It's ok to be blue too.

Layers of linoleum block prints, a nest made of dress pattern tissue, vintage dress and bits of 18k gold leaf are all incorporated to make this piece.

The blue jay seems to be whispering in her ear.

This piece is 24" wide x 44" high.  And is waiting for a frame.  The first place you'll be able to see this one is at the Bluff Park Art Show in Birmingham, AL.

Bad Girlfriends

I've been looking a for reason to start a series of bad girls.  Just the idea of bad girls, what is considered "bad" vs "good" and who gets to decide amuses me a bit.  Then, out of the blue, the idea of "Bad Girlfriends" takes over.  Tightens the focus for the series a bit, excludes the idea of little girls, unless your idea of a bad girlfriend includes a petulant pouty grown up who is acting like a little girl.  That's a definite fit, and may well be used in the future!

So, what pulled the trigger to get this series on the easel?  I was accepted to exhibit in Jazzfest in New Orleans.  I can't think of a better place to introduce the Bad Girlfriends.  Here are the first two.

Clingy

A cocktail dress adorned with Octopi, the background features the same pattern on the warm tones of dress pattern tissue.  Red roses are scattered across the top.

The Documentrix

The dress is covered in silver leaf and photo transfers.  It has a shine that falls somewhere between the tin man and the lovely flicker of silver gelatin prints.  If you are related to me in any way you may recognize someone on this dress.  The lime green background is overwhelmed by vintage camera prints, and the spots and sparkle that comes with too many flashbulbs going off.  The documentrix is she who always has the camera phone out, stealing your soul, one digital click at a time.

Ok, I'm back out in the studio!

Interested in Jazzfest?  Here's the link.

Have you "liked" me on Facebook yet?  You can find my page here!

Coming up for air

I feel like I'm neglecting y'all.

I'm just too busy making new work to be able to find time to blog about new work.

And I've found this work rhythm that really fits.  But it all seems to be in studio, carving lino, pulling prints, putting together new ideas, painting, assembling.  All that stuff.  

The other stuff, the book keeping, the show scheduling, the website-etsy-blogger-twitter-newsletter stuff.

That stuff just isn't getting done.

But the work is getting done, although I rewarded myself for a couple good shows with a full day in the garden.  I've pushed a little paint, and I'm about to pull a few prints.  I actually have the blocks laid out, the paper cut, and The Talking Heads on the CD player. But I thought I'd come in and say hi.  

The good news is, I have a couple of great shows lined up that I'm excited about.  

On April 11, 12, 13 you can find me at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. This is the first time I've been in this show for several years, as I usually head to Texas.  So I hope to see some Atlanta folks!  And then, you can find me in New Orleans for Jazzfest on April 25th, 26th, and 27th.

And I have to tell you, I'm pretty Jazzed about that one.

I'll write again, I promise. 

Leap

So I've had this bathing suit piece sitting in my studio since, oh, July. 

It started ok, but quickly lost momentum, and eventually got bogged down in an ugly spot.  The only thing that looked good were the midnight blue rings.  Raindrops, puddles from a sprinkler perhaps?  So, I put it aside, face against the wall as I worked on other things.  Yesterday, the time had come, I put it on the table, and started painting over the ugly bits.

You hear lots of different advice on getting out of a painting rut, but my preferred tactic is to paint my way out.  I am an intuitive painter.  By that I don't mean, I just "follow my heart, and let paint fly."  It's more of a process of adding and subtracting, working with the limitations set by the piece, the limitations set by the last decision.  And somehow, it just comes together.  Buried in the red background is an octopus.  and the girl doing the cannonball?  After several months of not really painting anything remotely realistic, all I had to go on was, "Gee, I wonder if I can still do this."

Being a full time artist, living this life, travelling across the country in hopes of a good show.  It's always a leap.  Sometimes you just have to tuck your legs up and go.

Oh, and "Leap" finally gave my new direction a title.

Brave Girls, Bad Girls, and Bad Girlfriends.

Coming soon.

Leap

20"x 24"

Vintage bathing suit, acrylic, and linoleum block prints on canvas.

Framed  $895

Nine newies.

Nine fresh new small pieces.  These are all 8" square, on deep gallery wrapped canvases.  All these and several more will be packed up and on their way to Miami next week for my first show of the year.

See you at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival  on Feb 15, 16, & 17th

You'll find me in booth #244

Are you interested in purchasing one of these little babies before the show?  They are $145 each including shipping in the US.  You can contact me at kallencole@aol.com

Enjoy your day!