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2020 Vision
in 2020, i want to spend less time on social media, more on my personal website. Happy New Year!
Sketch day in old washington 11/11
Its sunny today, but supposed to be freezing cold tomorrow, so i took my pen and sketchbook for a walk around old washington
The old courthouse and sydney johnston house Theres something refreshing about pen and paper: no photos, no eraser
Just working from life, and capturing the moment
Taylor corner 
Hope you are enjoying the day!
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!Tiny Little Frames
yeah, making a lot of tiny little paintings looks fun, until you realize you have to make a lot of tiny little frames, lol!
Artwork featured in Energy Insurance Agency’s new Cincinnati East office
Energy Insurance Agency, just opened a new office in Cinncinnati East, and used my artwork for the reception area.
I see my artwork in a studio setting all the time, but its a special treat to be able to see my artwork in it’s forever home.
Here are some photos from their grand opening.
Thank you Energy Insurance Agency for supporting local art in your new office!
If you are in the Cincinnati East area, give their office a visit, to see the art and office in person. They are happy to help any size business, small or very large, with coverage options including business insurance, employee benefits and bonds.
they serve customers all across the country, so even if the office isn’t close, you can visit their website: www.energyinsagency.com for more information.
thanks again Energy Insurance Agency for supporting my work.
photos courtesy of Carrie Glover
Downtown Cincinnati/Over-The-Rhine Sketch Trip
My studio is in an interesting part of Cincinnati. It overlooks the business district and the historic neighborhood, Over-The-Rhine. If I ever need inspiration I just look out the window
There is so much in one view, i can’t fit it all into one sketch.
Here’s my sketch of downtown. I like the contrast between the old church in the foreground and the modern towers in the background.
Over-The-Rhine is unique because of the concentration of old buildings in an urban space. Recently, filmmakers have started coming to OTR to use as a set for New York City in the early 1900s.
The crown jewel of the neighborhood is the newly renovated, Music Hall: featured in the middle of this sketch.
I’ll probably use these sketches as a study for a woodcut(s). There is so much interesting geometry (and all the windows!!!) it would be awesome to print.
If you would like to visit my studio, it will be open to the public this Friday from 6-10pm. The 8 story warehouse is filled with over 200 art studios to explore. This opportunity only comes once a month. More info here: Pendleton Art Center-Cincinnati.
2 Weeks Of Bullet Journaling
Organization is not easy for me. I’ll have a broad range of different thoughts at once. It can be a beautiful thing, but quickly tailspin into chaos and dysfunction. I don’t think this is a unique struggle. Since our adoption of so much technology into our daily lives, we have been immersed in an massive amount of information…Not to mention tech companies constantly competing for our attention. It’s becoming a norm for the people I meet to be overwhelmed, easily distracted and unorganized.
Two weeks ago, a friend gave me a quick glimpse at their Bullet Journal. It was filled with colorful drawings and doodles; enough to spark my interest and to want to learn more. You can do a quick web search to learn more about the Bullet Journal. I have been using one for the last two weeks, and here are some of my thoughts:
Paper Is A Refreshing Change
There have been studies that show a hand written note on paper is easier to remember than a note typed into a computer or cell phone.
Working in a paper notebook has less distractions. The apps on my phone have been designed to constantly try to get my attention. A notebook has no apps and getting away from the phone helps me to focus.
Its nice to be able to flip through my notebook. I’ll get a glimpse of an ongoing project, and it reminds me to think about it. Often, my digital notes disappear into a void; never to be seen again.
I Feel Like I Am Staying On Track
I keep my Bullet Journal open on my desk. The constant visual reminder helps me to stay focused on the day’s goals. Even when I don’t get something done, the unfinished goals follow me to the next day. Now that I have a place to store my random thoughts, I can see the different pieces come togething into something useful.
Less Frills == Better For Me
The colorful drawings and charts that are possible are what got me interested in Bullet Journaling. I have since learned that a minimal style notebook is a better fit for my personality (for now). I get to draw and use colors all day in my studio, I don’t need a journal for a creative outlet: I need to quickly store and retrieve information. The plain black pen works for me.
Two weeks might not be enough time to determine whether or not this will be a useful tool or not, but my first impressions are good. Certainly good enough to continue using this system. If you are looking for a system to keep yourself organized, you might consider the Bullet Journal.
*Fun Fact: I wrote this blog post on paper before typing it on the computer.
Afternoon Sketches In Maysville
Yesterday, I went down to the river to do some sketching. Maysville is charming little river town. One of it’s distinguishing features is a suspension bridge that connects Kentucky and Ohio.
My first sketch was the view from bank and 6th street. It’s a great view of the town. I decided to do a panoramic drawing, to give a wider view of the place.
My second sketch was the corner by the Rotory Club Park…where the road goes under the train tracks.
I think the theme for today is ‘bridges’
For my final sketch, I crossed the river, and sketched the town from the river park in Aberdeen, Ohio.
You can probably tell that the sun was going down at this point, so I didn’t get to put all the details into this sketch, but the composition is all worked out.
What a great day of sketching! Of course, Maysville is such a pretty town, it’s not possible to get a bad drawing.
I’m going to make a woodcut of at least one of these sketches. Help me decide, and let me know which sketch is your favorite.
In My Yard-Sketching May Flowers
I’m trying to do more daily sketching with a pen…to hone my drawing skills
The flowers have been popping all around my house
and they are too pretty to ignore
maybe tomorrow i’ll sketch some of the birds that have singing to me while I draw?
Tonight Is Final Friday at The Pendleton Art Center
Tonight is Final Friday at the Pendleton Art Center. If you live near downtown Cincinnati, we will be open from 6-10pm. there are 3 buildings (including an 8 story warehouse) filled with art studios for you to explore and enjoy!