Time off...

is a rare thing for us. Ed and I are always working on something. Yesterday was a great day, met with some great people, got great advice, new leads and possibly a couple showings. I'm itching to get right back in my room and keep painting but we planned a trip down to Maryland to visit friends this weekend. And it's a great thing.

It clears my head, gets me centered and gives my hand a rest. Since we don't have the luxury of actual vacations (to hawaii, tokyo, california) I forget how essential 'getting away' is. Our friends are generous, kind, funny and always show us a wonderful time. It's not Tokyo but it's love and that's just as essential when you create for a living.

Have a great weekend.

-Kris

Something Before Your Meal?

I'm itching to get some new work to you and I really though I'd have those five new paintings scanned and back by now. But you can't rush these things and Dave at Archive Print does such a fantastic job I absolutely do not want to bother him.

But I still want to show you something new so here's a quick shot of what's lined up on my desk today: intial layout of what I'm calling "Boffo" for now, "Jelly" (edging over the line for Cuddly, but I still love the way it came out), peppermint doesn't have a name yet but coming along nicely, golf ball boy will be redone as this was a shitty panel to work with but I love the concept, "Fromage" (still needs some final touches) and "Coffee Break" all done.

Wallpaper as Art

I've had a love/hate relationship with wallpaper over the years. Growing up in the 70's it was everywhere and quite frankly, I'd had enough of it when I decorated my own home. But there is a new interest in wallpaper and I'm digging it.

Curio Wallcoverings seems to be the place to go for some amazing new designs like this Camille Rose Garcia limited edition artist series.

They also have Shepard Fairey, Adam Wallacavage and Shag designs.

They are made in a small shop in Brooklyn that's been in business for 50 years and specializes in traditional flocked wallpaper.

Ahhh...I remember my parents living room....mirrored wallpaper with green flocked bamboo stalks running along an entire wall. Or my grandparent's kitchen and dining room seen here:

Dear god it's amazing we made it out of the 70's and 80's alive.

 

Kris Kuksi kicks major art-ass

You may have seen his work before. I have. Many times. Just got the latest issue of Hi-Fructose and he's there, front and center and I am reminded of how amazing his work is. Then I go on Dark Roasted Blend and see they have an interview with him. And I am reminded of how amazing his work is.

It's like my brain will not accept how incredible this man's work is. I'm also excited to finally be able to see his work in person as he's got a solo show at the Joshua Liner Gallery in NYC in November.

There are artists who create work where there is no doubt that what you are looking at is genius. Pure genius.

So enjoy your Monday morning and gaze your eyes upon this (and click the picture to go directly to his site for more amazing sights):

 

Beauty/Terror in Nature

I was wandering the webs this morning and followed a trail of scientific photographs to i09.com "We Come From the Future". At first I was going to post this amazing pic from their posting "The Microscopic Beauty of Photography's Smallest Subjects":

Atherix ibis (fly) aquatic larva (25x) which was part of the Nikon Small World contest. Cool, creepy, beautiful. Once again, I assert that nature is a better artist than any of us.

But then I perused the postings from yesterday and saw this horror-movie-oh-no-it's-really-happening-shit:

Scientists Rewrite Flies' Memories, Bring the Dollhouse Closer

What the f*ck?! You're telling me that scientists are screwing around with the brains of flies and changing their memories?! Yes. You're seriously saying that they used lasers to etch new memories into the brains of flies and made them react differently to a specific odor that previously they had no reaction to?! Yes.

This is crazy-cool-mad science-I'm frightened-the apocolypse is coming-do we have enough aluminum foil to cover our heads-time people. I am one inch closer to moving out into a cave and giving it all up because SCIENTISTS ARE FUCKING AROUND WITH CRAZY SHIT AND I WANT NO PART OF IT.

But, damn, it's so cool ;-)

 

Just What I Wanted...

I was lamenting the other morning that you can't buy just the marshmallows you find in cereal. Or hot chocolate mixes. You know, those little freeze dried, crunchy 'marshmallows'. Wouldn't that be awesome? Put it on ice cream, pudding, salad, in stews. Alright those last two I'm just kidding but wouldn't it be cool?

And then when doing some photo reference for crumb cake I find that you can buy a bucket of just crumbs.

Well that's awesome too but why not those marshmallows? But wait a minute...I never actually searched for those marshmallows.

Could it be possible that they exist on their own, out there in the world wide web? Yes, Kris, they do.

www.cerealmarshmallows.com

Thank you. Thank you very, very much :D

The Love of My Life

is Ed Mironiuk. Why should you care? Well I guess it doesn't really matter, but it makes me smile every damn day. HE makes me smile every damn day. He gets me laughing so hard with some quick comment that I can't breathe. He inspires me and loves me and makese me keep on going when things look pretty damn bleek.

And he's an amazing artist. I'm very proud of him and everything he does and I would, if financially viable, watch him work all day.

He's just gotten his website updated and all pretty and I thought I'd introduce you guys.

The Art of Ed Mironiuk

xoxoxo

Sluggish sanding and horror movies...

I've been breathing in bits of Modge Podge dust and it's bringing me down. I'm using multiple layers of MP and then sanding it smooth then hitting it with a clear acrylic sealer. It's soft and brings the colors out beautifully and will protect the paintings for the future. But it's kicking my ass. My right arm is getting more of a workout than...I'll just stop there. And due to the colder temps and closed windows the smell is a little blechy. But it's for the greater good and the finish is much nicer and sturdier and should endure anything.

And it's quiet. Too quiet, some might say. Like the scene in the horror movies where the kid hears a cracking branch and then it's just quiet for an eternity. Maybe I'm just getting into the whole autumnal feel of cold weather. And this time of year reminds me of the old Shock-tober they used to have on channel 11 (I think) playing horror movies every night for the whole month. I'm an avid horror movie watcher. I'll take terror over love any day. Chick flicks bore me and make me sad to be a woman. Show me "Inside" and I shriek with delight. But it seems extra cozy to snuggle up with some gore and tension once the leaves start to turn colors. Taking the dogs out after a particularly spooky movie will freak me out. I am easily scared, don't get me wrong. I didn't watch a horror movie until I was in high school and I couldn't sleep for a week straight. A WEEK! My imagination was enough horror for me as a youngster.

So I'll leave you all with the last movie Ed and I watched and it's called "Laid to Rest". Old school unstoppable slasher with the best effects, great acting and a good script had us from moment one. So if you're up for a great horror movie that you may not have seen, take a peak at this one.

Sleep tight.

http://www.laidtorestmovie.com/