Earth Purses / New Artwork / Process — No comments
03
Feb 10
I have started experimenting a bit with my screenprinting. I am trying to design purses around a screen print. Since Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought what could be better than a heart? I also had the screen already made and laying around, so it was great when I all of a sudden decided yesterday that I wanted to screen print on the next purse I made.
The best thing about experimentation is that it always leads down a path you have never been. I gathered a great many new ideas in my head yesterday evening as I sewed my lopsided purse and pouch. Check them out and let me know what you think.
My purses are available for purchase at my etsy store.
New Artwork / Printmaking — No comments
02
Feb 10
So, I have just started a new print series that I am really excited about. I forgot how much I love printmaking. In an attempt to fully embrace the whole artist that I am, I have decided to just do whatever I feel like in the studio each day. If I feel like photographing, I’ll take a walk and do that. If I feel like printmaking, than I will start carving and if I want to make a purse, well then I will start sewing. You get the picture.
These last few weeks have been filled with finally starting and completing some print series work that I have had on the back burner for a while.
One in particular project is called “The Red Balloon.” I just finished printing the first of I don’t know how many different prints for this series. As you may have guessed, the print involved a red balloon. It also involves a young girl and will eventually involve a young boy (a few prints down the road). Anyway, I wanted to show the first print of this series.
As always, my prints are available for purchase at my etsy store.
New Artwork / Printmaking — No comments
25
Jan 10
A couple of months back I spent about two weeks in the Great White North. Most of my time was spent indoors staring out large windows. I was lucky the scenery was easy on the eyes. I did snowshoe a few times and get to venture down a trail that seemed to only have about 2 other visitors. When I arrived back home I had several vivid visual memories.
I’m excited to share my 5 print Winter in Alaska series. Most of my prints from the last 3 years or so have started with a photograph. This is the first time in a long time that a print has been influenced by a memory. It’s a huge departure from my installation and project based work and I am loving it! I told someone the other day that I’m trying to fully embrace all 8 Lauren’s that live inside me.
I’d like to introduce you to one of my Lauren’s. The printmaker.
There are 9 originals of each of the 5 prints (except the sun at the top of the page – there are only 8). I will be selling both the originals and an unlimited edition of giclee prints at my shop. CLICK HERE to visit The Print Studio.
Exhibitions — No comments
18
Jan 10
Well, yesterday my very supportive husband and I made the trek out to Point Reyes Station to see my work along with all of it’s new artwork friends at Gallery Route One.
Here’s my artwork!
Portrait of a Mother and a Father
Linocut print on a Mirror
I was happy to see that my work was among some of the best artwork I have seen in a group show in quite some time. The show was extremely crowded, but I worked up the courage and elbowed my way through the sea of artists and found myself in a short conversation with Kenneth Baker. He was cordial and cracked a few jokes to lighten the nerves I’m sure both he and I felt. I have stepped up one more step on my ladder to being comfortable in my role as an artist.
Sunday was a great day.
On another note:
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. I would like to share one of my favorite photographs of him.
Photographer Paul Schutzer took this photograph in 1961.
photo courtesy of time.com
Uncategorized — No comments
12
Jan 10
I just heard some great news from Gallery Route One in Point Reyes Station. I have been accepted into their Annual Juried Show; this year the Juror is San Francisco Chronicle’s Art Critic Kenneth Baker.
The opening reception is this Sunday, January 17th from 3pm-5pm.
If you don’t have plans, now you do (:
The show will run from January 15 – February 14, 2010 – so if you don’t have a chance to get to the opening, check out the show some other time you are in the area.
Photography — 2 comments
01
Nov 09
This week, for the first time in 5 years, I scheduled a time during my day to go outside and photograph. This used to be my life. My camera came everywhere with me and captured my life and the lives of others I saw along the way. I stopped loving photography during my undergrad studies and have had a shaky relationship with it ever since. But, after photographing two of my friend’s weddings, I am beginning to remember why I loved photography to begin with.
It is almost like I need to practice at not taking it so seriously. I had to go to art school to learn how to technically take photographs and now I have to almost unlearn all of that–in order to take away that pressure to take the perfect photograph. The best advice I ever received from a photographer was (I am paraphrasing) “Take as many photographs as you can because you will be lucky if you get one image out from one roll of film.” 1 in 36 is apparently the average for a talented photographer. The digital age makes it a great deal easier to take a ton of crappy photographs in order to find that one gem. And, reflecting on that advice today, what I really think he was getting at was, just take it! Don’t think, just photograph.
I could not just take it last week. I had a really hard time photographing. It’s like I lost my touch. It used to be automatic for me. I didn’t think, I just pointed and clicked. It was straight from my gut. That’s what I love about photography. It can be so genuine and honest if you approach it correctly. That’s another part of me I will have to find again.
Photography used to allow me to look at a scene as though I had never seen it before. I was like a 5 year old at the circus for the first time. Instead of pointing my finger in awe, I was pointing my camera and recording that composition I framed in my head. Where did that photographer go? And can I get her back?
Exhibitions — No comments
15
Sep 09
Wow! I just got images back from my most recent solo exhibition at the Wiseman Gallery in Grants Pass, Oregon. It is truly amazing what space can do for an artwork and concept. The installation was done so well, I’m glad there was great care taken in producing a lovely “mini” exhibiton of my “I’m a Terrible Morning Person” Project.
I wish I could have made it to the actual space to see the exhibition. I think the huge amounts of space left between the works and the fact that walls separated some of them really changed the vibe of the whole show. I would have liked to see first hand what the work was saying to the viewer. This is why I love showing my work in as many places as possible; it keeps morphing into something entirely new.
Check out the images and tell me what they say to you.
New Artwork / Significant Stranger Project — No comments
13
Aug 09
For the past 5 years or so I have been making work that has people’s faces printed onto it. I dig it and it seems as though a great deal of other people do too. I was surprised at my last go at the art making thing, as the result was quite different aesthetically, although the same in terms of concept.
Project: Significant Strangers
***This piece, entitled Lost and Found, was inspired by all of the random clothing I find as I walk around the neighborhoods in Berkeley. I always wonder who used to wear the clothes and who might wear them next. Always feeding to my ever-thoughts about the strangers I will never meet.***
Perhaps my style is changing…
I don’t know yet how I feel about hanging this piece next to the other work I’ve completed for the Significant Stranger Project. Will it work with Mr. Rogers or what about Mary? Would they compliment each other? Something I need to consider. Most of my work doesn’t become complete until it is installed with the rest of its brothers and sisters in a large space. There seems to be a conversation that happens when all the work is in one space together. I’m busy trying to finish up this project to make sure that happens in the near future. I’d like to see what the work has to say to itself.
Uncategorized — No comments
18
Jul 09
RCC shows Berkeley artist
Berkeley artist Lauren Odell Usher is displaying her work at the Wiseman Gallery on the Rogue Community College campus. The exhibit, “Did You Wake Up This Morning,” runs through Aug. 28.
Usher uses linocut prints of everyday people on everyday items, such as bags, toilet paper, pillows and pizza boxes, to visually represent the value the mundane holds and the connections all people share.
Usher has a bachelor of fine arts degree from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in studio art from John F. Kennedy University. Her work has been shown in California and in Florida.
If you happen to be near Grants Pass, OR in the next month or so, check out the show. Would love to hear what you think.
Uncategorized — No comments
06
Jul 09
I have not been as diligent as I would like to be in terms of collecting material for my Significant Stranger Project.
In the beginning, the project entailed a numerous amount of stuff being sent to me from a stranger that I will never meet. That concept still remains the same, however, I have decided to take it one step at a time.
I would like anyone who is willing to send me the following:
1. One photograph of your living room.
2. One photograph of the front of your house.
What will I be doing with these photos you ask? Making a montage of sorts….
So, if you want to join in on this worldwide art piece, please do. Leave a comment and I will get back to you or send the image to me via email.
Thanks for the help.
The art wouldn’t exist without you.
Lauren
