Rekoj

Sara Everett's Blog Relocated - Please Update Links

2010-10-26T13:31:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have caught the news back in May that I moved my blog!

Please update your links to follow my studio work and artist life progress over here at:

http://saemay.blogspot.com/

Reception Tonight

2010-05-20T10:17:00.001-07:00

The Homebody
Originally uploaded by Sara Everett

From 6pm to 9pm tonight is the gallery reception for Petshop. I can't believe it is here already!
Kellie Talbot, Jeanette Jones & I will be hosting with wine, cheese & grape leaves. Yum!
Stop on by if you can because it is sure to be a good party

Arts Walk Video!

2010-05-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

This wonderful video by Scared of Genre Films is up on You Tube & Art Access. For those of you who couldn't make it out for the evening this is a nice little sample of the art, the energy & even a brief snapshot of Choro Trio & my friend Rosalyn playing!

Not to mention a brief little interview by yours truly where I learn that my hair did not look quite as hot as I thought that night...hehe Enjoy!

Reminder - if you haven't already please update your Reader to my NEW blog at
saemay.blogspot.com.

Fellow Artist Love

2010-05-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

I have had the pleasure these last few weeks to get to know two fellow artists. We are all showing together at La Familia this month so we used it as an excuse to join each other for a happy hour planning session awhile back.

Artist Kellie Talbot is someone whose work I've seen and taken notice of before. When I found out we were showing in the same month at La Familia I went "squeee!" literally. How could I not with paintings this gorgeous? I was a little star struck just by her stars alone but then I met her for real met her (over a drink is a time honored way to meet someone methinks) and she is just a lovely person. Someone I am greatly looking forward to talking with more. There are rumors of a plan to see her converted butcher shop studio and meet her pet duck in the very near future!

Through the work of Jeanette Jones I have been introduced to a whole new series of historical stories I previously knew nothing about. Jeanette has exquisetly painted seriously intriguing portraits of some of Picasso's women in her series "I Feel Bad for You?". If you do not know of these dear artists then you should read Picasso's Weeping Women.
I gallery sat on Friday and could not stop staring at Jeanette's paintings - finding more and more intrigue of these women's stories within her winding layers. She has her two smaller works priced for a steal at only $150. I highly recommend getting lost in them.

Petshop Opens Tomorrow - really!

2010-05-05T17:34:00.000-07:00

Oh Brain oh Brain - where have you been? Two days ago I started this post:

"PETSHOP is trucking on the downhill slope! All the pieces are wrapped up and ready to make their way to the gallery. I'm a little sad that I have to say farewell to my menagerie of pets! I've gotten so used to them crowding me out of my studio these last few weeks. 29 pieces take up a lot of floorspace..."

In the wee hours this morning my brain suddenly realized I never actually posted the above post. My oh my.
The show is officially up as of today. All these characters are sitting pretty on the gallery walls.

Come join me for the First Thursday Arts Walk Opening tomorrow night will you? I'll be dressed to the springtime nines and thrilled to see each and every one of you!

Pet Shop Contest & a New Blog

2010-04-16T16:55:00.000-07:00

Sneaky Peek at works in Progress!

Preparations for my show Pet Shop are fully underway. The paintings are piling up and yet there is still so much I want to do!

In conjunction with this show I've taken a good hard look at my art and where I want to go and I've finally decided to let my little brand name of Rekoj go. I no longer have any interest in doing the hand painted textiles that I had been. In fact, I haven't touched anything to do with my Rekoj Clothing line in nearly 2 years. It is far from time. Sometimes, moving fully on to the next step is exactly what needs to be done.

Since my blog has been directly connected to my shop name I feel it is necessary to switch over to a new blog: www.saemay.blogspot.com

Please update your feeds & bookmarks to here: http://saemay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

I will continue to post here for a little while to *hopefully* allow everyone a chance to catch up and update their feeds & bookmarks etc. I'd hate to loose anyone in the shuffle which is probably why I've waited so long to do this! But I've committed to it by having the new address printed on my new biz cards so there you have it!

And as an incentive to get you to hop on over to my new diggs I have just posted a CONTEST as my first official Saemay post. Check it out right here...

Been Busy as a Bumble

2010-04-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Indeed indeed this busy bee has been busy!

Since we last spoke I have:

Fully updated my website www.SaraEverett.com

Got my postcards delivered from the printer for my show in May and they turned out gorgeous --- see?

Been painting like a mad woman. (I even traveled to Vancouver to visit with my folks and subsequently took over my Mom's entire dining room) Currently there are 12 wet pieces in progress sitting around the studio and the only one finished is the one you see here. Yikes! Back to the studio with me!

Hopefully you can get out there and enjoy this lovely April sunshine Seattle is having on my behalf okay? =)
Happy Weekending Everyone!

Springtime Cheer

2010-03-27T23:51:00.000-07:00

I know it's springtime when I'm walking through the Pike Place Market, minding my own business on my way to my favorite vegetable stand for supper sundries and I have to stop in my tracks. Cannot. Resist. Pussywillows! Love these little fuzzies dearly. This bouquet has been gracing my studio table these past few days as I painted up a frenzy. I've got works in progress EVERYWHERE - all in various stages of not yet done-ness. Cept for one that barely made it just in time to get the show cards ordered.

My oh my - where has this month gone off to so quickly?

In other interesting news I just posted a little tour of my homestead over on Imaginary Commune. I've really been enjoying the daydreams over there. Check it out for some alternative living musings!

Back in the Saddle

2010-03-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

Yep indeed - after nearly two weeks away this artist finally got herself back in the studio this weekend. And quite a full studio weekend it was!

Call me an oddball, but I LOVE love the sight of new works in progress all over my space. I'm working towards the Petshop show in May here in Seattle - which has my hands quite full. After 3 full days of painting I now have 14 nearly completed budgies. Yes, budgies.

I also got to spend a little time feeling avant garde by getting together with some of my gallery artists to curate our show next month together. Imagine a large room with a floor space sectioned off pretending to be walls. Then imagine a group of artists moving pieces this way and that. I imagine it'd look something like this:

Why'd we have to fake the walls for this show? Well because the upcoming show is far far away - Monaco to be exact. Yep, THE Monaco. It's been quite a lot of fun and an interesting process. Suddenly this whole Monaco show is real. La Familia really is going to show internationally this time next month. Wacky...

http://artemonaco.com/eng-0.html

Vacations Come, Vacatations Go

2010-03-14T20:59:00.000-07:00

Ah Borrego - how I miss your skies already.
I started to write this vacation re-cap post on Sunday but ended up waylaid by getting sick. Horribly sick. I'm better now but still not quite tolerating solid foods. Let's just leave it at that.

Our week in the desert was, as always, too short. Our gracious hosts, George & Lucy (Andy's folks) not only opened up their home to us, but adventured with us on jeep trips and kept us well fed with fresh avocados, dates & tangerines hand picked off their trees. Sometimes I think I could see myself living in this desert. This vast, harsh badland.

The desert in springtime hardly looks harsh at all when the vastness fills with a carpet of soft little flowers - lupin & sand verbena washing your eyes in purple. Even the prickly things will send out their blooms embracing the change of season.

It was a beautiful time to visit and many great hikes were had despite the cool weather. The coolness made for some high desert fashion though I must say:

Yes scarves can be worn in the desert - especially when one is sitting on a giant boulder tucked in a hidden canyon oasis.
~~~
And now it is time to knuckle down and get seriously to work. This lady's got paintings to paint! 6 weeks and counting till showtime. Oh. My.

Playing a bit of Catch up

2010-03-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

And so the days go drifting by and here we are already fully into March. The two large panels I'm working on have not escaped the inspiration that spring time brings as seen by the addition of some floating petals.

I have piles of paintings coming along quite nicely but all too soon I will be setting them down to travel south for a week of desert hiking. Oh Borrego how my heart yearns to return! Two more days and this is where you'll find me equipped with watercolors and dates:

In the meantime today is a full on Seattle artist Friday. Having escaped (thus far) the wretched plague of the flu knocking down half my household I was able to spend the morning painting. Followed by a little art related business and soon to be capped off by a ferry boat ride on this gorgeous day to visit the lovely Miss Betsy. Yes - a get together with an Artist friend totally counts as part of a studio day ; )
The show I'm working towards in May is beginning to take shape and I can't wait to show you!
This much I can tell you though because it is now official: The name of the show is going to be "Pet Shop".
Loving it!

Out Old In New

2010-02-24T12:20:00.000-08:00

Oh how it goes the time the time!
The last little shreds of pages are filled in my little journal. I enjoyed stitching in and playing on this old photo that I had gotten for another project.

I also spent a little time trying to work out some ideas for my new series. Yep - my love of crows just can't be let go of!

I enjoyed the process so much that I decided to make another just the same size. I got out my sewing machine and played with threads and stitches for a slightly quilted cover. Fun!

Here is the inside cover and my first doodle in the new book! I find it's good for me to now start putting the start date & end date in my journals because they are starting to become pretty numerous and I don't want to forget. Speaking of my numerous books I may be teaching another bookbinding workshop here in Seattle real soon - I'll let you know the details as soon as I know.

And speaking of workshops I just heard of a great new e-course I'd love to attend but my E-course budget has already been spoken for.
(Together & In the Fishbowl with Marisa!)

Artist Amelia Critchlow is offering a super fun sounding e-course titled "Experimental Art" - basically a whole course geared towards art play! Just what I've been doing with these journal pages only more so. Amelia is a collage and textile artist whose work always seems to push the boundaries of media and expectation.
Check out Amelia's work here: www.ameliacritchlow.co.uk

Frustrating Joys

2010-02-14T19:16:00.001-08:00

How to Paint on super pretty red oak panels (A.k.a., how I spent my weekend)
Step 1: Sand super pretty red oak... a lot.
Step 2: Sketch super fun portraits then prime over with GAC100 (clear gesso)
Step 3: Paint the underpainting with great joy! That is, until after 3 coats you realize the faces STILL look zebra striped from the wood. Matter of fact... it seems to only be getting worse with each coat. Huh.
Step 4: Deliberate your zebra faced dilemia.
Step 5: Get over it and wipe off all 3 layers of oil.
Step 6: Drink to drown your sorrow.
Step 7: Spend the following day layering 3 heavy coats of gesso, redrawing the hard earned facial features with every coat.
Heavy sigh. Heavy sigh.

Looking forward to spreading bright oils back onto these ghosty faces! Just got to wait for all that gesso to dry. Goodness gracious. Needless to say I think I'll be taking a second thought before embarking on oak again. Yeehaw!

Kelly Clark's Venation

2010-02-12T21:58:00.000-08:00

Up this month at La Familia Gallery is a marvelous solo show by the fabulous Kelly Clark. Her show Venation totally blew me away with the breadth of work that purely captures the heart and soul of this mossy green place we call home.

She had well over 30 oil paintings spanning the walls each with it's own pulse of color and NW life. I fell in love with absolutely every piece - no joke. Not only is this lass an amazing painter but she's a total sweetheart to boot!

Check out some more of her work here: KellyClarkStudios.com
And check out this video from her opening at First Thursday -- Also showing this month is Rick Simpson & the juried group show Circles. Great month La Familia!

Yes LOVE Sweet

2010-02-11T16:42:00.000-08:00

"Both the Robin and me have the whole wide world to sing about" says February's first journal pages. I hadn't even made the connection with the red & white hearts to the impending Valentine's day this weekend - I promise! I really was just springtime-robin-singing-sunshiney-bursting that day. Really!

Gotta grab hold of those moments when you can. Now you - yes you! Go out and grab hold of some springtime-robin-singing-bursting for yourself.
Me, I've got some puddles to go stomp in...

Happy Weekend to You!!

Dreaming Aquatic

2010-02-10T09:40:00.000-08:00

Well my little January journal is pretty much full and I'm off tonight to make a new one. Because seriously - all that art play was FUN! The last week kept me well rested and lazy lazed due to coming down with a cold that was going around. I ended up without much energy for several days. Bugger! Plenty of arting still got done though. But oddly enough it was mostly introspection, planning and dreaming.

Where I have found my thoughts lately center around my "career" and my life. This has been prompted by several things including some upcoming opportunities through my gallery, along with my head over heels fall for this class by the author of Creative Thursday.

I have been trying to look to the root of what really truly motivates me to do what I do. It comes down to the spark of joy while in the "sweet spot" of a painting. You know - that moment of being absolutely lost. And that is why I do what I do. Sure - it would be nice to have those moments support my finances... but if that doesn't work out it's not like that means I will stop seeking those moments.
Deliciousness. That is what I'm after.

And oddly enough these thoughts must be going around such as in this post by Christine of Swirly. Yep... deliciousness indeed.

Following Paths of Inspiration

2010-02-03T09:42:00.001-08:00

Jessica & Virgil
Originally uploaded by Awkward Boy Hero

It's funny where your muse can lead if you listen and follow.

Yesterday, while on a hunt for some image references for the new series I'm working on, I came across this image of "Jessica and Virgil" taken by Awkward Boy Hero for the 100 Stranger project.

This image alone changed the idea of the painting I was researching for. In pure excitement, I emailed the photographer and asked for permission to reference the ferret and body language of the girl. I normally use images purely as a sketching point - a marker for realism but the images I reference hardly ever makes it into the actual painting.

I'll be forging ahead with permission this weekend - finally getting started on one of the larger pieces for my show in May. And since we're starting right here with the inspiration source I've decide to blog this painting in progress. Stay tuned for what comes of it!

January Journal Nearly Full

2010-01-28T16:20:00.001-08:00

To say the least it's been an interesting week. Kind of all over the place like this journal page! More journal play and lots of use of the color blue:

Last week I rode Seattle's Link Light Rail for the first time (highly recommended form of transport) and I kept my little blue ticket as the kick off for this page. Along with a torn sheet of black origami paper. I've really been digging the blue & black with the white & gold writing!

This page was based upon a friend of mine telling me I needed to embrace the spirit of Mick. Mick was an old friend of ours who was highly skilled at living a double life for his love. (She was referring to my constant back & forth to Olympia). The image that came to mind were these Gemini type ladies. Hmmm... Neverending Story influences perhaps?

Then I spent both Monday & Tuesday this week having fun with this map page spread. Monday's entry began from a wonderful life drawing session at the Canoe Social Club. 3 hours with a model for $5 is pretty hard to argue with. Also highly recommended!

Stew Stew Studio

2010-01-22T18:42:00.000-08:00

After today it's official - I'm all set up and working in my new studio. After 3 years of working solely in my bedroom it's a luxury to be able to spread out over 3 tables. A luxury I say - a luxury!

Today in the studio I made a mobile! A very simple and economical project. To make an origami mobile like this one you will need:

2 pairs of chopsticks
2 pipe cleaners
Ribbon to tie the top
Fishing line
Origami paper

This was a project for a friend. Each of the little origami envelopes has a secret note!

It's all part of a bigger art project going on in my household this weekend. Following a tradition that falls somewhere in between Thanksgiving and a Valentine we each write little notes or doodles for each other. Then each person draws the name of another to create an assembly of those notes. The last couple years I've made a little book since I do enjoy bookbinding but this year I wanted to do something more off the wall (or ceiling so to speak). Can't wait to unveil this tomorrow - obviously, since I'm letting the cat (mobile?) outta the bag right now!

I had just as much fun this year writing my comments. Since I've been on this kick of art journaling and play I decided to extend the play into this homework assignment. An art card for each person! Afterwards I included little notes for each but I loved how they looked at this stage - all laid out and each so different. I seriously had a ton of fun with the whole thing this year.

Wilderness

2010-01-19T21:55:00.000-08:00

"Wilderness"
Pen & ink & Watercolor pencil

Illustration Friday helped me with one of my January Journal pages this week. It's been awhile since I participated but the this week's prompt just set me off. I LOVE how this came out! My favorite illustration of 2010! (Okay - so it's one of the only so far... but still)

This last week was pretty hectic busy for me due to having helped relocate my day job office. But despite it all I still have some more journal pages from the week for you to enjoy:

Playing with colored inks against my usual steady black.
But then here's where I finally broke through and just had crazy fun:

I am SERIOUSLY LOVING this new way of art play. It's kinda like yoga for my muse. And just like yoga - the more you do it the better it gets.

Art Journaling Update

2010-01-11T07:42:00.000-08:00

This past week in the art journaling exercise I played with paper & textures. The above piece is just ink & colored pencil over an old atlas map. Fun random doodles while on a long phone call with the fellow.

This one on the right so deeply reminds of Katie Kendrick's intuitive paintings. A bird hat, a blindfold and a shot through the heart. Um... careful there. Who knew intuitive painting could be dangerous?

These last two entries are more journal-like - cataloging the days. I super-uber treated myself and made a lengthy stopover on my way down to Olympia on Friday at the infamous hot bed of ladylike nudity -- the Olympus Spa. Mmmm luxurious heat and meditation mmmm.

The following day was more body-bliss out enjoying an unseasonably warm & sunny hike through the Capitol Forrest. There is nothing quite like a 7 mile hike ending in twilight followed by a super healthy meal. Sometimes, it's all about the simple things.

From a Land Far Far Away

2010-01-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

The connections you can make across the interwebs are wacky and wondrous. Through my long time following of the blog of bookbinder extraordinaire, Paperiaarre, I came across the link to another artist's blog (as is often to happen in this wide webbed world).

The blog was 101 Bird Tales by UK artist, Amelia Critchlow.
And in a way that hasn't happened since I first filled my Reader, I found myself clicking through ages of her archives of well written and thoughtful posts.
It just so happened that on the day I found myself exploring her blog she posted a shout out call for a swap. It was right before the holidays amidst all the rush and bustle. Regardless, I happily commented on her blog that I'd love to participate.

I sent off a lovely little experiment of ink and wax in a doodled upon envelope and when I came back from my Christmas holiday I found this exquisite little gift in my mailbox.

A message of "Freedom" all the way from a land far far away.

New Year New Fun

2010-01-04T16:49:00.000-08:00

Oh 2010 here you are already! I have so many ideas, goals & dreams for the coming days and months that will be this year. No real solid "resolutions" but more challenges to myself. Things I would be doing regardless of a New Year's excuse. Things like cooking at home more and giving myself more time for my art. Beginning this week Friday will be my much guarded and coveted studio day.

And fun challenges like participating in a full month of daily art journaling, prompted by this post by Misty Mawn. I always always always carry my journal with me but it is usually used for such things as notes, lists and rants. January will be no holds barred COLOR. I will post my favorites here throughout the month. Like this entry from Saturday - a Bassduck and a Fierce Creature:

2010, I say "RRRRrrrrRRR!" to you! Onwards oh onwards.

Christmas come and Go

2009-12-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

The holidays allow for a perfectly natural break. Time to spend with family, friends. Time to re-visit the slow things. The things you don't normally do in your regular life. Things like:

long talks over wine with a good friend (Baddins!)
driving out of your way to see someone you haven't seen in awhile (Karrie!)
waking up slowly to the sound of winter geese flying over
