Elkhart Art Walk May 2014

Technically this was my second art show. My first was two years ago when I entered two painting in a juried show and one was accepted. That was very cool. This? Well, the Art Walk was another beast entirely. I've been wanting to do more shows, specifically more art fair types of shows, with booths and tents and the whole nine yards. I finally got my act together and made the commitment by applying to two. (I haven't heard back on the second one yet - stay tuned!)



I was sure I hadn't been chosen for the May 14 Art Walk because I assumed I would have heard something earlier, but on April 27, I got the email:

Dear Kelly --

I am so pleased that you will be part of the upcoming Wed. May 14 ArtWalk.

Eep! I was in. Then mild panic set in. So much to do! I need display panels! A set up! SOMETHING! I took some deep breaths, reminded myself that this is supposed to be FUN, and got to work planning and making lists.



I didn't realize when I submitted my application that Dwight wanted to participate, too. Oops. Thankfully the organizers were fine with it and we got to work putting hangers on the paintings, spray painting old, second hand frames, buying new frames, and figuring out what kind of panels we could make in a short amount of time. After a scouting trip to Menards and lots of searching online, we devised our own folding screen and we were set!*







The purpose of the Art Walks is to spotlight local art talent and create a sort of salon experience for them and the community. To do that, downtown businesses graciously open their doors and display windows for the artist. Each artist is assigned to a participating business and the artists coordinate with the owners to set up their art displays.




Dwight and I were first assigned to a restaurant in the middle of changing to a different restaurant, but construction was behind. It wasn't going to work. But we lucked out, and were reassigned two doors down at Matzke Florist. What a score! The owners and employees were amazing, and the store was filled with gorgeous flowers that smelled heavenly.



We arrived the Thursday before the event to set up. Because this is a way to promote artists, displays are set up early and left up about a week after the walk so that people can check out the art for two full weeks, not just on the night of the Art Walk. So cool!



We made trip after trip into the shop — paintings, the homemade screen, easels, and even some little columns we happened to have — and got everything set up.





The day of the walk, we got a call that the florist was going to rearrange the art so that we would get the entire front window. When we set up the week before, they had the display set up for Mother's Day, seeing as that's a pretty big deal for a florist (!) and had taken it down, letting us have the coveted space. The did it all themselves. How incredible is that? They did a wonderful job and really showed off the art, Dwight's in particular, since his paintings are larger and so striking.



The weather did NOT cooperate, but the people of Elkhart did not let that deter them.





We had a surprisingly good turnout, and the three hours went quickly. And we sold THREE paintings! I sold one and Dwight sold two.




Both being introverts, however, meant that Dwight and I were seriously pooped afterwards, but had a great time. In fact, we're planning on doing it again for the next Art Walk in July. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!

*Blog post coming soon for a "HOW-TO" on making the folding screen.--- You can find it HERE!

My First Painting Demo Video!

Here it is! my very first painting demonstration video. There was quite a learning curve on all of this–took a LOT of time– but I had a blast. And there is still so much to learn! I have a entirely new respect for artists that regularly create videos. It is very time consuming, although I suppose you get better and better at it, just like anything.

I don't have a proper video camera, so I used my iPod Touch along with a special tripod adapter and my regular cheap-o tripod to shoot this. Again, lots to learn but overall the set up worked nicely. I even got to put one of my photo lights to use.

Starting out, I had an idea of what I wanted to do, something similar to some other pieces I've done recently, using a pallet knife and broad swipes of color. As you'll see, I decided to shift the idea to more closely follow my inspiration than stick with a strictly abstract piece. I've never been taught how to properly use a pallet knife, so I just go about it all willy nilly, just the way I like it. 

You'll also see me paint with my fingers quite a bit. I think it's a wonderful way to make flowers and blend color. I also like to use sandpaper because it helps the piece feel lived in and a bit worn, like a great pair of jeans. You'll notice I keep going over and over the piece. Part of that is refining and honing the look. Part is just covering up what I no longer like. But even when I cover things up, the depth of the piece is always enhanced with these layers and layers of paint. I think it makes it a lot more interesting.

I don't have a title for this yet, so if you have any ideas, lay them on me. 

I hope you enjoy watching. I got it down to just over 25 minutes, so I hope it's not too long!

In the comments below, please let me know what you think of the video, and any suggestions you have RE: music, lighting, duration, etc. I'd love to hear them!

Supply List

12" 12" Blick Premier stretched canvas, 7/8" deep

Liquitex Gesso

Valspar satin latex sample pots:

Belle Grove Sorbet, Rushing Stream and Lovely Buff

Bilck matte acrylic in Brilliant Magenta

Liquitex Basics:

Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue

Mars Black

Golden Fluid Acrylics:

Cobalt Turquois

Phthalo Turquois

Quinacridone Magenta

Neocolor II crayons:

Payne's Grey

Turquoise

My Pinterest Inspiration 

Oh, hey look, it's snowing again.

This isn't another rant about how spectacularly long this winter has been. Seems pointless, right? So instead, let's look at some pictures of the admittedly pretty snow. I'm not thrilled it arrive, but it was very lovely as and just after it fell.

Sad rhododendrons :(

Here's the back yard. In order to get to our wood pile, you have to cross from the garage to the opposite corner of our lot. Twice this winter, I shoveled a path to it while Dwight powered through with wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of wood. It was pretty brutal. The funny thing, though, is that the outdoor critters, wild and domestic alike, used this trench as well. Deer, squirrels, and one of the neighborhood cats seemed especially grateful for the way to get around that didn't involve 12-20+ inches of snow!

But no complaining about all of this "winter bounty." Aside from there being nothing I can do about it, we're getting just that much closer to spring. Whew.

My mother, however took a far more humorous approach to the weather. She cleans our house usually once a week (I pay her, don't get the wrong idea) and she left this note for us on Friday.

I burst out laughing. My mom put my snowman ornament - my nod to winter "decorating" - in time out, turning him around and putting him in the corner. Awesome.

I come by my goofy sense of humor quite naturally.

Life Book 2014 — Um, Wow.

I have a bit of an art e-course addiction. I love how many different ones are out there and have learned so much - practically everything, really - from the various ones I've taken. I have a rather substantial backlog of videos to watch, projects to try and posts to read. It's a bit overwhelming at times, but they are so much fun.

I fed my addiction this year big time. I signed up for Life Book 2014 hosted by the wonderful Tamara LaPorte of Willowing Arts. It's a year long course with lessons from 20+ artists in all different kinds of mixed media. I loved the line up of artists this year, some of which I knew through other courses I've taken and some just by way of the online art community. Some were brand new to me.

I have not been disappointed. In fact, I'm amazed at the quality and amount of information we've already received and it's only week 8. I'm blown away. For the money, this is by far the best course I've taken and highly recommend this class to anyone interested in mixed media, newbies and seasoned artists alike. I bought this course for my mom for Christmas since she had expressed an interest in this kind of art. She's loving it, and tells me so about every time I talk with her. She's very creative and has always been artsy and crafty, and passed it on to me, so I knew she'd enjoy the course.

The images here are a few things I've worked on so far. I have to catch up one a week I skipped (oops) but this week is a bit of a break with no assignment, so hopefully I can make the time!

I really can't recommend this course enough. Tam is a delight, both as a person and and artist, and all of the contributing artists have been generous and encouraging. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

WIP – Dwight's Landscape

Thought I'd show you a new work in progress (WIP), but with a TWIST. This is my husband's (Dwight's) latest WIP – a gorgeous landscape. He's building layer upon layer, slowly but surely defining and beautifying his painting.

Let's take a look.

Pretty awesome, right? Can't wait to see how it turns out!

It's Snowmaggedon! Or Snowpocalypse! Or something.

It's snowing, of that I am certain. And it's piling up and going to get super duper cold, so I guess I get why people have their knickers in a twist about it.


 

Part of me still just wants to tell everyone, "Hey, it's northern Indiana. In January. It *supposed* to snow" but everyone seems intent on freaking out, in no small part due to the near-constant stream of "OH MY GOD, WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!" type of weather reports coming from the local stations.


 

 All I know is I have plenty of food to last a long time, so bring it, Mother Nature. I got this.