Happy 2023! (+ Show Installation)

Happy 2023!

I’m celebrating the first of the year with the installation of my show, “Material Experiments” at Cahoots here in Ann Arbor.

The work included in the show is about explorations of material, searching for new (new to me) interactions within the confines of color and surface. Playing with marks in deliberate brushstroke, or marks made from accidental splattered paint, layering of translucent pigment, stretching the pigment until it becomes more translucent - it's all borne out of a seeking, an insatiable curiosity to see what happens when you add this to that.

I don’t want to add ALL the photos from the show, so here’s just a little sneak peek. It will be up through March (exact end date TBD). Almost everything is for available for purchase here.

Upcoming Solo Show - Material Experiments

I’ve been a little quiet here lately, as I’ve been busy making work for my first show of 2023!

Material Experiments will open on January 7th at Cahoots in Ann Arbor. I’ll be giving a brief talk on the process and work in the collection at 12 pm, with the possibility of a Q + A session afterwards.

About the Work: The work selected for Material Experiments is a combination of some familiar pieces and brand new work. The common thread is experiments. I’ve always been more interested in the making of the cookie dough than the cookie, and this collection echos that. Each piece examines a relationship with material, asks/answers questions about marks and stands as little monuments to process.

About the Space: Cahoots is a tech co-working space + cafe here in Ann Arbor, in the old Kleinschmidt insurance building (seriously cool facade). I was so excited to be asked to show work here, the interior oozes innovation and the cafe offerings are always delicious.

About the Show: The opening talk will start at noon on January 7th. Come early and grab a drink from the cafe! Parking in the area isn’t too bad, there’s a garage at 4th and Washington (just down the street) and occasionally street parking once you turn off Huron.

Drop me a note if you’re planning on coming, I’d love to see you there!

First Open Studio Weekend

This weekend I opened the middle garage door, put out some signs, hung some new work, laid out some snacks and held the first open studio in the new space.

I kept it on the smaller end of attendance, just to make sure logistically I wouldn’t be bothering the neighbors too much. The alleyway can get a bit tight, so I wanted to make sure we could easily all fit inside if necessary.

It was such a great event. I met so many neighbors, saw some friends I haven’t seen since the early days of the pandemic, and a few pieces even found new homes. I love having people into the space, it’s always so great to hear what they see in the paintings, or how they interpret the work. Those conversations are my absolute favorite.

This was also the second event that showcased the new collage pieces. (The first one being the Rostrum 312 show ) so I was eager to hear the responses to the new work.

This was also the first time the Glyph collection was shown together. (All except the pieces mounted on paper) At the end of the weekend these will be boxed up and shipped down to Jenner McGinn Studios, where they will be a part of a pop-up at the end of the month.

Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by, next time I’ll get the word out a little far-er and wide-er, but this was a good run-through for a larger event. Chewy even made an appearance at the end of Friday night (see the chairs keeping him in the studio). I’m so grateful for this little art community, thank you so much and always for your support <3

Art Auction for Vyshyvanka Day

Today we celebrated Vyshyvanka Day at with an incredible party organized the The Hosting. I donated these 3 new collages for the art auction, 100% of the proceeds goes to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.

Sky and Wheat 1, 2, and 3 - inspired by the colors of the flag of Ukraine. 11 x 14, mixed media on paper and framed in maple.

<Link to bid has been removed, auction has ended!>

Installation by the ONE AND ONLY Passion Flower Sue.

So many beautiful blooms.

If you weren’t able to bid on a piece but still want to help check out Razom for Ukraine . They are a nonprofit dedicated to helping the people of Ukraine and offer many opportunities to give.

Rostrum 312 - Chicago Show

Oh hey Chicago - long time no see!

I was in Chicago for the weekend for the show with Rostrum 312 and wow, what a party.

Like, we broke the fire code party.

In my excitement to get there for the install I completely forgot about the time change from Michigan to Illinois. So. I showed up far, far too early. Which was fine. I found the venue, parked and got a bowl of rice and spicy avocado. (And wine)

After the install I ventured into downtown, the sky was full-on Bladerunner.

The following morning I had all to myself, so I popped into the Art Institute of Chicago to see an O’Keefe that has been on my heart since my husband has started his private pilot’s license training.

I’m a very nervous flyer and I’m working on re-aligning those pathways in my brain to something positive so I can go with him and not have a meltdown in turbulence. I’ll compile my thoughts on that elsewhere - but this painting is one I desperately wanted to see to start off this journey.

THE SHOW:

The show was a blast. I got to meet so many incredible people and have so many amazing conversations about the work, materials, and just art in general. I adore the Rostrum model of taking empty storefronts and converting them into gallery space for a time, and it was so thrilling to see the members of the community hop on the board and turn out in droves.

So much so, that we exceeded the fire code for allowable people in the gallery at one point and a line for entry had to form. And then it went down the block apparently.

The only downside was the amount of photos I was able to take - I ended up so busy that there were not many to share at the end. But I’ll have the memories though, and they are fantastic.

Thanks to all who showed up for the event or supported me from afar and huge thanks to the Rostrum312 team and those who took home work! If you purchased one of my pieces I’d love to see where it ends up hanging - send me a message <3

I’ll be back for sure, thanks again for the great time Chicago!