Some of the nicest sympathy cards I've received over the years radiated the promise of better days ahead. That's what I hoped for when I took my collage and made it into this card.
Available now locally via Hatchlings & Hens and my Etsy shop.
Original collage in my sketch book
What does an artist take with her on a mini break? She takes her trusty travel paint kit and thoroughly enjoys painting vistas along the way.
So good.
Sunday sketch. A morning when wise words in a sermon collided with basics of cutting out letters to fit a prescribed shape.
I ran out of space for the word "welcome" and as I sat there puzzling it out this saying sprang to mind:
"When you have more than you need build a longer table, not a bigger fence."
So I lengthened my "table" and listened to the words of the preacher and a wise craftsman (Nate) sketch out how we can find a way to create a more welcoming space architecturally AND in our hearts.
Sunday sketching.
Learning more about laughter.
There is so much I learn each time I create a painting. New ways of seeing and transcribing what I see via my paint brush. In the process of painting this "Yellow Tulips" painting (painted on top of a archived screenprint) I learned so much about movement, light and shadow, and taking the time to sit quietly with these sweet tulips.
I'm not ready to part with the original painting as it is still teaching me new things (!)
but I am offering it as a card and now, as an 8 x 10 digital print.
Asap locally via Hatchlings & Hens and now via my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1080460573/yellow-tulips-gouache-painting-as?ref=shop_home_active_2
Learning, listening and sketching. All so good.
I had some white bandana blanks sitting around my print studio so I decided to create a fun bandana to share via my pop up shop July 28th at Waterloo Bicycle Works.
Opens at 10A.M.
🔊🔊🔊
316 W 3rd Street
A splash of neo pink and crisp navy blue ink with a sassy cat flanked by mid century modern clocks.
Frame it.
Wear it.
Laugh with it!
Available now via my Etsy shop
@waterloobicycleworks
#katebrennanhall #illustration #illustrator #screenprinted #printmaker #handprinted #patterns #colormehappy #catbandanas #madeinusa #printedinusa #bandanas #catnipcats #midcenturycats #ragbrai
Handprinted bandanas make such fun gifts!
Thanks, Johnny.
I'm feeling especially lucky today because the great folks at The Ragged Edge Art Bar and Gallery have started selling some of my original paintings and prints!
So if you're thirsty for a tasty beverage and fun art in a beautiful (quite magical) space then I encourage you to head over there. They also have a wonderful patio!
504 Bluff Street in Cedar Falls, IA
(just to the south of Viking Pump offices)
HOURS:
Thursday:
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday:
4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Saturday:
12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sunday:
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Follow my Instagram page where I post images more often than via my journal page…!
"Trusting (In Times of Fear)"
Sunday sketch.
Thanks, Dave.
#katebrennanhall #illustration #illustrator #drawing #markers #patterns #nature #flowers #soothing #sundaysketches
#cedarheightscommunitypresbyterianchurch #shelter #peace #comfort #trust #poscamarkers
I got to hug this friend last night in the music filled gardens at The Hearst. I'm so grateful to all the scientists, health workers and public servants who have guided us through these rough waters. To be able to hug a friend is truly a gift.
#ThrowbackThursday Back to 2018-19 when I was trying to figure out how to stop using plastic packaging for my towels. There were a couple of false starts but eventually Mike Tyer from Trademark Letterpress Co. came up with this beautiful solution.
There were so many objectives to check off:
--no plastic
--affordable
--just in time printing (less paper waste)
--easy to read
--ability to hang on a display or lay on table top
--telegraph the fact that my towels are designed, handprinted & packaged
--easy for customers to tuck them into luggage when traveling with gifts
--easy for me to ship via my Etsy shop
--provide visual continuity so long time customers could spot my goods in shops
Thank you Mike for your patience and hard work. I needed to collaborate with someone who understands handmade goods and whose love of typography shines forth from the packaging. So grateful for all your amazing work!
“Washing Away” {Gouache + markers}
Sunday sketching.
Cats, yarn and sunshine. The only thing missing is a bouquet of catnip!
Happy #caturday!
My smallbatch postcards and cards are available via my Etsy shop and many of my stockists.
#katebrennanhall #illustration #illustrator #gouache #portraits #capturingdelight #patterns #surfacedesign #patternplay #catsofinstagram #catcards #kittens #greetingcards #postcards #madeiniowa #iowamade #smallbatch
Sunday sketches.
These past few months have brought so much joy within my creative life. A chance to show my work via the Hearst Center for the Arts and then news of my pattern designs being accepted into the "Surface Pattern Design Guide" section of uppercasemagazine.com #49 issue.
With over 850 entrants narrowed down to 100 artists--- it had to be a tough job to select which ones would be published. I am thrilled to be a part of it! Each artist could submit up to nine patterns and three would make it into publication. (see the nine I entered in this post)
I am a novice when it comes to patterns. They are a challenge! I learned so much from this experience that I will take it with me as I create more pattern designs this year. Thank you for your comments about the patterns that I create. I appreciate your feedback!
I am very happy to be featured on a page with the beautiful patterns of fellow "Kates" from Canada and Scotland: Kate Golding and Kate Livingstone.
This is a story about "the little things"
For many years I worked out at my local rec center. I'd greet the check in staff and go about my merry way. One day I brought along freshly baked homemade cookies to give these helpful people. I will never forget the stunned-happy look on their faces. It was like I had given them a *huge gift. In my mind it was just some delicious cookies but it was clear that my small gesture meant something to them.
This past month I've given free postcards of my work via my show at Hearst Center for the Arts and so many have thanked me for this gift. A small gesture that has radiated back so much unexpected happiness to me. Thank you!
Today I'm sending out these samples with some hand drawing to add some cheer.
#katebrennanhall #illustration #illustrator #drawing #gouache #color #colour #printmaker #patterns #textiles #makers #handmade #smallbatch #kitchengifts #madeiniowa #iowaartist
