2 HAWKS 2 FISHES

Francis Whitmore's Wife Shadow Puppet Video

2011-12-31T14:28:00.007-05:00

One of the most rewarding things I've gotten to do this year is share a new shadow puppet show I made.

Katherine Fahey, Katie Cuffari Shinsato, and Rebecca Siegmund Williams

This time last year, I was thinking a lot about this song (Mrs. Whitmore's song) and how i wanted to make a shadow puppet show about it. I had made a crankie (a hand cranked scrolling story telling device in a box) as part of a shadow puppet music video for band Wye Oak, but it wasn't till I met fiddler, Anna Roberts Gevalt and ballad singer, Elizabeth LaPrelle that I thought of making it portable. They had made a couple of crankies they could take around with them and perform. I based the design of my box on theirs.

Even then, i had no idea what kind of adventure this was going to take me on. My first show was in the warm and welcoming Black Cherry Puppet theater in my town of Baltimore. After that, I quickly found myself performing at cafes, schools, parties, music shows. I even got to do several performances at Virginia Center fro the Creative Arts and other shows in Virginia and West Virginia with Anna and Elizabeth.

This new shadow puppet show did several things for me which I never expected. Always having been shy about performance, the crankie allowed me to sing without feeling so much of the attention on me as well as allowed me to share my art with people in real time. I was able to experience the connection you make with an audience in a way that only live performance can create.

Now with January coming around again I have finally a video of the crankie to share with all of you. I know it's not the same as seeing it in person but hopefully it will allow me to share it with more people.

So I guess my lesson for 2010 is to keep doing things I love but am afraid to do. Happy New Year!

Video Credits:
Art Director/Paper cutter/puppeteer/Vocals: Katherine Fahey
Songwriter: Carole Moody Crompton
Director of Photography: Michael Patrick O'Leary
Puppeteer: Katie Cuffari Shinsato
Puppeteer: Rebecca Siegmund Williams
Paper Cutter: Raj Bunnag
Sound: Nick Sjostrom
Crank Box Construction: Neal Golden

12 days of Christmas

2011-12-30T19:06:00.000-05:00

I was back as a visiting artist at the Providence Center for adults this December. We put on a shadow puppet show of the 12 days of Christmas. Such a great group of students. A woman was interviewing one of the them today. She was asking him what he wanted to do; what were his hopes and dreams. Do you want to travel? Do you want to get married? No, he said. I want to make more art.

5 golden rings

a partridge in a pear tree

french hens

ladies dancing

maids a milkin'

Oh Virginia

2011-12-15T18:27:00.003-05:00

I spent the month of November at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains doing an artist residency there. I got a lot of work done, enjoyed some great walks, and spent time with some talented and wonderful folks there. There are usually about 30 writers, composers, and visual artists there at a time. I can't say enough how meeting dedicated artists inspires me.

I performed the Elizabeth Whitmore shadow puppet crankie down in Virginia at VCCA, Rapunzels in Lovingston, Amherst Elementary, The Palisades in Eggelston, and at the the Floyd Country Store. The best audience I had was the 50 2nd and 50 3rd graders at Amherst Elementary. They didn't stop asking questions til the teacher made them stop. I will always remember one little girl who raised her hand and just asked me to sing them more songs.

Maggie Smith, a fellow resident at VCCA, began writing poems about the crankie during our time together there. She has written 12 so far. Here is the first one she wrote.

Marked

They are alone, the woman and the girl child.
The man has gone over the mountain

to work for a year, maybe longer, and the sunlight
here is a little bitter, the color of turmeric,

the same gold-green as the leaves floating down.
The girl has an eye like a spyglass for birds.

She must be marked, the woman thinks.
Wherever she walks, the shadow of a hawk

falls on her, the way a light trains on something
but in reverse. In this thick forest, light can’t

touch every leaf, but the woman watches
wind touch all of them. If they weren’t paper-

thin, this rustling would be a hammering
like hooves on hard ground. The man will return,

but what a strange homecoming to the world
belonging to the woman and child. They cut

its intricate shapes from nothing, like silhouettes
from paper. They have a rhythm. Mornings,

to the creek on horseback, ochre leaves falling
through ochre air, nearly indistinguishable.

