Tag: Traveling Artist | Page 3

Inspired by Melbourne, Australia

Julie, my husband and I had such a fab time in Australia and we started off in Melbourne which I really loved. A very green and vibrant city, with a great public transportation system, wonderful houses, street art and good food. Paired with good company …it was a a good spot to be for a couple days before our Mixed Media Circus Workshop at Artified.

We stayed in a beautiful AirBnB with some great artwork located in Fitzroy. We had a nice roof terrace, which we couldn’t use too much because it is fall in Australia and it rained a lot. Mhhh – writing this my eyes drift through the window and I realize …it is spring here and it rains nonstop at the moment …

Below are the three of us on the right of the screen on our way to the National Gallery of Victoria (post coming soon).

As I mentioned in an earlier post there is a huge amount of street art in Melbourne, fun signs and a lot of grungy texture. For us it was a feast for the eyes.

Look at the texture and the color combination on this wall – yummy!

Where the garbage cans are:

And a feast for the belly – LOL. We ate so much …but since we walked a lot too we did pretty good.

We often started with a “healthy” breakfast …ahem…

And then we tested about every possible dumpling place in Melbourne and we actually rated our dumpling experiences. Below are the second best dumplings we had …and they were delicious.

We found a really nice Art Supply store in the city and went for a shopping day for our workshops and took another day to pick those supplies up.

Just to realize AFTER we did that, there was an art supply store RIGHT NEXT to our apartment – we just never noticed because we never went into that direction and the sign was hidden. If you know Julie and me, you might imagine the laughing fits we still get when we talk about the “art supply moment” . BTW – speaking of art supplies, I cannot believe how much more expensive art supplies were in comparison to here or Europe. It is insane and makes me appreciate even more the hoops my Australian students have to go through!

We loved the parks throughout the city and the amazing gigantic trees and flowers

Everything is just so green!

Oh and here is a gum tree with some gum nuts – I love those !

more street art …told you…it was everywhere

And of course there was lot’s of silly photo taking too ;)

We also met Kass Hall for lunch. It was great to see her again! She has an awesome new book out – Amplified Art – Dynamic Techniques for High-Impact Pages – check it out!

As you can see we had an amazing time in Melbourne and I would love to come back some time.

There are still way more pictures to come in the next weeks from the Australia trip – I am trying to spread it out a bit for you :) Next up I take you on an Art Stroll again ;) Have a wonderful day

Nat

Comments (6)

Joi@RR

May 16, 2016 at 9:18 am | #

Always love seeing you and Julie together Nat – you guys make me laugh!! PLUS… I can only imagine the joy you bring to your students too!

Loved seeing these pictures – dear me – they DO have giant trees and flowers!!!

And what fun to see all the street artwork. XXj.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  May 16, 2016 at 3:31 pm | #
  
  Thank you Joi- glad you enjoyed the photos and yes – ha those flowers and trees were pretty gigantic :)
  
  Reply
Mary

May 15, 2016 at 11:32 pm | #

Glad you guys loved Melbourne. Plenty of street art. Fitzroy is a great area to wander around in.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  May 16, 2016 at 3:32 pm | #
  
  Indeed Mary- I loved Fitzroy- it reminded me a lot of parts of NYC and Jersey City – but then …of course it is yet so different :)
  
  Reply
Rachel Greig

May 15, 2016 at 7:09 pm | #

Love seeing your photos from melbourne!! It’s a fabulous city! :)

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  May 16, 2016 at 3:32 pm | #
  
  Thank you Rachel :)
  
  Reply

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Inspired by Street Art in Melbourne, Australia

Australia Melbourne Street Art Traveling Artist

Now if you know me…you know I am crazy about street art – and so Melbourne is a pretty amazing place to be for street art. There was street art EVERYWHERE , best know for it’s street art is Hosier Lane right across from the National Gallery.

Nothing goes unpainted in this laneway :)

This one made me laugh!

Even the garbage cans are spayed and add to the picture

I really loved this one for it’s stencil work and because it was only two colored- it stuck out in the bright color-spray-paint abundance

Wonder what is in there? mh mh

Lot’s of pasteups as well – which I really liked

Here is AC/DC Lane …now I wonder why….

Love the texture and the framed piece on the wall.

Massive mural

This is so cool too :

and funny stuff

Can you tell the three of us had a good time? LOL- what a bunch of goofs we are ;)

This was a great first day after a 22 hour flight – since it was raining the color boost awakened us – we really needed that.

Hope you enjoyed this colorful journey through Melbourne- there is more to come :)

Nat

Comments (7)

stephanie

May 16, 2016 at 11:04 am | #

totally cool!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  May 16, 2016 at 11:41 am | #
  
  Glad you like it Stephanie!
  
  Reply
Seth

May 7, 2016 at 10:57 pm | #

I remember that alley way. It is as amazing as ever!!

Reply
- Graeme Allen
  
  April 27, 2021 at 1:54 am | #
  
  I have been to these lanes in Melbourne since I was 15yo and now I am 51 ,and the artwork has evolved with the city,I would love to have taken photos from the different era’s it seems to get better and better everytime I go into the city . But you have done a great job showing the talent Melbourne has to offer.
  
  Reply
Gayle

May 7, 2016 at 10:42 am | #

Phenomenal Exhibit! Thank you Nathalie. Makes me wonder if the motivation behind street art may be a response to disenchantment with the world around them. These artists’ way of proclaiming: ” If you can’t fix it, paint it!”

Reply
Natalya Aikens

May 7, 2016 at 8:06 am | #

That is some awesome graffiti and street art!!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  May 7, 2016 at 10:24 am | #
  
  you should go Natalya – I can see loads of amazing art by you with photos taken there!
  
  Reply

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Art Rules Workshop in Oklahoma – Photos

ArtRules Oklahoma Traveling Artist workshop

Last weekend I flew to Oklahoma City to teach a three day workshop – Art Rules – at My Hearts Fancy. It is one of the very few workshops I am teaching this year in person. It was so much fun coming back and seeing so many familiar faces in the awesome group of 12 students. It was like coming home :)

Here is Carol showing her wonderful boards she made inspired by Creative JumpStart 2016 and Natalya’s video – such a treat to see this in person. BTW- you can still sign up for the class and download all videos!

We started Friday with some color theory and some color exercises. As you can see…they went all in :) We went on a journey to discover every student’s own style and preferences.

Saturday I showed some fun techniques, gave some guidelines and tips as well as samples. I loved seeing what they all came up with – it was awesome to see how everyone’s style was different and how they embraced the freedom to create.

So cool, right?

I also loved seeing my new stamp sets as well as stencils being used in the class – that always makes me super giddy and happy!

They were inspired by Henri Matisse

Paul Klee

Jean-Michel Basquiat

and many more – Art Rules :)

And besides a lot of art making there was a lost of chatting, sharing stories and big hugs. It was a wonderful, inspiring and relaxing time. I also really loved teaching the workshop and it’s context.

Thank you so much Maura for inviting me to teach Art Rules, and to Lisa for being such a big helper and sweetheart and a big thank you and hug to all of my students- you rock and make me happy!

What is the last new mixed media technique you explored?

Nat

Comments (14)

Sue Clarke

March 11, 2016 at 6:24 am | #

Looks like a delightfully relaxing and inspiring creative day!
I haven’t tried many new techniques lately, but I do want to use embossing paste and stencils again. Love the texture.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  March 11, 2016 at 8:45 am | #
  
  Oh yes, you will love that, Sue! The Stampendous embossing paste is pretty awesome (need to show it) and I fell in love with the DecoArt Crackle Paste.
  
  Reply
Robin

March 10, 2016 at 9:35 pm | #

Loved this workshop!!! So fun to learn new techniques inspired by the Masters. Nathalie, I truly enjoyed your teaching style. I am so glad I went!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  March 11, 2016 at 8:44 am | #
  
  It was so awesome to have you Robin, you rock! I love love love the Jazzplayer you drew! You knocked it out of the park with that one! Thank you for coming and hope to see you some time again!
  
  Reply
Carol Moore

March 10, 2016 at 3:33 pm | #

Awesome workshop. Loved every minute. So thankful I was able to come to another one of your events. You are totally awesome.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  March 11, 2016 at 8:43 am | #
  
  Awe- Carol! thank you so much for coming – you are such a talented lady!!! I loved your patterns and awesome geometric approaches, totally amazing.
  
  Reply
Maura

March 10, 2016 at 12:08 pm | #

This was one of the best workshops ever taught at my store. Thanks Nathalie for teaching us so many amazing techniques and sharing your love of art with us. I can’t wait til you can return to teach us even more!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  March 11, 2016 at 8:42 am | #
  
  Thank you so much Maura for your amazing hospitality! It was wonderful as always and I cannot wait to see you again next year :)
  
  Reply
Joi@RR

March 10, 2016 at 10:08 am | #

These pictures are priceless. I always just love seeing how your art and your life and your vibrant personality touches the lives of so many when you do a workshop. What lovely art you inspired them all to create Nat. Such a great treat to see these ladies learning and growing and loving their art. XXj

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  March 11, 2016 at 8:41 am | #
  
  Awe- thank you Joi! It was an amazing group – hopefully someday I will see you in person too :)
  
  Reply
michelle ward

March 10, 2016 at 9:57 am | #

wow! look at all those fabulous pages and happy artists! bravo!!!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  March 11, 2016 at 8:40 am | #
  
  they were fab :) Thanks Michelle!
  
  Reply
nathalie-kalbach

March 10, 2016 at 9:42 am | #

It would have been so much fun to see you there and you would have loved seeing Carol’s boards inspired by your video in person. It was really cool!

Reply
Natalya

March 10, 2016 at 9:21 am | #

Wish I could have come to this workshop!

