Art in the house today: Spring Open Studio tour

A beautiful start to the weekend with sunshine & chickens in the yard, even if it was brutally CHILLY for those of us wearing summer things. Jess Polanshek (Polanshek of the Hills) and I had a nice number of visitors today and are looking forward to even more Sunday. And Rick will be here Sunday to hawk his own art! If you ask nice, he'll brew you some of his super-strong coffee.
Before I go further, a HUGE thank you to Rick for all the help cleaning and especially all the mental support. This guy has to constantly remind me that things will always work out, etc. It's a full time job whenever deadlines loom.

Also, big thanks to the folks over at PopColor in Williston who printed my greeting cards on a tight deadline; my good friend and fellow artist Gwendolyn Evans who gave me a wonderful Reiki session in the midst of my hectic preparations; and of course to Jess for taking part in all of this despite being allergic to my cat. Whoops...

Jess took this great shot of my newest eggs

A piece I haven't worked on in years is back on the easel
and brand new cards are in the rack

From my imaginary waterscape series

My photo doesn't do justice to how good Jess' set up is

Here's her painting nook by the window

And two little paintings she did as part of
our mutual art challenge back in March

Rick's coloring books!

I managed to get a few of Rick's pieces on the display panel too.
Sunday he actually gets to take part in all of this.

Endorsements of awesome

I just opened up my Facebook feed this morning and there was a sweet surprise waiting for me:  I made it onto the Blue Roof Designs blog in "Elissa's picks for Vermont Open Studio Weekend!"

Who is Elissa Campbell?  Book-maker extraordinaire, she's a meticulous crafter with a great sense of style and even better, a wicked good sense of humor.  She makes books that you as the owner transform into complete works of art.  Here's what she has to say about me:

"Next I’d visit Kristin Richland of Sweet Enemy Art, #170. I really can’t describe Kristin’s work better than she does – “I do enjoy the spookier side of the art world as much as I do the cuter side, so consider yourself warned.” Her paintings of creatures and critters are the work of an active imagination, the one you wish you never lost when you grew up. I love love love her monsters. I want to hug them. And run screaming from them. It’s the best of both worlds."

So of course, please go visit Elissa!  She is studio number #215 in the 2014 GREEN Studio Tour Guide.  This link will help you find her:  http://blueroofdesigns.com/event/osw-spring2014/

Also check out her blog where she chronicles her annual Book-Improv interactive projects (here's a sample), her Worktable Wednesdays, upcoming teaching gigs and more.  So much more.  Go and explore!

creativity in the wee hours

It never fails:  the closer I get to an event, the more REALLY AWESOME IDEAS start coming as to what I could create for said event. 

But as I get older, I am at least able to let some of these ideas go, and thus remain somewhat relaxed.*  "Next year," I'll whisper as I pat them on their little heads and send them out the door.  "You're a great idea, really great.  But let's try for next year.  Bye bye!"

Still, the idea of completing these 18 new small paintings just cannot be let go of.  I have tonight (and it's almost 11 p.m.) and tomorrow night in which to finish them.  

Here's a view of what I did to our living room last night.  Camped on the couch while installing hanging hardware and roughing in colors. The lights are low to protect the innocent.

Now, off I go to attempt this crazy goal.  


*I am fairly certain my guy will attest to this.


Bonus picture from my archives!  Here's what I look like after way too many hours spent painting and staring at screens.  Well, it could be worse, I suppose.

this is actually from 3 years ago.
I don't want to see an updated version.

  

What's up Portland?

Portland, Maine, that is.  I'm headed there for the Picnic Music & Arts festival this weekend.  Looking through the vendors I'm both excited and a wee bit worried:  Excited to be selling alongside some great-looking vendors, and worried that I am going to buy too much stuff...

Still, it's a great experience, and I'm going with local art maven Beth Robinson of Strange Dolls.  And I will be debuting my new panel paintings!

here's just a few...

Next stop, Art Hop September 6-8th at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, where Jess Polanshek and I will be sharing this awesome space:

Yours truly, always smirking

Hmmmm...what to do with that niche?


thanks to Polanshek for the studio pics!

Seven Goat Coat, 24 Hour Comics Day 2012 preview

Hello there!  So to catch you up, we're at hour 13.5 in our 24 hour stretch of drawing comics here at the Winooski Welcome Center in Winooski VT.  That means it's 11:30 p.m. E.S.T. and I'm feeling pretty punchy.  Here are three more page previews.  Once we're settled back at home, real scans will be made.
Which reminds me!  I will also try and post my 2011 twelve-page comic.  I don't think I have yet!

I am at page 7 so far (not counting the cover) so there is some semblance of hope.  I'm also the blogger for our event (which means also FB & Twitter, etc.) so I have to be kinda realistic.   One bonus with having the computer right here at hand:  GOAT IMAGE SEARCH.  I am so happy with my goat on the right.  He's a pretty boy.