The Inbetween

Many folks refer to the season between when the weather is snowy and when the weather patterns are more accountable to their sunny tendencies as the off season.

I’m not sure I have ever had a winter that was such an ON season. I am thrilled and so absolutely grateful for every person who has taken a moment to step inside my venture called FOXTROT and see the work and feel the feeling that space hosts. Sea Marie Biladeau, a talented yogi, acupuncturist and good friend has helped brainstorm and schedule the engaging and thoughtful programming I was hoping for. Jessi West Lundeen has only provided sneak peeks of the vibrant and modern work she is assembling for the first show to kick off the summer art series of featured artists at FOXTROT. Did I say that I’m thrilled? …so excited to be part of this, to share this, to do this.

In the other realm, the quiet realm, the realm outside of business hours, things are not off, they are just other. We (my dogs and I) are charging ahead, living many of my long term dreams. I’m doing a month long artist residency (!), in Goldfield, Nevada (!), living in a converted schoolie (!), encouraging and interacting with amazing artists who already live in this magic little town (!). That is four strikes of wonder, truly so many of my dreams coming true in this exact moment. I share stories of the time I get to spend in this central Nevada ghost town with my mom and she continually comments on how alive and happy I sound. This is just what the doctor ordered — spirits are high!

I have ten days left in this windblown place of dreams (both resting and rampant). repose, and authenticity.

Then

It is time for something. Time to take a leap of faith that I can run an art gallery and help my talented friends and I propel ourselves along our artistic lives. In February, I will start on a new venture when I open up an art gallery in my beloved little town at 160 E Little Avenue, Driggs, Idaho.

The gallery will be called FOXTROT and it will sit on the side of the busy road that grants access to Teton Canyon, Grand Targhee and wonderful exploration in the Teton Mountain Range. We call the road “LIttle Avenue” but there are some big things happening.

The gallery hosts 12 foot tall ceilings and crisp walls that will showcase the amazing art I am currently working hard to assemble.

To get FOXTROT ….well, trotting! there will be a kick off event with porcelain mugs I’ve been making in my pottery studio and a wood carved block print of Teton Canyon. I am thrilled about the art that will hang, but it is the possibility for community engagement and smart events that was the final straw in my decision to go for this. I’ve built the website: www.foxtrotfineart.com and promise both this and that will be updated and thriving this summer.

That’s all for now. Mark your calendars for February 14 - FOXTROT Grand Opening. HERE WE ARE.

Now

Maybe you have spent the last year continuing on the set journey of your life, but more likely you haven’t. I didn’t. The last 14 months have been a time of evaluation, reflection, and truths. The social mechanisms once used to distract us from ourselves were pushed away and there was plenty of time to stand there and think about what we had done or what we wanted to do, and no one was really watching what we were doing. The phrase “you do you” became life. I did me.

I moved into a house of dreams with strange additions and endless potential, realized audiobook memoirs were a way for me to continue to study other people’s lives and thought about art quite a bit more than I made art. I found gratitude and energy to complete some painting commissions for beloved collectors. I started jobs, made pottery, wasted time on social media, wandered countless miles on foot and drove my beloved truck while the world around me was quiet enough that I could plainly hear my heart, and I quit jobs and found even more gratitude for the painting commissions I get to make for beloved collectors.

The noise is coming back and I am ready. The sunshine and the warmth and the energy is a welcomed force. I am working on the biggest painting of my life - a 165 foot wide commissioned mural - with the help of people I love too much, on the same street as the house once filled with friends who became my family, about a place that has made me “me”.

There are paintings ready to be uploaded to this site, dresses I can’t wait to wear, and an understanding of my role in this time that I am ready to fill. I wish you well too.

If you’d like to follow along with mural progress, I’m keeping my instagram stories stacked at: @katyannfox with an option to just tune into the mural stuff by watching the “mural edition”.

The time is now

The list of challenges in my life is longer than the list of things that are familiar—-can you relate? I am finding it pretty easy to feel out of control, but then I remember how much I love chaos. It is the scrambling of the elements that allows me to move forward in my life, understand my own capabilities and resources or create a stronger piece of art.

Many plein air events from the summer have been revamped or cancelled. I am working on both sides of this and am making time to go out and get some painting done in the field. My studio is finally cleaned up after the push to create my show at Turner Fine Art called Some Assembly Required. I will begin production on my commission for the Sage Living Center at St. John’s in Jackson —- soon.

This is a summer like no other.

The required assembly

The time is now.