Reply

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Art Stroll: Malba – The Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires

Argentina Art Art Stroll Buenos Aires Inspiration Malba Traveling Artist

It’s been a couple months after coming back from Buenos Aires, but I still would love to show you one the highlights of my trip, which was my Art Stroll through Malba the Latin American Art Museum of Buenos Aires.

The Malba is actually a really funky building…and someone laid an egg in the basement too ;) It is a beautiful museum – the permanent collection is small but wonderful – the running exhibitions were amazing, but are not part of this post. Let’s stroll through the permanent collection:

Emilio Pettoruti, La cancion del Pueblo (The Song of the People), 1927 – Oil on wood

I love this one – it reminds me a lot of Picasso’s Three Musicians which is from 1921- and I wonder if he saw Picasso’s painting while he was in Europe. I love the patterns and the colors -it makes me want to create my own version :)

Joaquin Torres-Garcia, Calle de Nueva York (Street of New York) , 1920

MoMA has an exhibition with Torres-Garcia right now- which I will post about later – but I was happy to see more of his work after seeing these pieces in Buenos Aires.

Joaquin Torres-Garcia, Compositon symetrique universelle en blanc et noir (Universal Symmetric Composition in Black and White), 1931

Isn’t this gorgeous? I love it – and it would be so much fun to do an art journal page in this style.

Luis Ortiz Monasterio, El espiritu de la rey, 1933 – this bronze sculpture reminds me a bit of Fernand Leger’s Paintings – I love it!

Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait with Monkey and Parrot, 1942

Maria Martins, O Impossivel (The Impossible9, 1945 “It is nearly impossible to make people understand each other,”

I found this one a bit disturbing and yes aggressive but also faszinating and for some reason it made me think of Magritte’s “The Lovers” – just evoking different feelings.

Antonio Berni, Manifestacion (Public Demonstration), 1934 – Egg Tempera on Burlap

In the thirties art and politics were often a topic by artists. Artists engaged in collective work, political activism and debates. Images of rural and urban workers, as well as figures protesting or engaged in traditional celebrations, began to appear in often monumental pictorial works. The artwork made use of materials that gave artistic expression a social dimension. Burlap from a potato sack or tempera paint of the sort used murals were often chosen by politicized artist.

Maria Freire, Sudamerica N10, 1958

I love those polygonal forms – pretty amazing pattern.

Lidy Prati, Serial Composition, 1948 (1946)

Franz Krajcberg, Sin Titulo (Untitled), 1961 – burnt colored paper pulp on canvas

I could not stop looking at this- I wanted to touch it..but I didn’t ;) – the texture – swoon!!!

Kenneth Kemble, Suburban Landscape in Memoriam B.N., 1958 – Rusty metal sheet, oil and misc. on hardboard.

I loved seeing all the artwork with supplies that were around and on hand.

Luis Felipe Noe, Dos mujeres (Two Women) 1963 – Oil and Collage on Canvas

Jorge De La Vega, Pruebe de nuevo (Try Again), 1963 – Oil, paper, glued fabric, and glass on canvas

this is a rub off from the face on the right – so fascinating.

Jorge De La Vega, El dia ilustrisimo (The Illustrious Day), 1965 – Oil, glued canvases, frottage with charcoal on cut-out canvas, synthetic plaster, jewelry, mirrors, glass and plastic on canvas.

Nicolas Garcia Uriburu, Pastel on 4 Photographs, 1970

Beautiful Photo Alteration – I love to alter photos and of course the urban theme is dear to my heart.

And now- I had to include this although it wasn’t in the permanent collection. Hello giant rubber stamp!!!!!

Eduardo Navarro, The Mechanics of the Alphabet, 2015

It was a great museums visit- and if you ever go to Buenos Aires, definitely put Malba on your list.

What caught my attention was that there was actually quite some artwork by women- making it yet the more prominent how very few women are present in a lot of Museums throughout the world- naming MoMA for example – and it is not as if women in the 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s of the last century didn’t do wonderful and unique artwork.

The other fact that caught my eye was the variety of supplies that were used – my Mixed Media heart was beating a couple beats faster …in a happy way.

I hope you enjoyed this little art stroll! Which of the pieces I showed did you find most inspiring?

Nat

Comments (8)

Laura

February 8, 2016 at 1:38 pm | #

Love it Nat, thanks for sharing!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  February 11, 2016 at 3:55 pm | #
  
  thank you Laura, happy you enjoyed it!
  
  Reply
Susan Schultheis

February 8, 2016 at 12:24 pm | #

Wow, what fantastic art!! Thank you for sharing your visit to the museum. Since I wll probably never get there, this is the next best thing. I truly enjoyed.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  February 11, 2016 at 3:54 pm | #
  
  so glad you liked it Susan!
  
  Reply
Angie Winkler

February 7, 2016 at 10:36 am | #

Hey Nat- thank you for sharing!!! I loved so many styles you captured, but Emilio Pettoruti’s was fab to me today! (I also thought of Picasso due to CJS16!!! -I am still in progress – maybe done when I see you in a few weeks!?!????) Buenos Aires is on my list of destinations now!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  February 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm | #
  
  Yeah that one is amazing, isn’t it? I cannot wait to see you in Oklahoma, it is going to be super fun!!!
  
  Reply
cheryltoo

February 7, 2016 at 9:52 am | #

Hi Nat,
Thank you for this. I am so loving the two pieces by Joaquin Torres-Garcia. I want to do one for my city Toronto.
Thanks again,
Cheryl

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  February 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm | #
  
  that sounds wonderful cheryl – I hope you share when you are done!
  
  Reply

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Photos of the CHA 2016 Winter Show – or …Nat goes Anaheim

CHA 2016 Craft and Hobby Traveling Artist

At the beginning of the month I flew out to the CHA Winter Show. CHA – organized by the Craft and Hobby Association – is a trade show showing the latest craft industry trends and forecasts. It is also a yearly meeting point to network and attend seminars and workshops and a lot of Craft and Hobby Retailers are traveling from all over the world to come and check out whats new.

The Winter Show took place in Anaheim (as it has been the previous years) and it started off with a nice outside party (alas…it was pretty pretty cold in Anaheim this year)

Besides all the work and lot’s of meetings – the best part of CHA is meeting old and new friends :)

Here is my sweet friend Cat Scanlon (one of our Creative JumpStarters!) , Marjie Kemper and Jonathan Fong. We had a fun talk and evening together. I love hanging out with creative people :) I also had a wonderful breakfast with JumpStarter Joe Rotella, but wow- we forgot to take a picture …you know..the food was just more important ;)

Speaking of JumpStarters – here is Suze Weinberg– love her so much! It was just too short this time!

and then there was this crazy bunch – LOL. Nothing better than seeing my bestie Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and her mom and Dina Wakley – just keep a distance- lol- we are nuts…and we do not know how to take selfies ;)

We actually took this picture after our DVD signing for F+W (Art Journaling Live 2) – that was a lot of fun …despite the fact that Julie and Dina were stealing the best pens all the time ;)

Here we are with my sweet Dutch friends from The Craftorij – where I taught last summer. So good to see those girls again and I am glad we also got to spent some more time together later.

I actually had a bit of time to walk the floor and to check out some new/newish stuff. This watercolor brush by Kuretake which is extra long and can keep more water made me happy and was one of the first things I saw. Yep …I know…weird things can make you happy as an artist :)

I am dreaming of this paper by Hemptique – it is hemp paper and it was so wonderful and pliable and oh man i want to have it and paint on it!

I loved seeing Seth Apter and his amazing new dies with Spellbinder. He said his goal for this year is to get me use dies again …I am very tempted with his amazing designs!

I was also super excited to see my wonderful friend’s Birgit Koopsen new stamps and artwork with Carabelle – and I made those guys pose for a photo for her ;) – I just wish they would have flown her in- I miss my room mate at CHA – I actually just miss her period ;)

I loved seeing my friend Limor Webber – look at her beautiful smile and love that she visited me while I was demoing my new stamps at the Stampendous booth.

Love the new Neon Graffiti Set she came out with Lindy’s Stampgang- I love those spray paints.

I fell in love with this Marbling Set by Atelier de Paris – I hope I can find where to purchase it as you do not need any chemicals – you do the marbling in water with those colors- oh man – yeah

Spent more time with my friend Cat at the ArtC booth.

And got crazy excited about these amazing PrimaTek Watercolors by Daniel Smith – I cannot wait to play with those. They are made with authentic mineral pigments and create just the most amazing effects.

As mentioned I also worked and demoed at the Stampendous booth to show my new stamp sets and their possibilities :)

Apparently I have funny facial expressions when talking to other people…lol

Loved seeing those wonderful samples by the Stampendous Design Team using my sets :)

I also loved seeing my sweet friend Mou Saha at the Faber-Castell booth. We had a great time many years ago when she, Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and I were teaching in France…and Mou at that time actually saw snow for the first time. Since Mou now lives in NJ- I am sure she is done with snow by now ;)

I was excited to see that the Faber-Castell girls were using my stamps from the last release. Thank you so much!!!!

I also ran into Jamie Dougherty and Traci Bautista – so much fun those girls!

Something else that caught my eyes – Real Wood by Arc Crafts -omg- so cool! And wood sheets

I can see so many possibilities with this- can’t wait to play with this either :)

Oh and here is a picture of Julie, me and the amazing Rachel Greig from Darkroom Door. Rachel is going to host us for our Mixed Media Circus Art Journal Adventure Workshop in the Sydney area in Australia in April this year. We soooo cannot wait :)

And that was it from CHA in Anaheim. Next year for the first time the show will be in Phoenix, Arizona and I am actually quite happy about the change of scenery. Hope you enjoyed this little trip :)

Nat

Comments (14)

jyippeedom

February 1, 2016 at 8:05 pm | #

What a blast! So many fun things to see (and people). Thank you for sharing. Glad to hear it will be in Phoenix next year…I’ll be there! (maybe you’ll do a workshop while in town???)