Evenings, at the fire, telling stories the man
won’t know. Maybe there is something about

his hands, rough as bark, the girl will remember.
But if she’s grown wild in this wilderness,

who could blame her. Once small enough
to fit inside the hawk’s fallen shadow,

now she can almost outrun it, only the dark
blade of a wingtip scissoring across her face.

photos above by Margaret Woodson Nea

Linda Nelson, Waiting on the Moon

2011-10-25T21:56:00.004-04:00

This Summer I had the honor of working with country music singer songwriter Linda Nelson on the cover of her new CD Waiting on the Moon. Linda is the kind of person that just the sound of her voice on the phone makes you feel like you're standing in a forest somewhere. She welcomed me into her world with the same kind of gentleness and honesty that she seems to do everything. It was a pleasure to get to know her and work on this project that meant so much to her.

This Sunday October 30th, 3 PM-7 PM we will be celebrating the release of Waiting on the Moon at Andy Nelson's BBQ. I will be there performing my crankie along with a killer line up of talented musicians including Jody West, Christian Kane, Caleb Stine, and other special guests. BBQ, hot cider, and warm folks! BYOB 1107 York Road Cockeysville, MD.

Special thanks to Scott Dennison for his wonderful work on the booklet insert and expert printing advice!

Puppets in the City

2011-10-16T07:06:00.001-04:00

I spent this past Monday at Northwestern High School here in Baltimore city where art teacher, Danielle Long, did a shadow puppet unit with her two classes. She had shown them the shadow puppet music video I worked on for Wye Oak, invited me to do my crankie for them on the day of their performances, and talk about my work. These kids were learning to work together and use their creativity. I saw so much potential in them. I watched Danielle guide them through the class, always gentle, always patient and thought about what a difference a good teacher can make.

Waterford

2011-10-09T10:20:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I spent the day at the renowned annual craft fair in Waterford, Virginia. I've been visiting family friends in this pre-civil war town since I was a little girl. Neal and I performed my Elizabeth Whitmore crankie at the Sugar Shack after party on Main Street and met so many wonderful people there.

At the end of the night, we walked to our car in the moonlight, across town and an empty field, alongside about 18 civil war soldiers on horseback. I can still hear the sound of their horse's shoes on the now paved roads. After all these years that little town continues to amaze me. I wish i could explain it better, but there are some things you just have to experience for yourself. Thanks again Waterford.

West Virginia, my home away from home

2011-07-26T11:48:00.001-04:00

I recently spent a week in Elkins, West Virginia at the amazing Augusta Heritage Center. I performed my Elizabeth Whitmore shadow puppet crankie three times while I was there, along side fellow crankie maker Anna Roberts-Gevalt. The response was overwhelming. It's amazing for me to be able to share my artwork in a similar way that musicians are able to share their songs; to take it on the road and have an active exchange with people.

Anna and I with our crankies

Footage of Paper Fish Perfomance at Metro Gallery

2011-07-26T11:26:00.002-04:00

Guy Werner recently posted his documentation of the live performance of Wye Oak's video Fish we put on at the Metro Gallery this past April. It was great experience to get to share the shadow puppet show live and work with Mike O'leary, his awesome lighting crew, Jenn and Andy of Wye Oak, Guy and Sarah of the Metro Gallery, and our amazing team of puppeteers. So wonderful to have this footage to remember it by. You can view it here on Push Play Record

photo by Neal J Golden

Pile of Craft Saturday!

2011-06-24T23:05:00.000-04:00

Come on out for Pile of Craft this Saturday!

JUNE 25, 2011 - 10am to 5pm

2640 St Paul Street, Baltimore MD 21218, inside St John's Church
This year's fair will have over 65 of the best local and national crafters, as well as a weaving demonstration by Carlybird Weaves and and a raffle to win a huge basket full of goodies by supporting Baltimore Clayworks! Check the blog to see vendor interviews and raffle basket sneak peeks.

