Summertime, and the making is easy

These are the glory days for the accidental or occasional artist in all of us. The combination of long, light days and (hopefully) open time sets the stage for some great making moments.

These were the days back in the ’70s when the friends were away and I would cast around for something to do, and soon find myself encrusted in papier mache flour glop or weaving god’s eyes.

You can hit those hyperlinks for instant how-tos but back in the day my instructions and inspiration came largely from the craft segment of Zoom on PBS, the one channel we were allowed to watch, and for a limited time per day. (Thanks for that, Mom, and for gathering up all the newspapers, the dish soap bottles, the yarn, the tools.)

Art camps and high school art classes kept me at it, but most adults I know are not in the habit of making it like their own kids, so here I offer up some ideas for messing around with old bits and pieces in the direct vicinity, with no particular skills or tools required.

Afraid of drawing? The wire work by South African artist Ben Coutouvidis (above and at right) takes the line from pencil to wire, inspired by children’s drawings. This bundle of barbed wire resonates because it evokes both nature and hazard. When mounted on a wall, the shadows add further dimension to the line.

Next up, Tucson, Arizona artist Greg Corman‘s found-object owls (below, left) and some masks (artist unknown) make use of found lids, chain remnants, nails and other rusty metal bits mounted onto found blocks of wood. 

Finally, at bottom, some inspiration for typographical string art, served by “Chris” at Manmade. 

This is not about copying but finding inspiration and instruction to take off on your own discovery of materials and methods. Or make it a social occasion. Just make. ‘Tis the season for exploring with that other side of the ol’ grey matter.