Zaftig

My work is included in the 2014 January issue of Zaftig, an online art magazine created and edited by Jacob Sanders.  This months theme is Nourishment.  Check out the zine here.

A Week with Jake

Checking out the High Line, a public park built on an old elevated freight rail line.

Devouring a vegan peanut butter, coconut fudge ice cream sundae after some Absinthe...good times.

Central Park!

Enjoying my vanilla bourbon creme brulee donut from the Cinnamon Snail vegan food truck.

It was a very happy week!

Lying around with Cobey Bear in Central Park.

Dropping Chickens at Champs.

Vegan danishes from Clementine Bakery...the best.

I had so much fun with Jacob this past week.  I hadn't seen him since July.  I miss him everyday.  But I just bought another ticket to NYC in February! 

New York City!

I'm in New York City visiting Cobey Bear a.k.a. Jacob Sanders!

I have been dropping chickens off all over Brooklyn.

We had delicious vegan sushi at Beyond Sushi.

Yum!

Again, Soon

Again, Soon, 12 x 14 inches, yarn, jute, burlap, cheesecloth, wire, wood, 2013

I was missing my companion very much last night and this is what became of my emotions.

I'd be very interested in having an outdoor art show.  Sometimes (most times) I feel my work fits better outdoors than on white walls.

Jake Visits Reedsburg!

Words can't express how happy I was to see Jacob for the first time since the end of April.  He is my best friend and I miss him everyday.  We reunited in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and enjoyed an amazing dinner at Comet Cafe.

Homemade pancakes with homemade strawberry syrup.  This boy misses my cookin'.

We visited Dr. Evermor's Sculpture Garden.

I didn't want him to do this out of fear we'd get caught but he insisted.

Making Mint Juleps!

Potluck Sunday was delicious as usual.  Jake and I made Mushroom Marsala and Cajun Fries.

Jacob gardened for the first time!  Harvesting some kale.

This just might be the last time I get him to work on a farm.  I think he prefers to work on his illustrations and eat the kale rather than harvest it.

Picking snap peas.

Crook came out to join us.

Jacob climbing a falling down structure.  I never knew he liked to climb...but I guess that's because there isn't much to climb in Chicago.

I will be visiting Jake in New York in November.  It's far away but we are super busy people.  Before we know it we'll be back together again.

Saying Goodbye to Rogers Park One Day at a Time

I have been living in Rogers Park for almost 4 years now.  In May I will be moving to Reedsburg, Wisconsin to be the Residency Manager at The Wormfarm Institute until the end of October.  Jacob will be moving to New York in May to pursue his Illustration career.  A long distance relationship will not be easy but I know we are doing the right thing.  

Lake Michigan is 4 blocks from my apartment.  It is one of the many perks of living in Rogers Park.  I have always been interested in the rocks at the lake for their many shapes and earthy colors.  Gradually, I have accumulated a large collection.  But now that I am moving, I am trying to get rid of as many things as possible.  I have made many paintings inspired by my collection.  Their colors have greatly influenced my choice of colors in my work.  I have done so much with them that I no longer need them.  It only felt right to give them back to the lake.  

The 4 year collection.  I have spent many hours sifting through the sand finding rocks that seemed different from the rest.

I have tried to make many painting to describe the beauty of their colors and shapes and none of the painting have ever seemed good enough.  Using the actual rocks instead of trying to paint them has finally become what I have been trying to do for years.  

The Clutch Gallery, Beach.

Atomic Sketch

Yesterday, Jacob and I went to Atomic Sketch at the Green Eye Lounge in Bucktown.  Artists come to make artwork and post it on the walls to sell.  It's a lot of fun!

My little chicken and Jacob's misunderstood fellow.

Last day in New York

Yesterday was our last day in New York.  We came home this early morning.  We stopped by Dun-Well Doughnuts one last time.

Then we visited Central Park for three hours.  We love it there!

A beautiful day!

Later that night we went to the opening reception for The Society of Illustrators Student Show.  Jacob's piece was accepted into the show.  Check out Jacob's blog here, he is super talented.

I am going to miss this boy.  Tomorrow morning I leave for Wisconsin for my artist residency at Wormfarm Institute.  I am nervous because I have never been far from home and on my own, but I am excited to grow as an artist and farmer.  I have so many ideas and I can't wait to get started.