Keepin' it simple

How about this: a post with some of my other artistic endeavours! I don't have many of them, but my intent is to change that. First, I'd like to share the coolthing I made for Devin for our 1 yearversary back in May - an 8x8 inch canvas.

It's made from ticket stubs, etc that I collected during our first year. There's a Chicago train ticket, two movie tickets (our first and only movie in the theater, "Black Swan," on Valentine's Day), an airport parking receipt, two art exhibits from the IMA (where I was an intern), and the ticket to his brother's Independence Bowl game. The center is a coaster from a cafe we visited, also from Valentine's Day. I plan on making one of these for each year. Eventually we'll have an amazing, colorful full-wall scrapbook of sorts. I wonder what I'll get to put on the next one! ;-)

Next up is my new series of sorts, inspired by all the awesome stuff I see on Doodlers Anonymous. Here at Interlochen, I work three days each week in the box office, and when I'm not selling tickets, well...I have opted to spend my time making alphabet doodles! Black pen and crayons only (no pre-drawing!). One letter per day. No visual references whatsoever. ANYTHING GOES.

So here we have the first day, letter A:

And from today (technically yesterday), we have letter B:

AH THESE ARE SO MUCH FUN. I'm fairly obsessed with the incorporation of text/words/literature into works of art. For now, this is my chosen means of doing so. Keeps my mind active, and will more than likely turn into bigger and better things! ...also gives me something that I HAVE to post on a regular basis. ;-)

Until next time, dear readers...

I do what I can

Oh, hello there! I hope everyone had a safe and happy Independence Day. I wonder what our forefathers would think of our country now...hmm. A discussion that has no place on this blog ;-) Anyways, what with working and also having my fiance around, I'm not blogging as much as I meant to...but that means I'm trying to pile more creative goodness into what I can write! I had the day off yesterday, so I started the drawing what will become an etching on my dad's (parents') headstone. Hummingbirds and irises, two of my dad's favorite things. I'm incredibly thankful that Caldwell Monument is lending me their own etching tools to complete this project! So here's what I've got so far: 

The drawing process really won't take very long...but etching will probably take several long days of hard work. I don't mind...I love a challenge, as well as learning a new medium! Who knows, maybe I'll end up supporting myself with this one day...

Also, earlier today I was introduced to the photography of Christopher Jonassen, particularly his "Devour" series: photos of the bottoms of frying pans, made to look like planets. Pretty cool! His other work, portraiture in particular, is creative and gorgeous. 

Yesterday, through the previously mentioned site Doodlers Anonymous, I found the site Envelop, where you can purchase (and design/sell!) unique home decor items. Lots of pillow covers, plus tote bags, aprons, oven mits...some of it is downright incredible. It's definitely something I'll be looking into doing once I settle into married life (!). I would encourage everyone to purchase home decor through this site...we need more support of individuals and small businesses. Honestly, Devin and I are working on making a registry through Target, just so people know what gifts to give, but if it were up to us we'd just head to the local Goodwill/farmer's market/craft store. I could go on a big soapbox rant about this, but I'm feeling a bit too mellow for that at the moment ;-). Maybe later...Bottom line: SUPPORT LOCAL. JUST DO IT.

As always, thanks for reading!

It's been awhile...

Yes, I've been behind on my bloggings. Can you blame me? I moved up to Interlochen, MI for the summer, and two days later was proposed to (!) and the last couple of weeks have been a wonderful blur of love, work, and wedding planning. I did finish editing James and Natalie's wedding - see those photos and many more on kathleengrady.zenfolio.com - and the next venture is a granite engraving for my dad's tombstone along with the laptop skin for Devin, plus (possibly) two engagement sessions and another wedding in July. It's gonna be a very busy summer!

I did run across this in checking my social media sites...I follow GOOD and mentalfloss on twitter, and I often find great things to read and look at through those sources. Today's link came from mentalfloss - Netflix envelope art!

And then that link led me to this freakin' awesome blog, Doodlers Anonymous. Lots of creative, inspiring work and an active online community. I won't be forgetting about this one!

So while you guys check out those sweet links, I just might have to edit some photos from MY engagement (strange to be on the other side of the camera!) and share in the next post. Our wedding website is right here, and fyi, we'll be chronicling the planning process on another blog, which will continue into all of our married adventures as well. If only we could come up with a title for it...........will be posting that link ASAP. :) Thanks and love to all!

Vid Wednesday #2

Alright, this is an official attempt to start a weekly video posting. Next Wednesday I will arrive at Interlochen Center for the Arts to start my summer contract with them (workin' with my boyfriend...yay for no seven-hour separations!) It's a good day.

This is a video that I first saw about three years ago, and I still find it to be one of the most creative things I've ever seen. The song is gorgeous and the concept is just...awesome. And if you go to watch it on YouTube, it links to several videos/websites on how it was made. Pretty great stuff. "Her Morning Elegance" by Oren Lavie:

Sneak Peek: James & Natalie

It's another sneak peek already! YAY! I was so excited to photograph James and Natalie's wedding. They're the nicest couple you could ever imagine meeting, and after spending the day with them it was obvious how perfect they are for each other. They had a gorgeous traditional Catholic ceremony at St. Patrick's in Kokomo, and the remodel that was done a few years ago provided a beautiful setting for the ceremony.

Outside...gray, but the weather held off until the reception!

Inside - all decked out for the Easter season. Breathtaking!

Beautiful bride checkin' out her 'do

The ladies...

...and the gentlemen.

Ready to be a Mrs.!

James's "I'm the luckiest guy in the world" face

                

 

 The grand exit

Portraits at the Sieberling Mansion - I didn't tell him to do this ;-)

All you need is love...

Possibly my favorite of their portraits

Their centerpieces were wonderful! All different, with a great romantic touch

In lieu of a garter toss, James and Natalie washed each other's feet - a great thing to witness

And then they read letters to each other! Awwww...

AMAZING cake by a friend of the bride

First dance

Parents' dance

And this photo sums up their love and their marriage...

James and Natalie, thanks again for letting me be a part of your day! Another two weeks or so and you will get to see EVERYTHING.

Love to you both :)

Couldn't resist another one--

TWO IN ONE DAY!

While my first video post was thought-provoking, this one is just plain awesome: graffiti/street art (mad respect), stop-action photography (probably the best thing ever invented), and romance (we all need some!) So take this 3:20 to get happy and inspired.

Maybe Wednesdays should be Vid-Wednesdays, no?

Gwenn Seemel has some great things to say

Imitate this. from Gwenn Seemel on Vimeo.

I just found this video and really agree with what Gwenn is saying. Intellectual property has become such an issue in the digital age, and some artists are so incredibly picky with how and where their art can be displayed or used (trust me, part of my museum internship was going through these contracts!). But, as she says, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. I love it when someone looks at one of my paintings/photos and says, "wow, how did you do that?" Even better when they add, "Can you teach me?"

And really, we all copy ideas and techniques. I think it's necessary to figure out who you are as an artist, what speaks to you, what you excel/struggle with and what new things you discover. Part of how I've developed (am still developing) my style is by copying other techniques and ideas that I have seen and learned. It inspires me to look at my world differently and take everything a step further. After an hour in an art museum, I leave with ten new ideas/projects to try.

So really, no one is original. ;-)