Sons of Turner

SoT 2012: Portland, OR - DETAILS!

2012-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Sons,

MBK has asked me to handle collecting the deposits for the trip, so - here's the skinny:

1. Each trip is able to accommodate 7 sons + MBK. That said, there is only space available for 14 sons between the two trips.

2. As the official announcement states, the trip should cost $950 each. $300 secures you a spot on the trip. You can send me payment a few different ways: Check or Paypal. Please contact me when you are ready to send the deposit and I will give you the specifics on how to get it to me.

3. Please contact me directly with any questions, comments or concerns. MBK is swamped and thus has been delegating these responsibilities to a few of us.

Thanks Everyone - so looking forward to Portland with you all!
Caleb

The Dream of the 90s is Alive.

2012-02-01T18:24:00.000-08:00

"Portland, Oregon is a city like no other. A place where hippies and hipsters coexist alongside business men and housewives. Portland is a town of independence like no other. It heavily favors locally made food and beer to mass produced alternatives, promotes the voice of the individual, and has scenery and architecture that comedian Fred Armisen likens to, 'Legoland.'

Portland is nestled in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Though Portland itself is an urban environment, it is the neighborhoods that give it it's real charm and personality. The Pearl District is the downtown area that is similar to most cities, but with it's own personal flair. Hawthorne is home to farmer's markets and independent clothing stores (think etsy come to life...). Portland features an inactive Volcano at the top of Tabor Park, which also features one of the best views of the sunset in the city.

If you venture outside of Portland you'll see a side of the country that you get nowhere else. Multnomah Falls is a short drive outside of the city and features a 650+ foot waterfall. Mount Hood is also a short drive outside of the city and in addition to it's breathtaking beauty, nestled atop the mountain is the Timberline Lodge, the place where they filmed the exterior shots of the Overloook Hotel in the film The Shining. Visiting this place is worth the trip up the mountain alone.

Another great drive is to head out to the coastal areas to see towns like Astoria, OR, where they filmed The Goonies. Atop the highest hill of Astoria is a 200ft. tower that offers one of the best views you will ever see. If you leave Astoria and keep heading west you will drive along the pacific coast of Oregon which offers a secluded beach accessible only to those who know the trail..."

Next trip?

2011-10-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

I know at the last Salon, the Sons had a brief discussion about our next trip for the Spring/Summer. I unfortunately had to leave early that night, but would love to hear more about this! Oregon is the destination, if I remember correctly?

The Hollow Exhibition Aftermath

2011-10-07T12:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the show this past weekend. Many of the Sons participated in the show and that just elevated the level of professional work represented in the show and in the Pilsen area.

We had so many people compliment not only the individual artists, but the show as a whole. Many people even came to the show, left to see the other shows and then returned to our show to say that it was one of the best shows on the street that weekend.

Wow.

I may have put the show together, but it really was all of the participating artists lending their unique vision to the show that made it truly work. I owe you all a great deal of thanks, more so than I can actually ever achieve.

A very special thanks to Kristen Kernats, without whom I would not have been able to last through the weekend. She was a rock and a great companion all weekend as she helped me run the show from open to close each day. Thank you so much!

Thanks again everyone!

Caleb

Hollow Sneak Peak

2011-09-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

Hollow Exhibition (The Hanging Of)

The Hollow Exhibition is an art event themed around self-image issues such as body image, depression, anorexia, insecurity and more.

Chicago Artist Month 2011

Every year throughout October, you are invited to meet hundreds of Chicago visual artists at exhibitions, workshops, open studios, tours, and neighborhood art walks at venues throughout the city. Presented by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and the Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture in collaboration with more than 200 program partners, Chicago Artists Month aims to showcase the extraordinary talent and vibrancy of Chicago’s art community.

41st Annual Pilson East Artist's Open House

This event allows a rare view of the artist's creative environment. Enjoy more than 65 artist's studios, galleries, and residences at South Halsted and 18th Streets in Chicago, during the city's longest running Artist's Open House!

2011-09-15T20:39:00.001-07:00

A very fascinatingly simple view on art. I love listening to this guy. (Two parts to this discussion, make sure to watch the whole thing!)

SALON II - September 25th, 2011

2011-09-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hey people!

I'm hosting the second Salon for the SoT at my place on Sunday September 25th. Here's the details:

Casa Del King

1311 Oneida Street

Joliet, IL 60435

Party starts at 6pm and you need to leave before you're too drunk to drive yerself home.

I will provide some beer and wine as well as some finger foods. Please bring something (food or alcohol...) to add to the festivities! I have a nice deck outside and plenty of room for people to hang and mingle.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Caleb

815.355.7119

It was a hit.

2011-09-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

We had people from three all the way until eight. There was a shortage of cookies. Joel Pace made an appearance. Bob was handing out tacos. Katie wore polka dots and Gabs rocked blue eye liner. Nick's mom made fantastic toffee. I took breather on the back porch and was met by a doe. Tony brought in waves of people. The curator was thrilled.

Job well done Sons.

My Savannah Painting

2011-08-30T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!
So I realized that I never posted my painting here on the blog.

So this is the one and only painting that I got done while we were in GA. It was in Lafayette Square. It was definitely my favorite square. This one will be at the show this weekend, hope to see everyone there! :)

Katie

Door Study

2011-08-29T18:14:00.000-07:00

Along the harbors of Maine....

"Something Wicked..."

2011-08-25T18:37:00.001-07:00

My surreal interpretation of the doors at Suitable Digs in Santa Fe.

2011-08-04T12:28:00.000-07:00

Thought this was funny, considering.

By an artist called Carrie Reichardt I believe.

My Sons of Turner work

2011-06-13T16:59:00.000-07:00

Here's all the work I've done related to our trips. It's a link with all my images tagged with the search word Sons of Turner. I have yet to decide what I'll be doing for the show, so any links to other Sons work might help me out!

COMMUNITY UPDATE!

2011-06-09T17:00:00.000-07:00

I am proud to announce that the Sons of Turner have appointed Gabriela Mejia as our Treasurer! THANK YOU GABBY!

This was decided through a discussion thread on the SOT Facebook group page. For other leadership roles and ways to help, please check the blog and FB page often!

Calling all Sons!

2011-06-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Sons of Turner,

Greetings!

There are many truly exciting things happening for the Sons these next few months that the timing was right to send you this so that you may all be kept abreast of exactly what is happening and how you can be involved.

As you all know, the Sons of Turner are dedicated not only to our own unique artistic disciplines and visions, but also to the collective growth and advancement of the group. Several members have been working hard to take this group to the next phase of our collective journey and wanted to share with you all these new opportunities for the group

We are excited to announce that we now own the domain name “sonsofturner.com” and are in the process of designing a site that will showcase the paintings and works of the Sons as well as offer a professional look for the group. This is an important step as we continue to advance our individual careers and the influence of the Sons of Turner as an artist collective.

