In the Studio: Drought

Things have been kind of slow around here in the creative department.  i'm having a show in September at 1305 Gallery and i wanted to have some new stuff to show, but i'm in the midst of a mental blockage.  The sketching part isn't coming very easily right now, but i have managed to come up with a few good things.  In order to take a break from the pencil and paper, i thought i'd share my favorite sketch thus far. 

That's all for now.  i'll be heading back into the cave soon to continue sketching and preparing canvases.  Wish me luck!

Mission Completed: Foodies

i've been working on these food characters off and on for a while now.  Finally, i have two sets completed: veggies and sweets.  The veggies have already been made into button and magnet sets (available online soon) and the sweets will be following shortly.  Maybe, just maybe, there will be some recipe card sets in their future as well. 

i love every food contained in these sets, but i have to say that i do play favorites.  In the veggies, i adore eggplant.  i don't cook with it at all, but i love eating.  Sadly though, it is not my favorite.  Strangely enough, i have found a new obsession with broccoli.  A nice serving of broccoli, noodles and cheese is just amazing.

i have a major sweet tooth.  i blame this on my father who, more times than not, would end dinner with an impromptu dessert, and my grandmother who, in my eyes,  was a phenomenal baker.  Now, that said, it is safe to say that i would pretty much eat any of the sweets below.  But, one does stand out.  i do love a cupcake, but ice cream will always win.  i guess i'm biased.  i have a lot of good memories tied to ice cream.  Whenever my dad would pick me up from school, which was not often, he would take me out for ice cream.  Also, i worked at a fabulous, old-fashioned ice cream parlor for a long time.  So, yeah.  i LOVE ice cream.  i also do like a good sorbet.  Preferably lemon. 

Catching Up: Beach, Boats, Birthdays and Booths.

If it has been a bit on the quiet side around here, it's because i've been on the go, A LOT.  It's all been good, but i guess it is time to play a little catch up.

i took a mini vacation a few weeks ago with some pretty rad people.  i absolutely love the little town we stayed in.  It's ridiculously cute and is close to the beach.  It was my second year staying there, and hopefully there will be plenty more summer days spent there in the years to come. 

Zach and i beachin' it up!

Check out my old lady hat.  Isn't it awesome!

When we weren't at the beach, we were walking around the historic district of town, eating some amazing food and gawking at the palmetto bugs.  We did also find some time to tour the battleship housed on the river that runs through the town.  It was pretty sweet.  My favorite parts were the kitchen area and the caged area in which they kept the ice cream, go figure.  Going to see the ship reminded me of being on vacation with my parents, specifically my dad.  If it were up to him, every vacation would have included a stop at some kind of U.S. military ship, anything relating to the Civil War or a cemetery.  My mom voted for a beach every time.  Basically, the entire vacation reminded me of the good times i had while on vacation with my parents.  It made me miss them more than usual.  

inside

the anchor

Over the last month, there have been a lot of birthdays among my group of friends.  Though i do love them all and hope they each had a wonderful birthday, the most important birthday for me was Zach's!  We had a quiet night at home.  Well, it was quiet for me.  i spent most of my time in the kitchen baking his favorite pie.  He had rousing evening playing Call of Duty, of course.

YES!  It's a birthday PIE!

do you see the xbox controller in his lap?

The pie was super yummy, as usual.

After vacation and birthday fun, it was back to work.  Zach and i had a booth at Roebling Fest in Covington, KY.  It is the first real art/craft fair i've done outside my involvement with The Flying Cat.  i do have to say it was very encouraging!    i got a lot of good feedback and interest from the shoppers.  i did pretty well in the sales department as well.  To be honest, i was a bit shocked by that.  Sooooo, since things went so well at Roebling Fest, i am absolutely going to do more of these events!  Don't worry, i'll keep you posted on when and where i'll be setting up shop.

Here we are at our humble little table.

My "roadie," Shannon, tagged along to lend a hand.  You can see her head popping up behind some of Zach's paintings in this picture.

Shannon kept the table looking nice and tidy, and provided some much needed entertainment throughout the long day.  Here she is modeling a custom made bow featuring one of my characters.  It's totally adorable, and so is she!  Thanks for helping, Shannon!

i've been busy, busy, busy but have enjoyed every minute.  i think the next couple of months are going to be pretty busy as well, and i can't wait!  Thanks for stopping by, and check back soon!

-G

Out & About: June 25th

This Saturday, June 25th, is a slightly big day.  i will have a booth at Roebling Fest in Covington, KY.  i will have smaller paintings, prints, buttons, shirts (yes, the croc of love shirts, and yes i do realize i have failed to get them up on etsy.  just hang in there.  they will be up soon.) and some other goodies.  Sooooooo, if you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, stop by and check out the booth, and the other artists that are participating.  Check out the event site for more info and a schedule of bands that will be playing.  My booth will only be up til 6pm.

Also, June 25th is the last day to view "Party Animals" at The Flying Cat, also located in Covington (713 Main Street).  So, if you missed the opening, stop in and check out the artwork!   

Now Showing: Party Animals

The opening reception of Party Animals was amazing!  i want to thank everyone that came out to the show.  i'm so happy to be surrounded by very supportive and all around great people.  It meant a lot to see everyone last night.  Thank you so much.  LOVE YOU GUYS!

For those that couldn't make it out, here are some pictures of the show, and the work.  i honestly didn't get very many pictures.   i was super busy, which was a good thing.  i wish i had gotten more pictures of people actually at the show.  It was pretty crowded.  i was impressed.  Yay me!  Yay Zach!

my little paintings

my little drawings

paintings by Zach Kestermann

Below are better images of my creations.  Enjoy!

Beaver Fever, acrylic on canvas, 8"x8" - SOLD

Familiar, acrylic on canvas, 8"x8"

Splish Splash, acrylic on canvas. 8"x8" 

Party Fowl, acrylic on canvas, 8"x8"

Deer Paw, acrylic on canvas, 8"x8"

Rush, acrylic on canvas, 8"x8"

Dip, pencil on paper, 9"x12"

Satisfaction, pencil on paper, 9"x12" - SOLD

Aftertaste, pencil on paper, 9"x12" - SOLD

Now Showing: PARTY ANIMALS

DON'T FORGET!  The opening of Party Animals is tonight, Friday, June 3!  It features new works by yours truly and Zach Kestermann.  Festivities are from 6-10pm with complementary beverages and snackies.  New prints, shirts and other goodies will be available for purchase!  It should be a great evening.

PARTY ANIMALS:
New works by Zach Kestermann & Geri Shields
Opening Reception: Friday, June 3, 2011 - 6-10pm
at
The Flying Cat gallery & boutique
713 Main Street, Covington KY

Just In: SHIRTS!!!!!!!

The "Croc of Love" shirts are in!  I don't have any pics at the moment, but they are super awesome!  They will be avaiable tomorrow night (Friday, June 3) at the opening reception of "Party Animals" at The Flying Cat (713 Main Street, Covington, KY).  The show starts at 6pm.  The shirts will also be available online within the next week.  CAN'T WAIT!