Open Canvas

Life, the "Spirit Animal" & Curating an Art Exhibition...

2011-11-10T08:29:00.000-08:00

Though I wish that I blogged more, I only get around to it a few times a year. Well, I have lots to write about now, so it was about time to update this "Open Canvas" with some news. :)

2011 has been QUITE the year!

This past spring, I had a two-woman exhibition with the amazing Dina Pizzarello at the Jadite Gallery in New York City. The show ended up being a catalyst for an entire new series...my "Mad Hatter Girls", as you have seen in my last post. I feel like this series really has legs, and am excited to start working on more pieces, and to see how it evolves.

In September, I got married to the most awesome man ever, Matthew! <3 Planning the wedding was super fun, but I had to put my creative projects on hold for a while. We traveled to Paris and Italy together for our honeymoon, and saw so many brilliant pieces of art. It was a huge inspiration!

Now, as 2011 winds down, it brings on projects/goals...including curating a group art show!

The idea for "Spirit Animal" came to me well over a year ago. I knew that I wanted to curate a group art show, and needed to figure out a theme that people could run with, and that would also keep my interest. The tie between nature and humans is a strong theme in my own artwork, as well as many colleagues and artists that inspire me. It seemed like a great place to start!

Once I had the theme settled, I talked to the Blood Dumpster Art Collective and spread the word to the artists in the group, as well as some other friends. It took a very long time to find a venue, but luckily after months of searching, I came across the White Rabbit in NYC. Working with the wonderful curator at the space, Samantha Levin, has been an absolute pleasure! And with all of the great submissions I received from some wonderful local artists, it was sure to be a hit!

So November 4th, we had our opening and it was a blast! (Click Here to see pics from the opening!) The turnout was wonderful, and have already had an art sale. What I haven't mentioned yet, but is probably the most exciting part, is that a portion of the proceeds from art sales will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund. I love when the opportunity arises to use art for a good cause!

There are even more plans for future events throughout the course of the "Spirit Animal" exhibition. A Poetry Night, and a Model Sketch/Scribbler night will be happening in December, as well as a closing exhibition. I'm loving curating, and hoping to do much more of it in the future!

As for 2012, here's hoping to more blog posts, more exciting artwork to be made, and also more art shows!!

New Year, New Paintings, New Show

2011-02-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

For New Year's, I took the advice of a friend and tried not to make resolutions, but rather pick a word to be my theme for the year. My 2011 word is "CREATE". I was thinking more than just painting, although that is obviously one of my goals for the year. I was thinking of creating the life I want for myself and re-creating myself as the person that I want to be.

I want to be true to my calling, the fire in my belly, the thing that makes me happiest...my art. This year is all about making more art. I am focusing on the things that I find interesting and WANT to paint. When I create the art that I really want to make, people seem to react to it....isn't THAT interesting?!

So, this year is being kicked off with a new series of paintings. This series is called "Mad Hatters". It consists of my favorite subject matter: women and nature. The paintings are a comment on society, and the pressure on women to be young, and beautiful, but NATURALLY. Ahh, there's the key. ;) As more and more plastic surgery becomes the norm, what becomes truly beautiful are those who can hold on to their youth and beauty with no effort at all (or so it seems). Of course we all age and this is inescapable. This series shows the struggle of women to retain their youth/beauty by ways of nature. Now, I'm being quite literal by showing this aspect of nature with actual animals. Influenced by the famous Bob Dylan song "Leopard Skin Pillbox Hat", these women in my paintings pile on the animals to disguise their flaws, become over the top, and let nature make them beautiful. Since I come from an illustration background, I can't help but inject a bit of a story into each piece as well.

For example, "My Precious" shows a woman with a rooster and hens balanced precariously on her head. Meanwhile, there is a fox draped around her neck and she is holding on to some eggs (the aformentioned "precious"). Everyone here wants the eggs. They represent youth, fertility, and food. The fox obviously wants to eat the eggs, while the chickens want to protect them. The woman wants control over the situation, but it's all about to topple over and become chaos. She is trying to be beautiful and seductive, but the chaos of the situation is ruining it a bit. The compass earring signifies the changing of the winds, how things can turn quickly, and that change is inevitable.

The second piece in the series is called "Bird of Paradise". She's a Brazilian, carnavale dancer. Atop her head are certain birds of paradise; exotic, rare, beautiful. She wants to be like a bird of paradise, and lure the perfect mate. Many birds do mating dances (which I personally love to see and wish human men had to do these ritual dances! lol), and so this is like her mating dance. With her many exotic birds and her elaborate outfit, maybe she will disguise her flaws for just long enough to find a man.

There will be more pieces to come. About 4 more, to be exact. I'll be showing these pieces in a two woman show in mid-April at the Jadite Galleries in NYC. More details on that show to come!

Hope you enjoyed my Mad Hatter girls! And just curious...what is YOUR word for 2011??

Baby It's Cold Outside Burlesque Coat Drive!

2010-11-29T11:24:00.000-08:00

This Thursday, I will have an original painting, "A Long Way From Home" on exhibit at the Burlesque Coat Drive event! This event is going to be so much fun! Hosted by the ever fantabulous Blood Dumpster Artists Collective, which I am a proud member, we never fail to impress! Not only will there be burlesque dancers, artwork, raffles with great prizes, but it's also an event that will bring in lots of coats to give to poor New Yorkers for the winter.

Please come by...bring your gently used coat with you so you get in for free! Not to mention, you will gain some "Nice" points with Santa for giving to charity (although watching burlesque could also add some "Naughty" points too lol).

The event is December 2nd at Fontana's 105 Eldridge Street @ Broome and Grand. Hope to see you there!! xooxoxx

New Art! "Streetlamp Musician"

2010-08-15T20:08:00.001-07:00

Hey Everybody!
It's been a little while since I last posted. I wanted to share with you a piece that I recently painted for a good friend of mine. Her name is Natalie Gelman, and she's an incredible singer songwriter. I wanted to capture the passion that Natalie puts into her music. Seeing her perform live is a real treat!

The imagery in the painting reflect some of the lyrics from her songs. Specifically referenced is "Streetlamp Musician", a song about street performing in New York City.

Check out Natalie's music at: www.nataliegelman.com

Going to India!

2010-05-03T19:45:00.000-07:00

I am excited to say that in just 3 more days I leave for India! I'll only be there for a little over a week, but I can't wait! I'll take lots of pictures and post them up on the blog when I come back. In the meantime, here's an India inspired T-shirt design that I created. It's called "Hennaphant". :)

Dumpster of Love Party!

2010-02-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

I'll be showing two paintings at The Dumpster of Love party (Blood Dumpster Artist Collective's launching party!). I'm proud to be showing once again with a such a great group of artists!

The Blood Dumpster, a NYC-based art collective, celebrates another year of art, beauty and mayhem with a pre-Valentine’s bash in Brooklyn. The event, entitled Dumpster of Love, will bring together the creative class in Brooklyn with great drink specials - $3 Yuengling drafts and $5 Absolut cocktails, an all-night raffle and more creativity then may be legal in most states. The party is part art show that will feature many members from the collective’s wide range of visual magicians. Expect artwork on display from Melissa Dowell, Rebecca Memoli, Jeff Moore, Aubrey Roemer, Nate Bear, Laura Galbraith, Vincent True, Tim Kellen, Katelan Foisy and many more.

The Blood Dumpster is bringing along a few artists of the musical persuasion for this one. Funk House DJs, Jason Orrell and Tobeytech start the night off right, leading up to Rhinostrich’s 8-bit inspired melodies, then on to Epileptic Peat, a bad ass 8-string bassist armed with an artillery of pedals, the band Skullbuggery, a sea shanty styled child of the Reverend Billy choir, and Belltone Suicide, a Massachusetts noise artist. Not to mention, an appearance of Memo the Clown!

Dumpster of Love takes place Friday February 12th, 2010 from 9pm and lasts until closing, at TBD, 224 Franklin Street in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Arrive early for free swag and to scoop up some raffle tickets, the prizes get only get better as the night goes on.

Take the G train to Greenpoint, exit at India street.

Who Says Business Magazines are Boring?

2009-12-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

I've been working on a few business publications lately and have had the chance to make some very fun illustrations to liven up the issues. Below are some icons I did for Insurance & Technology:

"Visions" show October 24th 6-10pm

2009-10-14T12:53:00.000-07:00

My artwork will be in an exhibit on display from October 24 - November 8 2009, entitled "Visions". This awesome show was put together by The Blood Dumpster, a group of talented artists that I've had the pleasure of exhibiting with twice now.

The opening reception for "Visions" will be on October 24th from 6-10pm at:

The Local Project
45-10 Davis Street
Long Island City, NY 11101

I hope that you can make it! Let me know if you "envision" yourself being there. ha!

Peace Love and Creativity!
Kristen

P.S. here's a sneak peek of what I'm working on:

UNITE FOR CHILDREN Video is online now

2009-08-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

A video that I worked on for UNICEF through my job at Big Yellow Taxi, Inc. is up on the Unite for children website right now. I am so proud to have done the illustrations and give major props to Igor Jovicic, my brilliant co worker who animated the whole thing! He's the man!! I helped with character design and storyboarding, and Igor also composed the beautiful music for this piece. Please check it out using this link:
http://www.uniteforchildren.org/

2009-06-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

I am super excited to show off this T-shirt design that I created exclusively for Kil Apparel.
You can check out their website at www.kilapparel.com
They have a great ethos, and want to help promote local artists by using the artwork on T-shirts made from organic materials. I am also proud to say that I designed their logo too!!

This piece is a new take on a painting that I did when I was staying in New Mexico. It's called Cloud Gatherer. I was amazed at the crows in the Southwest. Their size, and their beauty were always surprising to me, no matter how many I saw. I love the symbolism behind them, not only in Native American culture, but in many other cultures as well. They are usually considered ominous, but to me, they can show up whenever and I'll always be glad to see those gorgeous creatures.

Red Cross Mural in New York City

2009-05-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

About a month ago, I entered into a contest to design a mural for the American Red Cross. My mural was not only chosen, but it was chosen with an overwhelming vote! There were 3 winners, as there are actually 3 spaces for murals at the Red Cross Headquarters in New York City. Mine was chosen to be painted nearest to the street, which I am very excited about. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to have an outdoor mural of my artwork in NYC. So, I am thrilled that it is coming true!

It's still a work in progress, but please stop by and check it out on W49th street and 10th ave, just a bit further west of 10th ave. There will be an unveiling ceremony which I will announce as the date approaches!

Peace, Love and Creativity!
Kristen

MyChelle's Baketique Logo

2009-05-18T13:45:00.000-07:00

I just completed a freelance project that I'm pretty proud of...it's a logo for a new kind of bakery...a Baketique! This is a project that's in the works by a brilliant chef named Michelle Husserl and I can't wait for this place to really exist! It sounds like it will be awesome!! Picture a bakery where you can see some amazing artwork and fashion, and also hear some new music as well! I would be there all the time!

Michelle Husserl is behind this concept wanted a girlie logo that incorporated a sexy figure of a woman, some decorative elements (hence the Victorian-style border and stripes) and cooking, of course! This was RIGHT up my alley! I love doing cartoons of sexy women, and of course I LOOOVE food! I think the end result is fun, friendly and sexy. Probably my best logo design to date! And who doesn't love that tagline??

***UPDATE*** Baketique will have its first location in London and then will come to NYC! I'm super excited! More details to come (when I find out).

Long Way From Home

2009-03-01T09:05:00.001-08:00

I just finished another painting. This one is for the square foot show that will be held in Long Island City, NY on March 3rd, entitled "World of Imagination".

This was not the piece I had originally intended to put in the show. I was working on (for quite some time) a series that has to do with the NYC Subway system, but realized that it was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. The format of "square foot" did not work with the theme of a subway (which I envision to be very horizontal, for obvious reasons).

So, with only a week to come up with something new, I looked through one of my sketchbooks at a list of ideas for different paintings that I always have in the back. This idea of painting animals in the wrong habitats stood out to me. I thought...yes, I am sick of painting people on trains, lets get back to something natural.

I'm always interested in stories I read about global warming. It remains a mystery how we will all adapt to the changes that are surely coming. We don't know how drastic they will be, or how fast they will come about. And we are not the only ones that will have to deal with this change. Of course, plants and animals and all life on this planet will be affected. Most famously, the polar bears are in this battle today. I used my imagination to speed things up, and decided to take the two extremes of polar bears and rainforest, and juxtapose them. What would a polar bear think of a rainforest setting? Is there any way that it could possibly adapt? Would it be frightened, or amazed? Would it be able to survive? These questions may only ever need to be asked in my own head, but it leads me to the start of an interesting series.

This series is also meant to be a metaphor for people as well. How will we prepare for our own set of challenges on this changing planet? What can we do to preserve the things that most of us know little about (such as polar bears and rainforests) but are so integral to this planet?

Boyfriend went to Spain, Morocco and Portugal...maybe I should paint.

2009-01-16T18:27:00.001-08:00

So today Matthew left for his annual vacation with this brothers and cousin. I am so happy for him that he gets to do this every year...it seems like an amazing bonding experience. For me, I am an only child, and my company was always my art. I know that sounds cheesy but it really is the truth. I would draw comics or even make paper dolls to play with. So, it seems fitting that while I am alone (and while my boyfriend does his male bonding thing), I should take the time to get some much-needed painting done.

The piece above is the last piece of artwork that I have done. It's called "Octopi Overhanging Ostriches" and it's the start of a series I would like to do based on the alphabet. This may have been done so many times, but there's nothing wrong with that. I enjoy creating an entire series at a time. Otherwise my paintings get lonely. Maybe that's just my only child inner self talking again, but I love series. I love the continuity of a story or a message within artwork. And I also have started to enjoy using multiple canvases as sort of pieces to a puzzle to create one large, continuous scene, as I did with my "Puppeteer" series.

So...I am hoping to have a few more created this coming week, and I will be sure to post them. Please let me know what you think of this one! I like it...I think for some reason it reminds me of a Maurice Sendak type of illustration.
Till next time, Kristen

Sen, Suenò, Sogno- Art Exhibit

2008-09-03T11:55:00.000-07:00

I will be part of a 3 woman art exhibit entitled "Sen, Suenò, Sogno" this month.
The title of the show means "Dream" in our 3 native languages (Polish, Spanish, and Italian), which reflects the common thread in our artwork; that we are all inspired by our vivid dreams.

I find that many artists I know have these vivid dreams while so many people I know who do not create, cannot remember any of their dreams. I wonder why that is....
Anyway, I think that it will be a very interesting show, and I would love for everyone to come to the opening reception.

The opening is on September 19, 2008 at 6:30:
two07 Gallery
634 W 207th Street
New York, NY 10034

Art Show: July 10th

2008-06-28T11:36:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be showing my artwork with friend and colleague, Olivia Williams on Thursday, July 10th in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And I'm SO EXCITED! It's been a couple months since my last show ("Rennovation" in May), and so it's great to get back out there and show off some new stuff!

The art show will be at:
The Lucky Cat
245 Grand Street
(between Driggs & Roebling)
Williamsburg
Brooklyn 11211
(718) 782-0437

From 7-10pm

Hope to see you there!

Peace, Love and Creativity!
Kristen

La Pieta

2008-06-28T10:54:00.000-07:00

A modern twist on the famous sculpture, La Pieta, by Michaelangelo.
Many people think of Jesus' crucifixion as one of the greatest acts of sacrifice of all time. The pain and suffering that he went through is nothing less than holy and eternal.

Yet everyday, innocent people in the same area of the world are killed, and no one in this country blinks an eye. Don't they also experience the same pain and suffering? We are taught that they are the "Enemy" but in reality, they are people. And I feel that we need to start practicing what Jesus preached, and act follow actions of peace, not violence. It's ironic that religion causes wars, because most of them condemn violence against others.

Blogger Revampped!

2008-02-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

I have joined blogger over a year ago (I think), and I've been very lazy in maintaining it. It's time for a new look. A complete overhaul. And so that is my new project. I'm not giving myself a deadline, cause God knows when I'll have the time to get it done, but it is definitely on my "To Do List".

Hopefully a new look will attract some new LOOKERS!

Across The Universe

2007-09-25T20:59:00.001-07:00

I don't blog very often, and usually it is art related (meaning MY art) but THIS IS ART RELATED TOO! Go see Across the Universe! It is a beautiful, captivating movie! I loved it so much, it's my new favorite! =)

2007-09-14T18:55:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday: WEDDING
(This illustration is about a superstition that it is good luck to seea chimney sweep on your wedding day. It is extra good luck if you can TOUCH him! Also, seeing a lamb or two crows are good luck on your wedding day.)

Geeky

2007-07-09T18:04:00.001-07:00

Illustration Friday

Galactic Gulps

2007-06-10T16:04:00.000-07:00

"Galactic Gulps", 2007
12" x12" Each.
SOLD!