Heart Of Texas by LASA Ezine

Heart of Texas Ever wondered which historical artist you are? pg 30

Unexpected treasures at the farmers market pg 14

Top Graffiti spots

pg 36

Biographies Learn more about the contributors of this magazine.

Table of Contents

Top 10 Most Popular Places to Spot Graffiti Places around Austin with popular graffiti.

Small Museum with a Big impact

All about the official Mexican and Mexican American Fine Arts Museum of Texas.

Which artist are you most like? Find out which artist you share the most traits with.

Drawn to the Environment Artists bring awareness about the environment through their art.

30 26

Letter from the Editor

All about the editor and the process of making this magazine.

Exploring Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Art An overview of the art community in Austin.

12 14

Where to go for art in Austin Different art museums you can go to in Austin

Fresh Farmers Market Art About local art that can be found at farmers markets.

Can you make this? Three simple ways to turn trash into art.

Austin Graffiti

The story behind graffiti around town.

How To Make Hoop Art Steps on how to embroider hoop art.

about the authors Maya Ferede

likes to spend her free time

playing soccer, listening to music, cuddling with her dog, taking pictures, hanging out with friends and nagging her parents about finally learning to drive. Even as the Editor, she was scared about the daunting task of making a magazine at the beginning of the semester. However now she is glad that she got to experience this with her friends, who would describe her as odd, has cool hair, and smart. When you find Maya hard at work she will probably also be singing High School Musical and eating dried apple chips, and if you are lucky, she will share them with you.

Megan Ramsey enjoys soccer, food, movies, music, books, and travel. Throughout her life, she hopes to go to as many countries as possible. She chose to be part of an art magazine because she has always been exposed to art, enjoys visiting art museums, and likes photography. Megan canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t write anymore about herself because she is still on the path to discovering who she really is. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll leave you with some inspiring Enrique Iglesias lyrics; Si una vez yo pudiera llegar/ a erizar de frio tu piel/ a quemar que se yo, tu boca/ y morirme alli despues.

Mallory Graham

enjoys playing lacrosse

and soccer, petting her cats, hiking, hugging random dogs, traveling, taking photos, writing run-on sentences, eating, and sleeping. Some more of her favorite things include avoiding homework and her other responsibilities. Malloryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most favorite past time though is watching videos of corgis and golden retrievers on Instagram, and pointing out any dog that she sees in public. She decided to be a part of this group because she loves visiting art museums, and also enjoys creating art and takes art class at school.

Rachael Moon

enjoys food and sleeping,

but the problem is she doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like going to bed at decent times, so she rarely gets sleep. Occasionally when she can find a break from her busy schedule of sleep and eating she does some pretty cool dancing and sometimes decides to box too. Rachael has danced mostly her whole life, along with creating other artsy things. Rachael is well known for procrastinating. Ways sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accomplished so much procrastination include: dance, boxing, art, eating, hanging out with her problematic friends, etc. And this, my friend, is the end of my weirdly 3rd person biography.

Kimmy Wilson enjoys hiking, swimming, playing with her dogs, and spending time outdoors. Kimmy also likes to fingerpaint and she believes that art is a super cool, creative way to express yourself. She had a lot of fun creating the art projects for her DIY art project spread, and she learned so much about designing and the work put into an actual magazine by being a part of this group. She wrote her article about art and the environment, because of her passion towards both topics and to spread awareness about the importance of the environment.

Letter from the Editor

Photos taken by Jenny Lu

Welcome to our magazine! Our group had a lot of fun making the magazine, but also a lot of other emotions, the one that seemed to always come back to us was stress. The whole processes of making a magazine can make you want to pull out your hair and have a tantrum, but thankfully everyone in our group was supportive to that one person who felt that way when a deadline was coming up. We had a lot of fun times, like when we were looking up pictures of cake online because we had to postpone our cake party, or creating each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bios. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very proud of how our magazine came together. We all worked very hard to make sure that the magazine was as good as it could be, and we all hope you enjoy it!

Sincerely, Maya Fer

ede

The reader s of Heart 7309 Laz of Texas y Creek D r., Austin, TX 78724 7

Exploring Austin’s Art Story by Maya Ferede Explore Austin’s art and art community through the perspective of Austinites

A view of Austin’s skyline at night from Lady Bird Lake Image by Wikimedia

hen most people think of Texas, at

Artist Nicole Conlay Image by Maya Ferede

first they think of cowboys, horses, the desert and hillbillies. But Austin

is different. Even though it’s the capital of Texas, it’s very different from the rest of Texas in many ways. In fact, Forbes, a magazine all about American business, has named Austin the fastest growing city in the United States in 2015, and that includes it’s art scene.

Austin’s art scene has a lot of different

elements to it. There’s a community for every interest that you could have. Even if it seems so obscure that no one else could possible share that interest, in Austin, you can probably find it. Why the art scene in particular is growing so rapidly is what we are going to find out.

