I'm pleased to share that my work is part of issue 120 West edition of New American Paintings. This issue was curated by Evan Garza, Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Blanton Museum of Art at UT Austin. This is one of two spreads of my work in the catalog.
Exhibitions
Show and Shop News
Last weekend I had the opportunity to exhibit my work as part of the Lawrence Final Friday events. Along with a table of letterpress goods and unframed works, I showed two new framed paper pieces and one of my new five-foot-square canvases. These new big canvases are the largest I have painted in over sixteen years, which seems crazy. I believe I gave you a glimpse earlier? I was very excited to show something this new and this scale. Everyone who attended was incredibly supportive and encouraging. I am grateful to my artist friend Kristin Morland for opening her home gallery for the festivities and to Emily Markoulatos, and Raelean Finch who also shared their work.
Also I want to let you know that for a brief while, I am running two shop specials. Now through Dec. 9, save 20% on all fine art prints in my shop with coupon code 20print14. You will also find a few letterpress prints and cards marked on sale. And through December 13, additional letterpress goods are on sale in my pop-up Etsy shop.
This afternoon I sent out an end of the year newsletter. Did you receive it? If not, you can view it here.
And one more thing, after six years, habit blog is coming to a close at the end of December. I'm very glad to be sharing moments there this month along with so many others who have participated over these years. Thank you Emily, Molly, and Tara for hosting.
My work for GOOD MAIL DAY
For (at least) the past seven years I have had the good fortune of working with Artstream and knowing Susan Schwake. She and Lisa Solomon are curating an exhibition entitled GOOD MAIL DAY. Contributed works will be in different media, all original, 4x6 inches in scale, and made by sixty different artists from across the globe. I'm excited to view these online, though as always, I wish I could see them in person. I've been seeing a few peeks on Instagram from other artists, and think it will be a really fun show. It's one of those that I know I'd be walking in to the gallery with an itchy wallet. These will be very collectable pieces. Show opens November 7.
And here are the works I am sending. Visually, they are similar to my sketchbook entries. I began on one piece of paper, then separated them, which was part of the concept. The titles come from songs that I was listening to while painting, and interpreted them to mesh with ideas in my recent work.
Catching up
August came and went and now we're already in the middle of September. Not sure how that happened. To sum things up in a nut shell, below are a few highlights from around here.
During the month of August I was very pleased to show my work in the new beautiful Lawrence Public Library. Sometimes I like to just meander the perimeter of the library interior, and peruse the shelves. I always check out what's available in the new releases. I just finished reading "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd and enjoyed it.
A couple weeks ago we went to Wichita so I could see Lisa again, who was back in town for festivities at the Ulrich Museum. It really was a nice evening, of which I took zero photos. Sometimes I like to just be, you know? The next day, Matt and I stopped at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve on the drive back to Lawrence. We walked a trail that we hadn't before, in hopes of spotting bison. And we did! From a distance, which is preferable when they are free range. In the fourth image of the slideshow above you might see them, the black dots in the distance.
On Monday I went to the Atchison Public Library to do a workshop representing the LAC Arts-Based Preschool. It was a sweet group of young children and their families. They were celebrating International Dot Day so I took activities incorporating dots and circles. I think everyone had a fun time; I know I did.
Teaching is underway. We're spending a lot of time outdoors in this pleasant September weather. When we're not painting with cars, or playing with homemade playdough, or hammering golf tees into styrofoam, you'll find us out observing caterpillars turning into butterflies, praying mantis, tree frogs, doing box turtle races, and of course, digging in the sand.
Lately I've been putting together a photo book for Matt and I, a collection of photos from our New Mexico vacation this past June. I just ordered it this morning and am really excited to have it in my hands.
And now the signs of autumn. We notice the sun setting earlier as we take our evening walks/bike rides; dinners with garden butternut squash roasted and drizzled with agave nectar and cinnamon; oak trees full of acorns; blue September skies; delicious farmer's market apples; cooler nights and wishing we had a fire pit. Autumn is my favorite.
And oh, for local folks, I'm offering a couple photo session package specials through November. Learn more about those here. Thanks!
My work at Strecker-Nelson Gallery
My work is part of a new watercolor exhibition at Strecker-Nelson Gallery in Manhattan, Kansas, on view through April 26. Below are a few photos I took at the opening reception, you can click to view in light box. It was a nice evening, Jay and Barbara really know how to organize a great party. As always, it was a packed house! My pieces incorporate graphite drawing, handmade watercolor, and some have pinholes. I really like this grouping and like the way they framed them. Please email or call the gallery at (785) 537-2099 for pricing and info.