JAN 19 - APRIL 13, 2024 Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center 8788 Metcalf Ave | Overland Park, KS
Dora Agbas, Prairie Village, KS It was fun to look through the received ephemera. I wanted to wove these pieces together to play with their colors as they mingle with each other. Added materials: The materials received were plenty, haven't used anything extra. I really liked the envelope itself, so I could easily hide away the unused pieces.
Lindsey Arnold Seevers, Overland Park, KS What was most difficult was staring at a pile of stuff and not knowing where to start. I had a few ideas (and even asked ChatGPT for a few), but nothing really felt right. The phrase “You’ll be fine, you’re creative!” kept rolling around in my head, and this piece became a response to that. What was fantastic was working with so many different materials. It allowed for a fun texture and gave the project a depth that I may not have tried left to my own devices! The constraints were also an invitation to try something new. Added materials: Paper flowers, string of pearls, fortune from a fortune cookie, tiny envelope and stationery, gold star, cut out phrases from a card, a tiny picture frame, a sticker, a tiny newspaper, small envelopes and labels.
Craig Auge, Kansas City, MO As with the previous Stash project, I gave myself the added challenges of only using the materials provided and not altering them with any additional mediums. I knew right away the black mesh was going to be the star of the piece. The only alterations were by cutting down each of the components. Then I decided on an "order of operations." - a matter of choosing how and when to layer and build up the other various elements. The eye completes the blending of the seemingly disparate materials. These self-imposed limitations were both my challenges and my absolute joy.
Allison Bowman, Olathe, KS I think this project is a great analogy for life because you never really know what's going to come your way. You just have to figure it out in the moment and make choices as they come. Sometimes when someone is struggling with depression or anxiety, it's very easy to start spiraling when thinking about all of the potential consequences of a choice. We can easily have analysis paralysis where we're so focused on the problem that it can be hard to come up with solutions. A fantastic thing about this project is that it kind of forces you to make decisions because of the pre-selected supplies. I titled my piece "You Are Here" because of the maps that were included within the project supplies. I feel like I, and my creative practice, have really grown and changed within the last three years but I'm always still anxious about what comes next. I think another fantastic part of this project has been the ability to sit in the moment and really focus on what I'm doing right now. This project is also a great exercise in problem solving. cont’d
Allison Bowman, Olathe, KS It's easy for me to create something when I'm in complete control of what materials I'm using but it can be much more difficult when I have to incorporate something random like bottle caps or buttons in the project. There's a kind of magic that happens with this project where ordinary objects like bottle caps or buttons become something extraordinary when you come up with a new way to use them. Added materials: Cut images of birds, flowers, and butterflies, Acrylic paint, Embroidery floss, Yarn, Buttons
Shari Center, Overland Park, KS I decided to try the project as a challenge to myself to get my creative juices flowing again and get back into my studio to make art for enjoyment again. During Covid and the year or so after it has been difficult for me to just 'create'. I love learning new processes, coming up with ideas of what I want to do and how, but I've been stalled on actually doing. Taking a workshop, either online or in person now forces me to start thinking and working again. I love that, but once over, I get stuck still in that rut. This challenge forced me to think more and put more time into something where I did not have control over everything I was working with. It was fun and made me think out of the box. I'd definitely do it or another project like it again in the future. Added materials: Botanical Ecoprints on watercolor paper; Beeswax Collage (using Dina Wakley stamps, stencils, acrylic paints and collage type) on artboard; Dina Wakley spray gloss acrylics; Queen & Co. iridescent bubble toppers; Tim Holtz Idea-ology hinge clips; white and clear gesso; regular and heavy matte medium; score tape
Katie Coen, Kansas City, MO The fantastic thing is that there really isn't a way to mess it up! The difficult part could be releasing your expectations of the outcome, but that's a great lesson for all folks, artist or otherwise! Added materials: Adhesive, acrylic, stickers, bubble wrap and hanging materials
Mary Coonrod, Overland Park, KS I love working on collages, having someone else pick out things to use was a different challenge. Added materials: Watercolor board. Acrylic gel and medium.
Kris Devlin, Mission, KS For this unique artistic endeavor, I embraced the challenge of utilizing every supplied material as a catalyst for creative inspiration. My process began by meticulously cataloging each item received, viewing them not merely as objects but as potential storytelling elements—characters, plot devices, and settings waiting to unfold. Breaking the creative process into manageable segments, I embarked on short bursts of creativity, dedicating fifteen-minute sessions to developing the narrative. At the culmination of each interval, I shared my progress with a writing group, fostering an iterative approach that allowed for diverse perspectives and constant refinement. The culmination of this process materialized in the form of what I envisioned as the book cover for the resulting story. The watercolor piece submitted to Stash embodies the essence of the narrative, incorporating elements such as puzzle pieces, braided twine, locker keys, and other materials provided. These elements seamlessly merged into a visual representation of the imaginative tale woven from the very items themselves. cont’d
Kris Devlin, Mission, KS The narrative that emerged was an unexpected fusion—a romantic comedy centered around the unlikely relationship between a seamstress and an alien. Crafting a story from these materials enabled me to form an intimate connection with each component, transcending their physical form and infusing them with narrative significance. I discovered that imposing prompts and guidelines served as a catalyst for motivation, guiding me out of the confines of my own thoughts and into the realm of boundless creativity. This process not only resulted in a tangible artistic creation but also illuminated the transformative power of imaginative constraints.
Katrina Dudek-Schubach, Lenexa, KS This project really helped me to remember how fun it is to think outside of my common mediums of gouache and acrylic. The materials I was presented were familiar but not necessarily the types I typical use when I am doing a mixed media piece. Items like the black grippy material had such an interesting texture that I just wasn't sure how it was going to work. It wasn't until I went through a few different concepts and finally landing on the scrappy birds idea that I realized they would make great wings and the yarn would make great tail pieces. It was a lot of fun to find the colors that worked best together and pull out what I had in my stash that complemented the given materials. I can't wait to do more of the scrappy birds in the future to add to future mixed media abstract pieces.
Added materials: Washi tape, Security envelope , Magazine cut outs Acrylic Paint, Magnetic poetry, Floral wire, Greeting Card, Painted/dyed tea bag, Illustration pen, embroidery floss
Laurence Fleming, Overland Park, KS Finding an idea in the materials supplied and looking at different creative processes was uncomfortable, but I am grateful for the experience and I think I learned a lot. Added materials: Charcoal, gesso, glue, tape, fixative, canvas board
Amie Fresia, Lee’s Summit, MO I loved the challenge of looking at the materials and figuring out ways to incorporate them. It reminded me that everything can be used in a beautiful manner. Added materials: White paint, feathers from my chicken and glue
Kelly Frigård, New Richmond, OH I really like working within certain fixed parameters like size, shape, and given materials in order to spark an idea and run with the creative flow. Certain materials, in my case, the map of Lake Michigan, which was sent in the packet, sent me off creatively to our family cabin in Michigan, and the time I spend there every summer making things from vintage cloth, and allowing my creativity to imagine new directions. Added materials: Tissue paper, vintage fabric and crocheted lace, velvet, silk tulle, glitter beads, button
Dian Goebel, Topeka, KS Added materials: Cardboard from Amazon box, Glue, Credit card, Fly picture
Leslie Hill, Seattle, WA When I pulled the supplies from the envelope, I had serious doubts about what I could possibly make that would incorporate them all. For a moment, I considered writing back to say the challenge was beyond me. But I’m no quitter! The flower basket idea formed slowly but once I got started, I felt good about my decision and in the end, I really like my piece! From difficult to fantastic, I felt it all!
Added materials: Cardboard for the backing, a bit of gesso and paint, mod podge, glue, thread and a few small beads. I wanted to only add what was needed to keep the piece together and give it a background.
Deidre Hof, Overland Park, KS The intrigue of Stash lies in the unknown potential of materials. Adopting a playful approach to layering, the absence of personal attachment to the items or the final piece provided greater creative freedom. Enjoying the process for its inherent problem-solving aspects, this opportunity allows for the removal of expectations, enabling the creation of something distinct and outside one's norm. Added materials: Black Acrylic, Gold Spray Paint, Glue and tape adhesives
L Hudson, Kansas City, MO What was difficult with this project was deciding what the heck to do with all of this junk. Over the month, I realized that the process of creating this piece reflects how I feel as a nonbinary person in this society and universe. I was given a bunch of random stuff to make something with, and none of it really makes any sense or goes together. I ruminated on different ways of putting things together, ultimately deciding to hide what I didn’t like and re-imagining what I had left. It ended up becoming a figure wearing a dress? An oversized garment? with a reflective, chiseled face. There’s braided hair and earrings. What does the viewer project onto the figure, and what do they see reflected back at themselves? Added materials: liquid glue, scissors, exacto knife, mirror pieces, paint, paintbrush.
JCDS Emerging Artists, Overland Park, KS This project inspired an explosion of creative energy! George Utter, Daniel McLean, and Carleigh La Voy placed the objects in our mold to freeze. Lee Giesler, Katie Zemel, and Danny Bowen took pictures of the ice block as it melted. Added materials: water, watercolor, a little twine, a mold, a container to hold the mold in the freezer
Jodee Jensen, Topeka, KS Looking around my house and office through junk drawers piled with stuff I have been accumulating over the years……I now see the stuff as stash! Fun to think about adding stash to some of my paintings as I continue exploring my artist styles. Added materials: Pipe cleaners, Googly eyes, Orange and yellow paper, Some small magazine pics,, Spider-Man head, A lucky penny, Broken crayons, 12x 9 canvas, Blue paint, Glue stick
Laura King, Overland Park, KS At first I was stalled, blank, frustrated, uninspired. But as I started playing with the envelope of materials provided, adding my own paint and bits, and using old materials in new, surprising ways, ideas just exploded. I found my groove and landed on the idea of 'Sea to Shining Sea: Art for Peace.' A reluctant Mid-westerner. I grew up on the East Coast in love with sand and surf. I've come to love the Flint Hills as a sea of the prairies but I'll always miss home. My concertina (which folds to 9" x 12", promise!) traverses our wide country from West Coast across mountains and plains to East Coast: vast in geography, vast in humanity. I wanted to capture all of it. Art ties us together. Art cries for peace. Added materials: Acrylic paint, Flashe paint, gesso and textured gesso, Derwent inktense paint, magazine text, beads, gift wrap, cardboard, ink, drawing paper, linen tape, watercolor paint and paper.
Deborah Lawless, Olathe, KS I have not worked with collage before so this was new for me, but a lot of fun! Added materials: Glue, acrylic paint, pen and ink, Derwent Inktense blocks, toned watercolor paper, gel medium, China pencil, stretched canvas
Pam Lawson, Edwardsville, KS I create garments. When I received the materials I could see what I wanted to create, but it was challenging to use everything that was in the package. Additionally, I struggled to figure out how to attach these unconventional garment making objects. Added materials: Fabric, glue, and thread came from my personal stash. I didn't use a pattern. The skirt was completely stitched by hand.
Kelly Nagorka, Shawnee, KS I absolutely love creating art with found pieces. It's like you are not only creating art, but also similar to putting a puzzle together. How can i change the make up of this piece of trash or forgotten memo to create something inspiring? What will fit not only in the space where I'm trying to fill in but does it go with the overall look of this project? It's challenging but in a fun and creative way. Added materials: magazine pages, paper towels , vintage buttons, vintage ephemera including 1986 KC chiefs game tickets, 1986 KC royals game tickets, vintage advertisement cards, older maps, newspaper, vintage jewelry, vintage wooden bingo numbers, vintage plastic bingo numbers, hemp twine, Golden acrylic paint, PVA glue, Quick hold glue, Elmer's glue mixed with water, painters tape, 28 gauge wire
Chalanna Newbill, Mission, KS As a multimedia designer and artist, I went through several bouts of thought, process, and ideation and really enjoyed the creative energy in the procrastinated deadline of doing of it. Overall, the map had a lovely yellow that reminded me of my little cottage and I put together around that with a scene of my garden and outdoors with felted tree and cloud cushioned against map and magazine background. I then added fuzzy sticks and rolled pattern paper to create greenery and pom poms to show the idea of flowers. I’m excited about how it turned out. Added materials: Fuzzy sticks, Pom poms, embroidery thread, felt, glitter confetti
Elnora Nokes, Olathe, KS My art practice of mixed media collage uses lots of different materials, so I was excited to use materials pre-selected for me rather than my own choices. So in that regard, this project certainly sent me on a path I would not have taken given that many of the materials I would not have chosen for myself. Added materials: acrylic paint, paint pens, scrap paper, glue
Tate Owens, Kansas City, MO As with all things in life, time is hard to come by. When you devote time to your own creative explorations, “Life is good!” Carving out time to create was fantastic. Added materials: Adhesive, Masking tape, sections of Book covers
Debra Payne, Stilwell, KS My interest in paper quilting was renewed. Added materials: Canvas, thread and glue.
