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March 31, 2007

Quite a Gift

I had to share a photo of one of my fun works-in-progress, my bird hat. I'm going to finish it out the same way I do my paintings, paint pen and all. But I wore it around with just the stencil for a while getting the idea to soak into my head. I wore it, also, just long enough to not be able to sell it. Well, I practice on this one and I got another one that's blank ready to be the next little canvas.
I just wanted to thank everyone who came down to see me at Art Moves on Main yesterday. Can you believe the turn out?? It was awesome. And Joel was moaning that morning that "it's not even in the paper!" Sorry for those I didn't get to talk to, but I think I probably talked to more friends than future clients. Not that my friends don't buy, I got a few of those out there too. I got tired of explaining the space to everyone. There is not way I could possibly afford one of those lofts. One of those lofts is almost twice the cost of my house in Jefferson Heights! I'm hoping my house value will catch up real soon. I sold my Yellow Bird Pod yesterday. Awesome, that's $40 I didn't have yesterday, I could pay my baby sitter! I also got a commission, we'll see if it comes through. I wish that I had more large work to show. It's really hard for me to be resigned to all the birds I've been painting! I would feel super great if I could paint some more medium size pieces of rabbits like Good Morning and Cookie. Maybe kids and bunnies and birds? That sounds too much like a Target Easter catalogue ad.
But I was encouraged. Joel tells me it's always good to show my work no matter how old or new. It was great to see Daniel and the whole Coptix crew (did they just come for the MGD?). And Henry was great to see, sweeping the floor for me with his chubby hands, they came up black.
Being the putz that I am, I did not get to see the other artists work. Dude, I didn't even make it to see all the sculptures! I was admiring the dress from afar. So pretty, I can't get over it.
I am so encouraged about my community. The group of women I met with on Thursday night remind me that there is something important about showing. Just showing, Those of you who don't show your work anywhere, not even it the humblest of places you need to, there is no excuse. You need to hear what the huddled masses have to say about your art. And as much as I put my art all over the www, you have to have people see your work in person, pixels don't cut it. I can't tell you how many times people have said, "It's so good to see it in real-life". It's true, the brushstrokes, the texture, your own zoom lense (your legs) these things are important to those people that will admire your art with great sincerity and not just out-click it. This will give people the experience of talking to an artist and seeing who you really are. This will give people that awkward growing feeling of telling others how this art "makes them feel". And as an artist, I would not improve if I did not have people seeing, talking, commenting on my work. I have a long way to go, and after every show I have, I have to decompress and take in what I've been told. It's important, have I stressed it enough?
Well, I'm here at AVA today and the huddled masses are drifting through my door in small singles and doubles. Not very impressive I must say. But I'm glad to be here, again, to talk to people about art. And to sit my tired ass down! After a day of art frenzy and then Joel's joyful 30th birthday party, I'm beat. Poor Joel, he gets to take our tired kids to a big kiddie birthday party today. He'll get his day of rest and basketball tommorow.
Happy Birthday to my mom and my grandma (who's 92 today). I love you beautiful women. My grandma has a bird shirt of her own to wear and celebrate spring.

fine art | By | 2:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 28, 2007

Who's the Birthday Boy?

The St. Elmo Playground was built just in time for Joel to celebrate his 30th birthday. Today Joel joins the ranks of the non-twenties. Although Joel, in his determined mission to wear out an old joke, says it's his 2nd 29th birthday. His birthday comes on the busiest week of my life!! It seems. Cat asked me, "So Kate, what does your week look like?" And as I rattled off all the stuff I had to do this week I was floored that I kept talking. But it's hump day, Joel's birthday, and I think the rest of this week will be busy and fun.

Joel and I will hob-nob with folks on Friday afternoon 3:30-5:30 (I know, weird times) at Arts Move on Main. Then we'll come home for Joel's birthday party. Burgers and bratwurst and, just a little bit of, Andy Perkins PhD!!!! Congrats Andy, we all knew you were smart, sent prayers off for you a little bit late, but God doesn't work on our timeline anyway. It'll be way fun. Another Saturday of working at AVA for me, Joel gets to play daddy all day at a 3kid birthday party. I think AVA sounds more peaceful. Just maybe. Then a Passover feast with our tried and true small group.

Josiah was so tired today at school. He was distracted, weepy, clumsy and impatient. By the last lesson he was asking to go home. This business is making my kids unhappy. They love going to church, they have so many people there tht love them and they playplayplay the whole time (and do alot of praying and application too). Getting home at 8:00 on Sunday and 9:30 on Tuesday makes the next morning miserable. Mom said Eden was a zombie too. I am happy that we are healthy and tired because of our active involvement with good things like friends, church, school, home and art.

| By | 3:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

March 26, 2007

New Bird, wouldn't cha know

I finished this green and yellow beauty last night. I like it, its different and I hope to finish off all my birds for Friday's artist reception on Main St with pretty paper backing and a ribbon to hang them by.

And my "Welcome Little Pink" is in my shop, check it out!

fine art | By | 9:36 AM | TrackBack

March 23, 2007

Welcome a little pink

When I looked at this little bird at 11:30 last night he looked finished, now that the daylight has come I'm thinking he needs some cleaning up. As I sit painting this little guy I'm thinking, "Why am I painting birds and rabbits??" I mean, I did sit down and write a statement about it but I really desire to have some serious work coming out of me. I have discovered that that deep work that comes out takes a lot of time, alot of concentration of emotion, mental process and overall inability to do anything else (including making dinner and washing dishes). I'm not quite at that point. I beat myself up that I haven't finished the Eliana adoption piece yet (what is my problem!!!!) but I shouldn't approach it with such pressure. I should enjoy these spring days and painting birds and rabbits is OK. I would like to finish Eliana for next weekend. I will have my art up at the new and under construction Soho Lofts on Main Street. There will be wine and a charming young man named Joel Knutson to meet and greet. Yeah, I'll be there too being my nervous self. That's Friday March 30th 3:30-5PM. I need to meet with Helen from Allied Arts to check out the space and see how I feel about how much art to bring.

I'm so warmed by the work happening for the St. Elmo playground. Seeing as I grew up around the corner from the Rec Center, and that building was the first place I ever voted. I voted for Clinton (eep!) I don't think I played there very often, I was more of a bike riding kid.

It's a wonderful welcome to spring to have the downtown of Chattanooga blossoming with sculpture and fresh store fronts and to see my old neighborhood get an awesome place to play.

fine art | By | 2:30 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

March 20, 2007

SPC #2 Widgets

I really ripped off Joy with this one, but I really like fd's flickr toys. They are so low maintenence. And with this crazy weather I'm in my wool socks one morning and in my flip flops the next. But my toes are a-tinglin' these days as there are some exciting possibilities on my brain. I am still longing to get that email from Patty our agent, but on the flip side our closing date for Jefferson Heights has been moved up to April. And our relocation funds are solidified. As I was expressing yesterday in conversation, I can't believe how much God is giving and then He expects immediate thankfulness and responsibility. I can't believe He has trusted me with so much.

And for no reason at all, I want to show off the pretty girl who is Brandt Sykes daughter, she's gorgeous! And I want to say congrats to the Levengood's on their long-awaited baby girl Katherine. Celebration is order!

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 11:24 PM | TrackBack

Commodity

They say that as soon as your house goes on the market you have to think of it as something you are no longer personally attached to, it's a commodity. We went down to Marietta this weekend to do some touch ups and just check up on what our house was like. My ficus was pretty much a goner. I mean it's been 8 years in the same pot, time for it to retire. Looks like the neighbor kids have done their worst by tearing a whole in my brand new screened in porch door, flipping the latch, taking out Jos' kiddie basket ball backstop and laying it out across our backyard. Then when I further investigated, there was red spray paint on one of the window panes of our basement window and they decided to get violent with the fence in between our properties. Broken pathetic fence across the side. Whatever, it wasn't a pretty fence anyway. I kinda wish I had an opportunity to talk to our neighbors this weekend. They were gone alot. It's just troubling. But it could have been a lot lot worse.

We had three people come see our house while we were there. The first came while we were at IKEA, the next couple came without and agent and talked to us for a little while. I would love it if they decided on our house because we got to talk. The third group came in while Joel was painting the living room ceiling and we just smiled and welcomed them to the humungoid mess. We're asking God every night at bedtime to sell our house. Josiah loves saying, "Jesus, sell our house!" It's precious, and helpful.

We had a nice little visit. We went to IKEA and built up a real "I want, I want, I want" list. We will need a bed system for the kids. But all I left with were some little birdie lights that were less than $3. We went to Trader Joe's with only 20 minutes before closing. It's so great to have more glycerin soap, Charles Shaw wine, yummy green curry tuna and awesome coffee. While Joel painted the living room ceiling I took the kids to our favorite park in Marietta, Laurel Park. What was so wierd was this:

This open field used to be used for school activity and now it's filled with rows of electrical poles. They are close together and there are also fresh poles with meters attached. This is so strange! And I really hope they're temporary because it was a pretty field.

house | By | 12:27 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

March 16, 2007

Clover and Pods

Is this done? I dunno. Whether it is or not, it's in my shop! Maybe I'll stare at it a couple days and see if I think it needs any help. This is an experiment in flatness for me. I tried to mke this bunny look less flat but to no avail. And really it looks cool anyway. I really love the clover motif, I hope this midnight bunny has a nice much on those crazy geometric red clover leaves. I think next bunny I do I will use a bigger canvas. I enjoyed getting the whole rabbit in there. This clover patch needs to be varnished and then it's ready for a new home! Buy it here or check it out on my new etsy mini on the sidebar!

fine art | By | 9:19 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 15, 2007

The slow process

You might not see too much difference in my updated Adoption piece today, but I did work on it, I did! One of my biggest challenges is that I decided to use this inlaid photo of Sara and Eliana. It was hard to keep Sara from looking like Barbie. (I bet Sara is laughing right now) Well, Sara is tall and blonde and thin, but she looks very human and not Barbie/plastic-like. Sara has a wonderful big smile (that my cousin Sam mirrors quite well) and the teeth! Oh my goodnes, what did I get myself into! I was groaning and huffing in my little art corner last night as Joel watched TV, "What am I doing trying to paint teeth!!" I've been telling my two drawing students that life drawing does still contain a smidge of illusion. If you can suggest that the object is round than that's good enough! And I have sucessfully, in the past, suggested teeth without having to paint every...single...one. Not that I'm truly complaining, I am trying to improve and I will master these teeth, because it is a beautiful part of Sara's personality toward her daughter, I mean, shouldn't all of us mom's have a huge, unrestrained grin for our children? I want to portray Sara's teeth as the evidence of one of these very satisfying smiles. I think I've figured out the shape, the gums, the angles etc. but I have to make it a lot softer, I exagerated the lines so I could get it right, and it does look a bit scary with the big dark lines. Thanks for trudging through the process with me guys.

So besides having to blend all the floral details and add more movement etc. these are my favorite parts. The paint-penned letters that frame Eliana's face and the blueing of the back portrait of Sara.

fine art | By | 9:41 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

March 12, 2007

SPC Web Widgets #1

This is a little bit late, but I had a hard time finding a widget that was compatible with my blog without filling out tons of junk or making my computer freeze up. This was super easy and fun! I'm sure some of you are more creative than I with wording and subjects. Have fun!

