Spring 2017 Studio Update

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kristen m. watson art studio spring 2017 update  View this email in your browser Variable Condition IV (detail, in progress), acrylic on panel, 12x12x1.5 in. © 2017 kristen m. watson Dear *|FNAME|*,  Spring has finally arrived!    I've been thoroughly enjoying late afternoon jogs, even in the rain. Inhaling the warmth, the smells and sounds of the awakening earth has been so rejuvenating! What have you been doing to welcome spring into your life? In March Dave and I traveled to New York to the Barrett Art Center to celebrate the opening of Digitalia, a juried exhibition that featured the TMI Prints from Digital Immigrant Installation. Many artists and fans attended and several artists gave brief talks about their work.  I've just passed the halfway point of a 6-month artist residency at the New City Galerie and am really excited about the new work I'm making. You can read more about Variable Condition and see images of the work below. Speaking of new work, I hope you'll stop by the studio and say hello. Just be sure to call ahead as my hours vary. Generally Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 11-5pm. Two big events are in the works in May at New City Galerie. Check out the details below along with current and upcoming shows. Until next time...                                              The Variable Condition (working title) series is well underway. Through these textured, highly structured almost sculptural paintings I'm exploring perspective, pixelization (handmade vs. digital), varying conditions and outcomes (through color mixing and juxtaposition), and the experience of holding things (or views) so closely that we develop a myopic viewpoint. The paintings are symbolic of these habits of thinking and behavior. Technically I'm thinking about the nature of painting, specifically the unrepeatability of color mixing on a molecular level and how that contrasts with digitized bits of data. On View Now   The SHE Project Part I with Mary Admasian   Closing Reception: June 16, 5-8pm Show runs through June 24, 2017   Castleton University Bank Gallery 104 Merchants Row, Downtown Rutland   Find directions to CU Bank Gallery here.          Read more about the SHE Project:               Seven Days  Take Magazine Art New England Vermont Public Radio. Have a listen!   Intuitive works in collage, paint, and ink A rotating exhibition of original artworks available for purchase. Curated by SEABA   Innovation Center 128 Lakeside Drive  Burlington, VT Open daily. Closing Soon!  Process of Continual Change   March 4-April 28, 2017  Juried Show Theme: Following the Rules/Breaking the Rules Free and open to the public. T.W. Wood Gallery   46 Barre Street Montpelier, VT Click here for hours and directions You're Invited!  "You're everywhere! How do you do it?" Mary and I hear this alot. So we decided to put our knowledge and experience together and share it with artists who want to take their practice to the professional level.  ProArtist Marketing & Branding Workshop  with artists Kristen M. Watson & Mary Admasian Saturday, May 20th, 9am-Noon New City Galerie, 132 Church Street (across from BCA) Parking: Bank St. Garage (First two hours free!) Limited slots available so don't wait to sign up.  Details and Registration can be found here. Open Studio Evening with Kristen M. Watson When: First Friday May 5, 2017, 5-8pm Where: New City Galerie, 132 Church Street (across from BCA) Free & open to the public. Talk to the artist, collect affordable, original works of art and enjoy refreshments. Parking: Bank Street Garage, first two hours FREE. Scrapbook  Excursions and Adventures this Winter Clockwise from top: Artist talk at the Digitalia opening reception, Barrett Art Center; Viewers engaging with TMI Series at NXNE opening reception, Brattleboro Museum & Art Center; selfie with my dear friend and figurative sculptor Susan Wilson (Putney, VT) at MassMOCA; Images from Nick Cave installation, MassMOCA. ICYMI: New Video!  The SHE Project Part I Academic & Artist Panel Discussion, Castleton University, March 9, 2017 Get social with Kristen Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* My mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*

 

Half Remembered, Half Made Up, acrylic and graphite on canvas, 24x 24x 1.5 in. One of the paintings I've been working on at the Vermont Studio Center.  © 2016 kristen m. watson

I hope you had a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving holiday.

I arrived at the Vermont Studio Center to begin a month-long artist residency a few days before Thanksgiving. It took a bit to get settled. With lots of new (and friendly!) faces, communal meals, and making a home and studio away from home, it's been a busy time. 
I've already had so many amazing conversations and have taken pages of notes and it's only been ten days. Whew! 

The short days and foul weather have made it easy to cloister myself in the studio and get back to my work, with my sketchbook and my head brimming with ideas from a recent jaunt to NYC and a slew of Vermont and NH exhibits. (Follow me on Facebook or Instagram to see images from NYC, and from the VSC studio.)

I've been reacquainting myself with my painting palette, brushes, and collage materials after a long hiatus of only making installation work (Digital Immigrant & the SHE Project).

the SHE Project closed on October 29. A huge 'THANK YOU!' for all the support Mary and I received for this show. Besides two well attended receptions, feature articles have appeared in Seven Days and Take Magazine,  Art New England and we did a very fun radio interview with Mary Williams for Art Hounds on Vermont Public Radio. Have a listen!
 

Objects of industry (Pin up), 2016, From the SHE Project - part I, Velcro curlers,
Gil Elvgren art reproductions, adhesive, acrylic gesso, mirror, $650. ©2016 kristen m. watson

Continuing the "Project"... Got an idea?
In addition to conceptualizing part II and considering bringing on other artists that are speaking to the female experience, Mary and I are working on placing the show in other venues. If you know of a university (or other) museum or gallery that would be interested please email me. 

New City Galerie Artist in Residence 

January-May 2017

I'm excited to announce the I've been invited as an artist in residence at the New City Galerie, 132 Church Street, Burlington, VT. This is a unique opportunity because New City is a gallery space with three art studios attached, so everyday is open studio. I'm looking forward to working in such a unique environment. I'll have works for sale and may am developing some workshops so stay tuned for more info, and please stop by and say hello. The residency lasts six months and begins January 2017.  