In addition to the website, we have the first of many gallery bookings for the Sons around the Chicago-land area this September. These exhibitions will feature works derived from the Sons annual excursions. Works that come from photos, sketches or completed during the trips themselves will be accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. As there is only limited room, we will need those interested to respond soon with a commitment.

These first few shows will introduce the Sons to the public as working professionals. The website will offer us a professional presence from which group and individual opportunities may arise. As such, it is vital that we all find ways to get involved. One way that we ask you to get involved is by contributing financially to the group. We are asking all Sons to contribute a yearly $50 “dues” in order to pay for gallery showings, website maintenance, web hosting, etc. A few of the Sons have paid out of pocket for the domain name but we still need to come up with the money for the September exhibition. We want to stress that though we are not requiring anyone to pay, those that do will have priority for exhibitions and the website over those that either will not or cannot contribute.

Please consider your role in the Sons of Turner and decide what you are able to contribute with your time and finances. We look forward to working together with you throughout the year, not just on our trips.

Thank you,

Caleb King

CONTACT INFO

2011-06-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

Hello Sons!

I am requesting all of you send me your most recent contact info. Please email me ASAP at diana.terry@comcast.net with your email, telephone, address, as well as your website or online presence and profession (ie: Illustrator, Fine Artist- Watercolor, Graphic Designer, etc.). I will be posting your email and website link on the SOT website once it is created, but all other info will remain private unless it is requested by a gallery or potential employer.

Thank you!
-Diana Terry

Hey lets get some reviews on the Bold Colourful life website

2011-06-07T11:57:00.000-07:00

Got the following from Melissa our hostess in Maine. I'd love for us to respond. Maybe you would click her links and respond to her directly, or should we collate and send her one big review? Either way we also need to send her a photo link or two with us working at the table or in the grounds and maybe some of our work. Lets jump on this before we are forgotten! MBK

Dear Mat,

What a wonderful time it was, having you and your two groups here for your artist's retreat. The place is not the same since your departure. You were a welcome addition to the 'team' and are much missed!!

I hope that your trip was smooth sailing and uneventful, and that you are happily back in the arms of your family.

Meanwhile, while your memories are bright and clear, would you be willing to write a review for the various websites that advertise this place? And would you have one grad from each group do the same? I would be SO grateful.

Here are the links: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/reviews/write/p229721#write and http://www.vrbo.com/206995/reviews/write

And I'd love the link that will show me the work you all did while here. I'm curious--the glimpses I got of yours and others looked terrific. I love the pirate raft you left on the back table. Thanks!

2011-06-07T09:48:00.001-07:00

I like to think I'm #5. I've got #9 down to a science. I need to work on #18. I REALLY need to work on #33.

Details for Inquiring Minds

2011-06-03T20:37:00.000-07:00

Here is said item in gift wrapped form.

The iPad relaxing in MBK's Studio.

Gabby's adorable little laminated sentimental collection of SOT messages.

MBK did not just receive an iPad today. He also left with a booklet full of apps and tips to help him get started, and shown here are the first three pages. I was completely delighted to contrast traditional type on the first page with a 3D graphic on the second. The colors splashed beneath the type all come directly from The Zocalo.

Not pictured here are a slick and trendy Pogo stylus and also a collection Starbursts (for just in case the whole iPad idea didn't work out).

Gabs and I left the studio. After weeks of organizing, planning, and scheming our goal was met. When all was said and done I got into my car and this is how I felt. Job well done Sons of Turner. We made it happen. I see so much potential in this group and I can't wait to see what else is in store.

Oh my!

2011-06-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Its now 1. 30 in the afternoon and Gabs and KK left the studio about two hours ago and I'm still shaking. I really put this up alongside winning the Turner medal in 2008 as a major event in my life. Seriously.

I want to say that you have no idea what these words of affirmation and this gift of generosity means to me but actually it is precisely because you DO know that you were excited to do it. You know me well enough and recognise enough of yourselves in me to be able to give such affirmation. And your gesture is something that I used as a teaching point for my children, using you as the benchmark, the examples of the kinds of people that they should look to and admire.

There is a difference between coasting and surfing. staying alive and being alive. Handing something in and thinking something through. Meeting expectations and exceeding them. You prove that. Lets keep proving it. Thank you for GETTING it and for modelling it. And thank you for the incredible surprise.

I'll post something later from my iPad.

Sons of Turner cocktail menu

2011-06-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

The Classy dame
The Turd Burglar
The seven and seven
I think there was another, like the TB but without the pickled gherkin

Recipies please. I believe Caleb has most of them and Tony has the seven and seven which is always pronounced with two handed smoking pistol gestures

My favorite.

2011-05-26T13:42:00.000-07:00

First painting started in Camden. For me, Camden was my most productive painting day. I did 5.

Sons of Turner go to Starved Rock

2011-05-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

Sons of Turner go to Starved Rock FB Event Page
A few of us Sons have decided we need another painting trip ASAP. All Sons are invited. Depending on how many Sons attend, I am contemplating making this a "call for all painters and photographers" who are dying to come along on our excursions and Salons - some people that I know would come - I think the Sons would benefit from having around on these mini-trips. Let me know if you're not comfortable with additional guests. Hope to see everyone there!

2nd Best Idea We've Ever Had

2011-05-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

XOXO

THE MUSTACHE BROTHERS

The Flying Dutchman anchored in Camden

2011-05-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

They say she is haunted and she is able to appear and disappear in an instant when the mist rolls over the silent still sea.

They also say it will be sunny tomorrow.

People talk a lot of nonsense dont they?

Gallery Space

2011-05-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

UPDATE 6-4-11

We have booked a show. The reception is at the Ontarioville Art Center on September 3rd from 3-8. Pieces should be delievered to Chez Kernats the week of August 28th and will be hung on September 2nd at 11 in the a.m. All good works require a wire on the back of the frame. The gallery retains a 30% commission so price accordingly. We are responsible for providing little cards with names, titles, prices, and such to post near our work. If we wanted to serve wine we would have to obtain a permit of some sort. Pieces should be picked up from Chez Kernats on October 1st after 1 p.m. Also keep in mind that there is a Metra stop two blocks from the gallery for any Chicagoans who may be willing to attend. In addition, located three buildings away from the gallery is the Prairie Station Pub & Grill. Parking at this gallery is scarce, so the day of the reception all Sons of Turner should report to the Kernats Manse at 1 p.m. for tea and cakes, and endeavor to car pool at the appropriate time

But all that's not even the best part.

This show will be held in a little room on the first floor of the building. The curators have offered, pending the success of aforementioned show, to rent the entire first floor to the Sons of Turner for a yet undisclosed monthly fee. They are looking for people to help them run the gallery. They are looking for people to teach classes. They have studio space galore.

So there's that. Just putting it out there.

..........

UPDATE 5-28-11

Today was a day for checking out galleries. I stopped by the Ontarioville Art Center to see if it'd be a good place to hang our work. It is very very very very modest. The room is very tiny and we'd surely be able to fill it up. The benefits of doing a show here are that they'd be able to host us as soon as September (as opposed to sometime in 2012), and it is very close to a Metra stop for all of our Chicago fans. Also, the curator is looking for someone to work at here on occasion and there is even a little studio space for people to paint. I'd really like to get some feedback on whether or not we should do a show here.

