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Nine Lives Studio - Ellen Miffitt
Sumi-e, Collage, Mixed Media, Watercolor Pencil, PMC Jewelry, Block Prints and Art Instruction

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Art-o-Mat blocks…. First I'll show how to.... then I'll explain more about the concept.

The current blocks that an artist orders are thinner than before so one has to add 7/8 of an inch to the blocks. I cut mat boards and adhere it to the blocks - a box contains fifty blocks.

below after the trim...

Next you want your contact info...

After gluing that onto the back... it's more trim time! Yes, I know - measure twice, cut once... oh, well.

trims make a nifty pattern... OK back to work

Now to cut the Sumi-e paintings to size. Painted them on Bristol instead of sumi paper as the MDF blocks often stains/shows through the Sumi-e paper when I adhere it.

I painted in black Sumi ink and added most of the colored ink during the Spring Olympia Art Walk. That was a little over 150 mini Sumi-e Friday evening and Saturday.

below another adhere and trim...

Next… since the blocks are so small I just use a rubber stamp for a seal as opposed to my soapstone seals for regular size Sumi-e pieces.

Artists in Cellophane - here comes the cellophane part = actually clear acetate.

below in the shipping box for their return to NC -

Artist have to be juried in to the Artists in Cellophane. I started years ago and it's a great way to get your name out there. My blocks have been in the Smithsonian and MOMA Art-o-Mat machines!

Art-o-mat® machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. There are over 100 active machines in various locations throughout the country.

here’s another story… http://www.dealtrackersf.com/2013/05/30/the-art-o-mat-vending-machine-delivers-mini-masterpieces/

and some other links

http://www.artomat.org/ http://twitter.com/art_o_mat http://www.shopartomat.com/