What Made Me

Yesterday was spent at my Alma Mater, Auburn University, celebrating homecoming with old and wonderful pals. The gods of academia graced us with gorgeous weather and everyone was happy and congenial. We laughed and ate and yelled for our team, caught up, laughed some more. I was struck with the fact that all of us are doing what we set out to do all those years ago at AU. Most of these friends were from the school of architecture, so that falls right into my own area of interest. I remembered fondly my classes and my involvement in my major and my school, college of fine and applied arts. I found myself then and now in a place where I felt at home. War Eagle Yall! XOXO mek

Show at SHC and Greekfest

Went to the opening at Springhill College last night for Pier Hardin. Pier teaches as UMS/Wright, and has just received her MLA from Springhill. I did not teach her but I wanted to be there to support her, and the MLA program. I teach some courses for them, and really like Pier. She has not bee working with oil paint long, so I was really impressed with her offerings. Got to have a great chat with Kathy Whittinger, who I have not seen in eons! Lots of other folks as well, Leigh Brown, my friend who teaches at St Paul's , Sandra Lee, my favorite travelling friend, and many more. Afterward we made a quick trip to Greekfest for some Mediterranean cuisine and dancing (them not me!). It was a chilly fall night in Mobile, with so much to do and see. Get out and enjoy! XOXO mek

Nos Belles Images and RRH

A few of my Love Letters series, Nos Belles Images, will be on display this Friday at the artwalk in Fairhope. They are in a show at the Eastern Shore Art Center. Come on by Friday night and check out the crowd (it is always BIG and eclectic), and the art. Stay around and shop, have dinner and drinks, and enjoy the town of Fairhope.

I have started working with the Little Red Riding Hood theme, although I do not know where this will take me. Today you see two Love Letters, and the beginning of a Riding Hood piece. That fairytale is so strange. Hope to explore that in this work. Thanks to the Eastern Shore Art Center for including me in the show! The folks over there have always been so welcoming to me as an artist, teacher, and viewer. Support them, and all other arts institutions, when you can. These are tough times for everyone, the arts included. XOXO MEK

Commission

Potographed this commissioned piece yesterday. I am only showing a tiny bit. I used to make ceramic nativity scenes all year long. They went out all over the place and paid my bills for years. I no longer make them but it is such a fabulous images to work with. I still like to make paintings of the nativity. My inspiration comes from early Renaissance paintings of the same story. They included so much in the pictures. The skies and backgrounds are fantastic, and they usually have some of the trees that one sees in Italy. I loved looking at nativity scenes when I was little. There was one up Springhill Avenue from where we lived (D'Iberville Apartments), at St. Catherine of Siena church. I was carried away with it! Be well! XOXO mek

Catching Up

A very busy week this has been. I went to a wonderful Halloween/ Birthday party last night. Almost everyone was dressed up and it was extremely festive. Ran into all sorts of fun folks.

This post will include a picture of that party but also work by my students. They are doing such a good job this semester that I want to show them off.

Meanwhile I have much to show you of my work tomorrow! XOXO mek.

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

Lydia painted cupcakes with me yesterday. You can see her picture here. I really like her composition so I just copied it today. I hope she does not mind. This is 9x12, oil on a genuine old timey masonite board given to me by Jean Kearley. I love painting on this surface but I can no longer find it, so I am very grateful to Mrs. K.

I have always loved Wayne Thiebaud's work, but have wondered how he makes his baked goods look so architectural. I had a revelation this week because I was teaching my students about architecture, and specifically domes on cylinders. That link takes you to the Pantheon in Rome, a fantastic example of a dome on a cylinder, and most likely a somewhat subline sight. Cupcakes are constructed in just the same way as domes on cylinders. That realization make the cupcakes easier for me.

XOXO MEK

Composed Cupcakes

I took another go at the cupcakes this morning. This time I painted on a smaller, gallery wrapped canvas, 8x8, and used oil paint. I focused in more on the lurid treats, and hung some flowers behind them. It is fun to paint things that look so artificial but are also very colorful. Be well! Xoxo mek