(1 2 3 4 5 6 7)

Next I went to the Schaumburg Township District Library. Since no one objected I dropped off paperwork confirming that we'd hang our work there in August 2012. We can always cancel if we decide not to do it so I decided to book it while I had the chance. Using this space basically means that we get one long wall to hang things on.

(1 2)

Finally I stopped at the Bloomingdale Park District Museum. This space is very nice. And very large. I know for a fact that we can fill up one of their rooms... but I believe we can handle both rooms. They'd be able to host us around December 2012 which gives us lots of time.

(1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10)

Thoughts?

..........

UPDATE 5-23-11

I just got off the phone with Tom Javorcic from the Schaumburg Township District Library. He is ready and willing to book us. The only question is, do we want our work in a library? I will say that this is a very high traffic building and most days it's tough to get a parking spot. It would not cost us anything and the earliest they could fit us in would be August 2012. They would not throw any reception for us, and if we threw our own we'd have to be mindful of all the people in the library. Let me know if you guys want to do it and I will send him the paperwork. Also, people are asking for examples of our work. I've plucked a couple things from your blogs to give them idea of what we can do, but if you could all send me good recent works from SOT trips I think it would improve our chances ten fold of finding a great space. Shoot them over to Kernats3d@yahoo.com. Thanks everyone!

..........

Listen up people. I've been poking around the suburbs looking for places to host us and I've had a couple bites.

The Ontarioville Art Center would love to have us. I've talked to Anita Komorski on the phone and emailed her examples of our work and she seems quite thrilled. I have not seen this space yet but if you guys are interested at all I can go and check it out. Apparently the building is a renovated farm house and the gallery is one room that can hold 20-25 small to average size paintings. It would cost us $100 to use the space for one month. The gallery retains a 30% commission of any sales that are made. She also mentioned that she was not interested in hanging any nudes and I told her that most likely wouldn't be an issue. The gallery is unavailable in July, but she's prepared to host us any time other than that. In my mind I'm thinking we should sign up for September or October to give people who cashier or wait tables or work in Boston all summer time to do some snazzy pieces. Also, this gallery does not throw receptions so that would be on us.

The Bloomingdale Park District Museum also loves our work. I've been to this space a few times and it is quite nice. They have two rooms that are available for 5-6 weeks. Each room holds 30-35 paintings. If we hang the work ourselves each room is $200. If they hang it then each room is $250. Again, they would retain 30% of sales and they also do not want any nudes. They would throw a reception consisting of wine and cheese. The only downside is that they can't fit us in until Christmas 2012. Who knew Bloomingdale was such a hot art spot. I need to let them know soon if we want to use just one room or both of them.

Those are the people I've heard back from so far. Let me know if you're interested in moving forward with this, we have opportunities out there! Here's a list of people I've emailed or left messages with. Any help or advice would be great, I'm feel like I'm really taking a stab in the dark here. When 3d people showcase their work it's SIGGRAPH so we don't do much gallery hunting. I'll keep updating this post as I get more news so please keep checking in!

Norris Cultural Art Center

Evanston Art Center

Guenther Gallery

Barbera A Kieft Accelorator Artspace

Glitch Gallery

Brickton Art Center

Gallery 28 Fine and Functional Art

7 West Studio

Poe M Arthouse

Wiscasset

2011-05-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

Maine, black and white.

Num Nums

2011-05-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

He was pretty cocky when we pulled him out of the bag and set him on the table, and then he had his fifteen minutes of fame. Then it all went horribly wrong for num nums.

UZI

2011-05-17T05:10:00.000-07:00

I'm getting into the irony thing. Replacing the bowl of fruit, the flower, the stuff of watercolor with the terrible beauty of weapons. But I may have gotten to the end of the iPod technology. To take this furthwer I'll need to start hitting gun shows. Where I'll meet scary people.

Sons of Turner Call for entries

2011-05-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

Fellow Sons (and daughters),

I am going to try to set up a space for the S.O.T. to have a show. The guidelines are only that the pieces would have to derive from your photos or sketches from the trips. Depending on the space, we would like to have a wall from each trip.

No concrete due date yet because half of the trip to Maine hasn't even begun.

If anyone has any ideas as to where they would like to hold the show, let me know.

Cute and True

2011-05-10T12:07:00.001-07:00

http://i.imgur.com/uBYbJ.jpg

2011-05-07T13:35:00.000-07:00

In response to Bob's previous post. So excited for #11 this week!

2011-05-05T12:38:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know if you can post a picture in a reply to a post easily? Anyway, I saw the graphic Andy posted and thought of this one.

Great Advice

2011-05-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

Earth Day Special: Leaving your mark on the world

2011-04-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

"I want my art to make a difference in the world!"

"I want my art to change lives!"

We've all made these statements, even if it was exclusively in our heads... but how many times have we been crushed by the follow up question: "How?"

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that... finding the answer to "how" is a personal journey every artist must take. But for everyone's inspiration, here's an artist who decided to "make his mark on the world" in a very literal (and eco friendly) way.

Meet Jason de Caires Taylor. He's an artist who builds life size sculptures, dumps them into the sea, and encourages coral forests to germinate on the figures, and create new habitats for underwater life.

He recently installed a piece containing 400 figures off the coast of Cancun/ Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The piece is called The Silent Evolution:

Anyway, be inspired! Change the world! Make it a better place!

... But don't be afraid to use unconventional methods

_________________________________________________________________________________

PS: A link to Jason de Caires Taylor's website here.

New Work

2011-04-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

I wanted to post this piece for you all to see my most recent work. It wouldn't fit on my scanner bed so I had to photograph it. Even then, the saturation and all way off and needed some photoshopping to "correct". After all the patient retouching, it's still a bit off, but I'm ok with it for now. I guess I say that to say please don't comment on the overall quality of the image as depicted here. It's much prettier in person...

This is a piece for the art book I am Art Director for called The Hollow Project which deals with self-image and eating disorders. Some of you may have received a call to entries form from me about it, but I would like to encourage all of you to contact me about it. I am looking for some awesome art on the topic and would love submissions from the SoT. Here is the description from my blog - www.imageaddicted.blogspot.com -

*6"x18"

*Watercolor, Gouache, Ink

*Rives BFK paper

This is the completed version of my earlier WIP (several posts ago). I started this image nearly a year ago and set it aside after about 2 hours of work. It wasn't until recently I decided to finish it. I was struggling with completely conceptualizing it when I began and wanted to sit with it before jumping full force into it. Suffice it to say that after many more paintings and drawings I was inspired to complete this one and I am very glad I did. It is one of my favorite paintings I've ever done and am thrilled with how it turned out.

Conceptually, my purpose for painting this one was to show that physical beauty is temporary at best. Our culture is constantly telling us how to look and often at the expense of our character. We are so focused on looking "right" that we begin to judge others based on our own insecurities. This painting is all about the eventual death of our physical beauty. We all grow old. We all get wrinkly. We all sag and most of us will get fat.

