Ta-DA! Santa Fe to welcome 2nd Art*o*mat® machine!

"CaveMAT" is coming to Santa Fe! Meet "him" at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center July 11-13!

I've made you wait to find out what I've been up to but here it finally is: Ta-DAAAA! Introducing "CaveMAT," the newest member of the Santa Fe Art*o*mat® family! "CaveMAT" is a 1960's National cigarette machine with 9 columns for art and an amazing paint job by Winston-Salem artist, Chad Beroth. Inspired by real cave paintings and petroglyphs along with the famous "Mel's Drive-In" from the 1973 movie, American Graffiti (there is a UFO shaped cave painting on the side of the machine that represents the flying saucer shape of Mel's Drive-In), Chad has created his own version of ancient American graffiti in this Art*o*mat® machine that I have adopted and nick-named "CaveMAT." All four sides of "CaveMAT" have been artfully decorated and I'm hoping to find a big ol mirror to place behind him so he can be seen in all his glory!

"CaveMAT" will make his debut at ART Santa FE, An International Contemporary Art Fair, July 11-13, 2014 at Santa Fe Community Convention Center. I hope you'll come to meet this fabulous member of the Art*o*mat® family and say hello to me too!  I'll have blank art sample packs to give away to artists interested in making art for Art*o*mat® and a few cool Art*o*mat® buttons to hand out as well. BE THERE: 201 West Marcy Street July 11-13, 11:00-6:00pm!

Check out the sweet Art*o*mat® sign in transparent orange plexiglass!

There's the "Mel's Drive-In" tribute flying saucer on the side!

Fall in love with "CaveMAT!"

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! ...Coming Soon...

I have a BIG ANNOUNCEMENT about Art*o*mat® in Santa Fe to make!  But it's coming soon and you'll have to wait...

Okay...here's a teeny weeny peek. But that's all you get!

MAThilda Gets a Visit From a Hometown Friend

MAThilda enjoyed a visit from Janet Stanley (left) who came all the way from Washington State. Thanks, Janet!

A friend from my hometown of Tacoma, WA came to Santa Fe to attend the opening of the new FEAST show at Site Santa Fe and she was delighted to meet MAThilda while she was in town hanging with me and my folks. She's a long time customer and visitor to my first hosted Art*o*mat® machine, "MAT," in my gallery, BKB & Company.

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®!

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!

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!

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!