Illustration Friday – Lonely

My entry for illustrationfriday.com topic…… LONELY

inspried by the Sierra Nevada red fox, also known as the High Sierra fox -one of the most endangered mammals in North America.

Illustration Friday – Jump

for entries by other illustrators you can visit IllustrationFriday.com.

This week’s theme is “Jump”

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©2012 Karen Eide | Encaustic, oil, ink and graphite on maple panel

Illustration Friday – Heights

I’m back! I’ve missed my fellow illustrators!!

This week’s theme is “Heights”

Online Encaustic class begins May 7th!

My online Encaustic Painting + Mixed Media Lab class begins May 7th. More information can be found here.

Just finished a fun video for it!

Abstraction

Included in my recent solo show KAREN EIDE: RECENT WORKS was a series of abstract pieces entitled The Economy of Nature. Crop and pasturelands are used as metaphors that reflect my concerns over environmental disruption caused at the hand of man. I examine the complexity of nature through simple, distilled forms that appear random and ordered at the same time and imply a repeating pattern or continuum.Ecology studies environmental systems and is also referred to as the Economy of Nature. The latter is where I draw the title and impetus for this series.
Multiple mediums – encaustic, charcoal, ink, pastel and graphite are used to create images that cross the lines between painting, drawing and textile.

Revisiting an old love……

In my spare time (love that expression!) I’m dusting off my silversmithing skills from way back at VCU. Not exactly like riding a bike again – there are plenty of challenges but my affinity to and love of metal grant me the patience to keep at it. 3 years ago I drew out a series of necklaces I wanted to make and, only recently, dug out my old jewelry tools and went to work. Not that I need anything else on my plate but the idea won’t go away. My hope is to move metal at night after my painting light and energy fades. I’m playing around with ways to add my imagery for future pieces – now that gotten past the hurdle remembering how to solder and make bezels. I’m setting up a jeweler’s bench in a corner of the studio and I’m on the hunt for vintage tools. I love the idea of continuing someone’s story and tradition with used tools. Here is my “warm-up” piece made from river rocks, up-cycled sterling and SS snake chain. 30″ long. Nicknamed “Albatross” because the idea has hanging around so long and I’m finally getting off from around my neck. Well, in a manner of speaking!

Solo Show ends Saturday…

Solo Show Opens February 10th

I hope some of you can join me at February 10th at Prince George Art & Frame in Williamsburg, VA from 5-7pm for the opening reception of my solo show! Show runs Feb. 10 – Mar. 17th. I’ve been painting non-stop for many weeks and am having a great time preparing for this. Many of the images are inspired by conservation efforts around the world. The image above came to life after reading a story in Smithsonian Magazine about a Buddhist monk who is working to save one of the world’s rarest birds – the Tibetan bunting.
Gallery info: Prince George Art & Frame, 1303 Jamestown Rd., Williamsburg, VA – 757.229.7644
Use my CONTACT link for questions or to subscribe to studio updates like this one.

A New Year

A Truly Happy New Year
The New Year is my favorite “holiday”. I relish the time of quiet reflection and renewal in the weeks prior to and shortly after the calendar turns. After carefully examining the good, the bad and the ugly of 2011 ( a great worksheet is generously offered HERE by Susannah Conway – if you want guidance taking stock) I arrived at the word FOCUS as my word for 2012. I have a zillion things I want to do and accomplish in ’12 and the only way I will get to even half of them is through FOCUS. When I FOCUS I feel balanced, creative energized, capable and organized. To support my focus I need to continue eating well, meditating daily, exercise, make lists and plan plan plan. I need to keep my “house” in order, as a close friend put it. Early in December I began purging the house, studio, computer and iPad of STUFF that is no longer used, useless or distracting. I’ve unsubscribed from most of the newsletters, groupons etc. that seemed like a good idea at the time but wind up being saved to read later…NOT…and clutter my inbox. My biggest lesson of 2011 was that it’s not that I don’t have enough time to do things but I can CREATE the time to create and live my dreams.

David’s New Year’s feast for us. Organic collards, fresh stewed tomatoes and fresh black-eyed peas.
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Solo Show
I am currently painting for a solo show in Williamsburg, VA at Prince George Art Gallery that opens February 10th. After spending an obscene amount of December being sick, FOCUS will be just what the doctor ordered to complete these pieces. My work has always been entwined with nature and has been a metaphor for my environmental concerns. For this show, my inspiration is specific stories in the news about how man’s hand impacts our natural world. My hope is to reflect on the beauty and mystery of what we would miss if it were gone . More updates on this later.
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NEW!!
Watch for some treasured pieces from my archives and new work that you can collect – without leaving my site! I now have a secure shopping cart right here. I do love technology!

“I Spy” Archival quality print on 300lb white cotton rag paper. Paper size: 8.5 x 11 Image size: 6″ x 7″
Price $25.00 Shipping: $3.00 (USA shipping for 1-3 items).
Free Shipping when you order 4 or more. International Shipping available. Please inquire.

Sold. Uh, errrrrr un-sold.

This 40 x 40″ encaustic painting was recently selected by the
University of Virginia Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center
in Charlottesville, as part of their permanent collection.
Thank you Warm Springs Gallery!

1.02.12 Update to this post. In spite of having been chosen and HUNG at the Cancer Center the budget numbers had not been
squared away by the Center and they were unable to purchase this and several other artist’s works. grumble grumble.
So, it is AVAILABLE! Price $2400.

Rest in peace sweet Morran

Small Works Show @ CTAC

I love changing scale and work anywhere from 4 x 4″ to 5 x 5′ plus. Every year the Charles Taylor Art Center in Hampton, VA has a wonderful invitational Small Works Show that I am lucky to be part of. This year, instead of a small painting I did cut paper imagery on 4 x 4 x 2″ maple blocks and then varnished. Imagery is on both sides – Night & Day. If you live in the Hampton Roads area it is well worth the trip to see this show which runs through Dec 4th – so many wonderful artists – in miniature!

Work in progress

10 years ago

10 years ago I was in our guest room packing for a long-awaited, first ever trip abroad to Italy that David and I were leaving for on 9/13. I remember so vividly his phone call to tell me to go turn on the TV. I never imagined to find such horror. Along with the rest of the world, I will never forget that day and my heart and thoughts today are with so many of you who lost loved ones.

Something amazing happened today. As I was looking for something else, this quote literally slipped out of a folder of quotes I’ve torn from magazines and newspapers through the years. It’s pertinence to today left me dumbstruck and I thought I’d share….

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has
always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time they seem invincible,
but in the end, they always fall— think of it, ALWAYS.”

Mahatma Gandhi

“No Sorrow in Thy Song” ©karen eide 2009 48 x 48

New Work New Show New Venue

Always inspired by the dichotomy between man and nature, my work often returns to bee imagery. The fragility and sustainability of our precious and delicate ecosystems weighs on me as I have strong concerns about environmental disruption, destruction and extinction. This piece regards fertility, balance, growth and renewal. The crown is symbolic of the fact that bees and other pollinators RULE, for without them we would lose a vast portion of the beauty and bounty on earth.
“Queen Bee” is on exhibit at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Faculty Show, Richmond, VA, Sept. 12 – October 21

The companion piece to this “Chicken. NOT!” has similar inspiration with a wee bit of humor infused. Obviously, the title has multiple interpretations!
This and other works of mine are now available at Calvin & Lloyd, Norfolk, VA.

“Anchored”, (below) has found a perfect home in Denver. The new owner said it gave her goose bumps everytime she looked at it. Thank you!
The imagery surrounds the idea of syncing our lives and love and passions with nature, and keeping our balance and keeping the faith with the waxing and waning moons, shifting winds and changing times.

September?!

Already?? Well, I better get back to my blog with a few posts that recap some events from this summer!

In August the studio was filled with the incredibly creative energy and spirits of 4 good friends— who happen to be, not only, very talented artists, teachers and writers, but amazing cooks! I offered them a day-long encaustic and mixed-media painting workshop and they offered up lunch. I don’t know what was more delicious – the work they created, the food they brought to lunch or the happy energy they all possess! See for yourself, below…

Betsy DiJulio writes a wonderful vegan blog and has recently had, The Blooming Platter:A Harvest of Seasonal Vegan Recipes, published. In addition, she teaches art in Virginia Beach (teacher of the year in 2010!), and is a talented artist! Judy Cowling, owner of J. Cowling Designs, specializes in faux finishes, murals. She is also a restaurant critic and correspondent at The Virginian Pilot newspaper. Linda Garrick is a talented painter as well as teaching full-time at an elementary school in Virginia Beach. Donna Iona Drozda has just published the e-book edition of TWENTY TWO PRAYER POEMS for CARE GIVERS, writes a blog Following the Moon, and can be found on Facebook. On top of all that they all manage to find the time to stay fit and healthy. My lovely renaissance women – thank you! You inspire me with everything you do.

l-r: me, Betsy DiJulio, Donna Iona Drozda, Judy Cowling, Linda Gerek

I had to drag them away from the encaustic painting to eat!

Obsession

Illustration Friday: Obsession
Her obsession, my obsession! Unfortunately, her obsession has her on stall rest right now.

“Sense Memory” | Encaustic + MM | 60 x 48

Twittering…..finally

I have finally turned my attention to Twitter so I could join a my art business group’s book club that is reading Joan Mitchell: Lady Painter. #ladypainter.

It was like learning another language and I found a great article that explains it simply called – “mom, this is how Twitter works” by Jessica Hische. Hay, it only took me 5 years to jump on board! Follow me at this link or @KarenEide.

My Studio Open House has been moved to July 29 – 31st. It includes an online offering of my available paintings. Details can be found by signing up for my newsletter. Don’t worry, I won’t flood you with email and you can opt out anytime!

Hope to “see” you – somewhere – soon!

Stay

Ok, I admit – I disappear into my work I’m not always great at holding all the balls in the air! It’s been an eon since I’ve posted to my blog and Illustration Friday. I have been painting away and have completed several commissions and gallery entries and am now busy getting ready for my annual Summer Studio Open House in two weeks. If you’d like to be among the first to get the show details… and have first crack at my latest work – or steal an older piece… please contact me to receive my occasional newsletter. (You can opt out any time!)

“Anchored” is for this week’s Illustration Friday theme – “STAY“.

Advanced Workshop

I held an advanced Encaustic + Mixed Media Lab workshop in my studio on Saturday. We all had a great time! I cooked a veggie lunch and David surprised us with a batch of his amazing cookies! Sorry, they’re gone!!!

Artist in Residence

3 days and 65 students later…..

I had the best time teaching encaustic painting at Norfolk Academy. (If I did it all over again THIS is where I would want to go to high school) Many thanks Ms. Booton and the school for bringing me in to this amazing facility. Below is one of my demo pieces “Bear Trek”

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