cooking a huge meal with your family (Christmas dinner!)
reading a good book (reservation blues by sherman alexie!)
watching a deliciously bad movie (Strange Brew!)
Laughing while my Dad happily sings to his new Ipod
Sneaking across the green on an empty golf course (Andy!)
Teaching myself how to play a new (to me) video game (marbleblast!)

Did I take a picture of any of this? Of course not! I was on a holiday break ; )

Hope the holiday brought you lots of the same - good friends, good food and good fun!

Time Flies when you are Processing

2009-12-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

Time indeed flies when your brain is bursting full of art and ideas just in time for the holidays to hit.

I meant to come here to post more details about Basel...
And now here we are - nearly two weeks later. And yet to me it still feels like I just got back. And the energy & inspiration is still running through me. Spreading out and skipping just like the La Familia Salon wall at Aqua. Little groupings and sproutings. A swarm of ideas.

I'm slowly gathering it all in and making plans and motions for the new year. Several 2010 shows already in the works, a possible move and a newfound committment to giving myself more time to paint. I've got a funny feeling that 2010 is going to ROCK.

Miami Basel 2009 - the Aftermath

2009-12-08T13:24:00.001-08:00

armiami_torresllorca
Originally uploaded by Sara Everett

If I had to pick just one image to summarize what Miami Basel is all about, then this mixed media piece by Torres Llorca is it. LOVED this piece and so many more. I helped out with my gallery at Aqua Art and also toured several other fairs including the Fountain, Wynnwood Murals, Pulse, Art Miami, NADA and Art Basel itself.

I am so GLAD I went. It was beyond worth it. I already plan to return next year.

To summarize:

- The “art world” isn’t as scary as I thought.
- I didn’t see anything at all that resembled my work – totally encouraging that my work & my voice is unique and relevant.
- I know exactly what my show will be in May now and I have a LOT (A LOT!) of work I want to do for it.
- I am going to go part time from my day job starting next week. I will be taking Friday’s off to have a full uninterrupted art day every week dedicated to painting. AND I've started the transition to try to relocate back to Olympia.

My oh my – amazing what a little clarity can do in your life. Can make you say “this is it – I know exactly what I’m going to do”

What a whirlwind indeed. I saw a Warhol show. I saw a Basquiat show. I saw works that made me shout out loud. I networked with curators & collectors. I’m doing this for real now. This is the big league.

Visit my Flickr page to check out some of my favorite images from the weekend. I wrote little stories and comments for each one. Enjoy!

Art Currents Pulling to Basel

2009-11-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

November just zipped on by didn't it? And here it is - nearly December which finds me in 3 (three!) shows.

The first of which features these little swimmers - 15 of which to be precise. You can find these betta fish up at La Familia Gallery Dec 3rd - Dec 17th. These are my 3 favorites.

Also up for the month will be a few selected works at City Home Store on Capitol Hill. Paintings featuring wood grain & graphic line will go with just about any decor. Here's hoping someone falls in love with a piece to go with their new couch - cuz I need some funds to help offset my third show this month:

Aqua Art Miami!!
Yes indeed - this artsy girl is leaving for sunny Miami to dip her toes into the overwhelming craziness of the international art scene that is Art Basel. I leave in a mere 2 days and I still don't believe that it's real. I will be bringing my trusty little laptop with me and I have every intention of sharing my experience with you on location. Art Basel & all it's glory right here so stay tuned!

Triage of Shows

2009-11-25T12:17:00.000-08:00

Introducing my brand new series of paintings! These lovely little Betta fish will be taking part in the December group show of 5 x 5's at La Familia Gallery. The show opens next week for First Thursday where you can take first pick of all the luscious jewels of art. Sadly, I will not be able to attend because I will be art-ing it up at Art Basel Miami.

I will however be attending the 2nd event for this show on December 17th. If you purchase work you can take it with you that very night. Just in time for holiday giftings!!

If I were you, I'd be at this show. Really.

La Familia Gallery is turning mini! The entire Gallery will feature a group show with over 275 pieces all sized to be exactly 5" x 5". If you missed Art Walk two weeks prior to this opening please join us for an evening of fun, miniatures, and a bit of Holiday spirit. The Second Opening you will be able to take the art home with you that evening! All those that purchased art during Art Walk come back for this special event and pick-up your purchased art.

We look forward to seeing you there!
Time: December 17, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm
La Familia Gallery
117 Prefontaine Pl S, Seattle WA

Goal for Next Year - Guerrilla Art

2009-11-19T07:46:00.000-08:00

Through the blog Art is Moving I recently came across this guerrilla installation by Catherine Sinclair. Staged on the lawn of the local City Gallery the dawn before a grand re-opening event, Catherine was able to get her piece "100 % Sheep" seen and viewed by thousands of art patrons. None of which had any idea that the piece was not sponsored by the museum. Brilliant!

This kind of thing has inspired me before. A couple of years ago when the Olympic Sculpture Park first opened there were some pretty incredible guerrilla sculptures that popped up. My all time favorite of course being the infamous "Eaglets". Three miniature replicas of the iconic soaring red sculpture "Eagle" by Calder all nestled into a nest placed underneath the towering sculpture park icon. Adorable!

But part of the true inspiration of these stories is the reaction of the institutions where the pieces were placed. The 100% Sheep were left undisturbed by the museum staff. Welcomed even.

And in the case of the Eaglets? The Seattle Art Museum ended up adopting the little guys. How's that for "getting your work into a museum"?

New Work Reveled

2009-11-18T11:58:00.000-08:00

The Weight of Beauty
Oil & India Ink on Cupboard Door

New work recently completed! This painting features a very dear friend of mine who now lives in Hollywood. And a in a mere 2 days she will be coming to the NW for a visit which I'm super thrilled about. I have already anticipated just how strange it will be to show her this piece. I had asked her a couple months ago if I could use her image in a painting but I haven't yet told her that I actually did. Should be fun!

Even though they are not "commercially viable" I really enjoy painting my friends. It's sad but true - portraits are not an easy sell.

Unless you happen to be a magician like Maron Resur. Her portraits seem to fly like hotcakes. Smaller sizes combined with mixed emotions makes them more accessible for folks perhaps. Not to mention they're damn gorgeous:Antipas by Maron Resur
Oil on canvas
6" x 6"

Maron has a show up at Cafe Ladro on Capitol Hill until the end of December which I plan on stopping by. Maybe I'll even take my art loving visiting friend.

Folklore of the Senses

2009-11-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the opening of a dear friend. This month at Marni Muir Gallery is a delightful show called Folklore of the Senses.
It includes work from three artists of the same family:
Jessica Dodge
William Burney
Laurel Dodge
You can preview the exhibition here.
Pictured above is Jessica and behind her are works by her lovely artist daughter, Laurel.

Jessica paints reverse oil on glass which is just lovely. We met this summer while attending Artist Trust's EDGE program.

Works by Jessica's artist father, William Burney. Tons of bright colors and frolicking forms to brighten the downpour we had that night!

This was my favorite piece in the show!
If you're in Pioneer Square you should definitely take a moment to check out this incredibly colorful show!

Perfect Fall Days in Blissed Out Olympia

2009-11-01T22:07:00.000-08:00

Farm Bounty!

One Happy Jack o'Lantern

And on my favorite walk I found

Inlets & stretches of green
Map lines on paper
Tangled heart
Tangled roads
Pacific roots curl outward
Passages and Narrows
Inlets & stretches of green.

Artist Interview on Art is Moving!

2009-10-26T09:19:00.000-07:00

Art is Moving, a fabulous blog about art, artists & community has been featuring local Washington artists and their processes this month. Last week I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Lauren. She asked some tough, not-your-typical sort of interview questions. It was a fun challenge to have to think about the role NW artists play within the larger culture.

The interview has been posted and you can read my responses here:

Artist Interview posted today on Art is Moving!

New Website and Miami Dreaming

2009-10-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

www.SaraEverett.com

Figured it was about time I created a website just for my paintings - since they pretty much have taken over and all. All my illustration work will continue to be posted to Rekoj Design but I recently found a strong need to have people be able to find me by my actual name. Fancy that.

Just in time too because I recently found out that I get to travel to Miami soon with my gallery for AQUA ART MIAMI - !!!!!
Super duper exciting!

La Familia is hosting a really incredible online art auction in an effort to raise funds for shipping all the artwork we need to ship to Miami next month. Check it out for a chance to get a super sweet deal on some really lovely pieces - and support a whole group of NW artists to boot!
Bidding closes tomorrow at 5pm Pacific time so you better go take a peek right now:

La Familia Online Art Auction for Aqua Art

P.S. One of the pieces up for bid is this one:

Calling on Influences

2009-10-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

I recently came across the work of Josie Morway and felt an immediate spark. She has the same love of found materials and the same ability to get lost in layers of feathers. She also complements her portraits with graphically influenced backgrounds. Only where I use Arabic calligraphy inspired lines she draws upon Typeface and lettering. I just love the softness she has achieved in this piece.

"The Beneficiaries of my Doubt"
Josie Morway - Oil on Wood

"Overlap"
Audrey Kawasaki - Oil & Graphite on Wood

Then of course there is the work by one of my original influences, Audrey Kawasaki. It was through a love of her work that I came across the oil on wood technique that I use in my own work. Audrey's work introduced me to the magic of sealing the wood with a clear acrylic polymer before painting in thin oil glazes. This allows the wood grain of the support to fully show through and in my case, be left exposed all together.

Tonight I'm excited to get to go see the work of one of my new favorite influences, Kelly Vivanco. Her solo show, featuring mainly new works on round panels, opens tonight at Halogen Gallery here in Belltown.

Having been someone who used to work in the round I'm excited to get to see what Kelly has done with her compositions. Her style of wide-eyed girls isn't necessarily an influence for me but her prolificy IS. (At least I WANT to be influenced by such!) Maybe it is just because she works in acrylic rather than oils but my oh my does Kelly put a lot of work out there. And her style is consistently hers every time with a sense of whimsy, fairytale and dream. Can't wait to see the show tonight!

"Pears"
Kelly Vivanco - Acrylic on Panel

Reunited and it Feels so Nice

2009-09-23T22:13:00.001-07:00

After over a week without picking up a brush I finally had some time to get back to it tonight. I've reunited myself with my wood blocks and my colors and it felt SO nice to get myself lost in the little details again.

Here is a little preview taste of what I've got in the works for the upcoming 5x5 show in December.
Oh yes - little jewels of fishy colors = pure painting bliss.

Summer Sippin on By

2009-09-18T19:33:00.000-07:00

This summer has just been full full Full!
Between art happenings, busy work weeks and weekends filled with family, friends & travel I just don't know what hit me. One thing recently was the show currently on view at La Familia Gallery. Up through the end of the month are works by Doug Mandt, Brad Strain & James Caudle - including the coolest installations I have seen at the gallery to date. Very worthy of checking out:

A few other things I've been up to include:

Partying it up for the Apex summer party, "Science Friction"

Road tripping with Katie up to the Peninsula

Day in the park to shower the soon to be Coolest Parents Ever. Yes, that is their official title.

A Gorgeous Visual World

2009-08-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear from Gabe Askew on Vimeo.

I absolutely had to post this animation by Gab Askew here just so I can remember it. Next time I'm feeling uninspired and blue I want to sink into this beautifully created world. Do yourself a favor and take a few moments to enjoy!

My head and heart are all a tangle these days as I'm filled with a yearning for the next step. A yearning to move on to the New and a practical need for more art space. This is manifesting itself into having to chose between two choices: Moving my studio to a separate studio space, or moving my home out of the co-op to somewhere with a bigger studio. This back and forth has filled me for weeks & weeks now. This weekend I was able to edge closer to the decision by having a series of kismet conversations with friends new & old. Like maybe how certain folks make appearances in your life right when you need them?
For instance I was able to meet and discuss art with the Bay Area artist Susanah Montana Murdoch. Susanah is a lovely soul and truly an inspiring painter. Her bit of advice about the whole thing was to make the push and ride the wave of art momentum when you have it.
