''For Your A-Mouse-Ment": philosophical m(o)usings to challenge and question your views of the world!

Sometimes, Witty Art ends up making a switch from one Series to another or starting a Series of its own - or even crossing the existing but admittingly very fine line between Singles* and Series**, as happened with this (yep) series of six drawings. Initially, they started off as six invididual drawings, with no theme or so in mind, though they were definitely connected by the appearance of a nameless figurine, a little and somewhat philosophical mouse who, in truth, has been a trusted companion in doodles and sketches, but not in Witty Art as we've all come to know it (including myself!).

Then she started appearing in my Witty Art Book 'My Life In Limbo', in which she assumed the role of a rather down to earth commentator to everything she'd witness around here. She's doesn't actively participate in all of the turbulent events going on around her, much more prefering the role of a spectator, making comments and asking questions, all of them valid in their own particular way, as Mouse happens to have a very personal view of today's world. Equally often, her comments are questioned and her questions countered by more questions, posed upon her by what seems to be an o going parade of other characters, all of them taking turns in adressing the audience as well.

Then, Mouse stepped out of the book of sketches and doodles, claiming her rightful spot in the World of Witty Art by appearing in these six drawings, I created earlier this year.  To be honest, I didn't think too much of it at first, but shortly after I decided to showcase them as a series of six at the Museum van de Wijk (Community Museum) here in Rotterdam, it became clear to me that Mouse indeed deserved to have her very own series.

So, I am proud to present to you all, my new series ''For Your A-Mouse-Ment'', a series that I hope will both amuse and arouse you by offering you a catalogue of philosophical m(o)usings, aiming to challenge your existing views of the world and offer some lighthearted entertainment, too!

* You can find all about my Series by clicking on these two links: 
Witty Art Series, Part 1 
Witty Art Series, Part 2 

** You can find all about my Singles by clicking on these two links:
Witty Art Singles, Part 1
Witty Art Singles, Part 2  

Have fun while browsing through my work. And don't forget, if you have any questions about my work or would like to even purchase one, all you have to do is click here to get in touch with me!

More EarthRocks & MoonSwings travelled to a happy new home!

A while back, I wrote about the new additions to my series ''EarthRocks & MoonSwings''. Started back in 2012, I never thought that this Galaxic Bromance would turn out to be one of my most popular and best-selling series.

Part of the reason why this series is so succesful, I think is because of its almost unbearable overdosage of cute - this is a series primarily about unconditional friendship, of a bond that can't be broken, for being there for each other, no matter what. Relationships like those are very hard to come by, as Life constantly shapes and influences friendships and puts them to the test.

So, when asked to draw more of these because one buyer had absolutely fallen in love with them and really wanted to give one to his brother who was getting married, I felt motivated to draw a couple more. And in total, 11 new ''EarthRocks & MoonSwings'' have seen the light! Will add them to the Series Galleries soon!

And guess what, almost immediately after sharing them on my Facebook page, another buyer stepped forward and purchased one, too. And so, a couple of weeks ago, ''EarthRocks & MoonSwings #44'' moved to its happy new home - and judging by the picture buyer sent me the other day, I think they are in really great company!

New exhibition of Witty Art at Stroop Rotterdam opens on April, 3rd!

(english below)

Expositie van Witty Art bij Stroop Rotterdam

Inkart, Surrealart, Cartoonart & More: vanaf 3 t/m 30 april is een reeks gloednieuwe, dus nog niet eerder vertoonde werken Witty Art te zien bij Stroop Rotterdam. 

Waaronder in ieder geval de nieuwe serie ''Minor Kitchen Sink Drama's'', aangevuld met een selectie Witty Art XS: werkjes op mini-formaat, verkrijgbaar tegen een schappelijk mini-prijsje. 

Opening: 
Zondag 3 april, 15.00 - 18.00 uur
Stroop serveert overheerlijke thee en koffie van Evermore en (uiteraard!) stroopwafels uit eigen keuken.  

De expositie is nog te zien t/m 30 april
Stroop Rotterdam, Mathenesserweg 21B 
Openingstijden:
Di t/m za 10.00 - 18.00 uur
Zo 12.00 - 18.00 uur

Stroop is ook bijna altijd 's avonds geopend voor interessante, inspirerende programma's en evenementen. Zoals de Wilde Wereldsoep avonden op de vrijdag: soep voor € 3,50; soep, stroopwafel en thee/koffie voor maar € 5,-! 

Check de agenda op hun website hier. 

New exhibition of Witty Art at Stroop Rotterdam 

Inkart, Surrealart, Cartoonart & More: April 3rd up and untill with April 30th, a selection of brandnew Witty Art, never published before, including my new series ''Minor Kitchen Sink Drama's''. Plus a selection from Witty Art XS: miniature sized artwork, available for extra-small prices. 

Opening: 
Sunday, April 3rd, 15.00 - 18.00 hrs 
With some great coffee and tea by Evermore and delicious, homemade stroopwafels (syrup waffles) by Stroop Rotterdam.

Exhibition will run up and unwill with April 30th. 

Stroop Rotterdam, Mathenesserweg 21B
Openinghours: 
Tue - Sat: 10.00 - 18.00 hrs 
Sun: 12.00 - 18.00 hrs

Stroop often opens up in the evenings for some pretty interesting programmes and events. Like their Wild Worldsoup on Friday evenings: homemade soup for € 3,50; soup, stroopwafel (syrup waffle), and coffee/tea for just € 5,-! 

Check out the agenda on their website here.

 

ARTificial Uprising #8: or just a bad case of Artist Paranoia?

The feeling of being under attack is eminent. I can feel it everywhere. Right now, I can feel it right behind me... 

To be contiuned...

Witty Art Shout Out! Special Art & Awareness Project by Dagmara Cielecka

So, as some of you followers of Witty Art might know, I joined Instagram last year. Usually, when I join a new social network or platform, I like to stay put and just browse around, learning by looking around, so to speak. Which is also an excuse to shamelessly post pictures of that other internet sensation: cats. And coffee.

But, after a while I got the hang of it. It's an ideal medium for quickly sharing snapshots of your work, building a more international community in a less elaborate way than, for instance, Facebook. I find it especially ideal for visual artists, as it's all about the power of the image (and okay, ''hashtagging'' your way through the InstaWorld as well, but that's something you pick up quickly enough). So, if you feel like, please do connect with me on Instagram!

But that's not solely what this post is about.

Besides getting to share Witty Art with the world, I also discovered the often amazing art works, but also writing and other massive inspirations by other creative minds. To me, Instagram has proven to be a place of not only sharing but great mutual inspiration, engaging in contacts with other artists and really art-minded people of all ages and all walks of life. 

One in particular I'd like to showcase right now. And one of her many projects in particular. 

(c) Dagmara Cielecka Art

Dagmara Cielecka's Awareness Book
So, who's Dagmara Cielecka? Let me tell you: she is one amazingly talented creative person. I can't remember exactly how I came across her profile, probably by scrolling through the selection of many (many!) pictures Instagram offers you on a daily basis. But, once I had a looked at her Instagallery, I was taken in by her work as well by a line in her profile that read: ''I draw for a purpose'', followed by the words ''RAISING AWARENESS'' and then a link to a Kickstarter fundraiser. Here was a young artist trying to raise funds for a book. Okay, I thought, been there, done that, so many do that. But, always keen on discovering new stuff, I had a look. Those of you who know me well, I did so with that typically Miss Witty mixture of enthusiastic curiosity and mild scepsis.

But, I tell you. This was something else. This was special.

Now, there is a lot I could write, about that book. But let me quote some of Dagmara's own words on her project:

''I will be creating a book of awareness full of drawings of people who are battling many illnesses. The book will also include drawings and stories of people who have passed away from a disease that needs more awareness. The aim of the book is to simply raise as much awareness as possible to these horrible illnesses that may not get enough funding, like childhood cancer. All the people who will be featured in my book, will receive a free copy of it. Shipping of these will be covered with my own money.''

(c) Dagmara Cielecka Art

To these words I'd like to add: 

Here is a young creative mind, an artist, still studying at university (Hertfordshire, UK), who is dedicating a significant amount of time and her own resources, also financially, towards this goal: to give (terminally) ill people a very personal and intimate portrait. A portrait made during what must be one of the most vulnerable time of their lives, but not presenting them as such, but in a way that shows pride, love, beauty, even joy - and yes, every emotion thinkable, imaginable, you deal with when you and/or your loved ones face a severe illness. I too, have been facing such a battle, not personally, but I lost too many close relatives for me not to know what a disease like cancer does to families.

I think it takes a special person to make people feel special. Now, I have not been following Dagmara for that long, but from what I've seen from her on Instagram and other social media, like Facebook, she is sincere, hard working and if there is one bundle of sheer positivity, it's her. For instance, she also started the project 365 Good Deeds: to challenge herself and other people to do something good, small or great, doesn't matter, but something good each day of the year. So, if you are at it, do connect with 365 Good Deeds.

And, as someone who has great experience with professional fundraising on a high level I think it's safe to say that this is a 100% genuine project. Oh yes, for those of you who do not know... in another life, one far, far, far away, I used to be a corporate communications/marketing and sponsormanager. I worked for several international NGO's so I kinda think .. what makes a trustworthy project or not. And I still help raise funds for smaller causes, every now and then, but only the ones I believe in.

And this is one project I do believe in. All I am asking you is just to take a look at the Kickstarter page. Or connect with Dagmara on Facebook or Instagram, if you have any questions, just ask her. 

So, a quick recap with all information needed: 

Dagmara Cielecka's Awareness Book
Kickstarter Fundraiser page.
Dagmara Cielecka Art on Instagram 
Dagmara Cielecka Art on Facebook
Dagmara Cielecka's 365 Good Deeds