Art-O-Mat
What is Art-o-Mat?
Art*o*mat machines are retired cigarette vending
machines
that have been refurbished and converted to vend art, not cigarettes.
Currently, there are 49 active machines in museums and various locations
throughout the country.
What do you get from an Art*o*mat? The experience of pulling the knob
alone is quite a thrill, but
you also walk away with an original work of art for only five bucks.
Ker-plunk! What an
easy way to become an art collector, and for artists to sell and market
their work.
Visit: www.artomat.org
Clark Whittington, artist, photographer, inventor-extroirdenair
came up with the Art-O-Mat idea years ago and has brought it to a national
level, sending over 50 art-o-mat art-vending machines across the US.
One of his latest machines,(see below) was created for, and will be
permanently located at the Southwest School of Art & Craft
www.swschool.org, an art school in San Antonio, Texas. Clark contacted
me to invite me to collaborate with him on the machine design since
the school wanted it to have a "loteria" theme. I was excited
and of course told Clark to use whatever he liked and whatever images
that would inspire him for
this design. And LOOK! This is what happened! I especially like the
blue sparkle paint he chose!
My Art-O-Mat Art
I decided to participate as an art-omat artist
and create a series especially for this machine.
(If you are an artist, or would like to create art for an art-o-mat machine,
visit their
website and they will tell you how you too can become an art-o-mat artist.)
These pieces, I am proud to have included,
are all signed and numbered, in a limited edition of 45.
They were a lot of fun to make. I was inspired by the artist Kathy Cano-Murillo
from craftychica.com
who encouraged me "not to be afraid of glitter" Thanks Kathy!
Creating the series of 45 art-o-mat art using the nuevo loteria games
close-up of the loteria accordion fold images, decorated using glitter
glue and purple ribbon.
Final product, frontal view. no. 1/45 signed and numbered with decorated
box for vending.
Final product, backside view, decorated with glitter glue and purple ribbon.
Learn more about Art-O-Mat!
Don't go 'round Artless!
www.artomat.org