Sketches...

These are some sketches I did last night. Not the greatest photos, but at least these show what I do before each painting. I think sketching is vital to my process, and sometimes I get my best ideas for a new painting by just doodling. 

Updates and upcoming shows

 I'm very pleased to say that my presentation, "Extinction and Nonexistence: Creatures of a Metaphysical Realm," was, for the most part, a success . After a shaky start I was able to jump right into my presentation clearly and professionally. Luckily, I was blessed with a great group at the LFAC. All members of the audience had great comments and questions  throughout the presentation.  At the end, I was lucky enough to share my collection of books with everyone in the midst of discussing topics involving extinction, conservation, existence, and reality.... all very cool stuff. For me, one of the best aspects of the presentation was the fact that everyone seemed to understand almost all layers of meaning and emotion I have tried to develop in my paintings. I really hope this trait isn't limited to this group. With this experience, I hope that I have the opportunity again to discuss and share my artistic research and concepts. 

In anticipation of this presentation, I now have reproductions of my work available for purchase. Above left are detail shots of my larger works highlighting the extinct bird species in a particular painting. I have had a few interested in images of the unicorn as well, and those are on their way.

*A very special thanks to Aaron Melendez for his help in making my presentation and the availability of prints.

While I am thanking people, I cannot forget to thank Jennifer Norback for allowing my work to be displayed in the show, Life's a Beach, at her gallery in Chicago. I have been an intern there since January but with the conflicts of two work schedules I have had to sacrifice my time there. It definitely is a chapter in my life that I will miss and I hope that Jennifer Norback, Cindy Bernhard, and I will have the chance to work together again in the future. 

 In the middle of working, I have been trying to enter into as many shows as possible. Shows are great for me not only because it gives me the exposure I need as an artist, but it also serves as a short-term storage unit for my larger works. I currently have my largest painting, Lost and Found, as a part of my BFA show at the American Academy of Art. Recently, I've discovered that my piece, Newcomer will be included in Jackson Junge Gallery's Apocalypse 2012: Genesis 2013 exhibition. Not only will this show highlight my themes on extinction, but I'm privileged enough to have my work as a preview for the exhibit to be included in this year's Chicago Artists Month. Here is more information if you are interested in attending the opening reception with me:

http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/apocalypse-2012-genesis-2013

Another great show I have the pleasure of being included is Evanston's 4th Annual Green Arts Show where the work focuses on greener ways of living. My newest piece will be displayed for the first time along with other great artists including fellow PCHS and AAArt alunmi Kim Guare. I'm very excited to have my work in the same show as Kim as she is an amazing artist working in a variety of mediums. If you haven't seen her work, you need to:

http://www.kimguare.com/

More updates to come soon. Be sure to check back to see my new painting featuring the Carolina Parakeet near the end of the month and some new experimental paintings I'm working on.

Extinction and Nonexistence: Creatures of a Metaphysical Realm

This in-progress painting of the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker,  will be available for viewing at this event

If you enjoy my work, be sure to check out my presentation on extinction, nonexistence, and their relation from an artist's perspective at the Life Force Arts Center on Thursday, August 9th from 7:00-9:00pm. This presentation is part of the LFAC's current exhibition, "Animal Wisdom, Animal Soul" where my piece, Two Sides, is on display along with work by other great artists. In this presentation I will be discussing specifically my research involving extinct birds, the history of the elusive unicorn, and how I combine my interests in both fields to create paintings that reflect my metaphysical questions regarding being. 

For more info and to RSVP, please follow this link to the Facebook event page:

http://www.facebook.com/events/271039779664961/

New work, more birds (of course)

Red-Winged Blackbird (male) at dusk

Watercolor on paper

So finally, I've been able to take some decent photos of my new work that I have been working on and off with since the end of school. These two pieces represent to me the struggles of working two jobs, searching for a better job, and applying to shows post-graduation. It was more difficult than I had expected to keep up with my art-making in reference to the pace I kept while I was a student. I really miss having the excuse to work on a painting for more than four hours because it was my "schoolwork." Now, it's just the thing I do on the side before and after my "real" job. Luckily, I have been accepted to at least three shows since graduating (waiting on the fourth), have sold two paintings, and will have the opportunity to discuss my work with an audience in August. Overall, the art world is being generous to me as an emerging artist, but the pace is unsatisfying.  

I've started a total of five paintings since finishing these two. I'm trying to get two done quickly; the others have no deadline as of yet. No surprise, the upcoming two are of birds: one a Ring-Billed Gull the other of Carolina Parakeets, and extinct species. As you can see from these two paintings, I am looking forward to painting a bird that is not primarily black (or dark brown in reference to the Ivory-Billed).

More information on the presentation and upcoming shows will be updated soon. I'll be leaving for Antigua next week, and before then you can expect to see those two paintings added to the blog and/or website. Wish me luck!

Animal Wisdom, Animal Soul at the Life Force Arts Center

If you are in the area this Thursday, be sure to check out the Life Force Arts Center from 6:30 to 10:00pm. One of my paintings, Two Sides (Moho nobilis, extinct 1934), will be on display along with other great animal art in the exhibit, Animal Wisdom, Animal Soul: Lessons of the Wild Things. The Show will be up until September 9th and the center has a lot of cool presentations to coincide with this show's theme. I will be having my own presentation on August 9th from 7-9pm about animal extinction. More details to follow, but save the date! 

image: Cheetah (c) Sharon Bechtold

The Sparrow Project

Too much non-art work, not enough painting. I would be lying if I didn't admit work is slowing me down, but at least the ball has been rolling. The female Rose-Breasted Grosbeak is finally done and I have two other paintings on the edge of completion (...still not enough). I have a total of three pieces in two shows right now and more to be on display soon. Most recently, I was proud to include my work in The Sparrow Project, a fundraising event to help raise money for Heather and Caleb King's medical bills. More info on their project and how you can donate is below:

http://thekingtwins.tumblr.com/

http://sparrowproject.tumblr.com/

This is the finished painting, Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (female) on Purple Leaf Plum, my smallest yet at 5 x 7 inches. It sold for $90.00 at auction for The Sparrow Project, to a worthy owner. It was actually really refreshing to work on something this small and I plan on creating more small works for the future. 

Lexington Art Article

I just found out that one of my images was featured in an article about Lexington's art scene! I'm very honored that my painting made such a good impression in their city. Unfortunately, this Tuesday they will be taken back home with me to Illinois. Still, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to show my work there and I hope I will be able to again in the near future!

Here's the article if you are interested:

http://www.theurbn.com/2012/06/lexingtons-sensational-public-square/