Austin has other things to offer besides

the art and growing art community. It’s not called the live music capital of the world for nothing, but the art community is just one of the many things that you can

birth and pregnancy and she has gotten more than a few remarks from Austinites about them not liking her work.

experience while living in

Austin or just visiting. One

what we do as

of those things can be the

artists is take in

music in relation to the

the information

art.

around us,” she says,

“I think sometimes

“Kinda let it cook

music goes hand in hand

and then expel it

sometimes,” says Nicole

and sometimes that

Conlay, a freelance

process is messy and

artist here in Austin. She

painful but always

has worked with a few musicians and bands like Nautical Nation on their album art with her background in graphic design and that has helped her get some of her artwork out there. Conlay’s work is mainly focused on

“I think

beautiful like birth is,” says Conlay. There are a lot of different things that could describe the art scene in Austin.

“There’s people of all walks of life here,

and people are just generally nice here, like

you can get that diversity feeling other places,

many more.

especially in the North, but I don’t think people

are as nice as they are here,” says Conlay. “The

community,” says Conlay. “You can find whatever

one thing about Austin that is really great is that

you want to do and nerd out about, and there’s

“Every art facet has their own little

no matter what every

always people who

obscure thing you’re

feel the same way.”

into there’s like a huge community devoted to it.”

Austin is known

for it’s weirdness. It’s slogan is literally Keep Austin Weird, so as you can imagine there

”No matter what, every obscure thing you’re into there’s like a huge community devoted to it.”

are a lot of weird

Kathleen Brady

Stimpert, the director of public relations at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, says that the type or genre of art that Austin is infatuated with

subcommunities within the whole art community

right now is mid-century modernism. The love

like the psychedelics, the found object artists, and

for it is reflected in other things in Austin, like the architecture designed by local architects and furniture makers.

The Austin Business Journal calculated that

about 110 people move to Austin every day. That’s about 40,150 people per year, and since there are so many people moving to Austin, that adds more people to the art community everyday.

“I think Austin has a tremendous reputation

as being a community that values arts and culture and fosters collaboration amongst creatives,” says Stimpert.

There are many art events in Austin like

the Eastside and Westside Studio tours, Pancakes and Booze, and The Canopy. “I think the east side is like a fantastic breeding ground for artists here in Austin,” says Conlay.

According to Conlay there are a lot of

great ways to get exposure as a new artist, like Matthew Giclee by the artist Nicole Conlay Image by Nicole Conlay

immersing in your art and injecting yourself into

The outside of the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin Image by the Blanton Museum of Art

welcome anything that might be thought of as thinking outside of the box.

Even though all of these sources seem to

do totally different and unrelated things, they are all a part of the bigger picture. LeClair is at the beginning giving the artists the supplies, Conlay is the one who takes the materials and creates something out of them and Brady showcases the artist’s work. One couldn’t do their job without the other. Without the artist to buy their supplies LeClair’s business wouldn’t be able to stay in business, without LeClair’s business artists like Conlay couldn’t get the supplies they need to make their art, and without Stimpert and the places like the Blanton Museum artists wouldn’t be able to show their art to

any art show or art event that you can. The more things that you try out the better chance you have of finding the community that best

“I think its a very young city and its growing so fast.”

people who appreciate it. It’s the never ending cycle of art in Austin.

fits you and fans that appreciate your artwork.

“I think it’s a very young city and

it’s growing so fast and very open to new ideas,” says Carole LeClair, the vice president of Austin Creative Reuse, a nonprofit business that sells reusable materials to the people of Austin.

LeClair says that what sets Austin

apart from other cities is that we are so environmentally friendly, and that attracts artists like found object artists that usually go to Austin Creative Reuse. That helps us bring forward ideas or trends that might not be recognized in other cities because we are unique as a whole and

The Austin Creative Reuse logo Image by Austin Creative Reuse 11

WHERE TO GO FOR ART IN AUSTIN By Mallory Graham Looking for some art? Here are some popular art museums in Austin that all feature a unique selection of art.

Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum

Image by Wikipedia If you prefer an outdoor setting, you may want to try the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. Located at 605 Robert E Lee Rd, Umlauf is an outdoor garden containing sculptures, with an indoor gallery too. According to umlaufsculpture.org, adults are $3.50, students/ seniors are $1, and under 6 are free. It is open Wed-Fri 10am-4:30pm, SatSun 1pm-4:30pm

MexicArte Museum

Are you interested in Mexican and Latino art and culture? You may want to visit MexicArte, the official Mexican and Mexican-American Fine Arts Museum of Texas. It not only show exhibitions, but also has a gift shop full of handmade art and gifts. Mexic-artemuseum. org says that it is open Mon-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm. Adults are $5, students/seniors $4, under 12 are $1, free on Sundays and during the month of December. Located at 419 Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701.

