It's Run Its Course 13 #8

I woke up this morning and started making this piece. It required 38 holes drilled into coconut shells. I made it through without any neighbors complaining...

It's Run Its Course 13 #8, 6 x 7.5 x 4 inches, coconut shells, seashells, steel wire, copper wire, 2014

It Was Good While It Lasted 13 (#7)

It Was Good While It Lasted 13 (#7), 5 x 6 x 4 inches, cardboard, wood, plaster, metal, jute, 2014

I get it now...I think

I get it now...I think. 13 (#6), 14 x 11.5 inches, bubble wrap, dried roses, copper, tape, 2014

Everything is in Order (Whether I Like it or Not) 13 (#5)

Everything is in Order (Whether I Like it or Not) 13 (#5), 12 x 2 x 2.75 inches, egg carton, copper, dried flowers, thread, 2014

29 Feet Per Square Meter

A new piece, 29 Feet Per Square Meter, 39 x 39 inches, twigs, wire, red tape. 14 chickens per square meter inside a ventilated shed is considered free range in Australia.  The USDA only requires that the animal has access to the outdoors for an undetermined amount of time each day.  That means a coop could contain 10 to thousands of chickens inside with a door to the outside the size of a doggy door that is only open for 5 minutes a day with most of the animals unaware the door is even there or open.  Free range is not always so free.

You can call the egg company you purchase your animal products from to find out the conditions of the animals.  You can get to know a farmer at a farmers market and ask her/him what the conditions are.  Maybe even visit the farm.

Transplanting in the Green House

Today I did more transplanting in the green house since it was raining outside.

These are little pepper plants.  Jay started them from seeds back in early March.  He kept them under lights because they enjoy 70 degree weather. 

I took each individual pepper plant and placed them in another tray. This makes it quick, clean and easy to transplant them in the ground.  When they are ready and the weather is right for peppers we can transplant them outside.

Little pepper plant.  We trim the roots a bit to encourage them to grow more.

And eggplant!

This is the mix in the trays.  Worm castings, coconut coir, and vermiculite.

I finished my 29 chicken feet made of twigs and branches.  Now I need some red yarn and I will be able to show the finished product!

Installing Artwork for the Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show

Here, I am installing 80 Becomes 40 for the Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show.  It is going to be a wonderful show!  The opening reception is tomorrow from 5-8pm at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston.

Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show

I will be exhibiting two pieces in the Citizens' Greener Evanston 4th Annual Green Arts Show from September 7-23 at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center.  The opening reception will be Friday, September 7 from 5-8pm.  I will be exhibiting alongside my friend and awesome artist, Kristina Knowski and fellow Chicago Twelve artist, Mary Ellen Croteau who won the People's Choice award at last years Green Arts Show.

The Vegan Eats an Egg will be on display.  It is a mobile with the definition of vegan and eggs hanging over the viewers head.  This piece questions living by a definition.  It is made of wood, fabric, paper mache and jute, and is 21 x 11.5 x 26 inches.  

80 Becomes 40 will also be on display.  It is 36 x 2.5 x 45 inches and is made of paper mache and oil paint.  This piece consists of 40 sculpted, moldy, dented, bruised, or slightly nicked apples.  These are the apples thrown away in the process of putting up a box of 80 apples at the grocery store.  The 40 missing are the ones that have sold.  

Last Nights Opening Reception for Chicago's Twelve: 12 Artists Mobilizing the Earth

Last night was the opening reception at the Zhou B Art Center for Chicago's Twelve: 12 Artists Mobilizing the Earth.  It was an incredible turnout and nothing like anything I have ever been a part of before.  I had a wonderful time!  

Harvesting the Blue Potato is a calendar displaying when the blue potato is grown and harvested in the Midwest.  It is rare for producers and consumers to consider availability of fruits and vegetables.  To make vegetables and fruits available year round we transport them from hundreds to thousands of miles away; wasting energy, using excessive packaging and reducing the quality of the product.  This piece is a reminder that there is an appropriate time and place for the produce we consume.

I am talking to the amazing artist Cathi Schwalbe!  She is big inspiration and the reason I found out about the Wormfarm Institute residency I will be starting in May!  And I am standing in front of another piece of mine titled Farmer Joel's Duck Eggs.

Chicago's Twelve will be up till June 9th at the Zhou B Art Center!

Chicago's Twelve: 12 Artist's Mobilizing the Earth

My feet are the ones on the right, in the back, with the skirt!

And here is a little video Jacob and I made to show my process of attaching the paper potatoes together for Harvesting the Blue Potato.

The music in the video is by CocoRosie and the title of the song is God Has a Voice, She Speaks Through Me