My fingers are ripe and my drill battery is dead, but all 20 pieces are framed and ready to go up on the walls of Turner Fine Art. In a half hour, we convene within the pristine gallery walls (thanks Barbara) and start arranging the work I’ve assembled. Frankly, if I was an actor this compares to winning an Oscar. The respect I hold for this gallery and Kathryn is unparalleled and I have to pinch myself that this is on my calendar.

I am filled with excitement and angst to share these panels coated in my favorite colors and memories. This western land has hosted my existence, kept me humble and I am filled with gratitude.

Stay tuned, but also come celebrate with me on FRIDAY, MARCH 13 between 4 - 6:30 pm.

The wait of paper

A watercolor painting seems to happen faster and it definitely dries faster. The wait is short. I took a quick break from the cheerful production of my oil paintings that will be included in SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED to make some little watercolor paintings this week. One of my favorite events happened on Thursday night!

Wallpaper: a group show of only works on paper.

We gathered in the West Weird space on Broadway and watched lovely art at attainable prices get snatched up by collectors of all ages. This coming together of the community of artists and art supporters is relaxed, informal and truly energized. Comparable to the quick pace of watercolor painting, the event included its typical impulsive buying decisions and many two minute heartfelt and genuine conversations.

Thank you to all who contributed to the success of this through art making, art buying and especially gathering together to celebrate the EXTREME creativity of this community.

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED will open on March 13 at Turner Fine Art on Cache Street in Jackson, Wyoming. Please put it on your calendars!

From Mountains to Manuscripts

What a blur! One day, I am questioning if I should ride my bike to the Museum and the next half of the winter season is gone! Days have been going by quickly as I renovated a room in a magical house in Driggs, Idaho and made it my studio. The oil paint fumes are strong and the light is very pleasing. In September, Foxtail Books, or Christy Smirl, approached me with an exhibition idea at the Jackson Hole Historical Museum. She was well aware of striking literature written by women in the state of Wyoming and ready to shine some light on it. Her vision incorporated an artist adding visual interest and accenting the stories these women were compelled to tell. SHE PICKED ME! I got my hands on the four novels she chose and my socks were blown right off (just metaphorically …not really a sock-wearer) and I went to work to make four paintings. Quick, quick, quickly…this exhibit came together, was installed the beginning of December and the opening was last Friday, January 31. Wow. I’m humbled and thrilled. This work shines as a major success and honor to celebrate and collaborate in a world 100 years after women suffrage was granted. Women’s voices are fierce and perhaps the tone is softer —- but I am so glad I have chosen to listen.

Check this exhibit out at the Jackson Hole Historical Museum on Cache Street any time until April!

A space for art

Wow! I spent five days in the town of Elko with 40 other artists as we installed murals all over the downtown of this quaint Nevada town.

I painted the image I have called "we camped where the car stopped”. My friend snapped this photo when we were camping on the Black Rock playa many years ago. It still represents my favorite things in Nevada and I felt it was fitting for my first mural. The colorful image shows the orb of a campfire illuminating two friends under a magical night sky. An older man walked by and told me he was ready to go get his own bacon and beans and join them——this indicated I had succeeded in sharing the warm feeling I intended!

MURALS ARE FUN! It took me three days to get the mural to its final state — which included sun, rain, conversation and reflection. Many of the artists (me included) were installing their first mural, while some were true professionals. The portrait of 11 Basque members of the Elko community took my breath away as it graces a multiple story building on River Street….and it is in amazing company.

I am humbled and honored to have participated in the Elko Mural Expo—-and I’d like to sign up again!

I'll see you and raise you a few clouds

Fall Arts Festival came and went and it came with a force this year!

The abundance of artists, art enthusiasts and art collectors cruising the boardwalks of Jackson, Wyoming, changes this action-packed, peak-bagging community for the first two weeks of September. For these two weeks—it is all about looking!

I found great conversation and amazing connection to the wild world around me within the walls of the National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Western Visions Show & Sale, but it was on the Town Square that I found action. I participated in the Fall Arts Festival Quick Draw for the 3rd time. (I sadly missed last year as I was officiating Owen and Rebecca’s wedding)

THIS WAS THE CRAZIEST THREE HOURS OF MY LIFE! I painted for 90 minutes — I had a plan and it went well. People walked by, they stopped by, and they added incredible encouragement and support. This event allows artists to give a quick introduction with a microphone in front of the large crowd of bidders. I painted an image of a white barn that Aaron Cordell Johnson had repeatedly sent my way—each time he had passed it for the last 4 years. The bidding started and it just kept going! Serendipitously, I stood next to Aaron as I received the highest recognition, enthusiasm and price for a painting so far in my life.