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  February 1, 2016 at 8:21 pm | #
  
  I would love to janet, if there is a place and enough people to join. IF you have a source, place, let me know!
  
  Reply
Rae Missigman

January 27, 2016 at 12:16 pm | #

This looks like so much fun! It was like going on field trip! Looking forward to the time I can go and just stroll around! Maybe next year as I have family in Phoenix! Thank for sharing! xo

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  January 27, 2016 at 1:00 pm | #
  
  yeah- it would be wonderful to see you there!!!
  
  Reply
Birgit_Koopsen

January 27, 2016 at 7:10 am | #

haw miss you too! period! awesome post!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  January 27, 2016 at 1:03 pm | #
  
  next year you are in again ;) you better be!!!
  
  Reply
sunmoongal

January 26, 2016 at 4:11 pm | #

I love seeing CHA posts. Yours is great. When you get that paper I want to see it! Looks like a great time.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  January 26, 2016 at 5:48 pm | #
  
  I will def. let you know about the paper – it was really so cool- It felt like leather …and the texture- nom nom!
  
  Reply
linda-faber

January 26, 2016 at 12:38 pm | #

Thanks for the photo tour of CHA…looks like so much fun…always wondered what that would be like.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  January 26, 2016 at 5:47 pm | #
  
  Linda, it is fun – but it is also a lot of work. It is inspiring to see the new ideas and products but really the best of the show is meeting people.
  
  Reply
Joi@RR

January 26, 2016 at 10:22 am | #

Hehehehhe – this was sooooooooooooooooo fun to see Nat. Loved every inch of reading this and seeing the wonderful pictures. Highlight of my week. Thank you so so so much for sharing this. Hugs. j.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  January 26, 2016 at 5:45 pm | #
  
  thank you joi :) glad you enjoyed this! Have a wonderful day, hugs,nat
  
  Reply
Sue Clarke

January 26, 2016 at 8:30 am | #

Wood tape…white birch…must get some!
Thanks for sharing your CHA adventure and Arizona does sound nice for a change.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  January 26, 2016 at 5:45 pm | #
  
  Yeah – I am all up for Arizona next year. And yes- the wood tape looked really great as well as the wood paper.
  
  Reply

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Inspired by… The La Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires

Argentina Buenos Aires Inspiration La Recoleta Cemetery Traveling Artist

It might sound weird to have a title that indicates that one was inspired by a cemetery, but if you have ever been to La Recoleta Cemetery, a serene and peaceful, as well as beautiful resting place in the middle of a hustling and bustling city of Buenos Aires, I think you agree with me. I was intrigued by the beauty of the mausoleums, the decay, the symbols, the shapes and forms, the doors, the signs, the light, the flowers at places you would not expect flowers, the texture and more.

Overall all those details and unique resting places showed a deep love and appreciation for those that were lost and that was the most beautiful and inspiring thing about this place. I hope you liked this little- if a bit unusal – stroll through a cemetery.

——————–

How about a lively reminder to do something fun and creative for yourself in the upcoming year?

SALE: You get 25 videos for just $45 (USD) for a limited time if you sign up before December 31, 2015 at 11:59 pm (EST)!

After December 31st, 2015 it will be 50 USD. Sign up here!

——-

have a wonderful day

Nat

Comments (5)

William Charlebois

December 29, 2015 at 9:18 pm | #

I’ve never seen a cemetery that was so full of mausoleums. They really are beautiful!

Reply
Joi@RR

December 23, 2015 at 4:06 pm | #

Totally Awed… what incredible photos you took Nat. Of course me fav is the lock with the webs on it – WOW – that photo should win a prize. Loved the green door but hey – it was all just sooooo incredible to see. Hubby loved it too…. what a treat. Thank you. j.

Reply
Jane LaFazio

December 20, 2015 at 10:36 am | #

What an amazing place! It look huge! And beautiful. Great pics, Nat.

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Sue Clarke

December 19, 2015 at 8:55 am | #

Loved this stroll. The woman and the dog are very touching to me.
I must say that the “snake”-like creature with the “spirit”-person coming out of its mouth is something that I need to look at more and try to figure out.
As always, thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas Nat!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  December 19, 2015 at 12:03 pm | #
  
  Sue, I loved the woman and the dog one too. She apparently got killed in an avalanche while in Switzerland and then when her dog died,he was buried next to her and they put up the statue. As for the snake like creature-I have no idea what the meaning of it is- but I am intrigued. Have a merry christmas too my friend!
  
