Retreat

This weekend Ben and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary.  Ben and I met 15 years ago & have been together for almost 11 years.  I can't imagine who I'd be without my time spent with him.

We headed out to Bristow, Indiana to stay at Mary Rose Herb Farm and Retreat in one of their amazing yurts.  What we had planned was a peaceful 'romantic' getaway, as we have never traveled alone and taken time together...  But at the end of the first day we were homesick for the kids and drove an hour home to pick them up then an hour back to spend time all together.   

On the first day we found ourselves in Ferdinand, Indiana searching for groceries and beer (ok mostly beer).  We found a bar/cafe' to grab some dinner.
Ferdinand was settled by Germans and the architecture is absolutely breath taking.  Even small houses are so unique and detailed-oriented in regards to material and design.  We couldn't ignore this enormous building looming over as we drove down main street, and we found our way to it right after dinner. 

This is the Monastery Immaculate Conception.  It is home to one of the largest communities of Benedictine women in the United States. 

The owner of Mary Rose Herb Farm was one of the most genuine and hospitable people I have ever met.  He checked in on us twice a day (once delivering breakfast), but he gave us privacy and peace.  His one rule is "relax".  Organic fresh breakfast was brought to us in a picnic basket every morning. The first morning he made us spicy meat omelets with homemade salsa and a cinnamon roll.  The morning the kids were there he brought fresh local peaches, fresh orange juice, and made us all waffles with real maple syrup.

  We hiked into the woods, were surrounded by rolling hills and cows, bird watched, sat by the fire as we looked out at the ponds, and explored the nearby farms and forests (I loved all the restoration happening to the old farm houses- people were building their dreams).  

A lot of people say the yurts are a good mix of camping and staying at a bed and breakfast.  I don't know if it felt like camping as much as a complete escape.  It was so comfortable and nostalgic, as it reminded me of my Nanny and Papaw's farm.  It kept us close to nature.  We loved it.  

On the second night we had a small thunderstorm and played board games and read with the kids while the rain and thunder played percussion on the yurt roof.  It was beyond words. 

Original fireplace from the Civil War era.

They have Japanese mineral soak tubs, but it was far too cold for us to take them up on the offer! 

Art in Motion!

This year I will be teaching Art in Motion! Speed Art Museum summer camp.  

Art doesn't have to stand still! Explore the expressive possibilities of art that moves. Campers will bring art to life with abstract gestures, experiments of light and sound, and kinetic inventions. Learn about the work of contemporary artists while creating projects in a variety of media.

To learn more click here!

Jeremy and Ashley

I had the pleasure of photographing a wedding last week.  It was so uplifting to go through and edit the photos and to see all the smiling faces and love.   Congrats Jeremy and Ashley!  

To see more click here!

Lots to Check Out!

The lovely people at the Louisville Visual Art Association included me in their Artebella Daily feature!

View it here!

I think the write up was done wonderfully, and they have been very supportive and easy to work with. I have been pushing the fellow BFA students here to join the LVAA, and I think if you are a local maker/artist and are reading this...  go join!  

In other exciting news!  I am trying out my own website!  Trying it out and getting feedback from my peers at the moment, but so far I'm really happy and am planning on making it my permanent home. 

Explore my portfolios, exhibitions, and bio here! 

Last, but not least, our KMAC show Mapped Out by Chance went so well!  I had to leave the gallery twice it was so packed full shoulder to shoulder.   I will be posting photos from our install to the opening night soon!  

This show is up until Dec. 28th, and it features work from ceramicists, painters, drawers, and graphic designers. Everyone pushed their work, even including media from different areas of study.   There's so much variety and exploration in this show.  I'm really proud to have worked with the 11 other BFA students, our mentor Emily Sheehan, and Joey from the KMAC.   It was a stress free enjoyable process, and we really came together as a community.

Collaborate

Improved

The kids and I are working on a collaborative project for my typography class.  This is the beginning of an image that will go along with some mom-on-the-go handmade font.   The project is to make a poster w/o using any adobe programs.  This was a huge break for me!  I'd much rather be working hands on.   

I think for my poster the focus will be on the non-traditional student and the impact and impasses my children present along the way...  aka Being a non-traditional student - one day at a time...   

Happenings!

I have neglected posting for quite some time, because it's been so busy around here!  There's so much happening with school and art.

I started a work study as a studio assistant my last year at IUS.  I've been assisting with demos, in the gallery, with documenting Space Lab shows, helping in studio, the list goes on and on.  Three of my favorite things about my new position are updating the fine arts website (which will happen this week) with new photos and information on artists' works and faculty additions, preparing to propose an open studio night for the first time at IUS, and I founded the Fine Arts Student Blog.

IUS Fine Arts Student Blog


This summer I was part of an interdisciplinary art show focusing on mold making.   Then I had a solo install in the Space Lab and my second BFA critique.   Right now I'm gearing up for a show at the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft.  More details on that soon!

 

 

 Intaglio proofs.





I started a chicken series recently and have been chipping away at that while I'm winding down at the end of the night.   There are four originals on wood so far.  Here are two in-progress below.

 

 

 

This is a start of a sketch from a corner of an 8' x 4' piece I'm doing for the KMAC show in November.

 

 

 

Finding family time as much as we can. 

Parker decided to get a Mohawk.  She's been very independent lately.  I found a journal full of amazing drawings she's been doing.   She's been obsessively making and reading.