Saturday Shadow Puppet Show at Black Cherry Puppet Theater!

2011-06-14T10:38:00.003-04:00

Recent work on Baltimore band Wye Oak's music video Fish and my love for music have taken me further down the road of shadow puppetry as of late, but this time, into the past. This new shadow puppet show is based on a song written in 1978, set to the tune of an old shape note song, about a woman who lived in the mid-1700's.
It was inspired by the imagery of a song written by Carole Moody Crompton called Mrs Whitmore's Song. I've loved this song for years, but didn't know much about it. Crompton based her song on an article she read about Elizabeth Whitmore, a regional heroine, surviving a winter while caring for her small child, on her own in the wilds of Vermont in the mid-eighteenth century. She set her lyrics to the tune of a haunting but beautiful old shape note song called Fuducia. The combination of the moving music and the vivid imagery drew me in the first time she heard it. I couldn't help but want to make something about it. I was able to contact the songwriter who explained that when she wrote the song she was supporting herself as a single mother and felt an intense connection to this woman from so long ago. As someone who sees a lot of this same struggle in my own city, this made me want to do it even more.

Shadow puppetry is a lot like animation. You work on it for a month and it's over in five minutes, but somehow you can't stop doing it. A cranky shadow puppet show is created by pasting paper to one continuous scroll of paper which you then crank. It was an exciting new challenge creating a continuous visual story line. With the help of my wonderful husband Neal and my fantastic intern Raj Bunnag I was able to complete the crankie in a month.

Black Cherry Puppet theater will host a broad array of wonderful entertainers this Saturday night including, among others, Squidfire's Kevin Sherry and Miranda Pffiefer, creator of Celebration's stunning video, Honey Suckle Blue. Special musical guests TBA! Tickets available at brownpapertickets.com.

Puppet Slamwich!

Saturday, June 18, 2011, 7 and 9 pm

Black Cherry Puppet Theater

1115 Hollins Street

Baltimore, MD

Paper Fish closing and Raffle

2011-05-10T14:23:00.000-04:00

We had a magical night at the closing event of the Paper Fish exhibit at the Metro Gallery. The live shadow puppet performance of Fish went off without a hitch! Jenn and Andy managed to sound amazing despite Jenn's cold. The music, the puppets, and lighting came together flawlessly.

Anna and Elizabeth and their crankies were so wonderful. They swept everyone off their feet with their perfect harmonies and luminous storytelling.

We raised $245.26 with our raffle for the tsunami victims in Japan. The winner of the seven foot paper cut was Jen Raffensperger. Congratulations Jen! If you would like to make a donation you can go to http://www.directrelief.org/Index.aspx.

Thanks again to everyone for making it such a great evening!

Kathy

Wye Oak video Fish, live show on April 22nd!

2011-04-13T08:58:00.007-04:00

Friday, April 22nd we will attempt to perform the shadow puppet show from the video live accompanied by Wye Oak. It's been a challenge figuring out how to pull it off. I've been making doubles of certain puppets (in some cases, 5 of them) and Michael O'Leary, who filmed the video, is orchestrating an elaborate screen and lighting setup. Excited to see how it turns out! Opening are Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle from southern Virginia and their amazing crankies (scrolling shadow puppet shows)!

$8 Friday, April 22nd at the Metro Gallery 7-10PM 21+

WYE OAK "Fish" from Michael Patrick O'Leary on Vimeo. If you are having trouble viewing the video, click here to watch it on youtube.

Video Credits:

Songwriters: Wye Oak (Jenn Wasner, Andy Stack)

Producers: Anne and Stewart Stack

Director of Photography: Michael Patrick O'Leary

Art Director/Paper cutter/puppeteer: Katherine Fahey

Editor: Owen Lang

Puppeteer: Scott Dennison

Puppeteer: Shari Edelson

Paper Cutters: Katie Field, Scott Dennison, Robin Reid, Brook Kearley, Annabel Kearley, Shari Edelson, Elodie Rabilloud

Gaffer: Matt Brennan

B Camera Operator: Nick Midwig

Camera Assistant: Neal Golden

Friday! Paper Fish Opening! Wye Oak Video Premier!

