The Reception for “Gridworks Revisited” Was Grand

The Reception for “Gridworks Revisited” Was Grand

The Reception for “Gridworks Revisited” Was Grand

Frankie York, owner of New Editions Gallery said “We’ve done this show before but not like this! Imagine 60 plus artists, over 120 paintings, any subject matter, all 12×12 and you have GRIDWORKS REVISITED!  Join us for this fun show featuring some of Kentucky’s finest.” Many people showed up for the reception despite the poor weather. It continues until May 12, so treat yourself to an uplifting show with much variety, something for everyone! (more…)

Celebrating Mid-Winter Studio Update 2017

Celebrating Mid-Winter Studio Update 2017

Celebrating this mid-winter time of Imbolc I’m amazed at how busy January has been. More than ever I am beginning this New Year firmly committed to the pursuit of happiness and connection through love and creativity. This is my wish for you as well. When I think of the time that has passed since Samhuin, the journey through the dark time of the year, it is one of art and life coming and going. (more…)

2016 Year Review

2016 Year Review

2016 Year Review

Even though we still have a few weeks of the year left, I have finished my review. It’s a grounding process that I enjoy, and hope you find inspiration in reading it. I’ve included a few photos of the pages below. The PDF takes a few seconds to download: 2016 Review Kathleen O’Brien

Cover of the 2016 Review by Kathleen O'Brien

Cover of the 2016 Review by Kathleen O’Brien

Page 1 of the 2016 Review by Kathleen O'Brien

Page 1 of the 2016 Review by Kathleen O’Brien

Page 9 of the 2016 Review by Kathleen O'Brien

Page 9 of the 2016 Review by Kathleen O’Brien

My Guest for ARTTOUR

My Guest for ARTTOUR

My Guest for ARTTOUR

I’m so happy to share special guests with visitors who come soon to the Annual Open Studios ARTTOUR. Encaustic sculpture artist, Michelle Hayden  will be here as well as Greg’s Antique Corner. (more…)

Celebrating Mid-Autumn 2016, Studio Update

Beloved apricot blush zinnia, 5th generation from Sunwise Farm & Sanctuary

Beloved apricot blush zinnia, 5th generation from Sunwise Farm & Sanctuary

Celebrating Mid-Autumn, Studio Update

Welcome to mid-season studio update with news since mid-summer; Annual Open Studios ARTTOUR, Horizon exhibit and talk, new art, and more. (more…)

Art Talk at Community Arts Center

Art Talk at Community Arts Center

Art Talk at Community Arts Center

Brandon Long, Program Director at Community Art Center the host for “Horizon: Contemporary Landscape”, invited me to talk about my piece in the exhibit, “Let us do our best, even if it gets us nowhere.” I always say yes because (more…)

Celebrating Mid-Summer, Studio Update

Celebrating Mid-Summer, Studio Update

Celebrating Mid-Summer, Studio Update

 

Abundance at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary July 2016

Abundance at Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary July 2016

Welcome to mid-season studio update with news since mid-spring; Sunwise Open Studios Celebrations, shows, art, mound hacking, good trades, sanctuary upgrades. This is another favorite time of year, when we take shade behind the Morning Glory wall, (more…)

Mound Hacker

Mound Hacker

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…)

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Studio Update

Celebrating Mid-Spring, Studio Update

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″

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

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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