Altered Esthetics Calendar
The calendars came in for the Altered Esthetics Featured Artist Contest:
The print quality is top notch and my image looks snazzy for the month of March:
Since I’m one of the featured artists, I received 10 copies for free. Now maybe I can keep track of my semester and deadlines… key word being “maybe.”
School starts the 19th, the last semester of graduate school. Scary! I still don’t feel quite ready, but maybe the start of the semester will get me out of my creative slump. It’s now or never I suppose.
-Megan
Cameras and Catalogs
After a whole semester of whining about my camera, my parents decided to get me a new camera for Christmas. Huzzah! Now I have to learn how to use it properly. I’m going to re-shoot recent artwork for an application I’m working on this vacation. I need to have my images look top notch so I don’t mess up my chances.
I took a nice long break from art making, but now I need to kick my butt into gear and prep for shows. Buy frames, print, make new art, hang stuff, and of course, the thesis paper/exhibition for graduating school. SO MUCH! AH!
Expect more posting here in the near future. I want to document as much as possible for the upcoming thesis show. I might do a “photo-a-day” posting schedule or something similar to motivate my blogging.
Upcoming shows:
MFA group show @ Gallery 148 (MCAD/MPLS, MN)
Gender Show @ Altered Esthetics (NE MPLS, MN)
Glass, Cinder & Thorns @ 323 East Gallery (Royal Oak, MI)
Feminality Traveling Exhibition Round 3 @ Manhattan venue (haven’t learned much more than that)
MFA 2010 Thesis Exhibition @ Soap Factory (MPLS, MN)
Those are the main shows so far. I might keep my eye out for more shows that follow the thesis exhibition, but this should do for the semester. I’m starting my print for the Glass, Cinder & Thorn show. I’ll have a print in-progress for next week, maybe?
Yesterday, I got a catalog in the mail for the Los Angeles Printmaking Society 20th National Exhibition from last semester. This book is huge and full of lovely black and white images of prints from the show. For some reason, I didn’t include any artist statement with my image.
Bummer. It kind of makes me look like a goof, I’m the only one that doesn’t have a blurb by my image in the catalog. I must have been a space case when I sent all the information into the mail. I can’t seem to think of a better reason why I forgot. Still, it’s nice to see my artwork along with other printmakers in the field.
That’s all for now. I’m going to update the website later this week. The Art section will receive its usual overhaul, but I might also add my resume and tinker with the About page.
Later.
-Megan
Graduate School: 3/4 completed
The last month or so of the semester was exhausting. It is sad to say, but I don’t have new art to show. The last month was spent entirely on writing my thesis rough draft. With that said, I am 75% done with Graduate School.
Woohoo.
It’s a very unenthusiastic “woohoo,” because I still feel like I’m recovering. I’ve been on break for a week already and I’ve mostly spent it on resting and organizing. I’m spending the break absorbing feedback, sketching and reading. I’ll also print some projects for people and and get some art ready for some 2010 shows starting up next month. It seems like whenever I just want to “be done” with art, I get sucked into shows and projects. I’m glad for this, it keeps me going and reminds me that there’s a life outside of graduate school.
I also wanted to make a public thank you. This past week I received an anonymous check meant to supplement my art making. I am immensely grateful for this extremely generous gift and plan to use it for my thesis work next semester. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you (thousand times over).
The next few weeks, I’m going to update and organize the website/blog. I’m getting a camera for Christmas, which means I can re-shoot recent work that didn’t photograph well the first time around.
And to end this post, here’s some books I’ve been using towards my thesis draft:
And books that I read for fun… or try to, because I start them on vacation and then take four months off to do school. This winter break I plan on finishing these books:
New art part 2
That’s it. I’ve been taking in the review comments and figuring out my next steps. I have to catch up in paper writing though, which is not so fun. One more semester left, one more semester left…
New Art part 1
I think I’m going to start adding color again to the new pieces. Somehow. I think I might send one of these for a show in March. I’m going to try and figure out a cheaper way to frame the work. Maybe put it on mounted board or something? I don’t know. I’m going to revert to modest sized pieces after school is over, that’s for sure. Waaaaay easier to send to shows.
New Art Preview
I’m trying to catch up on life and school (sad face). Here’s a preview of art I had up for a recent review. Some of the pieces are familiar, but there’s also the ones that I had shown in the previous post too. Individual photos will surface soon.
-Megan
Studio Photos
I’m starting to back my artwork on board today. I took some quick photobooth pics to document the composition on the floating collage pieces. I miss having a reliable camera. I’m going to photograph these later with a school camera when all the work is up in the critique space.
I have 6 of these printed: one left alone and another collage (below), which I guess I used two for the final product. I’m working towards new approaches for the rest. It’s my twin sister, which I’m sure she just loves that I have her infested with bees below.
This piece has been in the planning stages since summer. I haven’t gotten around to it, but every time somebody visits my studio, they mistake it for one of the finished pieces. I’m not sure what to take of that, but I’ve been told to include this with the rest of the work. I need to finish it though. Maybe draw it on the wall? I’m not sure. I got a weird comment that the unfinished aspect of the work is what makes it successful, but I don’t think it refers to presenting the piece “as is” so I’m left to figure out a new way to complete it.
That’s me all disheveled and tired looking, which is how I roll 98% of my time at school. I don’t usually put pictures of myself up, but I figure this one is for the folks. When I first toured MCAD, my mother was appalled at the undergraduate students’ general appearance. Grandma glasses, leopard print leggings as pants, unwashed hair, and ill-fitted thrift store wear offended her fashion sensibilities. “Why are these girls looking ugly on purpose?” she asked me loudly enough so that the surrounding perpetrators would overhear. “I don’t know Mom, it’s an art school thing,” I told her in order to get her off my back. Then she grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me, repeated the entire time, “DON’T EVER CHANGE MEGAN! DON’T COME HOME LOOKING HOMELESS AND DIRTY! I MEAN IT!”
Oh the memories. Maybe I’ll find an obnoxious outfit at a thrift store to wear the first day home for Christmas break. Our secret, shhhhh.
Feminality show submission
The Trebling Effect, framed 32″ x 35″, silkscreen, relief print, and collage. (apologies for the horrible glare)
The work is framed, packaged and sent off. I spent a lot of money that I didn’t have, so maybe the karma fairies will grant my wish and the work will sell at the show. I have no clue if the work is appropriately priced for that area and my (for lack of a better word) rank as an artist. I’ve learned my lesson though, I’m not framing/mailing big works anymore. It just hurts my wallet too much. I’ll probably have to resort to eating ramen for the rest of the semester. (blah blah blah, I shouldn’t whine)
The show should be pretty exciting. I wish I could be there. Even if I could afford it, my schedule is so awful that it makes it impossible to go. On a more exciting note, I got my friend H. E. Croan to submit for Round two and she got in! Go networking…and karma fairies.
-Megan
Edit: Earlier version of the image, sans glare:
Feminality Press Release-Spread the Word!
