I just wanted to let you know that I am making some changes to my website.
Change can be good and bad.
I’m excited about a new approach to my work. I am going to put more energy into my online presence, and treat it like an art project.
I appreciate everyone’s support so far, and I would hate to lose touch with you because of a technical bug…
so be aware I am making changes (and i can be accident prone!)
If you use a feed reader to keep up to date with my blog, you need to change the feed to: http://www.kenswinson.com/wordpress/?feed=rss2
otherwise you will only get an update twice a month.
If you receive these messages by email, you do not need to do anything. You SHOULD continue to get about 2 messages every month.
If for some reason you start getting lots of email messages in your box (of if my messages stop coming). Please send me an email, and I will fix the problem.
Please stay tuned over the next few weeks…I think you are going to like the new artwork!
Here’s a little sneak peek of something I am working on:
This October will be my 10 year anniversary as a Kentuckian. To celebrate, I visited Bertha Hough, at The Folk Art Shop. Bertha’s was the first shop to sell my artwork in Kentucky. Her cozy log cabin is filled with wonderful handmade things! I interviewed Bertha, and will share our delightful conversation very soon. Notice the pot in her hand signed, Kenny Swinson 2000 (very rare!)
Also, don’t forget!
I’m having an open house at my studio at 1934 Old Main Street, Old Washington, KY. September 18-19 from 1-6pm. This will be the first time the studio is open to the public.
To kick off the summer, I spend a little time volunteering at Art Camp. This year, I taught monotype printmaking to our area’s young artists.
I learn more than the kids…they are natural creative folks.
Summer is a great time for going outside. I am trying to start a tradition with my artist friends of having a picnic once a week.
Seurat’s classic painting is the inspiration for this new activity. I call it my ‘picnic therapy’. We chose the date based on the weather report. If you want to join us, get your picnic basket and monkey ready, and get in touch with me for details.
One Last Thing: This weekend is your last chance to see me and my art for the season. I don’t have another scheduled until October…Francisco’s Farm Arts Festival is one of my all time favorite art shows…I have some exciting new pieces that you can add to your collection. Click their logo for more information.
This Saturday June 12, Downtown Maysville has a wine/art festival on Market street. It’s a charming event surrounded by stunning architecture on a brick road beside our fountain with art, live music and wine from local wineries.
I’m going to try something different.
I am exploring the art of traditional printmaking. I’m bringing my antique etching press to the event to setup a temporary print shop.
I spent the week carving a woodcut especially for this festival. It’s appropriately a vine of grapes.
Here’s the interesting part…
I am going to have a special edition of prints, but they will only be printed AT THE FESTIVAL. Which means, if 2 people buy the print, it will be a very rare edition of 2. If 30 people buy a print, it will be a special edition of 30. They will all be printed on site.
These are sample prints…to make sure the wood block was cut properly.
This will be a great addition to your art collection…so come early if you want the number one print. If you haven’t had too much wine, you can help put your print through the press. I am also going to print a few monotypes…which is fascinating to watch.
After the festival, I enjoyed an amazing meal at the historic Tousey House Tavern. Butch Wainscott and his wife (and artist) , Mary Ann have created a culinary experience. Incredible food in a historic setting…well worth the drive and a day in the sun.
I hit the ground running this May. First, Maysville had their annual Art Walk. Seven banners of my work were hung in the Second street mall. The art walk was well attended. It was nice to see so many friends.
Me and the great Maysville folks who are making the Cultural Arts District happen in Maysville.
The next day, was the Duveneck Art Show in Covington.
The show is right on the river, facing Cincinnati. Where we could watch the Reds game (they won BTW). It was a great show! The folks in Covington really make their artists feel welcome. After each show, they have a party for the artists in a beautiful lawn with incredible food.
Immediately after the show, I drove to Georgia to spend a day with my family. My little brother is leaving for Iraq soon, and the family needed to get together.
I hurried back to Kentucky to get ready for the May’s Lick Asparagus Festival. Every year, the festival has an art contest. My entry was my first attempt at an animation. IT WON FIRST PLACE!!! You can see it on youTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyJTNYTNOds
The next day after the Asparagus festival, was the Wyoming Art Show. There was a little bit of rain, but a remarkable turnout, good sales, and I WON THE OUTSIDE EXHIBITOR AWARD!
I had my bike, map and other artifacts from my recent trip…along with a new major painting…
In the last 2 months, I moved to a new home/studio, rode my bike for 600 miles, along with a handful of other interesting projects.
One in particular will be unveiled tomorrow (Friday evening, May 7, 2010) at 5pm at the Second Street Mall in Downtown Maysville. I was commissioned by the Downtown Maysville Cultural Arts District to design a series of seven banners to illustrate some of the wonderful things about our community.
I won’t reveal the entire design, but here are a few teasers…
If you want to see them in person, the reception will be downtown during Maysville’s Tromp + Trolley, a fabulous evening with artists and their work throughout downtown Maysville.
I will have a small exhibit of relics from my bicycle trip on display at the Parker Travel Agency on Market street…including my bike and a map with photos. While you are there, talk to Matt about a taking a bicycle vacation of your own.
If you want to buy a piece of my work for your collection (or a mother’s day gift), visit the E.A.T. gallery on Second Street, where a great selection of originals and prints are for sale. While at the gallery, meet world famous jeweler, Christina Brandewie. Her gorgeous jewelry will sparkle you.
There will be entertainment, food, free trolley rides and an opportunity to see and meet dozens of our local artists and enjoy the breathtaking architecture of Downtown Maysville, KY.
—-IMPORTANT—-
The Duveneck Art Show in Covington is on Sunday NOT Saturday. If you can’t make it to Maysville, and would like to see me and my work, The show is on the river in Historic Covington from noon to 5pm. It’ll be a great Mother’s Day activity!
The Washington Opera House Theatre keeps cranking out incredible performances!
Friday, I enjoyed a great seat while the UK Symphony Orchestra performed in downtown Maysville. I enjoy classical music in my studio, but nothing compares to hearing/seeing 20+ musicians performing together on stage.
The concert was directed by John Nardolillo, included operatic performances by Maysville native, Catherine Clarke Nardolillo. Followed by UK Opera’s Ellen Graham, and Metropolitan Opera star, Cynthia Lawrence.
The second half of the concert was a performance of Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”. The musical performance had me on the edge of my seat. It was an explosion of instruments, complete with many strings, horns and drums.
If you missed the concert, you missed a great performance. You also missed the announcement of my upcoming art project, a series of banners that will be unveiled May 7th during Maysville’s Art Walk, as part of Maysville’s Cultural Arts District.
Don’t worry, I’m not going far! I have been given the opportunity to live in a 1790’s timber frame house in Old Washington’s Historic Village. Don’t let the modern siding fool you, this house is one of the oldest in Maysville.
The house is smaller than my current studio, so I am looking forward to simplifying my life, eliminating unnecessary clutter, and focusing on what is important to me…making great art. The house has a room with good north light, which will make a great studio!
I had a meet up with my friends to play with the press. I only gave 4 days notice, and expected 5-6 people to show up. We had a full house…i don’t know how many people came, but everyone had a lot of fun…especially me!
During the meet up, I got to put a few antique etchings through the press. The ink is permanent. These are my hands after much scrubbing with acetone and soap and water! I am eager to try etching…it’s a beautiful process.
These are my latest monotypes…loosely based on friends of mine. I am interested in making pictures with people. Instead of using models, I’m going to use my friends whenever I get a chance.
I finally have my printing press up-and-running! I am still learning how to use it, but would like to share the experience with my artist friends…so this Wednesday, (Jan 13) you are invited to join me for an afternoon of creating monotypes. I’ll have everything you need to make a monotype, but you might want to bring your favorite brush and an idea or photo to work from…and don’t dress in your Sunday best…it might be messy!
We’ll either meet at my downtown studio or the Art Guild’s Building in Old Washington (depending on the number of participants)
Let me know if you are interested so I can plan accordingly.
I haven’t been able to hang out with my friends during the holidays, and this will be a fun way to catch up.
Here’s a few pictures of my latest monotypes to give you an idea of the process.
Here’s a link to a great series of videos by the Smithsonian Institution demonstrating the process:
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