I also had the joy and pleasure of spending a day road tripping to the Peninsula with my dearest old pal Katie Sandbom. That girl always has a way of asking the right questions. Not to mention there isn't anything quite like a road trip to help clear your head.
If anyone out there has any oracles up their sleeve I sure would love to see how this all turns out!

Playing Catch UP

2009-08-28T17:18:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have noticed (since it is summertime after all), but I've taken a wee bit of a break this past month. Here's the highlights of what I've been up to:

I traveled to my favorite little spot of the Oregon coast to spend a week reading books, exploring tide pools, painting tide pools, taking naps, taking long walks & eating seafood.
I saw the delightful movie UP in 3D
I attended a huge family gathering in Yakima Valley to celebrate the 88th birthday of my dear ol' Grandma.
Returning from the Valley with a large abundance of peaches I then spent multiple days experiencing "peach facials" with my friend Kirsten while jamming & canning. Can you say mmmm ginger peach marmalade??
I began the hunt of seeking out more studio space by touring various houses, co-ops and lofts only to find myself unable to decide between a bigger home space or a separate studio space. The solution may be in the works... more to be divulged soon... mwah ha ha
I worked my butt off for my day job. Somehow folks have decided to start buying condos again which has kept me busy busy.
I had the pleasure of attending the open house of the new Seattle City Hostel here in Belltown. Each room was painted by local artists some of which were from my gallery. It was a crazy rad evening of local emerging artists. Lanae shot this amazing video of the evening:
City Hostel Opening August 09, Seattle from Scene In Seattle on Vimeo.
I attended and fell in love with Kate Protage's "XS" show. Returning a week later determined to buy this piece I learned a valuable lesson in art purchasing:
If you love it, buy it before someone else does.
I attended the Union Celebration of two friends of Andy's which included a bbq, a bonfire, jello shots and the first camping we've done in far too long. Pure summer fun!
I started work on a new series for the upcoming 5x5 show in December.

Whew! What a month! Gotta love that sweet sweet summertime.

Summer Days Drifting Away

2009-07-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

It is 100 degrees in Seattle today. Which somehow made me think of staying late at my office to take advantage of the A/C. (And to finally get around to updating my blog for you of course!)

I spent all of last week on massive Rest Mode. You know how you can only push yourself for so long before either you collapse or something breaks? Well... yeah... that was me. Took it easy... got caught up with friends and my netflix account. So really - you didn't miss much.

I'm back at it this week though. Just had a phone conversation with my gallery manager about taking down the show which made a little sad. It has been such a treat to see everything up and positioned together just they way they were meant to be. All of my pieces above I'll be bidding farewell to as they will be packaged soon for pick up by their new owners. Fortunately many of these lovelies will be going to friends so with luck, I'll get to visit them from time to time.

All good things must come to an end and it's time to move on to the next... which starting next week will be my annual retreat to the Oregon coast to recharge and to begin playing with a few new painting ideas. With this heat we've been having a trip to the coast sounds like just about heaven.

Stay cool & breezy out there dears!

Back from the EDGE

2009-07-15T18:48:00.001-07:00

Back from a full week intensive up at Fort Worden - one of my favorite places of all time. The intensive was EDGE Professional Development Training for Artists run by Artist Trust. I can't even begin to describe just how incredible this program is.

I spent my week alongside 18 other artists to study business planning, taxes, grant writing and proposals as well as critiquing one-another's portfolio and artist statements. We encouraged each other. We challenged each other. We ate our meals together. Each day growing more trusting of one another.

The materials presented and the practicing artists, teachers, consultants and business folk were all STELLAR. I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything I have learned. Darn good thing I got sent home with a 10 pound binder as a reminder!

Our syllabus for the week was this:

Sunday - Introduction & Presentations
Monday - Professional Portfolio
Tuesday - More Professional Portfolio, Funding, Exhibition & other Opportunities
Wednesday - More Funding, Exhibition & other Opportunities / Grant writing
Thursday - Communication & Marketing
Friday - Business Concerns - Profit & Loss / Budgets / Taxes
Saturday - Business Concerns - Pricing / Business Plans & Final Presentations
Sunday - Wrap Up

My room was so simple yet so filled with light and a view of solid greenery that I never wanted to leave. Such a simple yet wonderful thing to be able to open two windows for a cross breeze while snoozing. Pure heaven.

On Thursday after talking about marketing & networking all day we all tromped down to the beach to enjoy the evening. Equipped with blankets and wine we talked about art through sunset and moonrise. I learned more about myself and my art that night than I ever have. After that night everything seemed possible.
After the whole week I know everything is possible.

Threads, a Yearning Success

2009-07-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

Hooray! My solo show at La Familia Gallery was a grand success! Special thanks to everyone who came out on Thursday. You all made the night extra wonderful.

The window painting went incredibly smoothly thanks to my painter helper friend Amber who also managed to snap some pictures of the process:

Also huge thanks to my friend Larry who helped me hang the show.

This is one happy artist =)

Already off on my next adventure - I leave for the Artist Trust EDGE program this morning.
Hope you all have a fabulous week!

How Soon is Now?

2009-06-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Exactly one week from today will be the opening of my first Seattle Gallery Show.
Wow.

I have oscillated between feeling ready and confident to completely panicked. Lately I've just tried to take care of one loose end at a time all the while keeping the panic pot on a low simmer. Seems to be working alright.

Last night I varnished all the pieces that were ready for varnishing which was a fun experience. I had to leave a patchwork of panels all over my floor which made for some bedtime acrobatics. I nearly sprained a limb as I precariously perched and twisted to turn out the light which I had blocked off by a tightly packed sea of paintings. Was one of those moments that makes a girl think a separate studio would really be a grand idea. I was pretty darn amused. Waking up this morning to all my work laid out at my feet looking grand however was pretty magical.

This is it - this is really happening!

Retreat from it All

2009-06-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

My weekend was spent wandering the incredibly beautiful grounds of Fort Flagler. It was SO nice to step away from everything into wide open spaces, sea air and greenery. I went with my household and what had started as a structured time for the group to be together morphed into just casual good ol fun.

We cooked and ate well. Very well.

And we clocked plenty of beach-combing time in.

And long rambling hikes where we subsisted on Salmon berries...

And what trip would be complete without campfire stories and s'mores?

It was completely apt and totally perfect for me to be able to step away from it ALL this past weekend. Despite getting ready for my first solo gallery show AND the EDGE program both just a few short weeks away. Perfectly perfectly timed.
I now feel recharged and ready to rock my to-do list. Sometimes you just gotta step away.

Summertime Fun and a Show that Should Not be Missed

2009-06-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Ahhh.... FINALLY dress weather!
Just in time too for a little weekend getaway to the Peninsula with some of my housemates.

If you find yourself sticking around the Seattle area for the weekend then you should NOT MISS this opening at the Ballard arts walk. My friend Betsy is fabulous and amazing and her embroidery drawings blow my mind. Check them out at La Dolce Vita this month or head on over to the opening on Saturday from 6-9. Be sure to give the artist a hug for me =)

Massive Website Update oh My!

2009-06-07T19:42:00.000-07:00

Cheers to the stars! Rekoj has FINALLY updated her website!
A majority of the new paintings are up along with the addition of a brand new portfolio page of illustration work. Bout time!

www.RekojDesign.com

There is something marvelous about seeing the piles of work you've done collected into one spot. Makes a chore such as html coding bearable with the treat of seeing it all come together in the end. Whew!

I've been absent with a balance between adventures in Olympia and getting things ready for the upcoming show. I'm astounded with just how quickly time has been passing. That is spring in the NW for you I guess =)

Choosing Path

2009-05-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes life up and throws a fork in your road and you find yourself unexpectedly having to chose a path. This past week and half was one of those times for me. An increase in pay at the day job brought forth my yearning for more workspace. With all the exciting things coming up in my life I had decided that I would look towards moving my studio at the end of summer. But then I came across this hook and grab heading in the artist's listings of Craigslist:
Attention Artists: Live / Work Space in Phinney Ridge!
Curiosity got the better of me and I responded to the ad. And then of course I fell in love. The house was a darling craftsman (they get me every time) with a HUGE built in workspace with a shop sink and tons of storage space in the basement. And it was located in one of my favorite Seattle neighborhoods with an easy commute into downtown. On top of that I really liked the housemate. AND on top of that there was a full time artist who worked from the attic. The energy of the house felt good and I felt that it was time - I was ready.
I agreed to move in and I left my first month's deposit.
All the while thinking that this place will be perfect to work in for the remainder of the year until Andy & I can get a place together.
So I had chosen my path and started walking down it. But then something happened to me. Throughout the week I started feeling more and more achy-stomach regret. I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone in my current household that I was moving.
I stopped sleeping.
Sometimes your heart and body have a much better clue than your head does. I thought I was ready... and it turns out I wasn't.

Yesterday I had to crush the excited expectation of a stranger I had already begun to care about. It was THE hardest phone call I have ever had to make.

I will be moving from the co-op soon - maybe even as soon as the end of summer. I came to the realization, along with Andy who had initially supported my move to the live/work house, that when I move it will be to finally join households with my best friend.

This is one of the more deeply personal blog posts I've written. Part of me just wanted to get it all off my chest - to let it go. And part of me wishes that my no-longer-future-housemate is reading this - just so I can say one more time just how sorry I am. I so wish I could have figured this all out 5 days sooner.
And the last reason is in hopes that maybe, just maybe... one of you readers out there has been seeking just such a live/work space. Have I got a super sweet spot just for you... Get in touch if you want to know more about the house that nearly snagged me.

Blog Worthy Newsy

2009-05-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Fort Worden, Port Townsend, WA

In little over a month from now - with my studio newly emptied after hanging my art show - I will find myself back at Fort Worden. This time I'll get to stay for a week though because I just found out that I get to be a 2009 EDGE Program participant!!!
Squeeee!!!
To those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about it is a week long intensive career training for artists put on by Artist Trust. It is kind of like getting a grant into a mini-Grad school. It is kinda exciting. They only select 32 artists every year to participate so I feel pretty darn honored.
It has been a busy month only getting busier as I prepare for the art show in July and also the Punk Rock Flea Market in June. And to top it off I've had my head full of ideas for a pretty serious studio remodel. Yep - we're shaping up for a busy summer season round these here parts...
Oh yes... and in other Blog Worthy news it will be my birthday tomorrow. I've been so busy that I seriously keep forgetting. Seriously. So much so that there is a joint party going on for myself and my friend Kirsten that I have yet to invite any of my friends to. Seriously. Bad Sara.
And to think things are only going to get worse...Wheee!

2009-05-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Myth of You and Me: A Novel by Leah Stewart

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book struck me so deeply i had no choice but to log into Goodreads just to update it. Not a book I would have normally picked up but I enjoyed the story of discovery, reconciliation and the message to love without fear in equal measure.

View all my reviews.

As I find myself spending hours and hours at a time at the easel these days I had begun to wear myself out on music. Which then led me to finally wearing myself out on archived episodes of "This American Life". Which brought me to the library to give myself another try with audio books. Oh sweet audio books!
