Kelli McDonald - 3/7 - The Austinot

Austinite Melissa Borrell Constructs 3D Jewelry and Laser Cut Art

June 21, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

These jewelry pieces have been 3D printed! The front row features surprisingly lightweight rings.

If you’ve seen someone wearing imaginative jewelry that made you wonder, How was that made? you may have spotted one of Melissa Borrell’s creations. Through jewelry design, installation commissions, public art projects and home goods, Borrell has curated a world of carefully-placed, intricate artwork lines.

I met with Borrell to learn how she has developed such a large body of visually-eloquent work. [Read more…]

Art Bra Austin: A Sparkling Celebration of Survivors

June 7, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Group shot from this year’s Art Bra Austin event

On June 4, 2016 at Palmer Events Center, hundreds of Austinites gathered to celebrate and honor the incredibly courageous women who have battled breast cancer. Survivors proudly walked the runway in gorgeous artistic bras and accessories to raise money for an important cause and celebrate their vivaciousness. [Read more…]

CRAFT Hosts Workshops and Open Crafting Hours in East Austin

May 24, 2016 by Kelli McDonald 1 Comment

Craft Austin Junkyard Room for Art Projects

“The Junkyard” area is full of et cetera crafting supplies like tea tins, doll parts, cork and old encyclopedias (Credit: Diana Ascarrunz Photography)

This isn’t your kid’s crafting room. At its new location on East Cesar Chavez Street, CRAFT continues to offer open crafting hours, group events, workshops and various shades of glitter. [Read more…]

Peek Inside 6 Bizarre Homes from Austin Weird Homes Tour 2016

May 10, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Entire wall of handmade ornaments from Austin Weird Homes Tour 2016

On May 7, 2016, 11 Austin homeowners opened their doors for Weird Homes Tour visitors. Tour-goers wandered through curious dwellings full of art, thoughtful design and decorative oddities. In its third year, Weird Homes Tour donated a portion of proceeds to Foundation Communities, a local nonprofit that provides affordable housing.

If you weren’t able to attend Austin Weird Homes Tour this year, become a virtual tourist through this inside look at six homes on this year’s unique tour. [Read more…]

Feel Light as Air at Psychedelic Levitation Music Festival

April 19, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Psychedelic sun at the 2014 Levitation music festival (Credit: Cecilia Alejandra/Levitation)

Editor’s Note: Levitation has been cancelled due to rain in the forecast and danger of flooding.

For one weekend in late April/early May, a private ranch next to the Colorado River transforms for a three-day psychedelic music festival and campground, complete with light projections, wooden swings, art, food trailers and incredible live music. People travel from around the world to come to this other-worldly event called Levitation. [Read more…]

Curiosity Encouraged During West Austin Studio Tour 2016

April 14, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

DUE WEST takes place on the opening night of the West Austin Studio Tour group exhibition (Credit: Big Medium)

Now in its fifth year, WEST (West Austin Studio Tour) takes place over two weekends in May. Participants are encouraged to seek out remarkable works of art during this free, self-guided tour.

On May 14-15 and May 21-22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, artists and galleries open their doors to interact with patrons who want to see their work, talk about technique and inspiration and purchase artwork. This event is the perfect opportunity for artistic discovery west of I-35. [Read more…]

Austin’s Aralyn Hughes on Pigs, Performing and the Final Bow

April 5, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Aralyn’s taking her “Home Economics” car to the 29th Annual Houston Art Car Parade this April. Her previous art car, inspired by Ara the Pig, currently sits at Planet K on South Lamar. (Credit: Weird Homes Tour/Thanin Viriyaki)

“I used to be normal. I didn’t know better until I was 30.”

You may know Austinite Aralyn Hughes from her apartment on the Weird Homes Tour, her performances, or her recently released book and documentary. Perhaps you’ve caught a glimpse of her art car driving around Austin, or you’ve seen a mural painted in her likeness at Bedichek Middle School.

If you don’t know Hughes yet, allow me to introduce you to the “Queen of Weird” through a peek into what’s going on in her life and mind. [Read more…]

Answers to Common Questions About SXSW Film for Austin Locals

March 11, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Sixth Street during SXSW (Credit: Ian Aberle via Flickr CC)

During SXSW, parts of our city seem unrecognizable. And sometimes, the festival itself can be downright confusing. Luckily, Janet Pierson, Head of SXSW Film, provided us with helpful answers to some of the most common SX questions. Below is valuable information from Pierson and the SXSW website. [Read more…]

3 Austin Documentaries You Should See During SXSW Film

March 10, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Austinites have to share their city during SXSW, so it only seems fair that a few featured documentary films would highlight Austin’s intriguing history with new information for both natives and newcomers to learn.

“A Song For You: The Austin City Limits Story,” “Honky Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke,” and “Tower” make their debut during the 30th SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals. Each film aims to skillfully investigate significant happenings in our city. [Read more…]

Iconic Austinite Richard Linklater Takes SXSW Film By Storm

March 9, 2016 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Richard Linklater – dream is destiny Still Photo

“Richard Linklater – dream is destiny” features interviews with Matthew McConaughey, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Jack Black, Julie Delpy, Kevin Smith. (Credit: “Richard Linklater – dream is destiny”)

This year, Austin and the 30th annual SXSW are celebrating homegrown filmmaker Richard Linklater with a premiere of his new film, a documentary about his work and even an art show. [Read more…]