What is Art*o*mat®?

What is Art*o*mat®? Created by Clark Whittington in 1997, Art*o*mat® machines are retired cigarette machines that have been converted to VEND ART! For only $5 you can collect paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, glass, mixed media and more -all the size of a pack of cigarettes. There are over 100 active machines in various locations throughout the country. Victoria Brown (that's me), and El Centro de Santa Fe are proud to host the first machine in New Mexico which debuted in February 2013. There are now 8 machines in northern New Mexico (Santa Fe and Albuquerque area). @ARToMatNM on Facebook/Instagram

Monday, October 28, 2013

Now Featuring NEW Santa Fe Art*o*mat® Artist, Victoria Brown

Announcing new Santa Fe Art*o*mat® artist, Victoria Brown! Wearable Americana pins made from spray paint chips found at World Famous Cadillac Ranch

Dozens of layers of spray paint represent years of "tagging" by visitors to the Route 66 roadside attraction. Now the reclaimed paint chips are pins to wear.
After hosting Art*o*mat® machines for 8 years I figured that it was about time for me to contribute some art to the program. As of today I am debuting my Wearable Americana paint chip pins from World Famous Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX.  Dozens of spray paint layers applied to the iconic Route 66 roadside attraction have peeled off and fallen to the ground and were then reclaimed to create a keepsake pin -a wearable conversation piece representing several years worth of a fun and creative community art project. Cadillac Ranch is a public art installation and sculpture located in a cow pasture along I-40 created in 1974 where 10 nose-in half buried '49 to '63 Cadillacs await artists' daily redecoration with spray paint. If you're in the area I strongly suggest you grab some bright colors of spray paint and leave your mark when you visit -hurry and take a photo because it will surely be covered by the next artist. Not going to Amarillo any time soon? Pick up one of my new Wearable Americana paint chip pins right here in Santa Fe's Art*o*mat®!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Now Featuring NEW Santa Fe Art*o*mat® Artist, Tiffany Peterson!

Come get a Red Chile glass pendant by our NEWEST Santa Fe artist, Tiffany Peterson -while they last!
It has been nearly 7 months since Art*o*mat® has debuted in Santa Fe and I'm so excited that some local artists have been submitting their work to the program!  I'm proud to announce that Tiffany Peterson (Red Leaf of Santa Fe) has created some lovely and very "Santa Fean" Red Chile pendants for our Santa Fe Art*o*mat® machine. Real (and really HOT) red chile seeds and pods have been collected from her own kitchen ristra and placed into delicate glass vials with a ribbon for you to wear. Quick -get 'em while they're hot!
FEATURED in MAThilda: Tiffany Peterson's Red Leaf of Santa Fe Red Chile art pendants!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Clark Whittington Podcast Interview

Greetings Santa Fe Art*o*mat® friends and fans!
Art*o*mat® creator, Clark Whittington was just interviewed on the podcast: Conversations With Matt Dwyer.  The hour-long program has lots of insight into Clark's history and attitudes about art and, of course, all about the Art*o*mat® project. CLICK HERE for a link to download or hear the podcast streaming. WARNING: there is some salty language so maybe not for the kiddies...
Check out Clark Whittington's new interview on this podcast!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

More Installation Day Pics (thanks for sharing, Clark!)


MAThilda arriving at El Centro De Santa Fe. Love the tiny yellow fire hydrant in the reflection!
Laird Brown, James Bottorff, Art*o*mat® Founder: Clark Whittington, MAThilda, Corky Brown, and host: Victoria Brown

This happy couple (potential Art*o*mat® artists?) gives MAThilda the thumbs up!

This customer came to say "hi" to her old friend, Clark Whittington, and bought a George Bush flipbook.

This customer is happy with his chameleon 3D Animal Art

More 3D Animal Art: pink flamingo!

This customer loves her Watercolor Bard, Author E.E. Cummings

Deanna Land chose a tile pendant

This customer brought his mom to meet MAThilda and went away with some cool works of art!
Thank you, Clark Whittington, for sharing your personal photos of the event.  We're sorry we didn't get everyone's names, but we're so pleased that you enjoyed meeting MAThilda on February 16th and we hope you'll be back to visit Art*o*mat® soon!

Thursday, February 28, 2013

New Rack Cards for MAThilda

New informational rack card FRONT

New informational rack card BACK
Thank you, Corky Brown (mom), for designing these amazing point of purchase display rack cards. They arrived just after the installation event but are now sitting next to MAThilda in all their glossy splendor!