And that is perfectly ok.

If we spend all of our time obsessing about our physical appearance and forsake our inner being, the one we will never lose no matter how old we get, we are truly and unavoidably ugly. Hopefully you can see that in this work of mine.

Reverse creative block

2011-04-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

Question that I have never really talked about with any artist before.

Have you ever had a reverse creative block where you sit down at your desk and want to be working of 20 different projects but in the end get so little done because you are thinking about everything else? I know the solution is to just work hard and get as much done as you can, but at the same time I feel like I'm rushing out less than awesome work just to move on to the next project.

Help a Bob out and let me know what you think.

Sons of Turner Salon

2011-04-08T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. I am hosting what I hope will be the first of many of us all meeting up and getting to know each other better.

The details:

Saturday. April 30th ~6pm

at 49 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.

Roselle, IL 60172

It'll be a potluck sort of thing so please bring some food or drink (b.y.o.b.).

All are welcome, hope to see you there!

Define yourselves

2011-04-03T20:51:00.000-07:00

Every time it rains, my mind gets lost very easily, and even at nearly 11pm, my lack of sleep is making me really contemplate some things.

I guess I've thought of these things before, but now they strike me the most, on muggy nights that make me miss Savannah. What does it take to be one of the Sons of Turner? What does it MEAN to be one? I always have that slight fear of people not really liking me or valuing what I have to say when an opinion is requested, and perhaps it's nonsensical paranoia, but I occasionally have this feeling in my gut that questions just why I am a Son of Turner. It's not at all that I mind being one. But I do feel as though our purpose is not really certain sometimes. Is it meant to be a community built around deeply seeded discussions? Is it simply for the love of art and travel? Are we meant to be closer to one another than we have settled to be, or is everyone just too shy, like I am, to ask?

Well, it's late enough at night that I can set aside just a little cowardice and ask these things. Maybe there's something I'm missing that everyone else understands about the Sons of Turner, and if such is the case, I can't wait to find out what that is. If not, the summary of this is that I want to know you all better. I want to have fueled discussions about art and life and the thick relation between the two. I want to meet for coffee and have sketching nights, travel the states, even the closer ones, just for the sake of finding an adventure with people that I am close with, who find common ground with me. I hesitate to say 'travel the world' only because budget is a difficult thing to plan in the first place. I know this firsthand; I'm unable to make the Maine trip and it's literally put me to tears a few times.

I want these experiences, I want the understanding and most of all, I want to feel like I'm a part of this thing, this group, that is so diverse and intellectual and valuable, only perhaps timid like I am when it comes to this comprehensive part.

-Dani

Busy week

2011-03-11T22:32:00.000-08:00

This has been one of the busiest weeks since forever ago.
Put up the fine art show at school (that was emotionally AND physically tiring), taught three classes a day (kind of, when I wasnt in the gallery) including four days of three minute gestures, finished and framed this big commission for a client at 2.30 in the morning on the day of the hand-in http://mbkstudios.blogspot.com/
(for a while I thought I was going to miss my deadline for the first time in 21 years), arranged flights to Maine, met with a contractor about external works at the studio, paid my sales taxes for the end of 2010, wrote a pr piece for the East Pilsen Business Alliance, designed and submitted a half page ad for my studio,
hurriedly built a new website to itemise all works available in the studio,
http://web.me.com/mbkri/mbkstudios/In_the_Studio.html
talked with Caleb, then Tom, Rich and Duncan about an exhibition in the fall for the Hollow project, developed a brief for a competition for the school library, negotiated rehearsal space in my building for a theatre group and agreed to curate an exhibition for them, AND tried to be a husband and father to the boys.

Today I started the first of three paintings of Boston architecture that I have to submit on Wednesday.
This has been an unusually busy week and I cant say that I've done everything very well.

Fallen Leaves

2011-02-12T01:12:00.000-08:00

Since MBK said there hasn't been many paintings posted as of late, I decided to post one.
While in Savannah, I took some photos of scattered leaves while I was watching the birds pick away at them.
I'm not sure if I'm done with it, still working out this whole oil painting thing.

Know Your Harbingers of Impending Doom: Boobies

2011-02-10T14:38:00.000-08:00

Boobies.

Not the sea bird primarily found near warm waters - the fatty deposits that grace the chests of mature human females. Jugs. Melons. And while it's hard to imagine anything bad coming from something so good, there's an unfortunate horror movie phenomenon, Titsonics, that turns boobies into bouncy death traps.

In the Terrorverse, young women's breasts emit a high frequency sound (measured in mammahertz) that only horror movie villains can hear. The sound attracts them - not because they want a peek, but because they know that naked breasts indicate the presence of at least one highly distracted or highly vulnerable victim. The bigger the boobies, the louder the noise. And when those boobies are squeezed (say, by the fumbling hands of a young male), they get louder still.

Therefore, the only safe boobies are untouched, well covered boobies. and well covered means buried beneath enough clothing to muffle their sound (i.e., no tank tops). In fact, the ideal outfit for a young woman would be a parka over a ski jacket, over two sweatshirts, over two bras - with the nipples duct taped for good measure. But take heart, ladies. The moment you hit 23 your Titsonic profile becomes drastically lower. And once you have a kid, it disappears forever.

That covers it (haha) for Boobies. Tune in next week for: Know your Impending Harbingers of Doom: Visable Breath.

Who ARE you People?

2011-02-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

so I'm wondering to what extent does your work reflect your generation, its values, its struggles, its perceptions? Tough question, because for some of you there may not yet be enough work that you had the freedom to direct yet, but even school projects are opportunities for your values to be expressed.

In other words, how and why is your work of today, how was work differently fuelled in the 80's or the 50's or the 1850's. Who ARE you people?

Maine Prep 101: Know Your Harbingers of Impending Doom

2011-02-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, Caleb here!

In prep for our journey to Maine, I thought I'd offer you a few more doses of survival training via the How To Survive a Horror Movie book. Today's lesson is all about light.

In the Terrorverse (where Maine happens to exist....), light is usually your friend. It cuts through the menacing night, chases away shadows where creatures lurk and blinds night-vision equipped serial killers. But there are times when light is the last thing you want to see. Especially when it's coming from somewhere (or something) it shouldn't.

ANYTHING THAT ISN'T A BULB OR FLAME: There are some things - wood, metal, briefcases, stone - that aren't supposed to give off light. If they do, don't stare in slack-jawed fascination. Run.

KEYHOLES:If there's a powerful beam of light shooting through a keyhole, you can bet there's something very, very nasty on the other side of the door.

EYES: Light only radiates from the pupils of evil creatures, and it usually signals an imminent attack.

MOUTHS: If light is pouring from your mouth, you're about to be torn to shreds from the inside out and transported to another dimension - probably a bad one.

NOWHERE: The worst place light can come from is nowhere. Only the most powerful creatures are capable of self-illumination - namely demons and false gods. For dramatic effect, they'll backlight themselves to constantly appear in silhouette.

