Iced Intuition

Little did I know that an ice storm was brewing when I drew this yesterday:

Drawing, 2.20.2011
charcoal on BFK

Outside my door today

Getting Lost in the Marks of Louise Despont

Louise Despont
Lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, U.S.A.
represented by
Nicelle Beauchene Gallery, NYC, NY, U.S.A.

Blue Moon, Pondicherry
67 x 48 inches
Graphite and colored pencil on antique ledger book pages

 Detail 

Blue Moon, Pondicherry

Look at how large the piece is! It was  installed for an exhibition at Nicelle Beauchene Gallery

King & Queen, Day
13.5 x 16.5 inches
Graphite and watercolor on antique ledger book pages

Garden Aerial
13.5 x 18.5 inches
Graphite on antique ledger book pages

I have been looking at the work of Louise Despont since I came across it 2 weeks ago and cannot let go of looking.
I long to see it in person and wrote to her to ask for permission to reproduce these images. She graciously agreed.


To me, Louise has created something entirely new whilst simultaneously encouraging the eye to think the work was uncovered from a secret enclave, hidden for hundreds of years. I am awe-struck at the quiet beauty of her marks on antique papers and mesmerized by the mystical nature of the images.


And I want to stitch them, to allow my eye and hand with thread to re-trace the marks she has made on paper. Perhaps I will in a dream one day.


Please visit Louise's website here to view more amazingly complex drawings. Her site is a delight, grab a cup of your favorite tea or coffee and spend some time getting lost in her marks.


Louise studied Semiotics and Studio art in college and completed a Fulbright Research Fellowship in India in 2009-2010. These are just a few interesting tidbits of information about Louise you can find on her CV here.

All images by permission of Louise Despont

© Copyright Louise Despont 2010 

Taking a walk

Walldorf, Germany and surrounding areas
January, 2011
When you arrive in Walldorf, you must go for a walk. 

It's easy to do, since there are trails and paths where ever you go.

The moss grows thick and green.

Although, sometimes, the Germans like to control the shape of trees and other growing things.

And other times, the brush grows wild.

And the waters run still.

And the night is quiet, and you can smell fires burning from the neighbors fireplaces and you sleep really well. 

When you are in Walldorf.

Wishing You Courage in the New Year

by Mike Monteiro Prints available at 20x200 here

There is a an unabashed realism to this sentiment and yet, I wouldn't advise living one's life this way. 

I try not to burn bridges and rather hold relationships as carefully balanced with mutual respect. 

Of course, that doesn't mean I haven't wished to burn a bridge or two. 

At the dawn of a new year, it's a time to reflect on the past and move forward with the new. 

May you each move ahead with bright ideas and the courage to act on your dreams and desires.

Courage

c.1300, from O.Fr. corage (12c., Mod.Fr. courage) "heart, innermost feelings; temper," from V.L. *coraticum (cf. It. coraggio, Sp. coraje), from L. cor "heart," which remains a common metaphor for inner strength. In M.E., used broadly for "what is in one's mind or thoughts," hence "bravery," but also "wrath, pride, confidence, lustiness," or any sort of inclination. Replaced O.E. ellen, which also meant "zeal, strength."

Happy Christmas with a Gingerbread house on top

Miniature Gingerbread house 2010

May your Christmas celebrations be filled with warmth and cheer. 

Sending warm thoughts to each of you! 

Christy's houses are larger than mine. We used the same instructions with different results.

Last year, my friend, Christy and I made these wonderfully simple little houses see here.
This morning, we made them again. A new tradition is born.
Yum!

Lapsed Time

Beili Liu
Assistant Professor, College of Fine Arts, University of Texas, Austin

Bound #2

Thread, needle, red oak (reclaimed shipping crates), 6'x10'x18"

2009

Detail

Detail

 2D Work I Wish Gold, Chinese Spirit Money (Yellow Paper), incense, set of 9, 4.5"x8"x1" each

 Detail

Beili Liu works with a wide variety of materials from needles and thread to digitally processed images.  She allows the materials evolve over time. She begins a project and manipulates them over time, sometimes over a period of months before the final work reveals itself. Often her experiments with one project lead to another new project. 

See more here.

Monothon Part II

Monothon 2010

Here's some pic's from the Monothon Show at Zygote Press.

the show is up through Dec. 31, 2010.

All sales benefit Zygote Press, a non-profit printmaking co-operative in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

 Carpets I, 2010, monoprint, Christine Mauersberger

  Carpets II, 2010, monoprint, Christine Mauersberger

Picture of the studio where I've been working this past month. 

Liz Maugans got me re-hooked on printmaking. 

Monothon Month

Zygote Press
Cleveland, Ohio
It's been 20 years since I've used a printing press.
Liz Maugans at Zygote Press invited me to participate in a month-long event making monoprints for the annual Monothon* event.
Here's some of what I did 

I found two small cotton tea towels and affixed fabric circles to the surface of them

and mixed up inks to my own color liking.

and ran them through the press and printed them on Rives BFK 100% cotton rag paper.

this photo: Mary Ann Tipple

This picture is a print. 

Not the actual towels.

Here's a detail

Same two towels using a olive green ink

Same 2 towels using a mix of a sick pink.  I cut them out after they were printed, and have done a little stitching, these are paper, not fabric.

I'll take pictures of the final two prints I created for the Holiday Show opening on Dec. 4th and post them.
Cheers!

*Monothon is an annual event at Zygote Press that encourages regional artists to come to Zygote and try their hand at making prints. This year, we welcome artists: Mark Yasenchak,Chris Mauersberger, Dante Rodriguez, Kristin Bly, MarkKeffer, Stephen Yusko, Gadi Zamir, Darius Steward, and Hilary Aurand. A selection of their prints will be exhibited at our OFF THEWALL Holiday show, and sales will benefit Zygote Press.