Andrea Kowch Studio Blog

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T18:35:00.007-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! As we ring in the new year, I wanted to take this time to thank you all for helping make 2011 an incredible year filled with many special moments. Your constant loyal friendship and support goes a long way, and I wish you and yours all the joys of the holidays. I am excited for the future and look forward to continue sharing my artistic journey with all of you. Thank you. May you all experience a joyful and prosperous 2012! Cheers to the beginning of another fabulous year ahead of us!

New work featured in "American Art Collector" Issue #75 - Out Now!

2011-12-29T01:33:00.020-05:00

I am delighted to be featured in the January 2012 issue of American Art Collector. The issue is out now wherever books and magazines are sold, so be sure to grab a copy and check out the ad and article discussing my latest happenings and work, including my recently released set of Limited Edition prints and information regarding my upcoming solo exhibition!

Please visit American Art Collector online, http://www.americanartcollector.com/
to browse and order the current issue, and visit RJD Fine Arts Gallery to view available prints.

"Crow's Song"

2011-12-27T22:52:00.038-05:00

48" x 36"
acrylic on canvas

Hello dear blogging world, it’s been a while, but I felt it’s time to take a quick break to revisit and reflect on where things have been and where things are now as the year winds down and we prepare to ring in the new. It’s always an exciting time, though it’s hard to believe we are already here again!

Amidst the shuffle, I’ve been longing to post more personal tidbits about all my recent work from this year. While being “too busy” would indeed be a valid excuse, excuses don’t exist in my world, so I’ll admit that it has been the result of putting off discussing myself – the mood has to strike, and even then, I still like to have the work speak for itself.

Many of you have checked out the current 2011 volume of Direct Art 18 of which I was the cover feature, and where many of the latest works from this year’s show are published along with my own personal writings behind each piece. For those of you who have yet to see it, you may still order a copy online, http://slowart.com/subscribe.htm, and stay tuned as I re-post most of it here on the blog.

One work that I have not yet touched on anywhere, and one that has gotten several mixed and interesting reactions is Crow’s Song, so I figured it would be a good place to start. Another more personal statement about my own life and the “journey” I feel that I’m on, this painting serves, in some ways, as a sequel to No Turning Back, once again reflecting the whole “triumph of courage over fear” dynamic, but executed in lieu of a MUCH different, happier, more enlightened and fulfilled "me" than at the time its predecessor was created. All my paintings are essentially “portraits” of my inner self, expressed through my characters, landscapes, and use of color. As someone who feels I’m always in a strange state of inner transformation, Crow’s Song is a tribute to recognizing and embracing that very aspect of the self, and celebrates one of the most beautiful and misunderstood of creatures that is of deep significance to me: the crow.

Inspired by a deep-rooted fascination with Native American culture, legends, and spirituality, and memories of the bird’s odd and steady presence in my life during a time when I searched desperately to “find myself”, crows have revealed themselves to accompany nothing but positive forces from beneath their dark disguise. Over the years, this astonishing bird has come to symbolize, for me, everything BUT the “darkness” they are typically associated with – the complete opposite, in fact. For me, they symbolize the beauty of new beginnings after the end of a dark struggle; spiritual awakening after a period of soul-searching, and having the courage to face the unknown and to recognize it’s all up to us to make what we want of life. As a result, I always feel a sense of comfort when I hear their distant call, as it causes me to take a moment to reflect on my life, the lessons I’ve learned, and the path I’m on. That’s the beauty of nature to me; by just taking the time to listen and observe, one can learn many things. It reminds me that everything works in its own way in its own time.

A crow’s intriguing presence and shape against the starkness of a rural landscape, for me, personifies all the transformative power, mystery, and beauty of the unknown, intuitive side of nature; a supernatural phenomena all its own that parallels the feeling of being in tune and at one with your soul and all that is around you. Crow’s Song speaks to that moment of clarity, when that inner power we all possess enables us to transform and emerge anew. Symbolized here through the figure enveloped in the protection of the flock’s embrace (the shape and color of her robe evoking that of a crow itself), it’s about moving forward with bravery, determination, and faith in one’s self and one’s own life purpose, and pays homage to that internal power that a crow’s presence always reminds me exists deep within. Crow’s Song is about hearing the wake-up call to come back to life and embrace and cultivate your own true spirit. Here’s to always looking and moving onward and upward.

Signed Limited Edition Giclee Prints now available!

2011-11-02T19:16:00.002-04:00

Over the past few months, my gallery and I have been in the process of producing the first series of art reproductions for 6 of my paintings. It's been a very exciting process, and I'm happy to announce that they are now officially available in time for the holidays!

Each of the six come archivally framed in two sizes (large and small), in a series of 20 and 25, respectively, and are signed and numbered by yours truly. Big thanks to the printers at Omega Co., NY for doing such a phenomenal job replicating every detail. The final results look amazing, and I'm so pleased they are now available to those of you who have inquired about prints in the past.

Click here to view the selected editions and their specific sizes, and contact art@rjdgallery.com with any inquiries.

For those who wish to view the framed giclees in person, they will be on display at RJD Fine Arts Gallery in Sag Harbor (90 Main Street) beginning November 8th, with an opening reception on November 19th, 6-8pm.

In other news, new work is on the easel, and I'm looking forward to sharing it here very soon!

"Sojourn" now housed in the GRAM's Permanent Collection

2011-10-27T17:34:00.030-04:00

I am incredibly honored, humbled, and overjoyed to announce that Sojourn has been acquired by the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) where it will hang as part of the museum's Permanent Collection.

My deepest thanks to the GRAM and everyone involved. It's a big dream come true, and it's moments like these that fuel my desire to learn and make each new painting better than the last. Sojourn will be included in an upcoming exhibition at the GRAM in the near-future, and I will keep everyone posted of course! Stay tuned, and thanks again to all who are part of the journey and believe in what I do. It makes it that much more special!

You can check out the GRAM online, at http://www.artmuseumgr.org/

"Sojourn" featured on Cover of "Direct Art" Vol. 18 - Out Now!

2011-09-16T23:14:00.006-04:00

Get your copy! I am incredibly honored to have had my work selected for the Cover feature of this year's volume of Direct Art Magazine. A leading alternative fine art magazine published annually by SlowArt Productions, featured artists are selected through an international talent search, and offer their own commentaries directly to the public through its pages. It's a very cool publication born out of the concept of connecting artists with readers one-on-one (learn more here).

Pick up a copy at your local magazine or bookstore, or visit Direct Art online to order, and check out the mag's main feature where I share many of my latest insights and inspiration behind my newest works.

Southwest Art Magazine's "21 Under 31"

2011-09-16T22:24:00.002-04:00

For those who may have not yet heard the news nor seen this month's September Issue of Southwest Art, be sure to check it out, on newsstands now! I am honored to be among the 21 selected artists featured in this year's annual emerging artist spotlight. I always read these issues back when I was a student. Surreal! Congrats to all my fellow honorees!

Visit Southwest Art Magazine online for a sneak peek to learn more, and your local bookstore where magazines are sold.

Southwest Art // 21 Under 31 Winners

A Big "Thank You" to All

2011-09-15T18:43:00.000-04:00

Another solo show has come and gone, and I wanted to give my overdue heartfelt thanks and appreciation to everyone who attended and were involved with my opening this past July. I loved meeting each and every one of you and couldn't have asked for a better show! It was magical. HUGE thanks once again to everyone at my gallery, RJD Fine Arts, Richard Demato and Harriet Sawyer for their amazing hospitality, support, and guidance, and my collectors and supporters. You all help keep me going in so many ways, words cannot describe. Thank YOU!

Last but not least, those near and dear to me: my parents, brother, close friends, and models/muses, Jennifer and Natalia -- for being the ones who ultimately understand and accept me and my long, broody disappearances into the studio. Thank you from the bottom of my soul.

Alas, after a short break back in July, things have been alive and well again in the studio these past several weeks, hence my absence from the virtual world, and I'm looking forward to sharing more cool news and the next series of paintings that are currently coming into progress! Autumn is in the air, and never ceases to inspire!

For those who missed it, photos from the exhibition can be viewed on Flickr: Andrea Kowch 2011 Solo Exhibition

Stay tuned, everybody :)

-AK

"The Feast" Wins 2011 Art Kudos International!

2011-08-17T10:16:00.011-04:00

I'm extremely excited and pleased to announce that The Feast was selected as this year's top winner, Best of Show, in the 2011 Art Kudos International Juried Exhibition!

The online exhibition, unveiled on August 15th, will be on view at the Art Kudos website year-long. Please visit http://www.artkudos.com/ to take a look at this year's stunning array of works, juried by Holly Koons McCullough, former Director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, GA. The show presents 157 artists from 23 countries. I am humbled and beyond honored!

Two additional works, Sojourn and Whirlwind, have also been selected for inclusion. Be sure to check out the whole show!

Newsday, Whitewall, & K+R Magazine

2011-07-30T00:58:00.004-04:00

Some very cool NYC publications recently reviewed my Sag Harbor exhibition and showing in this year's ArtHamptons, so if you haven't seen them, please check out this past week's Newsday, Whitewall, and K+R Magazine. Big thanks to these publications for the great features, I'm honored!

If you don't receive these publications in your area, you can visit them and view the articles online:

Newsday // Art: Andrea Kowch show in Sag Harbor

Whitewall, Contemporary Art & Lifestyle Magazine // ArtHamptons 2011

Karin + Raoul // Exhibition: RJD Gallery presents Paintings by Andrea Kowch

Solo Exhibition opening this weekend!

2011-07-13T18:58:00.006-04:00

It's time! I'm so excited to return to New York this weekend to kick off my new solo show. Hope to see everyone at the opening this Saturday! I'm very much looking forward to sharing the evening with all of you. See you there :)

Opening Reception
Saturday, July 16
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery
90 Main Street, Sag Harbor, NY, 11963
631.725.1161
rjdgallery.com

Artist A Day

2011-07-12T23:59:00.009-04:00

I am pleased to be featured on the website Artist A Day, a huge online global art community whose mission is to raise awareness of the fine art world at large and connect artists and their work with those who love art. Thanks to Artist A Day and all who commented and sent me emails, and took a moment to view my work!

Check it all out here: Artist A Day: Andrea Kowch

ArtHamptons 2011

2011-07-05T12:30:00.007-04:00

Some of my latest work will be shown at the 2011 ArtHamptons International Fine Art Fair this weekend in Bridgehampton, NY. Please be sure to visit RJD Fine Arts Gallery in Booth #108!

See my ad (above) in this month's issue of American Art Collector (#69). The big, 3-day event will house art from over 70 US and international galleries, and special events will include the honoring of Russell Simmons and Danny Simmons, and abstract expressionist Mary Abbot with the 2011 Arts Patron of the Year Award and 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award, respectively.

