Finding the Unexpected

I have been feeling very disorganized in my studio lately and have been looking for a way that I could neatly contain all the papers and other materials I collect for my collage work. I need easy access to them but can't stand it when there are piles everywhere - it just feels like clutter. 

Last Saturday morning I was in New London to meet with friends at one of our favorite coffee houses Muddy Waters Cafe before dropping off some work for the Hygienic Galleries Art=Gift Holiday show. After leaving the gallery and on the way to the parking lot I stopped in at the Homeward Bound Thrift Store around the corner to check in with a friend who was inside shopping.

As I was walking down the stores main aisle I saw it,  a book case - almost 6 feet tall, 5 shelves of varying heights and only 12" deep. Would this work in my studio and help with my clutter problem? I decided the answer was yes so after getting it home I immediately put a coat of primer on it.

By the time the primer dried it was too cold to paint outside anymore so my husband and I brought it inside to the laundry room. It was tight squeeze but I got the first coat of yellow paint on and the next morning finished it with the second coat.

Here's the bookcase in its new home in the studio - now I just need to find some baskets and containers and I'm hoping it will feel like I have supplies and materials again instead of clutter once everything is neatly stored away.

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Here are two from the 6 piece series "Terrain" I recently finished that are on exhibit at the Hygienic's Art=Gift show.

Terrain #2' 4" x 4" mixed media on wood

Terrain #4' 4" x 4" mixed media on wood

 The show runs until Sunday, December 22nd.

You can also see the work of these artists that I admire and who just also happen to be friends too: Laura Gaffke, Diana Sartor, Maria Scaglioni and Annie Wildey. 

Tis the Season

I enjoyed the opening of the Art=Gift show at the Hygienic Gallery on Saturday night. What a great job the show organizer and resident artist Susan Hickman did putting this show together. It looks fantastic!

Sierra Drift is the name of a new series of small mixed media pieces I worked on for this show. I'm so happy with them that I plan on doing several more before I call the series complete. Here are two of my favorites. 

 

 © K. Johnson 'Sierra Drift #2' 4" x 4" mixed media on wood



© K. Johnson 'Sierra Drift #3' 4" x 4" mixed media on wood
 

This was the first year the participating artists were given the option to make ornaments.
I was so excited when the email with this info arrived. I haven't done anything crafty like this in a very long time. It was so much fun. A nice variety of ornaments are now decorating the front windows of the gallery.

I found an old dressmakers pattern in a thrift store a couple years ago that had green and red cutting lines on it instead of the usual black. It was so interesting I had to get it and figured I'd use it for something someday.

 

To make this ornament I glued the pattern paper to the front and back of pages from a garden book and then cut out petal shapes when dry. The petals and small wooden beads are strung together with wire and finished off with a button and raffia ribbon for hanging.

The show runs through Sunday Dec 23rd. Stop by and see the works of other local artists including Laura Gaffke, Diana Sartor, Millie Donovan and Sadie DeVore. 

 

Busy, Busy, Busy

Aren't we all this time of year?

There are several upcoming events I've been getting ready for. These are some of the new "mini" mixed media pieces in progress for the ART=Gift show at the Hygienic Gallery in New London, CT.

A few of the finished pieces I dropped off at the gallery yesterday morning.

'Gounded' K. Johnson 2011

'Taking in the Sun' K. Johnson 2011

'Tumbling' K. Johnson 2011

 Opening Reception is Saturday, November 19, 7-10 PM 

photo by Millie Donovan