Show some LOVE for the Creative Economy this Holiday

There's nothing better that receiving unique, hand-made Art for the holidays (or any time). And let's be honest, artists need to sell their work so they can afford to make more!

Now it's more important than ever to show yourLOVE for the artists in your community. Please consider making a purchase from me or another local artist this season. 

You can find a variety of very affordably priced works of art (original and archival reproductions) on my website, many under $100. My site is up to date with all the latest encrypting so it's safe to shop, but it's OK if you'd rather not buy online. I welcome your call or email. 

Please shop early!
I personally process, pack and ship each and every order. 

Go Art Shopping

You can also show some LOVE to the creative economy by joining me at Helen Day art Center this Friday evening. I'll be taking a break from my residency to attend. Event details below.

Helen Day Art Center
Holiday Art Show & Sale
 Festival of Trees & Light
 

December 2-31, 2016
Opening Reception:
Friday, December 2, 5-8pm
(free and open to the public)

Click here for hours & directions.

On View Now

Eyes that Can See

A photography exhibit featuring original artworks made in Vermont. Available for purchase.
Selected images from my photographic series Homestead: the Journey Back to Mother are on display now.

Juried & Curated by Monika Rivard

New City Galerie
132 Church Street, Burlington, VT

Click here for hours & directions

Intuitive works in collage, paint, and ink

A rotating exhibition of original artworks available for purchase.
Curated by SEABA

Innovation Center
128 Lakeside Drive, Burlington, VT
Open daily.

Upcoming Exhibits

Brattleboro Museum of Art

Selected works from the TMI Series (part of Digital Immigrant) will be on display (and for sale) along with other digital & photographic art.

January 14-March 5, 2017
Opening Reception Brunch: Saturday, January 14, 11am.
(free and open to the public)

Click here for hours & directions.

I know the holidays can be hectic. I wish you time to nurture your creative spirit, feel the gratitude for all the blessings in your life, and cultivate peace and joy with your loved ones. 

With deep gratitude for your continued interest and support,

Big thanks to all those who supported my crowdfunding campaign and to the Vermont Studio Center, the Vermont Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for their financial support. 

kristen m. watson art studio 

Fall update

Am I Pretty Enough for You Yet? (detail), Kristen M. Watson in collaboration with Mary Admasian, Dressing table & chair, cosmetics, beauty products and ephemera, lingerie. #theSHEProject © 2016 kristen m. watson

Autumn is here and I've been getting outside to enjoy the colors, smells, and flavors of the season. I hope you have too! 
After a busy year of art-making and two ambitious exhibitions, I've been taking a break from studio work to let ideas percolate while I tend to other aspects of my practice. One vital activity to recharge my imagination is going to lots of art openings. Talking with the artists and visitors, engaging with the art, and seeing what others are doing in terms of technique, materials, and concepts inspires and influences my studio work in so many ways.  I'm so grateful for all the artists in our little state! 

Visitor interacting with rəˈflekt, kristen m. watson, 2016, cosmetics ingredients list written using make up on mirror, overall dimensions approximately 60" x 240". written alphabetically by mirror from left to right.
 

The public response to the SHE Project has been astounding. Besides two well attended receptions for the show, feature articles have appeared in Seven Days and Take Magazine. And stay tuned for more from Art New England and VPR. We are so grateful for the interest and engagement the show has been receiving.

Have you been to see it yet? I'd love to hear what you think. If not, it runs until October 28. Find directions and gallery hours below.

"Untitled (blue bleed)", 2016, 16x16in., acrylic on canvas; ©2016 kristen m. watson.

You probably also know by now that I'm conducting a crowdfunding campaign to fund an artist residency at Vermont Studio Center. 

In a recent interview with the Vermont Arts Council I said that crowdfunding is an "opportunity to experience profound gratitude", and I really mean that. It's about so much more than raising money; it's about connecting with new fans, reconnecting with friends and longtime fans, and getting my artwork out there where it can be enjoyed by others.

The campaign is coming to an end this weekend and I could really use your help. With only $680 left to reach my goal, I am hoping you will help me close that gap as quickly as possible.  Every bit of support, large or small, makes a difference. Suggested amounts begin at $5, but you can contribute any amount and you can do so anonymously if you wish. In exchange you can opt to receive artwork at special campaign prices. 

If you'd rather not participate online, checks are also welcome. Please specify which artwork you'd like to receive with your contribution. Kristen M. Watson, 614 Sodom Road, Georgia, VT 05468.

It's not easy to ask others for money, please know how much your support means to me. 

Warmly,

Visit my campaign

On View Now

The She Project Part I

Through October 28 at L/L Gallery at UVM. 
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 1:00-8:30pm and Saturdays 12:30-4:30pm
Click here for directions.

Intuitive works in collage, paint, and ink
An ongoing exhbition of rotating artworks curated by SEABAInnovation Center
128 Lakeside Drive, Burlington, VT
Open daily.

Process of Contintual Change @ Art & Soul 2016

Recently completed painting, Process of Continual Change (Navigate), will be on display at this years Art & Soul event at Dunkiel Saunders, Burlington, Vermont. The event is to benefit Local Motion, a local organization that advocates for bicycle infrastructure and other bike-centric causes in and around northwest Vermont. The piece is for sale and 1/2 the proceeds go to Local Motion. Stop by on June 9, from 5:30-9pm. Grab some refreshments, see all the art, and enjoy live music and lots of folks out for what promises to be fun night. See you there.