Please visit the ArtHamptons official site for a list of exhibiting galleries, special events, show and ticket information, and more:

http://www.arthamptons.com/

ArtHamptons
July 8-10, 2011
July 7, Opening Preview
Sayre Park, 154 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton, NY

"Sojourn" featured on Cover of American Art Collector #69 - Out Now!

2011-06-28T12:36:00.019-04:00

I am amazed to announce that Sojourn has been chosen to grace the cover of this month's July #69 issue of American Art Collector! Pick up a copy, available on newsstands wherever books and magazines are sold! It's a great issue that includes coverage of the upcoming 2011 ArtHamptons Fine Art Fair, which my work will be a part of, and also profiles Russell Simmons as this month's featured art collector. Be sure to check out the article previewing my new work and upcoming show!

Show work is now complete (will post soon!) and the opening is just around the corner. I can't wait, and want to give thanks to all the recent magazines and press for their support, and of course, my gallery, collectors, fans, family and friends. You all help make everything even more worthwhile.

More updates to come as I gear up for summer! Please visit American Art Collector online, http://www.americanartcollector.com/ to browse the current issue, and http://www.rjdgallery.com/ to view some of the new work! I am looking forward to meeting many of you in a few weeks!

Punk Soul Poet

2011-05-25T11:19:00.017-04:00

Big thanks to the editors behind Punk Soul Poet for inviting me to be a part of their launch issue. A new, LA-based virtual art and literary mag, Punk Soul Poet is devoted to art, the written word, and the punk soul, with the mission of "strengthen[ing] the bond between the arts" in true "punk" spirit, naming "Patti Smith, Oscar Wilde, Spalding Gray, Frida Kahlo, Hunter S. Thompson, and Jim Carroll, among others" as role models.

I was honored and happy to have my work serve as the subject for poetry featured in this issue, and fell in love with the poets' various interpretations of the paintings. Congrats to the poets whose submissions were selected for the article: Ariel Jastromb, Jenna Schlosbon, Katie G, Laurie Foster Palmer, and Cassie Ann Ross. They were a joy to read!

Check it all out here -- Punk Soul Poet: Inspired by artist Andrea Kowch

Official Site -- http://www.punksoulpoet.com/

CCS: 50 Alumni Stories

2011-05-25T10:11:00.007-04:00

I'm very proud and honored to have been featured in my alma mater's (CCS) recent publication, 50 CCS Alumni Stories: A Look Into Your Future -- a great little volume documenting an amazing group of recent and past grads. Hats off to my fellow alums; it's always so cool to be counted among such a rad group of artists and creatives.

In the "Month of May". . .

2011-05-22T20:36:00.020-04:00

May is about to wrap itself up (where does the time go??), and I'm in the final stretches of painting away feverishly in the meantime. I've been on an Arcade Fire binge these past couple weeks, and thought I'd take a few moments to give this blog here a little TLC and show some love and appreciation for one of many great bands whose music keeps me going in the studio.

Subscription Glitch

2011-05-09T10:25:00.005-04:00

A note to all you wonderful folks that are subscribed to this blog's email updates: there was a glitch this morning (5/9) that re-sent old feeds from 2010. I don't know the cause of this, and apologize for any confusion. When in doubt, check back here on the blog itself for the latest updates! As we near July, all new show work will be revealed!

Art featured in .Cent Magazine (UK)

2011-04-19T19:23:00.010-04:00

See my art featured in the current issue (#17) of .Cent Magazine (UK), the London-based bi-annual publication devoted to the modern world of art, culture, architecture, music, and fashion. Guest-edited by photographer and curator, Minnie Weisz, the issue "Seeing Stories, Telling Pictures" is OUT NOW and available for order online, both in Print and Digital formats, through the .Cent Shop! Big thanks to the .Cent team for inviting me to be a part of this issue. Get your copy and visit the site to see and learn more about the art and articles featured in this issue!

DAF Group Feature: Vol. 53

2011-04-19T19:07:00.003-04:00

Check out DailyArtFixx.com where Rural Sister is featured in this week's Monday Mixx!

"Sojourn"

2011-03-12T10:03:00.010-05:00

72" x 60"
acrylic on canvas

Things are cooking in the studio, hence my lack of posts as of late, and Sojourn is another large-scale, all-consuming work I recently wrapped up. After taking a quick few days to come down from the mega adrenaline high, a new painting is already up on the easel, and others are still thoughts yet to be officially pinned down on paper, all of which I'll be looking forward to sharing with all of you in the coming weeks.

For now, a few of my thoughts behind this one. The concept for it ultimately came about by way of taking the leap to do something with butterflies, a thought I'd faintly entertained in the past, but pushed to the back of my mind because I wasn't quite sure in what way I would initially handle the subject matter. Then one day it completely hit me, the whole image; one of those rare instances that foregoes all the extensive planning and playing via roughs and sketches to get it right. Amazingly, a lot of my ideas have been free-flowing lately, and there's no better feeling than that light bulb going off and getting so excited you're literally scrambling to write it all down. Here, I wanted the structure of an old farmhouse to figure prominently in the scene, a large looming shape where I could indulge my craving to explore the details of all those old farmhouses I so loved discovering on backroad haunts, that are now leveled and no more.

In a way, it's an homage to a past where things were so much purer, simpler. But like butterflies, who are in a constant state of transformation and migration, such is life, where things come and go and it's up to us to choose what's worth keeping and preserving. Butterflies have always served as symbols of hope and beauty throughout the ages, creatures that, despite their delicate fragility, still must brave long and brutal migrations. Even so, their short rests along the way are one of nature's most beautiful and fascinating events to behold. The contrast between them, the women, and the house was something that struck and appealed to me in my mind's eye; almost like a fusion of past, present, and future.

To reflect the depth and complexity of the scene, I also wanted to explore textures more deeply than ever, and when I settled on the outfits, I made sure they carried an airiness that would translate and mesh with the delicacy of the nets and butterflies themselves.

I created the outfits out of several pieces of clothing, combinations of vintage pieces, regular pieces, and curtains [yes, curtains :)]. My models (dear friends) are always amazing to work with, especially in instances like this, where they're pinned up all sorts of ways in these strange get-ups. Makes for lots of laughs and keeps me going while running back and forth manning lights, camera, action, outfits falling apart, etc. It being a large painting, I really wanted to take advantage of the fact that I could get into all the details, and boy did I with this one. It just felt right, and to really experience everything it has to be viewed in real life. I must have re-shot the work a million times to try to capture all the subtleties here, but, a bit of the true colors and details still got lost nonetheless. Hopefully most of you will be able to come see it face-to-face at my show this July! It's hard to believe Spring is already upon us despite the relentless snowfall and cold winds still going strong here in Michigan! :)

Cool review by "The Jealous Curator"

2011-03-10T23:57:00.010-05:00

I came across a neat review of my work on The Jealous Curator blog, a wonderful and witty site that discusses some brilliant work by a slew of amazing contemporary artists. I'm stoked to have been included. See what the curator thinks: http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2011/02/28/im-jealous-of-andrea-kowch/ and be sure to check out all the other cool art and artists discussed there, too!

Imported From Detroit

2011-02-07T00:58:00.013-05:00

Mega shout-out to my Hometown.

"Women Painting Women"

2011-01-25T13:16:00.004-05:00

I'm very happy to be today's featured artist on the great blog Women Painting Women. Check it out!

"The Feast"

2011-01-19T14:49:00.069-05:00

60" x 84"
acrylic on canvas

The largest one I have done to date, it was quite a ride from start to finish, in a good way, for it allowed me to really put myself to the test and push my boundaries. It took nearly three months of intense painting, everyday, and had me either lying or sitting on the floor, getting on and off a stool, and running to one end of the studio and back to gauge it from a distance countless times a day, literally causing me to emerge from the experience 10 lbs. lighter (not complaining!). If you've been following this blog, you're probably familiar with my desire to do large-scale works more often, so, naturally, when I got this opportunity I was totally psyched.

The figures in this piece are 100% life-size. If you sit in front of it, you'll look like you're part of the scene. Place a hand over one in the painting and they'll match. Everything in it is scaled accordingly; that's what's made it so consuming and exciting for me, so much so that by the tenth week when it neared completion, I almost forgot I even existed.

The initial idea was to create a sort of table scene, and I wanted to create a narrative with mood where various windows and doors behind each figure contain something unique, symbolizing different thoughts and states of mind, themes and motifs commonly present in my work. I also wanted to further explore and indulge in my love for painting textures and patterns, something that, albeit time-consuming, is actually a very meditative process.

Expect to see more large-scale paintings from me in the future, and new paintings are currently in progress, so stay tuned! Huge thanks to my clients and gallery for giving me the chance to take on something like this. In addition, commissions are being accepted, so if interested, please contact RJD Fine Arts Gallery with any inquiries, and check out The Feast on Flickr for a larger view.

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T11:25:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! I'd like to thank you all for your constant loyal friendship and support, for an incredible year, and wish you all the joys of the holidays. You all mean the world to me, and I am so excited for the future and to continue sharing my artistic journey with all of you. Thank you. May you all experience a joyful and prosperous 2011! Let's have a great year!

DDMagazine #11

2010-12-16T21:36:00.017-05:00

I'm very excited to be featured in the current December 2010 issue (#11) of the Italian-based mag, DDMagazine, a virtual publication of Daydreaming Project, an Italian production devoted to "the creative image in its many forms." I'm stoked to be shown alongside so much other amazing art.

Check it all out at http://www.ddmagazine.it/ and view some of their previous issues while you're at it; some truly great stuff. Big thanks to DDMagazine's editorial staff for inviting me to take part!

DDMagazine December 2010 Issue

ANDREA KOWCH

"Anima” expands in a loneliness savoured with ravens and wind as companions. The untamable hair tells about a madness stroked without fear. Impressive feminine resonances.

ALEX GROSS

Happy, sheltered, optimist in the best world of evertime, where an iPhone or a bag with famous griffe save from the wreck . The price of the new era is some insignificant genetic mutations, as snake-eyes or a gray skin.

TOMOHIDE IKEYA

Under water appears the tender brittleness of human being, that in the liquid element gains a shape of unreal softness. The moment of a held breath expands to infinite, and gave us a dream-like vision.

ALESSANDRO BAVARI

A journey with lot of quotations runs through ultra-human territories, and becomes a clear visionary reportage of excess, accumulation, ibridation. The pleasure of derailment, but in perfect control of image.

DINO VALLS

The classifing obsession of knowledge want to free body from the image and divine likeness. But surgical instruments and belts are not enough to extinghuish that strange luminescence that burns in human shape.

-Patrizia Miliani, Editorial Staff

RJD/101 Group Show II

2010-11-29T22:25:00.011-05:00

See the ad in American Art Collector's current December issue (#62) on the upcoming group exhibition I will be a part of, along with other select artists from RJD Fine Arts Gallery and 101/exhibit. The show opens during Art Basel Miami; be sure to check it all out if you are in the area!

101/exhibit & RJD Fine Arts Gallery Present:

GROUP SHOW II - Art Basel Selections
December 2 - February 6, 2011

101/exhibit
101 NE 40th Street
Miami, FL 33137
305-573-2101
www.101exhibit.com
www.rjdgallery.com

New work featured in December's "American Art Collector"

2010-11-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

I'm extremely pleased to inform that one of my latest paintings, Beyond Here, is featured in the current December issue of American Art Collector (#62), along with a great selection of others from RJD Fine Arts Gallery and 101/exhibit. See us in the article Art Basel Selections, and please be sure to check us out at this year's Art Basel Miami, opening December 1 - 5, as well as a second collaborative show, RJD/101 Group Show II, opening December 2, at 101/exhibit in Miami, FL. Hope to see you there!

For info visit:
http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/
http://www.101exhibit.com/

"Spectrum 17" Out Now!

2010-11-14T21:33:00.008-05:00

Just released and now available through online retailers and major bookstores near you! I'm so honored to be shown among such an amazing group of artists again. It's another great volume, so grab your copy and enjoy!

Visit Spectrum's official site for more info, as well as to get a sneak peek flip-through of the book!

"Challenging, controversial, educational, and irreverent, the 15th anniversary addition to the award-winning Spectrum series reinforces both the importance and prevalence of fantastic art in today’s culture. With exceptional images by extraordinary creators, this elegant full-color collection showcases an international cadre of creators working in every style and medium, both traditional and digital. The best artists from the United States, Europe, China, Australia, South America, and beyond have gathered into the only annual devoted exclusively to works of fantasy, horror, science fiction, and the surreal, making Spectrum 17 one of the year’s most highly anticipated books. With art from books, graphic novels, video games, films, galleries, and advertising, Spectrum is both an electrifying art book for fans and an invaluable resource for clients looking for bright new talent. The entire field is discussed in an invaluable, found-nowhere-else year in review. Contact information for each artist is included in a handy index. Often imitated, never equaled, Spectrum 17 continues the freshness and excellence that was established 16 years ago."

Recent feature in this month's issue of "American Art Collector"

2010-11-04T12:38:00.013-04:00

If you haven't yet, check out the current November issue of American Art Collector for a brief follow-up feature covering my recent solo exhibition, located in the magazine's "Sold!" section!

Art Basel Miami 2010

2010-10-29T23:55:00.027-04:00

I am excited to announce that my work will be making an appearance at this year's Art Basel Miami! As most of you may know, it's one of the world's most prominent art events and most important art show in the US, presenting leading galleries, artists, and art enthusiasts from around the globe. It all takes place December 2-5, 2010.
Don't miss it! :)

For all information, please visit http://www.artbaselmiamibeach.com/.

Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 41 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. . . .every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel Miami Beach - the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world. (artbaselmiamibeach.com)

New projects & new work

2010-10-06T11:39:00.014-04:00

Happy Autumn, everyone! My favorite season is here and there are a lot of new, exciting things going on! Two new paintings have recently been uploaded to the gallery section of my website, www.andreakowchillustration.com, so be sure to visit. I will post and discuss them here on the blog soon, too, so stay tuned and check them out on my site in the meantime.

I'm also officially scheduled to have another solo exhibition next summer at RJD Fine Arts Gallery, which I am super-excited about, and I'm currently beginning work on a major painting for two really great clients, which I will reveal at a later date. More large-scale work to come!

I also recently collaborated on a promotional shoot (see image) with emerging photographer, Lindee Robinson, currently a third-year student at my alma mater CCS, who's work totally rocks. Check her out on ModelMayhem and Facebook. I thought I'd share the teaser preview above of my model, Jennifer, and I in character and on location. It was one cold, blustery day for a shoot, and by the end of it, I was literally numb. A great time was had by all, though; more photos to come!

"Big Art, Small Canvas" Group Show

2010-09-12T18:35:00.011-04:00

I will be featured in a new group show at RJD Fine Arts Gallery this month - Big Art, Small Canvas - which will include some of my smaller works (see one of them on card above, third from top). Be sure to check it out if you are in the area!

Big Art, Small Canvas

Opening Reception
September 25, 2010
6:00 -8:00 pm

Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery
90 Main Street
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-1161
rjdgallery.com

"Tea"

2010-09-03T10:08:00.006-04:00

36" x 48"
acrylic on canvas

In some ways, Tea parallels The Visitors in terms of concept and composition. A picnic on the verge of going awry, it involves an attitude of both panic and indifference; when we become unconscious of what we are actually doing because we are so caught up in our heads. The world, however, stops for no one as the goats and other animals reveal, continuing to go about their tasks, driven by their basic needs in their uncomplicated ways.

For me, the two figures represent a collective consciousness and contrasting emotions. The figure on the left is that little voice that keeps us in check when we lose ourselves. She's aware of what's going on unlike the other, who is transfixed in a world unbeknownst to us, her overflowing cup of tea indicative of several things. Humans are an excessive lot, draining precious resources from a world that still manages to sustain us, and a part of this painting speaks to that. The neutral sky and hazy landscape gives this painting an air of ambiguity, which further serves the purpose of this picture, as I wanted its essence to be one of dark playfulness tinged with uncertainty.

"Queen Anne's Lace"

2010-09-02T09:03:00.004-04:00

30" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

The concept for this painting started out as a simple pun on words before shifting to something a little deeper; a view from a more feminine perspective, my love for expansive, earthy landscapes, fields in particular, and a childhood favorite of a wildflower that I used to pick. When I was a child, relatives of mine had a home with a wide field running behind it, and everytime I went over there, the only thing I wanted to do was run down that hill that was blanketed in daisies and Queen Anne's Lace. It's a flower that is both so complex yet so simple at the same time; the way I myself sometimes feel. Funny how ordinary memories often find their way into the paintings in one form or another, even without me knowing sometimes, and they play a large role in this one. Those were the days; the field was my empire, the buzzing insects my court, and the flowers my crown!

"The Visitors"

2010-08-28T13:22:00.005-04:00

48" x 60"
acrylic on canvas

My largest to date, The Visitors came about through an image that flashed in my mind, as well as the thirst to dive into a more complex composition and scene. I have been wanting to go "big" for a while, as I was yearning to create a scene where the viewer can feel able to physically step in and be a part of the action. It was an all-consuming process, and I never lost the fever for it all throughout the course of working on it, which can be a rare thing sometimes.

The scene itself serves as an allegory for the struggle to create order out of chaos. As human beings, suppressing various emotions underneath a calm exterior is not uncommon in our day-to-day lives. So many people have connected to this painting in one way or another. I wanted to get a sense of the "heat" - hot summer wind coming through open windows across a drought-ridden field, the heat of the oven, the dizzying swirl of movement and sound, things on the verge of losing control - chaos personified. Yet, the figures appear almost unmoved. Perhaps it's just another day in the kitchen. The interaction between all the elements speaks of what lies beneath the surface. I deliberately composed the perspective and size of each animal and object to serve the purpose of encouraging interaction with the viewer. I want anyone who looks at this picture to feel like they can pull up a chair to sit across from the central figure and be a part of the whole environment.

Thoughts of interest. . .

2010-08-22T15:22:00.014-04:00

As I paint I contemplate things a lot, and with that often comes the urge to turn a few pages in a book on an artist I admire; be it the need to find inspiration, encouragement, or to simply remind myself that I am not alone in feeling profound emotions towards similar things.

"I. . . have inherited that strange love for things remote, things delicately perfumed with that sadness that is so exquisitely beautiful. . . I only dare hope that I can commune these feelings to you in my work - sometime."

"I feel so moved sometimes toward nature that I could almost throw myself face down into a ploughed furrow - ploughed furrow understand! I love it so."

-- N.C. Wyeth

Just some random thoughts for today that I felt were worth sharing.

RJD/101 Group Show

2010-08-17T18:55:00.016-04:00

I'm excited to be part of a spectacular current group show this month at RJD Fine Arts Gallery, which features other select artists from the gallery and those of Miami-based gallery, 101/exhibit. It's the first joint show between the two galleries and runs from August 7 - August 27, 2010. I was also super-excited to see my work featured on the show posters and promos (see poster above, clockwise from upper left: David Bowers, Phillip Thomas, Jason Alexander, me!). If you haven't already, be sure to check out the show if you are in Sag Harbor!

“RJD Fine Arts Gallery & 101/Exhibit Present Their Gallery Artists" Including: David Bowers, Jason Alexander, Bo Bartlett, Michael Costello, and select RJD Gallery Artists

August 7-27, 2010

http://www.rjdgallery.com/
http://www.101exhibit.com/

Solo Show Opening & Hamptons weekend

2010-08-02T22:36:00.061-04:00

Well it has been two weeks since my solo exhibition Andrea Kowch: American Magic Realism, opened at RJD Fine Arts Gallery in Sag Harbor and it still feels like I was only just there yesterday. I know I am a bit overdue on the updates here, but better late than never, and I have already been busy painting again since then, too. More new work coming!

It's hard to find a place to start in describing my short but extremely eventful weekend in the Hamptons. I could not have asked for a more enjoyable, memorable experience, and I thank everyone involved, from my gallery to all the great new people I had the privilege of meeting - and above all, my wonderful collectors. The show looked beautiful, and the VIP treatment I received was, simply put, AWESOME. :) Huge thanks to my gallerist Richard Demato and his wife, artist and internationally-acclaimed textile designer, Harriet Sawyer, who accommodated me at their gorgeous Long Island Sound home and showed me a great time. For a glimpse, check out the February 2010 issue of American Art Collector (#52) to see the feature on their home and art collection. Amazing stuff.

Sag Harbor is everything I expected, charming, friendly, historical, and I was stoked to spend some time exploring it before the show. A museum-goer at heart, the Custom House and Whaling Museum were some of the stops I had to visit, and they did not disappoint.

And did I mention the weather was perfect? I also got to ride in a Ferrari for the first time! It was quite the beautiful, stylish experience (to put it mildly)! Montauk Point and the legendary Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton were on the next day's agenda, courtesy of Richard and Harriet who were kind enough to shuttle me around and show me many worthwhile spots. I was able to catch a passing glimpse of the summer homes of Martha Stewart, Steven Spielberg, etc. as well as Grey Gardens, which I did not see, but I know we passed it somewhere down that road!

In between these jaunts, I also made house calls to a few of my collectors whom I thank for having me stop by. It surely was a weekend to remember, and I wish I could have shared the moments with each and every one of you. I tried to take lots of pictures, but was so involved, I had to often remind myself to do so. Be sure to visit my Flickr page to see it all. I could not have asked for a better way to kick off my first showing there on the east coast, and celebrate all the long days spent in the studio over the last few months. It was amazing.

Visit my Flickr PhotoAlbum to view all pics from the opening!

Last but not least for all you collectors and lovers of antiques out there, Leigh and Leslie Keno of Antiques Roadshow were on my flight to NY! Two nice guys who had no problem lending me a minute for a photo. I love the show, and was SO excited to meet them! This is us at La Guardia!

"On the Point"

2010-07-14T02:52:00.000-04:00

48" x 36"
acrylic on canvas

Aside from the urge to portray a slightly different landscape and to further study gulls and take my compositions to another level, On the Point is a painting about navigating uncharted horizons. The unpredictable nature of things is often cause for contemplation, and I wanted to get a sense of that here. The figure is in a state of limbo, facing the new and unknown, focusing in on a course, unmoved by the devouring frenzy that surrounds her. Tone and atmosphere were important factors for me in this. The fog is symbolic of a curtain about to unveil something hidden, and I want viewers to be able to feel that damp mist and wind, stand on the brink, smell the coast, feel the sun about to break through, hear the birds; all the sensations associated with the everchanging moods of a coastal landscape.

"Night Hill"

2010-07-12T18:49:00.021-04:00

36" x 24"
acrylic on canvas

This was the first painting I completed for my new set of work for my solo exhibition. Stemming partly from a need to explore a night palette, as well as to represent the mood and mystery personally associated with night itself, Night Hill speaks of those still moments where our subconscious takes over. I have sat on the shores of Lake Huron many times at night, listening to its crashing waves, feeling the breeze and seeing the stars. Each time, I couldn't help but realize how small I felt alongside the universe as it stretched up and on into dark oblivion. We make up such a small part of it, despite our immense impact; mere fireflies which circle about, lighting the way before flickering out.

I came across this very stagecoach at an antique shop on the side of the road on U.S. 23 one day. It was strangely intriguing to me, and I thought, why not put it up on the hill? It encompassed an ethereal almost spiritual quality, like an artifact of the supernatural realm, where all things legendary and ghostly dwell. Fire holds several meanings for me, and I often find my thoughts unintentionally centering around the concept of duality as I paint, coming to realize its steady presence at the core of my pictures. The real and unreal, history and the present, opposing emotions, endings and beginnings, nature's seasons and cycles, all of it is present there. I wanted this painting to capture night's magical quality, when the unreal feels realer than anything.

Quote of the Day

2010-07-12T18:46:00.004-04:00

"Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words." -Goethe

Solo Show info & new work!

2010-07-07T11:49:00.008-04:00

It's a wrap for this show! All new work is now posted on my website, so feel free to visit and check it out! Above is the show card for the event. In the days to come, I'll begin posting work individually here on the blog with some personal tidbits behind each painting.

If any of you are out on Long Island next week, make sure to mark Sag Harbor as a destination so you can see the show. I look forward to meeting new faces and sharing my work with you!

Please Save the Date and Join Us for a
Collection of New Work by Andrea Kowch

Andrea Kowch: American Magic Realism

Opening Reception
Saturday, July 17
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery
90 Main Street
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
(631) 725-1161
rjdgallery.com

Work featured in American Art Collector ArtHamptons Preview

2010-06-17T21:50:00.004-04:00

I am very honored to be featured in American Art Collector once again, this time, in their previews of ArtHamptons 2010. This July issue is out now, so grab a copy wherever books and magazines are sold! Check out the article on my gallerist, Richard Demato and the gallery's future collaboration with Miami-based gallery 101/exhibit, which represents the likes of David Bowers, Bo Bartlett, and Mark Ryden among others, and see one of my new paintings, The Visitors, featured alongside the article!

Meanwhile, I am nearly finished wrapping up this latest body of work for my show, and am looking forward to taking a short, much needed break from all the long weeks spent painting full speed at the easel. I'll be posting all the new images at that time, as well as my thoughts behind each work here on the blog. Thanks again to all for your comments and support throughout as always! Hope everyone is having a fantastic summer! :)

ArtHamptons 2010

2010-06-14T16:10:00.013-04:00

ArtHamptons, one of the top major international fine art fairs in America, is happening in New York this July and I'm excited to announce that my work will be represented there along with several prominent figures in today's art world. The event draws thousands of high-end art enthusiasts each year, where the weekend is spent perusing work from top US and international art galleries in a museum-like setting. I am extremely excited and honored to be a part of it!

Visit http://www.arthamptons.com/ for ticket information and to learn more about this annual summer event.

Sneak Peek . . .

2010-06-12T21:12:00.009-04:00

A few sneak peeks of some paintings I've been working on. Check back here and my website in the next few weeks to see all the new stuff!

Review in American Art Collector

2010-06-03T20:57:00.012-04:00

If you haven't checked out my review in American Art Collector yet, the June issue has hit the stands! Check it out to see one of the many new paintings that will be on exhibit at my one-woman show this July, as well as the interview, and info about the upcoming event. Available now wherever books and magazines are sold!

Issues may also be ordered through http://www.americanartcollector.com/

Teaching acrylic painting at the GPAC!

2010-06-03T20:14:00.017-04:00

Calling all painters! I'm happy to announce that I will be teaching a summer painting class at the Grosse Pointe Art Center in Grosse Pointe, Michigan this July. It will be a total of 4 two-hour sessions running Thursday evenings, from July 8 - August 5, 2010. Registration is open, so visit http://www.grossepointeartcenter.org/ for information, and download the schedule for GPAC Summer Art Education Classes.

I will be teaching an intermediate acrylic painting course, so if you (or someone you know) have some experience with the medium and want to brush up (no pun intended) on your basic painting skills, then contact the art center today! I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing tips!

Cool article about my work on Artonfix

2010-05-22T10:18:00.008-04:00

I came across a neat little article about my work on Artonfix, a site that discusses contemporary art and artists. Check it out!

"Sisters, Farms, and Supernatural Forces"

Work to be featured in "Spectrum 17" & American Art Collector Magazine!

2010-04-29T11:09:00.016-04:00

I am proud to announce that In the Path of the Wind was selected to appear in Spectrum 17! The book comes out November 2010. I'm so honored to be shown among the group for a third time, and can't wait to see all the great stuff featured in its pages this year.

In other news, I've been (and still am) painting around the clock for my solo show at the gallery this summer. A total of 15 works will be on display, and the show opens this July. Needless to say, working to do all this in five months is exhausting, though working at such a constant pace keeps ideas fresh. I have about 5 more paintings to go, and little over one month left before I have to send them all off! Not to mention, there are a few very large ones (one as big as 4x5 ft.) and compositions that simply demand time and energy. It's been quite the trip so far, in a good way, and I am very much looking forward to unveiling all that I've been doing.

I'm also very excited to announce that American Art Collector Magazine will be featuring me in their upcoming June issue with an article and preview of the show! Keep your eye on the shelves to catch this next issue! Some of the new work I've been doing will be in it. Keep checking back here on the blog as well to see some sneak peeks I'll be posting soon as we get closer to the show date.

For now, it's back to the easel! :)

"The Art of Consciousness" Group Show

2010-02-26T13:36:00.012-05:00

If you happen to be in the New York/Long Island area, please check out the group show I'll be showing in at the Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery, entitled "The Art of Consciousness," a show celebrating the gallery's new arrivals, with work by artists Jeff Aeling, Laurel Swab, and myself. It will be a great show, so be sure to check it out!

Please Save the Date and Join Us for Our New Arrivals Featuring:
Andrea Kowch, Jeff Aeling, & Laurel Swab

Opening Reception
Saturday, March 13
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery
90 Main Street
Sag Harbor, NY 11963
(631) 725-1161
rjdgallery.com

Also check out The Sag Harbor Express article covering the show:

Art as Allegory: Narratives in (and out of) the Frame

If you get the paper locally, you can see my painting "Losing Eden" featured as the article image!

Work now represented by NY gallery!

2010-01-17T20:26:00.012-05:00

I am extremely excited and pleased to announce that I am now represented by the Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery in New York! I am so excited and honored to now be represented and shown among a series of exceptional artists, including Jamie Wyeth (yes, the Jamie Wyeth!) and modern master and Spectrum award winner Donato Giancola. It's going to be a busy next few months ahead of me as I begin full-time work on 15 new paintings to be shown out in The Hamptons this summer, and I am looking forward to it, entirely! I am also scheduled to take part in major art events later this year as well, and will keep you all posted as those dates near.

You can check out the gallery's website at http://www.rjdgallery.com/, and click on my name located under "Gallery Artists" to see my page, and the work that is available at this time. Please note that if you are interested in purchasing any work, you must now contact the gallery.

I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for your ongoing support of my work, and look forward to this next endeavor as I bring lots of new works your way! Can't wait! :)

New version of website now launched

2010-01-10T23:07:00.010-05:00

Just an update to let you all know that a brand new version of andreakowchillustration.com is now up and running. Check it out! It's the official one-stop shop for everything - news, updated portfolios, links to my various other online profiles, photos, free downloads, and an online store that will open in the near future, featuring limited edition prints. Please be sure to join my mailing list to receive updates and information on future exhibitions, and be sure to check back often for new additions to the site.

The Sketchbook Project

2010-01-07T17:41:00.019-05:00

I, along with other artists from all over the world recently completed sketchbooks for The Sketchbook Project, a project that's goal is to create a giant collective of sketchbooks from around the globe, and make it accessible to everyone. The sketchbooks will go on a nationwide gallery tour across the US, and afterwards be permanently housed in the Brooklyn Art Library in Brooklyn, NY. Visitors will receive library cards and be able to view the books at exhibitions around the country.

I am very excited to be a part of this! I have never been one to fill sketchbooks from front to back, as I usually only use them to work out my processes for final paintings and illustrations. So, I decided to take part in this in order to make myself go back to the basics, try out some new techniques, and simply free myself up a bit and allow my imagination to run where it wanted to. It was extremely refreshing and a healthy challenge for the creative process.

So, enjoy a little peek into my quirky mind, and be sure to check out a few more here on Flickr, or MyArtspace. The rest will have to be seen in person :) Each artist was assigned a theme, and mine was It's Not Easy Being Green. Make of it what you will! I decided to take the phrase loosely, allowing it to encompass not only "green" objects and such, but the broader scope of connotations that "green" carries for us in this day and age - our planet. Here are the cities and official tour dates:

January 29 - 30, 2010
Art House Gallery
309 Peters St
Atlanta, GA 30313

February 19 - 21, 2010
303Grand
303 Grand St
Brooklyn, NY 11211

March 5, 2010
Laconia Gallery
433 Harrison Ave
Boston, MA 2118

March 6, 2010
Brooklyn Art Library (Grand Opening Party)
201 Richards Street #16
Brooklyn, NY 11231

April 8 - 11, 2010
Art and Shelter Gallery at The Salvation Army Alegria
2737 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90039

April 16 - 18, 2010
Soulard Art Market
2028 S. 12th St
Saint Louis, MO 63104

May 7 - 9, 2010
Home Gallery
1407 E. 54th Place
Chicago, IL 60615

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T17:26:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! With 2009 coming to a close, I'd like to give thanks to everyone for your continued friendship and support. I am thankful for each and every one of you, and look forward to continuing sharing my artistic journey with all of you. Thank you. May you all experience a joyful and prosperous 2010! Let's have a great year!

Drawing Dreams Foundation

2009-12-28T14:11:00.013-05:00

Girl, by Karen, age 10

I'm pleased to announce that I have been asked to contribute images on behalf of the Drawing Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Berkeley, CA whose mission is to help provide art supplies to children's hospitals, and other organizations where the need arises.

In appreciation of their support, donors receive notecards featuring art from Drawing Dreams' two online galleries: art by children, as part of the Children Helping Children initiative, and images from professional visual and performing artists, photographers, architects, athletes, scientists, and visionaries from around the world, as part of Artists Helping Children.

I am proud to be a part of this, and invite you to check out all the wonderful art in the galleries! Blackbirds are Gathering has made the headliner on page 2!

Happy Holidays, Friends

2009-12-24T00:46:00.020-05:00

One of my favorite holiday traditions when I was a child was being allowed to unwrap one of my gifts on Christmas Eve while watching The Snowman. This beautiful animated classic, along with the entire series of Beatrix Potter tales brought to life on video, were favorites, that, to this day, I still love just as much as I did then. Since I've grown up, the beauty of this film's theme song never fails to make me teary-eyed. I thought I'd share it with you along with some personal photos, in hopes that you, too, will be moved to take a few moments out of your busy holiday schedules to revisit your imagination and walk in the air. :)

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

"Summer's End"

2009-12-22T23:58:00.012-05:00

24" x 18"
acrylic on canvas

Another painting completed a few weeks ago, that speaks of the fragility of all things born from the earth, and the inherent order and cycles that occur in the natural world. I came upon the concept for this in late summer/early fall when everything around us begins to slowly change to give way to a new season. These massive, mammoth sunflowers that grew in the garden and turned their heavy heads to follow the sun all summer long, had bowed, welcoming the autumn. When it was time to prepare the ground for next summer, I set the heavy, freshly cut bunch down and looked at them, finding them to be symbolic of so many things. A moth then peeked at me from behind a petal. This image flashed in my head on the spot. I love when that happens.

It's a natural feeling to want to hold on to things you know you can't preserve forever, and, before turning these majestic flora over to the birds and squirrels to feast on, I felt the need to record their beauty and the power of what they represented to me that day.

"Two Rural Sisters" Diptych

2009-12-14T16:40:00.022-05:00

28" x 44"
acrylic on canvas

A recently completed set that I have been working on periodically between other paintings. Lately I'm enjoying working on several pieces at once, just to change up the routine a bit. With these, I intentionally wanted to create two narrative character portraits; a straightforward statement and tribute to both the beauty and harshness of country life. I guess my inherent love for Renaissance art, particularly its portraiture, lurked in my subconcious during the birth of the initial idea, hence why I think I settled on representing the protagonists in a more straight, formal, symmetrical fashion, accompanied by symbols that pertain to them. The strength and resiliency of the human spirit is one of the main themes running throughout this one, in addition to the sheer desire to simply go back and concentrate on the figure as a painting subject.

"The Distance Between Shores" OUT NOW!

2009-11-25T17:34:00.006-05:00

Another book I recently illustrated is now out and available for purchase! Books may be purchased through Midnight Tea Poetry. A HUGE thanks to my client, Brian Tracy, for giving me the great privilege of teaming up with him again for this companion piece to Blackbird Ballads. The book made its debut at its release party on November 14, at Live at the Lounge in Hermosa Beach, CA, where it was celebrated with live poetry and music.

The poems you'll find in these pages are just beautiful, and I had such a great time using them as my muse for the pictures you'll find throughout. Order your copy today, and get a few more as gifts for the poetry-lovers in your life!

"Brian Tracy's exquisite poems evoke those "ghostlier demarcations" summoned by Wallace Stevens, another poet for whom the sea is muse. Because Tracy is a poet of powerful restraint and beautiful nuance. The Distance Between Shores is a book of delicately suspended, liminal spaces, spaces in which one hears whispers from the other world as well as 'the howl and hunger' of this one."

-Gail Wronsky, Director of Creative Writing Loyola Marymount University and author of Poems for Infidels and Dying for Beauty

"Brian Michael Tracy's elegant, meditative poems emerge from a landscape of mist and dream like lost beloveds. There's a quiet vigor and wisdom in this poet's work that comes from allowing the self to crawl inside silence and observe. The Distance Between Shores will astonish and fill you with the breath of life."

-Michelle Bitting, author of Good Friday Kiss and winner of the DeNovo First Book Award

"Spectrum 16" OUT NOW!

2009-11-09T20:27:00.003-05:00

I'm excited to announce that Spectrum 16 is out now! I just got my copy in the mail today and it is full of AMAZING work by our best artists and illustrators from around the globe. The images in this annual are the work of absolute masters, and it still floors me to see my work published among them for a second time.

Get to your local Barnes & Noble or Borders, or order your copy on Amazon!

Feature about "Blackbird Ballads" and my work!

2009-11-05T09:30:00.009-05:00

An article in the LA newspaper discussing the album, the people behind it, and my art!

Easy Reader: Three Brains are Better than One

Check it out!

Find me on "MyArtspace"

2009-11-02T12:26:00.005-05:00

A whole new website re-design is underway, and in the meantime, I wanted to make you all aware that all my current work can be viewed on MyArtspace, a great art website, where my portfolio is kept current. The old website will still be up another couple weeks, and until the new one is up and running, MyArtspace is the new official spot to catch my updated portfolios. Spread the word! I was also selected to be in the "Featured Artist" spotlight on the site.

www.myartspace.com/andreakowch

Thanks! Announcements about the new site launch will be coming soon.

Hope you had a spook-tacular Halloween!

2009-11-01T16:55:00.013-05:00

Hope everyone had a great Halloween! I had a great time this year putting on my annual display for the neighborhood kids. It's as fun for me as it is for them! The front porch is my stage for a night, and I have parents often pulling out their cameras to make it a lasting memory for the little ones. It's a fun weekend of preparation where I whip out crafting supplies and create props for the porch, windows, and my witchy attire. :)

When all is ready, the scene is set to the organ of Bach's Tocatta, and the trick-or-treaters start walking up the witch's way. . .

Fun spooky silhouettes I made for the window, containing the
silhouette of my "twin" sister as she makes another batch of her
special brew. . . ;)

A phantom from Venice came to visit and joined me for the party.

As usual, all the fun ended far too fast! Looking forward to another "boo"-tiful one next year!

ArtPrize 2009

2009-10-28T10:37:00.041-04:00

What an event! I'm sure all of you know about the results of its magnitude from the papers and various articles online, and it was absolutely all that! Art is now put back on the map, big time, and that is something many of us have been waiting for. I met so many wonderful people, and received some excellent comments and feedback. The energy, interaction, and conversation -what ArtPrize was all about - drew in a crowd of over 37,000 viewers with over 330,000 votes placed. I was honored to have been one of the 1,262 pioneering artists who contributed to making this cultural experiment such a success, paving the way for a future ArtPrize to be held again.

I had a great time showing alongside artist Cory Vanderzwaag of Grand Rapids, who created a sweet installation piece titled Familiar Analysis involving a table setting he constructed with interactive media features. Our work was a perfect fit together! Check out more on his profile.

On the front window of the gallery. . .

"Apple of My Eye." 30" x 40." acrylic on canvas. sold

Cory Vanderzwaag's interactive installation piece.

A huge thanks again to Amy and Josh of The MuStache Gallery located in Grand Rapids' Heartside area, a budding arts district with galleries, shops, and a music scene. The opportunity to be a part of the event would not have been possible without them!

Amy and Josh of The MuStache Gallery in Grand Rapids.

Some of the many viewers who came by opening night.

A great time had by all. I made 4 trips out in the course of the two weeks, and still was not able to see everything. Visit my Flickr album to see more of what I was able to catch, as well as mlive.com/artprize, and the ArtPrize Blog, to read reviews and all news about the event. Shore Magazine recently featured it as their cover story. Read all about it here. Thank you ArtPrize founder Rick DeVos and all involved, for encouraging art appreciation among the general public and for recognizing and putting such a high price on the value of what we artists do.

"ArtPrize" Update for Voters/Attendees

2009-09-16T20:16:00.007-04:00

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

ArtPrize - World's Largest Art Competition

2009-09-02T08:22:00.009-04:00

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

Children's book out now!

2009-09-01T11:58:00.012-04:00

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"

2009-09-01T07:57:00.003-04:00

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.

"Tour of the Universe" 2009

2009-08-31T13:05:00.016-04:00

The night of July 24, 2009, was indeed a night to remember at Toronto's Molson Amphitheatre as Depeche Mode kicked off the North American leg of their 2009 world tour, "Tour of the Universe." It's no lie when they say a DM concert is a spiritual experience. Absolutely incredible. I was so fortunate to have experienced it from the main floor, and, as expected, the show was lined with stunning visuals, incredible energy coming from 16,000 fellow DM devotees, and the Mode themselves as spectacular as ever. In a nutshell, it couldn't have been more perfect.

The day's drive to Toronto was beautiful, with the 401 winding through some of the most gorgeous fields and lush farmland. If I was not on a tight schedule, I would have definitely spent some time exploring the landscape. The weather was something to behold as well, everchanging throughout the day from crisp sunshine, to dark, rolling clouds, to violent rain, to sun again. Crows were abundant, flying every which way over and alongside the highway as I drove, only to show up again as part of DM's stage visuals later that night. I was floored. More sweet surprises showed up when the band switched up their scheduled setlist, performing songs that I really hoped to hear live. It took an hour and a half to move three miles in the concert traffic, and, after the show, the parking lots became an after-party, as the hundreds of us waiting for traffic to move out, mingled and blasted Depeche Mode favorites out of cars. What better way to top the night off? The universe was definitely smiling those 24 hours. "Sounds of the Universe" indeed.

"Blackbird Ballads" Released

2009-06-12T17:28:00.007-04:00

This past February, I was approached with the wonderful opportunity to have my work appear on a CD cover - something I've always dreamed of! Now I'm pleased to announce that Blackbird Ballads, the recent music collaboration between LA-based poet Brian Michael Tracy and musicians Andy Hill and Renee Safier is now released! I couldn't be more thrilled and honored to be a part of this project. A lyrical, wonderful album combining music and the spoken word, it was performed in its entirety at the release party in Redondo Beach last weekend, and is now available for purchase through Midnight Tea Poetry. The imagery and the album's subject matter could not have been a more perfect fit. A great way to unwind after a long day, get yourself a copy, kick back, and let your senses flow. . . .

"In the Path of the Wind"

2009-06-12T17:21:00.022-04:00

40" x 30"
acrylic on canvas sold

One of my latest recently shown at the College for Creative Studies Spring Exhibition. The natural world is always the keeper of mysteries and phenomena that surround us and keep our world an ever-changing place. Just as the earth moves and undergoes change, we, as people, continue to move forward. In the Path of the Wind speaks of those times in our lives when we try to create order out of chaos, when the fear of the unknown dwells in our subconscious, refusing to be addressed until an inner transformation takes place.

Change is an inevitable part of life’s cycle, whether we wish to embrace it or not. The imagery in this painting serves as a metaphor for that moment when we come to a crossroads, unable to decide which path to walk. It is a time when destiny begins to shape itself with unstoppable force and events are set in motion. Logic soon departs, and intuition takes the reins, leading us where it deems best – just as the wind blows a seedling to where it is destined to take root and grow.

Fear, uncertainty, confusion, and chaos counterbalanced by a strange sense of peace were emotions I wanted present in this work, to illustrate how, despite the state of things during the "storm," situations eventually become clear in the end. The mind finally opens to accept what is, after finding the courage to let go of what was, and all is reborn.

"Spectrum 16" update!

2009-06-12T17:05:00.007-04:00

Just a heads up from my earlier post. Expect to see No Turning Back in this year's "Spectrum 16" annual, coming out later this year!

Update!

2009-06-12T16:48:00.007-04:00

A warm hello to everyone! It has been a while since my last post, but things have been cooking! I have been teaching, recently completed press checks for the upcoming children's book, which is now going to print (see my previous post), and working on other commissions. The past few busy months in addition to the past year, however, have caused me to currently take a break for a bit to regroup. Lots of new things are begun and in the making, however, so stay tuned!

Work to be featured in 2009's "Spectrum 16"

2009-03-21T11:04:00.005-04:00

I just got word that I had work chosen once again to appear in Spectrum's Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art annual. To say I feel honored would be an understatement. I will keep everyone posted as to which works got in. To view the list of accepted artists for 2009, visit SPECTRUM here. Can't wait!

And...if you have not yet purchased your 2008 copy, be sure to see my previous post for information. It is filled with work by our modern day masters, and is a true visual feast!

Official MySpace

2009-03-20T22:34:00.007-04:00

My official MySpace page is here:

http://www.myspace.com/andreakowchillustration

Add me as a friend!

"Continuance: The Persistence of Personal Vision"

2009-03-20T21:51:00.012-04:00

Come check out my work in the CCS Illustration alumni group show currently running at the Northville Art House in Northville, MI. The show runs until March 29. The opening was wonderful, with many wonderful works on display by prominent CCS Illustration alumni. I have two pieces in it, so be sure to visit and see it all for yourself!

Visit the Northville Art House online here to get a peek at some of the work featured if you have not yet seen the show ("No Turning Back" is among the ones used for their online promo). It's all still on view for another week!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 6–29, 2009

"Continuance: The Persistence of Personal Vision"

College for Creative Studies Illustration Alumni Annual Show (upstairs gallery)

Be a pART of it! The Northville Art House is proud to present "Continuance...The Persistence of Personal Vision: The College for Creative Studies Illustration Alumni Annual Show." Please join us in celebrating the cutting edge of illustration art. Pushing the boundaries of how art is created, today’s illustrators work with everything from traditional media to sophisticated digital technology. They work in diverse fields – from graphic and web design to conceptual art for games, movies and toys. They turn old attitudes upside down and let their passion drive new visions. The Art House is privileged to bring together a panorama of creative works from these individuals – all graduates of Detroit’s own acclaimed College of Creative Studies - to the Northville and Metro Detroit community through this show.

The show will open with a reception Friday, March 6, from 6:00pm - 9:00pm during Northville's First Friday Art Walk. The show will continue through March 29 during the Art House Gallery hours (Thursdays - Sundays 1:00pm - 5:00pm, first Fridays only 1:00pm - 9:00pm.)

For additional information, call 248-344-0497. The Art House is located at 215 W. Cady Street and is a facility of the Northville Arts Commission. Admission to Art House shows is always free and open to the public.

"Chosen"

2009-03-20T20:26:00.007-04:00

30" x 40"
acrylic on canvas

One of my latest works which made its debut in the "I Hate Lucy" Show, and is currently featured at the Northville Art House, this painting centers on the age old theme of love. All of us, young and old alike, have been touched by it and felt at one point or another the emotions associated with having lost it. Love as a concept in itself has always been among the most common themes in the creative arts, becoming the center of inspiration for artists, writers, poets, playwrights, and musicians for centuries.

I once came across a beautiful and powerful quote by William S. Burroughs which said "Love is a haunting melody that I have never mastered and I fear I never will." I wanted this painting to stand for love in all its purest forms, be it hopeful, sorrowful, or all the places in between. To some, it can serve as a symbol of the journey it takes us on, the happiness it brings, as well as the sadness; the lessons it teaches us and the imprint it forever leaves on our hearts. Love is a haunting melody. We don't choose to play it, but once its sound is heard, we can't help but surrender to its song. It doesn't have a happy ending - it just never ends. Nature moves in mysterious ways.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: "What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Updates: The "I Hate Lucy" Show

2009-03-20T19:57:00.016-04:00

Photos from the "I Hate Lucy: The Trials and Tribulations of Love" Show can be found here on Flickr. It was a great time catching up with fellow artists and friends, and kudos to Derek Ecker for pulling the whole thing together!

"I Hate Lucy: The Trials and Tribulations of Love" Show

2009-02-07T13:53:00.008-05:00

One Night Only! Come out and see the "I Hate Lucy: The Trials and Tribulations of Love" show this Valentine's Day weekend, where me, along with several other artists will have work exhibited. Check out the article on us in Real Detroit here. One of my new, never-before-seen works done specifically for this show will be in it, so come on out! Hope to see you there!

"I Hate Lucy: The Trials and Tribulations of Love"

An edgy event showcasing the wicked roller coaster of love. Featuring over twenty visual artists from across the country, sharing their sometimes jaded take on the wheel of love. Musical appearances by Detroit’s independent scene powerhouses: Silent Violet, Geist, Magnanomus, and Dj Susana Doncic. This one day exhibition will showcase 60 pieces of love-inspired art from talented artisans for reasonable prices, ranging from the skilled arts of sculpture, photography, and painting. Whether you're in love or sick of love, this show will kick off your Valentine's Day weekend.

Friday, February 13, 2009
8pm - 2am

Russell Industrial Center
1600 Clay St.
Detroit, MI
48211
(313) 872-4000
http://www.ricdetroit.org/

Tickets are $10 at the door

Photo selected to appear in Schmap Boston Guide

2009-02-06T23:36:00.001-05:00

I was delighted to find that my photo was discovered and chosen to appear in the newly released Sixth Edition of the Schmap Boston Guide. I love photography, and sometimes do it as a hobby, so I found it pretty cool to see it published. This photo was taken this past summer on my excursion to Salem, MA.

In Memoriam: The Passing of an Idol

2009-01-18T14:19:00.008-05:00

Andrew Wyeth (1917-2009)

This Friday the art world lost an icon at the age of 91. Never was there an artist whose life and work I've felt so connected to. I can't even begin to count the ways. One of the greatest American artists, Andrew Wyeth will always continue to be an inspiration and influence in my life.

"I do an awful lot of thinking and dreaming about things in the past and the future — the timelessness of the rocks and the hills — all the people who have existed there ."

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape — the loneliness of it — the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn't show.

"I think anything like that — which is contemplative, silent, shows a person alone — people always feel is sad. Is it because we've lost the art of being alone?"

“I dream a lot. I do more painting when I'm not painting. It's in the subconscious.”

Here's to a great man, and extraordinary artist whose art has left an eternal mark in the American psyche. Rest in peace, Andrew. Your legacy lives on.

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T17:50:00.004-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! With 2008 coming to a close, I'd like to give thanks to everyone for your continued friendship, support, and interest in my work. You all keep me moving forward, and I look forward to continuing sharing my artistic journey with all of you. Thank you. May you all experience joy and happiness in 2009!

Tag! I'm it! Seven Random Facts. . .

2008-12-30T21:18:00.005-05:00

Last week I was tagged by friend and fellow artist Marcyanna Parzych. My turn, so here goes!

Game rules:

1. You must link to the individual who tagged you and post the rules of TAG (which you are currently reading).
2. Post 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 friends and link to them and
4. Let them know that they have been tagged by leaving a nice little message on their blog.

My Facts:

1. I'm a paintaholic.
2. I collect Native American jewelry. You'll hardly ever see me without wearing at least some of it.
3. I am an active, proud supporter of Native American causes.
4. I love coffee, even though I don't drink a lot of it.
5. I have one other sibling, my brother, whom I'm very close to.
6. I love music. Art and music - no two things can be more connected.
7. Dance/Choreography/Performing is my favorite pastime. Up until college, I danced competitively as well as performed my own shows. I love the stage!

Friends I am tagging:

1. Dave Chow
2. Lee DeVito
3. Lauren Moyer
4. Kaylen Conley
5. Don Kilpatrick
6. Chelsea Kirchoff
7. Maureen O'Brien

Sneak Peek. . . Coming Soon!

2008-11-29T15:38:00.007-05:00

Sneak Peek! Tons of new things from me are coming your way in the coming weeks and months. You probably already noticed the new imagery that graces the header above, as well as the image you see here. If you're wondering, "Hey! Are those the girls from the paintings?" you are correct! Stay tuned for an anthology I'll have coming out later in 2009 filled with past and present work, my personal writings about it, and recent photoshoots of me and my team in action. This is the first time I decided to go all out, leaving the quick reference shots that take place in my studio behind, and actually having my models get into character and go out with me on location. A sure treat for the eyes it will be, folks. In the meantime, think of this as a teaser.

