Day 4
It rained most of the day. I was lucky to spend it in my studio at the Pendleton Art Center. I repacked my gear, and did some studio work…walked downtown for a hot meal and read some of my book.
Day 5
A beautiful sunny day. I rode my bike across the rive back to Kentucky, where I sketched the Baker Hunt.
I stopped by the river and did a little sketch of the skyline. It has some flaws to work out, but it will make a great block print.
I love public art, and the floodwall in Covington, is painted with beautiful murals depicting the city's rich history.
This is one of my favorite murals. I can relate to the pioneer spirit of the folks traveling in the covered wagon.
After leaving the city, I followed the river for awhile. The river valley is beautiful, but it is a challenge climbing out (especially with a bike loaded with gear) climbed out, rode by the airport, then camped beside a little creek outside Burlington, KY.
I spent half the day in Augusta. It’s no secret, but Augusta is one of my favorite places. 12 years ago, the sleepy river town charmed me when I was visiting from Virginia. I fell in love, and the rest is history!
I have painted many of Augusta’s scenes, and wanted to try something different. Standing by the ferry, I sketched an unusual view spanning from the ferry to the Beehive tavern. My plan is to make a tryptic with this design.
I also stopped to sketch one of my favorite historic homes. It was built in the 1830′s and is currently “Jackie’s Place”. Not only is the house beautiful, but it is also open to the public…a rare treat for a visitor to the city.
I stopped by the Augusta Art Guild with a DVD player, so I could display the ‘digital’ portion of my show (which runs until the end of the month) Click here for more details.
I was told that tomorrow’s weather included 90% rain, so I spent the rest of the day on my bike, determined to reach my studio in Cincinnati.
I was doing EXACTLY what i did NOT want to do during this trip. I was only 3 days in, and already rushing to reach a destination. My goal is to travel slow, so I have time to enjoy the different things I encounter along the way…but staying dry isn’t bad either!
I had a lovely cup of tea with my artist friends in Ripley, and they showed me a nice place outside town where I could camp (Thanks Mick and Jeanne!)
After a cold night sleeping with the sounds of wildlife and waterfalls, I woke in a beautiful forrest filled with wildflowers.
I tried to make a movie with instructions on making a cup of tea in the woods. I am using an ipad, and wasn’t prepared for the technical limitations…I have been spoiled with full video editing software. But stay tuned, I hope to have movies to share soon.
I was having some problems with my bike, so after breakfast, I headed toward Georgetown to meet Mycle’s Cycles.
Michael built my bike 2 years ago for my bike trip to Washington DC. (Read about that trip here) While he worked on the bike, I sketched him with Roxanne, the wonderdog.
From Georgetown, I stopped at a park in Higginsport, where I met a fellow named Clyde Abercrombie. While spending 5 years in prison, he used old cigarette packs and parts from lighters to make artwork. He built this motorcycle, with working parts.
He also made this tractor, complete with a plow to pull, and a tool box with tools. (notice the spark plugs). Here’s Clyde’s phone number for those interested in his prison/folk art: 513.405.2124
After leaving Higginsport, i ran over a small piece of glass, and got a flat tire. It was no problem fixing the tire…i figure it’s good to run into the technical difficulties while still close to home.
After fixing the tire, I hopped on the Augusta ferry and crossed the river. Ohio is a great state with super people, but it is good to be back in the bluegrass state!
I just finished a big and important project, and am ready for another art adventure. It starts today, and here are the details.
I am going to ride my bicycle along the Ohio River from Maysville, KY until I reach Paducah. From Paducah, I plan to follow the TN/KY border across the state until I reach the Daniel Boone National Forest. I will cycle north through the forest, making a giant loop through most of the great state of Kentucky.
While on this trip, my goal is to travel slow. I plan to stop often and make a lot of art while on the trip. I have been on a few long distance bike trips, and it’s easy to get obsessed with miles-traveled-per-day and miss out on the reason for taking the trip in the first place!
I’m in Ripley, OH today, it’s been chilly. I’m going to camp somewhere between here and Georgetown, OH so I can hit Mycle’s Cycles (the only place I take my bike) tomorrow, followed by a day in Augusta, KY.
To see the memorial mural for Makensie Hay-Youngman. It is one of my greatest projects. We are dedicating the mural Saturday, April 7th from 2-4pm. It will be on permanent display.
EAT Gallery features jewelry from goldsmiths from across America. All items of jewelry are one-of-a-kind and are hand fabricated in gold, platinum, silver and other precious metals. They also showcase rare and unusual gemstones and pearls from around the globe.
Yesterday, I was taking care of some business in Berea, KY. The town is centered around a progressive college where students receive a free education in exchange for making and selling crafts like pottery, woodwork, weaving and jewelry. Many graduates stay in Berea, and open shops, creating a vibrant community of artisans.
The college created a small community called the eco village. It is a series of buildings where students develop environmental and self sustaining techniques for living.
They have a system called aquaponics, where plants are grown in water with fish. The plants and fish give nutrients to each other, and produce good food to eat!
One building in the village is completely self sustaining. It produces it’s own energy, food, and water.
Another building is made from mud, straw and recycled materials. As an artist, I was inspired by the straw house. The building materials remind me of a clay sculpture.
Wouldn’t it be fun to sculpt your own house?
This is a window where you can see the interior of the wall…yes, it’s STRAW!!
Here is an interesting take on a log structure.
Every time I visit Berea, I leave inspired. The Eco village makes me want to try and bump my garden up a notch, maybe I will try and do something innovative with my spring peas.
The other day, i went with a friend to the Taft museum in Cincinnati. The small museum is one of my favorites because
It has some great artwork
The collection is presented in a home setting. It’s a different experience to see a painting hanging in a living room type with furniture vs. a sterile museum
I went to the museum for the Romeare Bearden exhibit (on display until April 29). I was not familiar with his work until the exhibit, but Bearden was one of the most influential African American artists of his time. The exhibit includes 75 printmaking works, including collage, etchings, collagraphs, lithographs, screen prints and monotypes. Don’t miss this chance to see his work.
While there, I had a chance to make this little sketch using my ipad. I love the idea of having a sketchbook with infinite paper and colors at my fingertips!
Since late April 2011, I have been working on a secret project. It’s a very special memorial piece for the children’s library in Bracken County. It is a very emotional project, because it is for parents who lost a child. It is the biggest, brightest and powerful project I have ever worked on. My camera can’t fit everything in one snapshot, so what you see in this photo only represents 1/4 of the painting’s size.
I can’t show the work in progress, because this has to be seen in person. If you want to see it first, mark your calendar, and don’t miss the dedication at the library on April 7 from 2-4pm.
We haven’t had much winter in Kentucky this year. Yesterday, I had a rare opportunity to take some snapshots around Old Washington in the snow with my walking buddy, ‘Little Grrrl’.
I am exploring new ways to combine new and old media. Recently, I started making short animations using traditional block prints. You can see some examples here:
The image at the top of the page is a traditional block print. It is a tangible object, looks great on your wall, and I make my living selling them. You can see more block prints at this link:
This digital image is based on the block print. You can’t really hang it on your wall, but you can view it with your computer or phone. What’s exciting is you can touch the image and trigger events. (for instance, touch the windmill, and it will rotate)
Here is another example.
Neither are finished pieces, but the possibilities are exciting! Maybe I’ll have an animated ebook for children in the near future?!
FYI, i will be teaching a block print workshop there, June 9. Click here for more information.
