Two Shows, One Week!
I've had two sweet recent show opportunities to display some of my work! Keep scrollin' to read about them and see documentation.
This first piece, Honey Bone, is an older refurbished work of charcoal, acrylic, ink, and a found jawbone. It'll be up for a few days in the Hastings College theatre gallery during the production called "Dinny & the Witches." Apocalyptic work was requested, and this is the closest thing I have to anything that fits that theme ;)
I also have a few weeks featured in the Bronco Blend coffee shop (Hastings, NE)! Just a few pieces from my thesis show last May, and I'm sharing the space with Tim Rickett and Katherine Arias. Digital prints focused on lettering and patterning, and can be viewed or purchased in the "Work" or "Shop" section of my website! Apologies for the poor quality of these photos, the lighting was more //coffee shop darker chill mood//. You know the kind.
KATEWORKS Studio: The Next Couple of Months...
After finishing up a FANTASTIC third summer working as a camp counselor at Camp Fontanelle (Nickerson, NE), I am beginning to plan out what the next couple of months will look like. I even bought a fancy planner thing and I'm going to attempt to actually use it this year, because I'm going to need it. Anyways, a few big projects in the works including:
- Rachel the Raccoon's Camp Adventures (children's book)! I will be finishing up the illustrations by the end of August so that we can begin the design and publishing process which is CRAZY and exciting. The book should be available by Christmas time 2015 if all goes well, which is also crazy and exciting. Today I am writing my illustrator's biography to send to the publishing company! Ahh!
- While I'm finishing the book, I also will begin to work on my senior thesis exhibition-- a huuuuge eight month long project. I have to make enough pieces to fill a gallery space but I have so many ideas and I cannot wait to get started. At the moment, I believe my plans call for going on many explorations + foraging for materials + gaining nature inspiration. I hope it will embrace the magic of childhood adventures. Possible outcomes (any or all) include illustration, lettering work, maps, a whimsical tent, bones, dried flowers + garlands, and foraged material.
- Several other commissions/wedding invitations/logos/personal work.
Obviously I'm going to be very busy artistically, and I am excited to see what these projects might do to affect my plans for post graduation in May, but first I have to finish my senior year of college and actually figure out adulting + how to balance everything that's coming up. Anyone else fakin' it until they make it?? I feel like a lil baby deer on ice sometimes. But hey, I'm sure we'll figure it out someday.
Until then: to working, to big projects, to taking care of myself so I don't wither away like the plants I can never seem to take care of.
Cheers,
Kate
Illustratin'
SOOOO I'm finished with the first illustration for the children's book. I thought I'd share it with you all (and this is the only full one I'll show before it's published!), and also share my experience so far. I've been blocked, frustrated, overwhelmed, and finally successful. I spent the longest time, including my week off from camp, trying to figure out my style as I'd never really established an illustration style. I did a gazillion sketches trying to capture each of the characters' personalities but my mind wasn't translating to the page. I was getting overwhelmed because I was thinking of the end goal, about how so, so many people were excited for this book and the illustrations can easily make or break a book. I didn't want to disappoint anybody. I finally just sat down and snapped out of my two-week long freak out about being a perfectionist, and just started sketching, and tried out a bunch of different coloring styles. And somehow I came up with this and I couldn't be happier with it. So onward! Nine more to go in a few short weeks. Fair balancing between being a camp counselor, an illustrator and a human being who needs sleep.
Cheers,
Kate
(PS sorry about the dumb watermark, I just wanted to be a bit careful because this'll be a published thang!)
Inside
Every time I trim my own bangs, I cut them a little crooked so I trim a little more. I tear up when I see basset hounds, but I find it difficult to cry when I'm "supposed" to. I always skip the number 16 when I count out loud. I wear red lipstick when I want to feel powerful and tough, because some days I don't feel like I am. I want to own a flower shop and sell my work there, but I'm terrified I'll fail. I avoid conflict and arguing but I feel like that makes me seem weak. Or maybe that makes me strong. Sweet. Whimsical. Empathetic. Such good, important words that I've heard other humans use to describe me. I try to be those, but how I see me and my tiny quirks make me Kate.
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"how to be an explorer of the world — always be looking (notice the ground beneath your feet)" Peek behind the vines consuming a shed, get out from the place you feel safe, don't be afraid to grow by exploring. Take every single day with gratitude and show a gentle heart to every single human you cross. Nourish your sweet soul by intentionally speaking and acting and breathing. Take it day by day, it doesn't matter if you don't have your life figured out quite yet. Explore and perhaps you'll stumble upon an adventure.
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Begin acquiring less belongings. Worry less about the tiny frustrations that turn you into a negative being {perhaps you'll have fewer terrible days}. Soak in the environment with the souls you're closest to. Touch the textures in nature against your skin. Truly take in in what you're holding. Create. What inspires you?
xoxo
Kate
Introducing: Raccoon Children's Book
Friends, I have some exciting news!
My friend and fellow past camp counselor, Jonathan Poarch, and I are in the process of publishing our first children's book with Tate Publishing! We're working in collaboration with Jonathan as the author and myself as the illustrator.
The inspiration for the story began with a raccoon keychain on my backpack and a night of exhausted silliness as camp counselors last summer. Take a look at Jonathan's blog to read about the evolution of the raccoon story, and why he decided to publish it to share with many more.
I am so honored and excited to be the illustrator for this sweet children's book, as the story means the world to both Jonathan and me. It's heavily inspired by Camp Fontanelle and these three fine friends. We both strongly believe in the importance of camping ministry and can't wait to see how many lives this story can reach.
As with any exciting endeavor, this project costs money. We started up a gofundme page (click here) where YOU can support us through donations! Each level comes with some suuuper sweet incentives, so it's up to you what you can give. If you believe in us and our story, please help us out!
Of course, Jonathan and I appreciate any form of support, whether it's monetary of any size or good thoughts and prayer. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for past and future encouragement!
xoxo
Kate