Bzzzz

Oh, delightful Spring. I don't know what it is this year, but I feel like I am fully enjoying Spring for the first time in ages. Perhaps it was the never ending Winter or the fact that this year it hasn't been god-awful-hot early, but it has been lovely. I feel like a little bee buzzing to each flower, sniffing each blossom and savoring all the colors and beauty. The sunshine has been abundant on most days and I am trying to make the most of my spare time.  I got to visit Morton Arboretum for the first time last week with some dear friends.  If you've never been, I highly recommend it. I felt as if I was in a dream, as corny as that sounds. I guess I really do have spring fever.

Spring at the farm has been good so far. We had our first harvest last Friday. I feel blessed to have a job that allows me to be out in nature. Look who decided to nest in one of our flower baskets? I think Momma Bird wasn't so happy with my snapping some photo's, but it was well worth it.

ALSO...

Come see some of my artwork in the "Earth to Table" exhibit at the West Chicago City Museum this Saturday, May 18th, open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. during the Blooming Fest.  Exhibition runs April 20th- May 25th. I will be in attendance about 1 p.m - 3 p.m. in case you want to say hello.

West Chicago City Museum
132 Main Street
West Chicago, IL 60185

630-231-3376

tour du jour

My show "An Inner Voice" opened last night at ECC Safety-Kleen Gallery. A big thank you to all my friends, family, co-workers, ecc faculty & students, new faces & new friends made, for all coming out to support me. The women photographed here with me are my mother and grandmother. Both are some of the classiest, inspirational women I have ever met. I feel blessed be in this lineage of ladies. Sorry for the less than stellar documentation photos. My cyber shot just isn't doing its job anymore. I  keep saying I am going to be getting an awesome new camera soon, but I just haven't gone through with it yet. I need to do my research. And also opening TODAY... "Earth to Table" group show at West Chicago City Museum, up until May 25th.  I'll post more information concerning this show hopefully tomorrow.

An Inner Voice

There will be an Opening Reception for “An Inner Voice,” an exhibition of mixed-media

works on paper and canvas by artist, Katie Drum, Tuesday, April 16^th,

from 5:00m – 7:30pm, in Safety-Kleen Gallery One,

in The Arts Center, Building H.

“Queenie Head” depicts an extended reality portrayed as a mushrooming cloud.

Though the top of her head swells to a voluminous mass of golden-green

umbrage, she exemplifies the wisdom and experience of Mother Earth.

Adhering to the surface of the page, she supplants the

conventions and symbolism of her humanity.

Come see the exhibit and visit with students, faculty,

staff, and administration. Refreshments will

be served. The public is invited

The exhibit continues through May 18^th

^{if you have questions, contact Ed Krantz:}

(847) 214-7405 or ekrantz@elgin.edu

... My ECC show is coming up VERY soon. I hope that if you're in the area, you can come see my work, some old, some new. I must say, every time I show my work in a new space, it is always a learning lesson. I owe a huge thanks to 

curator, Ed Krantz for his support (and patience) I'm honored to get to show in the beautiful Safety-Kleen space, 

1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123

  

see it to believe it

Happy April. Sadly, it is still cold. But lots of good things going on to warm the heart!  First of all, the farm store I manage reopened last week (yay!) After a marathon of prep work, I am really glad to be open again because it truly marks the beginning of Spring. Visit Heritage Prairie Farm to see all of its cuteness or if you just want to read  about the great happenings there.

I have two upcoming art shows this month...

Be sure to check out my upcoming solo show at ECC (Elgin Community College) Saftey-Kleen Gallery, April 16th-May 18th, 2013. A lovely mix of new and old works by yours truly.  More details coming soon...

Earth to Table group show at West Chicago City Museum, April 20th-May 25th, 2013.  Curated by Anni Holm. See my Endangered series along with many other talented artists.  Reception Saturday, May 18th.

everything will eventually sprout

Happy Spring! However, it is snowing outside at the moment, so it doesn't quite feel like Spring yet.

I am going crazy from this never ending Winter.

What's that Emily Dickinson quote? "A little madness in the Spring is even wholesome for the King."  Quite right.

So what's a girl to do, but make some floating head drawings? Haha. I actually enjoy digging through my portfolio and finding old paint prepped paper that was never used.  It can sit in there for years, move with us several times before its even considered for use. But I like that. The paper has some history before it even becomes a finished painting.  These heads actually make me think of ghosts or ancestors, or just memories floating around somewhere still.

Have you ever seen the movie "The Secret"? Watch it sometime.  I am a sucker for these types of things. It's basically about the law of attraction. (The law of attraction is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like" and that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring about positive or negative results) 
The movie itself isn't that mind blowing, but I support the premise. I think anything you focus on a regular basis is eventually going to come into fruition, whether those are positive or negative things, that's up to you. Hopefully they're positive things. Anyhow, it gave me an idea for a project.  I want to do a drawing a week for a year based on this idea.  52 portraits. No rules other than they are going to be drawings of things I want  for myself, for someone I know, the world... I had been toying around with this idea after I made a little doodle of a house for sale that I liked from the newspaper.  I figure if some claim the law of attraction works by mere thought, what if one focused that energy into recreating those thoughts into some other form? A physical object like a work of art. I guess we'll see. Hopefully, Spring will truly be here by next time I write.

its a new post

So, its officially March. I can't believe we're already three months into 2013. So, where the hell have I been right? I guess in the Winter, I go into complete and total hibernation mode.  There are many stages of this, as you may have started to see the signs in earlier posts. One would think that because it is Winter and you're all cooped up, that you should have all the time in the world to fiddle around on your computer.  I guess one technically does, but I have opted out to wrap myself in a pile of blankets in my Winter laziness and get strangely obsessed with shows like Twin Peaks, Downton Abbey, and The Walking Dead. This is in part due to me getting that hideous flu that's been going around. I swear I didn't move from the couch for a week straight.

Well, that's not all I have been doing.  This beautiful table spread was created for a friendly get together by my pal, Katie Rae (I couldn't resist sharing it) Her house is oh-so lovely, Katie is one of the classiest people I know, and I love their art collection. Her husband is a super talented print maker, Curtis Readel, if you haven't checked him out yet. Myself, I've completed a few new pieces of art and have some upcoming projects in the mix.  I have some artwork up at Janik's through the end of the month, thanks to fellow artist and friend Brett Whitacre, who curates that space (I had the pleasure of working with Brett's lovely wife, Kate, who is an amazing farmer.) I think its good to get your art out of the "gallery" from time to time.

Here are a few newbies...More up on my website. I have a show coming up at the Safety-Kleen Gallery at ECC April 16th- May 18th, I'll post more info on that soon.

The other news flash in Katie-land, I turned 30. Yep. I feel pretty okay about it. I am going to welcome all stages of this life, so I'm looking forward to what I'll do in my thirties. I'm excited :) I had an inspirational pep talk from this multi-talented gentleman, Johnathon Strube, recently. The future is looking good.

merry & bright

I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote last! I swear Thanksgiving through Christmas, my life is like running a marathon.  Thankfully I am on a blissful nine day holiday from work, and the craziness of the break is over. How was everyone's Christmas? Mine was good, but I'll admit it didn't feel as Christmas-ie this year. Not sure why... I guess the weather has been weird, it's hardly snowed. I'm glad the world didn't end on the 21st. After every doomsday prediction, I always feel great. Life's a gift, so I feel giddy to keep experiencing it. At Christmas, I suppose what I enjoy most is watching my young cousins get excited. That's where the true magic is still happening. Every year, we make one of our family members dress up like Santa Clause, and everyone gets to take turns getting gifts from Santa and getting a photo taken sitting on his lap. The food was great, I made a root vegetable gratin for the first time that is now going to be one of my Winter recipe favorites.

After Christmas, my mom and I went to Chicago to attempt ice skating and see the windows and Christmas tree at Macy's. It was one of my favorite things to do around the holidays when I was little, so I was really glad we made it down there.  When we got off the train, a soft snow began to fall, and the city was beautiful in all its haziness.

We went shopping for awhile too and saw these poodle shoes for sale, haha. You wouldn't believe how much they cost too...

I'll admit I've been lazy and awful when it comes to making any art. Sometimes I feel guilty about it, but other times I have to accept that the desire to create comes when it does. I have a few days left of my vacation and I am gearing up to get off my butt, and hammer out a few new pieces.  And it's almost the new year, a good time to reflect and anticipate changes I want to make in my life. Being a little more disciplined in my creative process is up there.  My sweet hubby offered to buy me a new camera for Christmas, he said that there was no way he'd pick it out for me, so I'm excited to do my research and see whats out there.  I'm definitely a hobby photographer, but I want something to take me to the next level, and inspire me to document my life a little better.  Well I hope everyone is happy and well, and warm in their homes, reflecting on the last days of 2012.  See you next year, har har.