Day 34

Ugh, Rose and and I got Jason’s cold from last week. We are miserable. Rose, especially. She does not handle colds well, and it always blows up into a nasty respiratory thing. Poor girl.

Anyway, I am thoroughly overwhelmed again. I am in the process of moving my studio. I know, what a surprise! I just talked about my tiny, happy space a couple weeks ago, and here I am moving! I am adding a couple art fairs this summer, and when I realized how much inventory I need, I started to up my production. Anyway, my tiny studio is officially too tiny. I am moving into the finished basement, where we previously had a room for the kids. I am so excited at the potential. But for now, my life is a mess and it is frustrating. And now that I am sick, everything is put on pause. Ugh!

Thanks for sticking with me. I had a successful shop update over the weekend. I will have another one in March. I am also working on two other secret projects that I can’t wait to share with you!

My 100 Days of WritingAlexa Karabin KleinerFebruary 25, 2019artist, life, blog, art, blogging, mom, art mom, mother, biology, entomology, gifts, leaf insect, nature, watercolor, artist problems

Day 33

I know I have been quiet. I have neglected my project. But not really. I have been writing in my journal every night, and preparing for longer, more involved posts. I have also been immensely busy making work. Commissions have been coming in consistently (thank you!!!), and it is the season for art fair preparation. I have to make a lot of work for these fairs. It is what I love doing, but it keeps me so busy! All good things.

My art fair applications are coming back. All good news so far. I will announce when and where, soon! I also have two projects that I have been laboring on that I haven’t had the courage to share yet. I am so excited about it all. Thanks for sticking with me. I hope you enjoy these new pieces!

Featured

NEW! Sparkle Paper Pigment Print of the Nest / Ships in 2 weeks / Matted and Ready to Fit in a Standard Size Frame

from $45.00

These pigment prints are printed on handmade paper that I make myself. They will be shipped in 2 weeks time from ordering. If you need something by a specific date, email me and I will try to speed up the process.

The 11’’x14’ and 17’’x22’’’ are statement pieces! I have to recommend one of those. But I want to make prints affordable, so I have smaller sizes. Please note that detail is lost the smaller the print. This is a limited edition pigment print on handmade paper. Based off of my painting the Nest.

Prints are signed and each one is one of a kind due to the nature of the handmade paper.

Prints can come matted and ready to fit in a standard size frame.

5’’x7’’ / 8’’x10’’ Double Mat

8’’x10’’ / 11’’x14’’ Double Mat

11’’x14’’ / 16’’x20’’ Mat

(New!) 17’’x22’’ /24x36’’ Mat

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.

View the original: https://youtu.be/1aG3WBkRUIk

sold out

The Nest / Original

$4,000.00

She was exhibited for several months, and now she is home with me! When I exhibit in a gallery I have to share between 40%-60% with the gallery. Now that she is home with me, I was able to drop the price a bit! I spent 3 intense months on her and she is made with a LOT of 24k gold, gems, and other mixed-media. I have shipped prints of her all over the world, but there is nothing like the original. She sparkles, shines, and glows. She is an experience. Full price includes a frame of your choice, but on sale she comes without a frame.

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.

View the piece in action on youtube: https://youtu.be/1aG3WBkRUIk

sold out

Day 100 of My 100 Days of Gold / The Last Bombus / Handmade Watercolor and 24k Gold / Matted and Ready to fit in a 5''x7'' Frame

from $80.00

I seem to always start and end with a Bumblebee! This is day 100 of My 100 Days of Gold. It is a sweet, elegant, golden painting! Made with handmade watercolors that I made out of my grandmother’s jewels and 24k gold. It comes in a double mat that will fit in a 5’’x7’’ frame.

sold out

Day 99 of My 100 Days of Gold / The Last Cicada / Handmade Watercolor and 24k Gold / Matted and Ready to fit in a 5''x7'' Frame

from $90.00

The Cicadas are emerging! This is day 99 of My 100 Days of Gold. It is a sweet, elegant, golden painting! Made with handmade watercolors that I made out of my grandmother’s jewels and 24k gold. It comes in a double mat that will fit in a 5’’x7’’ frame.

sold out

Day 98 of My 100 Days of Gold / The Last Bombus / Handmade Watercolor and 24k Gold / Matted and Ready to fit in a 5''x7'' Frame

$100.00

Yes, you know me and my moons! This is day 98 of My 100 Days of Gold. It is a sweet, elegant, golden painting of the moon! Made with handmade watercolors that I made out of my grandmother’s jewels and 24k gold. It comes in a double mat that will fit in a 5’’x7’’ frame.

sold out

Day 97 of My 100 Days of Gold / The Golden Dung beetle / Handmade Watercolor and 24k Gold / Matted and Ready to fit in a 5''x7'' Frame

from $80.00

This is an original painting of a dung beetle. Day 97 of My 100 Days of Gold. It is a sweet, elegant, golden painting! Made with handmade watercolors that I made out of my grandmother’s jewels, a broken geode, and 24k gold. It comes in a double mat that will fit in a 5’’x7’’ frame.

My 100 Days of WritingAlexa Karabin KleinerFebruary 23, 2019100 day project, projects, insects, antique frame, blog, blogging, art, art studio, artistComment

Day 32

A little lacewing for you. I am working on my writing behind the scenes. I am preparing to combine #my100daysofwritingsomething with the #marchmeetthemaker prompts, for some more involved posts. Also, I will have a shop update this weekend. 🐝

My 100 Days of WritingAlexa Karabin KleinerFebruary 23, 2019lacewing, insect, nature, gold, gilded, gold leaf, glass, watercolor, painting, framed, box frame, magical, gray, decor, boho, design, lovers, gifts, gifted, biology, michigan, west michigan, mich, ann arbor

Day 31

A blue bee in an antique frame. I have collected antique frames for years. Finally, I have some paintings that work perfectly in some of them. 😃

My 100 Days of WritingAlexa Karabin KleinerFebruary 23, 2019blue, bee, bees, carpenter, insects, entomology, art studio, michigan

Day 30

This one turned out so lovely in an antique frame. I am thinking about doing a shop update this weekend. Sign up for my newsletter to get first dibs (link in profile)

My 100 Days of WritingAlexa Karabin KleinerFebruary 23, 2019blue morpho, blog, blogging, michigan, ann arbor, art fair, art studio

Day 29

I took a week off from social media and posting on my blog. I just needed time away from the screen. This is what I am looking at right now. Just thinking about this and that, and framing a series of blue morphos in antique frames. More on those, later.

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Day 28

I am back! I have been off my game. No, I have just been busy with life stuff. It was Brennan’s birthday on Saturday. It is my husband’s birthday tomorrow. I have been busy planning, preparing, and then cleaning up the messes. It has been fun. But I miss my studio and my old routine.

By the time I get in the studio it is late at night, and I am too tired and busy to write. I miss it, though. So, I will make it a priority this week.

My 100 Days of WritingAlexa Karabin KleinerFebruary 12, 2019blogging, art, artist, art studio, michigan, kalamazoo, saugatuck, douglas, grand rapids, lions and rabbits, blue morpho, morpho, entomology, watercolor, 100 day projectComment

Day 27

Last night I went to the monthly group meeting for the Photosynthesis Project. We are a group of professional artists and writers using photosynthesis as inspiration for our artwork. We meet each month to discus texts, images, and works in progress. In November we will display our artwork in a group exhibition. It is such an inspiring project, and I plan to talk more about it in the coming months.

Please let me know of any inspiring texts you may know that are centered around plants. I am going to set aside some time to read every day—something that has been difficult to do after having babies. I need to immerse myself in some inspiration, so it is time to make time.

My 100 Days of Writing, NewsAlexa Karabin KleinerFebruary 7, 2019plants, photosynthesis, project, art, artist, artwork, painting, kalamazoo, ninth wave studio, west michigan, plant, gardening, sculpture, electoroformed, bees, bee, outdoors, nature, electroforming, gilded, gold leaf, copper, leaf art, glitter, glass, gold, grand rapidsComment

Day 26

Well, I made it over the first hump. And I am so proud of myself. Even though I haven’t said much, I said a lot more than I wanted to. Doing a 100 day project that is something that you don’t enjoy doing is HARD. Last time around I found it meditative and comforting. This time around, it is daunting and challenging. But I love it too.

I have such severe anxiety, that it is painful to talk about myself sometimes. I am widely known as the girl who doesn’t talk. Even on social media it is hard. It seems silly, but the anxiety is real. This project is helping me face fear, and also figure out how to articulate things that I have never had the opportunity to speak out loud. This project is helping me get to the next step, which is being a better educator. I am excited.

Thank you all for listening and following along on my journey! #my100daysofwritingsomething

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/)