Labor of Love

Proof of my love:



I love my brushes.  I take really good care of my brushes - I don't let them soak indefinitely in thinner, I rinse them and wash them after I am done with a painting session, I leave a little bit of soap in the bristles to help them keep their shape, and I keep the handles clean.  Sometimes though, after 8 years of hard work, I've just got to retire a brush.  Goodbye old friend, and hello new friend.


I'm also proud I've kept up my painting journal - It is really helpful when I am trying to remember what I all mixed together to achieve a certain color.  It has saved me a lot of time, and is really cutting down on my paint usage because I don't waste paint mixing colors incorrectly.



When you are using paint that costs upwards of $20 for a 1.25 oz tube (I use M. Graham and Gamblin Oil Colors), it can really make a difference.

In other non-studio related news, Rascal says hi.  Even though it is almost 80 degrees in our house, she is still curled up in a blanket.



I've also been planning the garden and working a lot on the yard the last few days.  The previous owners let their gardens get a bit overrun before selling the house, so I've been taking on the task of digging out rock beds and taking out flowers.  It is not fun or pretty work.

But, in the meantime, here are some chive blossoms from the herb garden I started last year.  The chives, oregano, sage, and thyme are all doing really well.  I love perennial herbs. :)

Here in the Middle

Hey guys, big news!
Nate and I have been working on a big project together!  We've started a podcast about artists/musicians/writers living and working in the Midwest called Here in the Middle.

{click image to go to website}

Nate has interviewed John Statz, Paul Otteson, and Stacey Berry for the podcast.  Last weekend I had a chance to meet up with artist TJ Donovan for an interview for the podcast as well.  We should have it posted within the next week or so.  I've also got an interview with poet/writer/all around awesome person Joe Briggs scheduled for next week.  

This is the crazy time of year.  Assembling/grading finals + getting ready for my solo show in June + applying for residencies + side projects!  I haven't been this busy since grad school, and I kind of love it.  

One, Two, Three

Recently Finished:

Poodle - 8x10" - Oil on Canvas

Halfway Done:

Elephant - 18x18" - Oil on Canvas

Just Started:

Chipmunk/Squirrel - 16x20" - Oil on Canvas

In two months I've got a solo show in Milwaukee at River Edge Gallery - it is crunch time!  

Recent Outings

We've been so busy!  Between getting ready for my show, traveling across the midwest, and having a ton of visitors these last few weeks, I've barely had time to think.  Here's a little recap of what's been going on.

First off, my childhood best friend got married in Madison Wisconsin a few weeks ago.  It was a beautiful wedding - they were married in the Overture Center downtown, and the reception was held at the Orpheum Theater.  It was such a fun time.

It was the first wedding of a good friend of mine where I didn't do the photography.  I love taking photographs, but I also love really being able to relax and enjoy the wedding.  Some of these are photos Nate took, and some are ones I've stolen from friends' facebook accounts.  :)

I was honored to stand up as a bridesmaid, and got to meet Amie's other good friends.  It also made me really miss Wisconsin.



Katie, Myself, and Anna
It was really a great time.

The weekend after that Nate's parents came in to town for the weekend.  It was also a lovely time.  We went into Sioux Falls for some shopping and eating, and took full advantage of the weekend off.  Unfortunately, I've been forgetting my camera everywhere I go these days.  Eventually I think I will have to break and purchase a 'fancy internet phone.' :)

Last weekend my cute preggo sister and her husband came to visit us from Milwaukee.  We got to go to the falls and do a little shopping, eating, and relaxing.

It was a great time!

In the Studio

German Shepherd - 19 x 24" - Oil on Canvas

After a few week hiatus from painting, I'm back at it.

Good News

Guess what?

I'm going to be an aunt!  I am so excited.  :)  My sister and her husband are having a baby boy this August.  We just found out the sex of the baby last week and I had to get started on a new project right away:

My sister has an affinity for sock monkeys, so I couldn't resist.  

I found the pattern via the Easy Makes Me Happy Blog - here's the link:  Monkey Hat

I suspect there will be much more crafting in the future for this little bugger.  I can't wait to meet him! :)

Thrifted Recently: Mid Century Goodness

This is how far $55 can get you in South Dakota:

A $10 Danish Modern Chair frame.

I saw her from a mile away.  Someone in the store had thankfully put two of the ugliest giant pillows on this chair to avert any other mid-century freaks away.  She was all mine.  I had her bought and paid for before my husband knew what was happening.  I'm in the process of ordering foam for the cushions, and I've got fabric picked out.  I'm hoping it will turn out something like this chair.

A $40 Loveseat in tip top condition.

I may feel a bit guilty about this one.  My good friend Andre actually saw this after I bought it and tried to buy it only to find out it was sold (to me!).  He jokingly thought it must have been me and told me about this beautiful couch he saw that had already been sold, and I had to break his heart.  It even has a pull-out mattress.  :)  It is going in our living room as soon as we get our new floors put in. Luckily, this couch did not come home on the roof of our car.

And, last but not least, the $5 table and chairs set.

I actually bought this table and chair set a few months back at an auction a couple of blocks from our house.  I just happened to be outside and I heard them starting the auction so I wandered over and ended up buying a few pieces of furniture and a couple of really nice ornate wood-framed mirrors.  No one else even bid on this table, so I came away with it for $5.  The only downside was that Nate had the car that day.  I hauled this set on foot piece by piece back to my house.  I also bought a small bookshelf there.  Needless to say I was a bit sore after lugging the table along.  I'm planning on replacing the fabric on the chairs in a solid color.  It is the perfect size for our porch though - and I love the look of it!

Have you found anything great lately?

Dogs

Just finished painting my friend here:

16x20" - Oil on Canvas

And I've started another pup - this is the sketch:

And the underpainting:

I'm loving the orange in the background. :)