Kimberly Landers

Brookhaven Buzz Coverage

2010-10-13T19:37:00.004-04:00

Brookhaven artists show their work at 'hometown show'

By Joe Earle
joeearle @ reporternewspapers . net

Painter Kimberly Landers plans to show and sell her latest crop of “semi-psychedelic abstract landscapes” during the Brookhaven Arts Festival. Jewelry maker Chris Howell will be there, too, showing and selling her hand-crafted necklaces and earrings.

After all, they’re both artists who happen to live in Brookhaven. The Brookhaven Arts Festival, which celebrates its seventh anniversary this year, has become their hometown festival.

“If I’m going to do one show a year, it might as well be the one in my neighborhood,” said Landers, who lives in the Ashford Park neighborhood.

The 2010 Brookhaven Arts Festival takes place Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17. It’s open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Exhibitors will set up booths along Apple Valley Road between Dresden Drive and North Druid Hills Road, which is behind the Brookhaven-Oglethorpe MARTA station. More than 125 artists have signed up to participate in the show. Admission is free.

Landers has taken part in the Brookhaven festival twice before. She says she enjoys it, in part because she sometimes spots familiar faces in the crowd trooping past her booth. She recognizes neighbors or former students from her days as an art teacher at Chamblee High School.

“I see former students from Chamblee and their parents. I see friends, people who have businesses in the area,” the 38-year-old painter said. “It just feels like hanging out with everybody.”

click on link below for full article...

Brookhaven Buzz

I Love these Colors!

2010-10-13T19:20:00.004-04:00

This canvas has been sitting in my basement, sketched, but not painted for a year or so. Why was it neglected for so long? I'm not completely certain, but I am loving it now. I'm finally in my new home and able to expand my work space throughout the house. The studio is amazing, but I need to get some better lighting for the late night painting sessions. The dining room will do in a pinch.

Today was PSAT day and I had five kids in my room who had already taken their SATs. So, we painted. I occasionally bring work in to my classroom so they can see that I am a working artist. This piece will be finished tonite so I'll share it with them tomorrow and post a final picture.

I Have Been Making Art, Really!

2010-10-12T22:02:00.006-04:00

Okay, so it's been a little while since I've posted, but I've been quite busy. My big art project was purchasing and remodeling a home since my last post and got into chronicling that entire process on facebook. Meanwhile, I have been doing a few festivals a year, Virginia Highlands Summerfest and the Brookhaven Arts Fest (which is this weekend - Oct 16 & 17, 2010).

I spent some time up on Lake Lanier right after school got out in May and worked on a few paintings for Summerfest. I've been obsessively painting with reds, oranges and greens, so naturally, the first large painting I did in a while was the muted palette of those colors instead of the brilliant beachy colors (which I would pick up again after a summer full of beach travel).

The New Style

2009-09-27T14:47:00.002-04:00

Here is a finished version of a piece in my experimental new style. I was feeling quite confined by the technical aspects of the meticulous hard edge pieces and wanted a looser option. In the classes I've been teaching recently at SCAD my students were pushed to play with texture, so naturally it spilled over into my work. I finished this last spring, but haven't really worked on any paintings all summer. Summer is sort of a down time for festivals and with two new jobs, my brother's wedding and learning metalsmithing over the summer, painting sort of took a backseat to life management.

Autumn Fields, 2009 (acrylic on wood) 16" x 20"

Yesterday however, I finally busted out the mini-frames and canvases and got the drawings completed for the next batch of paintings. I got the modeling paste on them as well (although not photographed). The modeling paste is a thick opaque spackle like substance that can be used to create texture and height where acrylic paint cannot. The paste is put down first, allowed to dry and then I paint with acrylic over it, both with watery washes, and thick applications with the palette knife. It is difficult to see the pencil lines in the little frames (if you click to enlarge you can see them better), but I will upload another photo soon of the modeling paste phase that will be easier to see the composition (along with the layer of added texture).

Not sure what to do about the fact that my beloved House of 10,000 Picture Frames has finally closed. After 35+ years in the business, the owner's were ready to retire and could not find a buyer interested in keeping the business alive. In addition to being right around the corner from my house, they were super friendly and willing to let me scrounge through the back room for scrap frame. This warehouse was full of every piece of frame that had ever been cut down, scraps saved no matter the size, and they would put together great frames for very little cost (after I dug them out of the heap). House of 10,000 Picture Frames... you will be missed.

Mixed-Media Experimentation Class

2009-09-04T21:08:00.003-04:00

Summer at SCAD-Atlanta

In addition to taking classes this summer, I was teaching classes as well. I spent eight weeks with a great group of high school students in a mixed-media experimentation course. We worked in a variety of media, playing with color, texture and layering. It was a very productive summer, each student completed five pieces.

