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Daffodils in Augusta with friends

In Augusta, KY, getting ready to paint Dafodyls with my Plein air buddy Sue Ellen Gorman
Here’s my underpainting. Color time!
Working on the colors…it’s at that difficult stage. Time to pull it all together
I am really struggling. Don’t let these innocent looking flowers fool you. They are little yellow monsters.
A day painting is never a waste of time..

Enjoyed being outside with friends. Didn’t get a painting, but learned a lot about what NOT to do when painting flowers.

I’m sorry if I upset any of you when I shared yesterday’s video of me wiping the painting from the canvas. I fail at paintings ALL THE TIME, and I’m used to it. I know a lot of people never give themselves a chance to take a risk and develop as artists, because they think everything they do has to be perfect–or don’t make anything at all. sure, it feels great when a painting succeeds, but the failures are where I learn and grow as an artist.

On a more cheery note, here are more pictures from the same day. Honestly, I could have painted the Sistine chapel, but nothing is more valuable to me than a sunny spring day outside visiting with long time artist friends. Thanks Elizabeth Kordis Laskey and Sue Ellen Gorman for sharing the day with me!

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View from pavilion at Devou Park, Covington, KY

This is one of my go to locations for when I’m in the mood for a wide city view from a distance. I have my sketch, let’s set the easel up and start painting!

I found a shady spot…let’s get some paint on this panel!
We have most of the underpainting worked out. The lights and darks of concrete/glass towers can be tricky…every time a cloud moves, EVERYTHING changes. I’m hoping for some dramatic light before we start with the color. That’s asking a lot at 4pm, but you never know what may happen when painting outside in the wild!
We are at that awkward stage of the painting, where everything is crazy looking, and I’m questioning all my life choices. Starting with, “what was I thinking?!”. I’ll either pull it together and it will be amazing, or I’ll wipe the panel clean. Either way, it’s been a nice day up at the park. Stay tuned
Progress report. No tears (yet), and it’s coming together
That’s a wrap!!! Had a beautiful day!
Our finished oil painting!!! Had a great time…now time to get some food and head back to old Washington. Thanks for painting with me!
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Old Washington plein air painting

Spring is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to dust my rusty trusty paint box off and paint outdoors (like Monet and the other french impressionists)! I had a rough start (spilled my solvent and had to go home for more) but in the end, I got a finished painting that I’m happy with. I painted different views of this corner (Warner Lane) in Old Washington last year. This year, I wanted to paint the view from the highway. it’s only possible when the trees are sleeping and don’t have any leaves.

I had so much fun, I’m going to go out and try to get another painting today. Can you guess where I’ll go? Stay tuned to find out!

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STICKERS!!!

I believe that art is for everyone. I love to see my art being shared and part of everyday life. Stickers are fun because it’s a way to put art on all sorts of things: notebook, thermos, car, guitar cover, skateboard, etc. 

These stickers are all printed on vinyl with an outdoor durable ink. They should not fade in rain, snow and sunlight.

You can see the latest stickers in the STICKER section of the PRINTMAKING menu, or scroll below.

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Assembling a Provisional Press

TODAYS PROJECT – Assemble a Provisional Press

I believe Art Is For Everyone-especially printmaking. A challenge for artists just getting started in printing is that a press usually takes a lot of room, and can be REALLY expensive.

A couple of teachers from Indiana have designed a press, called The Provisional Press. It’s designed to be easy and affordable to make. You can downlod the files to cut the parts with a laser cutter-They also sell kits with all the parts cut-all I have to do is assemble it.

Here’s a link to their website if you want to learn more: www.provisionalpress.com

I think the project is awesome, and, you never know when a small, suitcase sized press could be handy (printmaking road trip?)–so I ordered one of their kits!!!

I’ve had mixed results when assembling things like this, so stay tuned to see how it goes!

Update:  I have it assembled! I just need to calibrate it…ugh…and then we can do some printing!

UPDATE2: I don’t have the patience to calibrate the press. I will, but I’m itching to put some ink through this lovely machine

I need to do some tinkering, but my first imPRESSion is that this is a great educational tool when you don’t have a press. You’ll be able to do things that you cant when hand printing. Is this going to replace a press? I don’t think so. (I need to do more tinkering..maybe I’m wrong) it was fun to put together, I learned a lot about the mechanics of what a press does. This could be fun for a road trip print activity, but I’m spoiled, would never use it as a “daily driver”

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3 Goats – New Woodcut – and a little website housekeeping

I’m excited that printmaking season is here!
Here is my LATEST WOODCUT
3 Goats

woodcut of 3 goats jumping around hills by kentucky artist ken swinson

It’s a nice sized woodcut (20inches wide!) and the blue looks wonderful with this design!
I’m offering them for $45 right now.
Click the image above for a better look and more details on how to order.

Now, the housekeeping part:
If you visit the PRINTMAKING section of my gallery, you probably noticed that a lot of pieces are no longer on display.
To welcome the new printmaking season, I retired the majority of older prints–to make room for the new!
Stay tuned! there’s more coming soon!

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New block print notecards!

I’m SUPER EXCITED that printmaking season has started at my studio!

Here is my first group of linocut notecards:
The art is 6″x4.5″ printed on a 7×5″ notecard. The notecard is made from acid-free, heavyweight paper made with 100% post consumer recycled materials. The ink is made in Chicago, the paper made in Michigan (both about 5 hours from my studio). An envelope is included-so you can share my art by mail to your friends and family!!

These are a hand made products made by me in Old Washington, Kentucky. The designs are hand carved, inked by hand, then put through a hand cranked press. No computers or electricity involved.

you can see more of my printmaking work by clicking PRINTMAKING at the menu at the top of this page.

Thanks everyone for your support!