My daughter Maggie and I are hosting our Open House at the Abstract Ecology show this week on Thursday, April 13, 2017. For our local readers, here are the details:
Abstract Ecology Show Open House
Date: Thursday, April 13, 2017
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Location: Patty Turner Center, 375 Elm St, Deerfield, IL
Come join us for a fun evening!
We will have food, beverages and raffle prizes.
As I was preparing for this Abstract Ecology show, I reread some of my first articles on my Studio Notes blog from January 2016 which focused on my art show at Congregation Solel last year. In this article So, tell me about your art? Umm...Ahhhh... I focused on the preparations for the show. In another blog post, What I Learned from Writing an Artist Statement, I talked about writing an artist statement and the questions I asked myself in doing so. By the way, I still dream about designs. For this Abstract Ecology show, Maggie and I both wrote a combo bio and artist statement, sort of mingled all together. We wanted a more informal feel given the audience.
I'm including both of our bios in this weekly Studio Notes.
Kathleen Warren
I make abstract art with fabric. My creative process starts with cutting up fabric and then sewing it back together with an improvisational attitude towards color and design as part of my Every Day Project. Fabric is my medium and I use it to explore geometric forms in solid colors with a modern abstract aesthetic. My artwork is intentionally full of movement and energy to reflect the world I see around me. My designs evolve from observing patterns and geometric shapes in nature broken down into elemental forms such as chevrons for mountains, horizontal lines for the clouds in the sky or vertical lines for the trees in a forest. I work with a palette of bold bright colors balancing between warm and cool colors often in unusual color combinations.
Since April 2015, my artwork has been based on the daily creative practice I've built around my Every Day Project. I make a 6 inch fabric art square every day. Every 25 days, I choose a series theme with a color palette and design parameters. When I choose a color palette, I usually stick to those original colors. However, for the design parameters, I make it my mission to break the self-imposed rules constantly. This appeals to my forge-your-own-path kind of thinking and keeps me interested in going into the studio every day.
At the end of the 25 days, I sew these 25 daily squares together in consecutive order into five rows of five squares. I embrace the intentional randomness of the square placement as a visual journal of those 25 days. I call the completed artwork my 25 Days series.
My art has been exhibited as part of the Deerfield Public Art Program in 2015 and at my Every Day Project Exhibit at Congregation Solel in 2016.
I am a current member of the Fine Arts Commission in Deerfield.
Maggie Warren
I am a scientific illustrator that focuses on wildlife. I also am an environmental biologist working in environmental education and community outreach at Brookfield Zoo. I love that science illustration combines my passion for both art and science. I found that both art and science helps me understand the natural world around me and helps me communicate interesting information.
I start making pieces by researching a species. I try to share what I learn visually with each piece. Micron pens and watercolor are the medium I typically use in order to preserve the delightful details and accurate colors.
My illustrations focus on local wildlife as part of my Midwest Flora & Fauna series. I created this series to celebrate our local animals. Often times the conservation field is dominated by charismatic megafauna from far away places. It is all too common to loose to touch with the animals in our own backyard. I believe that conservation can happen in our local spaces and it starts once people are aware of the animals around them. Each of my pieces for this series include information such as the scientific name, food source, and various facts about their habitat to use for environmental education. People will protect what they love and I am hoping to inspire viewers to find delight in their local environment.
I created this series as part of a Venture Grant from Beloit College. This series has be exhibited at the Self Employment in the Arts Conference and the American Goldfinch piece won the Juror’s Award.
Maggie and I are both participating in the 100 Day Project as well. To follow us, click on our names below: