Art of the Farm

Art of the Farm

by | Jul 27, 2016 | 4 seasons, Open Studio

Art of the Farm

Besides being an artist who creates with paint and paper, everything I do I approach as an art form. My calling is to integrate all facets of my life creatively. So I regard Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary as The Art Farm and practice the art of the farm. It is part tending and caring for the earth, the plants and critters who visit and part aesthetic. I should be saying “we”, because my husband does all of the heavy lifting. My joke is “I’ll make the lemonade”. Luckily, some of my ideas are taken into account. (more…)

Mound Hacker

Mound Hacker

by | Jul 19, 2016 | art shows, artists, works in progress

Mound Hacker

For several years, artist Nona Orbach has been creating an online artwork called Blog as Artwork, dealing with the revival of the ancient library of Alexandria, using all of the possibilities offered by the internet as the ultimate archive. Mound Hacker is a global art intervention (more…)

Good Trades

Good Trades

by | Jul 13, 2016 | artists, mediums, talismans

Good Trades

Most artists I know are regular traders, swapping their work for pieces from other creative types. Such trades typically have very little to do with money — they’re mostly about trading ideas & inspirations. That’s what makes them so valuable.

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Recurring Image

Recurring Image

by | Jul 5, 2016 | inspiration, mediums

Recurring Image

All month I’ve been allowing myself to explore new directions using new materials. Sometimes I judge myself for having scattered imagery. The analyzer in me likes to know what I’m doing, like, why choose these shapes, these colors, does it follow the track I’ve been on, should it follow? When I see a consistency, even if subtle and might not have an overall appearance of being related, I confirm to myself that I in fact do know what I’m doing. I need visual proof.

I was rather stunned to see right before my eyes this triptych oil from 1990 that has what I call ribbons coming down from above. It is a recurring image that is freighted with meaning, and so almost automatic in my mark scribing that I take it for granted. They represent a celebratory sense of opportunity, of party, of constant available energy, of prayers answered.

Boulder Valley From Haystack Mt.,, oil Triptych 1990, Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien

Boulder Valley From Haystack Mt.,, oil Triptych 1990, ribbon detail by Kathleen O’Brien

After finding this small detail of the triptych mate, “Long Path to Peace”, I sectioned off areas of my latest watercolor landscapes that illustrate this point.

Long Path to Peace, oil 1990, Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
Mound Map Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
AKA Threads 1 Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
Lilac Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
AKA Threads 5 Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
AKA Threads 2 Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
AKA Threads 3 Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
AKA Threads 4 Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
Mound Map Ribbon detail by Kathleen O'Brien
Art that can only be created in a sanctuary

Art that can only be created in a sanctuary

by | May 11, 2016 | Open Studio

Preparing for the Open Studio the other day my husband said that guests can take home art that could only be created in a sanctuary, and experience the Sanctuary. That was quite a realization for me. It put many things into perspective. I take for granted how imbued this land and studio is with all the treasures our senses can hold. It is all translated into art. “Live Sunwise” is about art in an expanded definition.  It is Transformative Art, one that strives for beauty in all areas with an unquenchable desire to create. It is Celebratory Art, one that supports slowing down enough to hear the small prompts within. (more…)

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Studio Update

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Studio Update

by | May 4, 2016 | 4 seasons, art shows, Open Studio, studio updates, works in progress

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Studio Update

In this mid-season studio update I share what’s new since mid-winter. This is another favorite time of year, when we see the joyful return of spring perennials, and with hope plant seeds and welcome the light half of the year –  Beltane, May Day!

I am excited to announce Kathleen O’Brien Studio is now open four times a year, at mid-season. Preparations for the next Sunwise Open Studio Celebrations on May 14 are underway, I look forward to seeing many of you here again, 1-4 pm. Opening the studio keeps me focused on sharing new works in progress, new art, new products like the ones seen below, and the best – a chance to showcase the grounds and gardens. This time I’m sharing milkweed seeds and information about becoming a Monarch Waystation.

Still on the drawing board, "Lilac Enchantment", watercolor, drawing, lilacs combined into collage by Kathleen O'Brien, 22x30"

Still on the drawing board, “Lilac Enchantment”, watercolor, drawing, lilacs combined into collage by Kathleen O’Brien, 22×30″

East Garden at sunset

East Garden at sunset

Geobotanicals, lumbar pillow, by Kathleen O'Brien, from society6

Geobotanicals, lumbar pillow

Founded in Mystery, carry all pouch, by Kathleen O'Brien, from society6

Founded in Mystery, carry all pouch

Entry to Kathleen O'Brien Studio

Entry to Kathleen O’Brien Studio

Drawn to the Earth

Drawn to the Earth, has just closed. Seeing a year’s worth of art displayed in a gallery is a reward for hard work. I was please to have it during Earth Month. It was such an honor and pleasure to collaborate with Stan Brunn and his geopoetry. We were happy to have so many friends, new and old, attend the opening, and the enjoyed discussing art and poetry with the visitors on the two Saturday events. Very soon those who wrote, drew or collaged in the community journal “Where on earth are you from?” will be receiving their PDF copy.