Self Portrait Tuesday | By | 4:02 PM | TrackBack

March 11, 2007

Adoption: Work in Progress

Sorry for the crappy picture guys, but remember this painting?! I had almost forgot about it. It has been abandoned on my easel while I was makign bunnies and birdies. But I have felt it's pull and I want to finish it, soon! It's in 'the gaudy stage' right now. That's where I have to load on all the images and words and texture. After this, I work on them to make them more subtle and push and pull certain things forward and back.

Hopefully this week, I will have some time to work on this and find more things to push and pull.
I found one of my mom's embroidery books for these little floral motifs. They also are not finished, but I love the contrast they will have with the figures.

So stay tuned, I have been enjoying diving back into this one. Eliana's wonderful skin tone, big letter stencils, heck! big brushes! I've been neglecting my number 8's for too long!

fine art | By | 11:45 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

March 8, 2007

8 days a week

Catalogue Card Genrator- Super Fun!

I have been heard saying that there needs to be 5 more hours in the day. Today I feel it. My To- Do list is long and full of things that I long to do but there are a series of other things that have to get done for these things to be accomplished. I don't mind having To-Do lists but I do want to have the ability "To-Do" them!! With my boy in Pre-K yesterday, I subjected my poor daughter to wander aimlessly through my workspace while I knocked out a few of the things on the list. One was to write this little statement about my birds and rabbits for Austina and the CCO in Columbus OH. My Sparrow with Blush is going to be put in an auction at the college where Austina works (the name of it escapes me right now). Ohio Dominican University, that's it.

The other weekend while working at AVA I met a couple interesting people. I met the artist Nicholas Bustamante (I love his work) and helped him load all his artwork into his truck. I got to keep one of the show posters (thanks Hayley!). I also got to meet Reid Parish who is in charge of the gallery space at Cleveland State Tech and I had already requested info about exhibiting there. After meeting him, I was sure I could get time on the walls. Seems they are lacking for good space and good art.

A contact of mine from Flickr invited me to be part of Pink! -a breast cancer awareness benefit. That's in June. It's really cool how all my stupid web browsing and blogging etc. is paying off this spring!

And then there are the birds and the rabbits. I really wish I could just pump them out like a machine but alas, I have other responsibilities. I finished a copy of the Sparrow Pod for Heather. Finally finished! It seem like the process would never end, well, I guess it's not quite over. I still have it in my possesion.

The MSA and the Southern Writers Conference are coming at the end of this month and ArtsMove artists are encouraged to participate in the opening event called "Art Moves on Main" which will be an all day tour of the new sculptures going down Main Street. There will be a reception from 3:30 to 5:30 on the 30th and I will have some of my pieces hanging at that reception. I also am going to be featured in the April edition of In the City magazine, so snatch up your copy soon!

There are slides to gather, resume's to type, images to print off, moo cards to order, new paintings to paint, packets to put together, and money to earn! I need 8 days in a week and then I'll have that day for all my stuff to get done.

***I'm also looking for a more affordable website option (I'm now paying $20 a month and then an annual domain fee). And I'm looking to refresh my blog banner and background color. Anyone out there wanna trade web services for physical art? Birds, Rabbits, Pods, Portraits?****

fine art | By | 9:16 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 5, 2007

Bunny Progress

I'm not quite sure I like the paintpen outlining all the bunny patches, I think I'll make this one look more like Cookie. I really do like bunnies, I just wish there were more hours in the day to paint them! This one needs more work, stay tuned!

fine art | By | 9:15 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 2, 2007

Happy March!

I finished these for an order last night and I do like making them, but I'll be glad to get back to painting. I'm in a big transition lately in my painting style and I wonder where it will go.

I found new jeans at America's Thrift and it lifts my spirits because it seems I've lost a few pounds since I'm living here at Mom and Dad's. Sweet! Size 8! It's been so long! Ok, I'm done with that. At least I didn't show you a picture of me in the jeans.

I had to quick gather and send info about myself for an Arts Move article in the Times Free Press. Maybe I'll be in it this weekend? I'm not holding my breath, but it's a cool thought!

Ok, good night.

fine art | By | 12:48 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack