In the Print Studio with Tom Kovacich

I had the most wonderful day with Tom Kovacich on Saturday in the print studio at MIAD. It was great to revisit the process of a print being made.

He worked on an intaglio print. Explaining how to use the equipment...his technique and thoughts, feelings when making a print. I was really jazzed! It inspired me to take a print class this summer.

Tom's work has always been a favorite of mine. His lines...his definition of marks and minimalist pieces are exquisite. He uses restraint in his work that hold you in the most thoughtful contemplation. You can see more of his paintings and prints at Safi Studio in the Marshall Building down in the Third Ward, Milwaukee and on his website http://www.thomaskovacich.com/

That's something.

Someone said something to me today that triggered a happy memory. I was 4 or 5 yrs old. I was pouting and said I was "bored". My mom looked at me and rattled off 8-10 things I could do...and told me that I should never say I was bored again...because there was something, ALWAYS something that I could find to do...I can honestly say I have never been bored again in my life. That's something.

Painting Shoes

Steven claims I am a messy painter. Is there such a thing? I think I am pretty neat for an abstract painter. My painting shoes attest to this ;) I am waiting for them to be more colorful!! I feel like I have had to be somewhat neater painting in my home studio. Started painting in my new studio this week so it will be fun to see if I cut loose. Come and visit me at the Plaid Tuba at 120 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. Sat. 10-3, Wed-Fri 10-5.

I am a Tuba!

So yesterday my morning post on facebook went like this "This morning I woke up ...laid in bed and then screamed, "I am in Plaid Tuba"!!! Going to be working with Reggie Baylor, Heidi Witz, and amazing artists! Pinch me. True story...."

Yes tis true. I have achieved or am about to pursue a life long dream. Painting within a creative group of people with the most amazing energy. For those of you who don't know what Plaid Tuba is I suggest you fan them on facebook so you can follow the adventures in coming weeks and months!

You can also follow the blog. http://plaidtuba.blogspot.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Plaid-Tuba/107720012620587?sk=info

Here is a pic of fellow adventurer and artist Melissa Dorn-Richards setting up her studio space.

Stay tuned....more to follow.

Dream and it will come...

it has been hard to make a creative space in my home for painting. challenges have been finding a room in the house that works. i tried the basement ....too dark and confining for me. actually painted in the kitchen area for awhile. that is hard when you want to entertain...putting everything away, pulling it all back out again ...not easy! although i did enjoy being around steven and andrew for the social aspects!! finally redid my very own room to call my own. it's wonderful to be able to walk into this new space. i feel validated. i still wish i had a larger space. i keep putting my dreams into the universe. i believe that if you dream it will come.

one of my earliest memories is coloring for hours on the back stoop of our house. i would sit there for hours. i always loved getting a new box of crayons...and to this day when i smell crayons it takes me right back to those moments. the trees rustling over head...hot summer days, one of the only things that could move me was the sound of the ice cream truck! when i go home i will have to look for some of my old drawings...mom saved everything.

playing in the studio today with my new oil pastel crayons. had an unexpected guest show up for a sitting. i love it when that happens. for those of you familiar with my work...i don't usually work in a figurative, literal way. but when someone shows up and "requests" to be painted. i like to acquiesce.