Well, that does it on light. Tune in next week for our next chapter of Know Your Harbingers of Impending Doom: Boobies.

The Mountain Goats - Going to Maine

2011-01-23T09:23:00.000-08:00

I'm Giving You Fair Warning....

2011-01-21T02:56:00.000-08:00

So, a few years ago at Christmas, my mother gave me this little book titled "How to Survive a Horror Movie." It's a fun little book written by Seth Grahame-Smith, the same guy who wrote "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." I had not been thinking about the book recently until the other day when something very frightening happened to me....

I happened to see Kristen Kernats (KEEEEERRRRRRNNNNNAAAATTTTTSSSS!) had found me on twitter and mentioned Maine, which had me suddenly have a moment of vertigo as this particular passage of the HTSaHM popped into my head.... and all I have to say is thank God I remembered it... It might just save all our lives....

TEN PLACES NEVER, EVER, EVER TO GO UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES:

1. Rooms lit by a single hanging lightbulb

2. Rooms lit by nothing

3. Any graveyard that isn't Arlington National Cemetery

4. Summer camps whose annual counselor murder rate exceeds ten percent

5. MAINE

6."The Old _____________"

7. Hotels/Motels that aren't part of giant national chains

8. Upstairs

9. Downstairs

10. Any log cabin anywhere on the face of the earth

S0 there you have it. Since #5 is especially poignant, I think we all need to take a small breather here and consider our options.... I know I'm packing a knife and a few grenades for the trip. I suggest you all do likewise....

A Happy afternoon

2011-01-14T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hey, I just found some pics of our Art Bingo day at the studio. But....dont forget to go to the next post and grab Katie's widget. Thanks Katie.

Button Love

2011-01-11T14:56:00.000-08:00

I've made a button for us Sons to use on our various websites and blogs. Simply grab the code and paste it into a widget or gadget on the sidebar of your blog, and it will be a button that links back to the Sons of Turner Blog. Let me know if there's any problems with it, I'll do my best to fix it. :)

Maine 2011

2011-01-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

Here's some snaps that I took in October 2010 when I first visited Maine to do a commission.

This isnt where we're staying.

Well here's the skinny.
The trip to Maine is set.
The house is booked.
The lobster is as good as in the pot. His days are numbered.

A new semester is upon us, although more than half of the Sons of Turner are now graduates!
I didnt even get to invite any new Sons this year as both trips are filled with existing members. Maybe next year I shall run three trips so that I can bring new people in.

I dont want the blog to become something for only those who are going on the trip this year, but by the same token I dont want the blog not to serve as an information point. So my apologies to anyone visiting the blog who might not be on this year's trip, and PLEASE keep visiting and contributing to the blog as much as possible. The last conversation which Dani started was really interesting.

Speaking the Lingo

2010-12-30T15:14:00.000-08:00

Hey Sons! So I've got a question, and I asked MBK, and he suggested I post this here too! So here's a direct quote:

"...the real question I want to ask is more of a general question...about stylistic language with all subject matters. I have a certain way of drawing people, and those are the most important things to me in a piece..but how do you go about creating a language of drawing a building? Or a still-life? How do you match that stylistically with your figures? I ask because for a very long time now, I've wanted to paint a new still life, or go to an old, creaky house or barn and just draw it on site. But how do you find a style for that?

I think I'm asking you because you have a way of using line that can relate your illustrations to your still life's to your portraits, and so on. So how did you find that? How do you get inspired to bring all of those different subject matters into one definitive style of drawing/painting/conceptualizing?

Just something I'm really puzzled on. I've been thinking about it alot, but wasn't sure how to word the questions. Now I think I got it down : )

I hope your holidays have been fun!"

And I hope the holidays have been fun for you all too! <3

A place for conversation

2010-12-29T11:29:00.000-08:00

So the house is booked for the SOT 2011 trip. As always I like to keep my cards close to my chest but suffice to say there will be a LOT of space this year. Space at the dinner table. Hopefully no broken chairs, and at least an acre each to be alone in should there be any arguments. But there wont be. Just lobster. And crab.

Happy Christmas

2010-12-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas one and all. I'm up to my eyeballs with wrapping and noise here at Kennedy Acres. Hope you all have a great Christmas. And for those of you coming back to the Academy in January....try to get some rest and peace. This last semester was REALLY busy but I saw some REALLY wonderful work. Love to you and yours, God Save the Queen, MBK

Sons of Turner Website

2010-12-10T18:22:00.000-08:00

Well its nearly the end of the Fall Semester and Christmas is coming fast. So much to do; so little time yet today it has been very hard to concentrate at the studio and so I began a website just to see if I could.
http://web.me.com/mbkri/Site/Sons_Of_Turner.html
Now I dont know what to do with it except post photos from the last couple of trips.
Ideas?
It ought to link seamlessly with the blog.
I dont think anyone but me will be able to upload content to it, so thats not good.
I'm going to watch the bucket list tonight with a blanket on the couch.

maine update

2010-11-29T21:53:00.000-08:00

spots on trip going fast
only three places left
money starting to come in (thanks D)
money starting to go out
there's one of two major public collections of Andrew Wyeth in Maine
and a ton of Winslow Homer Illustrations and paintings
sea kayaking is really really cool
Jay Jones is back
I dont know how to undo highlighting of text and I cant match the background colour to the blog's page colour
I am more and more certain that drawing and painting are inseperable parts of the same creative yearning.

Find the SOT

2010-11-25T14:50:00.000-08:00

Well, there's an O and a T at least. With regard to the inclusion of SOT symbols in my painitngs......
I'm a bit wary of the secret club aspect of the thing. Sounds a bit like joining the Masons, devil worship, sworn to secrecy and a comitment to find the holy Grail.

"The Golden Palm-ers"

2010-11-24T14:33:00.000-08:00

I was just reading about a group of students from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. They got together for sketch groups, field trips to movies and museums, and art-themed potlucks. Members included some very famous (and infamous) artists (see article). They called themselves the GP-ers after the apartment building they shared

Seeing any parallels, hmmmmm?

Anyway, after they graduated, members would hide the initials "GP" in their professional work. Sort of an inside joke...

I'd like to propose that, at some point in our various careers, we each hide "S.O.T." somewhere in our artwork.

Maine - A Taste of What's to Come

2010-11-18T21:57:00.000-08:00

Monhegan
Monhegan is a small, rocky Island ten miles from the nearest mainland and scarcely a square mile in area. It is accessible only by boat and there are no cars or paved roads on the Island. Since long before the explorer John Smith visited it in 1614 it was known to Native Americans as a prime fishing area, and today its economy is still ruled by those who make their living from the sea by fishing and lobstering.

Windjammer Sailing
Set sail on a tall ship cruise and experience the coast of Maine’s scenic beauty from the sea. Choose from 12 owner-operated Maine Windjammer Association ships to enjoy magnificent sailing.

