Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

My husband and I went on a trip into Chicago today. We are getting pretty knowledgeable about public transportation options and decided to use the water taxi to and from Navy Pier.

I like using the boats because it feels cooler down by the water and I can get some interesting shots of the buildings from a different perspective than the street. 

As we stepped off the boat on the way back, we spotted an endangered Black-crested Night Heron on a pylon right next to the Michigan Avenue bridge. He wasn't shy at all and didn't might be getting very close to take photos. As long as I stayed on the stair well, he was fine, but I tried getting even closer by shooting through a wire fence. He knew that wasn't wear most people are and he took flight. As he did so, he navigated around all the boats on the river.

We went to the McCormick Bridgehouse Museum. We were lucky because today the museum was free! It shows the gears, motors and history of the bridge.

That's All Folks!

The anticipation of printing builds

tree fungus is carved with tengucho removed., originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Usually I will carve, print, and package a single block at a time. I'm going about the process a bit differently because this time I'll be carving a number of blocks all at once.

Since I moved into my apartment, space is at a premium. I am only able to set up one work station. That station will be rotating between the stages of woodblock printing. Already I like this better. I get to enjoy the clean, un-inked blocks a bit longer. 

Every time a block is created, it starts from an idea. The idea develops into a drawing and continues to change a grow until the block is carved, the it leaps onto the washi as its own fully developed person as it is printed. Instead of only having a single "child," this process will allow me to have a "family" of prints.

Each print will be unique, but the same for the editions and the editions will mirror the colors of one another.

If you would like to see these finished prints, come to Art of the Land in Harvard, IL this September 21–22, or visit Plum Bottom Pottery in Egg Harbor, WI later in the year. (Plum Bottom has a website where you can view my work for sale under the "Featured Artist" tab.)

I spent my 45th birthday at work.

 

My son brought me Fushi Yami sushi.

My coworkers provided Thai delicacies and a gift of sound dampening headphones.

My husband purchased a month of international ancestry.com and a dinner at Mediterrano.

My parents gave me a card and gift that I will use to purchase a goodie or two.

My mother-in-law gave me a card and gift that I will use to purchase clothing.

My sister-in-law and brother took me to 4th Fridays at the Starline in Harvard, Illinois.

Jumpshots.biz gave me a huge smile. (OK, maybe part of it was the complimentary wine.)

God gave me one heck of a great day!

Thanks, EVERYONE! You ROCK!

Hurting?

You know that deep ache in you your heart that makes you stop breathing from the pain? Yeah, me, too. But that is ok. That is life: Life is precious and I choose to be happy and full of joy while I am here.

Compassion literally means to feel with, to suffer with. Everyone is capable of compassion, and yet people tend to avoid it because it's uncomfortable. I choose to meet that uncomfortableness because the more you care, the stronger you will be.

We fallen human beings are capable such goodness and, at the same time, capable of pure evil. We must carry our daily struggles along in order that we become more forgiving, compassionate, loving, and above all joyful.

Our individual struggle changes us: either towards good or for bad. Towards construction or destruction. Towards lifting up others or tearing them down. 

What do you choose to do today?

 
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Yeah. I wrote this. No copy and pasting on this one.
Erin K. Nolan

Double Door County II

The second trip to Door County, in just as many weekends, was a getaway for our family: Paul, Jacob and I—along with our dog Gracie. It was a time to reacquaint ourselves with one another without extraneous thoughts in our minds. We had time to focus on us, how we feel, what we need for ourselves & for one another, and where we are going from this point forward.

It was a salve sent by the graciousness of God.

We were able to see the American Folklore Theatre's production of "Victory Farm." It is always a great treat to see such professionally written and executed musicals, but this one was especially touching. The characters were well developed and passionately portrayed.

I know it is a good storyline when I am left wanting more. Did he come back? Did they marry? What happened to him after the war? Did his heart soften after this experience. Just, really, so very wonderful. Plus, the one of the actors is Chad Luberger, owner of Plum Bottom Pottery where I am honored to show my woodblock prints.

The remainder of the trip was filled with Washington Island, beaches, sunsets, s'mores, parks, good food, swimming, and many laughs and surprises along the way. Here are some of the things we saw:

The rare and elusive wild Wheaten Sand Dog of the Door

History: A wild sand dog of the door was captured in 1872. Three men lost their lives during the outing. Gradually this killer dog was domesticated. Although the wild gene has never been fully flushed from the breed, the modern "floofy tail" is a direct descendent of its wild cousin.

