Did you know that I have an email list? Well, I honestly had forgotten about it myself. But it seems like a good time to reconnect, so if you're interested in signing up click this link:
Don't worry, I won't sent out a lot of messages-- we're all too busy for that right? But when something exciting happens, I'd love to be able to let you know about it! I also have this fancy QR code you can scan instead if you would rather try that...
Thanks and talk to you soon!
I'm very excited to have an opportunity for a solo show at the White Bear Center for the Arts this spring! I will be installing my current collection of "gothic botanicals" for display beginning March 8, 2025. I'm excited for this ongoing series of (mostly) larger work! Below are a couple of promotional graphics I've been playing with to promote the show... I'm partial to the beetles I have to admit. Read on for my artist statement that explains the show title and subjects a little bit more.
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Swoon (verb) : to faint from extreme emotion
Built upon the thrill of discovery, this collection of linocuts is inspired by many hours
spent observing nature, the sensation of being immersed in the woods and the joy of
losing myself in the details of a garden. These images are part of an ongoing series of
pattern-like compositions that I’ve labeled “Gothic Botanicals”. Rather than focusing
on a hyper-realistic recreation of something, I have tried to develop an expressive interpretation
of my subjects, in the hope that these works trigger an emotional response.
I selected SWOON as the title for this exhibit because the word evokes the idea of people
being swept up in a feeling. Usually we equate this with feelings of love, but it could also
be a wave of surprise or even fear that induces a swoon. This mix of excitement and wonder,
with a sprinkling of wariness, is something I want to share with my viewer. It is the
feeling you may have when embarking upon an adventure.
As an outdoors enthusiast, I hold equally dear both the traditionally beautiful and the less charismatic
aspects of nature. Many of my favorite creatures are misunderstood and shunned, although their
important contributions to healthy ecosystems are gradually becoming more main-stream. I include
them in my work as a means of elevating their status in the public eye.
Each piece on display has been carefully hand printed using blocks I’ve carved. I begin with an idea
or a feeling and gather all the related stamps I’ve created. The composition evolves as I go, sprouting
organically and unexpectedly as I print. I print the black layers of the image first, and once that ink has
dried I go back in to add more layers of color as needed. Exploring as I go, I never know exactly how
a piece will end up until it is finally finished. Similar to how you see different things when hiking a
familiar trail in different seasons, no two pieces ever turn out exactly the same, even when using similar
combinations of elements. This joy of discovery is what keeps me coming back to my artistic practice year
after year.
Whether you like traditional or edgy, I'm doing an assortment of holiday markets so come support your local artisans and do some shopping on these dates:
OK I might be a little excited...but... check out this line up for October 2024:
St. Paul Fall Art Crawl and Schmidt Artist Lofts Oct. 4-6
HAUNTIZAAR 8th annual haunted bazaar in St. Petersburg FL! Oct. 12
Spooky Stamp Carving Class at White Bear Center for the Arts Oct. 15
Gods and Monsters group art exhibition at Jackson Flats Art Space Oct. 18-19
Odd Market at Odd Mart in Minneapolis Oct. 20
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