Sales On The Big Site

Hallo, hallo, hallloooooo! So it's the change of seasons and I am creating deals on some of my summer wear on the Open Clothes Originals site... www.openclothesoriginals.com  Please swing by and check it out, so many of these are beautiful pieces, and I'd really like to make room for another season's new stuff! I've got ideas for new scarves which I will probably hit the drawing boards for some time this week!

 
Fall and spring are the seasons when I feel I'm most filled with ideas...the summer has so many distractions (my garden gave us hundreds of tomatoes this year!) that I always feel I can get down to business during the less extreme weather. I'm already feeling the creativity coming on, please visit the site and say hello anytime!!!

I'm also going to be at the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market in October (Sat Oct 21), and at the Chiller Theater Expo from October 27-29, with my handmade pieces, paintings, prints and some very cute curated items that I've chosen for you!

So these have already come out of me, thanks for looking! Protective thoughts to those in Florida, Texas, Mexico and the fiery Northwest... Yours in ROCK!  xo Diane

Write What You Want

For years (25 to be exact) I was a tattoo artist. It was my mode of artistic expression, and every single piece of art I did walked away. It's a funny place to be in, especially when you're young, to watch a creation you sweated about just prance out the door! But all artists learn that the lesson IS that you want someone to walk away, loving what you just did for them! Now I work in cloth, and on paper in a different capacity, and the idea IS from the start, to have people walk away with the work! The distinction I am making about the two, is this: CONNECTION. People get tattoos that they want, and tattoo artists put the client's vision into reality. A "regular" artist, or a layman artist, creates what they want and hopes someone connects with it. The experience of getting a tattoo is personal and sometimes cathartic, and there is always communication and connection present.

You can see my art at my site here: www.openclothesoriginals.com . I enjoy what I do, yet I'm faced with thinking how to create connection with people who like or purchase what I make. Since I was not shy about lettering on skin for decades without a single mistake, I have started making lyric / poem paintings. It started when David Bowie passed away, I felt there was so much that he said that I could connect to, and since he was gone, I wanted to pay homage... I'm now making lyric paintings on a full blown scale. Most of these are in a 5 x 7 frame that is 8 x 10 on the outside of the mat.

Say something, paint something all together? Maybe this is how we can connect! Here are a couple that I've enjoyed creating!

A CLASH Favorite

From The Thin White Duke

Homage to Bowie, of course!

The Damned

And lastly, another Bowie selection!

Wear My Art!

I've completed the first run of my one of a kind clothing line! It's been an exhilarating process and a delight! Inquiries please contact me at Hey@openclothesoriginals.com  Each of these is hand printed, and many are hand dyed and painted as well. Each is unique, once it's gone it's gone! I take custom requests, just contact me! And if you haven't followed me on Instagram @dianekamikaze, please do!

 

 

 

 

 

Collage!

Here is the latest, and I've invaded collage territory  - hard! I love the flexibility of mixed media, and enjoy a little joke or two as well! This one is called HINDENBURG!

And I'm being a little more aggressive with my work, so if anyone knows a collective, gallery or wants to purchase any of my work, please get in touch! I accept PayPal and can be reached at hey@openclothesoriginals.com . THANKS ALL!

Martians!

Happy Holidays! In light of how some human beings have been acting lately, I've decided to move my work to focus on another race entirely! Yes, it's a reaction, and at least it is having me create!

As a kid I always imagined what Martians would be like. I didn't ever imagine aliens, in terms of the theories of them moving in and taking over the world, my concept was more about some interesting beings from another planet, who were happy to be there.

These are primarily pencil. You may find human qualities within them, and I assure you they are DEFINITELY MARTIANS. This is just YOU relating to them in some way. We are all Martians!

I originally put these up on INSTAGRAM, and my handle there is dianekamikaze, if you wish to follow. I find it a better outlet for art, however, these photographs were shot with my phone, which I wouldn't do to start with if I intended this post for my blog site! EITHER WAY, ENJOY!!!

Fabric, Fabric, Fabric

Mechanical, yes, but I like it too! Lately I've been painting less and working more with fabric. As some of you may know I'm a retired tattoo artist, and I have always enjoyed the actual process of art. In tattooing I loved the machines, the needles, the grips; everything mechanical about the application of the tattoo. So someone gave me a sewing machine and I've been poking holes in fabric instead of skin! I made myself a couple of gaiters for winter, only because I lost my favorite one, and then started looking at what I could make and produce to sell at some of the shows that I do, along with my painted art. I made a few cloth wallets, which were satisfying in the whole idea of following a pattern, and rather complex, but they were not items that garnered any attention. Next I moved on to oven mitts. Of course I am limited to the fabrics I find, but I did discover some pretty neat fabrics in my travels and dove in headfirst. I researched the heat insulation, and decided I would make oven mitts that not only looked great, but that you would NEVER burn yourself in a million years with. I use a metal strip insulated batting (you can hear it crinkle), that is natural fiber and not bleached along with another natural fiber that is super soft. I enjoy making these pieces and am getting pretty good at making them! In that same span of time I also started wood block printing and silkscreening scarves that I hand dyed myself. These are creative for me in a different way. I get to splash things all over the place, get messy and go back to my printmaking roots. Here are some photos of what I've been up to!

