New Show at the Roosevelt Collection in Chicago

On March 25th I’ll be back in Chicago for a popup show with my friends over at Rostrum 312.

I’ll be showing a few paintings in my space (the above, ‘Nest’ included) and I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone else there. Go check out the show instagram feed, there are so many phenomenal artists showing and I’m honored to be in the mix.

The show will take place at the Roosevelt Collection at 150 W.Roosevelt Rd, specifically at the gallery space at 1023 S. Delano ct. (Check out the eventbrite page for more info!)

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

Memories of Miami - Sold

Right around this time of year, when the cold seeps just deep enough into my bones - I think back to Miami. We spent 10 years there, living on the beach and then in the downtown area across the bay. It was a hot, sweaty, magical time. Miami was where I fell in love with yoga, with running, with 3pm cuban coffee and most importantly, had the time to develop a process that still informs my work.

It’s all about the water.

I don’t outright miss Miami - I just think back on it with extreme fondness. We had a wonderful group of friends, family nearby, the OCEAN…. and ugh, all the colors of those beachy sunsets will probably always have a home in my work. It’s the sweetest nostalgia.

And what does an artist do when she gets nostalgic? (At least this artist) She paints!

I painted Memories of Miami in such a nostalgic mood in 2020. The colors were sea, sand, sky and the neons of ocean drive and Wynwood. It all mashed together to be ‘Miami’ for me. ( Acrylic on 18 x 24 cradled wood)

Memories of Miami went to it’s new home with a local friend/collector this week. <3

Raw Wave on view at Homes Campus

My installation ‘Raw Wave’ went up at Homes Campus (brand new location!) this week, thankfully before the big snow storm hit.

I am so grateful for this space and to the wonderful team over there for helping me to bring this vision to life.

About the Show:

Raw Wave is a series of 8 raw canvas panels, all 72 inches tall, ranging in width from 30s-40s inches wide. Each panel consists of a scene of thinned-acrylic marks, a language of form that might echo the movement of an expanse of water. The marks are translated from gesture studies of bodies of water, ripples in pools, undulations of waves and laid down on the canvas quickly and with purpose. The nature of the thinned paint adds a degree of randomness to how the works dry; the water transporting the pigment around the canvas to follow the path of least resistance.

I chose raw, unstretched canvas to utilize the fluidity of the material. It hangs from transparent line (thanks to the FABULOUS curator and her partner) cascading downward in crests and furls, draping in shadowed waves. Each panel creates 2-3 additional waves out of the material itself and the shadows surrounding it. When someone walks by quickly the edges flow upwards, stirring the waves further.

I wanted to convey the feeling of being on the shore, looking towards an expanse of water. That meditative space that beckons us to go closer, to dip our toes in and experience it with all our senses.

The collection might beg the question, ‘When is a work finished?’,  the paintings are not stretched over bars, which is the common method of displaying finalized work. The paintings (as well as many other examples of my on-canvas work) can live their entire lives flat. They also can be stretched over bars and displayed as a more typical piece of art. I like to think of my work as a living, breathing, response - one that adapts as the situation demands.

If you’d like to purchase a panel, scan the QR code at the location it will take you to the gallery page. (or purchase online via the gallery page) All work must remain up until the show ends. Paintings can be stretched over bars free-of-charge after purchase if desired.

Let me know if you’re headed out to see it!

Color Test Cards

When I’m working on a painting I’m almost always putting my brush into jars with at least *a few* layers of dried paint on the sides. (I’ll toss them when they get too thick, or turn them into strictly water jars) 

Jars like this can make seeing the true color of the paint rather difficult. Similarly, (depending on the shape of the jar) I’m not really able to tell the strength of the pigment merely by looking in.  

So, I rely on my test palette cards to tell me what’s really going on in there. 

Each painting usually has 3-4 cards that accompany the piece, testing the colors, viscosity, and translucency of the paint as I’m working. Occasionally I’ll use them to try out certain layering effects before putting the paint on canvas. Or to wipe off a pencil tip or brush top. These 5 x 7s are random essences of the larger work. 

Most of them are only that, random odd marks that will get recycled into a collage piece or turned into a folded card, but every so often I get a few that turn out rather interesting.

After featuring a large collection of these in my summer show, Color & Contour at StudioStudio last year, I’ve decided to release a few of the more interesting versions for purchase. They will be mostly made in tandem with the work that month, though you may see a few older favorites (with some new washes) pop up here and there.

When I have a new set to release I’ll send them out first in the monthly email so sign up here to make sure you’re on the list.

(But here’s a sneak peak at the first 4!)

Happy 2022!

Happy New Year friends!

I’m not much for resolutions, but I can do intentions.

My intent for 2022 is to be more present (regardless of where I’m at and what I’m doing) and to try my best to just slow down. So often I find myself doing too many things, moving through thoughts before really truly considering the fullness of them.

I’ve been staying surface level to get things done quickly, (not necessarily art-related, this applies to house projects, running, playing with my dog….) when I could be going so much deeper if I just gave myself more time to do it.

So, my intent for 2022 will be to give myself more time and to foster presence in all things.

I hope 2022 brings you nothing but joy, wonder and excitement. Here’s to the new year!