2011-03-22T08:49:00.008-04:00

Just got news the video is finished! It was so exciting to see it done after all the hard work we all put into it. It's been a wonderful experience to collaborate with so many talented and creative people. We will be screening it for the first time this Friday at the Paper Fish opening at the Metro gallery. 1700 North Charles Street, across from The Charles Theater.

The Paper Fish exhibit is a show of the shadow puppets and paper cuts which I made for the new Wye Oak Music Video for their song Fish, from their great new CD, Civilian. There will also be fantastic photos of the process of making the video on display by Neal Golden.

Opening event Friday, March 25th 7-10: At the opening guests will have the opportunity to make their own shadow puppets and participate in an impromptu production.

Closing event Friday, April 22nd 7-10: Live performance of the shadow puppet show from the video with Anna and Elizabeth and other special musical guests.

Email me with any questions.

Hope to see you!

Kathy

TEST PRINT SHOW

2011-03-06T18:44:00.001-05:00

As show of spontaneous, richly layered prints which chronicle all kinds of screen-printing work I’ve done over the years, from paintings to posters.

Opens this Thursday, March 10th 6-8PM at the 33.6% wine bar. 1117 W. 36th Street Baltimore, MD 21211

Neon Video

2011-03-04T12:50:00.000-05:00

I got to break out some of my old faux finishing skills recently helping out on Tommy Mayer's new video for his song called Neon. I wood-grained some doors, painted a wall will some decorative elements, and made some large signs with sparkly letters on them. The fun thing about working for Tommy is it's a rare opportunity to be really over the top.

Shadow Puppet Music Video

2011-03-03T06:38:00.002-05:00

I spent the first part of this year working on an inspiring new project, a shadow puppet show for a music video for friends Jenn Wasner and Andy Stack of Wye Oak. The video is for their song Fish off upcoming release Civilian. I had a lot of fun creating the characters for this underwater world and the process of working with film was a new and exciting experience for me.

Thanks to a lot of long days and helpful friends the video will be released along with Wye Oak's new CD this month.

Special thanks to Neal Golden, Katie Feild, Scott Dennison, Shari Edelson, and Mike O'Leary, and Owen Lang for all their hard work on this project!
(photo above by Michael Patrick O'Leary)

Winters flying by.

2011-01-21T13:07:00.001-05:00

Winter's going by so quickly and i haven't written a thing. Time for some catching up!

I was fortunate enough to spend October at an artist residency in Amherst, Virginia this fall. It was amazing to be immersed in such a creative atmosphere and get back to my roots in my home state of Virginia.

Since I've been back in Baltimore I organized a house show of the work from the residency. I enjoyed sharing my experience with my community here. The whole time I was at VCCA I thought how can I make my every day life more like this. I am happy to say that I realize that much of what I had at VCCA I have right here in Baltimore also. I just need to continue investing my time and energy into it. To read more about my experience at VCCA you check out this Radar Redux article For the Sake of Song.

Recently I have been hard at work on an art project with local band Wye Oak and photographer Michael Patrick O'Leary. I'm also excited for some art shows I have coming up this spring. I'm looking forward to teaming up for some singing with The Shape Note Sisters in April and May.

More to come!

Kathy

Holiday thanks!

2010-12-06T19:34:00.001-05:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to support us the past two weekends. Last week we participated in our first Bazaart Craft sale at the American Visionary Arts Museum and this Saturday our third Holiday Heap at Saint John's Church in Charles Village. It's inspiring to see so many creative people doing what they love and the Baltimore community receiving it with such warmth and appreciation.

I have always loved the Visionary Arts Museum so it was exciting to participate in an event there! It was a great show. Sincerest thanks to Jenny Jen for telling us about the sale and the AVAM for including us.

You will be happy to hear that the Holiday Heap raised close to $900 for Heart's Place Shelter located in Saint John's church this Saturday.

So many friends and family come out to support us from as far as New York along with all of the great new people we met! Neal and Becky were amazing help at the table. Thanks to Ashlie and Neal for taking photos. Carly was the perfect neighbor sharing her yummy trail mix with us! Thanks to the rest of the Charm City Craft Mafia for all their hard work and including us in their wonderful event again this year! Thanks so much to Jennifer Strunge for her generous help and savvy advice!

A special thanks to Neal for getting up early, helping me load the car, selling my work, and taking amazing photos as usual.

We celebrated with friends Saturday night and had dinner at the new roof top Dizz restaurant, took turn singing songs at home, and fell asleep in front of the fireplace with the cats. That's it for sales for us this season. If you didn't make it you can always visit us on Etsy.

Thanks to all who made the past two weekends spectacular!

Holiday Heap! This Saturday!

2010-12-01T12:41:00.000-05:00

This Saturday we will be at 2640 Saint Paul with the likes of Cotton Monster, Carly Bird Weaves, and many other of your favorite crafters! 10AM - 5PM Charm City Craft Mafia puts on the most fun fair of the year. Come on out and see us!

Bazaart!

2010-11-21T23:53:00.002-05:00

So excited to be back in Baltimore after a month long residency in Virginia. Hoping to have a house show of the work i did in early December.

But first! This Saturday I will be at the Visionary Arts Museum vending my hand made wares! Come on out to Bazaart and meet tons of talented creative people, enjoy looking a their work, and maybe even score a few Christmas gifts! Hope to see you! Saturday, November 27th 10-5 FREE!

Friday Evening is the special BAZAART Preview Party & Sale - 11/26, 5:30pm - 8pm $20 admission

Crafty Bastards this weekend!

2010-09-30T05:24:00.000-04:00

Come on out to Adams Morgan this weekend and visit your favorite DC and Baltimore area crafters at Crafty Bastards! We are excited to show you our new things!

Barn Aid rescheduled!

2010-09-16T04:30:00.006-04:00

This Monday night at the Golden West there will be a benefit for local Springfield Farm at the Golden West. It was originally to be set on the farm itself, but due to lack of advanced ticket sales it has been relocated to our own sweet Hampden. Please come on out. We are hoping to raise as much money as we can for these honest hard working folks and help them build their much needed barn.
Wye Oak
Birdland (members of celebration)
Pilgrim
DJ Jason Willet
Monday September 20th 10PM $10-15 donation
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=155862421091870&ref=ts
If you bought advanced tickets for the farm event please see the event website for details. http://www.barnaid.myevent.com/3/events.htm

Noble Lake CD release tonight!

2010-08-12T09:53:00.004-04:00

Been doing some work for James Sarsgard of the band Noble Lake this month. He is always such a great guy to do work for. I feel like projects always come together very naturally with him. His music, creativity, and playful spirit inspire me always.
Talking with Scott Dennison about design and printing.

CD folding party. Fromm left to right, Ashley North, Geoff Stack, Scott Dennison, James Sarsgard, Kathy Fahey, and Shari Edelson.

Providence Center

2010-07-20T13:29:00.005-04:00

This is my second summer teaching art at the Providence center for adults with developmental disabilities in Millersville, MD. I am their visiting artist for the month of July. These folks inspire and surprise me every time. It's so rewarding to see what they can accomplish.

Postcards up top, artist books above.

