This post is a walk-through of the art show I have up during the month of June. It’s not in a very easy to access location, and solo shows are not a thing I have often done. So this post is for anyone who wants to see what’s in the show, but can’t get there in person!
All the art in the show is framed, and selling for $70 each (except for “SUM”, which is $500).
DAILY DREAMINGS
The Practice of Daily Art
I have always loved making art, but resisted defining myself as an Artist. Failing to find satisfaction in other pursuits, I eventually went to art school for a couple of years (the School of the Art Institute of Chicago). I loved my explorations there, but decided that I did not want to pursue a career in art-making or teaching. So I stopped making much art, for a long time.
In 2009 I recognized that I missed art-making, and felt sad about it. So that October I began a practice of making a drawing every day. I have continued the practice, more or less uninterrupted, to the present day.
Each day I face a blank piece of paper, and spend time making some kind of picture. I show all the pictures on my website, as a form of accountability. The time is spent in meditation, exploration, and play. I listen to intuition and subliminal inspiration, and find images and connections I might not be able to reach using words. I try not to get blocked or derailed by value judgments or expectations; the point is the music of lines and colors. These drawings and paintings are results of that practice.
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/sum.crop_.jpg?w=1024)
“Sum” – 1988,~3′ x 4′, graphite on paper
This was one of the last pieces of art I made before I gave up the practice for two decades. I had it professionally framed, to remind myself of the work that I had put in up to that point.
INNER CRITICS
When I began my daily art practice, I ran into a chorus of inner voices with a lot to say about it. These ideas, expectations, and judgments had led me to give up on art-making for years. They offered me all kinds of reasons to give up and stop now.
As I persisted, it became clear that I couldn’t really make them shut up. But I could get them to go sit in another room and leave me be; I was going to make art, whatever they thought of it.
I’ve occasionally made portraits of some of those Inner Critics, teasing apart characters that offer reasons and excuses for not spending time and energy doing something that I love.
The Critics are not useless; they encourage me to be clear about what I am doing, and why. It’s worth paying at least enough attention to refute their unkind words.
I believe that all forms of creative expression are what gives life meaning. It’s how we understand our existence and connection with each other and the world. Each of the Critics holds a grain of truth, but they lie when say it is the whole of the Truth.
Maybe creative expression will not save the world, but it does give people a reason to think the world is worth saving.
It’s also really true that if you do something with intention every day, you can learn a lot about it, and also about yourself!
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0208-1.jpg?w=794)
THE BLOB OF INERTIA
This one doesn’t really say anything, just sits and stares. Sometimes I just have to make some kind of mark on the paper, to break the surface and get something rolling.
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0209-1.jpg?w=787)
THE ACADEMICIAN
“If you were serious about art, you would study and work at it. You would make Art with Meaning and Import, that was technically proficient. You would show in museums and galleries. Your little puddles and scratches are worthless!”
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0210-1.jpg?w=795)
THE LOUD ONE
“Wow! You really are not very good at this! What a piece of junk! You’re going to show that thing to everyone? It’s pretty stupid!”
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0211-1.jpg?w=803)
THE PRINCESS
“You are so soft and privileged. Spending so much time in your nice little studio, with all your pretty things…none of this is Real Life, it’s just a silly way to pass your time.”
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/daily-page-17-0124.jpg?w=763)
THE SIDE-EYE
“So you think you’re actually doing pretty well, making something that some people might call Art? Huh. Good luck with that. What’s the point of this piece? What does it even mean?”
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/daily-page-17-0112.jpg?w=760)
THE TINY HANDS OF ANXIETY
“Here is that blank page again. I have nothing to say. Why am I even doing this. It’s pointless, I’m worthless.”
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/daily-page-17-0128.jpg?w=756)
THE PURITAN
“Your art-making is frivolous and self-indulgent. You should be spending time doing good works, not just amusing yourself with these pointless doodlings.”
DAILY DREAMINGS
…a little selection of my daily art…
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20-0801.update2.jpg?w=819)
8-1-2020
BIG HATS
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20-1105.jpg?w=1024)
11-5-2020
SHIFTERS
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24-0417.jpg?w=776)
4-17-2024
NIGHT OUT
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0521.jpg?w=795)
SPA WRAITH
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0114.jpg?w=775)
1-14-2022
PRECIOUS LITTLE EGG
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24-0524.jpg?w=773)
MOON BOOTS
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20-1203.jpg?w=707)
12-3-2020
PEBBLE JELLIES
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24-0514.jpg?w=769)
5-14-2024
GREEN ZIP
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0405.jpg?w=797)
4-5-2022
MOON FLOWER
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20-0913.update.jpg?w=720)
9-15-2020
FIRE FLOWER
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24-0422.jpg?w=771)
4-22-2024
BARELY KEEPER
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24-0528.jpg?w=775)
5-28-2024
MOOSPINES
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24-0510.jpg?w=780)
5-10-2024
SKY TOWER
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20-1021.jpg?w=713)
10-21-2020
SKY STALKER
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/20-0811.update.jpg?w=821)
8-11-2020
NIGHT COTTAGE
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/22-0219.jpg?w=793)
2-19-2022
MOON FISH
![](https://ayespider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/23-0428-final.jpg?w=786)
4-28-2023
VIOLET BONES
Oh my, Kate, these are all so wonderful! I’m again tempted by Puritan because after reading the caption I realized what it was that I so liked about it and that figure really fits the caption. But I also LOVE your non critic paintings and Moonfish is just stunning! As really are ALL of them.
Thank you! Your comments really make me feel that my art has been seen.
The colors of Moospines and Night cottage and Skystalker and so many others are just entrancing…How can I possibly decide? But eventually I will…
I love these, Kate! Nice work. I really like “Sum.” My inner critic gets the best of me at times. I have to wrestle it to the ground now and then. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you for your kind words!
Artalways reveals an unspoken truth – imortant to get it out and naked!