Photo Stitch

I found these photos at a community yard sale about 4 years ago and I finally used them for something. Pat on the back for me! Here they are, embroidered on random bits of fabric. I'm hoping to find some unique frames for them. 





Happy Happy, Joy Joy

I normally don't post much personal stuff on here, but today I'm cranky (combination day job stuff and not feeling well, just being blah lately), so I decided to post about some things that are making me happy right now to cheer myself up.


I reorganized my studio recently and love the new layout so much.


New tattoo. Our friend Sam is getting married this fall, so her and two of us bridesmaids got matching tattoos at Insight Studios. Mine was done by Jeff P.


I've been to 3 cubs games so far this season


Yesterday was one year since my dude and I had our first date. We had a chill date night last night to celebrate.



Smalls


I've been looking into Swedish folk designs for inspiration, here's the very beginnings of that.




A Failed Experiment


 Well, I was trying to create a painting of a giant stitch, and experimented with spraypaint and it didn't turn out as I wanted it to. I was hoping by placing the strings on the painted stitch line, it would create the effect of individual threads with in the one piece of embroidery thread. Some frisket, liquid friskit, thread, and spray paint later... it turned out too blurry and messy looking. Back to the drawing board to re-work this canvas!


Before peeling the friskit off, I didn't have the heart to post the final outcome

Quick Hello

Hey y'all! Holy crap, it's May 1st. My work comes down from Pick Me Up Cafe in a few days, I'm really glad I got to show there. Pretty exciting that I've already had two showings this year. I'm working on a few new paintings right now then I plan to do some paper pieces. Here's some photos I took recently that I wanted to share. I post random studio shots on Instagram (kittlekins) and Twitter (@kate_is__great) from time to time, follow me!


I found slides from my high school ceramics class. Anyone else remember doing slides? Old school. 


In progress. I decided to completely rework a painting and I'm much happier now with where it's going (almost done!)

Logan Square Street Art Thoughts


Finally, some good street art in my hood! It's refreshing to see something new and original. There are some excellent murals in Logan Square and some interesting wood pieces on the empty building on Milwaukee right by the train entrance, but that's about it. There are many pieces that are pretty boring or badly executed (or maybe I'm tired of seeing the same one or two people put stuff everywhere and not really progressing with their work?). I was walking to the train this morning and first saw the dice from down the block and as I got closer I saw the orange "cards". If I wasn't running late for work (like always), I would have walked around the square to see if there were other pieces around; but hopefully tonight or tomorrow I can look for more.



Workin'

 
I've let this painting simmer for a little while since it never seemed done. Last night I finally started to work on it again, adding some transparent scalloped circles in various shades of yellow/ochre, raw umber. Still got a ways to go... 


I got these awesome free label templates from Craft Zine, there are a ton of designs and are perfect for labeling my consignment goods I sell in shops in Chicago.

Speaking of! I just restocked Wolfbait in Logan Square with more stationary (individual cards and sets). Swing by sometime!

Art at Pick Me Up Cafe!

My work is up at Pick Me Up Cafe! It's located in Lakeview/Wriglyville at 3408 N. Clark St and it's up til May 3rd, so check it out if you're in the neighborhood (p.s. all work is for sale except the large teal piece).




Stuff!

Once again, I've neglected my little ol' blog. I've been working on some new paintings and am preparing to hang my work at Pick Me Up Cafe (3408 North Clark St) next week. Stop by starting April 3rd to see my work, it will be up for the whole month. I'll be showing a few brand new pieces too, I'm excited!

On canvas, about ready to call this one done.


Spray painting some thrifted frames.

Artwork at Strawdog Theater

I had a great time at the opening Friday and seeing the play, The Petrified Forest, on Saturday. Everyone at Strawdog was so nice and it was one of best experiences I've had showing my work in the city. Huge thanks to everyone I worked with and my friend Justin Cherry for helping me hang the show!





Sneak Peek


Hung my work at Strawdog Theater today! The art reception will be March 2nd from 6-7pm, come on out! The work will be up through the duration of their next play, The Petrified Forest. The theater is located at 3829 North Broadway in Chicago.

P.S. This is my first solo show (!)

Not so Heartless

I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic, so when I found this letter in an Ephemera pack I got on Etsy I was melting at how sweet it is. Postmarked 1945 from Columbus, Ohio to a women's husband on the SS Nishmahe, it's a cute letter to her Valentine.

I think my favorite part is where she write's " you went away left me alone. But when you come back you bought me a home. But I'd give
it up and everything in it if I could have you right now".

The V Mail stationary is also really great, it's one piece of paper marked where to fold so it is the letter paper and also the envelope.

Happy Valentine's Day!






Work in Progress

Started this piece on paper the other day for fun. I might have this be a finished piece when done or just use it as a jumping off point for a painting. I'm going to add embroidery soon and see how I like it.

Light Years: Conceptual Art and the Photograph, 1964–1977

Yesterday I went to the Art Institute for a cocktail in the member lounge (I know, sometimes I'm fancy) and then I checked out the current special exhibit, Light Years: Conceptual Art and the Photograph, 1964–1977. I've never been a huge fan of conceptual art, but I enjoyed much in this exhibit. Ed Ruscha's Every Building on the Sunset Strip, an accordion style book that when laid out is 27 feet long was one of my favorites. The photos don't feature many people or moving vehicles in this dense urban area, making it seem like a ghost town, while at the same time depicting the urban/suburban sprawl in California around the 1960's. The exhibit also featured the hybrid of photography with sculpture, film, installation, and canvas. The work in this exhibit challenges traditional notions of photography and takes the images to the next level. I also enjoyed the photos that had typed out documentation of what experiment or observation was being done; this presentation implicated that these were more than just for artistic purposes, but also scientific or sociological studies. Well curated and a very large and complete exhibit, this is definitely something to check out before it closes on March 11th.

Hello!

Been making lots of stationary! The envelopes are made from old book pages and the flat note cards are from Paper Source.