

detail

2007 - An old piece

2008-03-11T22:56:00.002-04:00

I realized this was not posted and felt it needed to be shared. (the two are meant to be shown side-by-side.)

breaking point 1 . 18" x 55"

breaking point 2 . 18" x 55"

breaking point - detail

Some Works in Progress

2008-02-03T23:29:00.001-05:00

detail

study in greys . 4"x4" (complete)

texture

vines

The first work of 2008

2008-02-03T23:22:00.000-05:00

and my first commission piece, as well. hopefully many more to come in the future!

a life's lesson . 34" x 36"

detail shot 1

detail shot 2

City Images

2008-01-04T10:31:00.005-05:00

Just a few reasons why I love a big city:

Just Some Drawings

2008-01-04T10:15:00.000-05:00

an old drawing from school. the silhouettes remind me of the image a couple posts back.

another old one, back from the days of figure drawing. i like the gestures of all the heads.

new little graph paper drawings with sharpies.

A New Year

2008-01-04T10:00:00.001-05:00

After many months of being absent, I am finally back to some posting.

For Christmas, family, friends, and co-workers received 4"x4" paintings from me. Here are some pics of the works in progress:

some christmas present wrapping

Paintings, 2007

2007-10-25T01:02:00.001-04:00

All paintings are acrylic on board

open mind 1 /// 24" x 18"

lost thoughts /// 32" x 36"

self improvement 1 /// 15" x 17"

self improvement 2 /// 15" x 17"

self improvement 3 /// 15" x 17"

self improvement 4 /// 15" x 17"

ignorance is bliss /// 50" x 12"

aliteration of my mind /// 36" x 48"

inquisitive minds want to know /// 24" x 24"

for me /// 5.5" x 12" each /// 11" x 12" together

anonymous /// 30" x 32"

Paintings, 2006

2007-10-25T00:31:00.001-04:00

small square 1 /// 12" x 12"

small square 2 /// 12" x 12"

small square 3 /// 12" x 12"

small square 4 /// 12" x 12"

small square 5 /// 12" x 12"

small square 6 /// 12" x 12"

untitled 1 /// 60" x 36"

Prints

2007-10-25T00:25:00.001-04:00

untitled (elements 1), 2007

untitled (elements 2), 2007

untitled (elements 3), 2007

untitled (elements 4), 2007

Inspirations

2007-09-07T00:37:00.000-04:00

I have an inexplicable obsession with patterning. The images above are from a dress I own, and taking them reminded me of one my favorite, lesser-known artists working today, Sara Eichner. I've included a link to her work on the side.

dark floral wallpaper, 2005 /// 40 x 72 inches

dark floral wallpaper, detail

red circle floor patter, 2005 /// 38 x 39 inches

**that is no optical illusion or trick of the camera. she paints on the perspective like that so it appears you are looking down the length of a wall. crazy**

Recent Works

2007-09-07T00:14:00.001-04:00

Here is what I've been doing the last couple months. Cut paper works have really been my focus, as I am finding the meticulous process of carefully cutting out designs rewarding. It can be very time consuming, but I am happy with the result. Plus, with my limitations in space to work, it would be hard to keep up with painting the way I would want. At some point I will post all my paintings.

notecard 1

notecard 1, close up

notecard 2

notecard 3

notecard 4

thank you 1

thank you 2

Finally, some images

2007-07-25T15:38:00.001-04:00

here are my favorite prints to date, "Satisfaction" series, 2007:

"satisfaction 1," 6x6

"satisfaction 2," 6x6

"satisfaction 3," 6x6

"satisfaction 4," 6x6

"satisfaction 5," 6x6

"satisfaction 6," 6x6

two ap's (artists' proofs) which turned out really well:

2007-07-09T13:59:00.000-04:00

today is the day i start trying to figure out how this all works. wish me lots of luck.