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Opening Day: Our Installation Event with Clark Whittington

Artist/Founder, Clark Whittington poses with MAThilda and Santa Fe Art*o*mat® Artist since 2009, Kenny Goering
THANK YOU to everyone that came out on Saturday, Feb. 16th, to help celebrate the installation of MAThilda, the very first Art*o*mat® art vending machine in New Mexico!  We had a great turn out and it was so wonderful to meet you all and see your smiling faces, knowing you're just as excited as we are about Art*o*mat® finally coming to Santa Fe.  MAThilda looks great in her new home at El Centro (102 E. Water Street) so if you missed your chance to come and meet the artist/founder, we hope you'll drop by and check her out soon. El Centro hours are Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-4.

Artist/Founder, Clark Whittington, had a wonderful Santa Fe experience and he really enjoyed meeting all of the prospective artists that came to inquire about submitting their work.  He handed out sample box-and-block kits to artists (blank boxes and blocks give artists a precise sample of the size/shape that their art should be) and I have a few extras left so if anyone is interested in getting one, just email me (click on my username "Road Trippin Art*o*mat Hosts" under About Me).

I think my matching mini cupcakes and candy with MAThilda's sweet turquoise paint job made quite a (tasty) statement!
Bright turquoise was the theme for the treat buffet and MAThilda-matching mini cupcakes from Cocopelli Chocolatier enticed visitors. MAThilda performed beautifully and vended her new friends their very first pieces of Art*o*mat® art. Some tried-and-true fans also made the trek to visit our first New Mexico machine.  It was so good to see all of you and we really appreciate your support!
No party is complete without at least one minor disaster! Our closest power outlet wasn't working. Thanks, Dad, for driving all the way home and back for extra long extension cords to get us through the outlet-with-no-power-situation and allowing MAThilda to go online just in the nick of time!

Our very first customer!!!! Jennie Cooley puts in her fiver and makes a selection. Victoria is thrilled!

First Santa Fe Art*o*mat® Customer, Jennie Cooley, is pleased with her selection of a robot made from computer parts.

El Centro Manager, James Bottorff, poses with his Art*o*mat® art and its artist, Kenny Goering

Jacquie Duchane thrills in the swift acceptance of her $5 bill. Gotta love that her jacket matches MAThilda!

Rebecca Norris makes her selection, a ceramic pendant.

Another customer gives MAThilda a try.

This customer selected hand-cut mini papel picado.

Victoria, MAThilda, and (a VERY proud Dad) Laird Brown.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Welcome New Mexico's First Art*o*mat® Art Vending Machine

Welcome Santa Fe's very first Art*o*mat®! (we call her MAThilda)
 WELCOME Art*o*mat® LOVERS and thank you for visiting my new blogspot!  My name is Victoria and I'm super excited to introduce you to my new Art*o*mat® art vending machine, the very first in Santa Fe, New Mexico (yes, it IS in America: it's NOT Mexico, and it's NOT New). "Her" (she's totally feminine -just look at her!) name is "MAThilda" and she will be making her debut on Feb. 16th, 2013 1-5pm one block from The Plaza, at El Centro De Santa Fe, 102 E. Water Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501.

You're all invited to stop by and meet MAThilda, her artist/creator, Clark Whittington, and Corky and I.  Local artists who are interested in creating art for Art*o*mat® are encouraged to come by and hear all about submission guidelines for the cigarette-box-sized art from Clark.  We'll be there from 1-5pm and we'll have some special treats and refreshments so please come by and grab a hot piece of $5.00 art from the hot new chick in town, MAThilda! Check out this article about it in the Santa Fe Reporter.
Here she is in Clark's studio, Mar. 2012, before the magic happens!
Back in March, during Our Epic Art*o*mat® Roadtrip, I got to meet the old cigarette vending machine that was to become the glorious MAThilda after a few short months of hard work and magical transformation by Clark Whittington and his talented team of artists.
MAThilda with her turquoise glitter paint job. Sept. 2012

MAThilda gets her cream colored pinstripes applied by one of Clark's magic-makers, Mike Blas, Sept. 2012

Mike Blas adds pinstripes to MAThilda in Winston-Salem, NC Sept. 2012

These cream pinstripes remind me of embroidery on cowboy boots. Perfect for the Southwest!