Studio Update (in Photos!)
I hope everyone is doing alright in this lockdown.
I’ve been working away in the studio, though with the move looming above us I’m a bit more focused on finishing up old pieces and less enticed to start anything new. We haven’t heard any word about a moving date yet, but as I’m not super anxious to get into a situation where we’d need to move immediately and none of my work is packed up - I’ve been taking inventory and doing a lot of ‘pre-packing’ if you will.
So for now, here’s a quick update of some cool things happening in my space!
My friends wrote a book!!!!!!!
The Motherhood of Art by Marissa Huber and Heather Kirtland came out on April 28th. If you follow their Carve out Time for Art community on instagram you’re familiar with their message, about staying creative and carving out time for art. I can’t wait to read about the artists featured in the book and see what these two lovely humans have put together. Purchase it here!
I am still in love with working on these roll canvases. That’s all <3
A ‘junior’ curator over at Jenner McGinn Studios picked my Wood Study to be a part of this collection! Pop over to the site to purchase.
Again, hope you all are doing alright in this strange time. Much love!
Moving to California! (+addendum on 6/18/20)
Well I have a little bit of an announcement — looks like we’re moving to California!
My husband has taken a new job in the Palo Alto area (and I’m so excited for him!) so we’ll be packing up and heading out there when his office gives him the all clear.
What that means for my work:
All local work in shops and galleries will stay here, as my lovely studio assistant will handle inquiries and purchases.
My shop (and a few pieces available in various galleries) will be on a shipping hiatus for a few weeks as we move. Our plan is to take a little road trip across the country with Chewy - so it will be easily 2 weeks before I’m set up in a studio and able to ship again. When I know exactly when that will be I’ll make an announcement so you can order before we leave town.
New things! New colors! I’m so excited to learn a new space and see what happens on the canvas.
In light of all this, I’ll be hosting a Studio Clean Out Sale / live open studio soon. I’m not super excited to pack up all my work and put it on a moving truck to CA, and I’ve got a fair amount of other pieces I haven’t even released yet - so I’ll put everything together and do a virtual clean out of sorts. Once everything is up on my site for purchase I’ll announce a live walkthrough of my space, you can ask about seeing work up close or mediums used, inspiration… think of it as an open studio - from afar.
Once I have dates for everything I’ll make sure to get the word out.
I’m looking forward to new patterns, new horizons, being by the ocean again and putting these into paint - though Ann Arbor will always have my heart.
Here’s to adventure!
June 18th 2020 Addendum!!!!!!
Well, less panic about moving is always a good thing, I guess.
Looks like we’re not going anywhere anytime soon. We knew there would be a delay in when he would be required to go to the new office given the COVID 19 situation - but we weren’t imagining this long of a delay. Turns out no one is going back in until January, so we’re hanging tight.
I’m glad this is the case, less panic to move, less worry for my husbands safety/exposure in an office, more time to prep for the studio sale!
And yes, the studio sale is still happening, more details to come soon!
Studio Still Life Sessions
I’ve had such a wonderful response to the live workshop/Q+A’s/hangout times I’ve been holding on instagram, so thank you all for joining in these last few weeks! It’s a been a nice bright spot to talk with you all in the midst of some really scary, strange times.
You may have been present for a Sunday afternoon last week when I hosted a live still life event on instagram, and I’m excited to announce that this session will now be held monthly on the last Sunday of the month at 3 pm EST!
For each session I’ll set up a still life in my studio; some will have themes, some will focus on a certain line or movement, some will be more abstract and some less so. Ideally there will be something for everyone to work from.
Once it is set up I’ll have photos from multiple angles uploaded here, so you can draw with me, set up your own still life, or simply come hang out. I always enjoy seeing what people make during these — so feel free to add your setups, sketches or what-have-you to #studiostilllife!
Here’s an example from @mjenkins_art;
I love how multi-layered her set-up is, the addition of the mirror would make for some really neat play with reflections too!
The next live still life will be happening on Sunday, May 31st at 3pm est - I’d love to see you there!
A few shots from the last event:
No RSVP or anything required, just mark your calendar, stay tuned the day before to see the uploaded photos (unless you are making your own still life) and join in.
<3
These are scary times friends.
It feels like a weird dream.
I’m writing this currently without knowing anyone personally who has been sick (which I am incredibly grateful for, for however long it is the case) but I realize that may not be the case for everyone reading.
Please know my heart is with you.
This is a scary, strange new world.
Just some quick notes regarding changes here:
Workshops, shows and events through the summer have been (thankfully) cancelled. If you registered for the summer sketch series, you should have en email with your refund.
To limit exposure I’m no longer making multiple trips to the post office each week. All orders will ship on Fridays, if you need an order out sooner please contact me and I’ll see what we can do.
Instead of the workshops planned for the summer, I’ll be holding instagram live events. I’ll try to announce them 2 -3 days beforehand. We’ll paint together, draw together, or just talk about art and life and try to grab whatever moments of peace we can.
Commissions for the time being are closed. While I’m trying to paint and stay creative as much as I can - my heart isn’t in the right place to be making commissioned work. I’ll think about reopening next month, but for now I need a little time to sift through these emotions.
The monthly email list giveaways will continue as planned. Sign up for the newsletter to get on the list.
Again, my heart goes out to everyone impacted by the virus and all it’s spiderweb of effects. This morning I saw a spray painted message on a nearby sidewalk while walking the pup. In bright blue paint it read, “Not alone. Just apart.” I liked that and think about it often. Maybe it will comfort someone else too.
Outdoor Sketches
The weather shifted a bit this week, trading the frigid wind for hints for sunshine.
In celebration of not having to wear 16 layers to go outside I thought I would take a little sketchbook, a stick of water-soluble graphite and the pup, and head out into nature.
As we were walking in the woods I kept an eye out for interesting forms and textures. Having the dog with me requires I make these sketches quickly, so I worked with mostly blind/semi-blind contours.
I’ll take these back into the studio and add water and color next. Follow me over on instagram to see the final product!
Materials Used: