Art Abandonment Project is Such a Meaningful Part of My Life

 I have talked about this before but it may have been a while.  There is a group of artists across the world who create pieces of art and then abandon them in various places where others will find them.

There is a facebook group where we put the projects and places and if someone writes in saying they found something it gets posted to the group files.  It is quite heartwarming to read some of those replies.  It is interesting to see how a simple piece of art can touch someones life.

I used to do it a lot, and it goes in cycles.  One time this lady wrote in and said how she had not been able to find a job in months, and her child support stopped coming and she got evicted and was living with a friend.  But she found a zip pouch I had left hanging in a tree by a parking lot and had a feeling that someone cared.  And actually liked her.

It was so impacting to me that I have continued to do it.

I don't often get a reply.  Most people don't know what to do or don't have access to a computer or are afraid I might contact them in some way.  I guess.

Check out Art Abandonment and see some of the fabulous pieces that are abandoned.  You will be amazed at some of them.

Here is the facebook link  Art Abandonment

At first it feels strange, heck, even after 5 years it still feels like I am stealing something rather than leaving something.  But when I walk away from a piece I always feel wonderful.  there is nothing like it.

Try it.  There are several options for cards that can be left with your abandoned art.  And it really doesn't matter what your art is......beads, earrings, fabric scraps sewn together in a mat or pouch, drawings, pencil cases, watercolor, whatever.

Let us know  what you abandon and if you get a response back! 

New Rotary Cutter and Failed Food Standards

Yes, I broke down and purchased another rotary cutter.  Mostly since I have no idea when I will get mine back.  Not having a rotary cutter means you just cannot even work on piecing anything! 

I guess I just took my rotary cutter for granted.  I will have to rethink its position in the quilt studio.  It definitely needs to be elevated to a higher shelf and maybe cleaned more often.  Something befitting quilt room royalty.

I put together a few zip pouches and tagged them with the Art Abandonment info.  I included some of the toiletries from the hotel rooms I gathered in recent trips like hand lotion and smelly scent things I can't use. 

I left this one at the library in the large print stacks.  I hope to get some sort of acknowledgement from one of the finders one day.  It would be nice to  hear about the finder's experience and if they liked the pieces I have left over the years.


I talked to Margaret at the Quilt Corner this morning.  I think the screw is loose on the flywheel again.  We fought with the baby quilt she was working on Saturday morning.  When I realized that I had no rotary cutter I decided to put a quilt on the long arm and work on that. 

But when I was working on getting the tension set I could hear something rattling in the head.  I am thinking it is the screw loose again.

This time he will come to the house so we can run it on the frame and get it to work.

Aghhhhh!

Art Abandonment

Don't knnow if you know this about me, but  I have been abandoning art for a while now.  Basically, you make something and put a tag on it that tells the observer that this is a gift, to take it, and enjoy it.

The note requests the finder to send an email to say they found it and where.  Sometimes people take the pieces and give them to someone else.  I have had several people reply over the last few years.

It all goes to an anonymous email that is monitoed by the Art Abandonment crew.  And they repost it to a facebook page for the rest of everyone to enjoy.

Mostly what I do is small pieces from leftover scraps, a tote bag, a tea bag holder or a snglasses case.

Wednesday night I abandoned a sunglasses case at Santa Fe restaurant and Thursday monring again at McDonalds. 

I enjoy it.  And you can read things from people and tell they have been very touched.  they will say things like, I was having a bad day, and I found this.  Or one that really touched us, My best friend died today and I was having a hard time dealing with it.  I found your art piece and relized that gifts come in the most unexpected packages.  I will always remember my friend when I see this.

Go to the facebook page and go to the files section to find the verbiage for the note to leave with something.  Some people set up a gmail account and diirect replies to that.  It makes you feel wonderful as you place your treasured art piece in a special place then walk away smiling.


I always feel like a conspirator!  Try it!

http://michaeldemeng.typepad.com/art_abandonment/    (this one explains it)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtAbandonment      (this is the facebook site)