Hot Shops is having a fundraising art party at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. You can buy tickets here for an evening of interactive art-making, food and drink, music and an after-party dance.
Also part of the event is an online silent auction of artworks, class offerings and other experiences by resident artists. Fellow artist Jean Mason and I put together two boxes: each is filled with sketching supplies, a sketchbook I made, and a slot in an upcoming workshop with Jean. Start a new adventure or brush up on sketching and journaling skills with your winning bid! I also have a painting included in the auction.
Even if you can't come to the party, you can register and bid on auction items. That action starts Oct. 1 at noon! You can register now and get a preview of all the items. You could get a jumpstart on holiday shopping and support our outreach and education missions with your bids. Thanks!
Nebraska Biennial includes art book
“Incantations without words #1,” the first in a small series of art books, will be included in the upcoming Nebraska Biennial at Gallery 1516 and I’m delighted it will be displayed along with work from prestigious artists with Nebraska ties.
On each page of this accordion book is a small abstract mixed-media collage that feels like a visual poem, wish or spell. At 2x3” closed, it fits easily in palm or pocket. The show runs Oct. 3 to Dec. 14 with a public opening reception 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4 at the gallery, 1516 Leavenworth St. Hope to see you there!
“Anticipation Along the Platte River” oil and cold wax on birch panels, 90”x45” now on display in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso as part of the U.S. State Department’s Art in Embassies program.
on exhibit in west Africa!
Two of my large multi-panel paintings— “Anticipation Along the Platte River” and “Sandhills Blooms”— are now on display in a U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies exhibit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in west Africa. The program helps foster connection and collaboration by sharing art.
“Sandhills Blooms” oil and cold wax on birch panels, 45”x30”, now on display in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, as part of the the U.S. State Department’s Art in Embassies program.
Last summer, a curator with the State Department emailed me asking whether I’d consider loaning pieces for the program. The new ambassador to Burkina Faso, Joann Lockard, was looking for artwork from states where she’d lived, and she’d spent part of her childhood in central Nebraska. I had many, many questions and had nearly forgotten that I’d submitted images to the State Department’s artist registry about 10 years ago, after Mary Zicafoose talked about the program as a facilitator in a professional development class hosted by Amplify Arts.
I shared about a dozen images with the curator and she and the ambassador chose two. Terry Koopman took high-resolution photos for me. In October, a crew with Atelier4 packed up the large pieces and drove them to New York. Months later they were shipped to Burkina Faso and will be on loan for three years before returning to my studio.
I’m so proud to be part of this program to help connect people across cultures, and I’m dazzled to be among all the phenomenal artists participating in this exhibit and those around the world.
Michael with Atelier4 loads paintings into a truck bound for New York.
Happy new year and link to newsletter
Making these small collages in an art journal reminds me that it simply feels good to make things. I appreciate all the support from people who have taken my classes or workshops, have purchased journals, woodcuts or paintings, or have visited the studio to look closely and ask questions.
Here’s a link to my most recent newsletter, where I share info about events and share reading recommendations. I hope you’ll take a look!
Making books
I had a great week of making accordion books with clear instructions and thoughtful prompts organized and hosted by Vintage Page Designs. I’ve always loved books and paper, and it’s been so much fun creating some of my own. I went down a bit of a video-watching rabbit hole while I was stuck home with COVID (mild case, thanks to vaccines and boosters, but still a kick) and am grateful that I’m feeling better, back to making stuff at the studio, and for finding yet another creative outlet. I credit art-making pal Kat Kirby for guiding me this direction.
An 8-pocket accordion book with ribbon closure with mixed media collages for each pocket. Lots of fun with watercolor, a medium I hadn’t used much in years and had great fun getting reacquainted with!
a four-panel accordion with insets that spin — this whimsical design called for festive watercolor and ink doodles
Before the challenge began, I put together a few simple journals with pockets that I made with covers from handmade prints by Amy Haney, who showed off the beautiful wood grain in one print and inked up ears of corn to create the other.
a trio of handmade journals with a belly band and ribbon around them — one of my first attempts at making books.
and what one looks like inside