The mural at Prairie Trail School is over half way completed. (The mural is unfinished. The images below are of the still-unfinished mural.) I am so happy the referendum went through and that we now have this awesome new structure! I am SO lucky to be a part of it. This has been a wonderful experience, meeting so many wonderful teachers and students. The kid's comments and questions about the mural are awesome! I love working in schools. The most common questions I get are "Is that hard?" "Do you like painting?" "Are you an artist?" "Why are you painting on that wall?" "and "How do you do that?" I LOVE their ideas! Wow. And I always have my answers at the ready, after much practice over the past ten years...starting at AAUW and Spaulding School so long ago. Lake County has welcomed me. :) Below, read about my plans for this mural, which we be completed by the PTS inauguration on May 13th. The mural is still in the under-painting stage. All of the images you see are unfinished, and need many more layers and elements. I work very quickly, don't worry! I have done this mural in a crisp, somewhat realistic style, (different from my artistic style) to reflect the clean architectural elements of this beautiful new building. There will be nine panels across the bottom and on the sides. Each one illustrates an element of the D56 Vision Statement. The words of each statement will be below each image, on a banner. One of the four natural prairie grasses planted at PTS, will frame each image. I like incorporating educational elements into school murals. The school stands in the center with a braided frame and the name of the school above. There will be other little surprises like images leaping from Ipads and the minds of children...and some things I'm not even sure about yet! See more pictures below.
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This weekend meant a lot to me, because of all those who helped. It feels like a turning point for me. I was in two shows in downtown Waukegan! Urban Edge and Dandelion Gallery! All of the following photos were taken by other! Thank you for documenting these events! Please see this great article about The whole Waukegan Arts District, in the News Sun: Event paints pretty picture of Waukegan - Lake County News-Sun and see the following "thank you-s"and photos. Thank you to David Motley and Vickie Marasco of Urban Edge for including me in this exhibit, and for putting on this event for the good of Waukegan. (Also, thank you to Vickie for buying and appreciating my piece.) So much good has come from this one event and will continue to snowball, as is evident from the following thank you-s. You are the spark that will light a thousand candles in the Mexican community, art community, and beyond. (READ MORE "THANK YOUS" BELOW) Thank you to Dandelion Gallery for your support over the past two years. The opportunity you have given me at Dandelion Gallery has branched into SO many other opportunities...I am aware of this. And the trickle down effect will continue. You were/are an essential part of the very beginning of the Arts movement in Waukegan! Your movement continues! Amazing. Also, thank you to Margaret, Raul, and Patricia of La Campeona, for including me in your broadcast on Monday, promoting my work, reminding us of the power every human connection we make has, and reminding me of the power of our Mexican culture. Thank you to ALL my friends, family, supporters, and UE & DG patrons for photographing work and posting it on facebook, buying my work, listening, coming to my shows, helping with a thousand little things, and for SUPPORTING THE ARTS in general. Your support is priceless and essential to my future and the future of Waukegan. Thank you to Ambee, Lulu, & Jon for encouraging me to start working again two years ago. Thank you for putting up with all of the chaos, helping price work, make tags, load my car, hang work, and just being understanding. It's been a big adjustment for everyone, and all three of you are incredible! You are my biggest cheerleaders. Thank you to Long Hwa-shu of the News Sun for writing and including me in a wonderful article about the whole arts movement in Waukegan! Event paints pretty picture of Waukegan - Lake County News-Sun