April 10, 2010 | Posted By: Chris
Filed Under Artist Love, Friends + Family, Life, Like + Love
For way too long I’ve been meaning to do a post about Matthew and Sandy Lynn Davis, the wonderful couple of Treatzone. (Hi Sandy, sorry this is so belated!) We first beheld their sweetness via a Poppytalk marketplace forever ago… it was their “altered portraits” that I immediately coveted, each and every one. I share a love for old photographs myself, with an ever-growing collection of them, mostly, lately, thanks to Annie’s antique shop hunting skillz.
There’s something about the fact that these were real people, as real as you and your arms and hands and face right now, and through these dusty old photographs that someone cared too much about to throw away or burn, these real people who came and went can still confront us today, long after their passing, or maybe, even, while they’re still alive, somewhere. And we all have the same end, like it or not. Except our Y2K portraits won’t look as cool as these do.
Whoah, I just thought of that scene in Dead Poets Society.
I feel the need to quote Ecclesiastes. But, ah… I’ll just suggest you all go and read it through. When you do, by the way, please keep in mind that the original Hebrew word usually translated “vanity” or “meaninglessness” in our modern translations actually doesn’t really mean those things. It’s “vapor.” Vapor of vapors! Under the sun, all is vapor. (Sorry to get scholarly, I’ve been reading it and this book recently, which I must recommend).
One of these days I’m going to start drawing and painting on some of my photographs.
ANYways, do yourself a flavor and be sure to check out the Treatzone Etsy shop + site, full of so many good things.
March 11, 2010 | Posted By: Chris
Filed Under Chris, For Sale, Friends + Family, Like + Love, Our Artwork
Scott Tuma’s new record, Dandelion, released on 12″ vinyl from the fine folks at Digitalis, is now available at Digitalis and Boomkat!!! Oh happy day, a dream come true!
About 5 or 6 years ago in college, one of my art instructors handed me a CD with a fish on the cover (no cover title) and said I might like it. Upon first listen, I realized I had been given something utterly unique and special. The CD was The River 1 2 3 4 by Scott Tuma, and consisted of four untitled tracks, and it was unlike anything I had ever listened to. Since then, I’ve been soaking in those very same sounds, listening late at night, early in the morning, any time and all the time. I’ve listened to The River at least a thousand times, and to this day, when listening, I still don’t even know which track it’s on. And it doesn’t matter, because any given moment of the music is completely captivating, and that’s all that matters. Same goes for all of Tuma’s other releases, including his work with Boxhead Ensemble and beyond. Scott is a true musical master, a conjurer of sepia-toned worlds of dust and sun, of warmth and heartache, of creaking floorboards and slow-motion rivers.
Long story short, I eventually got in touch with Scott to let him know how much I appreciated his work, and the rest is history!
A huge thank you goes out to Scott for making his beautiful, inspiring, timeless music that has filled my home and studio for the past 5 years, and to Brad at Digitalis for being awesome and letting me go to town with the artwork. When we all meet up in Chicago one of these days, I’m buying the drinks!
* * *
A very limited art edition of Dandelion, including an original hand-inked, hand-printed 8″ drypoint monoprint, signed and numbered in an edition of 30 unique prints, plus a digital download of the album and extra digital images of the artwork, including hi-res desktop wallpapers, is available by contacting me directly.
Over half of the limited art edition has already sold out, so quantities are extremely limited and for sale on a first come, first served basis.
Contact me to check availability and reserve a copy. $50 USD + shipping
Overseas customers are encouraged to purchase the standard edition (limited to only 400 copies for the world!) from Boomkat. US customers can order from Digitalis.
March 5, 2010 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Annie, Friends + Family, Life, Our Artwork
I think today I’ll post these photos of a commission I had done for a friend, because they finally have them now, and to remind me that this was part of the work I did the past few months when I look at the walls of my art show and wonder why it seems there should be more to show for my hours of sketching and glazing. I was so happy to see them in the home they belonged to, for the wall that was ready for them and the lovely people they would live with.
Tonight is the opening of my show. I have a large roll of the best butter from Happy Cow creamery and some jars of jam from NC that really is the same price as you could get in a store. I hope I have enough bread! I am a very social person, but I do get nervous at shows, art is so personal and its hanging there for everyone to see.
February 19, 2010 | Posted By: Chris
Filed Under Chris, Friends + Family, Life, Like + Love, Our Artwork
I won’t say too much about this for now, except:
I’ve listened to Scott Tuma’s music more than anything else in the past 5 years. Just ask Annie.
Creating the artwork for his upcoming release Dandelion is a total dream job.
The record will be released on 12″ vinyl on Digitalis.
A special limited art edition of 30 copies will include original artwork.
I can’t wait to show you the rest. I’ll keep you all posted!
January 26, 2010 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Friends + Family
My mom made Marshall this tipi for Christmas, I plunk a basket of books and his passle of stuffed animals. Usually he’ll stay in there for a little while though at this moment of camera click he is begging me to tell him the body parts of the goat. “Thigh!” I finally yell and he is satisfied with my answer. Silly goose, so cute.
January 1, 2010 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Friends + Family, Life
Two feet of snow, this yankee had forgotten. The soft crunching of icy lace, the blue shadows, I miss it.
Sisters, me on the far right end, we don’t share the same genes, but I really do look like I belong, don’t I? The squinty eyes. And lipstick smiles. Aren’t we pretty in the snow?
My southern son, he loved the snow. Mostly to throw giant chunks at the happy dogs.
Laney, there wasn’t enough room for her wiggling amidst the presents and people and paper. Poor dear.
December 29, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Friends + Family, Life
Hope everyone had a Christmas that was relaxing and happy. . . still in Chicago with piles of glorious snow, lighter than feathers, how does it still make that delightful crunching sound? More later, for now photos I can now share of a Christmas commission for a friend. . . Toms that were given to a very much loved wife. I’m so happy with how they turned out, I wish the photos were brighter.
December 22, 2009 | Posted By: Annie
Filed Under Friends + Family, Life
My sisters are the only people who can nail the gifts, they are quite good. I got some awesome ones this year (early exchanging). This whale was one from my youngest sister Julia. I love it! I have an expansive wooden animal collection, I’ll have to introduce you to them some time. If we don’t talk again before the big day, have a really wonderful Christmas, eating good food and watching little children open presents and remembering the little baby who came to earth just for us.
But first, look at this magical blog. Is this truly a place on earth? I wish it was in english. But at the same time not.