Rafting Kennebec
Kennebec River whitewater rafting trips are not like other Maine rafting trips! When you go Kennebec River rafting, you'll enter a beautiful gorge, view beautiful scenery, and experience the big rapids only a big gradient river can generate - this is what makes the Kennebec River so exciting! That guy in the back of the raft is about to die.

Casco Bay
Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine. Its easternmost approach is Cape Small and its westernmost approach is Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth. The city of Portland sits along its southern edge. The islands in the bay are also called the Calendar Islands, based on the popular myth there are 365 of them.

Southern Maine Beaches
Breathtaking coastal scenery, broad beaches of pure white sand, and quaint, picturesque New England villages mark the Southern Maine Coast.

Acadia National Park
People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery.

Appalachian Trail
Lakes, streams, and bogs abound. While that makes moose and loons common sights, it also makes for muddy tread way and many fords of mountain streams.

Mount Katahdin
Mount Katahdin is the highest mountain in Maine. Named Katahdin by the Penobscot Indians, the term means, "The Greatest Mountain." Katahdin is the centerpiece of Baxter State Park a steep, tall mountain formed from underground magma.

York Village
Old York (or York Village) is the historic town center, settled by Europeans in 1624. Old York received a royal charter in 1639, the first English town in the country to have this privilege.

Camden
Voted the prettiest in Maine in 2009, Camden harbor's mix of working and pleasure craft includes a fleet of windjammer schooners, which began operating tourist cruises in 1936.

Blue Hill
It’s rich with New England history, antiques, crafts, fine restaurants, inns, and art galleries, and an important summer cultural life.

Northeast Harbor
Over the years Northeast Harbor has become famous as much for its summertime residents as it has for its beautiful and protected harbor full of exclusive yachts and sailing vessels.

Eastport
Eastport is a small city consisting entirely of islands.

York Beach
York Maine has something for everyone, a famous lighthouse, fabulous sand beaches, boating, historical museums and Maine’s largest zoo.

Old Orchard Beach
The town is a popular summer beach destination. The seaside amusement park Palace Playland is located in Old Orchard Beach.

Mount Desert Island
This is the largest island off the coast of Maine. Mount Desert Island is a glacier-formed island in the Atlantic Ocean off the northern coast of Maine.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is used for remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships.

Kennebunkport
Settled in the 1600's and a long time ship building mecca, the river banks saw five-masted ships and schooners making their way down the river on their way to the sea. Sea captains built fine mansions, many of which are preserved today as lovely inns with antique charm.

Merchants Row
An archipelago of 30 or 40 islands lies between Deer Isle and Isle au Haut. Merchants Row is unsurpassed for beauty anywhere in Maine. The islands are all darkly wooded and fringed with white and pink sloping granite shores. Tight passages wind between them, and harbors are everywhere.

Moose Safari
See Moose, Deer, Bear, Eagles, and Osprey in their natural habitat. Oh my god.

2010-11-17T06:46:00.000-08:00

I’m heading to the north eastern coast of these here United States next May. Going to find me some small harbour towns, lobster pots, shrimp boats, rocky coastline, pine forests, New England architecture, clam chowder and blueberry Jam. Maine to be precise.

I have a house for two weeks that will sleep 9 of which I am one so II have space for 8 sons for each week. Thats 16 spots available. Maybe I’m going on my own? As always the offer goes out to Sons of Turner before I start asking this year’s crop of juniors and seniors at the Academy. So how about it?

cost $950 including airfare, accommodation, breakfasts, dinners, car hire and gas

dates may 9-16 or 16-23 leaving after bfa show and home in time for graduation

New Flesh Tone Recipe

2010-11-11T13:28:00.000-08:00

Throw out your Chinese Orange, because there's a new flesh tone in town!

This evening, I was experimenting a new watercolor pallet at an open model session. I was trying to figure out how to express the chiaroscuro lighting in the Florence Academy studio.

Here's how it turned out:

The Deep Flesh Tone was created using a mixture of Dragon's Blood and Indigo.

If Anyone Is Looking For A Show Opportunity:

2010-11-09T11:13:00.000-08:00

Call for Art! All Mediums accepted!

5^th Annual Emerging Artists Winter Exhibit

Opening January 7^th – January 25^th

1^st show (more TBA)

Morpho Gallery is accepting images via JPEG format or CD discs to be juried for this upcoming no commission exhibitions.

We charge a one-time $25 Jury fee (per piece) ONLY IF YOU ARE accepted into the show.

Art over 36 inches will be $35, over 48 inches $45

Fees must be paid when dropping off work.

WE will be having several shows- Dates will be announced

To submit-

Email images to morphogallery@gmail.com

Specify: emerging artist exhibit in subject line

Include:

1-Title- Media-Price-Dimensions

Contact information

2-Email address-phone number-web site

3-Number of pieces of art you are paying to exhibit

If you have a web site, please specify which images you are submitting-which are available- Please don’t just email us your web address-we will NOT respond

We need images by December 18^th to be considered in this event.

You will be notified which piece(s) will be exhibited

We will notify you when to deliver your art

Please no phone calls- any questions please email us morphogallery@gmail.com

Something to Keep in Mind for Our Next Adventure...

2010-11-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

So back in Savannah, I found it difficult to paint everything I wanted to record. I felt like I didn't have enough time. One artist's suggestion: "paint smaller." It reminded me of MBK's last post.

Any SOT members have any additional tips of ways to paint more efficently?

Here's a quick color study of the side of a church I did while waiting for a pizza in Venice. I think it took about 20-30 minutes to paint, maybe? Probably should get some better quality paper and work a bit smaller...

painting

2010-11-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

well I've been out with Tom and Rich and Misha and a whole bunch of faculty for a drink this evening and to be honest I'm not thinking as clearly as I ought. So here's a painting and I'll say no more. MBK

Synagogue

2010-11-01T20:02:00.001-07:00

I started this in Savannah and just finished it last night. It's kind of different for me, I'm not really happy with it but I'm glad I finished it. It helped me figure out how I'm going to paint an Italian themed mural this week.

I think more paintings of architecture shall be emerging soon. So far I only have 2!

New banner maybe?

2010-11-01T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
I wanted to make a contribution to the blog since I haven't yet, and decided that I could make a nice spiffy banner. So I whipped one up. And I'd like to take it to a vote and see if it suits everyone fine, or if anyone would like to make a better one then have at it. Well... here it is! Hope you like it.

Hope everyone's Halloween was fun!
-Katie

Costume Craziness!!!

2010-10-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween Everyone!!!

Folks have been asking me if I’m missing the costume shenanigans back home. And as it turns out, I don’t have to. Apparently at the end of October, the city of Lucca hosts a giant comic and games festival, which can mean only one thing… Cosplay.

Cosplay-- short for Costume Play-- is a sort of fashion hobby that is quickly gaining popularity throughout the world. The basic idea is you dress up as your favorite character from any visual media. Characters can be taken from comics/manga, anime/cartoons, movies, videogames, blog memes, and, in some cases, famous pieces of artwork/illustration (ie Rosie the Riveter, or Vermeer’s Girl with the Pearl Earring).

