Thursday, March 31, 2011

House No. 90: Dog House

  
House No. 90: Dog House
sketchbook, ink, and puppet
roughly 18 in. x 12 in.
090/365; 03/31/11

I loved doing this collaboration with Heidi of Puppet-A-Day. 

Heidi, as you can see from her blog and website, is wildly talented and innovative. As a puppeteer, she is also a different breed of creative person. 

As Heidi was describing some puppets to Noah and me (over dinner with the Richmond, Virginia 365 crew) this evening, and she just moved her hands with such dexterity and animation. It was amazing. Her hand, by itself, was the start of a puppet.

That lead to this little dog.

This puppet even has an articulated tongue that is glued to Heidi's fingernail, so he can pant. How cool is this? His tail is glued to the back of her hand.


Update: to see the puppet in action, check out Heidi's video.


I drew the doghouse in my sketchbook to make a set for the little guy. Below, you can see how it is set up.


So, even though I had neglected my attempts to spend the month of March collaborating with other 365ers, I did finish the month with a collaboration. And I've decided that I'm stretching my collaboration month into April.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

House No. 89: Tiny Tent

House No. 89: Tiny Tent
upcycled styrofoam thread spool, glue, repurposed paper samples and twine, toothpick
2 in. x 6 in. x 2 in
089/365; 03/30/11

I expect a wee band of merry players to exit this tent, wearing tights and shoes with turned-up toes and playing crumhorns, and hurdy-gurdies and rauschpfeifes. And sacbuts, but just because sacbut is fun to say. So, I guess this is either a tent for medieval minstrels or the members of Arcade Fire.

To get the full effect, try looking at the tent while listening, here.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

House No. 88: Rapunzel's Tower


House No. 88: Rapunzel's Tower
thread spools, thimble, embroidery floss, acrylic paint
1.75 in. x 8 in. x 1.75 in
088/365; 03/29/11

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair.

 

Here, I've created Rapunzel's tower and her hair out of repurposed domestic tools. Fairy tales and domesticity are typical bed fellows. Women's work, I suppose, would understandably lead to fantasy lives of princesses being rescued. The original tales seem to have additional caution against the fantasies themselves, with gory and sad endings.

The stories have limited options for women, and the female characters who attempt to break the mold are often punished for attempting to break from their molds. It's interesting that I hold these stories dear as sweet iconography while simultaneously being discomforted by the details and abhorring the lessons they teach to girls about female roles. (Though to be fair, a lot of that emotion is directed at the modern take on the stories (read: Disney) and their unrelenting and ubiquitous licensing and marketing.)

Rapunzel is a tale that features acquiescence to kidnapping, solitary confinement in a rather phallic tower (with no apparent place to bathe or relieve oneself, something that troubled me as a child), and a utilitarian fashion choice that would require a neck brace. Add to that the whole sexualization/power of hair angle (RE: Samson* and Delilah, &c.) and you have a Women's Studies dissertation in a story book.

*Interestingly, both Samson and Rapunzel's prince have their eyes gouged out after the hair cutting in their respective stories. Like I said, there is some serious essay possibilities in this story alone.

Monday, March 28, 2011

House No. 87: Greenhouse

House No. 87: Greenhouse
ink on repurposed cardstock
4 in. x 3 in.
087/365; 03/28/11

Today's house is a study of sorts for an upcoming house, possibly tomorrow's. I think that the plants look very happy to be living in such a swank house — so green and lush.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

House No. 86: Brick Row House

House No. 86: Brick Row House
repurposed box, cardstock, ink, glue
7.5 in. x 4.5 in. x 2.5 in.
086/365; 03/27/11

This little Georgian Revival row house is completely repurposed. The upcycled red paper-covered box had held stationary or soap, I can't remember which, and the paper is all from sample books from paper vendors and printers. The red just happened to nearly match that of the box, even. What luck!

I really enjoyed making this house. I especially loved drawing the mortar lines delineating the bricks and assembling the architectural details. I like that the house is useful, too, though I am not sure what one would use it for. I feel like it needs to have a tableau in it rather than being used for storage. I will have to revisit it.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

House No. 85: Nut House




House No. 85: Nut House
walnut shell, polymer clay, glue, paper, ink, acrylic paint
1.5 in. x 2 in. x 1.5 in.
085/365; 03/26/11

Welcome to the nut house. 

The werepanda was my photographer for this house. He said the bee in the last photo was necessary to show scale.

I think that the fact that the house is a walnut is pretty indicative, but the werepanda argues that the walnut could be freakishly huge. Well, the bee could be africanized and also freakishly huge, but it's not. It's a deceased honey bee from our hive, and it's a pretty standard three-stripe Italian hybrid.

Friday, March 25, 2011

House No. 84: Tomte Hüs

House No. 84: Tomte Hüs*
card stock and glue
10 in. x 10 in.
084/365; 03/25/11

I continue to be inspired by Scandinavian design this week. Behold, a little box! Another container for holding goodies!  The door opens for filling and emptying. Or for entry for a wee gnome (in Swedish, tomte).

I think that this house would be a sweet party favor. A village of these would make an adorable count-down calendar for your favorite holiday. Please send me photos if you try out the template!

I plan on revisiting this house in fabric as well. How cute would this be with a button closure on the door? When I do, I'll post a pattern for you.

*Yes, the umlaut is superfluous. I can't help myself. Maybe it's exposure to eighties hair bands. I also have the urge to give this house a first name.

For You Friday: Tomte Hus (Gnome House) Template

For you to use ... a house box template that I made and used for today’s post. For best results, print on card stock and fold with folding instructions facing in, or cut it out and use it as a template or stencil to mark the paper you will be using. 

