Studio Progress

My thesis show cards have arrived!

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Here is what I've been up to in the studio….

Our recent visiting artist at MSU was Jeffrey Dell.  He currently teaches in San Marcos, Texas.  His artist talk was amazing, he made a crazy awesome split fountain edition in the shop, and I had the privilege of having a one on one critique with him.  It's so refreshing to meet new people.  He enjoyed his visit. The only thing he won't miss will be the extreme cold temperatures MN is famous for. 

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Been keeping busy preparing for my MA Thesis Show, which opens Monday, February 24th! I'm very excited to get into the gallery and start hanging work.  I've been currently making a lot of works on  Duralar which include layers of line work, spray paint, punctures, sewing, and graphite.  I recently picked up some really neat field guide books at a second hand bookstore….I've been using their illustrations as inspiration for some new drawings. (ex. fossils, seashells, rocks, minerals, leaves). Here are a few studio snapshots….

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I've also been working on some drawings with tea and linseed oil...

Here are some sneak peeks. 

When seen in person, these works really kind of look like skin…..

When seen in person, these works really kind of look like skin…..

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The most exciting thing I'm working on right now though are these drawings that seem to hum when they are lit correctly.  I used linseed oil to make the very thin paper transparent. Then, I punctured holes through the back.  Then I painted white lines on the back, as well as a splash of color so it can bleed through to the surface.  I have a series of these right now, and I've never made anything so simple-looking before.  I'm very interested in these and I'm excited to see where they go from here. 

better pictures soon! Also thinking of layering a bright color behind this piece to see how it shows through. 

better pictures soon! Also thinking of layering a bright color behind this piece to see how it shows through. 

I've also been working on this big painting for months, I'm hoping it will be ready for the show...

new painting for MA show. Better photos to come...

new painting for MA show. Better photos to come...

close up of new painting.

close up of new painting.

Hurray! This painting got into the Fall Juried Show! .....and it won 1st place! "They sicken the calm of those who know storm"  

Hurray! This painting got into the Fall Juried Show! 

.....and it won 1st place! 

"They sicken the calm of those who know storm"  

New Painting "This is no sea of mine."

New Painting "This is no sea of mine."

big drawing on japanese paper"two hemispheres"  

big drawing on japanese paper

"two hemispheres"  

working with transparent papers.

working with transparent papers.

drawing on mylar...in progress"divided hemispheres" 

drawing on mylar...in progress

"divided hemispheres" 

playing with paper, punctures, and tea

playing with paper, punctures, and tea

new painting"north shore spell" 

new painting

"north shore spell"