Elisabet Ney Museum

If you are more interested in learning about a specific artist and their work, you should consider the Elizabet Ney Museum. Located in artist and sculptor Elisabet Neyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former studio at 304 E 44th St, Austin, TX 78751, it showcases her European portrait sculptures. According to austintexas.gov/ Elisabetney, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open from Wednesday-Sunday 12pm-5pm.

The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria If you would like to see contemporary art, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in luck! The Contemporary Austin is a museum with two locations in Austin, one of which is The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria. This location features art by diverse 20th-century artists, combines history, art, and nature. Located at 3809 West 35th Street Austin Texas 78703, the building is surrounded by lush gardens. Thecontemporaryaustin.org states that members are free, adults are $5, seniors and students are $3, under 18 and military are free, and Tuesdays are free. The Driscoll Villa is open Tuesdays to Sunday 10am - 4pm, and the grounds are open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm and on Sundays from 10am - 5pm. Image by Wikipedia

Blanton Museum of Art If you want to see Renaissance, Baroque, modern American, Latin American, and contemporary art, you may want to consider The Blanton Museum of Art. Located downtown on the University of Texas Campus at 200 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78701, the Blanton not only includes exhibitions, but a cafe, museum shop, and an outdoor plaza. According to blantonmuseum.org, adults are $9, seniors are $7, college student with valid ID and youth (13-21) are $5; under 13 are free; free admission every Thursday. Open Tue-Thu,10am-5pm (third Thursdays open until 9pm), Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 11am-5pm, Sun, 1-5pm.

The Contemporary Austin - The Jones Center

The second location of the Contemporary Austin is the Jones Center. This museum showcases contemporary art, and is downtown at 700 Congress Avenue Austin, Texas 78701. The website, thecontemporaryaustin.org, states that members are free, adults are $5, seniors and students are $3, under 18 and military are free, and Tuesdays are free. It is open Tuesday - Saturday 11am 7pm, Sunday 12pm - 5pm.

Image by Wikipedia

Fresh Farmers Market Art Produce isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only thing sold at farmers markets. Local art can also be found among the many food stands. Story by Megan Ramsey

Suzanne Coxâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handmade jewelry. Image by Megan Ramsey

t farmers markets you usually expect to find local farmers and vendors selling their local produce. You would never expect to find weavings, jewelry, paintings, or metal stamped materials. However, among those vendors selling food, you actually do find artists, for whom being a vendor is more than about making money. Their focus is on showing people the passion they have for the thing they love to do; create unique types of art and crafts. HOPE Farmers Market Director Anne Flusche has seen many become successful vendors at the farmers market. Two examples I have encountered are Chelsea Bumgarner and Suzanne Cox. Selling art and crafts at the farmer’s market every weekend is not always an easy business, but for many, it’s worth it. Their hard work pays off-- not in money, but in the happiness that Cox says she gets from doing what she loves by selling at the farmers market. According to Bumgarner, making sure artists’ products appeal to their target audience is an important part of what they sell because it gives them followers and loyal customers. Luckily, their products fit right into what the usual

farmers-market-goers like. According to Nourish, the friendly environment, community, and the atmosphere are why many people visit the farmers market. Frequent farmers-market-goers are supportive of the local community and they appreciate local goods. This gives artists supporters and followers. Cox, the artist behind Zanny Adornments, and Bumgarner, the owner and creator behind Sweet Thyme Design, are local vendors of art and crafts at farmers markets in Austin, Texas that

“What I like about the farmers market and markets is; I’m here, I’m with my jewelry, I’m telling you how I made it.” have gained loyal customers. Sustaining their businesses requires them to put a lot of effort into their products. Even if they don’t make any sales, they are still out there, marketing and representing their businesses. Like many others, Flusche enjoys the friendly and fun atmosphere of the farmers market. According to Cox, the farmers market’s artisan community is a supportive group of people that is enjoyable to sell products around. “What I like about the farmers market and markets

is; I’m here, I’m with my jewelry, I’m telling you how I made it,” says Cox. Although it is great to be able to make money at farmers markets, to Bumgarner it is a big pro to just meet people and interact face to face with potential customers or simply someone from the community. This helps her get feedback so that she can look into what people like about her products. In a day and age where communication and shopping have turned to the internet, being able to communicate with your customers can be a positive thing for local artists. Becoming a vendor at the farmers is also a good way for artists wanting a way to test the waters with their art. For the vendors and directors of the farmers market, the biggest challenge is the weather, but luckily, there are still many dedicated customers that will go no matter what. “I think it’s a great place for artists to sell their goods,” says Bumgarner. “As long as they have the right products and price tags.” According to Flusche, the farmers market helps businesses grow and supports the local economy and artists. There are a wide variety of artistic vendors at the farmers market; jewelry,

Chelsea Bumgarner stamping flatware at her farmers market stand. Images by Chelsea Bumgarner

The Sweet Thyme Design stand at the farmers market.

pottery, woodwork, pillows, socks, screen printed clothes, and leather goods. Bumgarner says that an online market doesn’t offer the same things as the farmers market, vendors get to hear their customers’ opinions first hand, they make connections and gain followings. Cox looks at the farmer’s market as a place where there is never a bad day. She says that there are people absolutely in love with her work, which makes everything pay off. Even if it’s a slow day sale wise, the vendors still make those connections and get to be part of the market’s atmosphere. These artistic vendors say they love creating their products, that it’s their passion, which makes selling at the farmers market worth it. Having a following when you sell art is important, and those customers can be gained at the farmer’s market where people appreciate local art. “Starting at a market can also be an inexpensive way to test the water for many businesses,” says Flusche. “Especially non-food artists.” Both Bumgarner and Cox say they love the one-on-one interaction they get with customers. Specifically, Bumgarner says that she is the happiest when she sees people enjoy the beauty at the farmers market, and when she’s creating and living in an inspiring environment. It adds value and a story to the product, on both parts. Flusche says that as a market

director, she likes helping businesses grow and that she has seen successful vendors grow out of the farmers market. She says those vendors most likely started out with a simple tent, chair, sign, and market fee.

“Starting at a market can also be an inexpensive way to test the water for many businesses” When they are creating and selling their products that they have put their passion into, many vendors at the farmers market are filled with joy that then keeps them going. And according to Bumgarner, putting love into creating her products is a very important thing to do for desirable end products. The farmers market is a place for people to join a community of like-minded people that appreciate similar things. Flusche says that keeping the atmosphere, sense of community, and making the market experience a good one is important to her job. “Everyone’s so happy and joyful because we’re doing what we love, you know! It’s not about the money, you know,” says Cox with a laugh, “It takes money to survive, but you know you just live a more simple life then.”

Suzanne Cox at her stand. Images by Megan Ramsey

Suzanne Cox’s handmade jewelry.

N A

YOU MAKE THIS? Each year, an American uses about 55 pounds of tissue paper; toilet paper being a big part of that. Also, over 80 billion aluminum soda cans are used each year. This creates a lot of trash and it harms the environment. However, what if we could turn some of this trash into art? Instead of throwing away your next soda can or toilet paper roll, try one of these simple DIY art projects made out of trash. Sources: http://www.recycling-revolution.com/recycling-facts.html= http://www.carbonrally.com/challenges/36-paper-towelsenvironment

First gather your supplies: a can, paint, paintbrush, candle, and drill. Clean and take paper off of can.

Next, use a pen to outline your shape. Make dents with a nail where you want the holes to be.

Carefully drill the holes with a thin, sharp drill bit. Hold the can with a sturdy grip so it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t roll away. 18

After you have drilled the holes, pick a color and paint! Once the paint dries put the candle inside.

Candle Holder

2 3

Paint the toilet paper roll and wait for it to dry. Then, cut eight even strips about half way into the toilet paper roll. Bend each strip upwards and press down. Draw on a face or decorate your octopus however you would like!

LL!

Supplies: toilet paper roll, scissors, pen, paint, googly eyes and whatever else you want to use to decorate.

L ET

Octopus

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;S RO

Flower Supplies: toilet paper rolls, scissors, glue, paper or canvas. You can use as many toilet paper rolls as you would like, depending on how many flowers you are planning to make. Next, cut the toilet paper roll into six even pieces as shown in the picture. Do this for all of the toilet paper rolls, and try to make them the same size. Put glue on the rim of the pieces. Only put glue on the side that is going on the canvas. Press the pieces onto the canvas in a flower formation and wait for them to dry.

1 2 3

4 19

All over town new masterpeices are going up everyday, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s their story?

Photo by: Rachael Moon

ing and can be spotted almost anywhere, but with a slight twist. It’s no longer completely hidden, or seen as simply a form of vandalism. Although, it is still given a rebellious feel depending on the place it’s in. These days it’s also more accessible to anyone. Graffiti doesn’t require fancy tools, or an art background, so almost anyone can join in on the trend if they know where to paint. Street art is even used for stylistic commercial purposes, as a hobby, and it’s even seen as art in some respects.

A large stencil mural painted on Castle Hill, an abandoned hotel building site turned onto a graffiti park.

Story by: Rachael Moon

As stated in an article written in the Austin American-Statesman, in the 1990’s graffiti became very popular in Austin, Texas. Originally it was used in a negative context involving gangs and related crime. Eventually artists around town used the graffiti as inspiration for their own work. As it grew bigger amongst art-

Now, in 2016 graffiti is still trend-

Graffiti used on buildings as advertising or decorations is most likely a mural, stenciling, or piece. Mural and piece are

One kind of throw up found around town. This style in particular is on the more complex side than most.