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All Female Traveling Art Exhibition set to launch in Los Angeles
Portion of proceeds benefits Creative Visions Foundation (Los Angeles, CA) – October 12, 2009 For the past four years the Hive Gallery and Studios in Los Angeles has been the feeding ground for the burgeoning Los Angeles art scene. In that tradition, for the month of November, Hive will be hosting Feminality – a unique exhibition showcasing more than twenty of the most talented female artists of this generation. Then, on Saturday, November 21st, the exhibition’s benefit VIP event takes place including, amongst other featured artists, a live wall painting by the uber artiste Tara McPherson. Feminality is the brainchild of graphic artist and Wizard Sleeve Toys founder, Mike Franco. “I started my toy website (www.WizardSleeveToys.com) last November and simultaneously started developing the idea for this show,” says Franco. “I was drawn to the works of several female artists and wanted to enable them and create a showcase for their work.” Feminality will do just that. For the launch of Feminality, Franco was determined to have McPherson participate. “I heard that Tara was coming to the Kidrobot store in Miami to do a signing to promote her new toy, so I emailed her out of the blue to tell her that I was coming down to meet her to talk about painting a mural for our Los Angeles show. I met her and she was receptive to the idea. Once I had Tara on board, the rest of the artists were honored to be a part of the show.” A true mix of different art, Feminality will feature more than 20 top artists like Georgette Pressler (body art), Tara Hauck (fine art photography), as well as Amy Botello, Aunia Kahn and Jessica Sardas amongst others. Franco plans on bringing Feminality around the country. The next show is slated to coincide with Art Basel Miami (December 3rd-6th). A third show is already in the works for February 2010 (venue will be somewhere in NYC, NY). The Feminality gallery event begins on Sunday, November 1st. The VIP event takes place Saturday November 21st from 1 PM – 10:00 PM at the Hive Gallery 729 S. Spring Street in Los Angeles. Admission is $10. McPherson and several other artists will be on-hand for the event. All of the art created during the Feminality gallery will be available for sale to the public. Part of the exhibition proceeds will benefit the Creative Visions Foundation. For more info, please visit www.FeminalityArtShow.com or www.TheHiveGallery.com Press inquiries should be directed to Jessica Sardas (214.629.2364 or JessicaSardas@gmail.com) ### |
Artists Participating:
- Tara McPherson
- Elizabeth Siegel (TofuSquirrel)
- Georgette Pressler
- Amy Botello
- Aunia Kahn
- Jessica Sardas
- Tara Hauck
- Rudy Fig
- Natalie Shau
- Molly Crabapple
- Cate Rangel
- Edith Lebeau
- Arabella Proffer-Vendetta
- Ashleigh Fedo
- Sara Antoinette Martin
- Kelly McKernan
- Noir Nouar
- Elodie aka LostFish
- Megan Frauenhoffer
- Christen Kojnok
- Ritzy Periwinkle
- Zoe Lacchei
- Cassie Williams aka Kazilla
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This is the press release for the Feminality Show at The Hive Gallery. Feel free to use this info to promote! The more the word spreads the better!
Also, follow updates on their twitter page!
-Megan
Blog Repurposing
I’m probably the only one that keeps track of this, but last year the blog format was very much akin to journal.
The blog for the first few month documented the months proceeding and then the first semester of graduate school. I believe I even titled the entries into week by week labels to keep track how I progress emotionally and artistically. The blog was also heavy on process, documenting every step of the work and leaving no surprises to the work.
I’ve been moving away from this format for while, mostly because I think it only interested myself and perhaps really nerdy printmakers. The entries sometimes got long winded and maybe whiny. Now I’m focusing on making the blog appeal to a wider audience. I’m also trying to document a development of ideas and entries that focus on the ideas or inspiration behind the artwork since I never really discuss that part.
In short, this post indicates that future posts will be:
*shorter
*less whiny
*more variety
*art inspiration and idea development
*not as heavy on process, but still showing parts of art progress
Alright, that’s all from me. Just figured I let people know what’s up.
-Megan
Art Inspiration- Lori Earley
“It was both subversive and classical at the same time, owing as much to Margaret Keane as to the elongated forms of El Greco, yet the staggering technique and sheer force of beauty in the image propelled it out of the kitsch arena into something much more.”(Hi*Fructose, Vol. 5 2007 “Bewitched: The Art of Lori Earley,” by Kirsten Anderson)
“The inspiration comes from an emotion or feeling Lori wants to capture. ‘Most of the paintings are essentially self portraits of things I am going through at a specific time.’ She says. ‘If it’s not a painting of someone I know well in which I’m trying to convey something about them, 95% of the time it’s about me, but using someone else as a model.’ (Hi*Fructose, , Vol. 5 2007 “Bewitched: The Art of Lori Earley,” by Kirsten Anderson)
“The exaggerated features of her figures, with their huge, almond eyes and thin, willowy bodies, are all extensions of Earley’s psyche in one form or other. Whether it’s the deflated fatigue of a painting like ‘Drained,’ or the piercing glare of ‘Regret,’ they’re all manifestations of some element of the artist’s emotions. But regardless of whatever feeling Earley is addressing, the paintings all seem to be bathed in a sort of melancholy and each one of them communicate something deeper below their beautiful surfaces.” (Juxtapoz.com, April 19, 2007, Interview with Lori Earley By Kristopher Monroe)
There’s a lot of quotes on this artist, but I found them useful to collect. Her females all tend to carry that melancholy feeling without the overt “I’M SAD” expressions. Maybe one of these days I’ll get to see her work in person. Anyway, since she’s one of the few artists in my series of art inspiration posts to actually have a website, I suggest going there to see the rest of the work.
Artist Link- http://www.loriearley.com
Untitled: mixed media collage
I’m having the hardest time coming up with a title for this piece. I still don’t know if this should be considered complete as well. The urge to tinker and fix mistakes still tempt me. I’m going to reprint this project because the possibilities that collage brings gives me the capability to work multiple compositions. I’m hoping the next version I create might be used for the upcoming show. Still not sure what will be needed yet, but the excitement has not worn off.
Yay.
Projects are starting to snowball. Last year I was struggling to put together ideas, while this year there’s too many to juggle. I have two books waiting to be printed, a linoleum to carve and print, an eight-foot tall monster to silkscreen, as well as various sketches to develop and blocks to reprint. Guh, too much!
P.S. Don’t forget the poll from last post, I still need more input!
Rewriting the About page
Having a blog/website combo can sometimes put me in an awkward place. I want to keep everything informal and engaging, but then whenever I’m in a show or a website writes about my work, they usually pull writing/artwork off my website. This is all fine, but then it makes me be more aware of the content that is published. I need to consider now that professionals in my field might look at this website.
This brings up the necessity to rewrite my “About” page. I’m working on my writing more with my mentor this semester. This week, I need to work on my “elevator speech” which will be my two sentence summary of what my work entails. That statement will be perfect when talking about my artwork on the website, but I’ll also need to write more about myself (guh). However, this is where I feel like it gets sticky and need reader input.
Which means…. wait for it….
A poll!
Yes! Get excited. Or don’t, but I really need feedback. I don’t want to assume that I know the correct path. The last time I put a poll up for my site redesign, the feedback was very helpful.
How should I go about writing the new "About" page?
- First Person: your blog is written that way, so should your About page. It's too confusing if both POVs are on the same website. (50%, 5 Votes)
- Third Person: it's more professional and it has been noted that other websites copy/paste that info as an artist statement (50%, 5 Votes)
Total Voters: 10
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Feminality Show
This post should really be called, “OMG I’M FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW”
I just got accepted into this show:
Kelly McKernan posted on facebook about how she just got accepted to this and I thought to myself, “Dangit Megan, why aren’t you finding these opportunities?” and I checked out the show she got accepted into. I read the info and realized that they were still looking to fill two more spots, so I got excited and took an initiative for once in my life. An hour after I sent an email, I got reply saying that I was in and details are forthcoming. YES!
Here’s the link:
http://www.feminalityartshow.com/
My artist info includes my “about” page blurb. Makes me consider editing that since that’s the second time it’s been included on another website. Oddly self conscious about it now.
I got to figure out how to raise money for a plane ticket. This show can’t be miss. I want to meet all the artists and see the galleries!
-Megan (super hyper and super stoked)
Moth-book 1 of 3
I’m planning a trilogy of art books this semester. I hope to make more than just three, but definitely working with this set. The first book is Moth, the second and third will be Bird and Bee.
This is the first time I made/attempted an edition of books. I usually just aim for one. It was difficult to do, my materials were low and my money short. I somehow managed! There are eight in all, with five decent ones and three really crappy ones.
It’s very long. I’m doing another version of this print in a bigger size. MUCH bigger.
Front side was relief printed, backside is screen printed. The story is written there, but I don’t really know how to go about documenting this book. It would be hard to digitize it without it becoming awkward. I’ll have to see how professional book artists display their books online.
-Megan
