Paint Your Doormat - Great Kid Project

One of my favorite things about being a mom is teaching my son how to make art. We have so much fun painting and drawing together. It’s also very important to me to use recyled materials. I noticed that our doormat was looking very worn and I started to hunt for new designs, then I thought why don’t I just paint it. I started painting the doormat myself with acrylic paints like a mosaic. Brady saw what I was doing and he decided to join the fun. He started to smear the paint and mix the colors. I actually really loved his method. Kids have a way of creating that is so free and exploratory. After the design is complete spray with a clear UV Acrylic Coating. Enjoy!

Materials you’ll need:
Acrylic paint
Paint brushes or sponges
Clear Acrylic Coating Spray Paint
Paper Towels for Clean Up

Art in Craft Media

 Next weekend is the opening!  To see more of Carol's art CLICK HERE!

Burchfield Penney: Exhibition Opening

OPENING CELEBRATION  |  ART IN CRAFT MEDIA 2013

Saturday, October 12, 2013, 6–8 pm

Join Mrs. Sylvia L. Rosen and the Burchfield Penney Art Center for the opening of Art in Craft Media 2013.

Art in Craft Media 2013 features 75 works by 55 artists in wood, clay, fiber, glass and metal, all current or past residents of Western New York. The exhibition jurors for the 25th anniversary Art in Craft Media exhibition were Nancy Belfer, Sunhwa Kim, Stephen Saracino and Robert Wood.

Artists include:

Jozef Bajus
Diane Bond
Leeann Catanzaro
Linda Collignon
Norman Cramer
Missy Crowell
Josh Dewall
Laurie Dill-Kocher
Lynn Duggan
Hillary Fayle
Tom Ferrero
Marcelo Florencio
Nathaniel Hall
Allison Hoag
Kevin Kegler
Jeff Kell
Veronica Keymel
William Keyser
Christine Knoblauch
Bethany Krull
Temi Kucinski
Anthony Locane
Scott Losi
Ashley Lyon
Elizabeth Lyons
Gail McCarthy
Stephen Merritt
Mitchell Messina
Dan Mirer
Anne Mormile
Barbara Murak
Tara Nahabetian
Dennis Nahabetian
Lynn Northrop
Ginny O'Brien
Carol Ann Rice Rafferty
Shirley Rosenthal
Taeyoul Ryu
Fabiano Sarra
David Schnuckel
Leslie Schug
Betty Stephan
Colleen Toledano
Victor Trabucco
Lawrence T. Schopp
Myung Urso
Leonard Urso
Nancy Valle
Aric Verrastro
Tina Vu
Jesse Walp
Liaung Chung Yen
Gina Zetts
Chu Zhenwei
Craig Ziper

Shoe Dialogue

 

 

 

 
Artwork Created by Carol Ann Rice Rafferty

Shoes are very personal. Actors often use shoes as a prop to begin building a new character.  These shoes were designed by my mom.  They're constructed of wire and paper pulp.   

"Rose shoes represent the main character expressing both softness in the pinks, beige and leaf green stripes of ribbon. She also reveals a hint of sharpness and danger from her wire armature. This contemplative woman is not weak or helpless. By creating shoes placed within an environment I eliminate the figure in this vignette." 

- Carol

"The viewer is invited to reflect on a moment in the characters life." - Carol

To see more of her work click here www.carolannricerafferty.com 

"Heaven is an Art Studio"

Last week I went to my former high school teacher's funeral.  I'm deeply saddened by her death.  She was a beautiful, intelligent, and strong woman. 

I met Mrs. Astudillo my first day at Clarence high school in late December 1999.  My family had just moved to Buffalo.  My first day of school was hectic; by my second class I realized moving was no piece of cake.  The accents were different, I had no friends, I kept losing my way through the building, and I had a TON of homework to make up (4 months of homework to be exact).  I looked at my schedule relieved to see Studio Art was my next class.  I eagerly walked into the room and quickly learned I had a lot to hard work ahead of me.  My art classes in the past taught me things, but this was different.  Mrs. Astudillo handed me 4 months worth of art assignments I needed to makeup - which consisted of perspective drawings, still life studies, ink drawings, a self portrait, among many others.  I took many art classes before but this was way more intense.  Art class was always a relaxing place for me; this was not.  Mrs. A demanded the most of out everyone including herself.  I continued you take several classes with Mrs. A - Studio Art, Drawing and Painting, Computer Art, and Advertising.  She taught us the fundamentals and principles of design and conceptual art that helped me throughout my years at University studying Art.  Mrs. A taught art like a science.  I have many fond memories of walking through the Albright Knox with our class on field trips.