I had tried them in the studio years before only to find myself constantly staring off into space dreamy eyed and locked in the depths of story - without painting. So I gave them up. But this recent go at them? Working fabulously. I'll be off to the library again soon to scoop up some more. Isn't it funny how sometimes things just click? Like magic.
To get to participate in two of my most favorite pastimes simultaneously? PRICELESS!

Art! and Robots!

2009-05-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

First Thursday Arts Walk = good for Robots of all ages!

And Star Trek babes!

And of course... well... art!

The whole evening was mega fun - Art of Comedy at the Comedy Underground was assisted by some stellar robots and a Star Trek hottie. (aka friends Kirsten, Shawn & Spike - thanks guys!)

La Familia Gallery was packed with super gorgeous work by Chris White and Weston Jandacka - I was completely floored by the energy of Chris White's work and the velvety detail of Weston's. I still can't believe that I share a gallery with these guys!

And lastly I stopped by Mikal Whoberry's studio on my way home to check out the new encaustics he has been up to and of course he has taken to the medium flawlessly. The piece above is titled "Love Letters and Elephants" and it was one of my favorites.

Oh sweet Arts Walk - how you infuse my museful soul!

This First Thursday is Gonna Rock

2009-05-06T20:17:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow is First Thursday Arts Walk in Pioneer Square where I plan to be in two places at once! Yes - two places at once! It's the miracle of art zest I tell ya... First up is The Art of Comedy at the Comedy Underground:

The Art of Comedy
artists: Rod Long & A Pack of Indie Crafters
The Comedy Underground
Details: First Thursday Website

Next up is La Familia Gallery where I'll be showing in a group show titled "Conceptual Vignettes". It is a whole show devoted to the power of the sketchbook and the artistic process. I will be showing some of my line drawing works on paper. Which I think is the first time ever since normally I show them on fabric. I can't wait to see all the other artist's work!

Conceptual Vignettes
La Familia Artists
La Familia Gallery

Springtime Inspiration

2009-05-01T07:37:00.001-07:00

Yesterday found me at Cafe Flora in Madison Park and such a lovely park like afternoon it was. There is a simple pleasure in the leafy canopy of trees that I dearly miss living where I live downtown.

It was my first time to Cafe Flora and I'm sure I'll find myself back there again - the food was exquisitely prepared and I just loved all the little italics on the menu such as "gluten free" and "vegan". Very helpful for someone on a bizarre diet. I was there not only for Dine Out for Life but to meet with the lovely, inspiring possibilitarian Kelly Rae Roberts. If you haven't yet explored her artworks yet then you are in for a little spot of Grace.

The afternoon was filled to the brim with possibility by a little stop I made on my way out to Madison Park to check out Artist Trust on Capitol Hill. Oh my oh my. What a WEALTH of information they have available there. If you are a practicing artist or merely just dreaming of becoming one all you have to do is walk in their doors to be greeted with an entire wall of artist resources ranging from grant writing tips to medical care. I've always kept myself up to speed with arts-goings-on with their website but never had I stopped by their office. It is SO worth the trip that you should go. Go right now!

Over the weekend and before I got all caught up with frantically finishing paintings and preparing my application to Artist Trust's EDGE program, I spent some time in Olympia enjoying even more tree canopies and scooping up fresh organic produce at the Farmer's Market. Also while there I finally got a certain someone to model a custom hand painted shirt design of mine. This right here is an oldey but goodey! Perfect for the bass collecting geek in your life =)

Happy happy weekend y'all!

Enjoy

2009-04-21T16:00:00.000-07:00

My motto today is to enjoy what I have while I have it. Plan A this gorgeously sunny Seattle afternoon was to get a little work done on my laptop up on the roof. Technical difficulties found me in the midst of Plan B instead: drinking iced tea and brainstorming in my journal up on the roof. Not bad.

The past week has been a blur just like this photo I took to commemorate the moment of finally finishing the 4 ft painting I started over a month ago. That's me going "whew!"
And now I'm already onto the next. I have another 2 ft piece of layer upon layers of fur and then I'll be moving onto a tiny series of 3.5 inch by 5 inch - all in line for my solo show in July at La Familia.
Speaking of which I just got into a fun little group show at the gallery for May featuring sketches and the artistic process. The show opens May 7th and should be pretty interesting!

Ever have one of those perfect moments where the music on the radio, the streaking light of sunset and the wind in your hair all line up to perfectly match your mood? I sure did on Friday.
And I took a picture just to see if I could capture it. And I think it kinda worked.

Happy spring out there - enjoy!

Eliminations

2009-04-10T12:23:00.000-07:00

The Last Americano
Ink sketch plus digital colorization

I debated on whether to discuss a new journey of food I will be embarking on here. I try to keep this blog geared towards art and the business of art and don't consider it necessarily the place to discuss my personal journey with health and diet. But as soon as I sketched this farewell to my favorite morning coffee I knew that I should at least post my artistic ways of coping with the journey towards health.

I have an inflammatory condition that can be triggered by shifts in my diet and excercise. When I found out the root of my back pain over a year ago now I began the switch towards eating more anti-inflammatory foods and exercising more frequently. And it didn't seem to help. So I started seeing a Naturopath who put me on an anti-inflammatory diet which meant that I not only eat more of the good foods but I had to try to cut out the bad. Known inflammation triggers included processed wheat flours and nightshade vegetables. And it still didn't help.

And then a friend led me here: Whole Life Nutrition where they lay out guidelines for a simple elimination diet. Chances are good there is a food type that serves as a cumulative trigger for me and I'm determined to find it. So for the next few weeks I'll be drastically cutting all known triggers out of my diet. This means not only going gluten free but vegan as well.

No Eggs. No flour. No dairy. No soy. No nightshades.
No citrus. No tree nuts. No alcohol. No refined sugar.
No problem... seriously. It's worth it to me to know.

The only one that strikes terror into my soul?
No caffeine.
Oh my.
Whatever will this overly inspired artist with a day job do??

I welcome any pick-me-up/wake-me-up tips you may have that are caffeine free --- cuz I sure am going to need them!

April Dappered & Foolish

2009-04-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Happy April!

The NW finally saw a turn into spring-like weather this weekend - hallelujah! A little while ago I cut quite a few inches off my hair in anticipation for such weather. The curly unruliness is amplified however and it's turned into quite a painting disruption unless I pin it up or kick it back by Dad's ol' cap.

I'm not normally prone to taking pictures of myself but April Fool's Day had me feeling quite silly while painting in my dapper cap so I decided to capture the moment. There you have it - the artist bemused at her painting in progress!

The weekend was a pretty great one even though it kicked off on First Thursday with a non-stop downpour that kept folks from wandering too far for Arts Walk. Circus Contraption musicians were roaming the Tashiro Kaplan Building though which livened things up quite nicely. I caught a snap of them here in front of Leslie Stoner's glowing encaustics at La Familia Gallery.

And in other news I finally got a picture of the bamboo panels which were a commission I did for a music studio in Olympia. They sure make the space look fantastic!

Comedy of Craft

2009-04-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

It's First Thursday Arts Walk time again and this month I'm involved with the shenanigans over at the Comedy Underground! If you plan on being out and about tomorrow evening for the Arting this spot will definetly be worth stopping by. Some of the most hilarious crafters I know are going to be there showcasing their smile-inducing goods. And come on - we could all use a good laugh these days

The Comedy Underground and Urban Craft Uprising joined forces last month to bring you the first ever Art of Comedy show during the First Thursday Art Walk. The Art of Comedy features artwork that is either humorous in nature, or made by stand up comedians.

Last month, our hilarious featured artists were joined by the funniest indie crafters this side of Tukwila. This month we’re back with featured artist, Kelly Lyles, who is sure to make you giggle with her pun based animal paintings. The indie crafters are back as well – and one of them has embroidered some not so nice things on pillows especially for you.

Look out.

The exhibit will be followed at 9 PM by an evening of stand-up comedy, with headliner SEAN KENT ("Last Comic Standing").

www.comedyunderground.com

http://urbancraftuprising.com/

http://www.kellyspot.com/

Bonnie Weekend

2009-03-30T19:15:00.001-07:00

The Moore Theater, Seattle - twilight prior to Bonnie 'Prince' Billy show

I'm posting less and less during the week these days. Partly it's because things are just so much more interesting during the weekends... this past one for instance found me at a Bonnie 'Prince' Billy show in Seattle with my best friend Katie (which was undoubtedly awesome!) before heading south to Portland with Andy to visit with my folks. My Mom is recovering from a minor surgery and we went down to visit and help out around the house. There was much cooking and lounging to be sure - it was quite nice!

During our Portland "must-have" trip to Powell's and the mecca of Stumptown I came across these stop-you-in-your-tracks-jaw-drop-wowza yarn paintings. Yes, that is right. YARN PAINTINGS. I immediately had to geek out and take a gazillion pictures because I just knew that I'd want to share these with Betsy. Whoa.

They are by an artist named Jo Hamilton. Check out the site for more incredible fiber art: http://johamiltonart.com/

The dude on the right kinda sorta looks like Betsy's boyfriend even... sometimes the parallels of the universe are just too much for me to handle...

Art Filled Days

2009-03-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

My days & nights have been pretty filled lately. Which is why getting to spend this past weekend down in Olympia with Andy was such a treat. Even while being away for the weekend I still managed to get some painting time in thanks to my trusty French easel and the use of a lovely temporary second studio. (aka empty corner of Andy's studio)

I returned on Sunday night with enough time to join in on an open studio Encaustics play-session over at Mikal Whoberry's. We spent most of the evening just getting set up with our hotplates, wax & colors so I don't have much to show for it yet but another session will be happening soon. Sincere thanks to Mikal for hosting and showing no fear for a bunch of artists with free reign of his space with hot wax ... SO much fun!
Don't you just love those colors? I really could be falling for this stuff... I'm in so much trouble!

Sometimes

2009-03-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I love painting SO much that I cry.

Today, with blue stained fingers I am happy.

Twelve days eh?

2009-03-13T12:19:00.000-07:00

So it's been twelve full days since I've last stopped in to say hello. Why is that? Well because I've been happily busy of course!

There are many things in the works over here in the studio including lots of new oil paintings for the upcoming show at La Familia - one of which being 4 feet tall! I can't wait to share them with you. Go creative energy go!

Things have also been ramping up on a couple of side projects. Earlier this year I began an internship with another more established artist who just returned from an installation at SCOPE in NY. I helped out with some of the prep work which involved 300 dried Chinese Elm leaves and a whole lot of acrylic gel. The end result was another iteration of this piece called Branching Systems:

Ryan Wolfe is a kinetic sculpturist -- so all those leaves you see? Yeah, well, they move when you get close to them. Technology and art can make some gorgeous statements in the right hands.

Next step will be helping to get this guy organized so he can be as successful as he should be. No small task when you have a plethora of pictures from multiple versions to sort through, but video as well. Whew!

Got to go get busy again. Happy weekend all!

Note Cards

2009-03-01T13:18:00.000-08:00

*New!*
Calendarling Drawing Cards $3
In the shop!

Finally - quality prints I'm happy with. Which means I'll have some more in the works soon. I really want to be able to offer quality prints of my paintings soon but I'm still in the testing phase. Anyone have any recommendations for affordable high quality color prints?

View Across the Desert

2009-02-22T19:26:00.001-08:00

Alcoholic Pass across the desert
Originally uploaded by Rekoj Design

I'm back from the desert and it's all so bittersweet. I just uploaded my favorite pictures from the trip to Flickr which made me sad to be back to the good ol Seattle slog. Away from the sweet soaking sunshine, the blooming Ocotillo and creosote on the breeze and the seemingly never ending company of Andy & family. Nine days of bliss is hard to adjust out of - yet all in all I must admit the deep breath of "home" when I sat my bags down back here in the studio.

It was good to be away and it's good to be back in equal measure. Between breathtakingly beautiful hikes and incredible food I finally got around to reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and have to admit it IS all everyone has cracked it up to be. Within the first chapter she had me scribbling in my journal and up with the sun to paint the sunrise. My week was filled with long walks, deep contemplations, adventurous dreams and stacks of desert watercolors. Sweet sweet wonderfulness that is =)

