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April 28, 2006
BLEEEEAHHH!!
You know you've had some of these days where even though it's perfect outside and you want to be in a good mood you just can't get there. I'm coming down from a week full of expectation and coming up short. I know this might sound wierd and a little bit arrogant, but it's totally freakish that none of my work got into the KSU student show. They usually make phone calls letting you know where you can pick up work if it doesn't get in, and if you got in. I might have not made the trip to campus yesterday if I knew none of my work got in. Kudos to my fellow students who got awards and got multiple pieces in. Good job!! But I can't help but feel inadequate. As I listened to the juror explain why she chose what she did I felt validated, just a little. She was looking for more conceptual and maybe more studeous work. Some of the work was VERY student like, but others were very well thought out. I tried to be a good sport, after all this is just my student show. Rejection is never fun, and when I found out that Sarah also got rejected I didn't feel so bad. The work she brought in today was beyond cool Oh, man I'm gonna haveto give paper cutting another try!
It's good to see Ari and Tim today though. They were both at my house when I got home from class. It's good to have friends around you, even if just for a moment, on your blah day. I look forward to giving Ari some art for her generous time loving on my kids while I went to class.
I thought briefly about going to class this summer as well, but I just can't see how I can squeeze a semesters worth of work in 8 weeks, it's just too crunching. I want to start some sewing projects, design Eden's quilt, do some artwork that's different like more watercolors or mini art, maybe work with paper mobiles more. Joel and Josiah will go camping this weekend and Eden and I will hang out and hopefully I can get housework caught up and some non-toddler friendly projects started.
My painting Garden Blessing looks more sci-fi than beautiful. I ended the semester with a whimper. Celebrate Beauty ended on a good note, but still needs some work. It could go in a cafe/restaurant setting very well. I hope the meeting at Radial works out. I have grown a bit sheepish about diving into another gallery since Hollis was such a bust. That might sound ungrateful, but it was, it was a bust. Nothing was sold and nothing was advertized. I could have done it better all by myself. So called "gallery representation" sounds so great coming from my professors mouth, but in the end it doesn't do much for me. I have realized that my inspiration needs a boost. I have decided that I shouldn't try to start something new until after I get back from my LA trip. I need some refuelling, a concept, a dream, a spiritual charge to communicate. I filled, FILLED journals in Norway and now I am grasping at straws. I don't want to putz around anymore, I have to have a vision. Lord, bring me that vision. I've been praying for it.
The problem with trying to market yourself is that you leave little time for inspiration cuz you're always thinking of what you've already done. Time to grow and move and perhaps paint less and realize more.
I'll enjoy my break from school. I will enjoy my baby girl turning one, I will spend time with my family, I will vacation in CA and see good friends. And what I create in this time will be relaxing. Thank God!
fine art | By | 5:03 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
April 26, 2006
Cropped
Celebrate Beauty cropped and altered, I think it's almost done, it's supposed to be by friday morning. I'm thinking about adding extra canvases to make a multi paneled composition. Oil and acrylic on canvas, it was about 34"x38", now it's 28"x 30". I think it might be crooked, and the colors in this picture are wierd, that's what I get for not using photoshop to help the contrast. Give me notes peeps!
fine art | By | 2:00 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 25, 2006
Self Portrait Tuesday
April's theme is "April Fool".
This is my breakfast attire. Oh, how loverly the patterns are. They blend so well, and seeing as my two children give me about 5 1/2 hours of sleep a night these past few weeks, they are just about the only cheery thing about me in the morning. When it comes to meal times I get down and dirty practical. I mean my choice of apron isn't nearly as feminine and cute as the one Cat got me. After all my projects the past few days, I have bruises, spotches and exhaustion. The practical and comfy attire is way necessary. I mean, I only really wear real clothes from 10am to 2pm, then it's back to the grubbies.
Now to the bath...
Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 7:49 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 24, 2006
Rest?
Whew! So many things to write about so I'll try to recap quickly! For those family members reading, Eden's birthday list is at the bottom of this post.
Art of Dining was Friday night and I found out kinda last minute that it was this past weekend. To last minute to find another babysitter, and since Joel had a ten page paper to write and Ari has done so much for me I took Ari! It was very applicable for her since she is in school studying AIDS research, and she loves art! It was so fun, but I feel I have forgotten how to socialize. I was in a blur, like "what do I do in this scenario?" Plenty of my classmates were there, and after Ari had to leave I hung out with Lauren and we were sorely disappointed that the live auction was not more exciting and heated. My little plate sold for $80 in the silent auction!! So cool. It got 3 bids. My other classmates had some excellent entries. Especially Alissa, Josh, Lauren and Brea.
Lauren is starting a gallery in Canton and heck fire I'm gonna have work there!
Ari and Tim came over to play our new game on Saturday night. It was fun actually getting to talk with Ari and not just shout over little kid noise. Josiah does not share attention or toys very often. It was hilarious as Tim and I dodged controversy and Joel and Ari went for each others throat. Let's just say we have different opinions on public education. But it's nice to have some gameing/art/drinking buddies now that the Perkins are headed for potato country.
Gideon turned 3 this past week and we had a great ruckus at his house with the cousins and neighborhood kids. Happy Birthday Gid! We'll miss all those boys so much. I tried to soak up some Isaac and Phineas time too.
Sunday I did what I usually do, and I tried to work on paintings. But where did I put my staple gun! Argh! I have been battling with Celebrate Beauty all semester and I had this crazy idea to crop it. I brought empty stretchers to class and told Robert and class that I'd like to crop it and they thought that was an excellent idea. I'm kinda bummed that I couldn't pull off the whole photo, I kinda feel like I failed Brent who actually took the photo. I still have dellusions that I might fulfill the whole composition on seperate canvases.
The Weigers have commited to purchase "Be Still" and Skip has been harassed by his wife to buy a couple pods. Get 'em while their hot folks!
I have found some hot opps on craigslist atlanta. I have an appointment for this restaurant by Candler Park next week. I can't wait to show there! Sounds great!
Here's a site I have only begun to scratch the surface of: www.callingmarcel.com
KSU Student show has it's opening this thursday. Be Still, Metro 3 and Lioness are entered, we'll see what gets in.
Eden's birthday list:
community | By | 4:22 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 20, 2006
Things I love Thursdays
top door
Originally uploaded by katiek2.
I love looking at people's refrigerater doors! I think they tell alot about the people you're hanging out with. You get to meet their family and friends. You get to peek into their lives without asking awkward questions. I like that your fridge door can be a collage in process of practical and beautiful things. As I look at my fridge door now it's actually pretty boring. Somethings have been there for a long time and others will be removed very soon. Mostly my fridge door contents are determined by how strong my magnets are. I loved putting Josiah's artwork on the fridge but the magnets would only hold one piece of paper.On the side of the fridge I have a hearty clip that holds several works of art. I have other lovely bits that come and go because they make me happy. I love the picture of my friend Sofia in Africa. I've never been there and honestly I don't think I will go soon, but I love to see her pale face with these beautiful Massai(sp?) women. I love to be reminded there is more in this world than me. I had a "Jesus elske alle barne" flier up for ages. It's "Jesus loves the little children" in Norwegian. And also a doodle/art piece from Kelly that has the caption "our times are in your hands". These things will probably never be things I frame, or even put in a scrapbook, but they are daily elements that give me pause as I make oatmeal at 7:45am everyday. My fridge becomes an inspiration board of sorts. It is a gallery, a play area,a photo album, a chalkboard, a bulletin board, a journal, and sometimes a blank canvas needing new fresh pretties to adorn it. So blogworld, I'd love to see your fridge doors! Some I know are photo albums (like Lynn's) and some are elaborate works of art (like Cat's). Some are bulletin boards and scrapbooks (like Kirk and Sarah's and my Ma's. Just a peep, it's just a step futher in, not asking to see what's inside, although that might be a good topic too. hehehe.