  Reply

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Inspired by Street Art in Buenos Aires

Argentina Buenos Aires Street Art Traveling Artist

One of my most favorite things about Buenos Aires was the sheer amount of Street Art EVERYWHERE. It was heaven for a street art fan like me. Street Art in Buenos Aires is mostly tolerated and accepted by the public because of a long tradition of self expression. A lot of house owners give street artists permission to use their houses as canvases. Street art is seen and received as art for the community. We took a really good tour by Graffiti Mundo explaining a lot of the artwork and some meaning behind it and saw lot’s of great street art on the tour but also on our own.

Teta y Salta is a mural created by the artist Franco Fasoli “Jaz” Franco , honoring two kids that were killed by the police in that neighborhood. Jaz studied scenography at the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires and works in blended mediums of latex paint, tar and gasoline, as well as in acrylic, aerosol and paper collage. Teta y Salta uses tar – which I thought to be amazing – it puts the street into street art ;) .

I love the background on this one- it was huge.

I love all the colors and patterns below- so much movement in it!

This one is a collaboration between Georgina Ciotti and Sordi. Love the illustrations.

Unfortunately I forgot to jot down the names of the two artists here -one artist from Berlin depicting the Berlin Bear and some other iconic signs for Berlin

and the other from Argentina doing the same.

The next mural was just amazing – you start with looking at the details

and then take in the whole picture- sooo cool!

The one below is again by Jaz and shows rivaling hooligans fighting each other- beast and mean.

Below is a mural by Pum Pum – another female artist- yeah

I do not know who did the background of this one below- which I sooo love- I want to do something similar in my art journal. But the cycling giraffes on top are by Stencil Land- a group of 6 artists.

I love the really elaborate lettering style of Nerf. He paints this free hand – no masking tape or else- INSANE

I liked this little dude!

and a hidden gem

And I recognized the one on the right right away as a piece by pixelpancho who also did a mural here in Jersey City (wah- I never posted it! – will do soon).

I love the bear with all the different colors so much :) Another thing that I would love to practice in my art journal.

this made me laugh

as well as this:

Did I mention street art everywhere?

And last but not least this one by Fintan Magee who did a mural in Jersey City as well.

Can you tell I loved it! There was so much more … ! I felt on an inspiration-high after walking through the streets. I hope you enjoyed these photos – you think that was all from Buenos Aires? Nope ..next I take you to the next beautiful cemetery I have ever been to (yes sounds morbid- but I promise it was beautiful!).

Have a gorgeous creative day

——

P.S.

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You get 25 videos for just $45 (USD) for a limited time if you sign up before December 31, 2015 at 11:59 pm (EST)! After December 31st, 2015 it will be 50 USD.

But wait – it gets better: as my valued reader, you’ll get $5 extra off today. Just use this coupon code during checkout:

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*This is a limited offer valid from 10:00 am Dec 4, 2015 to 11:59 pm EST on Dec 11, 2015.

Nat

Comments (6)

William Charlebois

December 29, 2015 at 9:14 pm | #

I love street art! I wish every city could be full of art. Where I live, you get arrested if you are caught painting on a building. Oh well. Your photos are wonderful!

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Joi@RR

December 23, 2015 at 3:54 pm | #

Just can’t imagine seeing this in person because it is sooo incredibly wonderful to see right here online that it must be mind boggling there. Wow. Nat – sure hope you can take some of these ideas and put your own spin on them for some stamps/stencils!!! Some of these look totally your style. WHAT a trip you had! Soooo happy happy happy to see these incredible photos…. thank you so much. j.

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Sue Clarke

December 15, 2015 at 7:48 am | #

What a wonderful post Nat. I can only imagine what kind of ladders and such are needed to create those HUGE murals and drawings.
Sadly, I will not be joining CJS 2016 as I never made it through all the videos for CJS 2015. I know that it will be another awesome January of inspiration! I continue to enjoy your posts with special interest in your neighborhood walks that you share. Happy Holidays!

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- nathalie-kalbach
  
  December 16, 2015 at 8:33 am | #
  
  Glad you liked it Sue! They do use those little crane waggons – I forgot what they are called in English – it is like a crane that has a basket and you can stand in it and control it yourself to get high up and paint. It is pretty amazing. No worries about CJS – I know your life is busy- but if you can still join during next year if you change your mind :) happy holidays to you too! Nat
  
  Reply
Linda on the Prairie

December 11, 2015 at 8:13 am | #

I think I need a trip to Buenos Aires if I can’t make it to your studio!

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- nathalie-kalbach
  
  December 16, 2015 at 8:31 am | #
  
  You would love it! I really enjoyed my time there!
  
  Reply

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Inspired by Buenos Aires, Argentina

Argentina Buenos Aires Traveling Artist

About a week ago I came back from a wonderful trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina. My husband had to work there and decided to take me with him for a short holiday over Thanksgiving. He is the best!!!

The flight itself was long – with a change in Houston we traveled almost 24 hours – but on the plus side – there is only a two hour difference to the East Coast at this time of the year, so the jet lag wasn’t as bad as going to Europe. I fell instantly in Love with the City!

Right now it is summer in Argentina – and the city is not only amazingly green …it is also purple as this tree, which I just learned from my friend Jane, is called Jacaranda Tree. And the one day it rained, the purple reflected on the streets ….did I say magical yet?

I think “shabby chic” was the word I used most often while describing what I saw :) The city is full of beautiful but also decayed buildings and a huge amount of street art – which I will dedicate a whole extra blog post to (oh yeah- you thought you would be spared of this, didn’t you ? ;) )

A former student of mine, Ceci and her husband Javier, were so wonderful to spent a day with us and show us around. It was so much fun! One of our stops was La Boca, a neighborhood in Buenos Aires. There are a couple of streets in the neighborhood that are well known for their colorful houses .

I totally enjoyed – the colors – loooveee! And of course the Argentines are very proud of their pope.

To not make this sound too romantic …this neighborhood is a very poor neighborhood and while there a two streets that are very touristy – which are the streets you should stick to on foot, it is pretty obvious that the colors and materials are not necessarily used as an artistic choice but rather to beautify what they have.

Nonetheless my heart rate went a bit up upon those sights and I was craving a sketchbook!

“Republica” La Boca is also very famous for it’s soccer team – to name only one famous player coming out of there: Diego Maradona.

Javier is a fan of the rivaling team …so he wasn’t very comfortable in the area- LOL

And of course what would be Argentina without Tango music and dance? Every time we took a cab with an older taxista, he had Tango playing …LOVE

And here are Ceci and Javier! Thank you two so much for a wonderful day! You are amazing and I am happy for our friendship!

I loved those floral paintings called Fileteado that you could spot on signs, or walls or busses all over the city.

Now ….may I ask all vegetarians to skip this picture? This country is definitely a heaven for the Steak lover. As my husband puts it after a very popular German book “Meat is my vegetable” . I enjoyed it a lot, but I am also on a meat diet since back :)

On Thursday we spent a couple hours downtown. This is the famous Casa Rosada, well …the back of it, which is most famous outside of Argentina, I guess, because of Eva Peron.

We went to the Plaza de Mayo at around 3.30 pm , not being aware that every Thursday around that time the Mothers and Grandmothers of the Disappeared march there. During the dictatorship in the 70s an estimate of 30,000 activists, students and journalists were “made to disappear” by the regime and the mothers of those children started marching in silent protest with the pictures of their children in front of the Casa Rosada every Thursday. I had just recently read and watched a documentary by the New York Times about the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo and I was very very touched by this, it is very emotional. I recommend to watch it, but be aware it might make you cry as well!

And even though this picture is a bit dark …can you count the lines of cars? I counted 13 lines while trying to get over the street before the light turned red – no island in the middle – just saying – and this is just in one direction. So believe me, when I say the streets in Buenos Aires are wide …although this one was by far the widest, I have seen :)

And how about Thanksgiving? We spent Thanksgiving with loads of friends from the States and from Argentina and managed to create a decent ….kind of ….Thanksgiving dinner for our argentine friends …instead of Turkey we had 3 pre-roasted chicken, the stuffing had a little south-american twist, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pies (yeah for pie filling cans ;) ) as well as cornbread. There was a lot of singing , guitar playing and eating …and as you see even a little sign for everyone to add their thankful thoughts too. A Thanksgiving that I won’t forget- it was amazing!!!

There is more coming …but I think you need a little break :) Have a gorgeous day my friends – hope the pictures did inspire you a little bit!

Nat

Comments (6)

William Charlebois

December 29, 2015 at 9:26 pm | #

I love the colorful buildings! The buildings here in Michigan are boring!

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joi

December 8, 2015 at 4:07 pm | #

Oh no – SPARE ME NOTHING… want to see it all Nat! This was a wonderful post. Wow. Only you could describe a place by saying – green and purple!!!! Love it!!! The fileteado flowers look like YOU – makes me think of your stamps. Good idea for your next stamp set???!!!!!!! :) As I was looking at the colorful buildings, I thought how much I would love to live in a neighborhood where everyone just painted their homes any way they wanted to with all sorts of decor railings, shutters, and graffiti. I love bright and bold so I would be a happy camper in such a neighborhood. When I was a little girl – our house was bright pink!!!! What a fabulous way to spend Thanksgiving. I loved seeing your list at the end… you are right – that will be a valued memory forever. j

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Teresa

December 8, 2015 at 2:15 pm | #

How beautiful to see my country through your eyes! Thank you for sharing that! I will be pending when you post more!
I’ll Wanderlust as a student in 2016, so I will learn from you!

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Barb J

December 8, 2015 at 11:42 am | #

Nathalie,
Thanks for sharing this interesting and colorful city with your readers.
I envy all the fantastic places you get to visit. You are so lucky to be able to travel with your career and when you husband goes on business trips.
Enjoy the Christmas holiday.

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Arlene Baker

December 7, 2015 at 7:49 pm | #

Hi, Nathalie. My boyfriend of 17 years and counting , took me to Argentina for 3 months a few years ago (aren’t I a lucky one!). We spent 1-1/2 mos in Buenos Aires. If you should ever go back, here are a few additional things to entice you:
Xul Solar (a little jewel of a museum dedicated to Xul Solar’s art, Laprida 1212, );
an unbelievable pastry shop–I believe it’s called La Burdalesa, Av. Santa Fe and Fray Justo Sta. Maria de Oro; Museo del Patrimonio, Riobamba 750 – 1 Piso;
our favorite restaurant (we went there six times, I think), Eh! Santino, Baez 194–try the lomo panceta and the seafood pasta (might have to ask the owner to make you this one–it’s not always on the menu).;
Los 36 Billares, Av. de Mayo 1271–a small, local (no tourists) tango bar with great food and a pool hall in the back that’s just for men (no women allowed).
Eh! Santino isn’t getting rave reviews right now (my boyfriend just checked), so it may have changed since we were there, but the area has many great restaurants.
I would go back to Buenos Aires any time!
–elizabeth

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Karen D

December 7, 2015 at 7:23 pm | #

Great pics Nathalie, Buenos Aires looks like a very interesting, and colourful city. I loved seeing all the art work on the buildings.

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Art Stroll: The Art Institute of Chicago

Art Art Stroll Chicago Museum Traveling Artist

Disclaimer: This post includes artwork with abstract or not so abstract nudity – it is not called Sodom and Gomorrah – it is called ART . If you have a problem with art, all I can say ” so sorry for you!” . Don’t email me to complain, don’t visit my blog anymore because I might post things like this again and, farewell!

A couple of weeks ago I met two of my old friends in Chicago for a girl’s weekend. It was wonderful and a long due time together. And not only did I get to spend time with good friends …we also sneaked an Art Stroll in and went to the Art Institute of Chicago. I had visited the Art Institute a couple years ago but somehow forgot that the museum is mooohasive. So here is just a couple of the things that I was able to see and that caught my eyes :)

Roy Lichtenstein, George Washington- 1962 – an early Lichtenstein – I love seeing how he developed from there.

Jasper Johns, Numbers – 2005 – the texture makes me swoon – and I love that Jasper Johns repeated his known design in white bronze. He says “I like to repeat an image in another medium to observe the play between the two”

Another Jasper Johns – False Start – 1959 – which I have only seen in books so far – stunning!

Joan Miró, The Kerosine Lamp – 1924 – love the lines and the little clues and marks

This Miró – Two Personages in Love with a Woman – 1936 – made me smile !

And another Miró – Portrait of Juanita Obrador – 1918 – all three paintings not in chronological order here- are so different and it is interesting to see how Miró changed his style throughout the years.

Ohhh Jean Dubuffet – you make me happy! It is as if his visual idea of “Supervielle, Large Banner Portrait” – 1945 – was processed through his body and then came unrefined through his hands onto this canvas !

Georges Braque, Ajax – 1949-1954 – I love the int of color, the line work and the figure. It is a painting I would have not associated with him.

I am always excited when I see a Max Ernst Painting- his texture work is just unreal ! This appears 3 dimensional but is all painted – The Blue Forest , 1925.

And this painting by Max Ernst made me smile – well more the title actually – Human Figure with Two Birds – 1925 and 1929 .

Max Beckmann – Self Portrait – 1937 – I am always fascinated by Max Beckmann’s hands.

Pablo Picasso – The Red Armchair – 1931 – Love the colors and it totally reminded me of his “Girl before a Mirror” painting at MoMA – alas – no wonder – it is the same mistress Marie Therese in both paintings.

I also took a peak at the Hiratsuka Un’ichi Print Exhibition

Girl with Calico Patterned Background -1948 – Woodblock Print. The details-the patterns – swoon!

Angel Dreaming Room – 1971 – Woodblock Print.

Kingfisher – 1928 – Woodcut Print

I did not take note of the name of this one -but I love it so much – I had to include it.

Mount Aso in Kyushu, 1935 – Color woodblock print – amazing – look a the cloud- it has texture and all those different colors – beautiful!

That was it from the Art Institute in Chicago Art Stroll. I really enjoyed being there – I saw so much more but it was such an overload – I hope to come back soon and revisit some areas more leisurely. Hope you enjoyed the stroll! More coming soon :)

Nat

Comments (4)

Barb J

October 19, 2015 at 3:49 pm | #

Thanks for sharing these priceless pieces of art.

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  October 20, 2015 at 12:35 pm | #
  
  So glad you enjoyed them Barb!
  
  Reply
Gayle

October 19, 2015 at 9:38 am | #

I absolutely love your disclaimer!

Reply
- nathalie-kalbach
  
  October 20, 2015 at 12:34 pm | #
  
  :) Thanks Gayle- unfortunately it has become necessary due to emails or comments regarding showing art containing nudity or swear words
  
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Blog: Traveling Artist

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What is the last new mixed media technique you explored?

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I hope you enjoyed this little art stroll! Which of the pieces I showed did you find most inspiring?

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