Machine Politick

My friends in the Buford Artists’ Group are organizing our next show. Here is a list of our participating artists:

1. Anita Stewart: Instructor/owner of Anita’s Artscool in Buford, GA; Mixed Media &             Acrylics

2. Beth Arnold: Retired Teacher,; specializes in Acrylic and Watercolor landscapes

3. Beth Stokes Clinton: Specializes in landscapes in Oil based on her travels including France and China.

4. Carol Luttenberg: Signature Watercolor artist, originally from PA;  now experimenting with colored inks and liquid watercolor on Yupo

5. Dolly Alexander: Originally from Texas, specializes in dry pastels.  She is known as “The Cloud Lady” for her unique rendition of clouds

6. Frances Byrd: Political activist and social conscience.  Works in Acrylics.  SCAD graduate and visionary artwork

7. Howard Wilemon: Retired Engineer. Very distinctive style.  Paints in Acrylics.

8. Judith Surowiec: Paints very colorful and surrealistic scenes in acrylics.  Studio at Tannery Row Artist Colony in Buford, GA

9. June Gotthardt: Paints landscape scenery of North Carolina mountain region.

10. Lois Colborn: Self taught Visual Artist.  Specializes with watercolor on Yupo which feature still life, abstract, or landscape as well as her own “Tiffany” look.

11. Lucy Brady: Paints in Watercolor and specializes in landscapes from National State Parks.  Also House portraits

12. Rosemary Benavides Williams: Originally from MA, Watercolor Instructor at the Sugar Hill Community Center

More details will be posted as they develop. The show is currently scheduled for October 13 – February 23, 2011. The venue is the George Pierce Park Community Center in Suwannee, Georgia. I am planning to submit work from the Patriot Pony Project.

After a long absence due to event preparations, I have returned with press and photos to share for The Patriot Pony Project’s first event. There was not a hitch to speak of regarding the event, although my son was greatly disappointed to miss it due to a nosebleed. My husband and I took lots of pictures, so Avery was able to enjoy those after he recovered. A horseback ride on his favorite horse, Luke, and 4 days on the farm were ample compensation as well.

I would like to take a minute to thank all of you for the moral and financial support you have lent to my efforts. I could not continue to work as hard as I do without help from those of you who share my passion for America and recognize the importance of a cultural revolution. To that end, and due to the success of this first event, I hope to return to the farm in the fall to install a large scale Liberty on the side of Claire and Bob’s barn. I will post details as soon as the date is set and work begins on the project.

Thanks to Barry Reeger for coming out from the Tribune-Review to cover the event. You can find more photos on my blog at MachinePolitick.com

This article will be cross-posted at Liberatchik

The main event yesterday went very well. I will write something about the experience once things settle down a bit. In the mean time I will post photos of the event. We are also listed on the front page of the local section for the Tribune-Review today. It is the second article they posted about the trip.

Claire's Spring House

Looking out across Claire's back yard

Looking up the hill to Claire's labyrinth

The back side of the barn

I am exhausted after a long day on the farm. Here is the short list for today’s activities: taking photos, updating the blog, driving over to the farm, cleaning the barn, setting up tables with merchandise, hanging photographs, pricing work, etc..

I will be up bright and early tomorrow, I hope, to go over and put the finishing touches on everything. I met the horses today and spent some time building trust with Holly, who will be my canvas tomorrow. She is a beautiful dappled horse whose pattern shows very nicely through the paint.

Now I have to finish my speech, so I’m off! I’ll have details for you tomorrow night.

The following photos are work that will be available for the June 12th event. I will be working in my studio until then to create more artwork based on photos Claire has sent from her farm. I will also be working on merchandise, such as greeting cards, bumper stickers, and t-shirts for the event. New work will be posted as I take photos.

Work in Progress:

Finished Art:

These images will be cross posted at Liberatchik.com

Layout and sketch work.

Mural in progress.

Details

I have suspended work on Frankie’s mural indefinitely in order to concentrate on the Patriot Pony Project. If all goes well, I will be back in the shop before I leave for Pennsylvania.

These images will be cross posted at Liberatchik.

Lino block for hand printing posters, carved and inked by hand in my studio.