On Sept 11, 2001 I first learned of the World Trade center being attacked after my gym class on my way to  Mrs. A's Advertising class.  We sat silent and watched the television.  At this point we thought it was just an accident, then another plane hit the other building.  Mrs. A was a very very strong woman.  This experience of 9-11 brought her to tears, and I thought "uh oh this isn't good."  I wasn't sure what exactly what was going on in our country when this first happened, but judging from our teachers reaction our nation was in trouble.

I wish I could talk to her now.  We often take for granted the time we have to tell people how much they meant to us until it's too late.  The funeral was absolutely beautiful.  Following the funeral was a reception at the Burchfield Penney Art Museum of her work.  She had so many beautiful watercolor paintings.  Memories of her classes and painting tips she would tell us began to slowly come back in my mind.  Yellow ocheres, burnt umber, raw sienna paint names run through my head.  It was great to see her beautiful family, friends, and artwork all together.  You could just feel her smiling down.

Mrs. A battled breast cancer for two decades.  Yes, she was very strong.  Mrs. A taught me the importance of the process and not just the finished product when it came to art making.  Every time I pick up a paint brush and paint I will think of you Mrs. A.

Why be negative when you can be positive?

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.  -Albert Einstein

When faced with a difficult circumstance you have two choices - be positive or be negative.  It's just as easy to be negative as it is to be positive, so why not be positive?  Rice rafferty is faced with some challenges, but we're ready.  We will put on our warrior headbands go full speed ahead.  Always advance...never retreat.

We're working hard like little elves in the rice rafferty studio and most importantly we're having fun!  We designed new headbands for the ultra feminine warriors. 

Headbands made from up cycled silk, tulle, jewelry elements, and feathers. We can make custom designs for weddings. One for all your bridesmaids. We can use different hair clips/combs, colors, feathers, jewelry elements (rhinestones, pearls, silver, or gold) - you design it!  Each piece is one of a kind.  We are also working on veils, cake toppers, garters, corsages, boutineers, and wedding bouquets.  We'd love to be part of your special day.  Send us a message to learn more.  :)

A family that goes to art galleries together stays together

This past weekend was Beyond In Western New York.  All the galleries were open in Buffalo with no admission fee.  Buffalo is a rather small city with an extremely large arts community.  I personally feel Buffalo should restore historic buildings downtown and turn them into art buildings like at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia or Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI.  Buffalo could use an art institute or something.

My family and I gallery hopped Friday - Sunday.  I believe a family that goes to art galleries together stays together.  We've been going to art shows/openings all my life.  We were more of an art gallery, reenactment group, Williamsburg visiting kind of family rather than going to amusement parks.

This weekend we went to: 

Albright Knox Art Museum
CEPA Gallery
Burchfield Penney Art Museum
Big Orbit 
El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego River
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center
Hi-Temp Fabrication
Hotel Lafayette
Squeaky Wheel
Starlight Studio and Art Gallery 
Western New York Book Arts Center
Carnegie Art Center 
Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society
Anderson Gallery
UB Center for the Arts Gallery

It was quite a weekend!  Now rice rafferty is newly inspired and ready to get back to the studio to continue making things!

MENSWEAR with a FEMININE twist

Nothing is sexier than menswear worn by women.  It's especially attractive on a strong, confident woman.  Think Annie Hall - Diane Keaton is always workin that look and she's FAB! 

Recently, we've been experimenting with new wearable art materials in our studio and we designed Samurai Warrior tie belts made from upcycled, recycled, eco friendly ties!  It's interesting to see how two completely different patterns can look so exciting together like they were made for each other. 

Wear tie belt with tank tops, t-shirts, or even a button down blouse!  The look has an asian twist, but also preppy like Ralph Lauren, so you can really take this accessory and style it in many ways.  The tie belt is a great office look to show men you mean business.  :)

Tie belt $22

Visit our shop:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52047327/green-blue-samurai-warrior-upcycled-tie
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52045757/red-samurai-warrior-upcycled-tie-belt
www.ricerafferty.etsy.com
www.ricerafferty.com

An American Girl

Did you ever read the American Girl books when you were a kid?  I sure did!  The illustrations from the books produced in the late 80s-early 90s were by Renee Graef.  Her illustrations have such a warm, soft, whimsical quality about them.  Reading the books and looking at the illustrations always made me feel safe.  Sadly, American Girl has encountered some changes since working with Mattel - they replaced the illustrations on the covers and retired Samantha.  I'm glad I have my old books. :)
Photo from http://www.graefillustration.com
American Girl Treasures Game

Art Directing and Hand Modeling

My day job is a graphic designer/marketing coordinator for a company that makes small kitchen appliances.  My favorite days at work are days when I art direct photo shoots and food styling.

First I prepare days ahead of time by looking through Williams Sonoma Catalogs, Wegmans Magazine, Food Network and anything else I can find for inspiration.  I collect photos to fit the theme of the current project, get ideas for food items, and how to prepare the food so it looks like food art.  The day before or day of the shoot I head over to Wegmans, voted the best grocery store in the United States, armed with the company charge card and my list of food items and supplies. 

Once I gather my supplies I start the prep work.  For the rotisserie photo above I cooked the chicken in the rotisserie the night before, so it looked fabulous the next day.  After I have the supplies and completed prep work I go over to Dave Wahl's (photographer) studio.  I work on some prep work for the day of the shoot like removing dust from the unit we're going to shoot, prepare the food, add the final touches.  I discuss the kind of shots I have in mind for the day with the photographer and I continue prepping. Most of the shoot involves a lot of cleaning...i know i know...not so glamorous, but I really enjoy it!

It's really interesting learning the behind the scenes tricks when photographing food.  For instance sometimes we use fake ice, ice cream, or steaks in shoots.  The above food is all real though.  Also, note my career in hand modeling above.  Yes, it's my hand.  Hand modeling isn't as easy as it looks.  You must keep your hand very steady which can be tricky when you're holding something heavy.

After the shoots is finished it's time to clean, clean, clean, then I pack things up.  Overall these are my favorite days because it's so neat to be in a photography studio and be physically involved in the process.  I think of all the cool ads, and giftboxes that I'll make that will be on QVC, in Target, Wegmans, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kohls, and Big Lots.  I love being a part of it.

Cancer Cell Lamps

 

For my BFA senior thesis at the University at Buffalo in 2006 I made 16 cancer cell lamps which were made of handmade paper, wax, and silk screened images.  The lamps were on display at the Buffalo Central Terminal in a dark staircase - allowing the lamps to illuminate.  The lamps are memorial lamps to victims of cancer - people living with cancer, survivors, or those who have died.  Cancer is such a taboo word in our society and it touches every family in some way.  I wanted to visually represent it in a non threatening way.  Through my research I learned there are so many causes of cancer: obesity, sunlight, heredity, smoking, and the list goes on...There's never one cause.  The lamps can also act like voodoo lamps having them close to you as a way to ward off cancer.  $70 each plus shipping

It Runs in the Family

There's something so fascinating and comforting about maps.  Sometimes I catch myself clicking and staring at maps on google maps or mapquest for hours.  I enjoy looking at the maps while planning trips or just the beauty of their designs.  So, it wasn't really a surprise when we discovered a distant relative who is an art critic for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and gallery owner of a shop which specializes in vintage maps.

Last year was my first visit to Shaw Galleries and it was such a pleasant surprise.  The gallery was full of maps ranging from the city of Pittsburgh, state of Pennsylvania maps to maps of the United States.  One of my favorite maps was a map from the early settler days showing lots of towns in the Northeast, very little in central US, and California was an island!  Shaw Galleries now carries artworks by local artists as well as some prints by world renowned artists.  You may also contact Kurt for an appraisal.  Shaw Galleries is located in Pittsburgh, PA downtown in the theater district.  Check it out here:  http://www.shawgalleries.com

We're the Real Gilmore Girls

We're the rice rafferty girls - aka the real Gilmore Girls. We're not the typical mother/daughter we even share the same names. My middle name is my mothers maiden name hence we share the names rice & rafferty. Since neither of us have a sister, we're best friends and actually enjoy hanging out together (i thought this was normal ).  While each of has our own friends we share; inside jokes, love watching foreign and old movies together, attend concerts, cook, garden, work on our designs, and doing our own photo shoots.

We share cross generational information.  Mom took me to see Cyndi Lauper, Leon Russell & Mikhail Baryshnikov. Last week I took my mom to an Ingrid Michaelson concert to meet up with my friends and tonight we're going to see Rusted Root (to support our Pittsburgh roots, go pittsburgh)!

We even went to colleges together (sort of).  When I was looking at art colleges my mom decided she had unfinished business.  The same day I started at University at Buffalo, my mom entered classes at Buffalo State College (yay Cindi Sherman). We joked that day from Romey and Michele's High School Reunion, " If this doesn't work out, you want to fold scarves?" It actually worked out really well because we would share information, critiqued each others work, and share supplies.  My university education was more conceptual and her college program was stronger with craft and technique.  Together we were able to fill in the gaps everyone finds in their education.  This is when our serious art camp began. 

My silk screening class projects were heavily influenced by my mother's fiber background.  While the professor had all of his students printing on paper, I was off silk screening on t-shirts, up cycled denim skirts and even created fabric made into a bras to ward off breast cancer. My mother taught me to make handmade paper which I silk screened my designs then built into lamps for my Senior BFA Thesis Project.  Graphic design became more interesting when I combined fiber elements - embroidery in books, binding handmade books, and scanning in interesting textures.

After graduation I began working graphic design jobs while my mother taught classes for her college program.  Working full time jobs left less time to make handmade items at first, but I quickly learned I'm a maker and it makes me happy.  My mother kept designing her devore scarves, dyeing them, and burning out the designs.  I would assist her with it the process and soon we began a partnership that keeps building.  I design the business cards, labels, websites, work on trend research, and the jewelry. She keeps making new garments, statement necklaces and devore scarves.

Always hungry for knowledge, mother moved to Savannah to attend Savannah College of Art and Design masters fiber program while I stayed in Buffalo working as a designer.  We were miserable apart.  I kept researching about textile and accessory businesses while she was gathering information @ SCAD.  Last June she returned home.  Full of ideas and  armed with more knowledge we started working on more projects together and that is how rice rafferty was born.  We specialize in making one of a kind accessories items; statement necklaces, devore scarves, silk scarves, copper jewelry, hair accessories, aprons and tutus.  Visit our website www.ricerafferty.com to learn more about us and see our designs!

Mural Painting Project Downtown Buffalo

As a new college graduate in 2006, aware of the brain drain that happens each year in May, I was anxious to contribute to the community of Buffalo, NY while I interviewed for a full time position.  Volunteering to gather and head a design team of local artist to create a mural painting in downtown Buffalo seemed like a perfect place to begin. After presenting a few of my design ideas to, the facility manager at the time, Mary Battey HSBC selected my Aquatic theme mural. Gathering my troupes was easy.  Sharing my enthusiasm and vision a team of artists offered to work on the project with me: Carol Ann Rice Rafferty, Crystal Kisloski, Greg Sobczak, Matt Cruz, and Josh Brown.  To complete the project it took us two months since we all worked full time during the week and were only available weekends.  We painted a mural on two sides of a covered outdoor walkway and painted collars and ties on bollards to resemble business men.

During my initial visit with Mary Battey discussing the conception of a mural to embellish the HSBC Building pedestrian walkway, I was inspired by the view of the waterfront from her office.  Since doing a little research I knew; "The City of Buffalo received its name from the creek that flows through it. One holds that the name is an anglicized form of the French name Beau Fleuve (beautiful river)." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo,_New_York
 

The name of the mural is "Beau Buffalo." The concept of the mural obviously deals with water and aquatic life.  I selected this concept for multiple reasons.  The first being, Buffalo has the distinct advantage of being positioned on Lake Erie, one of the five Great Lakes.  With increasing talk of global warming, having fresh water makes Buffalo a prime real estate location.  Secondly, since my family moved here from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ten years ago, the waterfront development has been a hot political topic. We have enjoyed the success of waterfront developments in many cities such as Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco.  We look forward to the city of Buffalo taking advantage of its natural resource soon.

A third reason is, we are aware of a successful daycare program available to employees at the HSBC Building.  We felt that the aquatic environment was something that would be enjoyable to both adults and children.  The enclosed environment of the glass covered pedestrian walkway has the sensibility of walking through a large aquarium.  Finally, the concept of water and fish in this mural denotes motion.  The cave serves as a transitional element from the cavernous parking facility to the work environment.  It is our hope that the fantasy created in our aquatic scene provides a sense of peace and tranquility, a way to cleanse the spirit from the workday stress, for people who enter this space.

The project taught me about being a leader, team work - how to encourage and direct your team, public art - making art accessible to the general public, presentation skills, and time management. Working on a real world project from initial ideas to the finished piece was very helpful as a designer.  It taught me to focus on the needs of the target audience and client.  The mural is still there today, 4 years later, and it makes all of the artists who volunteered their time happy to see it still looks great today.  The next time you attend an event downtown take a walk to the pedestrian pathway above Washington Street and between the parking garage and the HSBC Plaza to see our work.


The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Rice Rafferty Story

We are mother and daughter indie designers.  We are a cottage industry business.  Our style is nouveaux antique - new items that are meant to resemble treasures you may find in your grandmother's attic.  We formed from the dissatisfaction with inexpensive, commercial items that don't last.  We create one of a kind accessories made from our own hand dyed fabric and upcycled materials.  No two pieces are alike, but we can try to make items similar if you request more than one.  Our items are meant to last so you can have treasures to pass down to your family members.  We make bib/statement necklaces, devore scarves, hair accessories, and tulle accessories.  We thrive on experimentation and unconventional ways of making things.  Our line is continually blossoming and new items are posted to our website regularly so check back soon.  www.ricerafferty.com


The above bib/statment necklace is made from upcycled silk, upcycled jewelry, and braided silk straps  $95

We Love Tulle

 

The above are some pics of me wearing our rice rafferty tulle accessories with fiber optic elements.  Pictured from top to bottom - Trapeze Dress/Tutu (wear as a dress or tutu), Short Tutu, Detachable Tulle Accessory, Tulle Bridal Veil, and Tulle Gauntlet.  All pieces have hand dyed silk elements embedded in the tool. www.ricerafferty.com

If you're interested in a child size tutu - click here - Small Miracles Girl's Glamour Light Up Tutu 

Every Girl Needs a Tutu

 

When I was a little girl you couldn't get me out of my tutu.  I remember twirling and dancing around the house.  I quit my dance lessons (sorry mom), but that didn't stop me from dressing up and dancing free style.  I felt so elegant and grown up.  The revival of the 80s dance wear as street wear is very exciting to me.  

The above picture is showing our Ultra Feminine Warrior tutu, made from layers of white tulle embedded with strands of silk and upcycled silk flowers with bead stitching and fiber optic lights. $80 www.ricerafferty.com

www.ricerafferty.etsy.com

When I was in college my art building was shared with the dancer/theater majors so I was heavily influenced by exposure to dancer clothing.  Even though my hands were full of art books, sketch pads, and paint brushes I'd wear leg warmers and leggings and my hair up in a messy bun several days a week.  Gee!  No wonder my favorite painters were Renoir and James Tissot!  I'm not a dancer, but drawing/painting ballerinas and wearing dancer clothing made me feel like one.  Wearing dancer clothes also puts me in the mood to work out, stretch, maybe do a little ballet workout (check out the NYC Ballet Workout - really great for your posture and makes you feel very graceful).

DANCER LOOK

Wear the tutu with black leotard or leggings and a tank top if you plan on dancing. 

 TRENDY LOOK

If you're a tad more daring with fashion, like Carrie Bradshaw, pair the tutu with a short skirt and blouse/tank (maybe a blazer if it's chilly) with a few strands of pearls and stiletto heals. 

RICE RAFFERTY LOOK

Pair it with our Ultra Feminine Warrior silk one shoulder turquoise tunic and bib or statement necklace.

NIGHT TIME LOOK

Simply flip a switch and turn on the fiber optic lights if you plan on going dancing!  

My favorite dance movie is Center Stage (Special Edition)

I seriously can't get enough of this movie.  I've watched it at least a hundred times.

THE CLOTHES BAR, EMPHASIS ON THE CLOTHES

This past Saturday I had the privilege of attending a fashion truck show hosted by Althea Harper from Season 6 of Project Runway Project Runway: Season Six at The Clothes Bar in Clarence, NY.  I had never been to The Clothes Bar before, but I recall hearing the name because it was so unusual.  The Clothes Bar is a clothing store, not a bar.  My eyes went wild the second I got in the door.  I was super impressed with the large selection of hip clothing for women 18-40 something.  They had everything from cute summer dresses to short evening gowns and trendy accessories.  Painted shoes were hung on the brightly painted walls.  I LOVED it!  My mom and I got a chance to talk with Althea and ask her about her experience on Project Runway (This is the second project runway person I have met before, woo hoo!).  Althea was absolutely gorgeous - 6' blonde, perfect hair, makeup and a fab bod.  We told her a little bit about our business, rice rafferty.   We loved that Althea dyed her clothing by hand!  Althea's clothing is made from bamboo!  Overall it was a great afternoon hanging with rockin fashionistas!

To view some of Althea's designs go here http://altheaharper.com/Project Runway: Season Six