Freehand * Sketching Tips and Tricks Drawn from Art

Two of my paintings are feature in a new Chronicle Books release:

Freehand * Sketching Tips and Tricks Drawn from Art 

by Helen Birch

My panting, "Hairdo", is used as an example for a lesson about incorporating painting and drawing.

Cover of the book. 

This is such a beautiful little (5x7") book! 

Each page features a different illustration with text/tips about the various technique used. 

It covers all of the drawing fundamentals and features dozens of gorgeous illustrations by artists such as Betsey Walton, Julia Pott, Kate Pugsley, Hollis Brown Thornton, Carine Brankowitz, Sandra Dieckmann...and so many more. 

My panting, "Remember", is used as an example for a lesson about color tinting.

Back cover of the book.

Illustrated table of contents.

I linked to Amazon but you should be able to find this "wherever books are sold." It is full of fun ideas so check it out if you are looking for a little inspiration.

Forage Modern Workshop

Flying, acrylic/graphite on framed panel, 12x16"

Hey, Twin Citians! Have you been to Forage Modern Workshop yet? 

It is a new-ish Minneapolis store that features tons of vintage, artisan, local, hand-made and all around neat-o stuff for you and your home: furniture, housewares, gifts, etc. 

Oh- and ART! Tons of local art- including several of my paintings. 

Go there now! AND- Be sure to get a Rustica Bakery Dark Chocolate cookie from (the attached) Parka restaurant. 

Shapeshifter, acrylic/graphite on framed panel, 12x16"

Pony Up, acrylic/graphite on framed panel, 12x16"

May Pole, acrylic/graphite on framed panel, 12x16"

An installation in the shop (photo swiped from ForageModern_Mn)

My BF, Brad, hangin' out in the shop. B&W paintings by my friend Tara Costello.

Photo of my painting "Red" swiped from ForageModern_Mn

Details of "Red", acrylic/graphite on mounted panel, 24x30"

This is me pretending to do something so I can be in a photo with with my friend Tara Costello's paintings (the big ones on top.)

Some of my paintings at Forage were in MSPMag earlier this year.

Photo swiped from @JahnaPeloquin

"Send Off" at grayDUCK gallery

One-of-a-kind, hand-painted "Owl" test print, acrylic on screen print (SOLD)

"Send Off"
 A celebratory group print show
at grayDuck Gallery in Austin, TX

Opening Reception: December 6, 2013, 7–10pm
Exhibition dates: December 6 – December 22, 2013


BIG NEWS from grayDUCK gallery in Austin, TX:
"After three and a half years in South Austin, grayDUCK will be closing the door on our beloved gallery space for a move to the Eastside. Please, join us for a final send off in the form of a group print show featuring a handful of the artists that have adorned these walls in years past. Thank you, sincerely, to all of our supporters, artists, and neighbors that have made grayDUCK successful, and stay tuned for even bigger and better things in the very near future."

One-of-a-kind, hand-painted "Owl" test print, acrylic on screen print (SOLD)

For this show I've hand-painted three one-of-a-kind "Owl" test (screen) prints.
A fitting way to say "goodbye" as these are the last of my Owl prints!
They are 18x24" prints (printed by Ben at BRLSQ in Minneapolis) and $200 each.
Contact duckduck@grayduckgallery.com for more info.

One-of-a-kind, hand-painted "Owl" test print, acrylic on screen print (SOLD)

SooLocal 2nd Annual Holiday Shop

***UPDATE 12/6/13: Several of my pieces for the shop sold last weekend so I am adding new stuff this week- a banana, bunny, a turtle and a a little poodle. ;0)

happy/sad banana!

poodle, hand painted wooden thrift store poodle, 5.75" tall x 3 long

bunny, acrylic on ceramic thrift store bunny, 4" tall x 5.5"

turtle, hand painted wooden thrift store turtle, 4.25" long x 3"

Horse (hand painted wooden thrift store wall hanging) approx 21"l x 11"h x .25"d (SOLD)

I've gussied up some of new, hand-painted thrift store critters for the second annual installment of the SooLocal Holiday Shop (presented by the Soo Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis).

Dog (hand painted ceramic thrift store dog) approx 10.75"h x 7.5"l x 5"d (SOLD)

Bookends (hand painted thrift store bookends) approx 7"h

Bird (hand painted ceramic thrift store bird) approx 9.5"h x 5"l x 3"w  (SOLD)

Duck (hand painted plastic thrift store duck decoy) approx 17"w x 7"d x 8"h

SooVAC has installed 80 gazillion piescs of art on the walls and they also have tons of housewares, jewelry, art prints, greeting cards, tote bags, accessories and every stripe of handmade item you can imagine.  

Most items are $200 or less- many faaaar less.

(Full scoop below this preview.)

Who: The Soo Visual Arts Center and YOU!

Where: 3506 Nicollet Avenue South between Pat's Tap and Honeycomb Salon (NOT at Soo!) map

What: A holiday Pop-Up shop featuring affordable items by local (MN) artists. (Participant list below.)

When: November 30- December 22, Sats and Suns from 12-4pm

Why: So you can SHOP LOCAL and feel great about supporting the artists of MN (and Soo!)

How: This incredible shop is made possible by the dedicated staff and volunteers at SooVAC. Be sure to give them a high five!

Participating artists include: Ashley Barlow, Bill Beekman ,Adrea Beres, Boxy Mouse, Allen Brewer, Laura Brown, Bruno Press, Michael Carina, Jaime Carrera, Kristy Childress, Cosmo's Collars, Tara Costello, Amy Crickenberger Oath, Jonas Crisco, Jennifer Davis, Squared Furniture, Nick Devries, Brian Frink, Christi Furnas, Toni Gallo, Mary Gibney, Gia Gifford, Lindsy Halleckson, Noah Harmon, Anne Hauge/Flaunt This, Nick Howard, Anne Jin Soo Preston, Brian Jorgenson, Bethany Kalk, Melissa Loop, Amy Lyste, Shawn McNulty, Martha Mcquade.MN Lovely, Ododo Originals, Terrence Payne, Haley Prochnow, Kimberly Tschida Petters, Rene Redenius, Amy Rice, Erika Ritzel, ROX by Robyne Robinson, Joe Sinness, Liza Sylvestre, Pamela Valfer, Heather Wayne, Zuzka Wilson and more.....daily previews posted on the Facebook event page.

"Collect Call" at SooVAC

*** UPDATE 12/6/13: I've added some photos from the opening reception at the bottom of this post. We had so much fun. Thank you, SooVAC!

Soo Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis is hosting a unique exhibition that celebrates the relationships between artists and collectors.
"Collect Call: Exploring Art Patronage" opens this Saturday Nov 9.
Ten local collectors were invited to exhibit works from their collections. It is a salon style show and the gallery is packed to the gils with all kinds of art. I went the preview party last night and was absolutely smitten with the show.

I am honored that my "Whale" print is included in the collection of Drs. Herman J. Milligan, Jr. & Constance Osterbaan-Milligan. 

"Collect Call celebrates the drive to preserve and champion the arts on a personal level. SooVAC invited several local collectors to share artworks from their private collections, offering the public the opportunity to view works signifying a lifelong commitment to the arts and the artists that have ignited their passion for collecting.

The role of the arts collector is vital and complex; it is an investment in the life and legacy of the artists that find a place in their collections. This exhibition offers an insight into the relationships forged between collectors and artists, presenting a sampling of artwork that inspired these art lovers to preserve a moment in time celebrating beauty and achievement.

Throughout the duration of the show entries will be posted highlighting each collector and their motivations behind beginning their collections.
More information at
http://www.soovac.org/index.php/shows/view/collect_call_exploring_art_patronage/ - SooVac.org"

Collector Cherie Shoquist in front of her collection.  She included my little painting, "Continue", on her wall.

