15 Illustrations: Exploring the Japanese Stroll Garden

Posted on May 3, 2017 by lksukany

I am working with Inktense pencils, Micron ink pens, and Canson Illustration 11×14″ 150lb art pad to create 15 illustrations (that is how many pieces of paper are in the art pad) of my current family life and inspirations.

This work is narrative in content and uses color in a monochromatic way accentuating one part of each drawing. These fun and quirky illustrations are a reflection of the current joy and activities I have been experiencing.

“Exploring the Japanese Stroll Garden” is just one of many times we have been to the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Springfield, MO. We all love to walk around and explore what the different seasons have to offer in the garden. It is such a relaxing and calm place to be. I used Inktense pencils Mauve and Violet blended for the purple blooming trees.

My favorite things about this drawing are the bridge and Micah and E looking off of the bridge,

all of the nature textures – the pebbled ground, trees, and bushes,

the rock pathway and log edging along the water,

and Ein and I watching the ducks.

Inspiration for this drawing

Art Show at Bookmarx

Posted on March 8, 2017 by lksukany

In December 2016, I went into Bookmarx – this little locally owned bookstore on Walnut Street – with a friend. I noticed they had a gallery space in the back that was surprisingly large. I started talking with the owner Aubrey. She told me to send her an email with some samples of my work. I did send her some samples and she liked them. She said an artist had backed out for March, and I said that would be great to show then.

I went by about a month before set up and measured the space. I like to know which pieces will fit in the space in advance. I drew up a diagram of the space and was able to fit almost the entire show in it.

I took the unframed pieces to Gallery Gal. I really wanted the frames to match and knew they could get the job done! Matthew was able to match the exact wood (soft maple).

In the meantime, I sent Aubrey info (including a picture of the exhibition postcard, artist bio and the artist statement) for the Springfield Regional Arts Council promotional information for the First Friday Art Walk.

As is always the case, time flew by and it was already time to go set up the show. M offered to take the paintings to Bookmarx for me and as he’s been pretty active at Royal Barbell these days, he had no problem loading and unloading all 13 pieces for me. Then after calling Gallery Gal for some help with hanging the artwork I put my show-hanging bag together and my work boots on and headed out.

This is my process of how I hang an art show:
#1 Once the paintings are in the space I organize them – leaning them against the wall. This way I can get a pretty good idea of how they will look in the space and with each other.

#2 I unload the contents of my show-hanging bag which includes: hammer, picture hangers (50 lbs), blue painters tape, white artist tape, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, art labels (in a recycled stationary box), notebook (with secret formula), tape measure, ruler, level, writing pen, and micron ink pens. It’s also practical to bring a step ladder to these kind of things.

#3 I measure the space between the wall edges and the paintings, so that they are all even.

#4 I work out the eye level for each piece by using the secret formula. Because the whole reason I have made this blog was to share with you my artist process, I am going to share the secret formula! Make sure to include the frame for all measurements. Also, if you are getting numbers like “.185” just round up to quarters (.25, .5, .75).

THE SECRET FORMULA FOR HANGING ART
Measure the Length (up and down) and divide it by 2 = x
Measure the Length (up and down) from the highest point of the picture hanger (when pulling up on it) and the top of the painting = y
Subtract x from y and add 56. x-y+56=z (The standard eye level is 56-58, but I’m a bit on the short side, so I favor the 56.)
Place the tape measure on the floor in the center of the painting and pull up all the way to whatever number z was and mark a dot in pencil on the wall. That is where you will put your picture hanger.
Example: 50.5 ÷ 2 = 25.25 (x) – 10.5 (y) + 56 = 70.75 (z)

#5 Hang work and use the level tool (a level is a tool to make sure the painting is not hanging crooked). Place piece of painters tape or artist tape on the back of the art labels and place next to the piece wherever it looks good – usually on the bottom right about an inch or so from the artwork. I also use tape to mount my artist statement, which I have printed on large, shiny foam board.

The art opening was the next day. The art opening is typically when the artist is present at their show. It may be a time for them to meet and maybe make some fans too.

There was a pretty good turnout – a lot of my friends came out. Thanks friends!

15 Illustrations: Watching the Larpers at Phelps Grove Park

Posted on February 22, 2017 by lksukany

“Watching the Larpers at Phelps Grove Park,” was something we did a hand full of times last fall. Larpers are live action role-players “where the participants physically act out their characters’ actions. The players pursue goals within a fictional setting represented by the real world while interacting with each other in character.” (via Wikipedia) When the weather is nice out the Larpers and their families meet up at Phelps Grove Park on Sunday afternoons and play for a couple of hours. We always think it would be fun to let Ein off leash and yell “Warg attack!” – but of course we do not do this. I used Inktense pencil poppy red for the picnic blanket and one of the Larpers’ teams. I have really been wanting to use red, but it’s such a vivid color that it was hard to find a place for it until this drawing.

My favorite things about this drawing are the Larpers,

the nature (trees and grass) patterns,

our family (dad, mom, baby, and dog),

and the picnic blanket pattern and polka dotted pants.

Inspiration for this drawing

15 Illustrations: Finding Nemo with Friends

Posted on December 10, 2016 by lksukany

“Finding Nemo with Friends” features some of our friends from Arkansas (and Romania). Our friend Nana and her three kids were so amazing to help me navigate the land of having a kid. We were invited over – an open invitation – for whenever we wanted. Nana’s husband put together a “Finding Nemo” fishtank and E loved watching the fish. I used Inktense pencil Iris Blue for the color and used it on the water in the fish tank, the sky in the Romania painting, and placed a wave pattern on the rug.

Some of my favorite things about this drawing are Nana’s daughter reading to E,

Nana’s son playing cars,

Nana’s dog (and Ein’s friend Jack) watching W play with his cars,

Nana’s oldest daughter reading a good book,

the fireplace,

the painting of Romania that Nana commissioned for Livada orphan sponsorship,

the awesome “Finding Nemo” fish tank,

the fun wallpaper pattern,

and the waves in the carpet, which I put to not only use the color in an interesting way, but to show that our short time together (before we moved to Springfield) was in some ways metaphorically like the “Finding Nemo” dentist fish tank scene.

Inspirations for this drawing:

15 Illustrations: Key of G

Posted on October 27, 2016 by lksukany

“Key of G” is a musical family portrait in the playroom. G was the first note our baby played on her Casio keyboard. I liked this drawing so much that I made it into E’s first birthday party invitations and thank you notes. It’s super fun with all of the patterns, shapes, and there is that party pink color again. I used Inktense Carmine Pink and Fuchsia blended. I never thought I would be a little girl pink promoter, but goodness there are so many cool things in pink!

Some of my favorite details of this drawing are the thread in a jar, the piano, the piano bench cushion pattern, M’s fun socks (completely made up), the rug pattern inspired by The Land of Nod,

the play kitchen with the triangles on the wall (which the pink triangle decals are from the Land of Nod and placed by Gallery Gal), our fun family musical portrait,

me playing accordion, E playing the maracas, Ein playing the jingle bells,

the fun pendant (that I designed and embroidered), table cloth triangle pattern, and flowers in the kitchen, M playing the concertina (Grandpa and Grandma Sugar gave us the concertina – thanks!),