Photo by: Rachael Moon

ou’re driving down Congress with the hundreds of other people heading to school, work, or maybe even driving home from a long night shift. Since the traffic’s barely moving, there’s not much to do, so you look around at the various shops. One of the first things you notice is the mural on the side of a building, then a graffiti tag on a stop sign, a glance to the right and there’s a street lamp infested with strange stickers. When cars begin moving again you keep watching the buildings seeing something painted on almost every building you see. Along a wall in thin faded letters you read, “Welcome to Austin, don’t forget to leave.”

ists, locals realized they could join in on the trend if they had a place to paint and a can of spray paint. Once the proper materials were acquired, the new self acclaimed artist could express themselves, or send their own message to people of the community.

The majority of the graffiti that can be spotted in Austin falls under at least one category of popular street art. The type that’s typically used for an impulse painting is called a throw up. These are typically the tag (graffiti signature) of the artist done in a more complex fashion using bubble letters, and at least two colors. Throw ups can be done quickly and repeatedly, and often used when an artist goes bombing (tagging, or putting throw ups in many places around a chosen area).

Photo by: Rachael Moon very similar, both being time consuming and skillfully created to depict any number of things on a large canvas.

I could draw something, it could be a statement to anybody, but it wouldn’t necessarily be a statement to anybody, right here, in this audience, in this town.

Stenciling on the other hand, is meant for painting a precise representation of a person, one place, or any focused subject in a relatively short amount of time. Wildstyle, or occasionally a variation of a throw up are used for lettering in the logo or in advertising for a the business. Last but definitely not least, artists who don’t have much time will use “slaps,” also known as stickers. Slaps can be found decorating stop signs, street light posts, buildings, or pretty much any stationary thing within reach in popular spots around Austin. Not only are they inexpensive, and fast, but people notice them. Slaps are a very effective way for street artists to spread their name, or gain more street cred for themselves. The majority of these forms of graffiti can be done by anyone with

spray paint, stickers, or even simply a marker. The accessibility of the art is what makes it so popular amongst the generally young population of Austin. “I mean graffiti seems more tangible, seems more available to anybody,” Christina Moon, parttime artist, and long time Austinite says. “Austin still wants to be young and fresh, you know they wanna be on the cutting edge of things. Graffiti still has that feel. It embraces different cultures, and ideas too.” The city of Austin is constantly changing to create or follow new styles, artistically and otherwise. From a street artist’s perspective the more current shifts in the art scene are for the better. The alterations of “pop art” have created a more open, independent place for artists to be creative and display reimagined, new pieces. That welcoming environment is what brought on the graffiti era Austin is experiencing now. Christina Moon has observed through her many years in Austin that most audiences of street art have gone from up turned up noses and disapproving looks, to amazed eyes looking upon masterpieces randomly found around town. “You used to just see a little bit here and there, and now it’s really celebrated more as a art, ” Moon says

Multiple slaps depicting the artist’s message to the community around Castle Hill with some tagging and doodles covering parts. (left)

Simply being popular didn’t make street art legal though. Unless authorized, graffiti is still technically a crime, because when placed in unwanted locations it can be very costly to remove. In March 2011 the HOPE foundation addressed this issue by making the abandoned foundation of what was once meant to be apartments into an authorized graffiti park. Since then graffiti crime rates have dropped, and the park has become very popular amongst tourists and Austinites alike. “Vandalism is usually just people out wanting to [mess stuff] up, and sometimes that is graffiti,” Dafney Rogers, lifetime Austenite, and freshmen at Bowie High School, says. “Really though most of the graffiti you see around here is actual art.”

Photo by: Rachael Moon

Not only are most viewers pleased

Photo by: Rachael Moon

An average size mural of a popular slap painted at HOPE Outdoor Gallery (right)

with the organization, but of course the artists are relieved to have a place to create their work. “When I was still new and thought I was so badass I did a [bad] tag on a bridge or something, [so] thank god I found this place cause now I can make real art,” Daniel Hernandez, a street artist and local Austinite, says. 10 a year ago it was all about the inspirational quotes and/or the psychedelic feel in paintings.” Thinking on a smaller scale than just Austin, the specific style does

depend on the audience an artist is trying to speak to. East side art could be completely different from what you’d find on the South side but still use the same techniques. As things change in the place, the art evolves with the events. “It’s a statement about the place, the people living in that place, what issues they have. It shows what might be going on behind the scenes that everybody doesn’t know. It’s like a communication tool between, the artists and the viewers, specific to that location,” Moon says. “I could draw something, it could be a statement to anybody, but it wouldn’t necessarily be a statement to anybody, right here, in this audience, in this town.” The message along with the availability of graffiti have made it a huge part of the Austin. The whole city sees the works and can enjoy the bright colors and unique scenes that come with graffiti. Street art creates the free flowing, young feel for everyone in Austin, and continues to affect the mood in town and art all the time. ¤

A mural used for advertising on the side of a local Austin restaurant.

How To

Make Hoop Art

By Megan Ramsey

materials

• • • • • •

step one

To start, you will need to unscrew the screw at the top of the embroidery hoop. This will loosen the hoop so that the fabric can fit in. Take the two pieces apart and place the fabric so that it is laying across the smaller hoop. Push the larger hoop back on and re screw the screw.

step two

This will teach you how to make hoop art with an embroidery design. Hoop art is embroidery left in the hoop and hung or placed somewhere as decoration. The materials for this project are inexpensive and it can be done by beginners.

embroidery hoop sharp scissors embroidery needles embroidery floss fabric chalk

Use the piece of chalk or another marker to make a path that you can embroider on it. Some simple designs to embroider are short words, letters, or a simple image like a flower.

step three

Image by Megan Ramsey

Next, you can wet the embroidery floss to make threading the needle easier. Once this is done, you can start embroidering the path you marked. Image by flickr.com

step four

A back stitch: Pass your needle through to the front of the fabric and take a stitch to the right. Bring the needle back to the front of the fabric a stitch length to the right and then pass the needle through to the back of the fabric using the hole at the end of the first stitch. Use the hole at the end of the farthest right stitch to end up at the front (instructables).

A stem stitch: Overlap your stitches. Make a stitch then on the second stitch, bring the needle to the center of the previous stitch, but a stitch to the side.

b a

A running stitch: Make your stitches very open and spaced out. Bring the needle through the front and back of the cloth normally.

step five

When you finish your last stitch, move to the back of the hoop to end your stitching. An easy way to do this is to make an anchor stitch. Bring your needle under the last stitch on the back, when you have made that loop, bring your needle through it and secure the stitch. Bring your needle under the backs of your stitches and pull the thread. Cut the remaining thread and you are done.

Sources: instructables.com craftsy.com needlework-tipsand-techniques. com

Image by Megan Ramsey

Image by flickr.com

Drawn to the Environment Story by Kimmy Wilson

Local artists express their opinions about the environment through their different art styles.

hat did you do with your last soda can? Most people throw

them away without a second thought, but to an artist even “trash” can inspire great art. Some Austin artists spend over 100 hours creating just one of their pieces. All of this time is spent in order to bring awareness about the current environmental situation. By making a representation about human impact, or teaching directly to their community, artists are able to express their opinions and spread the word about appreciating our world. Nicole Deschamps-Benke, a local

Made out of aluminum cans, Nicole fastened together a three dimensional recycle sign. All of her art pieces are extremely detailed and meaningful. “My most gratifying moments are watching the art pull in first time observers and see it unexpectedly reward them as they discover that fine details of the piece,” says Nicole. Photo credit: Mark Menjivar

studio artist, hand makes lots of different jewelry, and other art pieces designed to be worn. However, instead of using beads

and string, her main material

Through her art and the cans

but have a deeper meaning

is repurposed aluminum soda

she works with, Nicole is able to

as well. For example, in one

cans. This means that she has to

express

project she made a small recycle

collect hundreds of cans.

her

sign out of cans to represent

“We have a TON of cans,” says

why it is important to recycle.

her daughter, Adoree Benke.

In another art piece she

Adoree knows the impact of

represented the health

the art her mom creates,

concerns in sodas

and she says that she

“The bigger outcome is trying to conserve the environment and bring awareness”

also believes the environment is an amazing thing. “The bigger result is helping the environment, not necessarily the art, but the bigger outcome is trying

Photo credit: Nicole DesChamps-Benke

to conserve the environment and bring awareness,” says Adoree .

balance beam. One of the bracelets she created, has images of footprints to symbolize our carbon footprint we are making on the earth. “My overall intention is to heighten awareness and

According to Nicole, her passion

to deconstruct complex,

for art and the environment started because of her daughter.

using a symbol of a

social, and environmental issues opinions

related to nutrition and science,

and concerns about the

with the goal of linking the

I became very conscious about

environment. Nicole says the

individual to the broader global

their future and the world their

cans she makes

framework,” Nicole says.

generation will inherit,” Nicole

the jewelry out of are meant

Ever since he was young, Brian

says.

to be aesthetically pleasing,

Maebius says he was interested

“After the birth of my children,

“My one-of-a-kind pieces can take over 60 hours,” says Nicole . Photo credit: Mark Menjivar

“This brooch represents the molecular bonds of aluminum oxide. The individual shapes were cut from repurposed aluminum soda cans and sterling silver,” says Nicole. Photo credit: Tim Thayer

This piece is called “Sustainability Bracelet” and it is made out of pieces of cans. Photo credit: Mark Menjivar

This piece is called “Size and Consumption.” Photo credit: Tim Thayer

in both art and nature. Now, as a

software, Maebius uses a

Graphic Designer and Scientific

variety of art supplies that

Illustrator he was able to

have allowed him to

combine both passions. Maebius

capture some of nature’s

designs posters, field guides,

beauty and share it

and signs for National parks,

with others.

