KenSwinson.com

I am trying to eat locally grown food while it is in season.  It’s food at it’s best, and it supports our local farmers.

In my neck of the woods, May is the month of Asparagus!  I eat the stuff almost every day (often twice a day!)   Sadly, those days are coming to an end.  Farmers stop picking in June.  I want to eat the delicious green vegetable later in the year (and stay local), so I’ll pickle the asparagus.

Local farmer, Jennifer Gleason stopped by to give me a crash course in pickling.

Aren’t they beautiful?

If you need pickled asparagus, visit Jennifer’s farm, Sunflower Sundries, where she sells her incredible pickled asparagus.

I joined artist, Betsy Adams for an afternoon of Asparagus painting.  We meet every first Wednesday of the month.  We are thinking of using a different local fruit/vegetable as the model each month.

She worked in pastel.

I worked in monotype. (sorry folks, this one instantly found a home)

If you are in the Northern Kentucky area, and need a piece for your collection, don’t forget…

Augusta’s Art In The Garden is this Saturday from 10-5pm.  I’ll have work on display at Riverside drive with some new, never before seen originals.

Saturday was Burlington, Ky’s second annual Chalk Festival. 

For those who weren’t able to come, here’s a short video of me and my chalk art.

If you can’t see the video here, follow this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2bA5HqFJXc

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…

Titled, ‘Bike Ride’  a large mixed media on paper.

Two of my latest charcoal drawings were selected for a special exhibit of Black and White artwork at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea.  The show opens April 3rd and runs until August.  If you find yourself traveling on I-75, stop by and take a look.  They are available for sale, if you’re looking for something special to add to your collection.

If you’d like a closer look at the drawings, visit the new “Drawings” section of the gallery at my website:

http://www.kenswinson.com/gallery.html

A fun bunch of artists met in Old Washington for a day of still life painting.  The theme was musical instruments.  We had a banjo, mandolin and guitar as models.

Betsy Adams working in pastel.

Philip Saunders sketching with oil pastel.

Mary-Louise Dean working in oil.

Ruvonna Bevard painting in acrylic.

I worked on a monotype of each instrument.  You can see a short video of the prints going through the press below:

if you don’t see the video above, follow this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbQVUSMFOwQ

Here’s my latest block print, “Loving”.

These reduction woodcuts are a very special limited edition of 6.  The block is destroyed during the process, making it impossible to recreate the image.  The prints are designed to be the perfect Valentine’s Day card for  the one-of-a-kind sweetheart.  It folds to allow a personalized message, and includes a hand-made envelope for $60.

Here is a short video of the final cutting and printing of the block.

One of my first loves in art is pottery.  When I moved to Augusta, KY 9 years ago, I opened a small pottery studio on main street.  I loved the entire process of making something using earth, water and fire.  I dug clay from the banks of the Ohio River, and experimented with pit firing.

I don’t get to make much pottery anymore.  My focus is on 2D work, but I still love the craft.   I am replacing the dishes in my kitchen with hand made pots.   I’m trying to collect Kentucky potters, but a few great ones from Ohio, Tennessee (and beyond) have found their way into my cupboard. 

I created this woodcut to promote my friend, Ann Legris’ pottery studio for her Open House (tomorrow). She is recognized by collectors as one of Kentucky’s most important potters, and was a major influence in my decision to explore traditional printmaking techniques.

My goal with the woodblock was to get 6 different prints from one block using the reduction technique.  My designs do not accurately reproduce Ann’s elegant wheel thrown pots, but I feel they represent the joyful energy  that comes from looking at a wheel thrown pot.

If you would like to see Ann’s wonderful pots,  There are a LOT of great activities this weekend, so

Her studio will be open through December
call Ann at 606.584.2679

While working on a block print of Augusta’s ferry, the Jenny Ann, I made an interesting discovery. 

you can use different inks in different stages of the process, resulting in a variety of styles.

For my next woodblock project, I wanted to print an ear of corn where each print is unique.  I carved 3 blocks in the reduction technique, using a different color combination for each pattern.

The biggest challenge was cleaning the block, and brayer every time I switched colors.  The results were worth in! 

I decided to title the series “Everyone Is Unique…Just Like Everyone Else”  because the prints can be a metaphor for each of us.  We are all unique and beautiful, but we also have a lot in common. 

Each print is 1of 1.  The woodblock was destroyed in the reduction process, so I will never be able to print more corn prints.   Below is a photo of the block after printing.  Notice that everything has been carved away except the leaves and border.  This single block was used for all parts of the print. 

The finished prints are going to be matted in acid free mat board, with one of my classic black handmade wood frames for $120.

If you want to give one as a gift to one of the unique people in your life, let me know, because they ARE one-of-a kind. 

I also have 10 Jenny Ann woodblock prints available for the Augusta lovers out there.

I finished a few major paintings this week.  They are larger than my average paintings, and will look great over a fireplace or couch.  They all have prospective buyers (collectors who visited my studio while the paintings were on my easel) , but I have not decided on the prices yet, so there is a chance if you are interested.

Maysville – Market And Third

Augusta Regatta

John Parker

Click the images for more information…and of course prints and cards are available for those who can’t invest in an original painting.

of The Ohio River Valley

a weekend guide for Saturday and Sunday August 1-2

First, come see me and my new work this Friday evening from 7-10pm at “Art After Hours”  in Newport.  I am bringing a handful of paintings that will be seen by the public for the very first time!

Then, Follow the river on Ohio’s  Highway 52 and stop for a Kiln Opening At the Artisan Center At Maple Creek

30 local potters spent 40 hours feeding Southern Ohio’s largest wood fired kiln July 24th and 25th.  After cooling for a week, the kiln will be opened at 12 noon on Saturday.  This is a special opportunity to get the first glimpse of the pottery and meet the potters while their pots are removed from the kiln. 

here’s a short video I made of the kiln firing:

stop in Ripley, Ohio and support our local agriculture.  It’s Farmer’s market only offers food that is grown within a 100-mile radius.  It’s on main Street and open Saturday from 9am-2pm.  Also visit Kinkead Ridge Vineyard from 11am-5pm

Cross the river at Maysville, Kentucky and stop to see why it was recently awarded the 2009 Governors Government Award for the arts!  With its rich history and architecture, it is a haven for the visual and performing arts.  Visit its local shops and galleries and bring the kids to see the Buffalo Trace Balloon Race and
Disney’s Aladdin At The Washington Opera House 
playing this weekend!

Follow the River on Rt. 8, and then stop in Augusta, KY for their annual Sternwheel Regatta.  Enjoy shopping for unique, handmade items produced by this region’s talented craftspeople and agribusinesses.

  Stroll along Riverside Drive, it has so many historic homes, the entire street is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

And don’t miss the chance to eat at the famous historic Beehive Tavern

Augusta is one of two locations on the Ohio River where you can cross by ferry.

Have a great weekend!  If you like my river art, you can see more at my online gallery: Click here