And now I'm barely home and already watering the seedlings of my next journey...

Candy Stuffed Valentine Tutorial

2009-02-12T15:54:00.001-08:00

Hello there! As I was playing around with Valentines for my Valentines this afternoon I thought I would gift one to you as well - a quick & fun tutorial!

Here is precisely how I made myself some Candy Stuffed Valentines:

Supplies
Parchment paper
sewing machine
scissors
scrap paper
Valentines Candy

Step One
Cut one 5 inch piece of parchment paper off the roll. Fold in half and cut into a full heart shape leaving the fold of the paper at the bottom.

Step Two
Cut smaller hearts out of your scrap paper. I used mine to spell out the word "Valentine". Cut as many little hearts as you need for your Valentine message.
Step Three
Start at the base of the heart near the fold and sew up the sides. Stop halfway down the 2nd side. Leave the needle in the paper.

Step Four
Carefully insert your scrap paper hearts & candy into your half-sewn Valentine. (Yes it is possible to do this without getting chocolate all over your sewing machine - even if your using giant XO candy made by Moonstruck Chocolates like me!)

Step Five
Finish sewing up the side of your Valentine securing your secret message and treats inside.

Step Six
Give to adoring Valentine with pride!

Illustration Friday "Flawed"

2009-02-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday - "Flawed"

Love Enters but Does not Stay

4" x 6"

Ink & Watercolor on coffee stained paper

The deepest flaw of all is the inability to love - yourself or others - no matter the cause.

2009-01-30T17:34:00.000-08:00

It has been a busy and fulfilling week. Most of my energy was pulled up with preparations for the grand opening of a building through work. The party was held in the penthouse with this incredible view of the city. After two years Seattle still never ceases to amaze me - it is such a spectacular city with such a soft quality of light to it. And Seattle really put the shine on for the party yesterday afternoon. The whole place just glowed...

See what I mean by glow?

Aside from the party (which was a fabulous success!) my energy was also spent with three successful attempts at getting up early to meet Rosalie at the gym pre-work instead of post-work. Such endeavours are certainly aided by knowing there is a friend waiting. I doubt I would have made it at all without her. It was still super tough though - I'm SO not a morning person but I'm working on it... =)

And thirdly my most favoritest of energy powerbars - painting sweet sweet painting!

Cheerleadin Away

2009-01-23T17:03:00.000-08:00

Sometimes running a small art business feels like this: You flail around with all the attention getting techniques you can think of... yet, no one is stopping to admire your window display. Unless you happen to be a blogger who stops to take a picture of said window display to make a musing point on her blog... sigh.

2009 has my head bustling with new ideas ... my pockets brimming with inspiration notes and my dreams filled with color... yet it is on the heels of 2008 which has me feeling pretty burned out on the whole trying to "make it" thing. I'm tired of thinking of my muses as a commodity. I'm tired of stressing over never updating enough.
I'm tired of being a cheerleader for craft.

All I want to do is paint. To follow those muses. So I'm off to go do just that

So if you pop on by, and this post is all you see for awhile I apologize.
I'll blame the wet paint on my fingers.

Road to Mecca

2009-01-22T17:21:00.001-08:00

Last night I had the privilege of attending the opening night of this play at the Seattle Repertory Theater and it was fabulous. I really want to recommend it to all my friends just for how much I enjoyed the set alone.

Miss Helen is a reclusive South African artist, living alone in the house she has transformed into a fantastical masterpiece. But when the elderly woman's ability to continue caring for herself is called into question, her two closest friends —a passionate young schoolteacher and the local preacher—battle to influence her uncertain future. Celebrated South African playwright Athol Fugard brings us this stunning emotional drama about the struggle for independence—at every stage of life.

This play came at an interesting time for myself and my two cousins who I saw it with. We are facing a similar struggle with our Grandmother who is determined to remain in her home despite the disrepair of the place falling in around her. Her family has done what they can through the years to see to her wishes and to look after her but it has all gotten particularly bad in the last year. We are all worried about her.
The play certainly opened up a musing conversation between us - a question of safety verses freedom. Our Grandmother is one of the more independent women I know. It is a hard position to be in to have to argue the side of removing some of that independence.

Because the play really struck home to me just how important it is to follow your muse, follow your bliss. To remain true to yourself and your independence is the only way to live fully without regret.
The sun rises, the sun sets and doubt will come and go - but always cherish the blessing of a cup of tea with a friend.
It is a lesson that is already known by my Grandmother, beyond a doubt.

Olympia Weekend

2009-01-14T16:07:00.000-08:00

I traveled to Olympia this weekend - as I often do - to see Andy & catch up with my friend & past roommate Jenna. Friday night with Jenna turned into silliness at Le Voyeur where I found and snapped this little spot of graffiti. It's one of my favorite yet. Snuggle - what a nice winter sentiment!

That evening it was brought to my attention that Jenna had airbrushed her van in camouflage. Now mind you, Jenna has had a thing for camouflage for some time - so for her, it's fitting. But still, when she told me that her funky maroon van was now decked out in camo I never would have expected this -

By simply airbrushing over leaves & pine with her artist's eye she created the most gorgeous glowing camo I've ever seen. Now half of Olympia is begging her to do theirs too. I don't blame them one bit.

Learning New Techniques - encaustic

2009-01-13T16:52:00.001-08:00

As a New Year's treat to myself I took a workshop last Saturday hosted by another La Familia Gallery artist. Janet Miller's work immediately drew me in my first day to the gallery. It wasn't until later that I even realized it was encaustic. And it wasn't until later after that when I realized the Janet Miller at the gallery was the same Janet who's flyer for an encaustic workshop I saw and had already had an email correspondence with.

Sometimes I swear my life is strange like that.

Knowing I had a little household gift giving tradition coming up for La Befana (Italian witch who flies around on the Eve of the Epiphany leaving things in children's shoes) I focused on making two dozen teeny encaustic tiles for my co-op mates. Janet herself wasn't even sure if it would adhere to the tiles but I went ahead and gave it a go anyways and voila! Loveliness.
I handed them out to shoes throughout the household with merriment...

I then took off to Olympia for the following weekend to visit Andy & see my friend Jenna which was lovely fun of course. But when I returned home I discovered that all my little tiles had inspired some of my housemates to finally finish a section of mosaic in one of our bathrooms.
Totally an "awe shucks... you guys!" kind of moment.

Kathy Liao at La Familia Gallery

2009-01-11T19:31:00.001-08:00

Kathy Liao completely blew me away with her show at La Familia. My oh my oh my. The scale of some of her works just astounded me and like all of her works, the closer you get the more she sucks you in. And I had no IDEA - she's such a quiet, humble gal about her stuff. Some of us speak way louder with brushes I suppose.
This piece was my absolute favorite - the intensity of colors swirling within the intensity of the gaze. Wowza! Stupendous work Kathy.

Turtle Tap

2009-01-08T16:51:00.001-08:00

Turtle Tap
Originally uploaded by Rekoj Design

Last week I took my first trip to the Woodland Park Zoo. It was freezing cold and there was still some snow on the ground, but I had a pass that needed to be used before 2008 came to a close so off I went armed with my armwarmers, hat & camera.

My mission was to get some good source photos for paintings. I didn't quite end up with images of animals I expected due to the weather, but the ones I did capture came out darling. Even though not quite source material this one of my friend the turtle is definitely my favorite.

I enjoyed the Zoo way more than I expected. The exhibits were informative and designed really well with the types of habitat that allow for plenty of viewing with minimal imposition on the animals being viewed. I think I might need to go back =)

I've uploaded a few more favorites to my Flickr page if you want to check them out.

Wall Puzzles

2009-01-02T18:56:00.001-08:00

It's a new month at La Familia Gallery which means a new salon wall. This right here is exactly how I spent my first day of 2009 - at the gallery helping to fit this puzzle of gorgeousness all together!
I volunteered to help out on New Year's Day because the idea resonated with me so much. To spend the first day of 2009 surrounded by works of art while learning how to hang a group show is pure perfect... in my book anyways.
Can't wait to see what else 2009 has in store... Happy New Year!

Snow Days to Christmas to Lopez Days

2008-12-29T21:15:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, Seattle got hit with a crazy amount of snow leading up to Christmas. This is a pic of the iconic Virginia Inn with merry sledders.
Christmas was lovely and white spent down south at my family home in Vancouver. Andy & I had an interesting experience with riding the rails due to the weather. Even though Amtrak has yet to enter our current century technology-wise, and despite the fact that our departing train was over an hour delayed because of the weather (but then, so were we...) it was a pretty sweet way to travel.

Swift on the heels of train travel I continued North with the thaw to hop a ferry to the San Juans for the weekend. My best friend Katie had been working on Lopez Island for the Lopez Community Land Trust - helping to build these lovely affordable homes. So I journeyed north to visit her while she was there. We drove around the whole island and to my city girl astonishment each and every driver that passed us waved. Yes - waved. How lovely is that?

Katie had been told by the locals that THE place to see while on the island was Watmough Bay. She had yet to make it over there since it was located on the opposite side of the island from where she had been staying. So off we went to find it.

The place to see indeed. Even on a cold grey day this bay sheltered by a huge rock wall was absolutely stunning.

Nearly Christmas

2008-12-23T14:42:00.001-08:00

The gifts are packed, the bags are packed...

The wrapping is my favorite part. Nowadays I never buy special paper - I prefer to have special paper come to me. That gorgeous blue? A tattered old roll of wallpaper from the free pile. The bows? Fabric scraps & office gift basket recycling!

May inspiration, warmth and the "Home for Christmas" spirit find you.

Happy Holidays!

Frankenscarf!

2008-12-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

Check out this gorgeousness! I was fortunate enough to WIN one of Rosalie's amazing Frankenscarfs off her blog awhile ago. The crazy girl posted this lovely as a giveaway - can you believe it?!?
Yesterday we met up for lunch and she brought a few for me to chose from. I ended up picking the one she originally posted on her blog anyways - I love it SO much! The colors are just perfect for me. See? Even my sleeves match =)
I so heart Rosalie. That is all there is to it.

This new scarf will certainly help keep me warm today while I frolic in the SNOW. Yep - downtown Seattle has been hit with oodles & poodles of snow. Off to go frolic and bake cookies and other such snow day type things!

Weekend Holiday Booster

2008-12-16T21:24:00.001-08:00

Every holiday has tradition. Within each family and for each person. Ever since I left for college, my mother & I have upheld the tradition of celebrating her birthday together by trimming the tree.

Our journey begins with the annual tree stalking ceremony:

It was snowing up on the tree farm this year so hence why my parents look like abominable snowfolk.
After sleuthing out the bestest of trees and warming up heartily by the fire whilst drinking hot cocoa, we headed back down the mountain with our catch.
This hard work of course had to be followed up by some traditional festive nourishment.
I do swear that nothing is more warming on a cold day than a bowl of miso soup...

This year I talked my Mom into using only white and blue ornaments on the tree (mostly inspired by my flea market find of a whole set of antique blue glass ornaments!) I'm pretty enamored with the result. We toasted the tree with our traditional eggnog finale.
Can you spot the Rekoj original ornament front and center?

This year I also got to set up my personal favorite holiday decoration: the Christmas Village. For many a year through Junior High & High School I would paint a house a year. Until we ran out of room for further Christmas Village development...

After all that holiday tradition the NW was hit with a pretty solid winter storm. It was icing on my holiday cake. This year, I feel like I've already had my White Christmas.

The holidays are such a wonderful time to revel with close family and friends.
Here's hoping you stay merry & warm. And while your at it, toast a sip of eggnog to traditions.
Cheers!

Punk Rock Flea Market 5 Recap

2008-12-07T14:13:00.000-08:00

Punk Rock Flea Market was a huge success yesterday - a gazillion folks came out for some Indy shopping. Yay! The place was pretty packed from about 11 am onwards. I only managed to get a shot of the room before it got too busy.

