Portraits from Haiti

After returning from Haiti, I am certainly excited to use all that I saw in my future art projects. Everything was fascinating and incredibly inspirational.  I saw everything from the extreme poverty of downtown Port-au-Prince to the beautiful rice fields and mountains surrounding the village of Thoumazea. Be sure to check out my Haiti journal and my photographs see more of my images and thoughs.

It is still difficult to define what exactly will be translated into artwork but it is almost certain that something will come from the trip (well some photographs have already). When you are surrounded by intense beauty, sadness, poverty, joy, and as well as a completely new culture and language, it seems that something must come from it.

Here are some portrait photographs I took while in the village of Thomazeau.  These are just some of the kids that I was able to spend time with.  We made paper beads and bracelets.  (I will post about the art lessons here soon)  40% of all sales will go back to Haiti. Comment on this blog or on my Facebook Page for more information about purchasing and/or use of the images.

I have some photos that I will be posting in the future that help us to understand more about the devastation of the Haiti earthquake and show some of the after math.  Some others will depict the politics, beauty, and religions of the area.

If you would like to purchase or use these images please contact me and I will get you the file/print.  Remember 40% or more of all proceeds will go back to the village and children in the photo.

Flower Postcards

Here are some of my ink drawn flower postcards that I created the week before Haiti. While in Haiti, I also drew two more flower postcards of some orchids growing in our hotel parking lot.
Here are my ink drawings from Haiti.

I am not sure why, but I have always loved flowers.  

I even went to a flower camp with my mother-in-law. 

Since then, I draw and photograph them whenever I get a chance.

Although these designs are already on mail ready postcards, I would like to produce several prints of each for the Works of Wyoming gift shop as well as for friends and family.

Black Politics, Religion and Beauty Show Update

Goals written May 16, 2011

By June 4th I would like to have the following completed.

1. Graffiti Style…Before I leave for Haiti I would like to have all (at least 8) of the sketches finalized for the graffiti section…Maybe even some of the finals started. 

2. Posters…I would also like to have 6 poster drafts on the computer. 

3. Hair care line…ah oh boy…Maybe have a logo. For sure have a strong concept or two. 

4. Have a specific focus (or ideas for what I want to focus on and how to organize everything). 

Check in May 23

1. Graffiti Style - I have 8 sketches that are ready to be worked on.  I would say that 6 sketches are finalized and the rest need more work.  There are two or three more that could be strong with more work.

2. Posters - I have a couple images (drawings) that I would like to use but the specific topics/concepts are not coming through yet.  I need to work more on the posters but am loving the graffiti section, so I think I will keep working on that until I need a break.

3. Hair Care Line - I have three concepts that are decent but no sketches or logos.  I might continue to research.

4. One wall Religion.  One wall Black Beauty.  And one wall Graffiti Style (I'm not telling people what exactly this means yet.  : )

Check in May 30

1.  I have eight different drawings and several copies of some...Woot

2.  I did bend the rules on this.  I have five for this show and about three for other social issues.

3.  I have a couple mediocre undeveloped almost concepts. I didn't research and I feel like I have less done than last week...I guess it is possible.

4.  I have a couple ideas, but it looks like my overall focus areas are changing and I am not sure how it will all work out in the end.  I have a couple that relate to religion but more on White Privilege and Black Beauty, than religion.  The graffiti wall is still a go.

June 4th

Off to Haiti

I will be heading out for Haiti here soon.  I cant wait.  The trip is a missions (church) trip not for art, but I will certainly be taking art supplies.  I should be able to get some work (ink drawings) done when/if we have free time.  I will be sure to take lots of photographs (to try to edit) and snapshots (to work from).

Check out my Facebook Page and my Photography Blog where I will be posting artsy photos. 

The Laramie Project and Montessori Schools

I donated these two images from the Laramie Project to the new Montessori school in Laramie. One of the ladies in my Bible study is playing a huge role in setting up the school and sitting on the board. She asked me to donate some work; I decided to donate two photographs. Here they are.

The Connor: Hallway

The Connor: Window

Kevin Sloan

Pat Kikuit, University of Wyoming professor and the Student Art League Adviser, is a good friend with Kevin Sloan. Sloan was a part of the Visiting Artist Series at UW a few years back. We (the Student Art League students and Pat) were able to have lunch with Kevin and tour his studio). It was a great opportunity to meet/re-meet this fascinating and talented painter from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Three of the most significant pieces of advice which he gave us included…

      1. Have your studio space be a place you are comfortable in.  It should be a place where you want to spend time.  His studio included a “work” area, a couch, a desk and an inspiration area.  Though his studio was quite large I think this can be achieved in a smaller space.

      2. Don’t approach galleries too soon.  Right out of graduate school/college is not always the right time to pursue representation at a gallery space.  There is a good chance you are not ready.  One of the first galleries Sloan approached looked at his work and said “keep doing this and come back in 5 years." This was not because the gallery did not like his work but rather because he simply was not ready.  Another reason to wait may be that you have not developed enough solid bodies of work at this time in your career.

3.   3. When you are working it is acceptable to accept distractions.  For Sloan, distractions (such as phone calls and visitors) are a way for him to get his mind on something else and often lead to great revelations.

What advice do you have for emerging artists?  What is the best advice you received as an emerging artist?

Klein Collection

Work by Kiki Smith

While we were in Santa Fe, we were given the opportunity to visit the Klein's art collection.  A couple of the students there were in an art history class studying contemporary minimalism and they knew nearly every artist in the show.  It was pretty neat.  We saw several work by Andy Goldsworthy, which I was excited about.  We walked on a trail that he built and walks on many summers while creating work.

See more photos on Facebook

This was part of an installation.