Gallery view 1 of "Drawn to the Earth", photo credit Mary Rezny

Gallery view 1 of “Drawn to the Earth”, photo credit Mary Rezny

Gallery view 2 of "Drawn to the Earth", photo credit Mary Rezny

Gallery view 2 of “Drawn to the Earth”, photo credit Mary Rezny

Gallery view 3 of "Drawn to the Earth", photo credit Mary Rezny

Gallery view 3 of “Drawn to the Earth”, photo credit Mary Rezny

Recent Exhibits

Juxtapose was a huge exhibit at Community Arts Center, Danville, with over a thousand examples of collage and assemblage. Long time art friend, John Dixon, wrote a great post about many of the pieces and artists. In addition to showing Pollinators 1 and 2, for the first time I showed all 365 postcards from 2006’s Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog. The messages relate to events and celebration of that day. This example is from May 6. In 2006 it was Derby Day, when dear Barbaro won.

#96, May 4, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, front, by Kathleen O'Brien

#98, May 6, Each Day in the Year of the Fire Dog, front, by Kathleen O’Brien

Juxtapose Reception with John Dixon, Mary Beth Touchstone, Nick Lacy, Brandon Long and me some of the postcards

Juxtapose Reception with John Dixon, Mary Beth Touchstone, Nick Lacy, Brandon Long and me with some of the postcards

This is 50, was installed at the Kentucky Crafted: the Market, in Lexington. Artists were invited to interpret “50” in any way they chose to celebrate Kentucky Arts Council’s 50th Anniversary. Artists from all parts of the state chimed in with broad renderings of the theme. Mine was 50 Colors. Starting with the support, I painted dabs of 50 colors, wet it, which created a perfect grey. Then I collaged 50 painted color samples, scripts and Clary Sage petals. I was honored by Bobbie Curd’s review about it, with a catchy title; 50 Shades of Sage, playing on my 50 years as an artist.

"50 Colors" at "This is 50" exhibit with Kathleen O'Brien

“50 Colors” at “This is 50” exhibit with Kathleen O’Brien

New Products

For the first time at the May 14 Open Studio I will have my first silk scarf, in addition to the new carry all pouches, skins, pillows and tote bags. I’ll be developing more items this summer. There are more new greeting cards as well. I must get these on the web pages soon.

Outer World silk scarf by Kathleen O'Brien

Outer World silk scarf by Kathleen O’Brien

American Pharoah

We had the privilege of meeting Grand Slam Champion American Pharoah at Coolmore Stud. It’s difficult to describe the feeling of being so close to such a majestic creature, the only horse in history to win the Triple Crown (last winner was 1977) and the Breeder’s Cup. He is so sweet and creates a desire in me to aspire to my highest potential as an artist and as a person. It makes me happy to think that he lives only minutes away from us. Even more thrilling was that we were able to also meet and pet Thunder Gulch and Fusaichi Pegasus, both grand sires and Derby champions.

American Pharoah, Triple Crown Champion at Coolmore Stud

American Pharoah, Triple Crown Champion at Coolmore Stud

“Coming Together” at the “Drawn to the Earth” Reception

“Coming Together” at the “Drawn to the Earth” Reception

by | Apr 13, 2016 | art shows, artists

Friday’s reception for “Drawn to the Earth” was a coming together of about 100 art and poetry lovers. Stan Brunn and I were both pleased with the turn-out, and how well received the concept of geopoetry and art flowing together. He read several poems, including “Rivers and Roots”, which you may read in an earlier post – last year’s Earth Day, as a matter of fact. Please join us Saturday, April 16 from 12:30-2 pm at MS Rezny Studio/Gallery when Stan will talk about his forthcoming book, “The Changing World Language Map”. Thanks to Melissa Hall for the beautiful photographs she took during the reception.

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Well Hung, Drawn to the Earth

Well Hung, Drawn to the Earth

by | Mar 30, 2016 | art shows

Monday, it was time to install “Drawn to the Earth” at MS Rezny Studio/Gallery. Honestly, I like things that are well hung, but it’s not my favorite thing to hang an exhibit. Fortunately, I had expert help from my husband and Mary Rezny. It became simpler when we learned to mark a line at 60″ with a string, which became the midpoint for all the pieces, no matter their size. It also helps to have a scale model as a starting point. (more…)

Drawn to the Earth, Like a Bird

Drawn to the Earth, Like a Bird

by | Mar 21, 2016 | art shows

Drawn to the Earth, Like a Bird

All 30 pieces of my art for the Drawn to the Earth exhibit are ready to hang. As these visionary maps unfolded in my mind, I came to see them as a bird would. My longtime love of drawing and painting birds truly gave me a bird’s-eye perspective of the series. And yesterday, for the Equinox, we embedded tiny seeds in the freshly amended soil outside the studio, hoping the birds would spare them, even though the insects probably won’t. (By the way, we spread diatomaceous earth in the planting zones to handle insect pests.) (more…)

Spring Shows Up, Almost

Spring Shows Up, Almost

by | Mar 16, 2016 | art shows, works in progress

Spring Shows Up, Almost

Spring shows up in the most deliciously distracting ways on the farm. My next show, Drawn to the Earth, is almost ready to hang, but there are still many small logistical To-Do’s on my list. Meanwhile, the spring birds are coming back in full song. If I open the window to hear the Robin song, the Bluebird song, the Red-Winged Blackbird song, I’m drawn out the door and into their world, away from my hectic studio tasks and checklists. (more…)