ARTOMATIC:

"By artists, for everyone."

ARTOMATIC 2012 is DC's biggest creative event. 1,300 artists and performers in an 11-story building from May 18th to June 23rd. ARTOMATIC creates a community, builds an audience and expands economic development by transforming available spaces into a "playground for artistic expression." ARTOMATIC is a non-profit, volunteer-run 501(c)3 organization. ARTOMATIC is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. Volunteer teams make Artomatic possible as well as donations and an artist fee for showing work.

ARTOMATIC is an unjuried art event that showcases creative work in visual art, music, film, performance, and fashion. Events throughout the month include performances, live music, and Artist Socials such as Meet The Artist Night on June 2nd from 7pm to 9pm, Zombie Prom on June 9th from 8pm to10pm, as well as helpful and informative workshops like Jennifer Finley's (director of Artomatic@Frederick) Framing and Presentation workshop, even Wine Tastings. All events and workshops can be found on ARTOMATIC's site at: http://www.artomatic.org/events

The Art To Go Marketplace is something to check out as well. Located on the main floor artists are selling work that is allowed to leave the building on various days (Artwork on the walls shown during ARTOMATIC may be for sale but can not leave the building until the last day).

ARTOMATIC also licenses other events in other locations, such as Artomatic@Frederick, held in Frederick, Maryland, in 2011 (Where Synesthesia Art and Photo spent 60+ hours volunteering).

ARTOMATIC is always FREE to attend (drinks/food are not free but check out the bars (wine, beer and non-alcoholic selections) and food options at ARTOMATIC, it's sponsored by businesses like Dogfish Head and Heineken this year!) and it's located 1/2 a block from the Crystal City metro station so bring your friends and family! Take photos (try to include Artist's names when reposting), share, locate artists and join their mailing lists, sign  guestbooks, repost, tag, visit often and above all enjoy!

More information can be found at:
Artomatic's Facebook Page and http://artomatic.org

More information about my involvement in ARTOMATIC 2012 can be found here: http://www.artomatic.org/user/313/ 

Most of this text was taken from Artomatic's Facebook Page and then elaborated upon.

Progress For The Sake of Progress Must Be Encouraged:

Here is what the progression of my Artomatic space has looked like. I couldn't have done it without my mom!:

I've Never Made A Stencil:

I had the brilliant idea that I should follow suit and make the first letter of my name as well as Synesthesia Art & Photography in Porcelain font to match my business cards and flyers. Good thing my friend Trey had some good tips for making your own stencils! It was still kind of a nightmare, but I have to say it was well worth it. The font looks great on the wall and people have already commended me on the undertaking. Thanks John for loaning me a pencil!

Making Art:

I've been working on some new artwork for Artomatic. I thought about working in a series but it hasn't been very cohesive. I keep coming back to the circus tent.

Encaustic:

I've been playing around with encaustic techniques where the medium is more encaustic than anything else. I enjoy graphite transfers. I've been oil rubbing them.

 

Fabriano, Italy

Chiaroscuro, The Circus:

I've been thinking about working in a series lately. I've never really done that with my art other than in my photography while in class. It was an idea suggested by Jan Faul, and as much as a series sounds uncomfortable to me I think he has a good point about my trying it out. He has a lot of good points generally.

I've also been thinking about drawing again. Just me, some paper and a pencil. I haven't sat down and drawn anything in a while which is kind of a shame. I really love how my chiaroscuro came out, but it was so time consuming I haven't tried to do another. Maybe drawing more will help.

The only thing I seem to be thinking about art-wise lately is the circus so I'm starting there!