Tuesday, December 26, 2006

No big deal


Friday was a good day. Not only did I have an excellent day at work (breaking my company's previous sponsorship sales record), but I was heading into the holiday weekend. As I was driving to visit my parents, I got a call from Russell (of RePop in Brooklyn) and he sold two of my pieces to an editor at TEEN VOGUE!!!! No big deal. But really, can you believe that? Surely she has good taste if she works for such a prestigious magazine!? I'm so pleased to 1. sell something in New York and 2. sell something to someone who is obviously pretty cool.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Has it been that long?

Oh my…has it really been almost a month since my last post? I swore that if I started a blog I would keep up with it. I’m slacking. I’ve been so busy with the holidays right around the corner. I think I might finally be done shopping with a few days to spare. Yeah!

I’ve also just completed three 12x12 collages for my friend’s in-laws and a surprise gift (for someone that I cannot reveal in the weird chance that he checks my blog). Commissions are such pressure! You have one chance to do it right and please the person that commissioned the work. Sue – I really hope you like the work when they arrive!

In the last month, I’ve also been trying to design my own art festival booth. I borrowed a tent from a woman in Salina. She is so generous and kind to let me keep it in KC for several months while I try to get my stuff together. Chris and I set up the exterior of the tent one Sunday and it wasn’t too bad. There’s really no way that I could do it alone though. After it was set up in the backyard, I decided that I wanted something a little different than the ordinary displays that you see at every festival across the country. I decided to purchase several (six?) hollow wooden doors at Lowes. Chris cut each of the doors in half and drilled three screw eyes into the non-hollow part of each door. We hung the doors from vintage feedbag material to the tent. It looked really cool and different. I think the booth lends itself well to my work. At that point it was getting dark and we had to break down the tent. On the next nice weekend, I plan to set it back up and shoot my work in the tent. My nice next door neighbor offered to shoot it with his semi-pro camera.

I also applied to an art fair in the emerging artist category. Since it’s a category for new artists, there is no booth shot required. There is really no chance in hell that I would ever get in, but I feel good that I took the steps to actually apply. It was one of my New Year’s Resolutions, so I’ll check that off the list just in time.

Applying to an art show was quite a process. I had to take my larger work (too big for my scanner at home) to a camera shop to be scanned. When the deadline came for the application, the camera shop had not yet completed the scans! I was so upset. My best work was not included in the application. Oh well. I’ll just have to wait until next year.

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving



It's been a few weeks since my last post. Despite receiving a HUGE box of canvases from Dick Blick, I haven't had much time to work. I've also felt quite a creative block lately. Hopefully the block will end soon because I purchased some new pictures on eBay and just received them last week. The auction I won was an antique photo album from the late 1800's to the 1930's. Most of the 140 photos are military families, but there are also some really neat pictures of women in swimming suits from that era. Very cool!

I'm heading back home for Thanksgiving. While I'm home, I am going to borrow an art fair canopy from a friend to bring back to Kansas City for a few weeks. I'll make an attempt at building a booth to shoot so I can consider applying for a few local art shows.

My plan while at home - besides enjoying my family - is to raid my dad's attic for old family photos. I've been paying too much for family photos of people that aren't even related to me. I'm sure that I can scrounge up some cool pitcures of a few distant relatives.

The piece included in this post includes one of my favorite photos. I love their outfits as well as their hairstyles. It's a small 6x6 piece, but I like it's simplicity.

Until next time...Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 06, 2006

New Inspiration


Chris and I celebrated our three year wedding anniversary at a Bed & Breakfast in a sleepy Missouri town along the Katy Trail this past weekend. It was a perfect fall weekend along the bluffs of the Missori River. It was our first B&B weekend and it won't be our last.

While exploring the small town (population:208), we stumbled across a few antique shops. At one shop in particular, I found an antique book of receipts dated back to 1907 for only $14. I also discovered a set of bird, nest and birdcage stamps. They are new, but look vintage.

I took today off and finished a few pieces after getting a facial. (This is my first facial at age 30!) Check it out - see the small nest stamp!

I'm fresh out of canvases and awaiting a giant order from Dick Blick. I have more than 30 on the way in the next few days. Stay tuned...

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Off to Brooklyn

Six of my newest collages are on their way to Brooklyn via UPS. My friends Russell and Carl opened a wonderful antique store in Brooklyn called RePOP and they are showing my work! While I haven't had the opportunity to visit the store in person, their web site looks pretty cool.

The piece to the right is called The Hopeful Seven. If you are in the neighborhood, stop by and check it out.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

It happened one day

Well...here goes. Today is the first day of my new blog and I am nervous. I've been dabbling in collage for a few years. I took a class at the Kansas City Art Institute. I've read lots of books and experimented quite a bit.

I've recently been asked to showcase my work in a great antique store in Brooklyn, which is owned by a wonderful friend I met a few years ago. I've also talked my way into two art fairs next year.

So...this is it. This is my attempt at creating art, which has been a life long passion of mine. I'm not setting out to make money. I'll keep my full-time job. I just want to share my work and my ideas along the way.
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