Mural at Phoenix Books in Burlington

2016 was a year of two big "firsts" for me... I illustrated two stories for a friend (see my posts about the Crown of Secrets book) and I also undertook the designing and creation of a huge (for me) indoor mural in Burlington VT. I'll be blogging more about it soon, as we are approaching the completion date!

I've been working on the mural for about two months all told, though it's been just Sundays & Mondays for the most part, with a break in December/January. Whenever I'm there, I post in-progress images on my Instagram. It's been quite a trip! I'm nearing the end of this phase, but now we're talking about doing a second mural in the same store. Check out Phoenix Books if you're in the area. Locally owned, Independent and they are all highly informed booksellers. I love hanging out there as I get to hear about all sorts of good books while I'm painting. If you need help finding a book for someone hard to shop for, they know the questions to ask. 

Some progress shots from this week.

NEW LOCATION!

Find me and all my holiday cheer on the main floor of our Burlington Town Center (aka the mall on Church Street Marketplace) where the Gap stores used to be. There are a whole bunch of new vendors on the list this year, plus so many wonderful returning artisans that I'm looking forward to seeing.

http://www.womensfestivalofcrafts.com/

I'll have fresh new prints, The Crown of Secrets hardcover book, a few originals and other goods. Don't forget I always have special deals on prints at these shows, and this is the last one for 2016.
SEE YOU THERE!

A book is born!

After two years of hard work, "The Crown of Secrets," a collection of short stories and poems written by Jeremiah Christie (with two stories illustrated by me!) is here at last. A gorgeous full-color, hardcover book with dust jacket, sparkly red end-papers and a ribbon book mark. Hand-signed, of course, by myself and the author! Here's the first chance to see it in person.

Please join us if you're able this Thursday, August 18th, at the Daily Planet in Burlington. From 6:30 to 10pm, Jeremiah and I will be on hand with a big stack of books and the original artwork for my two stories as well.

More copies will be coming to the U.S. once Jeremiah returns to China, so if we sell out this week, don't fret! You can reserve your copy by showing up at the release party or by emailing Jeremiah or myself.

So, that's THIS THURSDAY starting at 6:30 pm, The Daily Planet, 15 Center St. Burlington, VT 05401 (for directions: 802.862.9647)

See you there!
Kristin

Brown your blues away

Is that a thing? I'm making it a thing. Gearing up to teach another class about one of my favorite art mediums: Walnut Drawing Ink. This morning class is happening on Thursday January 28th at Artists' Mediums in Williston, VT. Click here for details. Or call the shop at 800 255 1290

Here are a few images I painted just a few days ago, when the new year was all fresh.

Bellowing stag with some funky patterns on his coat. #sepia #deer #stag #fauna #paintingsinprogress #walnutdrawingink

A photo posted by Kristin Richland (@sweetenemyart) on Jan 3, 2016 at 2:46pm PST

#walnutink fauna today. #paintingsinprogress

A photo posted by Kristin Richland (@sweetenemyart) on Jan 3, 2016 at 2:04pm PST

I have since taken a break from painting to clear out a bunch of unnecessary clutter from the studio. Many bags of old supplies are headed to other studios and classrooms, and a mountain of cardboard went to be recycled today!
There's a pencil drawing that has been waiting to happen (we'll see if it translates from my head to the page) and then I'm also hoping to try some really BIG pieces using the Walnut Drawing Ink. Big being 18 x 24" rather than 5 x 5" of course. Let's hope this is a productive weekend. Happy New Year to you!

ART HOP SPECIALS

Happy Friday, friends!

I'm wrapping up a few things before I head to my sweet little studio at S.P.A.C.E. in Burlington. Site 41-C in the Soda Plant building and we'll be there Friday, Saturday and even Sunday. Check here for more art listings. It's the biggest art party in the state. Join us!

Society6 Free shipping good thru 9/13/15!

So before I go, here's item number 1: 
Society6 just offered a free shipping promotion for most of my items, it's good through Sunday September 13th at midnight. Click the link to get the promotion!
https://society6.com/kristinrichland?promo=VG3GX4X7MQYG   

Cards and prints!

Secondly, I'm offering 20% off in my ETSYshop to celebrate Art Hop and all of you who support me in this endeavor. Use the code ARTHOP202015 when you make a purchase in my Etsy shop. Lots of cards and prints available right now, and I'll add more listings in the next week or so. Wondering if a painting is available as a print? Contact me and I might be able to make a special listing just for you.
(ARTHOP202015 coupon: min. purchase $25, expires September 30th 2015.)

Hanging the show...many, many ghost rabbits

Thank you so much for all the orders and support, my cat Bernie (almost as talkative as our favorite Senator) is grateful whenever I spend time in the (home) studio. Here I am setting up the studio in Burlington. Bernie is putting up with a short absence if it means I'll be back later to paint!

Bernie and friends.

Art Hop 2015

Polanshek of the Hills (left) and Sweet Enemy Art (right) Art Hop 2014

Wow...look at that, another year has zipped by and it's time for the Art Hop once again!
Jess and myself are teaming up for our third year in our usual spot, right in the heart of Burlington's Arts district.

A roving photographer took this shot right over our shoulders last year, during one of the quieter moments. Expect our walls to be just as full this year, both of us have new things to show. I'm working on several larger pieces, some of which are continuing the Ghost Rabbits series! You'll also get to see original art from the two stories I've been illustrating (an interesting stretch for me.)

If you visited me during Open Studio, you may have seen my (lovely) new printer. It's helping me get stocked up for the Art Hop crowd so I'll have lots of great price points. Many new designs will make an appearance, ranging in size from 5x7 to 11x14 inches.
There will be other fun things, but you'll just have to wait and see!

Three of the "smaller" Ghost Rabbit
painting series I'm currently working on

ART HOP -- SEPTEMBER 2015

WHEN:
September 11 (5:00-10:00)

September 12 (10:00-10:00)

September 13 (10:00-3:00)

WHERE:

The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery (Soda Plant Building)

266 Pine St, Suite 105, Burlington, VT 05401

Entrance is located on the corner of Kilburne and Pine (look for the Spaceman mural by the door.)

Here's how the Poppies looked in May.
There have been some changes since!

A Show of Hands! Fundraiser project

Here's a step-by-step of a project I recently completed for "A Show of Hands" fundraiser to help feed Vermont seniors. If the rabbits you see here look at all familiar, perhaps you saw them in this earlier post!

I've been using that same Acryla Gouache paint again recently for a small series on wood panels, so when this wooden hand project came up, it made sense to keep on going with the same medium.  My completed hand has been delivered to Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, VT where it will be on display through the month of March.  They're having a silent auction on Thursday April 2nd (2015) from 5:30 to 7:30.  The funds support their amazing program which helps feed Vermont seniors throughout the state. There are wonderful images from previous auctions on the website, I hope you get to attend and see this all in person!

Here is how my piece progressed:

It all started with these faces...

Testing a wash of blue on the surface.  Didn't raise the woodgrain, so I can proceed.

Roughing in the background.

Trying not to lose sight of my lines!

Rabbits taking form.

I like how the warm color of the wood comes through here.

Getting the details figured out.

Maybe it's a little too blue...needs some warmth. 

Just about there...tweaking colors

There is an actual rabbit constellation! I was happy to find that out.

I like making sure each part is looking good.

A few light layers of Golden's Satin MSA varnish later and its done!

Well, I hope everyone reading this considers checking out the auction and making a bid.  The starting bid on mine is $50.  Contact info for the organizers can be found on their site:  http://handsvt.org/a-show-of-hands

Thanks for looking!

Art Hop 2014!

Moon Trail, acrylic on canvas, 28"x22" ©Kristin Richland
(title-in-progress for the latest Ghost Bunnies series, seen here during a 4AM painting session)

It starts today!

Art Hop begins officially at 5 p.m. today.  All the hours upon hours of prepping and crazy sleep-deprived nights culminate in three days of AWESOME fun with art packed into every square inch of Burlington's South End Arts District.  

Find me and Polanshek of the Hills in our spot at The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, 266 Pine Street, suite 105 (look for the big orange exterior wall with a Spaceman mural, we'll be just inside the yellow doors.)

This is my third year in this spot, and every time it looks better and better.  Hope you can come and see it!

Our hours:
Today (Friday Sept 5th) 5 PM - 11 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 10 PM
Sunday 11 AM - 4 PM

Our art is available for purchase throughout the month, please let me know if you'd like to make an appointment!

drop me a line at sweet_enemy AT obscurius DOT org or comment below. 

Happy Hopping!