Here are a couple of examples of some Italian Cosplayers :

So why write about it on the Son’s of Turner Blog? Personally, I think Cosplay is an example of the new emerging impact that art is has on the general population. People are hungry for new stories, places, and characters in which they can emotionally connect with. And, I believe, as artists and illustrators, it’s our responsibility to deliver.

Okay, discussion time, write a comment and tell me what you think. How do you feel about Cosplay? Motivational? Inspirational? Or just creepy? If you saw someone walking around dressed up as a figure you’ve painted, how would you feel?

Well, I think while I wait for you’re replies, I’m going to have a cup of tea.

Ciao for now!

-- Lucas

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

2010-10-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

Check out this awesome giveaway on one of my favorite sewing blogs: Grosgrain! Kathleen is a talented designer/seamstress and she makes the most lovely girly playful frocks. She makes blog reading superfun :)

The Ever After Frock Halloween Grosgrain Giveaway

American Watercolol Society

2010-10-17T11:47:00.000-07:00

In case anyone else wants to enter the AWS prospectus is here and the deadline is November 15th. Also, if anyone is interested if you become a sustaining associate memeber and pay the dues (before Sept. 30th I think) the entry for the show is "free."

$40,000 cash and prizes.

Website Links

2010-10-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

I added the link roll to the right of all the contributor's personal websites. I know there are more so if your name is not on there let me know. I just went to Kristen's blog and got the links from there. You could just leave a comment with the link to your blog/website and I will add it in a week or so to give people time. If you know anyone else's that I missed you can add that too.

Some sneak peaks

2010-09-30T20:05:00.001-07:00

Here are two projects I'm currently working on:

The first is a color study/mock up for a food illustration done in the style of a magazine advertisement. Custom type faces and logo's are under development for that piece. Should be a fun one to paint as it will be a bit of a departure from my usual approach.

The next is a snippet of a painting for editorial illustration. The painting is based on a cliché; when more is revealed, see if you can guess which one...

The female figure

2010-09-28T21:35:00.000-07:00

I did these at Palette and Chisel when they had their 7 hr long marathon on labor day. I have plenty more but these are the ones I enjoy the most. Thinking of doing a series of female paintings. We will see what I come up with. I felt alive drawing that day as well as being among those that love to do the same thing.

Fear for the mighty Shrimp

2010-09-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Two Sons shrimp boat was my favourite drawing that I did down in Savannah and I've been eager to do something with it since I got back. I felt very sickened by the BP disaster which was in full swing while we were there and the Shrimping season was yet to start but there was a looming fear that we might be facing an ecological disaster from which our earth and certainly the fishing fleet might not recover. But for all that sense of doom, its a jolly little boat.

Tiny Little Death

2010-09-15T14:38:00.001-07:00

I got these Strathmore artist sketch cards a while back and used them for a drawing at the Chicago Comic Con back in August. They come in all kinds of paper types - bristol, watercolor paper, illustration board, etc. It's not that amazing, but I love these tiny little buggers. They're only 2.5" x 3.5" each. So this image is actually significantly bigger than the original.

This one was done of the character Death by Neil Gaiman (one of my all time fav authors) and was painted using my schmincke watercolor half pan set.

Newest Painting

2010-09-10T19:25:00.001-07:00

©Elisha Dasenbrock 2010, Thank You/Kob Kun Kaa; Thailand 2009, Watercolor, 20" X 27"

I thought I would post this here since it's been awhile since I posted anything. I just finished her on Monday. I am working on a couple of other paintings inspired by Thailand for my show in October. The show is at a wine bar in the town where I went to high school. The show doesn't have a theme, I'm just trying to make a buck.

Rendering... rendering...

2010-08-13T05:17:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! So the bad new is I had to put the blog header on hold awhile. The good news is that I may have a chance of maybe possibly getting a 3d job at the Parsons Corporation. Wish me lots of luck!

KK

Demo Reel Facebook Blog Tumblr Twitter LinkedIn Sons of Turner

Our Purpose

2010-08-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

When we met up we talked a lot about who we were as a group. What exactly are the Sons of Turner and what can we actually do? Maybe we're a group of classmates that critique each other's work. Maybe we're a new age Salon. I know I have some thoughts. I think as long as we can make the time to come together, putting work and school to the side, we can conjure up some amazing ideas. I consider myself very lucky to be a small part of it. I took a lot of pictures the other day, and while these may not be my favorites I think they give a peak to the outside world about what we're doing now. At this point I'm going to be working on a header for the blog. I'll post the first draft on Friday and see what you all think.

KK

Demo Reel Facebook Blog Tumblr Twitter LinkedIn Sons of Turner

savannah photos

2010-08-09T17:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=119501&id=1166659468&l=1e7bd04b44

This is definitely NOT turning the blog into something broad and inclusive.

2010-08-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I didn't say something yesterday about this; I guess I felt a little embarassed or shy, or something stupid like that. But anyways! We were discussing blogs, their purpose, how they may just take over the social vibe as we know it, but I'm trying to find a balance between that. Have been, I guess.

Art Lingo is a group I set up some time ago, where each week a new artist is posted, their work is sampled and then people can discuss it if they wish; how the art makes them feel, what they think about the artist as a person, so on and so forth. I'm planning in the near future to have a live event of this, perhaps a trip to the Chicago Cultural Center, for all of us to sit and talk about the artists featured there, perhaps grab some coffee?

Anyways, here's the link to the group, feel free to join and delve into the discussions!

ART LINGO - For the love and discussion of all creative works.

decision time

2010-08-08T20:42:00.000-07:00

What is the blog. Who is it for?
We began to talk about that here at the studio a bit today. Not so much THIS blog but the blog as a tool or a communication device.
We also talked about one of Tony's paintings, a work in progress.
And just began to touch on specific issues for Nick and Bradlee but that never got far in the group format.
And we tried Art Bingo and I got some good feedback on that from Joe and a bunch of yous.
And Gabs had the courage to tell me something critical about one of my pieces which I was grateful about. We covered some ground.
I think I know enough about myself to be sure that I will always treasure time in conversation way more than email and blogging and virtual crits and cyber groups. Sometimes I argue things and propose things, and find myself disliking the things that I'm saying. Sometimes I need to test the water. I dont think I know anything with more certainty than when I woke up this morning but I feel like I put some thoughts out into the wind.

Wide Body of Work

2010-08-06T17:23:00.000-07:00

I just found this guy. His style is so different from painting to painting in his archives. I like them.

collaboration #2

2010-08-04T21:18:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to gathering with Sons this weekend

Katie is getting married

Tony is bringing a couple of bottles of wine to the studio

I'm getting excited about a cheeseboard

Jessie may unveil her tattoo if she can get off work

There will be potato chips
(in a bowl).

Something to check out

2010-08-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

http://www.unstage.com/2010/07/watercolor-surrealism-eric-fortue

Watercolor artists doing some fun things.

