Monday, July 05, 2010

Collaboration

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I have a secret to tell you...my husband Andy is a really good artist, like REALLY good, maybe better than me- well, maybe not better- more like different. You see while I think in color, abstraction and pattern, he thinks in detail, proportion, dimension and realism. A long time ago he turned down a bunch of scholarships to art schools to join the Navy - I know, what the heck!!?!? It's a long story that I'll save for another time (there is a little of it here). The short story is that he took the long road to college, decided to get a degree in something with job security and now works as an engineer. And while he is a super smart structural engineer, he still is one of the most talented and creative dudes I have yet to meet!


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This is one of his many portraits- amazing right?!? (he might kill me for posting this but oh well!) While I am most happy with a can of house paint, a brush and lots of caffeine to make me paint extra fast, he is most comfortable with a pencil, lots of time, and attention to detail. Our creative styles are a true representation of how different we are in just about everything!


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While I have been on the path of creativity and growing with my art for what seems like eternity, my husband has been in the midst of finding his way back to art and it's been so much fun to witness! Lately we have been dreaming, talking and planning some collaborative projects together and decided it was time to put our ideas into action! The first project- painting over an old beat up surf board to hang in our house. Our vision- a tattoo inspired ship painted on top of my messy background and painted patterns.



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I wish someone would have told me I had paint on my head!

Collaborating on a piece of art, at the same time is challenging! You have to give up some of the control, trust the other person's abilities, give them room to explore, try not to be a "know it all" and somehow find common ground. But if you can pull it off- without a massive argument, it can be rewarding! The creative process takes over, you are able to problem solve together, you find that your differences somehow blend together, there is laughter, peace and the calm that comes with losing yourself in the simplicity of creating and before you know it, a common goal has been reached together- hmmm sounds like marriage eh?


Here is a little video documenting our process-


Andy & Alisa Collaboration from Alisa Burke on Vimeo. music- us again by brandi carlile



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50 comments:

Anonymous said...

congrats!!!
two people who know each other deeply, are not afraid to judge and criticise, surely many positive aspects of working as a couple

Kate said...

So romantic! I love it.

Melissa M (Lagaz) said...

Alisa & Andy, your surfboard is beautiful! Your two styles mesh so well together :) Thanks for sharing with us :)

Carol B. said...

You two are an inspiration and a blessing to watch.

Lynda said...

It was so cool to watch you guys work together. It looked like you had a lot of fun...and my goodness, he is a brilliant artist! Good job on the board :)

THE BROWN BOYS said...

wow! that's awesome. my husband is a mechanical engineer. he's a great compliment to my artistic side, because he's strategic, a planner,a problem solver, and an organizer. he's always a great help to me when i do art shows, but we've never collaborated on an actual art project together. it would be time well spent i'm sure - talking and working together! what an inspiring idea!

Faiza said...

Thanks for sharing those intimate moments of beauty and true partnership.

She Who Doodles said...

awesome!! you are so fortunate to have a creative partner.

Rebecca Anthony said...

Alisa, This is such an awesome post!! I SO enjoyed the video and this project your working on together. I love all those gorgeous swirls and you are both so talented(O: Thanks for sharing!

peggy said...

Wow, what a great team you are. Your both fantastic artists. I love it.

Unknown said...

Alisa, that is WONDERFUL. Your respective art styles complement each other so well!
You are so right about the collaboration being like a marriage. There was a lot of truth in that paragraph!

(Pssst....you have paint on your head. lol)

studio pashnada said...

what a beautiful way to combine your work - looks great
my husband and I have been considering working on something together too so I'll have to show him this

Susan said...

Awww, I thought the paint on your head was cute! What a fun project -- when the collaboration is as good or better as the end product.

Mary S. Hunt said...

romance aside..this is a awesomely detail enrich piece!
sure to be the envy of the wave riders!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is absolutely gorgeous and lovely. What a fantastic video, too!

Anonymous said...

alisa, this was so cool to watch! how fun!?!

Emily said...

Beautiful! I love the mandala-like shapes that your designs take on. I know what you mean about different artistic styles; my ex-boyfriend and I had the exact same differences when it came to art (he even took the Navy route instead of Art School!) I bet it was nice to come together on a project:) It really looks cool!
Emily

Kim W. said...

wowww i am so jealous!! i want the surfboard!! is absolutely stunning!! it would be a lot of fun to have a creative husband for sure...

Steph said...

That is amazing work, you 2 are so meant to be together!!!!

Unknown said...

simply beautiful! I'm sure this project will hold a dear place in your hearts.

Sharne Gregory said...

It's amazing. How lucky to be able to work on a project together. What's next?

Kelly Berkey said...

That was awesome! I hope to see more of your collaborations in the future!

Cranberry Morning said...

The art you two produce is just spectacular. How fun that we have this little window to your art world!

Jessica Loughrey said...

my husband and i loved this!

Carol B. said...

P.S. Tell your husband he's an AWESOME artist!

Janet Ghio said...

AMAZING!

just a scrap of paper said...

WOW!!!

Fallan said...

This is really-really awesome! It turned out great!

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Incredible! Your relationship, your talents and this work of art you made!

Home and Heart said...

A fabulous job! It's wonderful you can both support each other's talents. Play with each other's ideas and trust each other to do their best.

Kelly Warren said...

very very cool! how fun to be able to collaborate on something like that!

Anonymous said...

It is so great that you both can work and play so well together. It is a beautiful board. Diane

Steph said...

that is precious!!!

Dee said...

AWESOME. i love the board.

Bee Yourself Fabrics said...

I LOVE IT! I enjoyed your video too! Your two styles of art blended so well together! Congrats!

kasey said...

How lovely! :)

HollyM said...

This a truly stunning piece of art! I love it. The 2 styles definitely fit together here.

custom seamstress said...

Wow! He is amazing!

Unknown said...

Absolutely fabulous!!!!

AlexM said...

Amazing! The result is totally awesome! Thanks for sharing all the process:)

Jane LaFazio said...

oh wow, Alisa. I really love this. you just continue to amaze me. thanks for sharing.

Amanda N said...

That ROCKS!

Anonymous said...

WOW. Thats all I can say. (Amazing work!!!)

Tracie Lyn Huskamp said...

LOVE THIS Alisa!!!

Ok.. my Engineer hubby would just DIE if he thought he had to do art.

He actually traded doing math homework for another student in grade school.. IF this kid did his art homework.

Jodi Ohl said...

Wow!! This is amazing and what a project that is embedded with love and compromise. Your styles meld together perfectly!

leslie said...

That is amazing, love the video!!

Christie // lemon squeezy home said...

This is amazing! I love it. I've just been browsing and wow. You are so talented and creative! I love your work.

Claire said...

WOW!!!!! you did a GREAT work!

www.mueblescebreros.com said...

It cannot have effect in actual fact, that is exactly what I think.

Anonymous said...

beautiful,love the details.

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