STUDIO NEWS November 2020

 

The Michigan woods are particularly beautiful this time of year. The tree's have arms stretched to the heavens and toes anchored in deeply soft beds of leaves, pine needles and mosses. I have been enjoying the fresh air and longer hikes with the dogs.

Studio News, November 2020

November is always a busy month in the studio, as I finalize holiday plans and ship secreted commissions off to happy collectors. One of the toughest things, for me at least, is holding off on sharing the finished paintings until after the gifting has happened!! This year I'm also juggling our pending household and studio move. While we are only moving a few blocks away, there still is the matter of all the property sale related details along with the physical relocation of our belongings. Painting inventory moved into storage in September, and about 2/3rd of the studio got packed up the last week. Already I miss my books enormously. I also miss the altar I built to my muse and inspirations - I may go unpack a couple boxes just to retrieve a few items! But otherwise things are ticking along. A recent painting, Spooked, could have been sold multiple times. I am always sad when this happens, since there is only one original I can place. I am hoping that Spooked's runner-up collectors will connect with another piece in my portfolio, or stick around and find something even more perfect for themselves in forthcoming paintings. Last week, I livestreamed a painting session on Facebook. I thought it might be good to distract myself on election day, and apparently others were on board with that idea too. The sessions (a morning and afternoon one) were wildly successful, with almost 2000 views, even if I did struggle with resolving the painting at the end. The footage is actual proof that it's not all fun and games in the studio - there's a lot of grit and sometimes tears that go into a final piece! My online students got the final installation of the painting's creation videos, where I summed up my thoughts on the process, a couple possible directions I could have gone, and my final feelings about the composition. Today I delivered two paintings to The Kayrod Gallery in Detroit as part of The Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors juried show "Resilience." This is the first in person exhibition I've participated in since March, which, ironically, was another DSWPS show. That show was shuttered days after it's opening due to COVID. Let's hope this one has a better run - the gallery has organized a safe and socially distanced environment for the community and visitors to enjoy the artwork. Opening is December 5th from noon to 4, by appointment, and the show runs through January 8th. I'm preparing a holiday gifting list, too, which I hope to publish prior to the US Thanksgiving. This list will include recommendations of my own favorite art making tools, along with some special offerings from the studio. Watch your inboxes for that email if you are gift-shopping for an artist or looking to add things to your own stash!! Meanwhile, if you can't wait for the list, FineArtAmerica just added the option of jigsaw puzzles featuring my artwork!! #journalthroughit classes continue to happen live on Wednesdays at 10am eastern on my Facebook page.  All of the #journalthroughit lessons, along with the more detailed ZOOM classes, are indexed on my website.  Meanwhile, heres a checklist of the many different ways you can see my artwork:  See them in your inbox 2-3 times per week - subscribe to my newsletters. See them on Facebook - like/follow and then comment on my threads so I continue to show up in your newsfeed - I post art-related content multiple times daily See them on Instagram - please follow along! Visit them in person at an exhibition or gallery (check with spaces to see if they are open/open by appointment prior to visiting) They are on my website and blog (my blog even goes back to 2006, if you really want to binge!). If you can afford to, buy an original.  You can bring prints (and other items - including facemasks!!) into your home, including a new gallery of Bees, Birds and Butterflies. I also have a Holiday collection of imagery. Leave a book of my artwork on your coffee table or nightstand. Write or make art in my Reflections journal based on the Siren paintings Attend a journaling class in person or online (not able to come to me? find a group in your area) Take a class with me - online or in person, in a group or one-on-one - for as little as $5 a month  Feel free to respond to this newsletter, shoot me an email, comment on the blog or interact via Facebook or Instagram.  There's all sorts of ways for us to connect! THANK YOU so much for making it this far, for reading all my wordy words, for buying my art or taking my classes or commenting and sharing things on social media. I am so grateful to share this journey with you. Stay well and stay safe, Warmly, Kim