The template is set up to be made with a single sheet of letter-sized paper, but there are are alternate cutting marks if you would like to make the house with a different colored roof, as I did for the Tomte Hüs.

For the door, I simply pasted on another color square of paper to the house body before cutting. The fold of the paper makes its own hinge. If you are filling the house with treats as a favor, I would recommend using a clear, perforated seal to seal the door. A small, round sticker in a contrasting color would also look cute.

This house would be a super cute party favor — imagine them at a wedding made with Florentine or Chiyogami paper. A village of these would make an adorable count-down calendar for your favorite holiday.

They are simple to make, so grab some willing friends, form an assembly line, and make an entire diminutive neighborhood. It takes a village to raise a village, folks.

Enjoy, and if you create something with the template, please send a photo for me to post!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

House No. 83: Folk House

House No. 83: Folk House
digital illustration
10 in. x 10 in.
083/365; 03/24/11
 
This week I have been inspired by folk art and handicraft. Today's house was influenced by the bright colors and sketched decorative shapes of Scandinavian folk art.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

House No. 82: Sampler House

 
House No. 82: Sampler House
digital illustration
8 in. x 9.15 in.
082/365; 03/23/11
 
I am referencing handicrafts this week. Yesterday, folk art. Today, cross stitch. I am not a needlepointer, though I have been making embroidered patches for my husband for the past couple of years. I like the look of needlework, though. 
 
I think that this house would have taken less time if I had actually embroidered it instead of creating a digital illustration. I will be seeing "X"s forever. My brain hurts.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

House No. 81: Hex House

House No. 81: Hex House
digital illustration
10 in. x 10 in.
081/365; 03/22/11
 
I love the hex signs of the Pennsylvania Dutch/German because they are so bright and fanciful. I took some liberties with my iconography, here, but I tried to keep to the color palette and simple shapes of the genuine articles.

Monday, March 21, 2011

House No. 80: Topo House

House No. 80: Topo House
digital illustration
8 in. x 10 in.
080/365; 03/21/11
 
I love maps. Just ask my sister, who claims that I will draw one at any chance I get. It's true that I like to draw out directions. This house is inspired by topography maps and the sets of drawers in which rolled-up maps are kept.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

House No. 79: First House of Spring


House No. 79: First House of Spring
cut paper
1 in. x 2.5 in.
079/365; 03/20/11
Happy Spring Solstice.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

House No. 78: Housenvelope



House No. 78: Housenvelope
paper, double-sided tape
4 in. x 5 in.
078/365; 03/19/11
 
I wanted to devise a small house pocket in which to deliver notes and treats. It's an everyday valentine. I will eventually post a short tutorial, so you can make them too.

Friday, March 18, 2011

House No. 77: Cottage

 
House No. 77: Cottage
vector illustration
3.45 in. x 3.45 in.
077/365; 03/18/11

I created this little cottage in Adobe Illustrator. Happy Friday!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

House No. 76: Sarah’s Birthday House

House No. 76: Sarah’s Birthday House
boxed leftovers, Moleskeine accordion notebook, sugar packet, my sister
size not recorded
076/365; 03/17/11

Made at Café Gutenberg in Richmond after my sister’s birthday dinner and an evening of assorted shenanigans celebrated amongst the St. Patrick’s Day revelry.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

House No. 75: Cleaning Our Home by Sukasah Syahdan

House No. 75: Cleaning Our Home by Sukasah Syahdan
vector image
7 in. x 7 in.
075/365; 03/16/11

Cleaning Our Home by Sukasah Syahdan 
cleaning our home
the dust accosted my wife
and me where we'd been

Nerd Merit Badge 365

Woot! Check out what came in the mail today.


Voila. A nerd merit badge from MakeSomething365 earned with a video submission for Noah's site:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

House No. 74: Beware the Ides of March

House No. 74: Beware the Ides of March
ink on paper
8.5 in. x 6 in.
074/365; 03/15/11

Today’s house was inspired by my friend Elizabeth (known by many as EBambi) who suggested that, in honor of today's date, that I post a sketch of Caesar’s Palace.

Monday, March 14, 2011

House No. 73: Pi Day House

House No. 73: Pi Day House
ink on paper
9 in. x 11.5 in.
073/365; 03/14/11

This house has nothing to do with pi or pie. Mmmmm, pie. I wish that I had thought of making a pie house earlier. Instead, I had a lovely evening with Heather and Hayden and learned all about the Wild Kratts while eating tasty Mexican food. We also did some crafting. All around, a wildly entertaining evening.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

House No. 72: Outside the Home

House No. 72: Outside the Home
black and white ink or finely corrugated cardboard
10 in. x 10 in.
072/365; 03/13/11

A few years ago, when a new couple moved into the neighborhood and a few of us were stopping by individually to welcome them into the area, a couple of friends of mine and I were asked by the new lady of the house if we worked outside the home.

This question lead to peals of laughter amongst those of us who were asked, a catch phrase for our lexicon, and an attempt at hosting for the woman a welcoming dinner dressed in 1960's attire. A dinner to which she never showed up, I might add. Perhaps she was not one to venture outside the home. We enjoyed our nut-encrusted cheese ball in our pearls, sweater sets, and aprons without her. The couple moved to NoVa.

Anyway, the term, while amusing and archaic, is one that I appreciate because it acknowledges that there is plenty of work to be done within the home and that keeping a home has value.

It was this term that inspired my house today, which I masked off before working the drawing outside of the form of the house. And now I must go work within the home before the weekend catches up with me. I have some scrubbing to do and a catbox that needs zen gardening.

Today's post makes me think of this: