Inspirational Artists :: Pothole Gardens

UK artist Pete Dungey came up with a fresh and colorful solution for the international pothole problem :: pothole gardens!

via A Cup of Jo

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope you're having an enjoyable Memorial Day! 

:: Today's a good day to fill those empty pots! ::

"I love the troops. Because if they weren't the troops, I would be the troops. And I would be the worst troops." - Mike Birbiglia

mnartists.org

My fern print made it to the mn artists homepage yesterday! 

Fresh Ink :: At Woods Edge

After hours of back wrenching, finger cramping detail carving work, I was nervous that this print wouldn't turn out the way I envisioned. Luckily, all that time payed off and I'm really happy with how this one turned out. 
I hope you have a happy holiday weekend!

Hand-mixed using yellow and blue oil-based ink

Add a little more blue to make it a touch darker

Roll it out with my brayer

Carefully roll the ink evenly across the block

After burnishing the print by hand with my wooden spoon...  :)


:: Don't forget to check out my Etsy shop for more prints ::

Maidenhair Fern

I've always loved maidenhair ferns for their feathery delicate foliage and fan shaped leaves. 

I just finished carving the block yesterday afternoon and will be printing soon...stay tuned! :)

*Fern pictures taken at Nature's Harvest 

"I'm not a trend-setter..."

Wish I was lucky enough to have tickets to see her performing tonight at First Ave. :: should be a great show!

Update: the show was cancelled tonight because of laryngitis, BUMMER! 

*Rescheduled for June 22nd.*

pic via The Cool Hunter

mnartists.org

My blueberries are featured on the mn artists homepage today! Twice in less than 2 weeks - lucky me!

Fresh Ink :: Taste of Summer

This image would probably be better suited in late July and August when the berries are at their peak, but I couldn't imagine waiting that long to do a blueberry print! 
These small berries are more than just a tiny sweet and tangy blue fruit; over the last 27 years they have been a part of what brings my family together in the northwoods of Minnesota where we spend 8 days exploring, relaxing, laughing, and most importantly being with one another. We've braved the sometimes torrent weather searching for the berries sturdy little bush growing on high bluffs, boggy wetlands, and tucked away on small islands. We sneak a berry taste here and there as we slowly and methodically pick our way through the bushes, but we know that if our berry bounty is enough.....we will have PIE....or CRUMBLE....MUFFINS....or SCONES!

:: Don't forget to check out my Etsy shop for more prints ::

Art Weekend!

This weekend is packed with art happenings both indoors and out -

don't let the potentially rainy weather be an excuse  :)

Head to Northeast Minneapolis to checkout Art-A-Whirl,

the largest open studio and gallery tour in the United States

This Friday, May 20th 5-10, Saturday Noon-8, & Sunday Noon-5

:: also this weekend ::

Happening in my hometown...

Come enjoy art, music, and local food along the shores of Lake Minnetonka 

in Wayzata, MN at the Wayzata Art Experience

This Saturday, May 21st 10-6 & Sunday 10-4

::-::-::

For more art related events happening in the Twin Cities this weekend, click here

Fresh Ink :: Take Flight

I think it's only appropriate that my feather print be dedicated to the house finch who has dutifully built the cutest little nest in the window box off of the kitchen window.  :) 

:: Don't forget to check out my Etsy shop for more prints! ::

Wild is the best...

I've spent the last couple of days sketching various ideas for my next print. Last night I did a rough drawing onto the linoleum and this morning started carving away. Carving around those letters is     t r i c k y ! ! !


Here's a peak at my progress so far...

This one's for you mom!  :)

Mini Art Critic

This little girl's thoughts on modern art made me laugh out loud.

See more at I went to MoMA and...

via Spoon & Tamago

Fresh Ink :: Breath of Spring

I love the little spring flowers this time of year.  They're such a fresh welcome after the winter's snow.  

:: Don't forget to check out my Etsy shop for more prints! ::

mnartists.org

My strawberry print was featured on the mn artists homepage yesterday, kinda nifty!

Fresh Ink :: Garden Strawberries

I inked and printed my first print since starting this blog the other day!!! I'm really happy with how it turned out! :)

:: Don't forget to check out my Etsy shop for more prints! ::

Feather

The next print I'm working on is of a single feather. Over the weekend I was at the arboretum and noticed a small feather on the side of the trail. I'm thinking of printing it with a hand-mixed light grey ink on white Rives paper. Is there another color you'd wish to see it in?

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing you and yours a very happy mother's day! 

:: Taken at the MN Landscape Arboretum, 5/7/11 ::

New Beginnings

It's been a few years, but here I am printmaking again...FINALLY! Printmaking was my medium as an art major in college, and I'm embarrassed to say I haven't done any new prints since graduation. 


Since getting back into things, I've loved creating new designs and have started a lengthy list of ideas. My first new print will be this little number.  I'm thinking of hand-mixing a honey mustard ink for it. Could be cute on a notecard, or framed up to bring some life into a bathroom or living room....we'll see!  


I'm so happy to be printmaking again!  :)