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Author: Ken
¡Que rico es Soledad Etla!
Breakfast in my neighborhood’s cocina…mexican eggs, black beans and hand made tortillas (corn, of course)…a little different from the pop tarts I am used to eating for breakfast.
I love how the old fashioned ways of cooking still live in soledad etla. these men bring the wood for cooking to the kitchen.
there’s nothing better than a fresh cooked tortilla! 
Soledad Etla – First Impressions
My friend Leticia Gomez-Salinas is a Spanish teacher, who lives in Soledad Etla, a small village north of Oaxaca. She offers her students a unique opporunity to live with her family, in her village.
This is going to be a different experience, because her village does not have as many english speakers visiting from all over the world (compared to the capital city, Oaxaca) So I find myself using Spanish more often.
It’s also a small town, which has a different dynamic than a bigger city. As an artist, i love the art in a big city, but prefer the relaxed and tranquil small town life (i’m the same way in Kentucky)
Here’s a short video I made with my first impressions of Soledad Etla. There will be more to follow! Enjoy!
México city – short video
on my way to Oaxaca, I spent half a day in Mexico city. this place has a Lot going on, and I was road weary from traveling but made this short video (and a few sketches) to share with you all.
drink the water
Travel Update: I’m still in. cdmx, waiting for.my bus to Oaxaca. I have noticed that a lot of USA people warn me to “not drink the water” when I tell them I’m going to visit Mexico. I always let them know that I love Mexican water.
this brand of naturally occuring carbonated water comes from a spring in Mexico. and is one of the most delicious waters I have ever had… plain or with the salt and lime. I have already had 2 liters, and I feel better than ever! so my advice if you ever visit Mexico is: drink the water!
packing light – 7 weeks in Mexico with only carry on luggage
I’m starting the new year with a 7 week trip to Mexico. I don’t want to have to carry a big suitcase around, so I narrowed my items to fit in a backpack and briefcase.
Sketching With The Ipad – on Old US ROUTE 62 -Old Washington, KY
Everyone has their own artmaking technique. Before I start a project, I draw with whatever tool I have available:
- I like pencils and paper, for it’s tactile quality, the ablility to shade, and correct mistakes.
- pens and markers for their lines, and no erasing keeps me from fiddling around
- the ipad for the flexibility of digital…easy changes, video timelapse of workflow
One tool i try to avoid is the camera. Regardless of what I am using, I want to draw from life. Years ago, I read a study about using a camera to look at art which suggested that we don’t fully experience a moment when we photograph it.Regardless of what I am using, I want to draw from life whenever possible. Years ago, I read a study about using a camera to look at art which suggested that we don’t fully experience a moment when we photograph it. I read another study that found drawing something helps us remember.
For this drawing, I used an app, called procreate: THE best ipad app for drawing. It has a bonus feature of recording a step by step video…giving us a peek into my thought process while drawing.
The finished artwork is going to be a woodcut–for my series about US Route 62.
I love living in Old Washington. If I ever need inspiration, all I have to do is walk a few blocks from home. This row of buildings sit on the ORIGINAL US Route 62.
The finished artwork is going to be a woodcut–for my series about US Route 62.
New Woodcut – Morning Run In The Bluegrass
US Route 62 goes through some beautiful parts of Kentucky’s Bluegrass region. The long views of fences, barns and horses, running in the fields are spectacular.
I wanted to capture that feeling with my latest woodcut.
finished carving-ready to print If you’d like one of these hand pulled woodcuts (and also support my work!) you can order one through my online gallery, or with the button below
Squirrels Preparing For Winter – WOODCUT
Here is the final printing of my 16×20 squirrels woodcut. Winter is coming, so they are getting their food storage together.
They are dry, and I’m happy to mail one to you. You can order one (and support my work) using the button below.
Versailles, KY – woodcut
I’m working on a project about US Route 62. It’s one of the early US Highways. The road runs from Niagiara Falls, NY to El Paso, TX.
Versailles, KY has a special place in my heart, not only because it on on US 62, but it is the home of Laura Lee Cundiff, the artist who blessed us with her press (which now lives at the Log Cabin Print Shop)
If you follow me on the Instagram, you might remember this video I shared of the live sketches I made while visiting Versailles.
Whenever I visit a small town for the first time, the town square is one of the places I always stop. Each courthouse has its own personality–and I find it to usually represent the ‘heart’ of the community.
Versailles has a charming little church beside/behind their courthouse. US Route 62 is lined with small businesses. A few, with an impressive dome or steeple. I’m always looking for architecture that breaks up the empty space in the sky. This scene in Versailles had all my favorite things, so I squeezed them together in this woodcut.
Carving-Squirrels Getting Ready For Winter
Today, I carved my latest woodcut; Squirrels getting ready for winter.
Over the last year, I have been learning to print larger. (one secret is to use bigger knives) I want to make original, hand printed art that can fill a large space (while still being affordable). I’m thinking of younger people, just starting to put a house and art collection together. 16×20″ is a big size for me, but I really love working in this scale. Compared to working in smaller formats, these really make a great presentation
It took the whole day (and cramped hands) to carve the print, so I squeezed the whole process into 30 seconds. My plan is to print it tomorrow at the studio. Keep visiting this website for updates to see progress on this print (and my other projects)!
thanks