One of my favorite things to do is drive around the rural parts of my town and take pictures… from birds to bugs to weeds to sunsets…
For more things that inspire me, including more photos, words to live by, etc… click here for my archives.
If you happen to be in the vicinity of Owensboro, Kentucky, stop by the International Bluegrass Music Museum and check out the art exhibit dedicated to the music of bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe. Each work is based on one of his songs. My paper cutting included in this exhibit, titled “Night Birds A’Crying,” is based on his song, “The First Whippoorwill.” (See my previous post about this). This exhibit opening also marks the start of ROMP – River of Music Party, featuring performances by a bunch of bluegrass musicians. I wish I could go… Check out the Bluegrass Museum’s website for more info. This exhibit runs through 2012 -one year before and one year after the 100th anniversary of Monroe’s birthday.
Last Friday, I attended the opening of the “Animalia” exhibit at Lawrence Arts Center. I’ve got two works hanging in this show (read my previous post for pic and details). It was a good time and I felt very honored to have been invited to be a part of it. Here’s a couple pictures from the opening.. I didn’t see anybody else with cameras and I’m not very well versed in gallery conduct, so I tried to take pictures from my phone from an unnoticeable angle. I obviously did not succeed very well, but sometimes it’s fun to feel like 007… You can *almost* see my artwork in the 2nd picture in the far top right corner. 
I was invited to part of the “Animalia” group exhibit, curated by Ben Ahlvers, at Lawrence Arts Center in Lawrence, KS. The opening reception is tonight (Friday, June 18) from 7 – 9pm.
Only Halfway Home - Cut Paper Art
Other artists included in the Animalia exhibit are Barry Anderson, Ilena Finnochi, Marty Olson, Eric Abraham, Connie Ehrlich, Tyler Coey, and Davin Watne. The exhibit runs through July 17. More information: www.lawrenceartscenter.com
Last weekend I ventured off to Salina, KS, about a three hour drive from my homebase, to be a vendor at the Smoky Hill River Festival. Such a beautiful drive to and fro through the flint hills of east central Kansas. I was surrounded by nasty weather almost the entire weekend, but it seemed to clear off during the festival hours and for my drive as well. Thank you weather system!
Here is a shot of my booth. I had to do a bit of rearranging because of the threat of rain, but I think this has been the best set up I’ve managed so far. I was especially excited about the new clear greeting card displays that I debuted! Really made a difference and I sold out of quite a few of my card designs.
Overall, the weekend was awesome! I had really great neighboring artists/ artisans, and I managed to consume three very large burritos. Two in one day, as a matter of fact. Even the food was juried to ensure the highest quality. Believe me, it was there. I tried a lot of it. I digress (I haven’t eaten lunch yet). A really great festival, wonderfully staffed and organized, and visited by the most awesome patrons. I left with the warmest feeling after so many wonderful compliments about my work. Thank you all for coming out! See you next year!
I’ve been accepted into the Artclectic show in Nashville! Artclectic, described loosely as “a rock show for art,” will be held October 21 – 24, 2010, at the University School of Nashville, and proceeds benefit the artclectic Endowment Fund for Innovative Teaching. Looks like my art is allowing me to do a bit a traveling this year! So excited!!
More information on their website at www.artclectic.org.
Birdsongs I. 5 x 7 inch paper cutting. Sold.
Birdsongs II. 5 x 7 inch paper cutting. Sold.
Birdsongs III. 5 x 7 inch paper cutting.
Birdsongs IV. 5 x 7 inch paper cutting. Sold.
Birdsongs V. 5 x 7 paper cutting.
8 x 10 inch paper cutting. Matted and framed to 11 x 14 inches.
I’m in Salina, KS, this weekend for the Smoky Hill River Festival! Lots of fun things going on here. Gonna be a hot one, and hopefully the forecasted storms for Sat. & Sun. will blow over. Find out more information here: http://www.riverfestival.com/salina/index.cfm
8 x 10 inch paper cutting with black paper and tissue paper.
Although I’ve lived in Kansas – the sunflower state – the better part of my life, I finally saw for the first time in person a field full of sunflowers last summer driving through central-western Kansas on my way to Colorado. They’re just not very abundant in the northeastern part of the state.. Certainly a sight to see when you’re used to fields full of corn and soybeans.