sweetness can sting

leaf sculpture

One of my favorite images from November. I came across this leaf sculpture formed by rushing water, in North Regional Park while spending time at "my" drawing site (for the book).

Soovac Gallery fundraiser, "get lucky"

Here is the work I donated to Soovac. I titled it Slower Invasion (its a fraternal twin to the one I did for the Soap Factory) Its in a 10 x 10 frame, drawing is a little smaller than that.
SUPPORT SOOVAC on Jan 23rd.

http://www.soovac.org/ps_10_getlucky.php

re-arted at Fox Tax Gallery

http://foxtaxservice.com/gallery/art-form-1040-re_arted/

In the second of an annual series of art exhibits that spans the whole of tax season from January to April, The Gallery at Fox Tax presents its aptly named exhibit: Art Form 1040. For this year’s exhibit, curator Emma Berg of mplsart.com pairs artists and asks them to “Re-Art” each others work. The result is a show full of unique collaborative original works, as well as a limited edition 10 print series of each work that will be sold for only $40 each (thus the quippy 10-40 part of this Art Form). Please email or call to reserve one ahead of time if you so choose. The opening reception for this unique show will be January 16th from 6 to 10 pm.

Artists involved in this show will include (in no certain order or pairing): Nicholas Harper, Ruben Nusz, Deuce Seven, Megan Colleen, John Alspach, Bethany Kalk, Jesse Draxler, Mike Cina, Kevin Vereeke, Shawn McNulty, Michelle Westmark, Rudy Fig, Eric Carlson, John Fleischer, John Grider, Caleb Coppock, Hillary Berg, Isaac Arvold, Josie Lewis, and John Vogt

Here is the result between me and Caleb Coppock. Its 50 x 32 inches, ink, tinted encaustic gesso, pencil and encaustic on wood.

In The Shallows (green version)

"In The Shallows (green version)"
30 x 30 inches
ink, pencil, tinted encaustic gesso, encaustic on wood
SOLD

From along the Mississippi in Minneapolis

Along the Mississippi on Saturday, from Lake Street Bridge to 49th Ave North (North Mississippi Regional Park).

So many trees form roots around rocks, these are especially nice as 2 rocks fit together and are then hugged by the roots.

MCBA/Jerome Fellowship

Minnesota Center for Book Arts announced the selection of four recipients for Series X of the MCBA Jerome Foundation Book Arts Fellowships:

http://www.mnbookarts.org/artistsprograms/fellowship.html

Bethany Kalk, artist and art educator

Anna King, printmaking artist

Cecilia Ramón, artist and art educator

Joanne Price, wood engraver and printmaking artist

Here is how they summarized my project:
"A careful exploration of nature takes shape in Kalk’s proposed bookwork. From one specific spot on the bank of the Mississippi River, she will document the landscape as well as found minutiae in drawings, paintings and video. These representations will be reproduced through digital printing and screenprinting, then combined with text (documentary and/or commissioned site-specific poetry) in a hand-bound bookwork produced in an edition of 15. Original paintings, drawings and video will accompany the book in exhibition."

I've scouted up and down a section of the Mississippi this weekend and have decided which site to work from. Its at the North Mississippi Regional Park, right across from the small island. Here are shots looking north, directly in front, and to the south at the 42nd bridge.

Outside/Inside Exhibit

Bagarap 1, 2, 3 /// acrylic on canvas /// 3 x 3 ft each

This is a work I just finished this week for Outside/Inside.

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Outside/Inside

Where: In the Gallery Space Level A at the Hennepin County Building

County of Hennepin: County Commissioners Government Center‎

300 S 6th St

Minneapolis, MN 55487-0999

This exhibition highlights four Hennepin County muralists who create accessible public art to inspire the members of their communities, giving them a sense of unity and pride.

Christopher Harrison, Seexeng Lee, Bethany Kalk & Jimmy Longoria

Reception: Wednesday October 21, 4:30pm – 7:30pm

Minimalism + Moth

Simplicity in Concrete

The beginnings of another series on simplicity, this one with concrete.

Giant Puffballs

I was taking a walk near the Minnehaha last week and came across a spot with a few massive puffballs.

small drawing: "slow invasion" 5 x 7 inches

I'm teaching a lot this semester so I will have less time in the studio. Instead of doing as many larger works, I will likely be doing more small drawings like this one.

Twining Series: Slow Invasion, 5 x 7 inches, ink & watercolor

Graphic exhibition at Burnsville Performing Arts Center

I have 2 pieces in this show. If you saw the Dusk exhibit at Gallery 360, you will have already seen the works. I don't like re-showing work but I had no time to make new work for this show as it was a last-minute kind of thing.

GRAPHIC

Burnsville Performing Arts Center

September 3, 2009, 6 – 9 pmExhibit Dates: September 3 – November 7

Free Opening Reception: Thursday, September 3, 6-9pm

Graphic will showcase fine art by local artists influenced by, or with a background in, graphic design and illustration methods and aesthetics.Participating artists include Ethan Arnold, Melissa Breitenfeldt, Patrick Brennan, Michael Carina, Mike Davis, Emily Harris, Bethany Kalk, Mischa Kegan, Patrick Kinne, Pamela Kirton, Andrea McKay, Tyler Stefanich, Tonja Torgerson, Sean Tubridy, and Chuck U.

http://www.burnsvillepac.com

new blog for the landscapes

Since I've been doing so many landscapes, I'll be posting them on a separate blog from my photos & other work.

http://quietatdusk.blogspot.com/

draw, draw, draw + frog

I've been sitting the same area for days to do that long drawing. The frogs (who are probably annoyed I'm always in their home) are getting used to me.

Pine Needles 15" x 15' Drawing

My project at this residency is a very long continuous drawing called “At Pine Needles.” Upon arriving at Pine Needles, I spent a couple of days scouting the area for the ideal location for the project. Upon finding a stretch of terrain on the bank of the St. Croix that had a variety of live and desiccated plants, exposed roots, rocks, branches and other objects of interest (like multiple dragonfly's exuvia) I measured out an area equal to the length and width of my roll of paper, 15 inches (with a couple extra at top and bottom) x 15+ feet. Each day the weather allows, I sit on the ground and draw the ground/embankment in front of me. The days where the weather doesn’t allow for working outside, I have a have a collection of objects I found in the area to use as reference for other smaller drawings. I've also thoroughly photographed the site (and re-photograph every day I draw outside) in case there are too many cold or wet days....I want the drawing to be complete by the end of the residency, so if needed, I might have to draw from the photos. I admit I'm getting tired of drawing rocks and pine needles, but I am determined to finish with the same attitude I started with. I plan to allow the drawing to breathe by having areas of just line work and moving in and out of extreme realism, but things could change. So far there has been some rain and lots of cold, hoping for more sun! 2 full weeks to go.