Sound and Light

Two porcelain pieces..

Flower bell. Porcelain, copper, coral bead. 2012

Luminaria. Hand thrown and carved porcelain. 2011.

The candle-holder holds one comfortably nested tea light, and when it does, the whole thing glows gently and sends flickering dots onto the walls. 

The first was a gift to a friend, but I couldn't bear to part with the second. It's still one of my favorite pieces!

Familia

Here is a little family of porcelain bells that I pulled from the kiln today. 

The ringers (also porcelain) will be hung from the inside. From the test clinks I think they will sound quite nice!

Bells, Coleman porcelain, 2012.

More papercuts -- desert to deep sea

A few more papercuts before I head out:

a California poppy

Papercut, 2011.

and a lantern fish:

Papercut, 2011.

The poppy was technically never finished, but I much prefer it in this state, blossoming out of a plain sheet of computer paper. 

The lantern fish I sliced from a sheet of notebook paper -- appropriately college ruled, but empty. I've thought of using sheets of my actual notes for things like this. But would that be offensive? I've always held education sacred...

Papercuts and Watercolors

I've been working on a number of new pieces recently, including the following little papercuts and watercolors. All of them are six by six inches, to fit the theme of the annual 6x6 fundraising exhibit of the Eye Lounge in downtown Phoenix (March 16 to 18). 

This week I'm leaving for Asia for about a month, but will still be making art there, as well as hiking about, spending time with family, and consuming large amounts of amazing Taiwanese food. I can't wait!

For your listening pleasure: Alexis Harte's new album 6 Spoons of Honey. I especially like "Please Come Out" and the fact that the cover has a bee on it. 

Salvador the bird says:

Enjoy!

Papercut, 6x6.

Papercut with colored card inserts, 6x6.

Pen and ink, watercolors, 6x6.

Watercolors, 6x6. Inspired by road trips (L) and apical meristems (R).

'N-Sex Exhibit Opening: Success!

On Friday evening, more than 230 Phoenicians came 

to the opening of our ceramic insect exhibit at the Eye Lounge!

Here's the flyer in case you're looking to visit during the 1-month exhibit (until Feb. 15). 

We're expecting many more visitors on February 3, which as a First Friday brings thousands of people through local art galleries in single night.

A huge thank-you to all of our supporters, 

a slew of familiar faces from Arizona State University's School of Life Sciences, 

Social Insect Research Group, and School of Art. 

And much gratitude to David Bradley, 

Phoenix ceramic instructor, sculptor, and Eye Lounge member 

who initiated this entire project, contributed all of the raw materials, 

and organized the artist-scientist collaborations!

Please do visit if you get a chance. I'll post more pictures,

but it's definitely better in person!

--Kim

The Tree People

Pen and Muji sketchbook. Made in NYC, while remembering Panama.

Ceramic Bugs -- Open to the Public in 2 weeks!!

As of October of last year, I have been collaborating with a group of scientists from Arizona State University and local artists to create a ceramic bug exhibit.

The occasion is the first annual Arizona Science and Technology Festival, whose primary purpose is to showcase local innovations in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Our team of entomologists and artists is creating an exhibit which will open on January 20, 2012. It will be on display at the Eye Lounge in downtown Phoenix through the month of February. On February 3 (First Friday), we're expecting a large audience for the monthly free art walk through the galleries in the area. 

Please come by and take a look! Our goal for our show is to show what insect / bug research is being done at Arizona State University. Expect to learn a lot about all of the crazy behaviors insects have for the purpose of reproduction. 

Also, we're planning to sell select bugs. If you or someone you know loves bugs, these would make a unique gift! They have holes for wall-mounting, or are perfectly awesome free-standing, too.

Here are the bugs in progress!!

Bugs. Paperclay, low fire underglaze. From 8" to 14".

--Kim--

Papercuts

Dear readers,

Apologies for the delay! The past few months have been spent travelling the East Coast, and I have just gotten settled back at home. Rest assured there will be more posts now -- with inspiration derived from my artist friends in New York, and from museum-going and personal research, I'm excited to try out some new projects and styles of art.

First up is papercutting, which is completely engaging and satisfying. I'm working with acid-free sketch paper now, but hope to upgrade to silhouette paper when my shipment arrives. In the meantime, I'm honing my ability to control the knife and make precise, fine cuts. Here are two examples of "sketches" I made this morning (cutting is basically sketching with an X-acto knife in lieu of a pen).

A small bird:

Strathmore 60 lb paper, 2.5x3"

And a rabbit:

Strathmore 60 lb. paper, 8x8"

I'm getting inspired by reading more about papercutting -- especially in this book by Rob Ryan.

I'm nowhere near that level of detail yet, but am practicing and aspiring!

--Kim--

Just for fun..

Pen and ink. 5x 6". 2011

Roughly, very roughly based on a cutaway section of tree rings.

Beetle

Yixing clay, nichrome wire. 2009. 

This is one of my personal favorites. Burnishing the surface to a gentle sheen, and getting the animal to stand properly were challenging but enjoyable. I miss making this piece -- perhaps I will make more like it in the future.

Eat me

Stoneware, china paint. 2010. 
This was a collaboration with my friend Aimee: she provided the plate and I the image.

One Small Leap

Digital photograph. 2010. 

This one was displayed in the Memorial Union at Arizona State University for a bit.

Hopper

Hopper, 2 x 3 in., Porcelain and cobalt underglaze, 2011

Co-evolved Beetle

This sketch was done on the back of a receipt, upon discovery of an interesting image in a book I was reading for my Evolution course! If you're ever curious about the topic, Thompson's The Coevolutionary Process is definitely worth reading.

Insecta

Insecta, 11 x 14 in., Pen, 2010

Pogonomyrmex californicus

 California seed-harvester ant

Magdalis frontalis
Weevil

Introduction

Dear friends and strangers!

I'm making the leap, por fin, into the world of art and art blogging. Biology and art have been a huge part of my life, and I'm ready to share my mixes of the two, and meet others who do the same!

Welcome, and enjoy!