mango envy + dreaminess

Dear K,
Mangoes just fall in your yard?!? Totally jealous! Anyway, what dreamy cyans you have! I especially like the airplant-nest---curvy and spindly.

Speaking of prints and nature and dreaminess...
C and I went to see Eel Space's new show last night. Its subdued mysticism and layered prettiness was right up your alley. Check out the artists' sites (I think you'll especially like Liz McCarthy's work): http://eelspace.wordpress.com/2011/03/29/remember-hallow-places-animals/

The images above were taken from inside a muslin nature screen made by Nicolás Rojas. Isolating a small space within the gallery, the marker-drawn transparency created an interesting frame for viewing the rest of the work in the room. Katherine Lion's prints hung on the wall close by and felt like an extension of the screen---layers of transparency and texture, abstractions of nature, filtered and blended into forms that invite you to look through/look into. Everything seemed to float in air. Even Rebecca Beachy's dead animal remains shimmered like minerals from the earth, thin fragile dust that could easily be inhaled or sneezed away. In a separate space, Nicolás showed a looping projection from a handmade projector---the image hazy and slow, the audio sweet and serene. All together a grouping of delightful hippie-ness.

On a personal note, I had to skip my Thursday art day this week; too much work to do. But, I drew a bit this weekend. Above are 4x6 inch drawings--more studies for piles/goo. And below, storyboards for my animation project. Just trying to figure out how I want it to end...? Oh yeah, and congrats on the KMH branding and such. Really like your dad's pillow pattern with new rug. Orange is becoming a primary at the Miller-Hopkins residence, eh?

k

Blued memories

Dear K,

Hey you! Man.. intense work week, so I wanted to just play around with cyanotypes today. I spent so much time in grad school coveting the perfect shade of blueish cyan that I forgot how fun these prints can be. Granted, I didn't concoct my own chemicals, paint them on handmade paper, dry them and then print negatives/drawings on them.... oh well. Busy times call for pre-made cyanotype paper! I went all Anna Atkins and simply made images of plants in my yard. My favorite were the air plants. (Reminded me of your new air plant glass container) A non-conceptual outdoor project on a beautiful sunny day. I needed some photo fun - all my time in front of the computer screen these days make me miss the smells of the darkroom. It was like seeing a ghost of an old friend...

Since its spring, we have the beginnings of fresh mangos being dropped into our yard by the neighbor's tree. Perfect! I loved the light in this quick still life.

Also managed to finish my design portfolio! (whew) - Fully KMH branded and everything ... will post portfolio pics next week. Until then.. still doing visual pattern research and pondering lines, shapes, etc. Can I count buying a new rug as pattern research?? ;) The below pillow is a Norwegian pillow that used to belong to my dad, I treasure it so and think it looks great with the new orangey striped rug. Whatcha think?

I'm continuing to love your piles... keep em coming. And, I REALLY loved that animation - totally reminded me of a more whimsical version of the William Kendridge exhibit we saw together. Until next week.. love ya!

xo, K.

piles of xeroxed paper, little snacks, and glittery rocks

K! OMG, that "put a bird on it" video was hilarious and so true! It does seem all the craft fairs have meet Hitchcock's The Birds. Hee.

You beat me to it this week---awesome! Glad you're finally working on pattern. I totally know how it feels to be thinking about and collecting bits for something for a long time without being able to get down into it. So congrats!

My Thursday art day was somewhat productive. I completed another little study for piles (above). And I began scheming for another Mabel-type performance for the fall. Just trying to figure out logistical things: like renting a truck for 3 days to perform in it, possible locations of the touring performance, how to get others involved from the get-go, what this should be about... It's exciting, though.

Yesterday, C and I had a fun outing to the Chicago Zine Fest, which had 3 floors of Zinesters showing/selling their wares, workshops, lectures, and a little film fest. This was the most beautiful animation: http://katiearmstrong.com/oncemoreoncemore.shtml I love the sketchy aesthetic and haunting sound production. Very inspiring for my own upcoming animation project.We bought a few zines for the Good Stuff House collection, and then enjoyed Dim Sum in Chinatown. After filling our bellies we came home to fiddle around the house. I'm propagating a few plants. Check out my baby airplants atop the rock collection---rocks from Victoria, B.C. and Unicoi State Park. ;) Looking good!More next week. Love ya!
k

Put a bird on it...

Dear K,

Hey! How was your Thursday art day yesterday? I had a random day off so I feel a little more relieved of stress this week. The last few weeks I have been really thinking about fabric. Fabric design, fabric repeats, fabric remnants that I have been collecting for years. What is it about pattern that I love so much? (Note pattern research above) Remember my new goal of pattern design? - This silly, crafty, stitchery has been unfinished - hovering and flying over my studio papers for at least 3 years. (ridiculous) I think I have carted these fabric scraps through 3 different states, its about time that they are put to rest and completed. Think they will look great on our living room sofa.

There is something so wonderful about hand stitching with windows open, drinking iced tea and trying to remember all of the sewing lessons that my Mom and Grandma have given me over the years. Despite their patience, I'm still a horrible seamstress... . . oh well.

Hope you are enjoying a moment of sunshine. Happy Spring!

Love, K.

p.s. Also, the reasoning for the post's title is this HYSTERICAL video from Portlandia. No birds next week!

Dear K,

Don't worry - I'm in! Just busier than the usual busy of a week... Thanks for such a great get away in the woods. Between seeing you, E, and an old friend, I - I am re - art energized!

Love the piles and your vintage watercolor set rescued from a Helen, Ga shop. (I ironed on my jean patches today, a .50 perfect fix!) We'll start the piles talk soon... meanwhile, I'm smack dab in the middle of design land. Above is the wedding invite that I just designed for E + S's October big day.

Next week I'm hoping to have something less design and more crafty goodness. Hope you are having a great weekend.

xoxo, K.

p.s. your "piles" drawing reminded me of this piece by artist, Heather Layton. Something about the layering and colors...

pile studies

K!
Thursday studio time produced first study for piles project. Weekly art-making has begun!
Your turn.
k

following the others

Hey K! We had a wonderful weekend together with E in the North Georgian woods. I'm fired up to get back on our virtual sharing.

I wanted to share some other bloggers (people I know) who post frequent snippets to guide and inspire their personal art practices---a lead, I think, we can follow.

First up: Tailored
http://thetailoredblog.blogspot.com/
Lindsay Chenault Bolton shares her inspiration and observations about hand lettering, typography, design trends in general, and life---referencing imagery she stumbles upon on etsy or other artist/designer sites. She also posts her own work in process--drawings, tracings, and final product shots.

Second: Everyday Artworks
http://katharinelion.blogspot.com/
Katherine Lion started this blog as a way to force herself to make. (Sound familiar?) Her goal is to create one thing a day for a whole year, and she has made it to 183 so far---halfway there!

So...let's quit procrastinating and just do it!

Here's the goal: Once a week, we'll post up something, anything that we are working on artistically (design, craft, planning, research...whatever!). Hold me accountable, and I'll do the same for you.

What d'ya say?

k