Leah Payne, Overland Park, KS This project pushed me out of my comfort zone by requiring that I respond to the materials given to me. I got to a point where I was happy with it but then had to keep working on it in order to use all the materials. I was made to overwork the piece and then I had to figure out how to dial it back. Added materials: wood panel, white glue, hot glue, plaster, scrap paper, acrylic paint, ink
Candi Phillips, Merriam, KS I was not aware of this exercise in creativity until it popped up on Facebook. Initially my inspiration was to travel in a totally different direction. Because of my advanced age (!) I witnessed and participated in various social justice events in the Kansas City area, so my first impulse was to recall this with the assigned materials. However, a bout of insomnia inspired me to go directly to my work with paper and fibers and just PLAY. Too often I'm assignment-prone so this was refreshing and ultimately freeing! Added materials: Copper wire, antique embroidery floss, contemporary yarn, dimensional paint and permanent marker, die cut paper punches
Diana Rendell, Greenwood, MO I operate a teaching studio and this project inspired me to use a similar challenge with my students. They took the challenge and ran with it. We all had a great time. Added materials: Handmade stamps, watercolor and acrylic paint, old prints, chalk pastel.
Michaela Riley, Spring Hill, KS At first I thought too hard about trying to do something with meaning with the materials. When I just let myself play, that's when things started to come together. Added materials: Matte medium, acrylic paint, cardboard backing, brown paper and acid free glue, krylon topcoat
Schylar Roberts-Greathouse, Kansas City, MO The most difficult aspect of the project was definitely including all of the materials in the piece. With so many options, at first, I was a bit overwhelmed and unsure of how I would incorporate everything on to such a small surface. However, once I figured out where all of the materials would go, I found the process of molding and modifying them into something completely new to be extremely gratifying. Added materials: Canvas board, acrylic paint, hot glue
Korey Rowswell, Panama City, FL In the last few years my work has been centered around plants and the landscapes that they make up. Stash3 came at a great time because I had just moved to the Emerald Coast of Florida. I've never lived so close to a large body of water or so far south. I used my Stash3 materials to explore the different textures of the Florida landscape in winter. The soft edges of woody goldenrod against the geometric angles of palmetto create an amazing prehistoric jumble. Added materials: Glue stick, embroidery floss, watercolor, Golden Rod ink
Andi Snethern, Springfield, MO I loved doing this project!! I am a realistic watercolor painter so it was fun & challenging to incorporate all the “stash” materials into my painting. I think I will try doing some mixed media paintings in the future. It sure got me excited to try new things! Added materials: Watercolor paper, watercolor paints
Randall Thornton, Kansas City, MO
Joanne Webb, Topeka, KS Added materials: Boards from a 3 ring binder, glue, acrylic paint, paintable paper, rubber bands.
Fiona Zou, Overland Park, KS During the project, I feel like any creative energy came and went in spurts. I didn't even know what this art was going to look like until it came together at the end. I had a few vague ideas at the beginning, some of which got scrapped. So much of this felt like a struggle to keep it within flat(ish) dimensions even though we had 3D materials. It definitely inspired frustrated energy. I haven't done anything creative in a while, especially not art at this scale. I liked the challenge and discovering what my artistic process was like. Now that I've finished my piece, there's definitely creative energy now that I didn't have before. Added materials: Glittery nail polish, fish and flower stickers, acrylic paint, washi tape