Art imitating life

2010-07-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

Lovely to see some Sons of Turner at the Academy last night to celebrate the degree show.
There's something wonderful about seeing people I have grown to love and respect moving on into the world to make their mark. Also something of a personal sadness. I shall miss Gabs and Brad, and add them to the list of ex students that I will continue to see sporadically, but never again walk alongside day after day. Many of them are Sons of Turner though and thats a good thing.

Anyhow, nothing lasts forever.

Patrick Vertino sends his best from Guadelehara and regrets his absence on the 8th. see the rest of you then I hope.

Where's My Chippy?

2010-07-19T16:19:00.001-07:00

Photo taken by Kim.

See if you can find Caleb.

Togetherness

2010-07-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Hey hey, here's something we did together this summer.

So I've had a good response to my email about a studio afternoon so its all go for Sunday August 8th at 3pm at my studio for a Sons of Turner reunion. I've heard back from some but can everyone give me a yes or no so i can buy the right number of twinkies. And spread the word amongst the brethren. Several are not on the blog. Thanks.

2010-07-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

This song makes me miss Georgia even more. I'm thinking maybe sometime in the winter, taking a road trip up there for a few days, just to escape the Windy City winters. Would anyone be interested in joining me? I'm thinking of getting a hotel, which can be split between myself and two to three other people. Just an idea for now, nothing solid!

Coke

2010-07-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

did anyone else stumble across this? I was lost one day way out east towards Broad Street, it all got a bit ropey and I was thinking I maybe ought to turn back and keep my hand securely on my painting bag and then there it was....delicious and refreshing.

This one is 12 x 12 on claybord.

2010-07-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

I'm dreaming of seashells and passing dolphins lately. I miss Savannah's warmth and those enormous plush beds at the Forsythe house. Does anyone else have an itch to go back?

Sometimes quiet is a good thing

2010-07-12T19:10:00.001-07:00

Sometimes quiet is a good thing and sometimes its not. I've been painting some more Savannah things but havent scanned anything of late. Painted the 9th piece in my bucket and tool series, invented a pea juicer had an idea for a billion dollar industry that I'll never get off the ground and got my air conditioning fixed. But nothing really great to show you yet. I put something new up on my other blog which is now called Mat Barber Kennedy because The Artful Dodger sounds crap. Thats about it though. Oh, unless any of you are thinking it might be time to get a studio..... I have 500 square feet of studio space becoming available here in MBK Studios. It is big enough for three tidy people or two slightly more expansive people and for those of you who have never visited, its quite lovely. Let me know if you are interested and I'll give you all the details about money and so on and so forth, etc etc etc.

Ay caramba lots of questions and never any answers.... just something to think about.

2010-07-12T16:42:00.000-07:00

When we develop our different and unique styles as artists, we grow to become accustomed to our painting techniques and the place, objects, people, and things we choose to paint. These things become our habits. But do we ever get tired of painting the same things over and over again, the same style over and over again, using the same colors, the same brushes....etc. We take and learn new techniques but we only add to what we are used to. Do some of you wish to paint differently? With a different personality? With a different mindset? Many artists such as Picasso and Matisse painted still lifes, portraits, then switched to paint abstractly. Will we ever be satisfied with our art and the way we paint? I know that we have to brand ourselves with our styles so that our viewers can recognize us but as we get older will we get too comfortable in our skin or maybe even bored? Are we even allowed (by our minds) to switch into something new? Is inspiration our only fuel? How do we truly inspire ourselves to keep going?

West Virginia

2010-07-04T10:29:00.001-07:00

I've just returned from a very short trip to Beckley, West Virginia. I didn't go there to do a lot of art or site see, but I got to see a lot of interesting things anyways. If anyone gets a chance to go through West Virginia, there's a ton of things to do and it's beautiful, full of mountains and trees. I recommend visiting any of the coal mines, the Cass Railroad State Park, the New River Gorge Bridge (to go rafting too), any zip line tour, and the Trans-Allegheny Insane Asylum in Weston, WV. The asylum was my favorite, I could totally see the SOT staying there, getting scared crap-less and painting bizarre stuff. Here are some of my fav pictures:

From Clary's, Savannah

2010-06-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well its going slower than i would have hoped because I'm teaching 8-12 year olds drawing and painting every day and trying to spend time with the boys in the evenings. But anyhow, here's the first one finished and I'm starting a sister piece today. Maybe it will be a mini-series of three. Who can say.
Gabs is helping me with the children's workshop and its good to be working with her. Bradley is coming to the studio tomorrow to work on some framing. Spoke to Duncan Webb today. Its like being at the Academy but without the annoying chamber music.

New Painting

2010-06-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

A friend asked me paint a portrait of him and his wife and 4 pets in Yosemite Park for their 1 year anniversary. Drawing pets in general is scary, let alone make up something that doesn't look silly in the great outdoors, but I took it on anyways. I let the foliage pieces I painted in Savannah inspire me and I'm pretty happy with the outcome, overall. I wish I could go back and re-do the figures but live and learn I suppose. In addition to trees, Im learning I can paint animals really well, now it's you damn humans I have to learn how to paint...

No I don't think I'm a tree.

-Di

first few things

2010-06-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

Well I thought I ought to post something so that you know that I am actually working.

So these are the first 4 things that I'm working on.

Warming up so to speak. Nothing too complex. Just getting the flavour of my sketches down and trying to keep the freshness of my initial ideas on site. Thses are all pretty faithful to the sketches that I did at the time, but I have tried in each case to ramp up the volume, push the intensity. Create a little more depth. There's a figure in one of the windows too. There will be a hint of the spirit world running through many of my Savannah paintings like a barely noticable thread.

First Post: Savannah Sketches

2010-06-13T12:36:00.000-07:00

(Double-izer)

I was much more productive this year than in Santa Fe. I think part of that is due to the new sketchbook made by Katie. 300 lb paper does wonders. If you want to see my favorite 2 sketches you can to my blog.

Queue the Horns and Banjos and Cymbals

2010-06-11T22:48:00.000-07:00

Savannah sketch today.

Finally figured this thing out!

2010-06-11T12:05:00.000-07:00

In no particular order. That's all I've got for now.

I did it.

2010-06-09T16:22:00.000-07:00

Sons of Turner have now been immortalized in tattoo form.
And so has Herbert the crab.

I just got a big boost

2010-06-08T15:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I felt inexplicably sad. Down. Really uncharacteristically folorn.
And then today I heard that I have been elected to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (which means I'm now MBK RI., FRSA) and I feel like a million dollars. Its a place where I hope to be able to explore creative thought with a view to making a real difference in the lives of people here in chicago around the world. Like my sock project that I talked about with some of you last year. Check it out at http://www.thersa.org

Twigs, Trees, and Leaves

2010-06-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

I did this one when I got home from Savannah. The shells are from the beach and the stick is from Forsyth Park.

Disney World Photos

2010-06-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

If any of you gets the chance to go to Disney World, go! Trust me, just go!

Click the thumbnails for better resolution. You can view the entire collection here. Click here for the original post. Have a magical day!

KK

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