June 26th! Pile of Craft 2010

2010-06-15T15:23:00.003-04:00

Myself and Rachel Bone of Red Prairie Press pictured above

Charm City Craft Mafia presents the 4th annual Pile Of Craft! A one-of-a-kind craft fair for Baltimore, featuring 40+ of the country's best handmade crafters selling their own housewares, stationary, screenprinted & sewn apparel, jewelry, handbags, hats, knit items, woven scarves, plush toys, ceramics, comic books, prints, paintings and more! Support handmade and local artists and meet them in person!
In addition to having the area's most unique shopping, Pile Of Craft will also feature DIY printmaking demonstrations from Baltimore's brand new community printmaking facility:Baltimore Print Studios, a raffle basket FULL of donated items from Craft Mafia vendors to benefit local non-profit library/learning resource/all-round-gem: Village Learning Place, and tasty snacks and coffee from local earth-friendly coffee shop & bookstore Red Emma's!

Pile of Craft is absolutely free to attend and open to all ages.
June 26th 10-5pm
2640 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

charmcitycraftmafia.com for more info

Ultimate Happiness this coming weekend!

2010-06-06T22:11:00.005-04:00

Gearing up for the Ultimate Happiness craft sale and music event during Honfest in Hampden. Always feel so fortunate to do something like this with so many folks I respect, admire, and just love hanging out with.

Rodeo Gal

2010-05-28T18:40:00.004-04:00

Saw my friend Annabel today. It was an exciting day because she got her ears pierced for the first time!

It made me so happy to see her wearing the shirt I made. Her mom insisted she picked it out herself this morning.

Art and Design

2010-05-19T15:41:00.011-04:00

New shirt design for Protagonist Films, Baltimore based film company. That's Ashley North helping out in the studio.

I also wanted to mention I was down at the Creative Alliance recently to sing in a show and had the honor of meeting street artist Chris Stain. He has covered the gallery walls with his stirring murals. If you are in need of some soulful inspiration head down there the first chance you get!
Shodekeh, Carly Goss, Patty Berry, Katherine Fahey, and a great guy who seemed to really enjoy the show. Unfortunately I didn't catch his name. Photo by Neal Golden

2010-05-04T17:22:00.014-04:00

I've been doing design work for this great ecologically minded, growing company for some time. This two man team has mostly been selling from their web site so far but as of this past weekend they have a store right here in Baltimore! They've got anything from dog toys to shoes to a thermos for loose tea on the go! Head on down to Fells Point, at the southwest corner of Thames and South Broadway.
They have been so kind as to hang some of my artwork up in their new shop. Go check out their store or visit them on line at ecosumo.com.

T shirt design above. Store images below.

MAP registry artist of the month!

2010-04-25T15:18:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Maryland Art Place for featuring me as their registry artist of the month!

Elephant

2010-04-19T18:41:00.005-04:00

These past few years have watched people I am close to facing fears and seeking balance in their lives. It has inspired me to try to do the same for myself.

paper politics

2010-04-06T07:59:00.004-04:00

Tonight I headed over to Red Emma's to hear one of my favorite artists, Philadelphia print-maker Eric Ruin, speak with Josh MacPhee who was presenting his new book Paper Politics. Anyone would appreciate this book of socially engaged printmaking. Paper Politics is available at amazon.com or at Red Emma's. 800 Saint Paul Street Baltimore, MD. While you're at it check out more work by Eric and other great artists at Philadelphia arts collective Just Seeds.

Isolationism Reconsidered by Bert Stabler
Solidarity by Kristine Virsis
Dark Times by Eric Ruin

spring fever

2010-04-03T13:11:00.003-04:00

Glad to be back in Baltimore, settling in, and getting back to work... appreciating the amazing wealth of creative people here in a city that is accessible and open to possibilities. Maybe It's spring fever. Maybe it's the late night walk I took in the trees last night, but I am so grateful to be here right now.

pibags

2010-03-17T17:45:00.004-04:00

Just finished printing these posters for local philanthropists at the the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The small print reads:
All of the wholesale profits from these re-usable,
eco-friendly bags support the Pi Foundation, a
non-profit organization which provides economic
empowerment, valuable job skills, and HIV prevention
education to marginalized women in Chennai, India.
Your support is greatly appreciated. For more
information about our programs and fair
trade products, please visit www.pibags.org.

This project is through the Pi Foundation in Baltimore, MD
and our partner organization, Y.R.G. CARE, in Chennai, India.

Look for them at your local wine store!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T20:55:00.008-05:00

Here's a good excuse to stretch out the holidays a little longer. Every year we a get some great creative cards from our wonderful friends. Just thought these two deserved a nod of recognition.

Photo above by Michael Patrick O'Leary. Hand painted card by Magnolia Laurie.

Joseph Young's Easter Rabbit

2009-12-15T23:53:00.009-05:00

Joseph Young celebrated the release of his first book of microfiction this week at the Hexagon. (Easter Rabbit) The event was one of those nights that stay in your mind for a long while. Joe invited his friends to interpret his writings in their own way and what came out of it was wonderful. There was artwork by Lauren Boilini, Graham Coreil-Allen, Luca DiPierro, Paul Jeanes, Magnolia Laurie, Christine Sajecki, and myself. Theatrical interpretations were done by Linda Franklin and Caleb Stine, directed by Nancy Murray. Songs by Adam Robinson and Jamie Gaughran-Perez. It was wonderful to see friends collaborating, being creative, and coming together in new ways. Here are two of the pieces I made for the event.

As Light Becomes St Paul and Cartogram

Shadow puppet show!

2009-12-07T15:34:00.006-05:00

I have done some singing with this energetic artist over the years but as of late have gotten to see her combine her love of music and her love of shadow puppetry first hand. I will be one of 4 people (5 including the recording of Ellen Cherry on cello) performing Ellyn Stoke's "Angel" at the Wind up Space this Tuesday night. December 8th from 6:30-8:00 at 12 West North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21201-5904 (410) 244-8855

Workin gal

2009-12-04T00:15:00.006-05:00

I have been workin my tail feathers off getting ready for the Holiday Heap Saturday and I have to say that having good friends is a wonderful thing. Thanks Scott and Shari for bringing me possibly the best cookies I have ever had tonight, Ashlie K. for making me take a break last night and whisking me away to see a wonderful play, and thanks to Ashley N. for helping me print again today.

Holiday Heap sale from 10am-5pm on Saturday, December 5th at Saint John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.

The holidays are upon us!

2009-11-30T16:18:00.004-05:00

We here at two hawks 2 fishes are full of delicious Thanksgiving goodness and getting ourselves ready for the Holiday Heap this Saturday! It's the 3rd annual Holiday art and craft sale by the Charm City Craft mafia. You don't want to miss it. There will be all kinds of amazing prints, hula hoops, weavings, shirts, musical instruments, and other hand made treasures.

We will have some new things including our first ever holiday cards! Special thanks to Neil Cotterill, Ashlie North, and Katie Feild for the extra help in the studio.

We and a variety of other great artists will be there all day so come on by and pay us a visit!

10am-5pm on Saturday, December 5th at Saint John’s Church, 2640 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218

September has come and gone

2009-10-06T11:40:00.005-04:00

I used to dread September and going back to school, but this year was different. I did go back to school, but as a teacher. I taught a class this past month at the Providence center in Millersville. It was an art class for adults with special needs. It was inspiring to watch these folks create. Not only were they able to overcome thier limitations, they were so warm and open. They worked with such unpremeditated abandon. It really made me think about how I made things when I was younger... Watching them brought me back to a part of myself that was lying dormant and I am so grateful to them for that.

Hexchange!

2009-09-21T21:55:00.003-04:00

Print of the American Ice Company in West Baltimore for the Hexchange exhibit opening Saturday, October 10th at the Hexagon. Over forty prints all by different artists on the subject of Baltimore.

Photos by Neal Golden

Old Friends, new inspiration

2009-08-28T04:19:00.004-04:00

Just recently on our way back from Massachusetts we dropped in on my old friend Will Schaff and his fiancee Joelle at his studio in Warren, Rhode Island. Best known for his artwork for bands such as Okkervill River and Songs Ohia, Will's a prolific and energetic artist who's always got something new and exciting brewing. Check out more of his work on Flickr.com

In the studio with Boo Radley

for an upcoming book release, from Graveface Press.

commissioned paper cut

See Pitchfork interview with Will here.