Our display was super rad - we were even able to put up all 12 months of the Calendarling which was well received. And of course - cuz they're rad!

The Underground Events Center where Punk Rock Flea Market is held also doubles as a gallery space in the huge two story staircase entry. And I completely fell in love with the show that was up - a full on murder of stenciled crows by Greg Boudreau. Definitely an art show with a good wow effect in it's presentation. I saw many folks go home with one of these lovelies.

Ah Punk Rock Flea Market - how we adore thee!

Printing Afternoon

2008-12-04T17:10:00.001-08:00

I had myself a little block printing party this afternoon - aren't they lovely? My studio is pretty small so I make do with what I got. In this case that means using my floor and a box of dominos to dry prints with instead of a drying rack.

And since I'm in full process of getting ready for the Punk Rock Flea Market this Saturday, most of my floor looks just like this.

It's a lot of hopping around, but someone's gotta do it... =)

Some of the BEST holiday shopping deals will be found this Saturday in Belltown at the Punk Rock Flea Market. If you're in Seattle you should stop on by!

Punk Rock Flea Market
Saturday, December 6th
Underground Events Center
2407 1st Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
Doors open at 10 AM
Shopping till 6PM, Bands until 10 PM
Admission $1

I'll be there with some extra special Rekoj holiday goodies. Stay tuned for another preview tomorrow!

La Familia Gallery

2008-11-30T10:57:00.001-08:00

Oh how NICE four day weekend are! I do hope you have been enjoying yours as I have. I have fully kicked off the holidays despite being nearly totally knocked down with the dreaded cold. I began it all with my first gallery sitting day at La Familia Co-op Gallery, which I became a member of just last month. I'll have a solo show there in July, but until then I get to have a piece or two of my choosing up on the "Salon" wall shown here. Just looking at all this amazing art grouped together makes me so super proud to have been included. At the time I was accepted all my new work was slated for First Thursday Arts Walk in Mikal Whoberry's studio - so the piece I currently have up is an older one.

Sitting next to this lovely art wall on Friday I nearly buried myself in handmade holiday cards - I had made a ton! I returned to my studio only to have it overflow into there too - ornaments, cards and gifts have started to perch on every possible surface. Now that's kicking off the holidays!

Impending...

2008-11-26T07:37:00.000-08:00

Recent activity spotted in the Pike Place Market on my lunch break:

Oh dearie... I'm not nearly ready for such things.
This means I have to be VERY busy VERY soon!

But in the meanwhile, let us not forget one of my favoritest holidays of all: Thanksgiving

Many Thanks to all of you who have supported this little art blog in the last year.
Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday Night Out

2008-11-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

On Friday night a friend took me out for an unexpected treat - a trip to the Seattle Art Museum to see their current show on Salish Art as well as a collection of 10 paintings by American master, Edward Hopper.

The Edward Hopper exhibit was interesting - he is definitely one of those artists worth seeing works in person because of the contrast of reality just not found in prints. This piece to the left, "Automat" was my favorite from the show. It brought you right under the florescent lights, out of the night.

As much as I have a long standing love for the darkness & solitude of Edward Hopper, the exhibit on Salish art by far took the show. The breadth of work the SAM had collected was incredible and truly eye-opening. Eye-opening to just how much I don't know about Salish art that is! I highly recommend it if you are anywhere near the SAM.

And the exhibit reminds me to tell you a little story of the roots of my own drawing style. When I was a Sophomore in high school, my choir took a little trip up to Victoria for a competition. During the long bus ride somewhere along the way we stopped at a light next to a plain wooden fence that was painted with this massive Orca all in a black line drawing. My sketchbook was fervently filled thereafter. The style has shifted into more of my own, but tell me - can't you tell the influence?

The icing on the cake for this lovely art filled evening was a stop off at the Triple Door, which I had never been to before, to show support for the Downtown Emergency Shelter at a benefit concert played by local artists Tiny Vipers and the Dusty 45s. Amazing good fun all the way around! Sincere thanks to Neil for getting me out of the studio for an evening. Sometimes, it's just what a girl needs.

Fun with Bookmaking

2008-11-24T19:14:00.001-08:00

Last week I got to teach my basic bookbinding workshop - which unlike the last time, I actually got to do put up some illustrations to assist my students thanks to this 8 FOOT tall whiteboard. So super sweet. Everyone needs one I swear.

Everyone's book turned out super swell. Here is my demo in progress:Love it when I finally pull action shots off my phone - stay tuned!

Pratt Fine Art Center Open House

2008-11-19T17:49:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I attended the open house for Pratt Fine Arts Center. Mostly prompted by my cousin who works there I finally went and checked the place out. Pratt is an incredible resource to the artistic community of Seattle as they offer not only classes and workshops, but studio equipment access as well. They host a wide variety of disciplines from glass blowing to printing presses to metal casting.

For the open house they had just about every teacher giving demos - the most showy and exciting of which was the bronze pour: 20 hours of prep for less than 20 minutes of pour. Hence the very large crowd for the show!
They also had a kid activity room where Seattle's future artists could make their own print. All you need is some spare Styrofoam to carve into with a pencil tip and some paint. Fun!
My favorite however was the printmaking studio which included letterpress, silk screening and mono print demos. I came back and watched the mono print teacher twice just to see how her print was progressing. And not only that but every time she sent her paper through the press - cranking the wheel gently and smoothing the blanket as it was pulled under the rollers my heart just ached to be doing my own printing.

Good thing then that Pratt offers artist studio access ...

Stylus Winter Art Show

2008-11-18T17:38:00.000-08:00

That Betsy just astounds me. I had already fallen for her embroidery drawings when she first showed them with the Ghost Gallery ages ago. Her opening on Friday just made me fall for them more.
Out of 15 pieces if I was absolutely forced to chose a favorite it would have been this one titled "There Aren't Enough Words"

The ribbon with the words is capped on all corners with darling little typewriters. Not sure if I like this piece as much as I do for the little typewriters or the pleasure of seeing the word "aren't" embroidered. Sweet!

Here is a grouping shot of the show. Betsy has uploaded a slideshow of the whole thing to her myspace page here so if you're digging these embroidery drawings you are in for a treat!

Commissions and Compromises

2008-11-15T21:26:00.001-08:00

Bamboo Mural pieces in progress

The holiday season is nearly upon us which means that many artists, full time or part time are busy busy busy! Last year had me scurrying around like a madwoman to prepare for 3 holiday craft shows plus making all of the various gifts I wanted to be making. Yep - amazing I survived.

So this year I had no qualms about scaling back. The extended family had decided to focus on personal handmade gifts and I knew I wanted to give myself more time for personal winter projects. But of course, it never fails - as soon as you make space in your life something new will rush in to fill it. I have been very blessed and excited to work on 5 separate commissions for this holiday season.

The above photo was the first - a bamboo panel piece commissioned by Andy for his newly finished studio. Working on it sporadically on weekends meant that it took me forever to finish (and some subtle hints towards the end made sure I knew about it! =)) But once those panels were complete it was like the floodgates opened up and I now have 4 on my plate ranging from a simple custom music paper print up to a full scale oil painting.

So far I'm really enjoying this type of work - to be creative and work in my studio but know for sure that what I'm working on is already spoken for. Gives me a stronger sense of purpose I suppose. Sure, I've had to re-adjust my studio time a bit and make some compromises about my own projects but so far I think it's worth it. Because the one thing that all these commissions does for me more than just fund the art supply stash is that it fuels the flame of the "someday" dream.

Keep on working till Someday...

Belltown Art Walk this Friday

2008-11-12T12:17:00.000-08:00

"You're Not the Boss of Me"
by Betsy Schrairer

My good friend and fellow Calendarling collaborator Betsy just ASTOUNDS me. This gal has talent AND stamina. Not only did she pump out a half dozen gorgeous black line drawings for our calendar project in less than a month, but she also has an opening this Friday displaying FIFTEEN of her gorgeous, incredible hand stitched embroidery art works. I mean, just look at the stitching detail in this bunny - and it is only one of many.

Betsy darling, I'm so super proud to get to say "yeah - she's my friend" =)

If you're anywhere near Belltown this Friday you should stop by Stylus during the Belltown Art Walk to see some amazing embroidered drawings by Betsy as well as some incredible papercut work by Brooklyn artist, Devon Kelley-Yurdin. This is not an opening to be missed!

Details can be found here: Winter Art Show at Stylus

Change

2008-11-04T22:36:00.000-08:00

From the afternoon spent casting my ballot at the polls next to a little old lady humming to herself all the way to the evening celebrating with my cousin Amber on her birthday - I'll never forget this day.

Thank you America.

Tonight was an 8 foot screen shedding the glow on family, friends, toasts and HOPE.
And I knew that this crowd was just one of many all across our nation.

2009 Calendar Favorites

2008-11-03T20:19:00.000-08:00

In the course of research for the Calendarling project that Betsy & I collaborated on I have now been exposed to SO MANY incredible calendars I can barely stand it. I seriously want to line my hallway with my favorites. I think after designing one myself I have a new found appreciation for the talent that goes into putting one of these time-marking lovelies out there.

Such as the letterpress design perfection of another artist collaboration between Ink & Wit and Pistachio Press. If I was forced to chose a top favorite, this would be it:

A close runner up would be another graphically inclined calendar after my own black-line-drawing-lover-heart - The Jardin Calendar by Magnolia and Moonlight:

And then of course there is the 2009 edition of the same artist calendar that I coveted last year - The Creative Thursday Calendar:

Calendarling & Celtic New Year

2008-11-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

Halloween was SO much fun!

I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did! I got to be a cowgirl, complete with spurs, flask and gun holster. Many of my friends had way more imaginative and zany costumes - like an entire troupe of Road Warriors! I sure enjoyed getting into the swagger of my hat & boots.

I also got to check out Architect's Without Borders Carve for a Cause Pumpkin Carving contest. Here are a couple of my favs:

And on another note, the collaborative calendar project I did with Betsy is finally up in the shop!

Happy Celtic New Year and official start of the holiday season!

Us Trendy

2008-10-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

Today I was randomly contacted by someone from Us Trendy which is an online fashion poll site for upcoming designers. They had come across this jacket on Etsy and wanted me to join their list of designers - seems super exciting at first right?

Went onto their site, checked it out and created a portfolio - easy peasy even though their site is still in Beta and has a few bugs to work out.

Later found out when I was looking into them a bit more that they've been soliciting folks all over Etsy in attempt to get their site going. I must admit that I feel a little shammed. I'm still hopeful and trying to keep to the optimism that being randomly "picked" brings - and I do really think that their concept is an intriguing one. We'll see how it goes!

Check them out for yourself at UsTrendy.com

I've been abducted by Calendarlings...

2008-10-29T17:05:00.000-07:00

Calendarlings are coming! Calendarlings are coming!

These lovelies are nearly ready to be in the shop. Betsy and I got them back from the printers on Monday and met up to "ooo" and "ahh" all over them Monday night. Got them all assembled in their packaging ready to go and then realized it was Fall time which means evening product shots can be kinda tricky. As in dark. Oops!

So the last couple days we've both been playing with photography and light in spare moments of sunshine in an attempt to make these calendars look as good as they really are. It is tough work indeed! These calendars look SO amazing in person - that is really all we're trying to capture.

I'm sure my RAD Photoshop skills are really enhancing this shot too! Crazy as it looks I still got to admit - I kind of like it. Totally inspired by Ruffeo Hearts - them guys have had some wacky fun with their product shots in the past.

Regardless, the pair of us are still perfecting this beauty for it's launch scheduled for November 1st - I'll certainly keep you posted!

Sleep in your Studio

2008-10-24T15:16:00.000-07:00

