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Nov

Culture Smart: Sew Me a Story

by Sheron Long on November 10, 2013

Story quilt by Harriet Powers, showing African American artistic traditions and the influence of African heritage on quilts created by slaves

Story quilt created in 1898 by African American quilter Harriet Powers

The Quilt Designs of Harriet Powers

Harriet Powers (1837–1910) never learned to read or write, yet her story quilts left a significant record of life and events in the American south of the 19th Century. Read more...

Sheron Long Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/Literary World/The World's Art & Design/USA

Nov

Life’s Wonders Drift in on a Feather

by Janine Boylan on November 4, 2013

Where Feathers Come From, tby Chris Maynard, showing life's wonders in feather art (© Chris Maynard)

Where Feathers Come From
turkey feather
© Chris Maynard

Chris Maynard’s Creative Process

Where Feathers Come From, by Chris Maynard, showing life's wonders in feather art (© Chris Maynard)

detail, Where Feathers Come From
© Chris Maynard

“Feathers,” artist Chris Maynard says, “represent life’s wonders.”

A trained biologist, Maynard knows a lot about birds and their feathers. He can tell you everything from the structure of feathers to the patterns of bird migration.

Turning to Art

Although he studied the sciences, Maynard grew up around art. And his artist mother was very careful not to squelch her son’s creativity. When his mom passed away in 2008, Maynard had a life-changing “Oh, I see” moment. He decided to turn away from his science career to the art she had taught him to love. Read more...

Janine Boylan Comments

The World's Art & Design

Oct

Finding Common Ground: Chalk It Up to Art

by Janine Boylan on October 28, 2013

Day of the Dead: finding common ground through chalk art in San Antonio, Texas (Image © Janine Boylan)

Community Building in Chalk Art

Turning a corner in busy San Antonio, Texas, and Oh, I see! The once-drab sidewalks are filled in with colorful patches of art.

At this chalk art festival and others like it worldwide, professional artists, school-aged children, and other community members find common ground by working side by side and filling the sidewalks with glorious colors and designs.

finding common ground through chalk art in San Antonio, Texas (Image courtesy of Artpace, San Antonio, by Francisco Cortes)

Chalk brings them together.
Image courtesy of Artpace, San Antonio, by Francisco Cortes

Most observers step carefully between and around the art to both appreciate it and not ruin it. Read more...