been busy creating

I think this may be the longest I've gone without making a post since I created this blog. Oh well. Does anyone really even read this? Sometimes I think it's more like a journal for me. But for those of you who are interested, I've been BUSY. Kev said the other day that he's never seen me make so much art since I graduated in 2010 (maybe even more than that). It feels great to be creating so much; I just wish I didn't have to have a day job. I would get so much more done. 

So why I am I cranking out arts and crafts like my life depends on it? I got into The Plaza District Festival!!! I'm excited, nervous and slightly terrified. It is an outdoor festival. If you live or have ever lived in Oklahoma you know why this scares me. Last week it was close to triple digit temps, today it is raining and 57 degrees. My parents bought me a 10x10' canopy tent with a side wall and some wire walls to hang stuff on. I feel slightly better about housing my entire life's work on the streets of OKC with some cover, but I still can't help being a little nervous. This is also my first festival by myself. I've been in a group tent before and shows where they have a small "marketplace", but I've never even had a solo show before. I feel honored and a little shocked that I got in. I have to just keep telling myself whatever happens, happens for a reason. 

I was a featured artist on the Plaza'a blog the other day. Read it here if you would like. Short and sweet... and exciting. 

Here is a sneak peek at some of the new work that I will have there. I will also have some teeny tiny pieces for $5 and under as well as some OKC Thunder inspired jewelry. Come out to The Plaza District on September 29th!

"Baby" 9"x12"
recycled magazines and paper on canvas

"For Kevin" 8"x8"

"Home On The Range" 4.5"x7"

make art not trash is next week!

One week from tomorrow people! "Make Art Not Trash" at FRINGE Gallery 4027 N. Classen. I'm ready! Everything is done and ready to be hung. I'm so excited about this one. (Mostly because my favorite food truck Big Truck Tacos will be there.) 
One thing I'm semi-disappointed about... no artist statements. I know I know, I always complain about writing them, but I think they are important in some ways. This project started out without a real concept to me. I was just making a pretty design in a window. But as I was working, a concept started to appear. Then when I moved on to the 3 small pieces I already had that idea in my head. I can kind of clue the viewer into that concept with the titles, but that only gives away so much. I'll be interested to see what people think. But for all of you reading this (lucky you) you get to read the one I already wrote. 

"Most of us long for a place to call our own. As artists it is important to be surrounded by inspiration in daily life. If we’re not inspired, we’re not creating. At first I wasn’t sure why I was drawn to this window, but as I continued to work on a design it became clear that I was creating a fantasy land through it. I was looking through the window at a reality that I longed to create: a little yellow house on a hill with a garden where everything is always bright and sunny. The three small pieces came after I realized this concept. Here is this house with the sunny garden, and here is this family that is longing to be there. Simply silhouettes against a dreamy backdrop, their faces are obscure. They’re not really there yet but look toward the window longing to be there."

The 3 small pieces will be hung vertically on the right side of the window piece. Here's a sneak peek, but if you want to see it for real, you have to come to the show. 

Mr. Mrs. & Jr. mixed media: found objects, paper, magazines

If you can't make it the night of the opening, we have gallery hours on Saturdays 10-4 or you can make an appointment on the FRINGE website and someone will be there to let you in. The show will be up for about a month, so come see it!