…and then I went to a wedding.

Never a Dull Moment

After the startling pace of Teton summers is set in July, August follows nicely with just a bit more focus and ease. The month of August is generally one of my favorites. As a hustling artist, this year this claim has some extra clout.

I entered three paintings into the Driggs Plein Air event along with 70 other artists, and on the second day of this month, two of my paintings were chosen by jurors John Poon and Scott Christensen. This event first brought me to the region 8 years ago--I was hooked and with tears in my eyes and ultimate cheer in my heart, I won this year. I received Best of Show and Honorable Mention at this year's Driggs Plein Air event in Teton Valley. Hanging out with the amazing artwork in the National Museum of Wildlife Art (especially Carl Rungius) pays off!

Close on the heels of this accomplishment, the Cottage Journal published an article in their fall issue highlighting my artistic intention and merit. I am humbled and utterly stoked for the path ahead.

Today at noon, I speak about my involvement in St. John's Rocking Sage Living Center. I painted two rocking chairs that sit outside Persephone Bakery for the summer until their auction on September 19.

Tonight, Jan Benz invited me to paint and chat during the Museums' Paintbox society event she is generously hosting at her home. I have a plan! Stay tuned!

On September 14 a handful of the artists from this community and beyond will paint on the Jackson Hole Town Square for the Fall Arts Festival Quick Draw, come see them and me in action!

Teton Mudpot Sidewalk Sale

June 20-21

Glenwood Side of the Center for the Arts

Jackson, Wyoming

It is always one of my favorite moments of the summer. Plein Air fest at the National Museum of Wildlife just happened and now it is time to hustle some pottery. This year I have been working on the lightest, simplest cups I can make with straight walls. I also have a variety of strange shapes and ventures.

I look forward to joining many of my favorite people and setting up a table under the tent outside the Art Association. This raises funds for both me and the amazing mission of the Art Association of Jackson Hole’s studios.

WINTER WONDERS

The winter was blustery and transitions were abundant.

I got a puppy. Gertie. She’s perfect.

I saw a job posted in the local newspaper I had to apply. I got the job. I am now the Programs and Events Assistant at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. I am learning so much!

I moved my studio into a room in my home. It is smaller, but the heater works and my easel is nicer.

May they be upgrades or just transitions, life is cooking along and the summer air is welcome. Here we go!

Escalante Canyons Plein Air Fest

Sept 22 - Oct 1, 2018

This was my 5th year competing in this event.

The landscape is utterly stunning and equally challenging. I submitted both an oil painting and a watercolor painting. My watercolor painting was awarded an Honorable mention.

This year was one for the books!

DRIGGS PLEIN AIR FEST

I got first place! I painted a little painting the first day and it was my favorite and faired well in the beautiful group of paintings submitted in the event! :)

July 28 - August 4 in Driggs, Idaho 

Based out of the Driggs community center, the Driggs plein air happens! This will be my sixth year participating in this event.  This event is very near and dear to me as it was the first week I spent in the Tetons as and artist and solidified the deal that this would be where my career after graduate school would carry on.

It is so challenging and refreshing to chug through days on days of plein air painting with varying weather, events, and inspiration.  I am so looking forward to this!

TETON MUDPOT SALE

June 21-22 at the Art Association of Jackson Hole

I make pottery too!

This year I focused on throwing a group of large salad bowls and mugs.  My glazes were simple.  I used a satin black and white along with a warm creamy white on most things.  I used a darker clay body and played with some unique shapes for some of my mugs then glazed them with an intergalactic purple.  The sale was a great success!  Please contact me for any pottery inquiries as inventory is consistently changing!

PLEIN AIR FEST

National Museum of Wildlife Art

June 16, 2018 7am-noon

Every year the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming hosts a group of accomplished artists to come and create a piece of artwork in a format where the public gets to walk along and witness the process and meet the people behind the images.  This is my sixth year participating and I am so pleased to be part of it!

HIT PAUSE

May 27 - June 26, 2018

It is so exciting to work toward something, have it come together and see the final product.  This series of paintings will hang in the Center for the Arts in Jackson Wyoming until June 26 at 240 s Glenwood Street.  The opening cultivated wonderful conversation and so many smiling faces.  I am very pleased.  I will post images of the available work when the show comes down.

ABOUT: This series joins the aesthetic capabilities found in instant photography and oil paint to hit pause and dwell in a moment.  The simplicity and charm of the snapshot photo informs the color choices, design and texture of my paint. Each painting celebrates spending time in an instant collected from my life as a resident of Jackson Hole.