museums and other wildlife

“My hope is that

areas.

they might be

“City, State, National Parks and

inspired to

Preserves protect habitats in

interact and

a way that encourages native

explore the

wildlife and I find these types

amazing world

of places to be a great source

we live in

of inspiration for my art,” says

and become

Maebius.

more aware

Living in a world that has been

of delicate

highly altered by humans has

processes in

made Maebius really appreciate

nature and

the natural world. From pens

how they

and paint, to different computer

might be

After creating the poster for Big Bend, Maebius says it brought back memories from when he would go camping with his family. Photo credit: Brian Maebius

By reusing small pieces of old cans, Nicole is able to express her opinion the environment and how trash can be turned into art. Photo credit: Nicole DesChamps-Benke

impacted by humans,” says

awareness about important

Maebius.

environmental issues via hands-

To make a large impact

on, creative, community-based

usually requires more

programming & events.” By

than one person, so

creating public art pieces and

Austin Green Art

other green art works, they are

organizes programs and events

able to attract a wide audience and teach about current

to teach the

environmental problems.

community about

Even though they use different

preserving the

techniques, in the end these

environment.

artists all have the same goal:

The non profit

to make people conscious of

organization

their surrounding and their

summarizes

responsibilities to help conserve

their goals by

the environment. And, after all

saying they

their time working on the art

are “dedicated

and appreciating nature, I think

to raising

we can say that they are drawn to the environment.

Photo credit: Google Images

“It can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 20 hours to create a work of art. It really depends on the scope of the project and the amount of detail needed to illustrate the concept.” Photo credit: Brian Maebius

“I design posters in a historic style for National Parks that are printed as silkscreens and note cards,” says Maebius. Photo credit: Brian Maebius 29

Which artist are By Maya Ferede

Have you ever wondered what artist you are most like? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in luck because after this test you will know who your artist twin is! Sources: essentialvermeer.com, oilpastelsbymary.com, howcreativeswork.com

Are you a Perfectionist?

Do you like more commercial or local things?

Would you consider yourself crazy?

Yes

Would a messy work station bother you?

Local

Yes

No No

Yes

Image by wikimedia

VERMEER 30

Are you secretive?

you most like? Image by flikr

Commercial

Very

WARHOL

MONET Kind of

Are you a hard worker?

Image by wikipedia

Yes Yes

No Are you family oriented? 31

A Small Musuem With A Big Impact All about MexicArte, an Austin museum showcasing Mexican, Latino, and Latin American Art Story by Mallory Graham

nside an unassuming build-

at the corner of 5th Street and

world and Latin America and

ing in downtown Austin lies

Congress Avenue, MexicArte not

Mexico, I didn’t see that kind of

the heart of a vibrant art

only offers a variety of exhibi-

art here,” Orozco says. “There

community. Although there are

tions, a thriving gift shop full of

wasn’t anywhere for us to ex-

murals covering a wall outside

art and unique gifts, but also has

hibit, so I saw there was a need

the building, the MexicArte Mu-

an educational art program with

for that.”

seum holds even more vivid art

many schools in Austin.

highlighting the art of Mexican,

cided to do something about it,

Latino, and Latin American art-

the founders and the Execu-

and so MexicArte was created.

ists inside.

tive Director at the MexicArte

Orozco says the MexicArte Mu-

Founded in 1984 by Syl-

Museum, says that when she

seum works to inform, present

via Orozco, Sam Coronado, and

moved to Austin to study art

and preserve the art of Mexican,

Pio Pulido, the MexicArte Mu-

at the University of Texas, she

Latino, and Latin American art-

seum is a nonprofit art museum

noticed that there weren’t places

ists, while making it accessible

that exhibits and educates the

for Latino and Chicano artists to

to all ages and types of people.

public about Mexican, Latino,

show their art.

It does this in several ways.

and Latin American art. Located

MexicArte is a museum, so it has

in the heart of downtown Austin

about art from all over the

Sylvia Orozco, one of

“Even though I learned

Orozco says that she de-

exhibits, and one big exhibition

Executive Director of the MexicArte Museum, Sylvia Orozco, in front of the entrance to the feature exhibit. Image by Mallory Graham

is the Young Latino Arts show.

silkscreen printing to make art

store or whatever, and they say

Claudia Zapata, a PhD student

or t-shirts. Orozco says they

‘oh, I went to MexicArte when I

at SMU and former curator at

teach about 50 classes per

was in the fifth grade’ or ‘I still

MexicArte, says that it is an an-

year, and so they are able to

remember those little skeletons

nual exhibit for Latino artists

“People remember us now. It’s kind of interesting to see that”

under the age of 35.

“You can’t be in the ex-

hibition without being of Latino descent and that, for some people seems limiting but in reality that includes so many people in so many countries, it’s almost too broad,” says Zapata.

