Okra Process

Here is the original drawing of the okra, done in pen and ink with a rapidograph pen (my favorite kind of pen!) I love how sculptural the okra looked, and the repetition and slight variation of its shapes. It was also such a fresh shade of green.

Veg!

I was commissioned to do some paintings for the walls of my favorite vegetarian cafe in Richmond, Harrison Street Coffee Shop. They have remodeled and are re-opening tomorrow! I only had 4 paintings to give them so far, but by the end of August I will have all 15 done. It is so fun to draw fruits and vegetables! it's rather relaxing. all the paintings were made using a gel transfer technique, where I drew the veg and then made photocopies of the drawings. Using gel medium, I transferred the photocopied image and then painted the back of the gels with acrylic paints. I mounted them onto wooden boards and painted additional decorations directly on the boards, and sealed them off with varnish. I like working in this technique because I can work on the drawing first and then color it in. I can also make multiples of the same drawing, but each is a little different because i paint them all by hand.

From top to bottom: Okra, Plums, Lemon. I got the okra and plums at my local farmer's market because they looked so attractive. i had never liked okra before because the first time i ate it, it was so slimy! but i battered it in flour, salt, nutritional yeast, and "chicken-style" seasoning and fried it up. it was delicious!

Opening Reception

Last week was busy. I finished a drawing commission for someone on Monday and sent it off to California. Started teaching a new bookbinding class on Tuesday, finished making prints for my art show on Wednesday, taught another class on Thursday, bought some shoes from the thrift store and hung the artwork. On Friday I finished up some little details for my show, then prepared some food and brought everything over for the opening reception. I had been so excited to wear a black and gold silk dress that I've had for a couple years but never worn in public. Like a scene from a bad dream, I changed into my dress at Chop Suey and realized that it was see-through. Not wanting to expose people to my underwear, I biked home and grabbed another dress to change into. So I was a little late to my reception. Friends and aquaintances came in and it was a very laid-back, pleasant night spent talking to friendly people. All in all, a great night - whew!

 

I made a vegan chocolate gingerbread cake with orange-chocolate frosting, guacamole and cashew dip. Two students from my bookbinding class (a mother and daughter) brought me a fruit and yogurt platter, forks, napkins, and a card! I was amazed at their generosity. In fact, the whole night reminded me how at home I feel in Richmond now. When I had an art show at Gallery 5 in December, I didn't have many friends to invite to the show. This time felt very different.

 

It's always interesting to hear which are people's favorites. The top three pieces were among my favorites and others pointed them out as well.

Wind Bridge - Art Show!

hey, i'm having an art show! it's this Friday at the gallery space in Chop Suey Books in Carytown. I have been hard at work in the printshop making monotype prints, and i've been having so much fun experimenting and seeing what happens. It's a bit last minute as usual, but sometimes that's just the way it goes. The show runs from June 11th - July 5th. For those of you near Richmond, I'm having an opening reception and I'm planning on making a chocolate cake and bringing some crafts to sell as well. But if you can't make it to the reception then it'll a good excuse to stop by the bookstore one lazy afternoon to browse books and see some art. For those of you who haven't visited Chop Suey Books before, it has a great selection of new and used books, and the cute little gallery space is located on the 2nd floor.

Wind Bridge: New Prints by Aijung Kim
Opening Reception: Friday, June 11th 6 - 8 pm
Chop Suey Books
2913 W. Cary St.
Richmond, VA 23221
804-422-8066

Bookstore Hours: Mon - Thurs 10-6, Fri and Sat 10-8, Sun 12-6

ALSO: I still have space in my summer art classes for more students. As I mentioned in my last e-mail, I opened up another section of bookbinding which runs from June 24th - July 29th. You may view more detailed class descriptions and register online here or call the Visual Arts Center at (804) 353-0094. Remember, you must register one week before the class starts, and classes will run with at least 50% enrollment. I suggest you sign up with a friend!

Second Friday Sampler

On May 14th, I led a workshop in bookbinding and gel transfer (a process to transfer photocopied images) at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. The event is free as part of their monthly Second Friday Sampler. My friend Ann Merle, who I met at my Art of Sewing class that week, took all these pictures. She also helped me cut down the papers for the books and was very helpful all night. Thanks Ann Merle!

 We made a pamphlet-stitched book and decorated the covers with gel transfers. I had photocopied images to use and prepared them by painting on 3 layers of gel medium and 1 layer of varnish. The process is simple: you wet the back of the paper and rub it off, leaving a thin "skin" of gel with the image embedded into it. Then paint the back with gel medium and press it down onto your surface.

This young lady is holding up her finished book. The image is sort of small, but the image of the dog was photocopied from a book of old woodcuts.

Mother's Day Cards

A belated post - some Mother's Day pop-up cards I made. The first was for my mom. I cut up some old prints I had made and collaged them into the pop-up card. The second and third for my boyfriend's mom and grandma. Evan painted the woodland card with the rabbits :)

Coming Up: RVyAy! Records, Vintage, & Art Fair

Come to RVyAy! - A two day market extravaganza of records, vintage, and arts and crafts, to benefit Gallery5 and Books on Wheels. Shoppers will buy from local artists and vendors while supporting two amazing organizations that give so much to the Richmond community!

Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29th, 7:00 to 10:00 pm at Gallery 5, Richmond, VA

PREVIEW
Friday, May 28th
7PM - 10PM
$8
Special preview Friday night featuring performances by Ophelia, Go Go Funk Yourself, Burlesque and a special collaboration by No BS Brass Band and Gull. Record vendors in the adjoining room.

Saturday, May 29th
12PM - 6PM
FREE
Record vendors downstairs and craft vendors upstairs, with Cherry Bomb spinning records on both floors.

Check it out!

I just took The Art of Sewing class at the Visual Arts Center (an amazing class for beginners like me), and I'm now obsessed with sewing. So I have ideas for some cute little plush fabric toys. Maybe they'll be ready in time for this event? We'll see...