You can read an interview with some of the collectors about their participation via SouthWest Journal and check out a feature in City Pages.

If you are in the Twin Cities YOU MUST SEE THIS SHOW!

Old friends - Jaron Childs and Brad Senne.

Brad in front of an AMAZING Bruce Tapola painting.

Rounding up some of my fav gals for a photo- Carolyn, Cherie, Tara, Masami.

Jesse saying hello to Jones and Liseli.

Pharmacie in Minneapolis, MN

Falling, 24x30", acrylic/colored pencil/graphite (SOLD)

I am happy to announce that my paintings are currently on display at PHARMACIE, a beautiful new store filled with artisanal, handmade, local and interesting home decor and accessories in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Shop photos swiped from Pharmacie website. =0)

Curious, acrylic/graphite, 24x30" (SOLD)

Pet, acrylic/graphite, 18x24"

The shop is hosting a grand opening/launch party this weekend.  

Swing by next time you're in the neighborhood!

Architectural Digest

Well, looky here. My painting, "Night Voyage", is in the current (Nov 2013) issue of Architectural Digest Magazine!

Night Voyage, acrylic/graphite on panel

The article is a feature about Hudson, NY and highlights several innovative new stores including Harvey's Counter.

Harvey's Counter has commissioned a whole slew of my paintings and shooting targets which are currently for sale in their shop. Swing by and say hello if you find yourself in Hudson- or visit their online shop. SO many amazing vintage, handmade and unique items.

Some of my shooting targets now available at Harvey's.

"Creative Block" Book

I've been waiting impatiently for over a year to share this news! My art is featured in this amazing new Chronicle Books release, "Creative Block" by Danielle Krysa (AKA The Jealous Curator)!

In Danielle's words (swiped from her blog post) :
"I came up with the idea for CREATIVE BLOCK for myself, just as much as for all of you. I wanted to make something beautiful – a contemporary art book filled not only with inspiring images, but also inspiring words, advice, and tips to help amateurs and professionals alike, find their way through those days when the ideas just won’t come. Because everyone who dabbles in something creative feels that way at some point – right? Right. I wanted to write this book to show you that if you’re feeling this way you’re not alone either. I’ve written hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of posts about successful, working artists who seem to have this whole “creative thing” figured out. But surely they have blocks from time to time? How do they get through them? Where do they find fresh inspiration? How do they handle negative feedback? Does it stop them in their tracks? Now, these full time artists don’t have the luxury of not finishing, or giving up on a project – not when they’ve got a gallery or art buyer waiting on them! So how do they push themselves through those moments when the ideas just aren’t there? Or when the ideas are there, but their hands or materials will not cooperate."

"This chunky block-buster of a book is chock-full of tools to help artists overcome the dreaded and unfortunately universally crippling, feeling of creative block. Art blogger The Jealous Curator interviews 50 successful international artists including such talents as Lisa Congdon, Trey Speegle, Martha Rich and Wayne White, and mines their golden insights on how to conquer self-doubt, stay motivated, and get new ideas to flow. Each artist offers a tried-and-true exercise that will kick-start the creative process. Superbly visual with more than 300 images showcasing these artists resulting work, Creative Block is an essential ally to students, artists and creative professionals."- Amazon.com

The book won't be released until FEB (!) but you can pre-order it via Amazon right this moment!

In case you're still not convinced that you really need to pick up a copy of this book: the "blurbs" on the back cover feature endorsements by Jerry Saltz (Senior Art Critic for New York Times Magazine), Brené Brown (TED Talk-er Extraordinaire) and Faythe Levine (all around Art HERO).

Lastly, here is a hint (in the form of sketches) about my lil' section of the book:

I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. I am incredibly honored and proud to be involved.

Thank you, Danielle and Chronicle!