Posts in Studio
SAVE THE DATE! I am doing an Open Studio! Saturday, May 7th 9:00am-3:00pm

Kalamazoo folks, I’m finally doing it! I am opening my doors to the public! Come visit and see what I have been up to! Bonus, I live down the street from Texas Corners and it is opening day of the Farmers Market. Sign up for my newsletter for a reminder and more info about the day!

I am back in the studio...

I am back in the studio after moving my mom in. I was able to make this mono-print series this week! And what a relief it is to make anything with all the chaos of moving going on. I am losing my nanny after today, so we will see how my studio will evolve as I figure out my new normal! I will try to make updates when I can!

Thank you all who read this and stay updated with my studio. It really means a lot to have you hear.

The Monarch Monoprint Cards that you Keep
from $15.00

This listing is for a 5’’x7’’ artist made mono-print (each one is one of a kind) of my newest rendition of the Monarchs from my Deer painting. These are made using a process where I paint layers of handmade watercolor, and then roll up a relief print. They were printed on wet paper to give the feel of a true watercolor painting. Each one is unique, so expect variation in the colors and design. They are folded as cards, but can be framed as art in a standard 5’’x7’’frame. I also sell them matted so that they will fit in an 8’’x10’’ frame (more of a statement piece).

The standard size comes with an envelope and wrapped in tissue paper. Made with love and my hands.

Mat Color:
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The Nest

Alexa Karabin

The Nest

Handmade Watercolor, Deer Hair, Rubies, 24k Gold Leaf, Geodes, Glass on Panel

20''x20''

$6,000

 

Statement for the Nest:

First, there was the Deer. A painting that was inspired by an incident that involved a deer that was shot on my property, and the subsequent months that followed, watching the animal return to the earth. When only fur was left, I collected some, but left most of it. The day after I collected the fur, a giant oak tree fell on where the body once rested. Months later, in early spring, the pandemic had started and I spent more than a month inside. Scared. Finally, I forced myself to go outside and explore the woods. And that is when I found it. A bird had made a nest out of deer fur! The Deer’s fur. This piece was inspired by the feelings I had at that moment of discovery. 

 

Using a variety of techniques, I create artworks that explore themes of natural history, historical occurrence, memory, and cycles. My materials are found and handmade—my most precious material is my grandmother’s antique jewelry that I crush and use to make handmade watercolors. This piece also includes rubies, emeralds, 24k gold, deer fur, geodes, and glass.

November/ December Events
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I had a really hard time getting it together this year! But this is what is happening in the shop. Starting with a small Moon and Firefly release (TOMORROW) November 21st at 7:00. Anything that’s left will be 15% off next week during the Black Friday madness. And then I will FINALLY have a print release for the Deer and the Nest on December 4th!!

Ekphrastic Poetry by Elizabeth Kerlikowske and Scott Bade Inspired by Equinox: Day and Equinox: Night

“Poets of Southwest Michigan engaged with the Equinox Exhibition artwork under the direction of Elizabeth Kerlikowske, President of Friends of Poetry.” Poets responded to the exhibit that was curated by Maryellen Hains and Anna Z ILL. View the exhibit at Ninth Wave Studio. See Elizabeth Kerlikowske and Scott Bade respond to my pieces Equinox: Day and Equinox: Night in the videos below. Videos were produced by Linda Rzoska of Ninth Wave Studio.

Elizabeth Kerlikowske / Soup

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Scott Bade / Equinox: Night

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Welcome Erica to the Studio!

I feel so incredibly honored to introduce you to my apprentice, Erica Bradshaw! Erica is an illustrator, a watercolorist and mixed-media artist, a nature lover, and so much more. She wrote and illustrated a children’s book about our relationship with the environment called Their Home, Our Landfill. She is a beautiful painter and truly makes thoughtful work. I highly suggest you follow her journey, she is going to do great things!

Erica and I will be collaborating on several projects throughout the next year. I am teaching her to make paint, frame artwork, mixed-media technique, and various print processes like screenprinting, making cyanotypes, and digital printing. We spend time discussing concepts, techniques, and exhibition strategies. I am so excited to see the work she makes throughout the year! Read Erica’s Artist Statement

Their Home, Our Landfill
By Erica, Bradshaw, Erica, Bradshaw
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New Collection in the Shop
You can now visit me live on Instagram on Friday nights at 7:00pm Eastern
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I pulled the bandaid and did something I was terrified to do. And now I am going to do it every Friday at 7:00pm Eastern! Because all of my events and exhibitions have been canceled for the foreseeable future, I will be doing more digital events! More dates and venues will be added, but for the time being this will be a consistent thing. Ask questions and peek inside my studio! Save the date.

Day 25

I took time off from teaching when I had my children. My son is going to be 3 on Saturday (happy birthday Brennan!). Now, I am thankfully, very, very busy painting, so I don’t plan on going back to teaching until my space is finished and I can teach out of my own studio. My hope is to have a space in two years. I have already found a builder. I just need to get the show on the road!

I do have room for 1 or 2 private students at this time. Please visit my website and fill out the apprenticeship application if you are interested. No prior experience needed. Only dedication and a love for art. (https://alexakarabin.com/apply-for-apprenticeship/)