April Goals



I know it's a few days into April but I wanted to share some goals I have in mind for the month art wise. 

 Back to the basics: I want to do some observational sketching, especially of people, these skills get rusty when I don't use them for awhile. 

 Get new pieces ready to hang: I don't have any shows scheduled at the moment but it's so easy to forget to put hanging hardware on a piece and then when it's time to show I'm doing everything at once to prepare. Trying to save myself the trouble down the road! 

 Work out ideas more: I tend to spend a lot of time thinking about my art when I'm outside the studio and by the time I actually get to work I'm dying to get started and often don't have a specific vision, just more the idea, and just start to put paint on the canvas and see where things go. There's nothing wrong with this, some of my favorite pieces have started this way but I want to switch up how I work. I want to have a ton of sketches and collages to work from so when the time comes when I can start working on a new piece and I'll know I have the basic layout/design good to go and can play around a bit more with materials and technique. 

 Make Make Make: I've been slow in getting things done lately and need to pick up the pace! If I find Netflix to be a distraction I need to put on music and just zone out to focus. 

 I already started to work on some new collages tonight and have a few ideas brewing for a new series. Exciting! 

No Creative Types This Week

Whoops, life happened and I am not posting my bi-weekly Creative Types today. I've been sick for over a week (finally made a Dr. appointment) and it's been throwing me off. Sometimes I get small bursts of energy and sometimes I just want to lay around and rest up by reading or catching up on Netflix. I have a TON on my to-do list and not much is getting done. Being sick combined with apartment stresses like a backed up pipe overflowing our kitchen sink and a roomie deciding he's going to sublet and not giving him/us much time to pick out a new roomie are also stress inducers that don't help me get much done. 

SO, I'm working on getting a few more interviews lined up and I'll have some fun posts for you next week or the week after for Creative Types. 

Thanks for reading! 
Katie 

Crush

I am totally crushing on Nicole J. Georges work after reading her graphic memoir Calling Dr Laura. It's honest, beautifully drawn and the lay out is perfection. This books details Nicole growing up being told her father is dead and then as an adult finding out her father was actually alive. She goes through family and personal drama and doesn't hold back, letting us in to her life. It's always inspiring to see a creative woman doing what she loves and making a name for herself. So glad I had this book to read on a crappy sick day at home! 

Creative Types #3: Derek Fulmer


Derek and his wife Anna moved to Chicago last year and I got to talking to them via Twitter and have since hung out with them around the city. Derek photographed me in my studio last month and we had some great discussions about what art means to us and it actually helped me get out of a bit of a artist block that I was having. I had the pleasure of doing this interview with him and getting some more insight in to his work, enjoy! 



What drew you to photography and specifically, what drew you to portraiture? 
I was drawn to photography because my wife has always had a camera and for a long time. I would try explaining what I felt would make a good picture but I got tired of using words and decided to just do it myself. My dad was also a photographer who occasionally did weddings, sports, wild life, landscapes, etc. so I was sort of always around it. The more I did it, the more I realized how perfect of a fit it was for me. I even gave up playing music to focus on making pictures. 

I think I was drawn to portraiture because when I was really young I would draw people, faces mainly. I think it's how I connect with people. It may sound cliche but the face and a portrait can depict a lot. It is also what feel most comfortable doing.  I enjoy people and making connections. If someone is willing to sit with me and let me take their photo, then I will put the effort into getting to know them.  


Your subjects seemed somewhat posed but still casual. Do you direct a person you’re photographing or just let the image create it’s self?
I do direct but not in a "You stand here and give me (insert emotion here)." That just isn't natural. A portrait should be a depiction of that person. I try to have as casual of environment as possible. Light conversation and having a genuine interest in my subject goes a long way. People care that you want to know about them. So, I talk and I listen and I wait for a moment where everything from their glance to their smirk and their body position align perfectly and then I take the picture. 






Depending on your answer above, how do you feel this effects the overall outcome of the image?
I feel that my interaction aides in the final outcome of the image. I have had a lot of subjects who are just as excited and overflowing with ideas as I am and those pictures are ones I feel have turned out best. However, I have also had my fair share of working with people who had absolutely no interest in having their picture taken and were difficult to nudge a smile from. The pictured were technical good, insofar as they were exposed and composed well but there is no emotional aspect, no connection. I have learned to wait during a session. However, I have yet to thoroughly employ that technique. By that I mean to wait for a moment where the subject reveals something so minute about themselves in their facial expression or body language that you can't immediately pull it out of them once they are in front of your camera. So, in a way my non-action aides in the outcome of the final image.  


Do you feel that moving from West Virginia to Chicago has affected your style or inspired you?
My move from West Virginia to Chicago has definitely inspired me. I have many more avenues to pursue here, but I get homesick often and this has become the driving force behind a project I'm in the beginning stages of.  I see the benefits and drawbacks of living in both places, without a doubt. But, geography has nothing to do with ones ability to create things, art or otherwise. 


What kind of camera(s) do you use? 
As far as equipment goes I have used a few different set ups in order to figure out what helps me make the best images without a lot of hassle or excess getting in the way. That said, I'm finally more than satisfied with my set up. I'm using a Nikon D700 with a 35mm f/2 and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. It is a small kit but it is efficient, however I am adding at least one more focal length to round it out.  I'm slowly building up my lighting set up but it will also be small and efficient. 




Finally, what do you like to do for fun? 
For fun I like to read and drink coffee...a lot of coffee. I'm also a Seinfeld nerd of the encyclopedic kind.

Here's where to find Derek:

Currently

Ready to call these done. I'm trying to be a little more loose with my work and not start out new pieces with it all planned out. I just start painting and see where it goes.

DIY Linen Spray

I came across this post on Design Sponge and knew I wanted to make the DIY linen spray because buying Febreeze can add up, plus I don't really like the scent. This tutorial is for a lavender scent but I used a lemony-orange essential oil I had that my Dad's girlfriend gave me (she makes soaps and hooked me up!). It was super easy to make and I had most the stuff laying around the house, I just had to buy witch hazel (under $2 at Target) and distilled water and these will last for many, many more batches.

 All you need:

  • 8–10 drops lavender (or whatever scent you like) essential oil
  • 2 tsp witch hazel
  • 1 cup distilled water 
  • small spray bottle


Not much needed to make it!


Getting the essential oils with a dropper, I used 8 drops.

Re-used this plastic container for mixing everything together

Done! Here's where to find templates for the label I used

I just used it around the house and it smells fantastic! Not too strong but just enough to refresh the fabrics and linens.

Lately.

Made a card for my brother and sister-in-laws 15th wedding anniversary 

Found this while cleaning, found on Damen Ave awhile back

Went to check out the Picasso special exhibit at the Art Institute 

Got a great zine! 

Did some painting 

More Picasso 



Photos by Derek Fulmer


My friend Derek and I spent a recent morning and afternoon together hanging out in my studio and around Logan Square where I live. I had a great time doing the photo shoot and typically I have an awful forced smile when I'm having posed shots taken but he was a great photographer and made me feel super comfortable. We also had some good talks about what art and our work means to us; since I typically am a hermit and work by myself it was nice to sit and paint and have this discussion. It made me realize that I need to reach out more to my creative friends for these sorts of discussions, I typically work by myself and don't look for critique before I move on to the next piece. Definitely time to change that!

Check out more photos here

Creative Types #2- Laura Walczak

Welcome to the second installment of my interview series Creative Types! This is a bi-weekly series where I like to highlight my creative friends because it truly is amazing to have so many artistic friends in my life. Laura and I are long distance friends (Rochester and Chicago) who see each other at The Fest or when Laura is road tripping through Chicago, and keep in touch through all the various social medias and instant message sessions on gchat. Without further ado, here she is! 

What inspired you to start designing and selling your address stamps?
I always like stamps for return addresses, and decided to design one for myself at some point. Which I then, of course, used on EVERYTHING. Including the card to a bride-to-be, who at her shower make a big show of my personalized address stamp on the card to her. I offered to make one for the newlyweds, so they could use it on their thank you cards after the wedding. After a few pages of sketches, I started working on two, and ended up with what is now the Olson design and the Nelson design. I was torn between something really fun and elaborate (Olson) and something more practical yet still eye-catching (Nelson). I ended up making both for them, one as a self-inking, and the other as a regular rubber stamp. They LOVED both. Through the powers of social media, I started noticing people asking the Bride where she got her stamps, and decided to take the leap and list them to see if there was any interest from the general public. There was. At current, I’ve created 150+ stamps, and have added two additional design options to my shop. I’m planning on adding more, as well as expanding to include stationery options as well. It’s been hard work but also fun, and I LOVE to hear the stories -- whether the stamps are for wedding invitations, housewarming gifts, or a fun surprise stocking stuffer for a spouse! I hope to hear more stories and have my stamps and design be part of so many more life events going forward.



What drew you to Etsy?
I had created an account a few years ago, 2007 probably? I had talked with my roommate at the time somewhat extensively about starting some sort of crafting shop and what we’d sell. Nothing really came out of that, but I think some time in 2011 I decided I might as well try to sell some of my existing letterpress prints there, as I don’t really need 20 extra prints of a poster I’d made. To this day, I’ve sold one through my shop.
How do you manage working for your day job and working on your art/design work? Do you find anything helpful for managing your time?
I’m working on working on that balance. It got REALLY crazy for me in December, as I was working full time, teaching as an adjunct, and suddenly I was up to my eyeballs in orders for Christmas. I didn’t sleep much to be honest. It was a really rough month. But I’ve been working on strategies to keep myself sane since then, and my volume isn’t as high as the holiday rush. Namely, keeping a spreadsheet of all the orders is super-helpful. I also have tried to streamline when I design, when I send proofs, and when I’m planning to ship so I’m not scrambling every day of the week with all of those tasks. I try to do about two waves a week to keep on schedule.
I’m sure there are things I could be doing better, but I guess I’m figuring it out along the way. I’m open to suggestions or recommendations if anyone has any!
Where do you find inspiration?
It feels cliche, but Pinterest. I have a board for type and lettering, and am lucky to follow some folks that have similar aesthetic appreciations as me. I’ve always been a fan of letterforms and type, it’s nice to have a place so  image-focused. The internet amazes me daily.
I’m also a huge fan of Jessica Hische, though have not yet tried to directly channel her in my work, which I probably won’t ever, but seeing it is inspiring enough! She also makes me realize that I’m not too young to be awesome, as we’re just about the same age, and she is certainly awesome. Time to step up my game!
Type that I like to use often comes from Lost Type and You Work for Them.
What is your workspace like?
A mess. I’m a queen of clutter and piling. I’ve got a sewing table holding my iMac, nested next to book shelves, butted up against a letterpress cabinet, with an organ to my left. I leave things on top of all these things all the time. There’s an armchair behind me that the puppy like to snuggle up on, and I love having her there keeping me company. I recently bought an actual desk that I’m looking forward to assembling and setting up in the dining room for a little more space, and a better view of the TV. I’ve watched SO much Mad Men since starting this stamp business, I’m almost through all that is on netflix.
Lastly, what are your favorite things to do for fun?
Snuggling my puppy is definitely up there! I’ve always been one for going to shows, and when I can I still like to. Punk, indie, ska, chiptune, whatever. I quite enjoy cooking and baking, and have recently started up a dinner party event thing, which is one part social experiment, and one party tasty times. You can check it out at ate-rochester.tumblr.com , we’re on facebook and twitter too!
I’m just starting a 5k training through a local organization, I’m excited to start running, and to do this with a large group. The 5k is in April!
Sometimes I can be a beer/wine snob, I really enjoy trying different craft brews and visiting nearby Finger Lakes wineries.



Here's where to find Laura:


Learning to Love Myself


Warning! Long personal post. 

 I stumbled across this drawing on Tumblr and it really speaks to what I've been trying to do lately. I used to  have this "go go go" mentality and loved to be busy and often disliked being at home because I was afraid of becoming a hermit, thought a night at home alone was lame, and often I was trying to avoid being alone with my thoughts. Lately though I'm realizing it's ok to turn down a night out at a bar to be at home and do whatever the hell I want to do. It's ok to lay in bed on a Friday night with a cup of tea and a book. It's ok to spend all day Sunday puttering around in my studio. It's ok to do whatever the hell I want. 

 A few months ago I broke up with my boyfriend (who I am still friends with) and typically my post break up activity is to go out drinking as much as possible, re-activate my online dating profile and try to get back in the game asap. I learned a lot from this break up and the relationship about what I want and it lead to me thinking about what I wanted from life in general. I have big dreams but keep realistic goals in mind. I had no desire to start dating again after I went on some dates a bit too soon after the break up (let's be real, dating is exhausting); so now I have a lot of time to focus on myself and it is awesome. I'm being selfish and not being guilty about it and it feels so damn good. These last fews months have really taught me a lot and I just wanted to write a personal post to share how happy I have been overall lately. Trust me, I still have crazy ups and downs sometimes, but thinking about where I'm coming from, I couldn't be happier. 

Bedroom Sneak Peek

Sorry I haven't been blogging much lately, I've been sick pretty much since Saturday and not doing much besides laying in bed, drinking tea, and trying to get some cleaning done since they've finished painting my apartment. I finally took a sick day from work yesterday hoping some rest would help.

I've re-done my room (still in progress) and am so excited about how it's coming together! Here's some sneak peeks filtered through Instagram and Pixlr-o-matic. Once the room is done I'll take some photos with my real camera and share them here.