Work up in Glen Ridge Starbucks AND Etsy!

For the remainder of June I will have these 14 paintings up at the Starbucks in Glen Ridge, NJ. They've got a nice art wall there, and the staff was super. Check it out if you're in the area: 710 Bloomfield Ave., Glen Ridge NJ..

Besides that, I've launched my ETSY store! Here is the link as well as a couple of items that are there. https://www.etsy.com/shop/OpenClothesOriginals   At the moment it features my hand printed scarves and handmade oven mitts. Paintings are available by inquiry here or on my full site:  http://openclothesoriginals.com

The Mark Of Zorro, or zipping into spring!

Some thoughts on Spring. First of all, is it really here?? This winter was so brutal, I'm tired of complaining about it. Lovely colors coming out, nice weather becoming the usual, not the exception. Here's a springy piece for you all!

The Mark Of Zorro - Watercolor

Ah, water and color! This is titled The Mark Of Zorro, and it's a little spring, a little pizazz, and it sure feels like it's what I need right now! Fire away, bring on spring and get zippy outside!

Artwork Up In Jersey City this month!!!

I’ve got 6 paintings up in CITY HALL in Jersey City – in celebration of Women’s History Month. It’s a great show with some wonderful artists and works. City Hall is open until 5pm M-F and there are weekend hours, but I’m not sure what they are. Please check it out. Pieces are on the 2nd floor rotunda, a beautiful space. If the Main Session room is open (the heavy wooden doors in the center), try to check it out, there are wonderful stained glass windows and a full stained glass DOME in there that are just breathtaking! Here is the postcard for the show! The address is 280 Grove St., Jersey City NJ! 

The Barn Theatre In Montville, NJ!

I have a few of my paintings hanging in the beautiful lobby at The Barn Theatre in Montville NJ! Thanks to Antionette, Lillian and Sal for connecting the dots! This is a wonderful theatre and kind of out of the way; I don't know if I ever would have found it on my own! The play they are presenting currently is The Master Class.  Here is a piece called SOLID THOUGHTS. I am incorporating some stamping as well as watercolor and enjoying the effects; I hope you do too!! In the meantime, check out the Barn Theatre's website for their upcoming plays; they are at 32 Skyline Drive in Montville!

On Friday I just hung 24 paintings at Parlor Hair Studio in Montclair NJ. The opening celebration is this Friday, October 18th 6-9 pm, and it coincides with the Montclair Art Walk, so there'll be plenty of places to walk around and check out! Proceeds from commissions on paintings will go to the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund. In honor of that, this piece is named Rainbow In The Dark, and you can see it in Montclair now! The work hangs until mid-November, so please stop by Parlor when you can!!! Their address is 223 Glenridge Ave., right next to the awesome bookstore!!

Rainbow In The Dark                         5/13

Looking West, Warming Up!

Looking West 2/2012

Going through the archives a bit. I've been sewing and silkscreening and prepping a lot of fabric for some new creations! Very excited! I have no photos yet, as I have nothing complete, and the learning curve is a LOT of fun! I love noticing a spot of ink on my arm that's been there for days...it doesn't happen like that with watercolor!  This is called Looking West. I worked on it over a year ago, and I did name it, so I guess it's done. I remember when making it I wanted to throw some green in there, but I didn't want to go heavy on the cool colors. It was cold out and I was wanting the warm colors to penetrate the blue, or at least keep it from getting any icier. I like imagining that this blue bit is actually some kind of creature carrying a party hat to someone's birthday celebration...THIS IS WHAT COMES OUT OF ME!! And it's never too early to mark your calendars...September 21st I'll be at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick NJ. I'm hoping to have more than just my paintings there, perhaps some wearable art will grace the premises as well!

Hot Day, Sky Brush

Aaaaah! 90 degrees and other hot news! At my recent showing at The Fine Grind in Little Falls, two paintings were sold! They are chronicled here, so we can always visit Psychedelic Beatdown and Whale Outing virtually whenever we want, yay! I've had three pieces published in Catapult magazine, I've been busy. I'm also working on silk scarves! Nothing to post yet, as my technique leaves something to be desired, and I'm working on getting that skill level up right away!! Here's a piece called Sky Brush; it's one of my larger pieces. Sometimes the sky just seems like it's got oil dripping right out of it after the sun blinds you by simply opening your eyes...

Sky Brush 2012

Yummy Treats!

It's a repeat performance!  Actually, the great folks at The Fine Grind in Little Falls, have extended the stay of my watercolor show there through May! They are at 101 Newark Pompton Turnpike (Rte 23) just south of the Willowbrook Mall, and are open til 10pm or later 7 days a week. Here's a piece that's hanging there now. It's called TREATS and is my first foray into using
 rubber stamps in decades. I used to use them in my work 
constantly when I was at Rutgers, and thought I'd give it 
another shot! And it's the perfect piece to show in mentioning 
the Fine Grind, because they do have some yummy treats! 
I went there last week with my nieces Carla and Sara, and we 
had hot chocolate and sampled some wonderful flavored
 biscotti and tollhouse pie!

The Fine Grind Coffee Bar!

Yesterday I hung almost 30 paintings at a great place, The Fine Grind, a coffee bar in Little Falls NJ. My work along with the paintings of Matthew Ribaudo, an autistic teen will hang for the month of April. This is a really super place! Here is one of the pieces that is hanging; I tried to include all of my styles (I count 5) so there's a little something for everyone! http://www.thefinegrindcoffeebar.com/ Check it out! They are open til 10pm 7 days a week!

This piece is called "Christopher Walken." It reminds me of him dancing in that Fatboy Slim video, so smooth and all over the place, especially the flying part!

Sunny Day, Sunny Disposition

Psychedelic Beatdown - Watercolor - February 2013

..and the perfect time for a PSYCHEDELIC BEATDOWN! I thought this piece looked like an abstract wrestling move, hence it's name. The movement! The mat! The impact! Whoosh! It's a sunny day indeed...This Is What Comes Out Of Me!

Why, It's Called The Cackle!!!

Why it's called The Cackle! It's a creature that is clearly talking and laughing too much. It's throat is such an odd configuration that the noise it makes is much like a cackle! I had fun with this one and agonized over if I should add more purple/lavender or not. I am happy with the finished piece. This one's a mini, and I agonize over ALL my paintings - tiny or not! This is What Comes Out Of Me!

The Cackle         1/2013

Monologue

Just finished this piece and I was trying to name it, and name it AND name it! First it was Orange Crush, then I wanted to refer to the one splotch of orange that looks like a coffee cup stain (or the old Lucent logo) in some kind of clever fashion. AND I love the way the colors overlay, so I was trying to find a title wispy and colorful and, and, and....the hell with it. I realized I was talking to myself SO MUCH about what to title this piece, that it now bears the name MONOLOGUE. For everything I went through mentally, and the answer was at my fingertips. This Is What Comes Out Of Me! Court Tavern Artist's Showcase is Tonight! If you're in the New Brunswick NJ area Feb 16th between 8pm and 2am, stop by: 124 Church Street! 5 Bands are playing as well, although I don't know the names offhand!!

Whale Outing

Of course that's what this is!!! It's a couple of whales going on a picnic! They've got the basket, the tablecloth, the plankton, and a cheerful attitude like we all should have. Sometimes not putting any black in my painting deliberately really strikes me, and this is one of those. I mean, where would I put BLACK into a whale's outing? Ahhh, NOwhere! :) This is what comes out of me! Don't forget: Court Tavern New Brunswick NJ Saturday Night Feb 16th! Be there or don't be allowed at the whale's outing!!

Mathematical Hunting

Mathematical Hunting 2/2013

Sometimes things just pop in my head and I attempt to illustrate them.  Usually I don't get what I imagined and the final piece is some happy medium between my imagination and what my skills will allow me to produce. For decades I made a living rendering absolutely perfect images for people, so I am loving interpreting images in a different way now. This piece is a MINI by the way, more on that later. I noticed sometimes driving around up here that when there is a dead deer on the road, it gets marked by someone - who exactly I don't know, but I've seen more than one with orange dots spray painted on it. This is my homage to the deer and my thought process about the orange dots on the deer. Maybe there's a new breed of deer born with orange spots? Maybe it's a contest with hunters to see if they can shoot the deer in a particular spot? Maybe they are tired of being brown and this is their first foray into makeover territory? Regardless, this is my interpretation of ALL of those thoughts rolled into one expression - this painting. 100% watercolor.. AND This Is What Comes Out Of Me!! This is also one of the pieces I will have with me this coming Saturday night February 16th at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ. Myself and 3 other artists will be displaying/selling some of our works and there will be 5 bands playing downstairs. I will be debuting my MINIs. Tiny little pieces to brighten up a mood, room or gift, as well as my customized lightswitch plates. What a night! 124 Church Street; admission is free for the upstairs Art Event, not sure the admission charge for downstairs. Hope to see you there!