The Zoo

This week's Illustration Friday theme made good use of some sketches I did at the Austin Zoo a couple of weeks ago. However, I started experimenting with 140 lb hot press watercolor paper this week and discovered it's probably best for really thin washes. Ah, well.

Superstition

E.A.S.T.

This past weekend, I decided to get a full dose of what's going on in the local artworld (and get a look inside artists' studios and homes) at the annual East Austin Studio Tours. On Saturday, I ended up doing a lot of walking around the E. Cesar Chavez area studios. My favorite exhibition/installation was Jonathan Marshall's at the Art Palace. Maybe because I'm a narrative junkie, I loved the way all his pieces fit together (2D, 3D, film, audio, semi-participatory). I also really liked the abstract oils of Caroline Wright and Ava Sharifian. Fisterra Studio was the most fun home studio to visit; they had some really amazing iron sculpture going on in the garden and art on pretty much every surface of the house. On an unrelated note, I discovered Azul Cafe with its secret back garden area, only to learn that they're closing this week (photo below).

On Sunday, I drove to some of the studios further east (and less easy to walk from studio to studio). I really liked Catherine Hart's work and the Opal Black jewelry in the same studio was really gorgeous. I think the highlight of the day was visiting Ginko Studios. The pottery was really lovely and reminded me a little of Leo Lionni's illustrations. And I could spend all day wandering around the studio and gardens there. Overall, I came away from the weekend with some serious art, home, and garden inspiration.
Ginko studios.

Scale

A take on the folk tale of "The Golden Fish."

Hats

This illustration Friday topic reminded me of when my little sister used to dress her cat up and send him out into the neighborhood (probably why he became such a good fighter).