LeaKarts: January 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

First Thursday @ the Show & Tell Gallery!

"Indulgence," by Lea Keohane 2009. Acrylic on Canvas.

First Thursday: February 5, 2009
"Introspection"
New Paintings by Lea Keohane
Show & Tell Gallery
Everett Station Lofts, 625 NW Everett #231
6-9 pm

With music by Inkre:mentals from 7-9 pm

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Itty-bitty teeny-tiny

Often times I like to paint on pieces of masonite board. Whenever I do this, I have to pull out my hacksaw (some day I will have a bigger studio & electric saws!), and cut up a bunch of 1"x 2" boards to build a frame on the back of the masonite. This way I can add screw eyes and a wire so that it will hang nicely on the wall when it's finished.

Every time I build a "canvas" in this way, I end up with little wooden blocks, and I just can't seem to part with them. I have been meaning to paint on or do some creative project with them literally for years! They have been sitting there, on the shelf above my drawing table looking very cute and enticing but I somehow resisted their pull. Until a few days ago, when they finally got the sanding and layers of gesso that would turn them into little pieces of affordable art, just like they have always deserved :)

For more information, close-up photos, and purchasing info, just click on the photo above or the title of each painting!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

33 Years on Earth

I don't know exactly what was happening in my life in this photo, in 1976, but whatever it was, it was pretty funny! Today I am feeling just as happy, and this week especially I have so many things to be thankful for. I especially can't wait for Friday night, when I get to go dancing with a whole bunch of friends. So, Happy Birthday me! :D

If you want to get me a present, please see this post, 'cus what I'd really like for my birthday is to give a big fat check to the Oregon Food Bank at the end of the month!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

January 20, 2009

Growing up, much as I got along with nearly all of my teachers, they still did not particularly appreciate my habit of sketching while I listened to their lectures. Like it or not, however, putting my pen to paper and keeping the creative half of my brain entertained helped me focus on their words, processing them in my own way. In an instance or two, it literally kept me from falling asleep during an especially...erm...boring lecture. I still have some of my high school and college notebooks--while I no longer need the lecture notes that they contain, I find myself unable to part with the doodles in the margins.

It's a habit that I still have, apparently. I often find myself sketching while watching tv or talking on the phone. Or, in this case, while I watch/listen to one of the most historically important speeces of my lifetime, the inaugural address of President Obama. As I listened, I continually wiped the tears from my eyes, and I felt the need to capture the moment. So I grabbed my markers and sketchbook, and the above drawing is what I came up with during the remainder of his speech.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Art for Food

This is a week of hope, a week of change, a time that has been long in the making for our country. I do not have the words to describe the profound importance of today, the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, followed by the inauguration of President Barack Obama tomorrow.

As we all know, this is also a time of severe economic crisis. I have been trying to shield myself from too much news of this in order to avoid panic seeping into my consciousness. But I cannot ignore my own financial struggles. As I struggle personally, I find that I also cannot ignore the fact that so many people have it much worse than I do. However little I have, there is always someone that has less, that needs more. I am lucky to have food in my cupboards, a roof over my head, an amazing group of supportive friends and family in my life. Some people have none of those things.

I would like to celebrate this amazing time in our country's history, and to contribute to the solution of our struggles in whatever small way I can. In this spirit, I have decided that for the remainder of January, I am donating 50% of all of my art sales to the Oregon Food Bank. In all honesty, I have needed their help before, so I know in a very personal way what it means to need food in such a way.

If you would like to help, you can purchase anything from my Etsy shop: http://LeaKArts.etsy.com. I also have a lot of original paintings that are not listed in my shop, so I am listing them below, with a "buy now" button below each one. On February 1st, I will write a check out for 50% of all sales (minus shipping) to the Oregon Food Bank. Let's give some real relief to people that really need it!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Articulated Greeting Cards!

You may know that I have been making ACEO's with moving parts for some time now. But over the past couple of months, I have been attaching my little articulated characters onto greeting cards! I am having a lot of fun with them, and I hope that you do too, whether you send them as cards, or keep them for your own little piece of art!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Help Save Handmade Toys!

Jackie the Octopus from Dolls For Friends

Many of you probably already know about this, but I'm sure some of you do not. For those who don't, and for those who weren't sure what to do about it, this article is for you.

Small businesses who make handmade toys, clothing, books, and all other items for children are in serious danger of being shut down. I don't know about you, but I would MUCH rather spend my hard-earned money on quality, handmade items for my daughter, than a bunch of junk from a big box store. It is comforting to know that each item was made with love, quality, and care, and that I am supporting a fellow artist and small business person with my purchase. Not to mention that so many of the small businesses in question are within my own art community and so many are personal friends.

I want to make sure that you get all of the correct information, so PLEASE go to this article at Change.org! Read the article to get all of the facts. Then, at the top left-hand corner of the article, vote! It is very important that this gets the attention of our President Elect so that we can save literally thousands and thousands of small businesses from ruin.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Time to make your Valentines!

I must admit, some years I think Valentine's Day is a crock. Other years I get really exited about it. It really doesn't have to do with whether or not I have a sweetie in my life--I'm not sure what it is, exactly. One year I was perfectly single, and I randomly decided to make valentines, vanilla bath salts, and homemade hot chocolate packets for all of my female friends.

Anyway, this year I am exited about it! Especially since I have come across some cool supplies to make really interesting valentines. I am not sure yet what I'll be doing or making, but these things inspire me nonetheless! So I created a little "Make Your Valentines" section in my supply shop to help spark your creativity too :)

Friday, January 09, 2009

Messenger

You may or may not remember the sweet owl that I encountered in the park a few weeks ago, but I did end up painting him. Twice, actually. The painting above, and the one below, which one of my very dear friends Melissa bought from me :)

I had a lot of fun painting him, and I don't think I'm finished. I really enjoy how, while I used the same basic composition for both pieces, they each have a different sort of character to them. A friend of mine, who was with me when we found the owl, tells me that owls have very strong medicine, and that he/she was bringing us a message. What that message was, I am not sure, but I am very grateful for being allowed to capture him on film and in paint.

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