I am working with Inktense pencils, Prismacolor and 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 I have been experiencing with my family and friend life situation.
In “Sunday Morning at St. Andrews,” our little family is standing while the Gospel according to St. Matthew is being read – in which we all respond “Glory to you Lord, Christ.” We have recently moved to Springfield, MO for M’s job and I am really missing our church St. Andrews, so this piece is especially sentimental.
I wanted to match the actual color of the main wall in the church, so I blended Carmine Pink and Tangerine Inktense pencils to get that orange color. All in all I was happy with the composition and patterns in this illustration.
Some of the things I enjoy the most about this drawing are our little family portrait,
the Gospel reading, and the backs of the other people’s hair and patterned clothes.
A lot of people came to the opening. There was a sign-in sheet at the front to enter into a drawing to win a framed “Reading Into It” lithography print – for the duration of the show. Whole Foods catered!
Along with the exhibition and delicious snacks from Whole Foods, “The Damsels in Distress” played an instrumental set.
We wanted to especially thank the Cons of Formant because they brought their own PA, which they let everyone use, they helped us set up our gear, and ran the sound for us. They also used to be our neighbors. Seeing them again brought back the nostalgic “summer nights” memory of sitting on our back deck listening to them play music in their own backyard with their friends singing along.
There was a great turn out and everyone supported the fundraising part as well as the bands. We even had a special guest star appearance by writer Sam Brown, author of “The Last Baby Angel.” Below is a video of Sam Brown reading an excerpt of “The Last Baby Angel” while The Cons of Formant play accompanying music.
The Set List:
Underwater
Picnic
I Don’t Drive
Arkansas
Neutron Rising
French Song
Rare Red Rainbow
D & D
Gailey’s
Mr. and Mrs.
Namesake
Twinkle Twinkle Emo
We often change instruments for each of our songs. Changing instruments can take a minute or two, which ends up being a long time when multiplied by 10 songs – especially in a 35 minute time slot. We ordered our set list so that one person was able to go directly into the next song while the other changed instruments. When we timed the set during practice, it was 34 minutes. At the beginning of the show, we were having some sound issues, so it was cut short, and “Mr. and Mrs.” ended up being our closing song.
Writing, Recording, and Performance In terms of writing, recording, and performing, the performance is the most difficult for us. Imagine being in front of a room full of people (and if the room is full of people then wow – that is good). They are all talking, eating, and drinking. Maybe only 10 of the people in the room are actually there to see you perform – these are your wonderful, supportive “fans.” As a performer, your goal is to entertain in a way that is non-threatening, confident, and creates a seamless transition from the crowd having a good time with their friends to having a great time listening to the band with their friends. The best possible scenario is that this would happen while making more “fans” with the actual music.
Honestly, the art of performance is a very big part of a band, and it is just not one of our strengths at this point. However, I do think we collected 3 or 4 new fans!
Thank you everyone who came to the show and for your support for the KUAR Arts and Letters radio program. We also wanted to give a special thank you to Dr. J. Bradley Minnick and his wonderful wife Mary Ellen for including us in all of their “taking over the world through the arts” schemes!
Thank you John and Janet with JJ Paquette Photography for coming out and taking pictures of our band!
I haven’t actually met Katherine Strause in person, but I did feel like I met her here through her art. I was immediately wowed by her paintings – the color, composition, brush strokes, and paint application.
There were so many details I like about Arkansas Homemakers: Home Demonstration and Extension Clubs .
I liked the paint application on the butterfly woman’s face in “4H” as well as the flowers at the bottom right corner of the painting.
I liked the paint application of the foliage on “Home Demonstration Agent.”
I loved the dress pattern on “Feeding Scratch.”
Speaking of loving dress pattern, there were so many great dress patterns in “Does Anyone Still Wear a Hat.” I also really liked the stylistic portraits.
In “Bow and Arrow” the paint application is excellent. The color scheme in this painting and the pinks are delightful. Also the color and patterns on the dress are great.
Specifically, the compositional element of how the yard tools cross on “Smoke” caught my attention.
Because I am a fan of ladies aprons, I liked “Subversives.”
I really enjoyed myself!
Katherine Strause Artist Studio
I contacted Katherine Strause shortly after experiencing the delights of her work. She accepted my Facebook friend request! I asked her if I could post about her show and if she was interested in showing her artist studio. She said yes!!!
“My favorite part of the studio is the isolation. It’s in the attic so only occasionally is there an interruption.”
“I usually have old movies on a little TV. The studio is only used as the studio.”
“My routine would be: have a looming deadline, search for images to use, stretch canvas, prime etc., draw and trace to get images onto the canvas, paint but try not to overpaint which is the hardest part.”
“Mr. and Mrs.” was originally titled “Mr. and Mrs. Epperson.” We wrote the song in response to being asked to play a song at the Epperson wedding. We later shortened the title to “Mr. and Mrs.” so that it could be used in a more general sense for many wedding lovers.
“Mr. and Mrs.” is about the wedding and the marriage of two lovers.
Mr. and Mrs.
Your lovely heart’s bold
To love someone like me
Who sees this life in the only way to be free.
“I do” forever.
We’ll make the changes.
We’ll say what needs to be said.
And then we’ll do them in our hearts and our heads.
With this ring, I thee wed to be true love to be true.
With this ring, I thee wed to be true love to be true.
To be true.
So would you join me?
Soon our flesh will be one.
We’ll live together forever and forever.
“I do” forever.
Our friends Doug and Sue Mary from Family Life took this video and sent to us. Thanks Doug and Sue!
and the backs of the other people’s hair and patterned clothes.
Paper Opera 
