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A Special Delivery – M’s Canvashouse
My friend, Meredith owns a business in Lexington, KY, called M’s Canvashouse, which supplies hand painted canvas designs and anything else you could need for needlepoint.
She works with all kinds of artists; including Charlie Harper (one of my favorites!) and …..Ken Swinson!
M’s Canvashouse has a wonderful new space…a beautiful store and showroom (not pictured) and great workroom She recently moved to a new building, and needed a painting for her new office! The walls in her office are pink. What better place for ” Here, Birdy birdy”!
I love it when I get to deliver a painting in person (especially big art). It’s very exciting to see my painting in it’s new home.
Thank you Meredith, for supporting my art; bringing it into your home and workplace, collaborating with me, and inspiring me with the possibilities of builidng a successful creative business.
Ken and Meredith Stitchers! if you haven’t already visited her new shop, pay her a visit the next time you are in Lexington.
M’s Canvashouse new building! Or visit online: www.mscanvashouse.com
Reduction Printmaking With John Painter
My friend John came to visit. We are both artists, and spent most of the visit making prints. We made reduction linocuts: a technique where we use the same block for more than one color. We start with the lightest color, print it, then cut the block to design the second color. If all goes well, and we line the blocks correct, we have a beautiful 2 color design. These are particularly unique because; once we switch colors, it’s impossible to print that color’s design ever again. Limited edition!
Upcoming printmaking exhibit at Appalshop
Printmaker, painter and muralist, Lacy Hale invited me to ehibit some of my printmaking work and artZines at the Appalshop gallery in Whitesburg, KY. I have been a fan of her work ever since meeting her online. Not only is her art beautiful and magical, it also has social conscious, and is closely tied to her community. She recently finished a mural for the 2nd Mountain Mural fest in Harlan, KY.
She is interviewed as part of the news coverage of the event, and the story tells is a great example of why it’s so important to have art and artists in rural spaces. You can watch the MYMT segment here
mural in Whitesburg, KY As a rural artist, I’m interested in how we can help make a positive impact on our small towns. Whitesburg is an inspiring example of what is possible when creative people stay and make a positive change in their small towns.
Whitesburg has a record store and multiple live music venues 
busy downtown Whitesburg For a small mountain town with only 2000 people, there’s a lot of creative type businesses, music venues, cafes and public art.
public art beside creek Most of the main street buildings were occupied, and my first impression was that it has a good energy, and is the kind of place I would want to visit again.
I had never visited Appalshop, but over my last 19 years as a Kentuckian, their documentaries have helped shape my understanding of our region.
analog film editing machine at Appalshop I consider Appalshop to be a national treasure. For 50 years, they have used the power of arts and culture to create meaningful social and economic change in our region. It was a thrill to see their studio and to meet some of the people who make it happen.
Appalshop Not only does Appalshop create documentaries — they also create filmmakers.
Across the street from their studio is another one of their programs: The Appalachian Media Institute (AMI).
Appalachian Media Institute AMI is a community-based arts and education center offering training and resources for young creatives and filmmakers.
One of AMI’s editing rooms The program has been helping young artists and filmmakers for over 30 years. The current program coordinator, Willa Johnson is an alumni of the program.
an artist/activist who i admire (Wendell Berry) painted by another artist/activist i admire (Misty Skaggs) hangs between 2 of AMI’s editing rooms My printmaking exhibit will be at the Appalshop gallery from July 9 until August 22nd. I’m excited to announce that, at the closing of the exhibit (August 22), we are going to kick off our next artZine season by making one at AMI!
A great space to work and collaborate at AMI This will be an opportunity for YOU to visit Whitesburg, and get to know some of it’s people–while making art together!
Our theme for Summer’s ArtZine is:
Art Makes the World Better by…
so go ahead and start working on your entries! See you in Whitesburg!Goddard Bridge – Plein Air Painting
It’s a hot sunny day, but I still can’t help stopping at the picture perfect Goddard Covered bridge in Fleming County, Ky.
It’s been awhile since i’ve made a plein air painting. This is a perfect opportunity!
ive got my sktech done…let’s start painting! 
underpanting…now time for color! 
Goddard Bridge – oil on panel
4 1/2″x6″Here, Birdy Birdy
I just finished this portrait of my cat, his name is Here. He’s a sweet cat, but unfortunately, a birder–he’s also lazy, and will try anything to keep from having to work so hard.
The original is a 24×30″ acrylic on canvas. Because of the size, If you live within 100 miles of Maysville, KY. I will hand deliver your painting. if i need to ship by USPS, there is still no charge, but the canvas will be removed from the canvas, and shipped in a tube. UPDATE: the original has found it’s forever home
Prints are also available if you or someone you love is a cat/art lover.
I don’t take photos on the best days at the print shop
Have you ever been so engaged enjoying a moment that you forgot to take your camera out to ‘document’ the experience? That’s what happened this Saturday at the Log Cabin Print Shop!
Rachel Bollman printing with the old time cast iron press I love it when it happens, but wish I had more pictures to share the day after.
Alycia and Dustin printing with the big Wood Foose press We had a full house with 4 people cranking art through both of our presses!
inking linocuts Ripley, OH artist, Rachel Bollman crossed the river to print with us.
Rachel Bollman From Carter County, KY artist, Dustin Cecil
Dustin Cecil brought his artist friends Alycia (the geography lady)and Blake from Philidelphia
Blake and Alycia Thanks everyone for printing with us at the log cabin, we had a great time!
Beehive linocut – update
I didnt finish carving last week’s linocut, so today at the log cabin print shop, im going to finish and print my beehive linocut.
Almost finished carving… Just a few more details 
Inked and ready to go through the press! 
Going through the press 
Thank you
That’s a wrap!!!New greeting card-beehive
Good morning!!! Thanks everyone for coming out last night for final friday.
Today, im printing at the log cabin print shop from noon-5pm.While doing my morning porchsitting/birdwatching, i started this design for a new greeting card.
I was born in Utah, the beehive state. During my formative years as a young artist in kentucky, Luciano Moral , and the original beehive tavern in augusta were a big support and influence of my work.I have a few friends who are beekeepers, and i am learning about how important our pollinators are. This tuesday, there will be a talk about pollinators at the caza sikes gallery…part of Ursula Roma s wonderful mind gardens art exhibit.
I dont always draw with an ipad, but one advantage is that it doubles as a lightbox, and makes it easier to trace my design for flipping and transferring to the block 
UPDATE i have not carved as fast as i could, because some of the nicest people came to visit! I did just finish my first bee.its the cutest little thing. I put a pushpen in the photo to give you a sense of scale Keep watching this post for updates on the print. Or stop by. Ill be printing from noon-5pm.
UPDATE this is all i was able to carve today. Might come back to the studio and finish tomorrow. Thanks everyone for stopping by! Repurposing an old paintbox
My friend and neighbor gave me an old paint box that was missing a few screws.
I decided to take the easel part from the reat of the box, then mount it on my wall… Yhat way i get adjustable easel features, without legs taking a lot of prexious space in my studio.
The easel can hold a pretty large canvas for example, this 28“ tall canvas fits with room for even larger! (pay no attention to the unfinished painting on the wall)
Honey bear
Its open print day at the log cabin print shop. You are all welcome to visit and make prints with m3 from noon until 5pm. Today im carving this honeybear. Hopefully in time to print it too!
Finished carving the bees and blossoms…now time to carve the bear! 
Finished carving. Time for ink! Stay tuned for updates!