Now I've never been much of a design interiors kind of gal... but if I was forced to chose a bedroom out of a staged magazine scene I might have to go for this one. I was flipping through the CB2 catalog for work this afternoon and this page totally caught my eye. Bold colors with Moroccan accents meet art studio? Oh hell yeah! I could live with that.

The canvas frames and completely paint spattered linoleum with the bed right smack in the middle of it all I'm sure has nothing to do with the appeal for me. And in all honesty, it isn't all that far off from my own studio. I just chose to put the bed on TOP of my closet instead of beside it...

Today in Seattle

2008-10-21T18:36:00.000-07:00

Today was a perfect piece of Fall in Seattle so I went for a walk right after work instead of doing my usual gymwork. I was enjoying my stroll so much that I kind of had to force myself to stop and take pictures - (Andy, I know, would be appalled at such a thing) but I'm glad I did. It's nice to share a bit of the evening with you. And besides - I haven't dropped in to say hello in a few days. Pictures give me an excuse to amidst all the Fall busy-ness like Calendar project finalizations and painting commissions - which is the short of what I've been up to!

But I had to take a break from all that to go wander through the Olympic Sculpture Park and take artsy sunset photos:

On my way home I finally found the sidewalk gallery that I had heard rumours of. It is put on by the Center on Contemporary Art and is simply called the Belltown Gallery. Basically, it is a sidewalk showcase. I have no idea how I had missed it before. The work currently on display totally made me do a double take.
This round painting on a drum head particularly got to me. One, the content and detail is amazing and two, well... I'm totally a sucker for round paintings.

Thanks for the inspiration infusion tonight Robin Oliver!

Floating on Down the Pipeline

2008-10-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Calendrawings is a project that has been in the works for some time now. My good friend Betsy and I decided months and months ago that we wanted to collaborate on a calendar this year. We would each use our own style of black line drawings to tie the year together. And today is the day to do just that!

We have both spent weeks and weeks working out a feel and a design for each of our assigned months and I am so super thrilled with the results. It has been mad fun and has reminded me just how much I love collaborations. Now it really feels like fall with a solid collaboration underway!

With luck the calendars will be going to the printer tomorrow and available for sale all wrapped up in their fineries before the end of the month. I'll certainly keep you informed. I've already seen a gabillion gorgeous and amazing independent artist calendars out there for next year but Betsy & I both sincerely hope you'll consider purchasing one of ours!

Click here for a preview of Betsy's sketches.

Weekend Glow Review

2008-10-13T22:37:00.001-07:00

I spent the majority of yesterday afternoon sitting in Andy's backyard in Olympia, WA. It was a perfect Fall day and I spent it doing two favorite things - painting and hiking. Near perfect perfection.

And I nearly missed out on that perfect perfection because I almost didn't make it out of Seattle on Saturday afternoon. I had been on Beacon Hill and then left to get on the freeway only to find crazy detours left and right for tree pruning. I was kind of waffling a bit about whether to make the drive south or not and then throw in the detours and I almost detoured myself right back home. Except that the detours brought me here to this sparkly wonderfulness:

Without the detours I would have missed this section of beauty on Beacon Hill. Isn't it just luscious? I was just about in love with the colors and textures of this amazing mural.
Pardon the glassy haze in the photo - it is from taking a quick picture out my car window after swerving to pull over with my brand new camera phone. Yep - finally joined in on the new phone technology. I've now got a phone that does everything - literally. I think it even does the laundry. Well... I'm hoping anyways. So far I've discovered that the thing takes pictures, edits pictures, plays FM radio and MP3s, records sound and even will record your steps if you tell it. (So you know how many steps it takes to get to the laundry...)
Did I mention it was now late and I'm needing to get to bed instead of playing with the new phone toy?

In the meantime, I'll leave you with the sweet dreams of mural painting and a sneak peek at what I was up to in the backyard all afternoon:

Portland Art & Soul - Pt. 2 Book Signings & Lisa Sonora Beam

2008-10-13T12:32:00.000-07:00

I know I know - Portland Art and Soul was over a week ago. I've been having little to no spare time these days so I'm just now getting to continue my blog post catch up. Bear with me - this is good stuff!

On Friday of Art and Soul last week, after my day of class with Katie Kendrick, (see previous post) North Light Books offered a book signing with several of the now famous artist authors who were present at Art and Soul to either teach or learn. And this proves that I've been stationed on a distant planet - but I somehow had NO idea that one of those authors was my friend Julie Collings whom I shared housing with for Artfest this year. How did I miss that amazing news? Go check out her book, Pretty Little Felts - it's darling and just so Julie!

Also present was of course was Kelly Rae Roberts and her new book that has become quite buzz worthy in blogland: (I've seen it EVERYWHERE I don't know bout you) I already had my signed copy of Taking Flight so I just stopped by to say hello. There were so many good books there I wanted to buy them all. Of course I was there without much spending money so I left the book signing empty handed. Or so I thought.

While I was sitting and chatting with my friend Kecia and her friend Z someone approached our table and asked if we'd be interested in a free mini workshop by the author of one of the books. We all were a little tipsy and had finally come to terms with the fact that we never were going to make it out to dinner as planned so we figured why not. And I'm so glad we did.

The workshop was held by Lisa Sonora Beam who is the author of Creative Entrepreneur: A DIY Visual Guidebook for Making Business Ideas Real. I came out of there so infused with possibility that I had no choice but to buy the book. And I totally tried to talk Sonora into letting me host her so she'd come teach up in Seattle. Here's hoping she could see through the "little bit tipsy" side of me to the sincere spark that she set off. The book isn't even available for sale yet - just pre-orders. Which you should go get in line for right now. I started really pouring through it this weekend and it already had me up late wanting to journal and write into the wee hours. The book is drastically different than any other Art Biz book I've gotten. Sonora actually addresses the blocks and struggles that those of us who are creatively minded have difficulties with. And she has come up with some cathartic exercises for how you work through those as well as ways to develop business skills that you as an artist may be lacking. And it is all done in a way us visual folks can understand: Visually!

Portland Art and Soul - Pt. 1 Katie Kendrick

2008-10-10T07:26:00.000-07:00

"Swimmer Balancing Thoughts"

This week since I have returned from Art and Soul in Portland I have been savouring things. Colors are brighter and the air is rich with crisp autumn scents. Perhaps it is just my love of this time of year in the NW, but I'd like to think it is still the residual way of seeing the world after taking a workshop with Katie Kendrick.

Katie Kendrick, if you do not know, is an intuitive painter. I signed up for her class after seeing her work thinking that I would learn a bit about encaustic techniques, since her pieces are usually coated in a top layer of wax. Though I did learn how to cover a piece with a layer of wax to protect it and give it a dreamy quality, the class ended up being so much more than that. In fact, the time we spent on the wax was less than an hour of the whole day!

Katie began her class by getting us to all do creative warm up exercises - which at first seemed funny but then they actually worked. Just simply by taking a crayon and some tissue paper to play with rubbing patterns and textures was enough to loosen the brain up into "oh good - it's play time now!" Which if you are going to do some intuitive painting that is right where you want your head space to be. She then had us working pretty fast - bouncing between 2 canvases at the same time smearing paint, pressing on collage and smearing more paint until "something appeared".

This is completely opposite of how I usually work. I pretty much always start a piece with a full blown idea of exactly how I want it to look. I sketch out the design in pencil direct on the canvas and then paint it. And that is just fine and I'm sure I'll continue working that way. For some pieces...

Katie's way was just so much more of an instant release! So from now on I think I'm going to start working both ways - just to see what comes of it. No plan, no expectations. Just me and my inner artist smearing some paint around.

Here is my 2nd piece which I actually finished in time to give it the wax coating:

The first piece of the swimming girl was just paint while the second one above was mostly collage layers with paint over the top. I purposefully did not finish the swimming girl piece because I knew I wanted to add the golden spheres on the left - and since I had a gold leaf gilding class the next day I knew it was worth waiting for!

First First Thursday Arts Walk Recap

2008-10-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

Yep. This sign posted at the entry to Mikal Whoberry's studio just about sums it up.

The show was fabulous. It was so super gratifying to be an artist working in a small studio space and to finally get to see all these pieces up on a wall in one spot. Hanging the show was a HUGE learning experience and tons of fun at the same time. If I had stopped to think about it, I would have been able to guess - but the Wednesday before First Thursday is the only time other artists who are hosting open studios really get to wander around and see each others work. So while I was at 619 Western on Wednesday to hang the show I got to meet so many people and participate in some super fun conversations. The kind of "Full Time" artist conversations that up until this point I just haven't been privy to. Such as spending fifteen minutes discussing light theories - I just don't get that in my daily life!

Mikal was a wonderful host and the show turned out well with good flow and seemed cohesive. (To my inexperienced eye!) We had VJ with her gorgeous black and white photography in the front and then Mikal's work spanning the right side and mine spanning the left. With lots of space for milling and talking in the center. And one of the stars of the show wasn't art necessarily - though I would definitely call it art - VJ made THE BEST homemade crackers I have ever had.

Sincerest of thanks to all of my many friends, family and co-workers who came by to show their support and see the show. Your presence truly made the evening special for me. I was completely taken aback by how many folks got me Opening gifts. I had no idea that was a customary thing to do. I'm totally flattered and honored. My co-worker Richard (whose purchase of a painting from Mikal 2 months ago is how I got my show - hooray for connections!) got me a corsage for the evening with exquisite little red orchids. I pinned it into my hair and I'm so sad I didn't think to get a picture!

I did get a "proud artist" picture taken the night of set up.

Proud indeed.

Arts Walk Tonight, Art and Soul Tomorrow

2008-10-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Well I've pulled through - the show is set up and looking amazing alongside Mikal Whoberry's acrylic paintings and VJ Sheppard's photography. Can't wait for the opening tonight!

Hanging the show was practically a party - with all the other artist studios setting up and the artists themselves wandering door to door to check out everyone else's latest work. I had some phenomenal conversations and met some pretty incredible people! Who knew that hanging a show could be so much fun?

Definitely a shout out for the tight knit arts community that is 619 Western - you guys rock!

After some coffee and then much arts walk schmoozing and chatting I'll be hitting the road on my way to Portland, OR for the 2008 Portland Art and Soul Retreat. Come 9AM tomorrow morning I'll be getting my hands messy with the lovely Katie Kendrick - I'm so super excited! And then there will be dinner with my friend Kecia from New Jersey who I haven't seen since Artfest in the spring.

Bring on the art infusion!

Paint Streaked and Happy

2008-09-26T17:16:00.000-07:00

This was the view at 7:30 AM from my roof, downtown Seattle as I was up taking high resolution photos of the painting I finally finished last night. And what a glorious morning it was! The perfect world welcoming for a piece still yet to be titled.

What a couple of weeks it has been with this painting pretty much consuming me and leaving me seen as paint streaked wherever I went. Here is a pic from towards the beginning of the piece with my happy late night studio and various states of dis-array lying about:

After many many late nights of coming home after work to wolf down food and then get back to the painting I'm done... and throughly thrilled with her and her crow companions. You might have guessed that the two pieces come together as a puzzle - that was Andy's geniusness as he was cutting my panels down for me. And the moment he suggested cutting the last panel this way instead of "boringly" in half I just knew - I knew what the painting would be.

Now onto the "work" of getting ready for a show - printing & hanging!

See you at Arts Walk I hope!

What: Pioneer Square First Thursday Arts Walk

When: Thursday, October 2nd

Where: 619 Western, 5th Floor

*** P.S. - and I totally forgot to update you --- I did indeed get into La Familia Gallery!!!