My wacky week of art production has been much ado about–you guessed it–tin cans.
It hasn’t been a can of worms, exactly, but it hasn’t yet let up, either. In fact, it may have intensified. To be sure, things in my life are far from calm—far from boring—far from what I’d expected even a few months ago.
Given the pace, I’ve still not read, in a number of days, a single post written by my blog buddies. (Sorry. Truly, I am. I miss you all!) Nor have I written one word of my own. In fact, these few sentences may be as good as it gets for now.
Below, however, are a few photos of my weekend creations. Hope you enjoy.
First are images of a piece I created for my nephew Johnny’s birthday. Recently, Johnny started college and moved into his first apartment. He asked me to make something for his new home that incorporated a palette of black, white, and red. I don’t generally use a lot of red in my work, so this took me a bit out of my creative comfort zone—though not so far that cat food cans weren’t involved. Go figure.
This weekend also launched the college football season here in the US. In honor of that, I created more cat food can Christmas ornaments, one of which, in particular, pays tribute to our local University of Kentucky Wildcats.
I’m going to create two more pieces similar to the one I did for Johnny, only with different color palettes. The first will incorporate purples, pinks, and greens and include, among others, the can below.
The second will also use Coke tabs to explore variations on the flower motif, this time, a tin can garden in green, blue, and pink.
Finally, I couldn’t help but recreate the kind of pencil-holder-from-soup-can I last tried back in Kindergarten. Hopefully, my technique has improved since then.
Today is a holiday in the US, Labor Day to be specific. If you live in my part of the planet, what will you do to celebrate? (Somehow I bet it won’t involve making art out of cat food cans.) If you’re from another part of the world, does your country have a holiday that celebrates the value of hard work and national pride based on that labor?
Happy Labor Day to each of you, wherever you live!
Note: I may be doing a protected post again soon. Remember, the password for all protected posts is “mother.“
Kathryn McCullough
Sara (Kathy's partner)
I love looking at photos of your can creations. Keep them coming! By the way, the photos themselves are as beautiful as the artwork portrayed in them.
OMG–can’t believe you are praising my photos! You are such a gifted photographer! You have made my day, dear Heather! Happy Labor Day to you in South Africa.
Aw, shucks. Thanks. I really do love the photos, especially the one of the Kentucky can.
Thanks, Heather!
These can creations are spectacular! At first glance I thought they were reinvented hub caps! Gosh – you are pretty amazing; I just might look though my out-for-recycling tin cans and see what I can come up with. Great idea, thank you!
Oh, yes, Jennifer, go look through your recycling. There is gold out there, for sure. How funny that you thought they were hubcaps. I know which images you are referring to, however. Those are old chrome knobs placed inside a cat food can. Have a great day, my friend.
I think the pencil holders may be a great seller. I love all of it. Your creative juices are flowing and I think you should keep at it as long as it lasts. I know you’ll be back. Thanks for sharing your work.
So happy to hear you like the pencil holder. I love the colors on that one. Do you have any idea what folks might be willing to pay for such an item? And, yes, I’ll be back alright!
I’m jealous of the art that Johnny is getting! I know of a fantastic little black and red house that would be PERFECT for/in. As usual Kathy your art work is beautiful. And fun. And I can’t wait to see more!!!!
I can’t believe how many folks are responding to the piece I did for Johnny. I’ll have to keep those colors in mind for you.
Have you had a good weekend so far? Have you been for a ride? It’s been raining here, so we’ve been stuck in the house.
It’s raining right now. I painted some in the basement. Trying to figure out what to do with it. This is when it would be handy to have color handy friends living close by
. I thought Johnny’s art was fabulous. Not to mention the other pieces. But the black and red got to me.
Wish I lived closer so I could come talk basement colors with you. I love CHATTING about that kind of thing.
Ah, warm and cozy colors. Sara’s favorite color is orange–definitely falls in that category. Happy picking!
I started looking today. Nothing says PICK ME yet.
I was looking in the orange world of colors!
Wait till I tell Sara you are leaning toward orange. She will definitely approve!
Try to get a photo. I don’t know that I’m as good as Sara, but she could definitely make a recommendation. And I could give it shot.
Okay. I will do that today and put it on facebook for you guys.
cool!
I want Johnny’s present since red is my favorite color!!!! Beautiful!!!!! You are so gifted!!!! I think my fav is the one with the sea urchin!!! Amazing! My day will be spent doing a few things in the yard with top priority replacing river rocks in the bed where the turkeys have scratched it out in the yard looking for fallen bird seed!
How funny that you have turkeys at your house. Do you live in the country? It’s great that you’ll be able to work in the yard–turkeys or not. It’s been raining here, but, gosh, we need it!
love-ly, I can only imagine you must feel so comforted surrounded by your work. very nice to see. xxx Leigh
Thank you so much, Leigh. It does feel good to have my stuff around. You’re right about that. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Great to hear from you!
Those are so neat! I really like them! Are you on pinterest? You should put your idea on there! I’m impressed!
I started to set up a page, but haven’t gotten very far. It exists, but there’s not much there as of yet. Happy Labor Day, my friend!
I’m doing one last pass on my first book today. Definitely laboring, but fun.
You will sell as many of those UK cans as you can make, I predict.
I think you may be right about the UK cans. They may well go like crazy here in Lexington. Folks here are insane about Wildcat anything. Good luck with your book today. Great to hear from you, Andra. Thanks!
Tara and I are headed to our favorite part of Portland, the Hawthorne District, for an afternoon of vintage shops, record stores, and people watching. Hope you and Sara have a fun, relaxing day!
Sara and I are up to our elbows in art production today, so we’re sort of “working”–but the fun kind of work. Hope you and Tara have a happy Labor Day!
I agree with Beth Ann! Red is my fave color too and that piece for your nephew is gorgeous! I also agree with Andra. Your UK cans are bound to be a big hit! For Labor Day I’m trying not to strangle my kids.
I think I remember now your having mentioned loving red. I’ll keep that fact in mind. Don’t strangle the kids, Sista. That wouldn’t be good–at least not for the boys. LOL! Happy Labor Day, my friend!
Johnny is, I’m sure, delighted for this gift from his auntie! What a nice job. It’s good to be busy…as long as we’re not too busy. We’re not doing much this weekend except awaiting the arrival of our son. He’s coming for a few days–we haven’t seen him in a long time. Can’t wait!
I hope Johnny likes his gift. I’ve not given it to him yet, so we’ll see. Hope you have a wonderful visit with your son. That sounds like a lovely time! Happy Labor Day, my friend!
Kathryn, your work is SO intricate, detailed and beautiful — I simply cannot believe the work that goes into one can! I can’t (no pun intended) imagine how you do it!! Happy Labor Day … take the day off, sweetie pie!!
So happy to hear you like my work, Betty. And I will admit to making a little less art today, but, God forbid, I not labor at all on Labor Day. LOL Thanks for reading, my friend!
Stunning work and fab pics!
Oh, thanks so much, Jackie. Happy to hear you like it! Hope your day has gone well.
I reeeally like your black and red. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand you need more of those wildcat ones than any others for 3rd street stuff!
Yeah, I think you’re right about that, Jessie. I suppose, as Andra said, I’ll sell as many of those as I manage to make. Cats-crazed Lexington, as you know!
I simply cannot believe the incredible talent that keeps spilling out of you! Beautiful!
Oh, thank you, Chris. I suppose I’m all about spillage these days. LOL No, seriously, great to hear from you today!
I bet Johnny is going to have the nicest apartment of all his friends thanks to your colorful artwork. Well done!
Oh, thanks, Jackie. You are such a sweetie. I haven’t seen Johnny yet to give it to him, but my sister, his mom, came by today and loved it. Hope he does, too.
Awesome stuff !! Xx Kel
Thanks, Kel. Go happy to hear you like it! Hope you’re doing well!
It seems to have been THAT kind of week for many of us … too busy to blog, too busy to read and comment on blogs. I say we all forgive each other and move on!
I love the red, black and white piece you created for Johnny! Looking at it, I would never guess you struggled with it. Being out of your comfort zone seems to promote another level of creativity in you!
I didn’t celebrate today. I just used the extra time to catch up on things that needed doing around the house.
Amen to forgiving one another and moving on! And I’m thrilled that you don’t think I look like I struggled with Johnny’s gift. Thanks, my friend!
you are so creative!!! i love it!!…and since the pics are in such close up one really gets to see the finish and the details….<3
Oh, thank you. So happy to enjoyed seeing the details. And I’m delighted you liked my work. Great to hear from you today!
lovely detailing and great finish..you are so good at what you do!!..<3
Oh, thank you. How sweet of you to say that. I tend to enjoy doing the tiny details. Glad you appreciate it. Hope you’ll stop back by again soon!
Your designs are truly spectacular and very creative. Hope you make your quota and come up for air soon, and when you do, hope you’ll check out the post I wrote this weekend on Clint Eastwood and his chair incident.
Thanks, Monica. I read your post about the chair. I LOVED it! Really, really loved it, my friend. Hope your week is going well!
Another very inspired installation Kathy. Johnny’s a lucky guy to have an aunt as creative as you. My niece, Sweet Pea, just started college last week. All she’s getting from me is a card with fifty bucks that she’ll probably blow at Starbuck’s and Mickey D’s.
You’re a sweetie, Virginia. If I had 50 bucks, I would probably have done the same. However, I know you don’t have extra 50s hanging around either, so I’m SURE Sweet Pea appreciated your generosity!
If not, Starbuck’s and Mickey D’s surely will. Who’s Virginia?
Ooops, sorry. I have no idea who she is!
Probably a librarian that’s always urging kids to shut up.
That’s got to be her! She probably rides a broom to work at her very own version of the grind.
And keeps all the baseballs that land in her yard.
Now that would be me! No, just kiddin’. That would be Sara! LOL
No, that would be Ralph.
When I see the word Create on one of the decorated cans, it is so appropriate for you Kathy, when you can create stunning objects from cat food cans! Amazing!!
Australia celebrates Australia Day on the 26th of January each year, which is when the first settlers arrived in Australia (with convicts in tow!) We also have Anzac Day on April 25th, in memory of all of the fallen soldiers since World War 1. They are the two main holidays in Australia, as we don’t have anything like Thanksgiving, which I think is a lovely idea. Each state has a Labour Day on different days of the year, but I’m not even sure what that one is for!
Oh, Joanne, thank you. You are so sweet. And how interesting that each state in Australia had its own Labor Day. Fascinating. And I had forgotten about the convicts that were sent there. Hope you are doing well, my friend. Great to hear from you!
LOVE the UK one. Too cool!
Glad you like the UK one, Tori. I think they will be fairly popular. We’ll see. Hugs to you and Thomas! Miss you all!
I can see Sara pulling her hair out, “Not only cat food tins but pop tabs too?!?” I’d love to see you do a whole desk set. I’m betting the football themed ornaments will be big sellers. Miss your comments on my blog. Glad you’re feeling productive.
Oh, Lisa, I will stop by your blog this evening. I will leave a comment there about something else that’s happening that is keeping me so busy. I miss your posts!
Love these! So innovative. I am a writer ad a weaver and have a show coming up so this makes me want to get of the computer and back to the tactile. Oh and live wat you do with even just the tabs. Brilliant.
Thanks so much. I would love to see your work. Do you have a blog or website? I appreciate your stopping by and taking the time to comment! Great to hear from you.
“love what.” typing on iPad actually and crappy at it…
Typo is my middle name, and I can’t even blame it on an iPad. LOL
Kathy, you continue to amaze me with your artistic talent! Wow! You could start a business selling your art…it is unbelievable!
Oh, thanks, Nicole. Actually, I am in the process of selling some of my work and possibly setting up a business. We’ll see. Great to hear from you today!
Love these so much, Kathy. Even the photos of your art are works of art.
I hope you found some time to rest from your labors on Labor day.
I’m happy to hear you even like the photos. That means a lot coming from you. I didn’t get a break on Labor Day, but, I have to admit, I enjoyed my creative labor. Thanks, Robin.
I love Johnny’s black and red birthday surprise! I think I’m drawn to repetitive geometric designs and the illusion of predictability. It’s calming and interesting at the same time. I keep going back to look at it more. I really like how you flipped the first and last cans (but I have no idea why I like it). Really cool stuff. How did Johnny like it? It must be fun having an artist for an aunt.
Unfortunately, I still haven’t seen Johnny to give him his gift, and it’s been a week since his birthday. He’s a busy college freshman with not enough time to hang with his aunt. Alas. I too am drawn to the repetition in geomentric designs. I agree that it’s calming!
The sea urchin kind of freaked me out, though. See? I’m just not cut out for visual art. I’d have to “fix” the thing that didn’t “belong.” I really like that you incorporate words too. Words make me happy.
Best,
Tori
People have responded both ways to the sea urchin. I don’t know why. I can see though how it might feel weird, but responses have been strong–either love or hate. Hmmmmmmmm
PS I made a pencil cup for my dad for Christmas. I tiled it with keys from an old broken laptop. I had a really hard time not putting the letters in some kind of order and then ended up trying to plan some randomness. I gave up and spelled out some words and filled in the rest without looking at what key I picked up. It was really kind of stressful. Is that weird?But Daddy really liked it, so it was worth it.
OMG, Tori, I ADORE that idea! I totally adore it. WIsh I had thought of it. You have terrific ideas! I may have to steal this one!
Your talent and creativity knows no bounds. Great stuff, Kathryn! xoxo
Thanks, Julia. Let me assure you though, it knows bounds–but just refuses to abide by them. LOL
Yup – I think I commented on the wrong post…….
I MEANT to say “Look at you go – you crafty woman, you! I LOVE these!” On THIS post!!
Hmmmmmmm How can you comment on the wrong post? I love comments on any and all posts! LOL Happy for the mistake!
Love these, Kathy! Red is my favourite colour, so I was happy to see you incorporate it into some of your artwork.
So happy to hear you like the red, Dana! I need to use more of it, I suppose. I don’t know why it so infrequently occurs to me. Hugs to you, dear Dana!