I love Thursdays | By | 5:19 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 18, 2006
Self Portrait Tuesday
This is the April Fool's theme for Self Portrait Tuesday. This photo is "When you want to wear your flip-flops but yours are upstairs and the hungry kids are downstairs" I put on Joel's size 10 1/2 flip flops and try not to fall out of them. They are comfy though because they're Tevas and most of mine are thrift store rejects or Target variety. When I thought of this theme I thought of how I must look. My hair tied up so I can see past my bangs, my jeans rolled up because my ankles are hot. Hot ankles? Why yes, they do get toasty. My apron and Joel's huge flip-flops. There ya go, it gets the job done.
A happy day has arrived! Joel's brother Nathan and his wife had a healthy baby boy this morning. 8lbs, 7oz 2 weeks early. Whew! What's up with these big Knutson boys! Kaden Russell Knutson. Congrats Nate and Laura!
Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 3:39 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 17, 2006
Beautiful for a moment
We spent Easter Sunday with Joel's grandparents and sister, along with Amy's bf Josh and Josh's sister Amy. Since the kids were all beautiful for a moment, I wanted to snap some pictures. Eden is wearing the white dress that my grandmother smocked for her. This is the third time she's worn it and I imagine she'll wear it again and again since a very fat hem is included. Mom says that smocked dresses have a great ambiguous shoulder line so a newborn through a two year old can wear them. Good thing, because my kids only get this pretty a few times a year!
My prettiness on my flickr.
Oma and the sacrificial Lamb cake. She made us a killer meal. It was probably us that should have been serving her.
Here's the finished plate for "Art of Dining" I hear whether it got in or not sometime this week. The photo is a little too bright, it washes out some of the color, but I literally took the photo on my way to class. Title "Balm of Gilead".
mommy time | By | 3:39 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 14, 2006
Things I love Thursday
Yeah I know it's Friday, SO WHAT!
I love Bikes! These beautiful days where you just can't not be outside for some part of it makes me long for material things, namely something to tote my kids around in so I can ride my bike. We live vey close to the Silver Comet Trail here in the ATL area, and we try whenever we can to go there. We went last weekend and it just ain't fair that I'm huffin' along with a broken umbrella stroller and Joel is dutifully biking v e r y slow with Josiah in the bike seat. Biking was great when it was just the three of us. We'd cruise around with Josiah on the bike giggling with glee. We spend any energy we had on our regular trip to Hilton Head Is. on our bikes riding on the beach and looking at the amazing houses around the "private beaches". And the Silver Comet made the summer seem not as hot when your wizzing down hill keeping the gnats out of your teeth. My Swinn doesn't accomidate the other bike seat my parents got Joel for Christmas. Joel worked and worked to get it on and no success. So now we are looking for the more cumbersome version: the trailor. I'm not totally opposed to this because it would give us the other option: a double stroller. I don't mind huffin' down the Silver Comet, or another park with a good double stroller. It's just I'd rather be riding my bike, with Joel, and the kids on the back giggling with glee. Maybe when we move to California we'll sell my bike, get one that fits the seat. But wait, kids grow right? Maybe Josiah will max out the 45lb limit before we know it and we'll get him his own little Huffy.
I've never been an outdoorsy type, Joel has brought it out of me slowly the past 10 years I've known him. The beauty of it is, it's free. Once you buy that contraption, bike, stroller, snowbord, skateboard, rollerskates, unicycle, you have it and you can go go go until your waaay tired. I love my daughter, but I long to get her and Josiah out with us on bikes. It hasn't happened yet and I can't wait much longer. My wallet's going to have to, freecycle just doesn't give away bike trailors!
I love Thursdays | By | 5:03 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
April 11, 2006
Pods and Progress
All these pods are available for sale!! Some are already in my shop. Click on the pics to see them larger.
Garden Blessing in progress. This pod painting is big folks!
My class is participating in the "Art of Dining". We paint on plates and they auction them off. Its at a pretty reputable gallery. I just hope I can get this one done for the deadline on Friday.
fine art | By | 10:45 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
Self Portrait Tuesday
Self Portrait Tuesday is about being silly. In the vein of April Fools. I'm sure that we all have loony pictures of us doing stuff with our kids. I love this felt hat so much I can't wear out these pictures! The theme of Toddler Thursday was Robert Smith, I think, who did work with felt. Large, looping pieces of felt. I had to keep Josiah from stepping on it when we went to see the permanent collection at the High. Well, I made this hat and it became Josiah's 3rd birthday hat. He didn't want to wear it at first, but he's warmed up to it by now.
He's still the age where if I tell him it's cool, he agrees most of the time. So go take a silly picture and make me laugh!
Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 9:46 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 9, 2006
Lets Catch Up
For those of you that are dying of curiosity about what happened when I actually went back to the High with my kids to see the Chuck Close show, here ya go. I went to the front desk to check in and I told the folks there what had happened to me. Their eyes got kinda wide as I told them "I was escorted out". "were they loud?" They asked "Not any more than they are right now." But to make a long story short, they were perplexed as to why I was shown the door, except that I mentioned Chuck was being interviewed. Then they seemed to know all "That must be why! they wanted to keep you from running into Chuck being interviewed" then I said "Uh, well I walked right past him and it was a full 10 min later that I was asked to leave" They still seemed kinda confused, and welcomed me to see the exhibit, which I did. I wanted to emphasize to the folks at the desk that I was very embarassed and I didn't want that to happen again!
But yes, the exhibit was very cool. I kept a death grip on Josiah's hand and talked with him about the art the whole time to keep him occupied. I told him that the man in the picture's name was Chuck, so at every painting we saw we said "Hi Chuck!" The large portraits that they have on all the promo material was very impressive, I mean, very cool. I've seen some of his work up close before but these were beautiful. I then realized that even though I do not do large portraits of myself, I use Chuck's style with color, shapes and lines. I felt that bond with his work and if I had both hands free, I would have moved more freely and gotten as close to the work as the guards would let me. Traced his brushstrokes with my finger and taken more mental notes of his color combos. I loved the purples, I don't remember noticeing the purples before. Chuck made holograms of his face that you can only see at an adult's eye level. Josiah, along with the other couple kids that were in that exhibit couldn't see it. I lifted Josiah up to show him and said "Boo! Hi Chuck!" He thought it was hilarious! We had to do it over and over. The guards looked restless and so was Eden. It was a nice time and we enjoyed an activity with others coloring in simple imitations of Chuck's face.
The last painting class I went to we had a discussion about professional portfolios. I brought my book because I thought it would finally be a good opportunity to show Robert my work and get feedback. It was definately an ego stroking experience. I have a good 7 years on some of these students worth of work. Robert said I had "a kick ass web site" well I dunno about that, but thanks! I got the "wow, you have alot of work!" and "your work has great continuity" and of course being artists themselves, they liked my nudes and my painting style. He used my book as an example, along with his little buddy's book to show similarities and differences. His buddy wants to get to grad school. Me, not so much. All this to say I had some wonderful dialogue with my classmates about what to do for images and where I get my subject matter. I like this because it gives me an opportunity to bring light to such a wierd and twisted way of communicating with art. I believe in communicating beauty and hope even with non-perfect images. I quick popped Robert an email about Atlanta galleries and I look forward to having a discussion with him about which galleries to persue. Please check out my website as I will be adding a works in progress gallery, new, better images and updates on shows.
What the heck, I'm in School! | By | 7:41 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 7, 2006
Things I love Thursdays
I love my boy's big feet. They are a constant challenge, and I love that they are larger than average. I don't really know why it's just fun. It's fun that he's taller than our almost 5 yr old neighbor.