This is a photo of my work table (built by my husband) where I create most of my art and work on my computer. The cat in the box is my husband’s, named Odin. He thinks the new kittens (Hank and Abby) and the dog (Ty) can’t find him up there.

Hand printed posters hanging in my studio to dry.

This photo is from the opposite corner of my desk, showing the printed posters hanging to dry. In the background you can see some old paintings from college (the portrait) and the years I wasted trying to paint what other people like (the goddesses).  About 8 years ago, I realized I needed to follow the old cliche about painting my passion, and switched gears to political art. The rest may or may not be history one day, but I find myself motivated to work regardless of the obstacles in my path and haven’t far to go for inspiration.

Patriot Pony Project posters drying on my home made easel.

These prints are hanging from a large easel I made from a design my friend Alvaro shared with me. Behind them, you can see a large canvas that will one day be home to the life and death of Che Guevara. I spent several years researching the monster in an attempt to better understand why he is so idolized. I never got there, but I did find out that people need to be educated regarding his true motives and accomplishments, none of which are endearing; even coming from his own journals.

You can also see the under painting for a new Liberty a portion of a mixed media series built around computer circuit boards.

I have been working hard in my studio lately and wanted to share my progress with my supporters. Thanks to all of you who keep up with me and send your encouragement. Right now, I have not had time for much other than preparing for the upcoming fund raiser for the Patriot Pony Project. In addition to my own contributions toward supplies and marketing, several people have made donations toward my lodging, gas, restroom facility rental, and general event organization. I have currently reached half of my fund raising goals and greatly appreciate the support and well wishes I have received so far.

The photos above are from my studio on the day I was printing the posters. Each is hand printed using a lino block that I cut myself. The process is very similar to traditional wood block printing. The block is carved and inked by hand. The paper is placed directly on the inked surface of the block, then rubbed to transfer the ink. When lifted, the image creates a one of a kind piece of art.

I am currently in the process of hand coloring, signing and numbering the series of 50 posters printed in this set. These prints will be available for purchase at the fund raiser on the 17th for $20 each. I will likely do another printing before the main event in June. All of the proceeds from the fund raiser in my home will go toward funding the trip to Pennsylvania in June. The money raised at that event will be used to promote my efforts to build a Conservative art movement.I will be making an announcement when Ii return in June regarding the fall event, then post updates as more artists get involved, revealing the full nature of the event before I drive up to execute a large scale piece of public art.

When I  return to Whispering Winds in the fall for this large scale event, I plan to launch Liberatchik and organize a group show for Conservative artists who are concerned about the growth of government and loss of Liberty that have escalated during the recent and last administrations on Washington.

More than anything else, I am looking forward to meeting some of the people who are working so hard to defend America. It is often discouraging, and always a challenge. However, I am continually inspired and amazed by the people I speak to in my activism. I hope to use these events to share my passion and love for America with some of you and inspire you to find new and creative ways to use your own talents to spread a positive message about our great nation and the people who sacrifice so much to defend it.

My posting has been light lately because I have been busy preparing my home for a fund raising event. On April 17, from 1-4:30 I will be hosting a viewing of the Tea Party Documentary with the help of my local FairTax coordinator. I will have art and merchandise for sale to raise money for my trip to Pennsylvania in June for the launch of the Patriot Pony Project. This event is also intended to be a networking opportunity for all attendees, with information provided to help activists promote Conservative principles more effectively.

For those of you in the Atlanta area, this is an opportunity to view my work in person. Because the event is in my home, there will be no high pressure gallery twerp trying to regale you with their vast artistic knowledge, or lack thereof. You will be able to view the work as it would look in your home, with a true sense of scale and lighting rather than the vast, washed out environment of a gallery. Smaller merchandise such as hand made greeting cards, posters and  jewelry will also be available for purchase. While I will gladly accept donations, I would prefer that you purchase something tangible to remind you of the day you helped kickstart the Conservative revolution in the arts.

My husband and author, Jay, will be available at 4pm to sign copies of his book The Light of Day for those of you who own a copy. It is available at Amazon and at the Barnes and Noble on Webb Ginn House Road in Snellville.

Here are some photos of the place where all my creative projects come to life. I hope to meet you in person on the 17th.

Frances

I picked up a pair of overalls for painting recently.

A view of one of my Liberty paintings in the studio across the large table where I work on the computer and smaller art projects.

The Patriot Pony Project

JOIN US:  SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2010

WHISPERING WINDS FARM, 1418 OLD STATE ROUTE 119,

MT. PLEASANT, PENNSYLVANIA, 15666-3511 – 724.547.2550

I got up at 6am today, which is an absolute miracle. I’ve been straightening up the house and getting our pets ready for our absences. The cars are packed, directions are in hand, and I will wake up my son shortly for breakfast.

Below, you will find photos of the art that will be available for sale at the event on Saturday. I have no idea how this is going to go, but this is where you will find updates on our travels and the event as I post them.

Thank you to everyone for their support and assistance on this project!! You are all wonderful, and my gratitude is enormous.

The following images are greeting cards that I made for the event.  Each card is hand printed and the details are either colored or painted by hand. Cards will be available individually, or in packs of 5 and 10. Thanks again to my friends Sarah and Amy for helping me finish this portion of the project.

T-shirts are on their way to PA from the printer. I will post a photo when I get there. Several designs are also available online at Redbubble.com. There will also be a variety of hand made jewelry available at the event. I apologize for not having photos available in advance.

There will be coloring pages and crayons available for children at the event. If weather permits on Friday, I am planning to stencil the Pony logo on Claire’s spring house for the children to paint as well.

Finally, here are the banners that will be used in the parade of horses for the main event. Each is about the size of half a horse blanket and will hang on one side of the horses. They are all hand painted and will be available for viewing after Claire and I speak about our project and I paint her horse as part of a performance art demonstration.

The Patriot Pony Project June 12, 2010

Dear Fellow Patriot,

My name is Frances Byrd. I am a wife, mother and political artist. My work is not typical of the genre, as I am a Conservative who believes in limited government and the individual. The main goal of my work is to promote these ideas as well as to explain the importance of Liberty and my passion for America. I have been working very hard to build an art movement for others like me who may be afraid to voice their opinions or are afraid they are alone. Every day, I find more people who share my views and passion and our movement is growing.

I have begun planning The Patriot Pony Project with my friend Claire in Mt. Pleasant , Pennsylvania. More information on the project and my portfolio can be found at http://www.machinepolitick.com . Here is a short description of what I am planning:

• I will create an equine based performance art exhibition where I will paint patriotic symbols on Claire’s horses. The paint is non-toxic and the horses are painted by children regularly, as part of Claire’s therapy business.

• I will speak about the project’s formation and my passion for Liberty and America. I will also give a short description of my larger projects. Claire will speak about her farm and the programs she provides to her community.

• The audience will then be invited to ask questions, tour the facilities at Whispering Winds, and view fine art in the horse barn.

I take great pride in the fact that I do not apply for public funding of my work through grants or fellowships. I work from home, make many sacrifices to fund my work and do it entirely out of my own pocket. I have long opposed the NEA and I look forward to the day when art is once again funded by the private sector. One of the main goals of my efforts and the movement I am building is to promote art based on its merits, rather than its shock value.

I humbly appeal to your generosity in order to make these goals a reality. The influence that art and entertainment have on our culture is tremendous. It is time we had a say in the direction our country is going and the message that we want to pass on to future generations. Please consider making a donation, sending supplies from my wish list, or purchasing art and merchandise from my site. I prefer that you purchase something tangible to remind you of your contribution to this important effort. I don’t want a handout, but I can’t do this alone. If you can, pass this letter on to your friends.

Thank you in advance for your support and your time. I greatly appreciate all of the wonderful feedback I receive about my efforts. The future of our nation and our culture is in our hands. Will you take a stand with me?

Sincerely,

Frances Byrd

www.machinepolitick.com

In an effort to make this project and the future of American culture as successful as possible, I am asking everyone to pass it on as far and wide as possible. Repost on your blog, send to friends, submit to your local paper and anything else you can think of. I will be cross posting at Liberatchik as well. Please consider joining our Facebook page.