The next two pieces were direct observation studies. India ink was used to gestural lines and while it was still wet we began densely coloring the peppers with oil pastel. The smearing of the ink was worked into the oil pastel and created an interesting texture as one resisted the other.

The next two pieces are inspired by the abstract landscapes of Richard Diebenkorn. His high horizon, color field paintings use line and bold color to indicate the magnificence of the environment in which we live. Students used modeling paste and a palette knife to scrap on a textural undercoating. After the modeling paste dried, watercolor was brushed onto each section separately. After the watercolor was dry acrylic was scrapped across the top edges with a palette knife to pick up a highlight on the ridges. The resulting pieces, while small, were stunning.

Whoa Nelly!

2009-09-04T20:15:00.006-04:00

Jewelry Class - Summer 2009

Amalgam Arts

We were asked to find something that interests us as

the inspiration for a few pieces of jewelry.

I chose the Art of Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

These pieces are sterling silver, copper and brass.

It's been a crazy summer, and it turned out to be a true teacher summer for me. I have entered back into the world of public education, accepting a postition at both Norcross High School and Georgia State University.

At Norcross, I am teaching 2-D Design, 3-D Design and Jewelry. I spent a bulk of the summer in a metalsmithing class, brushing up on technique. Turns out it is not like riding a bike. After getting over my initial fear of the acetelyne torch I was able to create a few really nice pieces. Picking the brain of my instructor Wendy Tonsits at Amalgam Arts was my main focus after becoming comfortable with the equipment. I was constantly assessing what we were doing in the small jewelry studio and figuring out how I would accomplish the same thing in an art room with up to 30 teenagers. I had a great time and am looking forward to seeing what I can get my high school students to produce.

There is more to share regarding the position at Georgia State and I will share that in another post.

I Finally Made It

2009-05-31T18:10:00.001-04:00

There is finally a space at the Virginia Highlands Summerfest that will feature my work. Booth 441 (which at this point I couldn't tell you where that is... but will update you). After years of trying to get in I was put on the wait list this year and low and behold enough people in the painting category just ended up not able to make it.

I've got some new work I'll be posting in the next day or so and will be spending all of next week getting everything ready for presentation. Hope to see you out there!

http://www.vahi.org/summerfest.html

Amah's Shoreline

2009-04-27T09:57:00.004-04:00

Jersey Shore, Mildred Landers (oil on canvas)

Amah's Shoreline (acrylic on wood) 16" x 20"

This is a reproduction of a painting that my grandmother did in the 60's. It is currently hanging above my television and after seeing it every day for months on end I realized I wanted to create an hommage to her and this particular composition is one of the most compelling and in line with my Ideal Destinations series. Mildred Landers' style was impressionistic and painting with her as a small child inspired my career in the arts.

Painting on Wood

2009-04-27T09:51:00.004-04:00

Undisturbed (acrylic on wood) 22" x 22"

I've been accumulating frames from a number of sources and then cutting wood to fit them. Instead of my typical unprimed canvas substrate, the wood is yeilding a similar natural, matte finish, but with a lot less consumption of paint. The wood doesn't soak up as much of the paint and the smoother surface makes it a little easier to create the rediculously OCD hard edge lines so characteristic of this series.

Experimenting

2009-02-16T21:45:00.010-05:00

After teaching several lessons on Richard Diebenkorn's style it was impossible to resist a little experimentation. Typical of his work is the high horizon and block sections of land. The resulting work incorporates some of the style of my Ideal Destinations series (bright colors and simplified shapes) along with a heavily textured surface.

Modeling paste is scraped across the surface and the acrylic paint is applied in washes, saturated coats and with a palette knife to create additional texture.

None of these pieces are finished and I am still trying different surfaces for the adhesion of the modeling paste. These pieces are all on canvas panel and I want to work on stretched canvas, so I must try the flexible modeling paste.

Four Elements Series

2009-02-15T20:06:00.007-05:00

beginnings, 2009

block print over watercolor

Four Elements Series

2009-02-07T17:20:00.006-05:00

This is my submission for the theme of "Earth" in the Four Ocean Press Four Elements print exchange.

Terra, 2008

block print over watercolor

Slacking at the Holidays

2009-01-05T18:28:00.003-05:00

It's been a good vacation in terms of spending time with loved ones, with the exception of my art. After a few disappointing shows in Florida I had to take a little break from the studio. Inspiration comes and goes, but definitely lurks in the corners during periods of inactivity. There aren't many winter festivals close to home and things around Atlanta don't get rolling again until April. I've got plans for some shows in Florida in the early spring, but it is a bit hard to bring myself to paint with as many paintings building up without selling. Sure, I'm an artist, I'm supposed to live to create art, but I am practical and I'm running out of space to store it (need real studio, not guest bedroom/office/studio).

