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!

Open Studio -- save the date, art awaits

May 24th & 25th, 2014:  The 22nd annual Vermont Open Studio weekend event.  

I just snapped this studio selfie (all dressed up for work...this is not how I usually look in the studio!)

 and sent out a little save the date email about it, before scooting off to work.

Read it here!

http://eepurl.com/TMaFH

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Local events:  I do shows mainly in Northern Vermont, but have also sold in Portland, Maine and am looking to expand even further.  Sign up for my newsletter to find out where I'm headed next.  The form is located in the sidebar of this site.

A table full of small originals and cards greets visitors to my booth.  

Originals: I maintain my Etsy shop with artwork that tends to be small, often unusual, and easy to ship.  Ask for a custom listing if you don't see what you're looking for!

Etsy Shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetEnemyArtsVT

How about a print!  Well, not JUST prints, this site also puts my art on a wide variety of housewares, accessories and clothing.  I love the pillows, totes and clocks especially...

Society6 shop:  http://www.society6.com/KristinRichland

Egg Scratching

At long last, my chickens and I are collaborating.  They lay the egg, a job I DO NOT envy, and I empty it, cook & eat the contents and then (after a proper wash) start painting on the shell.

Here are a few eggs I've just posted to the Sweet Enemy Art Facebook page (go give it a like!)

Not too long ago I had a studio visit from local artist Mary Hill, who came and interviewed me while I demonstrated this technique.  They were supposed to edit today, but I'm not sure when it will air on our local cable access channel.  Here's to hoping I don't come across as a complete dork.

This is what my work area looks like when I do these:

But it wasn't this messy when we filmed!  Had to use a completely different table.  All good.  

Snowy weekend accomplishments

Started my Sunday with a 7 a.m. snowshoe through the woods with Arkonbey.  Our halfway point was a semi-secret lookout overlooking our little river valley.  No camera, we just soaked everything in as the sun rose up through layers of cloud.

Before chills set in, we proceeded back over the ridges and down to the "town" for some fresh donuts.  On a day like this, I tend to think we live in paradise.

KW was due to come over for a long-awaited art day (it's been months!) So in preparation, I cleaned up my second table for her, re-arranged some art, and happily didn't have to take too long to get it looking nice in here.  Even had time to throw together a soup before she arrived (that morning snowshoe made me productive, by heck!)  Spent most of the day chatting on a WIDE variety of topics, which is a very pleasant way to accompany the filling in of colors and stippling of tiny dots.  Not to mention the eating of soup & donuts & drinking copious amounts of tea.

So it's back to the day job tomorrow morning, but I have a nice pile of projects behind me as I go.

Here's one of them.  Bear Chariot was originally posted on Etsy in his original black & white, but today I decided he needed some color.  Here's his new look!  Another bear I know is very pleased with the "cinnamon" color I went with.

Click on image to hop over to his Etsy page!

And before I totter off to bed, here's a detail from an upcoming Transportation project piece:

Gator on a zamboni/tank:

The rest of him will be visible sooooon...

Winter Blues & Pinks

Hello there!  This has been one heck of a start to the year, with one storm right after the other.  I have had to postpone getting together multiple times with my Mum to celebrate Christmas (CHRISTMAS!) and it's FEBRUARY.  Sorry, Mum.  Our schedules & the weather will cooperate sometime soon.

I have at least found time to make art for the exhibit at S.P.A.C.E.  This is "Atrophy,"  colored pencil on black gessoed paper.  It was quite a challenge working on black, there are things I'll try to remember for my next attempt, but overall I am pleased.

"HeART Attack!" is this February's exhibit theme.  Dropping off work today I saw soft-sculpted yet absolutely mouth-watering chocolate cakes, crazy textured paper pieces, and would have stayed longer to peer into more packages, but the snow (surprise!) was coming down hard and I wanted to get back.  It's going to be a great show, once again, and the weather looks like it might be fair.

Here's a peek at the Bear cards I just made for Valentine's day, or any occasion, really.  They're available at S.P.A.C.E. and Artists' Mediums too (while supplies last.)  Carving the block was a nice stress release...

Getting ready to print

Finished cards!  Hot off the (hand) press!

The Transportation Project Continues!

UPDATE!  Don't forget that if you want something beautifully printed with my art on it, you have until Midnight tonight to save $5 per item and get free shipping.  Use this lovely code and have fun!

Dad!

Camel Skates! 

Detail of the Ibex Mobile, to be posted soon!

The Ultimate Compact Car!

Thought I'd do a fresh post to update where I'm at on these drawings.  See the previous post to see where I'm coming from.  Car shopping yesterday was a bracing experience, as the windchill temperature was around 20ºF.  Dad and I tried several cars at a few different places, and I have a better idea of what feels right and (sigh) what my price range will bring.

Fueled by the classic diner food we had, I accomplished a lot more than I had expected as I worked into the night.  I am pacing myself to update my Etsy shop bit by bit, not all at once.  Better traffic that way, get it?