Art Show at Midtown Carnegie Branch Library

Posted on September 2, 2017 by lksukany

When we first moved back to Springfield in June last year, I approached the reference librarian at Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, who also happened to book the art shows. I sent her the usual and appropriate materials via email and she liked what I sent. We booked a show for September 2017. I went and took pictures of the space to decide what show and sizes would work well.

I decided that the “Family Life Illustration” series at 11×14″ in 16×20″ frames would work well in this community space visually and conceptually. M helped me carry in all of the work and art hanging supplies. I set the pieces against the wall to decide on placement.

Gallery Gal showed up to help me hang the work.

We measured, hammered, and hung. When finished hanging, we leveled, placed the exhibition labels next to each piece, and put up the artist statement. I have a “The Process of Hanging an Art Show” post to reference of more specific show hanging details.

The “Family Life Illustrations” exhibit will be at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library through the end of November 2017.

The Damsels in Distress at Tea Bar and Bites

Posted on June 17, 2017 by lksukany

We had the L.K. Sukany “Family Life Illustrations” art reception at Tea Bar and Bites art reception Thursday night. It was really fun and a lot of our friends and family came out – and some people from the Springfield community too!

There were some write ups on the event to promote it, which felt really fancy – especially on the KSMU Community Calendar.

The Damsels in Distress got together once again and played an all acoustic (no microphones even) show. We played acoustic guitar, mandolin, tambourine, maracas, glockenspiel, accordion, concertina, harmonic, and vocals.

The set list was: I do, The Statement, Arkansas, Girls Take Pills, Home, Gailey’s Mr. and Mrs. Campfire Song, D&D, I Like You, Candy Store, I Don’t Drive, Old Person Muses 40 Years Hence, Zero Field, Old Spanish Trail, Let Me Fall in Love, Sister, Home Sweet Home, Little Owl, Rare Red Rainbow, Fighting Hearts, French Song, Steven, and Neutron Rising.

Most songs can be heard on thedamselsindistress.bandcamp.com

The Family Life Illustrations can be viewed on the Paper Opera blog at paperopera.com/category/art/15-illustrations or at lksukany.wix.com/art/drawing

Thanks to everyone who came out to support our art and music!

Art Show at Tea Bar and Bites

Posted on June 8, 2017 by lksukany

Tea and Bar and Bites is an amazing place. It’s this little cafe on Pickwick that we like to walk to and enjoy a pastry at every now and again.

There is always an array of eclectic art by local artists on display. I asked if I could show some work, and after sending the usual website/portfolio/resume, I was invited to show for the month of June. I recently completed a series called “15 Illustrations,” which I have now renamed “Family Life Illustrations” and that is what I wanted to use for this show at Tea Bar and Bites.

I went and photographed and measured the space months before the show. The space is limited, so I had to make a decision. Either I could hang about 10 of the pieces or I could make small art prints and hang all of the work. I decided to go with the latter decision because I think not only should the entire series be displayed together, but by putting up the smaller prints I could charge way less – should anyone want to leave with some of my art. I also created some cards, art prints, and musical magnets to sell.

I ended up taking my kid with me to hang the show, so I wasn’t sure how that would go, but it ended up working out! Tea Bar and Bites gave me a cup of tea “on the house” – a Georgia Peach – while I set up the show.

I had three walls to work with. I set up the pieces first to see where everything should go.

Once I set up the pieces, I realized that one of the plaster walls wouldn’t take any more holes, so I had to improvise and ended up using extra spaces I found.

They even gave me a little cart to set up my extra fun stuff for sell.

This show is up for the month of June. The reception is Thursday, June 15th at 5 to 7 and The Damsels in Distress will be performing.

15 Illustrations: Christmas at Bass Pro

Posted on April 22, 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.

“Christmas at Bass Pro” was a memorable time to say the least. It was E’s first carousel ride, first time meeting Santa (which seemed to be more of a traumatic experience than of joy), and first time watching an automatic train set. There was also a very large Christmas tree, which is featured in the drawing and inspired the use of Inktense pencil Leaf Green for the color.

My favorite things about this drawing are the “Santa’s elf” photographer, Santa’s little log cabin set up, and my friend Stashia and her daughter Avi meeting Santa,

the line of families to meet Santa, our family portrait, and our fun patterned pants (I wish we had this many patterned clothes in our real wardrobe),

all of the over-the-top Christmas decorations, the presents under the tree (with the fun wrapping paper patterns), the Christmas trees, and it wouldn’t be a Bass Pro Christmas celebration without the taxidermy reindeer ya’ll.

Inspiration for this drawing

Paintings for Livada: Orthodox

Posted on August 29, 2016 by lksukany

When I was on the missions trip with Grace Church serving the Livada Orphan Care ministry in Romania, the beauty of the country inspired me. I had the idea that when I got home to Arkansas I could paint these Romanian scenes and donate the paintings to Livada to raise money for orphan sponsorship.

We spent one afternoon in the heart of Targu Mures, Romania – our “tourist” day if you will. I really liked this small orthodox cathedral and decided to paint it.