MexicArte also has a

we drew,’”says Orozco. “People remember us now. It’s kind of interesting to see that.”

MexicArte is very in-

volved with the community. One especially popular event is Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. It is a multidisciplinary event with music, dance, visual art, altars, dancers, theater, po-

nationally nominated education

reach a wide range of students.

etry, food, a parade and a festi-

program. MexicArte sends art-

val.

ists into elementary, middle and

cause sometimes I meet some-

high schools to teach students

one, it might be at the grocery

tion, I think that’s why it’s so

“And it’s real cool be-

“It’s not only an exhibi-

popular because it involves all

the art, and it’s for all the com-

cause MexicArte focuses on only

teer during an exhibit, they get

mu-

Latino,

people involved at all different

nity,”

Latin

levels, so I think they’ve had a

says

Ameri- very good impact on the arts in

Oro-

can,

Austin.”

zco.

and

Mexi-

has been providing these ser-

cArte

can

vices to Austin. Zapata says that

is the

art, as

it is impressive for it to do so

official

op-

many different things, yet still

Mexi-

posed

be successful in them.

to be-

can and Mexican

But Zapata says that be-

An artist from MexicArte teaching a student about printmaking. Image by MexicArte Museum website

American

ran. “Even if it’s just as a volun-

For 31 years, MexicArte

“For MexicArte to be all

ing more

these things, an educational

broad

institution, permanent collection

Fine Arts Museum of Texas,

like many larger museums, it is

repository, temporary exhibi-

and Zapata says that the lack

able to focus on the community

tions and so forth, since 1984,

of these types of museums in

and the culture.

most people are surprised it’s

Texas and the U.S. is ironic due

still open,” says Zapata.

to the large representation of

good job about focusing on the

Latinos.

U.S. side of this conversation,

Duran says that MexicArte has

Zapata says that when many

the U.S. Latino art,” says Zapata.

always remained faithful to their

large museums say they are

mission, presentation and exhib-

doing an exhibit on a Latino

cArte focuses on this group,

its.

artist, it’s usually an interna-

Fidencio Duran, an artist, paint-

tional, Latin American artist.

er, muralist and art educator in

a very consistent way for people

She says that doing this misses

Austin that has work

to go and see exhib-

the Latino community that

shown at MexicArte,

its, or be part of dif-

they are a part of, because

says that it has

ferent programming.

people are only learning about

provided many op-

Just the fact they’ve

the individual artist.

portunities for young

kept the doors open

artists.

and at the same

“There’s not really an

“MexicArte really does a

Due to the fact that Mexi-

“I think they’ve provided

emphasis on a larger commu-

nity that person is involved

they’ve always had

time, I think is a tes-

with,” says Zapata. “As in,

great community

tament to their abil-

you’re not really learning about

outreach to get younger people

ity to make things work,” says

their culture.”

involved in the arts,” says Du-

Duran. “Considering whatever

“I think

Throughout this time,

location the entire

budgets they may

may feel intimidated

have, or maintaining

by them or as though

it all going towards

they are unwanted

the future, so I think

there. But Zapata

they’ve been a real

says that it’s inter-

consistent venue for

esting for MexicArte

the arts in Austin, so

to actually go out into

I think they deserve

schools, because in

credit for that.”

addition to educat-

ing students, they are

Art in Austin

hasn’t always been as strong, but it’s getting there.

A view from outside the MexicArte Museum in downtown Austin. Image by MexicArte Museum website

helping the students feel better about a museum by

Orozco says the art community

growing support for the art

working with it. And Orozco says

has grown, and so has the sup-

community is more people

that people are starting to feel

port for it. She says that people

purchasing art, another part

more comfortable going to mu-

are starting to go to art shows

is people attending museums.

seums.

more, and they are starting to

Zapata says that many people

buy more art there.

“I remember in the very

beginning, people would just go and see, now they go and buy, and so they’re starting to buy a little bit more,” says Orozco.

Although people are start-

ing to buy more art, that doesn’t mean that support for the art community is where it could or should be.

“It’s rare that people will

buy something for 5000, where I think that happens more in Houston, or Dallas, where there’s more investment in the arts,” says Orozco. “We’re getting to that point, but it’s taking a little bit longer.”

While one part of the

“There’s an effort of the

community, the museum com-

“I think they’ve been a real consistent venue for the arts in Austin, so I think they deserve credit for that.” may not always feel comfortable in a museum setting, because they may not have grown up going to museums and so

munity, to try to get the people to come into and to share art and to make it more accessible,” Orozco says. “I think art is just becoming more accessible to the general community.”

As they move towards the

future, MexicArte will continue to grown as an outlet for Latino arts, which includes working towards getting a new building, as well as bring in the younger generation. It’s a challenge, but a welcome one.

“We’re always having to

attract new audiences, try to maintain our older audiences,” says Orozco. “It’s exciting, we’re always doing new things.”

TOP 10 1