"Using Middle America as her muse, Kowch draws the history of a particular place -- invariably rural -- to the surface as it collides with a new reality in layers of metaphor and moodiness. The faces of her women may remind you of characters in a Tim Burton film."
--Steve Parks, Newsday

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

"ArtPrize" Update for Voters/Attendees




A quick update on "ArtPrize" and the voting procedure. Voters may now pre-register online at www.artprize.org. You still will have to show ID in person at the event to be eligible, however, this will save you time when you get there. Below are the rules. Additional information regarding voter registration stations at the event, etc., can be found at www.artprize.org/vote. Hope to see everyone there! The first week of voting, September 23-30, is the one that determines the top ten, so please plan on visiting and voting during that week! The final round (second week, October 1-7) can be done online. Feel free to also spread the word wherever you hang out online as well, by posting my "ArtPrize" badge above. Thank you all for your support!

Voting rules

Anyone who registers in person at the ArtPrize event can vote. You cannot vote without registering at the event.
  • Attendees will be required to present a valid government issued ID in person at a registration station
  • ID can be drivers license, other state ID or passport
  • Pre-register and save time activating your voter status at the event
  • There will be voter registration stations throughout the city September 23-October 7


Week 1 voting - All artists
  • Voting begins 6:00pm, September 23, 2009
  • You can vote on more than one work
  • You cannot vote more than once for the same work
  • Live results can be viewed online
  • Week 1 voting ends 11:59pm, September 30
  • Top 10 finalists will be announced evening, October 1


Week 2 voting - Top 10, ONE vote
  • Voting begins after announcement of the Top 10, October 1
  • You have only ONE vote during Week 2
  • You may only vote among the Top 10
  • You may change your vote until voting ends
  • Results are concealed during Week 2
  • Week 2 voting ends 11:59pm, October 7
  • Winners will be announced at a gala event October 8

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

ArtPrize - World's Largest Art Competition




I am happy to announce that I have been accepted to show in ArtPrize, the world's largest art prize, to be held in Michigan's own Grand Rapids this month. I am very excited! Thank you to Stache Gallery, who has chosen to represent me in this global competition as my hosting venue. I was also given the opportunity to display additional work alongside my ArtPrize entry, so come on out and see my little show within the show!

For those who have not read about it in the papers or online in one form or another, this radical competition, part art competition, part social experiment, and labeled by some as the "American Idol" of the art world, is one huge event you do not want to miss! The winner is determined by public vote. To vote, you must be present in person at the event in Grand Rapids, which runs from September 23 - October 10, 2009. Voters must also be registered with the event to be eligible to vote. Beginning September 14, 2009, voters may pre-register online at http://www.artprize.org/. Voting at the event will be entirely electronic (via cell-phone or internet) and results will be available for live viewing online during the duration of the event. There will be two rounds of voting over the course of the two weeks. The first round determines the top ten finalists, and the final round determines the prize winners. Please visit www.artprize.org/vote for all registration and voting information.

Out of nearly 2,000 applicants from over 20 different countries, approximately 1,200 artists have been chosen to show in this event, spanning a three-square-mile radius of the city. Painting, sculpture, installation, and performance art are just a few of the many mediums that will be showcased. Grand Rapids will be the art hub of the world for these two weeks. Go, Michigan!

So come on out, be a part of a unique cultural experience, and vote for yours truly! :) I'm only revealing a tiny portion of the painting I did for this event (seen above) - you will have to come out to see the real thing!

Please visit http://www.artprize.org/ for more information, and check out my official ArtPrize profile HERE.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ArtPrize

ArtPrize is a radically open competition. Open to any artist in the world who can find space. Open to anybody in the city who wants to create a venue. Open to a vote from anyone who attends.

We are living in a time of great change. New ideas, fresh inspiration will move us forward.There are enough art competitions where the winners are decided by a jury of experts. That's not the competition we are creating. We're looking for a giant conversation to happen between artists and the public. That is why we developed a radically open framework for this event, which gives power to everyone's opinion.When everyone's opinion counts, everyone is included in the conversation. ArtPrize exists to reboot the conversation between artists and audiences on a grand scale.

This is the prize breakdown of the largest art competition in the world:
1st place: $250,000
2nd: $100,000
3rd: $50,000
4th: $7,000
5th: $7,000
6th: $7,000
7th: $7,000
8th: $7,000
9th: $7,000
10th: $7,000

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Children's book out now!



I am excited to announce that the children's book I recently illustrated is out, and available for purchase!

A great story created to teach children about the importance of caring for the environment, and how to leave less of a footprint on the earth, it is a sweet, fun, educational read for children and adults alike. I was completely taken aback with awe when the first copies arrived to me. Seeing all the work I did in published form - hardcover with a dust-jacket and all - was quite a surreal feeling, and a great one. A big thanks to my client Holly Knight, who was a joy to work with throughout all the comps, edits, and press checks.

Purchase your copy online here!

Book signing events are in the works, and I will update everyone when those dates become available.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Clubhouse Conundrum
by Heather Meloche, Julie Angeli, Kathleen Pranger
Illustrated by Andrea Kowch

Children's book, 32 pp

The IHM Sisters use a story about building a clubhouse to teach children about environmental responsibility and the spirituality of sustainability.

The Clubhouse Conundrum, a 32-page, four-color, hardbound book tells the story of Monica and Gabe who want a clubhouse but disagree about whether to tear down the old fort and start over or to renovate what’s already there. When Monica’s Aunt Sarah, a nun, hears their debate, she takes them on a tour of her Motherhouse and show them how she and her 480 sisters resolved a similar problem.

During their amazing tour through the sisters’ earth-friendly home, Monica and Gabe learn about the sacredness of all creation, discover a little about post-modern nuns and find an answer to their problem.

"Refuge"

40" x 30"
acrylic on canvas



One of the several paintings I have going at the moment. This is one I wish to leave up to the viewer - an ode to the hidden sanctuaries we run to to seek solace, wherever or whatever they are.