Shirts for Wellness

2009-08-23T11:05:00.008-04:00

I recently reprinted some shirts I designed for Seeds Wellness in Hampden. I chose for the image a seed pod from one of my favorite plants, known as Japanese lanterns or Physalis alkekengii. In France they call these pods caged love.

During these times we seem to be more and more aware of savoring the good things in life and taking care of ourselves. There are people who devote their lives to helping us feel and live better. I'm not talking about your typical western doctors. I'm talking about a different kind of medicine folks like Sarah O'Leary, Lisa Sundvall, Andrea Wenger, Dr. Emily Telfair, and Gina Corso have to offer. They provide acupuncture, massage, holistic nutrition, naturopathic medicine, reiki and more at their office just off The Avenue in Hampden. 3600 Roland Ave., Suite 4

A busy week

2009-08-10T16:52:00.009-04:00

This past week was a busy one. I didn't get around to posting too much but I did finish 2 paintings and have visitors from Argentina, Baltimore, and DC at the studio. Some of my favorite guests were my childhood friend Jessie and her two little girls.

Where did they go, graceful in the morning light and Remington

Jess and her girls

Hamilton, Baltimore Magazine, etc.

2009-07-28T22:33:00.004-04:00

It's been an exciting week. Baltimore Magazine's Best of issue came out. They gave me best Artful Design 2009!

Artist Matt Muirhead and I shared a table at Hamilton Festival Saturday. Thanks to all the great folks who came out to support us in the heat!

Hamilton Street Festival Saturday, July 25th

2009-07-22T07:42:00.010-04:00

The Hamilton Street Festival is Saturday from 12 to 8PM. I will be there along with Charm City Craft Mafia, Matt Muirhead, Michael Clark, and other artists. There will be food, music (Ellen Cherry, Lafayette Gilchrist), and more. Come on out! It takes place at Harford Road between Northern Parkway and Gibbons.
Click here for music schedule.

Photos by Dan Stack

handmade NATION

2009-07-20T16:14:00.008-04:00

I took the train down to DC Thursday to see Faith Levine's new documentary, Handmade Nation. She traveled over 19000 miles interviewing over 50 independent artists to make this film. I had the pleasure of meeting Faith at the Renwick Gallery Thursday. She is a wonderful, inspiring lady and her film takes after her. Her advice to an artist starting a business is, get involved locally and make sure you have a presence on line. Film available in September via buyolympia.com. Her book is on amazon.com.

Noble Lake at Artscape!

2009-07-17T13:46:00.008-04:00

Saturday 7/18 7:00PM Artscape (Baltimore, MD) Festival Stage!
Noble Lake. They'll make you want to hitch hike across the country, rob a bank, and fall in love all over again. You should go hear them play... and buy a CD.
www.myspace.com/noblelake
www.artscape.org

Photo by Neal Golden

CD cover by 2 hawks 2 fishes

Artscape at the H&H

2009-07-16T06:19:00.007-04:00

Our neighbors at the H&H building have put together some great art for this weekend that will surprise you and inspire you. You will be actually glad you climbed the stairs in the summer heat...from the engineering miracle of a dry wall hammock to some of the largest paper cuts you've ever seen. Don't miss it! (warning: elevator out of order)

405 West Franklin, Baltimore, MD
wholegallery.blogspot.com/
galleryfour.net/
www.artscape.org

New Tommy Tucker CD!

2009-07-15T10:20:00.002-04:00

I have done CD covers in the past, but Tommy Tucker's Green is Gold was an especially interesting project for me. I have always been inspired by music plus it was a fun challenge working with the preexisting drawing Tommy had made and find a way to make all the elements come together.

Released at the Metro Gallery, Baltimore, MD June 20th. Portrait drawing by Tommy Mayer, Text on back cover by Scott Dennison. All other drawing, screen printing, design by myself.
www.myspace.com/tuckermayer