But what I love most about his feet are the cool shoes I get to put on him! I have been one of those Moms who puts the painfully difficult shoes on her kid because coolness is more important than the ease. The Chuck Taylor's I found at the A to Z Thrift Store round the corner have to be the best. They have become a lot rattier since I got them for him, and with summer around the corner they might get retired. At the ole A to z this Wednesday I found I a pair of Chuck's size 3. Since Jos will be busting out of his 10 1/2's and I love to stock pile the cool kicks, they came home with us. I dunno what it is about the A to Z, this is the 4th pair of Chuck's I've bought from them. Who could the supplier be? In Powder Springs no less?
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April 5, 2006
Another distraction, Another Meme
The Five Must Have's Meme:
In my fridge:
1. Milk. The skinny kind for me, the not so skinny for everyone else.
2. Something green. Brocolli, spinach, lettuce (the green kind). Avocado (not always in the fridge)
3. Apple juice for Josiah
4. Beer for Joel
5. Tofu. These days Eden will eat it with assorted marinades.
In my closet:
1. Jeans. I look good in them, so there they are.
2. My black studded belt.
3. Hoodies. Those for home and those for going out.
4. Shoes. All over the place. I never thought of myself as a shoe whore, but since the thrift stores are so good, I've found some cuties. From my Rocket Dogs, to my corduroy Doc boots, to my Dr. Scholls wooden sandles...
5. Target Tees is various colors.
In my purse:
1. wallet
2. phone
3. shades. although my cheapo pair just broke. My Eyes!!!
4. lotion
5. crackers for the kiddies
In my car:
1. ipod mini and adapter
2. two car seats. One of which will be replaced very soon.
3. Two empty Starbucks cups. One for water, one for latte that I had on my morning drive.
4. stroller and baby back pack.
5. And now that it's spring, picnic blanket!!
In my Tivo:
Well, I don't have a Tivo (thank God, or I'd be in a bad way) we are online DVD junkies. So all the TV shows are on disc whenever we want to watch em.
1. Law and Order (the original only baby!)
2. Office (the British kind IS the best although we are Steve Corbell fans)
3. That 70's show reruns
4. art 21
5. Seinfeld, of course.
community | By | 3:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 3, 2006
Wonders of Spring
It only takes one small visit to someones house that doesn't have small children to realize my house is gross. Let me be the first to say that the extra 500 sq feet I have in house (not including garage, porches and basement) that I didn't have in my former apartment almost 3 years ago, is enough to be an abyss of uncleanliness. Of course, my son was not walking when we moved in and now I affectionately call Josiah "Josiah the Destroyer" because the moment I clean something or put something away Wah-Lah it's out, it's dirty, it's craziness! My little daughter will soon be adding to the chaos since she is 11 months old. I can't believe that, 11 months.
Anyway, my pysche goes through a maze of emotions. Denial first of all, then grief. But I feel I must do something everyday. Cleaning the highchair is the minimum. Last night my weary bones at 11pm was washing my floors and after doing that I bought Murphy's Oil Soap for my hardwoods this morning. You can't just clean them with anything ya know. Our master bath is small, I'm not really complaining about that except it's just a little bit too small to clean comfortably. A broom, a mop they basically just clank around in their looking for a smooth stroke. But today I did it. I cleaned my 2 upstairs baths. I did the showers (which I HATE HATE to do) and the toilets (which do get cleaned often, thanks to potty training) the mirrors, the floors and even the little shelves that have rings of cough syrup and toothpaste creating lovely patterns no one can see but me. But my moment of pride was I removed the former toilet set in the master bath and put in a shiny new white seat and lid. Who knew it takes 5 minutes! The house came with a black, padded seat. Yep, you can visualize, no need for the grusome photo. It matched the black non-skid swan stickers in the bath tub. Those have been fun to remove one by one.
It came to me that I was cleaning, in the spring. Whatdoyaknow! I still have to vacuum my tiny carpet in the living room to make this weeks straightening complete.
So here's to the Spring! It's lovely wind, green and pollen to go with it. I no longer have 1,000 dead ladybug carcasses on my bathroom floor!
house | By | 6:23 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack