Treasure Hunting

Inspired by the inimitable and generally incredibly awesome Ann Wood and her blog (which I’ve read all the way through, twice,) Tameika and I spent last Saturday treasure hunting (or urban foraging, or mud larking) at Dead Horse Bay. (By the way, does anyone actually know A. W.? It appears that she lives in the neighborhood. Or rather, she lives in real slope, which is not really my neighborhood, but still kind of the general neighborhood. I would pay you in food, drinks, and/or my first-born for an introduction.) Anyways, long story slightly less long, we braved a train and a bus and a long walk in the middle of nowhere, in the name of what turned out to be a great time in a magically historical place and a lot of old glass. (I really mean a lot – I could open a flea market stall all by myself!)

Tameika demonstrating our excitement at finding the path

view of the bay from the path

the bay and a view of the birdge to the rockaways

so many bottles

many, many bottles

some of our selections being rinsed and sorted

soaking in bleach

a few things drying

bottles lined up all in (a couple of messy) rows

my new shard drawer!

On a side note, I seem to have a sort of interesting (lack of) relationship to the historical aspect of all this stuff. I’m very much fascinated by the archeologist-style unearthing of physical evidence of lives past, but as someone who is not originally from here, I’m a little saddened by my lack of a more direct connection of said past. It’s impossible that I could find a milk bottle that could have once stood outside my grandparents’ door, or a jar from which my grandmother, sitting before her vanity, could once have scooped a little bit of cold cream. That kind of thing is a little bitter-sweet for me … still though, it was really fun to explore, and hopefully you guys will enjoy how some of these pieces end up (it’s a surprise, duh!)

Spring is springing!

lovely new tomato plant

kitty wondering why his nap is being disturbed

teeny weeny fig budding

New Product!

Starting now, you can take Darrel the Dik-dik home with you! And let me tell you, he is SUPER CUTE!

I'm frolicking!

Things I do while neglecting this blog …

Cook and eat baked eggs over leftover spinach gratin with avocado and beet mustard on top:

breakfast

Plus a little preview:

future post/product shrouded in mystery (and cuteness)

 

Help me out?

I’m getting some postcards printed so that I can self-promote even more shamelessly at various neighborhood businesses (credit for the idea goes to my incredible Director of P.R. and Marketing, Miss T. Mclean, Esq.) So check these out, please and let me know if you like 1 or 2 of the 3 best? kthxbai

Option A

Option B

Option C

 

Fall

Last weekend I found myself in the woods, but of course WITHOUT my camera. Ever the rescourceful super-star (duh,) I brought home a little bag of wilderness. What I really like about fall is that even though it’s generally associated with deep browns and maroons and oranges, there are also these awesome little pops of bright yellows and greens and pinks.

Shop is open!

So it’s finally open! I didn’t get a chance to finish all the pieces and series I wanted to have to begin with, or to take product photos, or, or, or … a million other things. However, I promised myself (and the 4(!) readers of this blog) that I’d open on 9/30, and that’s what I’m doing. I’ll be able to keep adding new work nd growing the shop as time goes on, and the weight of the openning and all accompanying work and stress is off my shoulders. This is always going to be a work in progress, and I wouldn’t have it any other way

I’ve also got a new Facebook fan page, so please be my fans!

A Quickie

Mr. Tapir is here to provide some eye candy and say Hi from his friend, Mr. Slow Loris. I’d do it myself, but I’m not nearly this cute:

Missy Jean Chimp is Wearing Marc Jacobs

I’d like to introduce everyone to Missy Jean Chimp. She is independently wealthy and has discerning yet somewhat whimsical and eclectic tastes. As you can probably imagine, she is extremely fun to draw because:

- chimps are cute. duh.

- she get’s to have pretty things that are way outside of my budget.

- the more I draw her, the better I get to know her.

This is the first Missy Jean image I ever drew, and she kind of materialized in my mind before that without very much thought or reasoning. As I get to know her better I discover more about her, and she kind of lets me know what she wants to do and where she wants to go. I think we’re becoming friends, even though her personality is certainly not all sweetness and light – she’s a bit spoiled and stubborn, and somewhat ignorant of the life conditions of those less fortunate than herself. Despite the fact that she has traveled the world all her life, she is extremely sheltered. However, deep down she is a compassionate young chimp, with a good heart.

Hello

Hi, everyone. When writing a first blog post, one must address what is an entirely imaginary audience. Tasked with this, I am forced to decide whether or not said imaginary audience is comprised of imaginary friends or imaginary strangers, and to give an appropriate amount of “backstory.”

Those of you (imaginary people) who actually know me and have spoken to me recently will be aware that I have been planning for some time to open an etsy shop, to sell my prints and provide motivation to continue working on more personal illustration projects. Well, rejoice all ye imaginary masses, for said event will soon come to pass! An exciting grand opening of the Drawn by Kat shop is planned for September 30.

Meanwhile, (and after, too) I will be using this blog to document the process of my work, show off new stuff, talk about the shop, and honestly, probably anything else that strikes me as relating in any way to this endeavor. As a little introductory teaser take a look at Mr. Slow Loris, who is show here imploring you to keep reading, and eventually come visit the shop and buy many, many prints of him and his friends:

How can you say no to that face?