Thank you to the National Museum of Mexican Art for including your artists in the show at UE, and for showing your support by being present. Long Hwa-shu of the News Sun and his wife buy a painting entitled Sister Intuition. Photo by David Motley New work at Dandelion Gallery this month. The whole grouping is entitled Pinata. Photo by Alicia Giles Some of my work at Urban Edge. Photo by Alicia Giles Behind Pablo's colorful paintings, you can see my daughter Ambee talking to artist Becca Zastany and my mother in a blue dress. My daughter Ambee and artist Amy Lynn Ross watch the amazing dancing and Mexican music next to Pablo Ramirez's paintings. Photo by David Motley My three Church paintings hanging at Urban Edge. This AMAZING raw space makes the work look even better! Vickie Marasco, curator at Urban Edge bought the piece on the far right entitled A Friend Afar! Photo by Alicia Giles
I am sorry it has been so long since I have checked in! Life has been full, and good, and strange. We had a fire in our home on February 4th. We feel so blessed that it was during the day, and everyone got out safely. We were able to move back home April 2nd. We lived in a hotel while our house was being fixed, and I continued to create artwork on the little dining table! During this time, I entered some small works in three different shows, created new work, but didn't photograph or post anything here! I am back full power now, and am so honored to be part of the following two shows. The openings are on April 20th from 5 to 9 pm just a few blocks from each other in Waukegan! I will photograph all the work I have created since January VERY SOON and post it here! :) Our town is currently part of the major flooding in Illinois. During this time of flood and fire, I reminded of the renewal that comes from loss or destruction. My new works are a reflection of that, I think. Vickie Marasco, curator, hangs my work at Urban Edge Gallery in Waukegan, for a show entitled "Mexican Montage" in collaboration with the National Museum of Mexican Art. The small paintings to the far right are brand new. They are a part of a series entitled "Inventory." Inspired by our fire and the long inventory we were required to document, it is about taking inventory of what we have lost, and the beauty of these engrained memories. These are portraits of each member of my family who has passed away. These paritcular portraits are of the Mexican side of my family, but I am not finished documenting everyone.
Hi friends! Here are two paintings I completed in November. The photos are a little dark, due to the cool January sky. I always photograph my work outside in natural light, but I will document this again on a sunnier day. I like this first painting. I feel however, that my work is about to change. I want to work on wood, in order to honor my Dad. I plan to work this week, on natural wood including oak, with only a light sealant. My father always worked with oak. His furniture was so solid. We used to tease him about it. The smell of cut wood brings me right back to his wood shop. I have very happy memories of his wood shop, and am excited about the possibility of change in my artwork. Have a wonderful January! :) Her Beautiful Thoughts or Inappropriate Speech Bubble I, 12x18, acrylic & watercolor on wc paper, 2012 $120 Her Beautiful Thoughts or Inappropriate Speech Bubble II, 12x18, acrylic & watercolor on wc paper, 2012 $120 I was sent this photo of a purchased painting of mine, installed in the new owners home! I love this photo! I would appreciated any other photos of my artwork installed in your homes. :)
It is already December and I have not yet posted images from November! (I will soon.) Things have been busy and strange at our house (something new- ha ha)! How have things been for you? How can we keep things simple? I am really working on that, and I hope you are too. Well, here is what is going on this weekend! I have not yet photographed my "small works," but will soon. At the gallery, I now have new, weird little masked animal purses and Mask Mantras in the Artisan Fair, and some work I have posted here. Thank you for your constant support and please let me know if there is anything I can do to supporTake care and Happy Holidays!
What: Dandelion "Piece Offering" Exhibit: Art, wine, local handmade gifts, music, ArtWauk, kids table in back! Where: 109 Genesee St. Waukegan, IL When: Saturday, Dec. 15th, 2012 Time: 5 to 9pm Maruka’s Dress for Dia de los Muertos, 27x27, acrylic on canvas, 2012, $195 Since I am Mexican-American, I wanted to make something special to honor Dia de los Muertos. My grandmother Maria was affectionately called "Maruka." I made this dress with altar inside holding a little santo, for her. She went on to her next journey when I was 13. What is on the Edges, 24x36, acrylic & charcoal on canvas, 2012, $245 I repainted this so many times. it is supposed to represent three sisters and their relationship to their parents....but now I see much more than that in it. Invisible Parts of Her, 24x36, acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas, 2012, $245 This painting is about adolescent girls and all of the complicated feeling and ideas they carry around in their brains. It is also about any woman. All of her anxiety, depression, lack of self esteem, anger, happiness, joy, & intuition cannot always be seen on her face. This painting is dedicated to two Ten new Moderately Motivational Mask Mantras! $25 to $35This exhibit has meant so much to me, thanks to those who were there, and those who were there in spirit and have influenced my work and life! It was a busy, crazy night! Click HERE to see article in the Sun Times. I have posted a few photos below. To see the entire show, please click here. :) ALL of my Dandelion Gallery friends made it an amazing night! And, it was SO wonderful to see almost my whole family there and many dear, life-long friends. Thank you for EVERYONE'S help! This show was dedicated to my father, Kenly Don Davis. He was unable to travel to see it, but he was there in spirit. :) As you can see from the photos, the interactive, economy-driven aspects of the exhibit were well received. That made me so happy. This show contains 75 paintings, plus one 30 foot long "roll" of paintings. 60 of the paintings, plus the roll, were done in 2 1/2 weeks. This frenetic pace allows me to purge all of my thoughts, ideas, worries, at once. Ha ha! Also, for those of you who read this so-called "blog"; you know I don't like posting a lot of photos of myself, or my family. But, there are a few on here, for the sake of documentation. Ha ha! Take care and have a wonderful week! :) I am very excited about my show! I can't decide which dress to wear. What do you think? Black, short, with one shoulder and a big flower-bow-thing, or Turquoise v-neck T-length? My mother will prefer the turquoise one! :) Here I posted a few photos of the 44 Sentimental Loteria Prayer Cards. These are hung in a grid on one wall of my exhibit space. They are based on a combination of the traditional Mexican bingo card game called "Loteria" and on Haitian Prayer Flags. This series is dedicated to my father. My feelings for him are so muddle with memory and prayer, so I dedicate this to him. This series also reminds me of my children and husband, my sisters and our childhood, my dear friends, and of course my mother. Special thanks also goes to my mother, who gave me the Mexican side of my Mexican-American Heritage. There are lots of other things happening in the show, which you can read about below, in my press release. The pieces I show here are not even my best ones, so come see what else is in store! :) I am thankful to all the people who have helped this exhibit materialize! Some of these people were present through every step. Some people were not, and are even far away, but their presence and strength is felt in every painting. Some of these people are; Jon Damon, Amy Ross, Stephanie Bynum, Emilie Correa, Michelle Patch, and all of Dandelion Gallery, David McElroy, my mother and father, my little cousin Marky Considine, Amy Tomson, my patient children, Allsion & Christina, and all of my dear friends and family. Here I have included a copy of the press release. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Waukegan Gallery Highlights Hispanic Heritage Month, Art, and Economy Dandelion Gallery, 109 S. Genesee St., Waukegan Il – September 15, 2012- Dandelion Gallery will honor Hispanic Heritage Month with a large installation by Mexican-American emerging artist Katrina Davis-Salazar entitled Oración de los Números: Economizing Memory, Sanity, & Hours. This show will coincide with ArtWauk and will also include work by twenty-three talented member artists. Davis-Salazar’s work was chosen to represent Hispanic heritage month because it celebrates Latina culture with both color and content and reaches all cultural and economic groups throughout the community. Oración de los Números: Economizing Memory, Sanity, & Hours will include the following five new collections by Davis-Salazar: 44 Sentimental Loteria Prayer Cards Art by the foot: 30 feet of Family Peace- in Pieces Como ser Cuerdo: Hanging On, Up 24 Faces: I Love You > Universe X ∞ Buy these paintings, sight unseen. Davis-Salazar’s highly narrative style employs bold color and tattoo-like texture to unite culture, prayer, sanity, and economy. In order to represent the diverse economic community of Waukegan and surrounding areas (and the recession), Davis-Salazar’s works will be priced from $12 to $500 and sold in interactive ways that resemble a warehouse sale. For example, Art by the foot will be cut and sold on site. Sight Unseen will be covered by paper printed with titles describing the piece in order to instruct the buyer, sold at a discounted rate, and revealed after purchase. There will be other paintings exhibited and sold in a more traditional manner. "Recession art" is a current trend in today's economy, which Davis-Salazar has embraced since 2011, making her work affordable to all. The opening night of Oración de los Números: Economizing Memory, Sanity, & Hours and ArtWauk will be held on September 15th from 5pm to 9pm and coincides with the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month (which extends until October 15th.) Adults and children are welcome at this family-friendly event. About Katrina Davis-Salazar and Dandelion Gallery: Dandelion Gallery is a non-profit cooperative in downtown Waukegan and has been at the heart of Waukegan’s artistic revival since March of 2011. Katrina Davis-Salazar is a local working artist whose layered mixed-media paintings explore issues of culture, relationships, vulnerability, strength, prayer, sanity, and consumption. Davis-Salazar received her BFA from University of Kansas, and her MFA from University of Colorado at Boulder. She joined the gallery in May of 2011 and has painted murals in many area schools throughout the community. Contact: Emilie Correa, Gallery Director Dandelion Gallery 109 S. Genesee St., Waukegan, IL (224) 430-9975 www.dandeliongallery.org ### This is the only thing I painted this month. It was inspired by a dear friend's family and has a special purpose. :)
I will go paint some more now. I have a show coming up on September 15th at Dandelion Gallery. Here are my working titles: Oración de los números: Economizing Memory, Sanity, & Hours This show includes 5 new collections by the artist Katrina Davis-Salazar. o 52 Sentimental Loteria Prayer Cards Dedicated to Mr. Kenly Don Davis o Art by the Foot! (30 Feet of Family Peace, in Pieces) o How to be Sane o 24 Faces: I Love You > Universe X ∞ or Grass Greener o Buy these paintings, sight unseen. Discovering the interactive way in which these works are purchased, is integral to the works themselves. These paintings range in price from $12 to $500 in order to extend themes of prayer, sanity, and beauty to all economic groups within our communities. I produce a lot of artwork. Sometimes I am working so quickly (painting, curating, running kids to gymnastics, making price tags, attending openings), that I fail to photograph some of my work before it sells. Below is such a piece. But a very supportive, sweet client and person was kind enough to bring it to the gallery last night so that I could finally document it. I really do love this piece and now it makes me think of all of the kindnesses that have recently been bestowed upon me. (READ BELOW) Untitled, Acrylic & Mixed Media on Watercolor Paper, 26x38, 2012I have been "gone" for so many years and the world has now welcomed me back with so many supportive, inspiring, and kind friends and role models. These people have come in the form of gallery members and founders, friends I have known for so long but now see in a different light, gallery patrons, and dear family members. Just last night alone I was overwhelmed by all of the giving. (READ MORE BELOW the bat a bunny piece, which was a small commission done for the same woman who brought in the snail piece-above- to the gallery) In addition to the gluten-free gifts, tokens for my children, time spent with my children, purchases of my work, and offers of help, are kind words. The encouragement and support I am suddenly being offered by fellow gallery members, family, friends, and gallery patrons is overwhelming and I usually don't even know how to respond. The ironic part is that the people bragging about my artwork to others and giving me constant encouragement, are all amazing people and/or artists themselves. And as one of them would say, "I fail." I want to say, SINCERELY, "you're are amazing too," "your work inspires me....it's truly breathtaking," "thank you for your encouragement and help," etc. But the words don't come out. My social awkwardness pretty much only allows me to smile. I actually kind of like being socially awkward, but sometimes using my words would be helpful! Ha ha! This post is getting very cheesy, but I felt that in the midst of my frenzy of painting, being a mom, enjoying this "new" life, and forgetting to photograph my work, I should say "thank you." I will wrap it up by saying that your "gifts" to me and my family have inspired a small installation for an upcoming show in September.
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