Ideas aren't scarce, in fact a different direction is where I'm headed. It will be similar in style to the Ideal Destinations series only looser and more abstract. Vivid color and idealized landscapes will still be the dominant characteristics, but I will be adding texture and a thick application of paint (which I love doing and am missing with this current OCD series).

I'll post some examples in the days to come and make myself do them since I'm letting it be known in cyberspace, wouldn't want to let you down, those of you barely listening (thanks).

Inspired by Florida

2008-11-23T11:51:00.005-05:00

Majestic Palm, 2008

(acrylic on unprimed canvas)

36" x 16"

Palm Coastal Resort, 2008

(acrylic on unprimed canvas)

30" x 48"

Midtown Sunrise

2008-11-23T11:49:00.003-05:00

Midtown Sunrise, 2008

(acrylic on unprimed canvas)

22" x 50"

Harvest Midtown

2008-10-03T11:51:00.005-04:00

Come on out for a great day of food, wine and art!

http://www.harvestmidtown.com

17th Street Art Fair

2008-10-03T11:47:00.002-04:00

Atlantic Station is an ideal location for an art festival. An abundance of restaurants, decent bathrooms, good parking and an extremely pedestrian friendly area should yield a good turnout. Unfortunately, there did not appear to be many more patrons than the regular weekend crowd. I made it through with a few impulse buys, but without serious art shoppers it can be kind of rough. Where were they? Is it an new festival and people don't know about it yet? Were people really staying home because of the fear of not having enough gas to get around (which, BTW, I never waited in one line the entire time)?

Hopefully this weekend at Harvest Midtown will be better.

Roswell Report

2008-09-23T20:01:00.002-04:00

After a dismal Saturday at the festival, Sunday began with a bang. The initial bang was followed by several more purchases of large pieces of art. Panic set in almost immediately (a good panic) as I realize that perhaps I've been producing too many small pieces for people who can't afford larger work. It will be necessary this week to create a few more large pieces (before the next festival this weekend) since I am realizing that a good number of people who are looking for art at a festival are interested in a large piece to fill in specific space.

I've got a few planned already, some even stretched, but I will be frantically painting the rest of the week.

I'm working on a few Atlanta skyline pieces and another tree scene. Every piece that has been predominantly trees has sold right away. Other people must be as fond of trees as I am- trees are good, m'kay?

Grant Park

2008-09-04T10:58:00.005-04:00

Here are some photos from the Grant Park Summershade Festival. As you can see I finally have my booth together with real walls. I custom sewed the fabric to stretch over the mesh panels. I'm glad I went with the set up where you have the door out the back (or I could have it on either side) it made it convenient to put all my stuff out of sight but within reach. I just had to make sure I didn't slip down the ravine behind me when I was rummaging through my tubs.

I did sell several items, a lot of prints of my work, which I printed at home off my inkjet printer. There are some new technologies that are available where you can print onto canvas, thus making a homemade giclee print that looks like a little painting. People really liked the looks of them. I did sell one original painting and I got a lot of really great feedback. When my artwork caught someone's eye they just started smiling, stammered and then couldn't help but come in and smile bigger. They really seem to enjoy the colors, the rhythm, the depth perception issues and the generally happiness of my work. Yea!

I Really Miss Her

2008-09-03T19:00:00.003-04:00

Sammy had to be put down Friday night. I miss her keeping me company in my studio while I worked and her sweet face full of expression. She was one of the sweetest dogs I've ever known and I am so happy that I got to spend so much time with her in the last year. I recently completed a painting of her for Nelson and I will upload it as soon as I get a photo of it. We miss you Sammy!

Ready to Roll

2008-08-27T12:27:00.008-04:00

My wireless credit card device arrived today... everything seems to be rolling out smoothly. Yesterday I found a small print rack and a convertible table for my booth. Painting is pretty much complete, everything fits into the car, now I just have to survive the "load-in." The load in for Grant Park Summershade is Friday, which is great because you don't have to be there at the crack of dawn on Saturday to get things set up.

Grant Park Summershade Aug. 30-31

Americus Walk, Booth 218

Visa/Mastercard accepted.

(sorry Paige, can you talk to AmEx about lowering their rates!)

A Fun New Direction

2008-08-22T16:52:00.003-04:00

Here's the computer mock-up of my next triptych. I'll probably make several different versions and sell them mix and match. I'm going to get back into the more abstracted designs for a little while before I evolve into a textural version of the same style. I'm in love with these colors at the moment and playing with a more selective palette. Perhaps folks can handle bright colors if the palette doesn't include the entire rainbow.