Alongside this personal project, I'm illustrating a full-length children's picture book for the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Motherhouse in Monroe, MI, to be published this summer and due out Christmas 2009. Work has already commenced on it, and I'm excited to now be delving into the long-term project.

Along with that, pages are being filled with new sketches for paintings, canvases are being prepped, a group show is in the works, and new juried competitions will be entered. Lots to stay on top of, and I'll be keeping you all posted!

Giving Back. . .

2008-11-28T12:58:00.016-05:00

During the course of this past month, I had the opportunity to give back to a person near and dear to me – Warren Mott High School art teacher, Mrs. Terri Dworkin.

Terri and I standing next to Warren Mott's new masterpiece.

Just part of the crowd that came to see what the buzz was all about.

Terri has been teaching art in public schools for a whopping 45 years, and is now retiring (or so we think!). Three years ago, she began forming what has now come to be the Warren Mott Art Gallery, a commemorative gallery featuring the work of prominent Warren Mott alumni dating back to the time of the school’s opening in the early 70s to the present, who have gone on to become working artists still practicing their craft today. Terri has worked tirelessly, researching and tracking down all past alumni to donate works of art. The response was immense, the gallery was born, and the high school now has devoted the entire wing to the art department as a result. Since the gallery was established in 2005, Terri held a grand opening and open houses that have garnered the press, and where members of the Warren community have been coming to gather with various alumni to embrace art and its vital role in the community as a whole. This is an art teacher who truly makes a mark.

Terri working on her contribution to the mural.

Posing for the cameras with Terri's colleague, WMHS art teacher Elena Fernandez and Terri's student teacher, Mallory Champine; two great ladies who stayed late with me those Monday nights helping to pull it all together.

Along with this mural, many hours of preparation went underway for a final major celebration, which kicked off this past Wednesday, known as Art Bash 2008. People from all over came to view the recent gallery acquisitions, as well as celebrate Terri’s retirement. This mural will be a priceless asset to both Terri’s legacy as a teacher, as well as to the community, who will have it to enjoy for generations to come. It was a true honor for me to give back to both Terri and the local art community in such a way by directing this, and working with fellow artists, art students – and even some of the school’s administrators who searched their artistic side and contributed. The mural’s unveiling to the public at the celebration this past Wednesday was certainly a wonderful moment. I’m not alone in giving thanks and kudos to Terri for everything she’s done in helping shape me and countless others into the artists we all wanted to become. Her relentless passion, wisdom, and gift for teaching will always be something we’ll carry with us, and we all look forward to seeing what she’s going to do next. Listed below is the official release and the names of all who contributed:

The Artists
By Artists-2008

One of the most delightful new acquisitions of the Warren Mott Art Gallery is the artists. Conceived and coordinated by Andrea Kowch, BFA Illustration, College for Creative Studies 2008, the artists is an 80” X 80” mural on the wall that is adjacent to the entrance of Art Room, 131. The mural depicts 9 giants of the art world (Dali, Gauguin, Monet, Kahlo, Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, da Vinci, and Warhol), walking down a corridor. The mural is divided into 20 individual canvases. Each canvas has been completed by an artist affiliated with Warren Mott either as a former student or as a member of its faculty. Individually the canvases are unique and memorable, but as a whole, the collective efforts prove that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each canvas was developed in the contributing artist’s medium of choice and then reassembled to create this gestalt.

The canvases are identified by the contributing artists from left to right, four across, in each of five rows, as follows:

1. Trish Stone, Physics teacher WMHS
2. Anne Marie Lange, 2007
3. Colleen Spanke, 2002
4. Cathy Neuhoff, Assistant Principal, WMHS, North House
5. Mallory Champine, Student Art Teacher, 2008
6. Arlene Bugeaud Mylenek, 1973
7. Lynne Spanke, 2003
8. Jim Eagan, 1975
9. Stephanie Sucaet, 1999
10. Billy o’Bryan, 1972
11. Adrianne Baranowski, 2002
12. Jeanine Brackenbury, 2002
13. Rich Mylenek, 1973;
14. Trisha Szalach Kniffen, 1973
15. Elena Fernandez, Art teacher WMHS
16. Colleen McBride, 2010
17. Tom Conrad, 2003
18. Karen Pipesh Porter, 1986
19. Salam Yousif, Ell tutor, WMHS
20. Terri Dworkin, Art Teacher WMHS
21. Andrea Kowch, Mural Director and Pole Decorator.

A multitude of photos documenting this huge project from start to finish (as seen below) with captions can be viewed on Flickr here. There's lots to see. Enjoy, and THANK YOU to all who helped, contributing their time, energy, and artistic genius to make this all happen. We did it!

WMHS Class of '03 grad, and my fellow College for Creative Studies alum, Tom Conrad having a blast helping us paint the pole.

Tom working on his piece for the mural.

Trisha (WMHS '73) and I prepping the canvases for the mural on the first night of the project.

**Update: The project and event ended up making front page of the Sunday Edition of The Macomb Daily Newspaper. The article can be read online here.

SPECTRUM 15 now available!

2008-11-02T23:37:00.012-05:00

It's finally here, folks! I'm excited to announce that SPECTRUM 15 is now available for purchase! For those of you just stopping by, please see my previous posts with prior info on this here and here. It's going to feel unreal to finally get this in my hands, and see No Trespassing in it. Available at all major bookstores. Click here to order your copy!

Happy Halloween. . .

2008-10-31T15:11:00.026-04:00

A quick little pen and ink drawing I did for my favorite day of the year. May you all have a wonderful All Hallow's Eve, filled with fun, stories, mystery, and magic :)

27th Detroit International Wine Auction

2008-10-25T10:35:00.017-04:00

This summer I had the great opportunity of creating the artwork for the 27th Detroit International Wine Auction campaign. Sponsored by General Motors, the Wine Auction is a major fundraising event for the College for Creative Studies, with proceeds underwriting student scholarships and community outreach programs for high-risk Detroit youth. The two-day fundraiser begins on Friday, October 24 with the Vintner’s Dinner and Auction, presented by Cadillac, at The Capital Grille, Somerset Collection, and the event continues with the Gala Dinner and Auction on Saturday October 25th at the GM Wintergarden and GMnext.

Above is the invite for the event, which kicks off tonight, and below is the save-the-date card that preceded it, which used my Tuscany illustration. I had a great time working alongside designer Kate Scheible in seeing these go to completion and am excited to know it all will grace the big event this weekend.

A memorable evening at the "Caught In the Act" Exhibition Opening

2008-10-08T09:52:00.020-04:00

Indeed it was a night to remember for me this past Friday at the opening of the "Caught in the Act" Exhibition, the 6th annual international juried show put on by the Northbrook Public Library located in Northbrook, an upscale northeast suburb of Chicago. The exhibit showcases work by over 90 different artists, and results in the purchase of an artwork for the library's permanent collection, in the quest to enhance the library’s profile as a place of visual culture.

I was the first place $2,000 Purchase Prize winner this year, and still cannot find words to describe how honored and humbled I am as a result. I need to pinch myself each time I think of Unexpected Company as now being part of a public permanent collection, for the multitudes to enjoy. I was honored to meet with the library's directors, the show's jurors, artists with work in the show, and some of the sponsors of this year's Purchase Prize, known as Friends of the Northbrook Public Library. What a night! Huge thanks to my mom for coming along and being by my side to celebrate with me, my brother who built the monstrosity of a crate to get the painting shipped there safely, my friends and models, Jen and Tori who couldn't make it out to the show (we can go visit the painting now, girls!), and of course, everyone involved with the Northbrook Public Library and the "Caught In the Act" Exhibition, for putting on such a great show, and supporting the careers of emerging artists like me with opportunities like this so that we can continue to do what we do. Thank you all!

You can learn more about the show, and browse the work of this year's contributing artists online at the official website here. Below are some additional photos from the show. To view more visit my Flickr album here.

Exhibition juror, Judith Joseph and Northbrook Public Library's Assistant Director, Eric Robbins, and I.

Time spent in a rural paradise. . .

2008-10-03T01:11:00.025-04:00

Last week, friend and fellow painter Kaylen Conley and I spent a whole day catching up, painting en plein air and driving back roads seeking inspiration in Mother Nature. By now it's probably common sense that I frequent the countryside. But not until spending a day on and around Kaylen's farm was I able to thoroughly experience the beauty and solitude of life out in the country. Soft, rolling fields, the call of crows in the distance mingled with the quiet hush of insects in the tall, sweet-smelling grass, the warm sun on my back . . . everything that surrounded me was real, pure, and unmoved . . . and, as expected, it moved me, and confirmed all the thoughts and feelings I associate with it. The most touching moment for me was captured in the shot I took above, where we had to stop the car for the swarms of blackbirds engulfing every direction. It was as if I had stepped into Blackbirds Are Gathering. The weather on that warm autumn day was unmatched, and I was able to capture lots of new reference that will find its way into a couple of new paintings that I currently have in the works.

The above photo was where I sat and painted this quick pen and watercolor study:

And the scene also found its way into my latest sample of children's book work:

Upcoming Group Show

2008-09-17T13:50:00.007-04:00

I'm pleased to announce that my painting, Unexpected Company has been selected to appear in the Northbrook Public Library's 6th Annual International Juried Exhibition! It was also exciting to find it among the pieces selected to be used for the show's poster and promotional materials as well. So if you're in the Chicago area the weekend of October 3, come out to the opening and check out the show!

Save the Date:

Northbrook Public Library
1201 Cedar Lane, Northbrook, IL 60062

Caught In The Act
Art and the Written Word

A juried show featuring original pieces from artists across the globe, exhibited in a variety of media.

October 3 - October 31, 2008
Opening Reception: October 3, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Work now featured on BrushSpace

2008-09-17T13:39:00.006-04:00

I have recently been invited to feature my work on BrushSpace, a new and fast-growing online community of illustrators, painters, and designers. Be sure to check it out at http://www.brushspace.com/ and browse through over 900 fabulous artists working in a multitude of different styles and media, and view their online galleries. I'm beyond thrilled to be currently ranking among the top 25 most followed. So, stop by the site, and enjoy. While you're there, by clicking on "Follow this Artist" all you need to do is enter in your email address, and from then on you'll be immediately notified of any new piece I upload to my gallery. So come on by, be one of my followers, and discover some more cool art along the way.

Feel free to browse and find me on the list, or go directly to my profile at www.brushspace.com/artist/Andrea-Kowch

"No Turning Back"

2008-08-31T23:37:00.002-04:00

24" x 48"
acrylic on canvas

My latest. More personally influenced than some of my previous ones, part of the idea stems from the realization that experiences present themselves because they are there to teach us about ourselves. We've all had our share of experience, good and bad, and, odd as it may seem, it's the harder ones that eventually leave us with a feeling of gratefulness for them in the end, because of what they showed us, what they taught us, and the positive ways in which they ended up shaping us.

This painting is about new beginnings, when we come to terms with things past, and move on once and for all. While it may seem strange, maybe even negative at first glance, it is, in fact, positive. Farmers burn their fields each year to cleanse the earth of any lingering diseased crops and prepare the land for re-seeding. So, like the way in which fire paves way for nature's re-growth, the flames symbolize purification and renewal. Will the house catch fire? That's where a lot of the suspense lies in this piece. The figure is not in the house. The swallows who nested in the upstairs room are leaving, too. All the living things are free. The house is old, decaying, a thing of the past. So maybe it will burn to the ground. She doesn't care. She broke the strings that tied her down, making her free to move on. As perilous as it looks, she's never felt safer. She's moving on, and not turning back.

Exploring New England

2008-08-28T23:58:00.010-04:00

Last week, I had the amazing experience of visiting the East Coast. Thanks to my younger brother who is beginning college in Boston, I was able to finally make my dream of visiting New England a reality. Those of you wonderful folks who read this blog are, by now, probably well aware of my deep-rooted interest in early American history. So, imagine me finally being able to visit places like Boston and Salem, Massachusetts! Unreal and totally invigorating! And dare I mention inspiring? After doing illustrations for stories like The Crucible, The House of the Seven Gables, and Sleepy Hollow, you bet I was absolutely thrilled to be in the presence of the real things.

But, aside from trying to take in all I could in my quick day-trips to places like Salem and other surrounding areas, the place that will forever leave its mark on me is the Olson House in Cushing, Maine – the site and inspiration that gave birth to over 30 years of work by Andrew Wyeth. We all know his most famous work Christina’s World, the most beautiful, haunting painting to ever grace the face of American art. I remember the first time I saw Wyeth’s work. It was Braids, one of the Helga paintings, which I came across in a book back in high school. All I remember was sitting and staring at the image, wide-eyed with awe. A few years later when I was a senior, my teacher had hung a large poster of Christina’s World on the wall. It was the first time I had seen it, and I felt something I couldn’t explain. It still does the same thing to me today. And, after many hours of reading and researching the poignant and touching story of Christina Olson and her brother Alvaro (direct descendants of the Hawthornes from Salem), it’s no wonder why the Olson paintings are so powerful. When I was there, it all felt like a dream. Totally surreal. It still feels that way recalling it. It's hard to even find a place to begin describing it. Janice Kasper, Curator of Historic Properties for the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, ME, explained it best in her introduction for Wyeth's retrospective of the Olson paintings at the Farnsworth back in 2000:

Over the past nine years, I have seen the effect "Christina's World" has had on the public through my association of managing the Olson house for the Farnsworth Art Museum. My very first experience involved a person who flew to Boston from North Carolina, rented a car and drove to Cushing to see the house after hearing that it had recently opened to the public, and drove back to Boston the same day. Since then, I have encountered many others who drove from out of state to see the Olson House and, after visiting the site, returned to their home towns the same day. Many remember seeing a print of the painting "in their school, or their home, or the doctor's office" and that strong image from childhood has remained vivid in their adult minds. Some are intrigued with the mystery of the woman in pink crawling up the hillside, while others being disabled themselves, or having relatives with disabilities, identify with the disabled Christina Olson. For some, the farmhouse on the hill is reminiscent of their parents' or grandparents' home in Iowa, Maine, or almost anywhere in the United States. The painting and the farm evoke pleasant memories of family times together, times of hardships, a time that was closely lived with the natural world. Through "Christina's World," people are intensely drawn to the old saltwater farm in Cushing, and like the painting itself, their reasons for being there are strongly felt but unexplainable. At the house, I have often witnessed people who are so overcome with emotion that they are brought to tears. Another common occurence is to have people linger the entire day at the site, not wanting to let go of the experience.

The Olson House brought me to Maine, and as a result, Maine won me over, too. The Wyeth Center at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, ME is a must-see for Wyeth fans, housing breathtaking originals by N.C., Andrew, and Jamie.

I have LOTS of pictures that I want to share with you all, so I uploaded them to Flickr (with captions) to make it easy for everyone to see. There you'll find my excursion to Salem, MA, where I spent a warm evening at the House of the Seven Gables and the birth house of Nathaniel Hawthorne, surrounded by a breathtaking harbor and lush gardens (unfortunately no photos were allowed inside the houses, but let me assure you, it is unreal! Filled with 300-year-old secret stairways, hauntings, and all!), and my misty Maine morning at the Olson House in Cushing, ME. New England is everything I expected and more.

To visit my online photo albums, click HERE.

Gagaguwon Pow-wow '08

2008-08-08T01:23:00.017-04:00

During the last weekend of July, I had the pleasure of once again attending the annual Gagaguwon Pow-wow, held in Oscoda, Michigan by the banks of the beautiful AuSable River. Hosted by the Preservation of Native American Culture (PONAC) each year, it's an event I always make a point to attend, being an avid collector of native jewelry and a staunch supporter of American Indian artists. It was great to see the new traders that were here this year, and even more great to see some familiar faces that I had the opportunity to meet again. So, I spent my weekend absorbed in all the beautiful handmade goods, stuffed my face with signature Indian frybread, listened to moving prayers of thanks, watched dancers in their breathtaking regalia, and walked away with, not one, but a few new pieces of jewelry. As a result, I'm not allowed to treat myself to anything for a few good months, but oh well!! I probably can speak for a lot of collectors in saying that if you find something that you just know is for you, it's a good idea to grab it, because once it's gone, it's gone, and there'll never be another like it.

I started collecting only about two years ago, but it's growing slowly and surely, thanks to the artists and other wearers who help me along in what to look for in terms of craftsmanship and authenticity. I learn something new with each piece, and that's a major part of the beauty and thrill of it. Southwest Art magazine's current issue is the 2008 annual which devotes itself entirely to contemporary Native American art, and it's the best one I've seen yet. Check it out here. You can also visit PONAC's official website here, as well. Hats off to this organization for all they do! Migwich (thank you)!

"Jeppie"

2008-07-30T15:27:00.008-04:00

24" x 30"
acrylic on canvas

A portrait I just completed for an upcoming competition of a great woman and dear friend of mine, Jeppie Scott-Cook. Jeppie is one of those people who I'm blessed to know, let alone call a friend. It's hard to find a place to start in beginning to describe this lady and the role she plays in the lives of people who know her. A person full of wisdom, and deeply rooted in her faith, there's never a day where Jeppie isn't wearing a smile or blessing people who cross her path.

Jeppie and I met a few years ago, and since then, I've been able to listen to her stories and hear her advice on all aspects of life. A single parent in her youth, who raised four children on her own while attending modeling school, Jeppie worked with dreams of making it big in the modeling industry. After completing, she got a call to fly to New York and begin her career, so she packed her bags and was ready to go - only to take one look at her kids and give it all up to stay and raise them. I think this one story alone is enough to give you a bigger picture of Jeppie's character. Being one whose personally gone through some rough patches in past times, I find her fun-loving attitude and strong spirituality to always be deeply healing, because aside from being plain fun to be around, Jeppie's real, she's been there, and like she reminds me, no matter what things come our way, life is a blessing, and it's only a matter of time before the bad will leave, and the good will come pouring in. Truer words couldn't be spoken, and it's a point I think we can all live by.

So, with that said, this painting serves as a tribute to one of the most beautiful people I know. Jeppie's love for the outdoors, the cross and scarf she always wears, and her exotic blue eyes are all the unique features I wanted present in this portrait. I also decided to hold back on some of the usual detail I put in my landscapes, choosing, instead, to keep it mostly solid and graphic so that the focus does not shift too far from the figure.

"Unexpected Company"

2008-07-21T16:55:00.012-04:00

36" x 60"
acrylic on canvas

Here's the painting I completed some weeks ago that almost did me in (previous post). My largest to date, measuring 3 ft. x 5 ft., it was the roughest deadline I ever experienced, and I had the bruises to prove it! But, it was a challenge I've been waiting to take on for some time, and couldn't be happier with the outcome, despite all the bumps along the way. From changing the composition numerous times over, to beginning the actual painting on a smaller canvas only to trash it last minute and go bigger, etc., etc. It was quite a ride! I was touching it up, photographing it (a nightmare in itself for its size) and taking care of all the other countless tweaks before getting everything to the post office with only an hour left before the end of the postmark deadline. Boy did I feel invincible by the end of that day! Then it was finishing up a freelance job and off to New York City early the next morning for ICON5 (see more about ICON in my previous post). Those two weeks were the craziest I've had in a while, but, as usual, completely worth it.

The show this painting is done for is themed Caught In The Act, so looking at the subject matter, it's pretty suitable. Oddly enough, though, the idea for this painting was brewing in my head for a long time before I received notice of the show's theme. Perfect timing, I guess. My goal with this piece was simply to take what I did in The Guests to a whole new level. I was craving a complex scene, full of action and objects - as well as more figures in relation to animals. What's different with this one, however, is that even though the human figures in my works are usually the main focus, I chose to let the animals steal the scene this time, leaving the figures to take on more of a secondary role.

So, continuing along my usual lines of creating a narrative that is cohesive yet open-ended, believable yet bizarre, I wanted Unexpected Company to illustrate the concept of a meal gone strangely awry. Two sisters sit to dine only to have a congregation of creatures arrive uninvited, clawing to get their fair share, caught in the act by the viewer, who, in turn, gets caught in his/her own act of watching by the figure on the right, as well as an angry crow who doesn't want them to come any closer to his feast. Thus, I wanted this painting to really involve the viewer, engaging them in the act of "catching" all the subjects in action, while, likewise, being caught in the act of watching by the subjects in the painting, who take notice and respond. So, the need to create a composition that comes full circle in such a way that the viewer and painting come together, played a huge role in my decision to go life-size. Any smaller would not have achieved the impact I wanted. This one needs to be seen one-on-one in order to feel the energy.

Below are a few detail images. I'll post more information regarding the show as soon as I receive it.

ICON5 in the Big Apple

2008-07-21T16:37:00.002-04:00

I had the great opportunity to spend the week of 4th of July with my CCS Illustration family in New York City where we worked the 2008 Illustration Conference (ICON). It was great visiting the Big Apple again, and a super experience to meet and work alongside so many great people. We worked and attended seminars by day, explored the city by night, and had an absolute blast! To find out more about ICON and what's it's all about, visit the official website here.