Old Town School of Music Post

In my dream life I have enough money where I can travel with Drew, make art freely, take banjo lessons, and take French lessons, in the French countryside, of course – maybe the town my grandmother was born in.
Alas, no trust fund has been unearthed as of late and my work schedule is insane, I am lucky I find time to eat. It does feel good knowing I am doing it all on my own though – paying for that lucid American Dream with my own money. It’s time I have an issue with. I don’t mind the work. Perhaps one day, when the time frees up, (or that rich European uncle comes forth with a check in my name to help free up everything) I can take my banjo lessons. Until then, I can just visit the Old Town School of Music and walk the halls with some of the kindest people one will ever meet in the city of Chicago.

The opening is Thursday, May 21st – come out for wine, a Bell’s, and yes live banjo per my request. Lots of paintings and new letterpress prints – even a few I have not photographed yet.

Speaking of banjos, I would like to celebrate the people who still make phone calls. Last week I got a call from a woman about my Bluegrass Birds letterpress print for her husband’s birthday. She called yesterday to thank me – which made my day! I must admit, I’d rather email art directors and text friends, but getting an old fashion phone call is something wonderful! Text less and call more. Write more, email less! Sometimes Drew and I, even though we live together, mail each other things. It’s kind of cute seeing him when I get home being all, “Hmm.. look what I got in the mail today!” I guess two years of being hundreds of miles apart kept us a pen and paper couple, even today.

Matroshkas + Music

The Guitarist and The Listener, acrylic on wood matroshka dolls

These ladies always take longer to paint than I anticipate.

Sometimes I am so overwhelmed with things, I start to forget little things. For example, email correspondence takes a back seat when this happens and leave me more disorganized.

By the way, I love the new Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ album. It’s going to help me get through the summer, I am sure.

Gocco on Wood

Did a few gocco prints on walnut+ gouache paintings for my Old Town Show. I am wondering how they will fare in the shop. I am also thinking of selling my gocco and supplies. I have two gocco machines, so we will see. I heart gocco and the idea behind it, but goodness the supplies have skyrocketed AND they are going to stop distributing to the U.S. or what not. I can’t keep up with that company anymore.

Life has been pretty good lately! The spring weather has finally swept in – wind, sun, rain, and beautiful mornings. In Chicago everything is so crisp and clear. It’s almost as if the world is making up for the months of snow, sleet, and storms. The letterpress studio is coming along well! It’s such a good feeling – how everything so easily fell into place with the presses and the space. I have my business license. I have my press. I have a wonderful studio mate, who will come in handy on those frustrating letterpress days, and we have a studio on Ravenswood. I love that I finally have an art space to practice in and that I am the boss of myself.

This photo was taken from our apartment window – I was trying to catch the light right before a storm rolled in.

Movin’ and a Shakin’

This past weekend was a busy one indeed! Yesterday we moved my Chandler + Price 12 X 18 new series press from Broadview, IL (south suburb of Chicago) to my new studio on Ravenswood in Chicago. Dana blogged about the news here and I will be sharing a space with her – Shimmer Studio.. Dana has a Heidelberg Press she moved in yesterday – so the ladies are together finally!

Guitar Wycinanki

Before I head out into this wonderful weather we are having here in Chicago, I’d like to leave you with a new letterpress print – hot off the press. This is a two color print on Mr French paper in Whip Cream on 100lb paper.

Guitar Wycinanki
A little European folk meets American Bluegrass – and viola! This is now in the shop.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kansas City

Here are some photos of the loft space we had at the Hobbs Building art show in Kansas City this past weekend. The oil paintings belong to Bret Iwan and Aaron DeWitt. Their lovely friend made us mini cupcakes! Cupcakes + wine is always a good combination!

The two are places in K.C., Bret’s bungalow and driving into the city. The bottom left: Dick Daniels and letterpress prints from the Kansas City Center for the Ink and Paper Arts.

All in all, an inspiring getaway. Now, I am back to work in Chicago and needing to plan for my Iceland trip in a few weeks – eeeek.

Kind Mr + Mrs Letterpress Print .com

Last night I paid a visit to the letterpress studio to print this lovely couple. This print is now in the shop. I printed it on a 100lb Mr French paper in Tile Green. The 100lb + 140lb papers get such a perfect kiss from the press. I’ve been really into dark grays and greens and yellows lately – especially a grey with a hint of pantone green.

I feel like by the end of winter I fall apart. Buttons are missing, shoes are on their last leg, and my spring clothes are begging to be taken out, to which I give in, only to find winter still holding on. I realized I have more spring coats than winter coats. It’s interesting, considering I really don’t get much use out of them – maybe 2 months out of the entire year. Spring + fall are short compared to the drawn out Chicago winter and summer kicks int high gear pretty fast.

good ol’ KC

This weekend I am off to Kansas City for some r + r and an art show at The Hobbs Building tomorrow night and Saturday. I went to this opening two years ago and it was amazing. KC has a thriving art population. Not only is it the headquarters for Hallmark, but the Kansas City Art Institute, lots of artist spaces and lofts (affordable too!) and Hammer Press , one of my favorite letterpress companies. Yes, the artist work spaces make me want to pack up shop here in Chicago and flee to a studio with timber beam ceilings, exposed brick, hardwood floors, and freight elevators galore. I will be staying with a friend in his amazing vintage bungalow, eating lots of BBQ, scooter riding, and hanging out with some college friends. It will feel good having nothing to really work on, sleeping in, and perhaps an Easter egg hunt on Sunday.

After this trip, I really need to settle down and focus on finishing my paintings for an upcoming show and planning my Iceland trip! It’s coming up faster than I imagined. It’s funny to think I am already planning my next trip – a little Eastern European jumping from Krakow -Vilnius – Moscow and back. :X Someone take my passport away from me, it’s becoming an addiction!

Hamilton Wood Type Museum

Well, I am back from Two Rivers, WI from a weekend printing at the Hamilton Wood Type Museum. What an amazing and inspiring place. It does feel good to be back in the city though. I am not much of a small town girl. Here are a few photos.

We passed this little coffee joint en route to Two Rivers in Milwaukee and stopped in for a cup. These illuminated signs are part of a community art project at the coffee shop. Patrons drop a slip of paper responding to the signs in boxes places within the shop. If the response is chosen, it will be displayed on the signs anonymously, to heighten the sense of curiosity. What a wonderful idea.

The museum, a wood type lock up on a Vandercook, wood type pieces, and letterpress prints. The image on the bottom right is from a wood specimen from the Chicago’s World Fair they have printing! So wonderful and beautiful. >gasp<

The smell of spring reminds me of muddy soccer practices back in high school. It’s too bad that the beginning of April in Chicago usually cannot make up her mind whether it is winter or spring.

Keep it Type High

I am very excited for this weekend. My friend Carissa is picking me up tomorrow and we are going up to Milwaukee. The next morning my friend Jen is swinging up from Kenosha and we are going to continue the trip to Two Rivers, WI. What, you ask, is in Two Rivers, WI? Well, my friends, not only is Two Rivers the home of the ice cream sundae (so Americana!), it is also the home to the Hamilton Wood Type Museum. I will be printing my toosh up there the entire weekend.

photo by Hamilton Wood Type Museum

Last weekend I had a little gocco workshop at {Fill in the Blank} gallery gallery. Here are some of the images below by Billie. She printed tons and came in with some great ideas and images!