The Four Seasons

2008-08-21T22:12:00.004-04:00

2008-08-13T12:20:00.003-04:00

City Sunscape

(acrylic on raw canvas)

14" x 32"

A Small Construction Job

2008-08-13T12:03:00.004-04:00

Sammy thinks the tent and walls look cozy and she will be fine taking a nap in the shade it provides. Time and patience allowed us to put everything together properly despite extra parts and incomplete directions. The mesh panels will hold up to 18 pounds on each hook (in kilograms that's... ha, for sure, as if). Each wall will hold as many 18 lb. pieces as their size will allow. Fabric will cover the mesh panels (I am in the process of sewing them now) so the rear door allows for ventilation. The french wall that sticks out beside the door cost a little extra but it looks good and actually creates an area where I can set up a table for sales and a chair, while still having space to hang art on the other side. Let's do this thing!

2008-08-06T00:08:00.003-04:00

Arbor Radiance

(acrylic on raw canvas)

38" x 22"

This is one of the larger pieces from the batch of paintings I just finished.

Summer Print

2008-08-04T17:13:00.002-04:00

Warm Summer Fields

(linoleum block print)

8" x 6"

Warm Summer Fields

2008-08-04T17:00:00.005-04:00

After much debate and counseling I have finally decided upon the design for the last print in the seasons series. Smack in the middle of summertime it is super hot, fire orange seemed an appropriate color to represent the heat and drying effect that it has on our environment. Ironically, maybe not coincidentally, I noticed how similar the ink color was to my linoleum cutter and brayer handles. The were purchased for college in the early 90's and clearly made to last. You spring chickens have the garnet ones or the new magentas with the twist off cap (neither made as well as the old school orange ones). I'm glad to have them around and somehow immortalize them in my summer print... only an artist! Notice the entire series on the monitor, I tried a few combinations before deciding upon this particular set of colors.

Now Onto the Prints

2008-07-31T17:02:00.004-04:00

Getting consumed with one show can easily create a backlog of work. For the last year I have been participating in print exchanges with Four Ocean Press in Oakland, CA. You send in 26 prints and receive a print in return from each artist in the exchange. So far, autumn, winter, and spring are complete... summer was due right smack in the middle of preparations for my current solo show. Here's the first three in the series... Autumn Rays, Early Morning Powder and Spring Arriving. Each are hand-pulled linoleum prints (8"x6"). I'll upload some of the progress on the final piece: SUMMER! Check out the link on my page to their website, where they keep an archive of all the exchanges and have added photography to the fun. "I'm Stuffed" was my entry into the Food Exchange... it is part of an ongoing series "It's A Grind" (an homage to the bitter housewives of the world). There are more samples from that series on my homepage (also linked below).

Finished for the Moment

2008-07-31T16:18:00.005-04:00

Top: Woodland Mountains (26"x48") acrylic on raw canvas

Bottom: Autumn Sunset (14"x32") acrylic on raw canvas

Mental stimulation that follows completing a project sometimes gets clouded with the exhaustion surrounding the deadlines and shrinking pockets of time to work. With new pieces ( hanging at Grace Gallery in Marietta's Mt. Bethel Methodist Church (congregation 8500) the process of regrouping begins immediately. Relaxing for a day after frantic last minute preparations suddenly gives focus to my taxed brain. A stream of new ideas, concepts and projects inundates my thoughts. Ready to start a new cycle of "paint or insanity" I find strength and confidence in success which has been sprinkled with devotion to a risky field of work.

2008-07-17T00:29:00.005-04:00

Here are the miniatures with a few more colors added. They are farther even farther along, but I'm running out of time before the Grace Gallery show... so not a lot of random photographing. I have completed a couple of other paintings as well, they are larger and in earthtones as opposed to the bright tropical colors. Don't get me wrong... the earthtones are bright too, I'll get one posted soon.

Getting Ready

2008-07-04T17:20:00.005-04:00

I've been busy planning and painting for my show coming up this summer. I am working on about 15 new pieces that will be shown at Grace Gallery in Marietta. The pieces in the foreground of this picture are individual pieces all similar to the painting on the computer screen.

What is this Blogging Business?

2008-05-28T11:08:00.000-04:00

It's official, I've joined the ranks of the blogging public, certain that there is someone out there curious about my brain droppings. I can guarantee that the posts will get more interesting, as I am a deep and introspective individual. I'll try to post new art and ideas as they develop and keep you posted on my exhibition activities.

I am currently working on a series of acrylic landscape paintings, Ideal Destinations. Inspired by my travels each painting encompasses elements from a variety of locales. The stylized scenes are simplified to create a universal appeal. The viewer will recognize different aspects and identify with their own personal location. The paintings are on raw canvas, which creates a softer (non plastic) coating of acrylic for a more natural feel.