Gracie's self-assigned job was to grab hold of the boogie-board handle and carry it to shore for us. Lake Michigan was so low that Grace could walk out a good 25 yards before having to actually swim!

 

 Blue Skies

The jaunty overlord of the Maritime Museum on Washington Island watched us closely from above.

 

Green Rocks

As always I am captivated and inspired by the naturally rough textures of Door County.

 

Golden Light

Starting two years ago, a new tradition: watching the sunset from the bluffs of Peninsula State Park.

Periwinkle Sunsets

Hearing the water gently lap against the shore as the sun sets is the perfect sound to calm the mind, relax the body and settle the spirit before sleeping.

Red Walls

Francis Hardy Gallery on Anderson Dock in Ephraim. There was a cute little muskrat playing in the warm waters by between the dock and the shore.

 White Rocks

The smooth, white stones of Schoolhouse beach on Washington Island make it difficult to walk, but they color the water a turquoise blue-green and looks more like the tropics than Wisconsin.

Lovely Yahts

The passengers looking like they were having fun!

Most importantly:

Together and Smiling!

Mission accomplished!

Double Door County I

With natural beauty like this,
how could I not be inspired?

I have been very blessed these last two weeks! I was able to go to Door County two weekends in a row. The first visit I traveled with my brother, sister-in-law, and mother. It was only overnight, but we filled every minute. "It is all about the journey." 

The pond with beautiful water lilies at The Flying Pig in Algoma was one of the highlights of the drive up to Bailey's Harbor. I had never been there before, but I found a fuzzy new friend. She allowed be to photograph her and she promised not to sting me.  She continued drinking nectar while I sipped my spiced warm chai.

The journey was made in order to attend the Plum Bottom Pottery Summer FEAST. We arrived too late to help plate the food or set up. For some reason, a five-hour trip takes at least eight by the time we stop here and there for food and photos. 

It was just lovely… as always. Savory Cajun delights such as jambalaya, etouffee, smoked salmon and bread pudding entertained our tastebuds; but the wonder of the evening was Chad Luberger's latest ceramics and Angela Lensch's new bead work inspired by her trip to India. I was able to talk with Davide Toffolon, a talented pen and ink artist who uses salt in his wonderfully detailed pieces. I found he was a passionate professional cheese maker! Who knew?

Chad is a member of the American Folklore Theatre and after their performance at Peninsula State Park, the troupe arrived one by one. I stood right next to "Doc" Heide, but couldn't bring myself to say, "Hi." I was too afraid my mouth wouldn't work and it would come out like a bad Saturday Night Live skit. So I just stood there feeling my face flush. I was definitely starstruck having seen him perform for 20-some years.

All good times comes to and end. We left just after midnight and I felt like Cinderella. Torches lit our way through the darkness as we followed the winding, painted path created by Dylan Lauger. We passed ceramic and cement sculptures in the flickering light. When the path ended billions of stars greeted our eyes. Each of us saw a shooting star before we drove back to the motel room at Journey's End.

 The next day we stopped at The Ridges Sanctuary where they were setting up for a Raptor Exhibit. There was the small, parrot-like kestrel (above), a snowy white barn owl, an intense red-tailed hawk, a turkey vulture who showed off by stretching out his wings and a rather cross screech owl who preferred to stay within his crate and hiss at people walking past. They were each wonderful in their own way and it was a rare treat to be able to photograph them up close and personal.

"It is all about the journey."

Feast your eyes on the new website!

Featured Artist at Plum Bottom Pottery in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, USA

Feast Your Eyes Upon PB's New Website and Celebrate!

Don't you love it when hard work and diligence come together to form something wonderful?  Chad at Plum Bottom Pottery Studio and Gallery has persevered and a fantastic new website is the result. He showcases his pottery, jewelry by Angela Lensch, and a gallery-featured artist—in this case, me!

"Residing on 20 acres in the heart of Wisconsin's Door Peninsula, Plum Bottom Pottery offers visitors a first look at the newest creations of resident porcelain artist Chad Luberger and jewelry artist Angela Lensch. Luberger specializes in one of a kind sculptural and functional porcelain pottery. Lensch weaves gold, silver and gemstones to create breathtaking wearable art pieces.

Luberger began Plum Bottom Pottery with the idea of creating and offering his one of a kind porcelain work from a single location. Plum Bottom Pottery soon expanded and welcomed resident jewelry artist, Angela Lensch into Plum Bottom Studios. It is here, where Lensch's background in sculpture, led her to create her signature woven jewelry designs.

This Door County art destination has continued to expand, offering contemporary art in a variety of mediums, including printmaking, painting and sculpture. Luberger and Lensch continue to make their work on-site and invite you to come to Plum Bottom to explore in person or online and experience art, finely crafted."

I'll be at the gallery for their annual summer art extravaganza entitled, "FEAST!" which will be held this Friday, July 13th, 2012 from 6–9pm at the gallery on Plum Bottom Road in Egg Harbor. We will not only be celebrating new work, the return of Angela from India, and a new website, it is the 5th Anniversary of Plum Bottom Studio and Gallery! Congratulations, Chad!

Bring your best Cajun appetite, quench your thirst and experience art, finely crafted. Please stop by. I'd love to see you and say, "hey" in person!

my new studio: a picnic table in the park.

my new studio: a picnic table in the park., originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Tree Fungus

Tree Fungus drawing being glued to board with rice paste, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

I have two careers. One as a graphic designer and the other as a fine art print maker. The day job has taken priority for the last several months, but that has only given me time to decide what direction I want to go in regarding prints.

I started this adventure in 2006 with a group of friends called "The Makers." We met every week or so to cheer one another on, give critiques and suggestions, go on field trips together and basically just be there for one another artistically. That year was one of searching. I was doing pen and ink, acrylic, oils, graphite, pastel. Then, through the group and through my brother, I fell in love with woodblock prints.

The following year was playing with the possibilities. My work grew in complexity and skill.

Then I started selling work on Etsy, entering shows and becoming much more serious. It was becoming less of a hobby and more a part of me. I started the business, PEJ Nolan Studios in 2010 because I had finally found my passion. This is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life: I wanted to explore my personal relationship to nature and the revelations I received from observing it.

At the end of that year, a life-long goal was achieved. I was welcomed into Plum Bottom Pottery's gallery in Door County, Wisconsin. Since I was a little girl, I dreamed of seeing my work hanging in Door County.

The idea of not pleasing myself, but working toward the tastes of clients altered the make-up of the work. It became less about my personal relationship with the energy and spirit of the natural world and more about specific things: a chick, a squirrel, etc. So, I had to go back to the beginning and find my voice.

The upcoming work is more abstract. It shows more purely the energy, movement, composition and linework of the objects I see. It is less about the accurate depiction of an object and more about emotion. I'm really proud to see this type of growth in my work. I'm working larger as well, so it is more environmental. It fills the viewer's peripheral vision similar to a landscape. My goal is for the viewer to see what I see, feel what I feel, and be humbled by the complexity and beauty of nature. 

Let me know what you think about the new direction and about past pieces.

new carving!

new carving!, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

This is what spring looks like

 

A lot has happened this amazing 2012 Spring.

 \This is what spring looks like, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

"Clearing at the Ridges"

"Clearing at the Ridges", originally uploaded by pejnolan.

There are pivotal and poignant times in a person's life: sometimes these moments are found in fleeting instances that no one else would recognize. Then there are situations that take control of your life and lead you in directions you did not want and would not choose, yet here they are for everyone to witness.

It is in these times that define a person's character. It is not what happens to you that determines how far you will go in life; it is how you handle what happens to you.

I entered the Rockford Art Museum's "Rockford Midwestern Biennial" art show 3 times. The first time in 2008. No pieces were juried in. I was sad, but had not been working with my artwork for very long and didn't feel any regret. I took it as a challenge.

The second time in 2010, three out of three pieces were accepted and I was happy to have met this personal challenge.

This year, 2012, my entries took on a private, symbolic meaning to me. It was very important that I be accepted. I've had some major setbacks in life recently. I really needed to proof to myself that I could do this art thing. I needed this stamp of approval to move forward, not just creatively, but emotionally. I know it placed an awful lot of importance on a single show whose result was out of my control after all the jury process simply mean that 1 person saw my work and deemed it "art."

After sending in my entry, I had to wait 31 days to hear the result.

I saw the SASE in the post office box with its distinctive sharpie marker writing. My hands were shaking and I breathed in as I ripped oven the envelope. My brother and sister-in-law watched as I carefully unfolded the letter, uncertain of its contents.

I was accepted!! TWICE!! Thank you, God! Two pieces were accepted into the show: "Clearing at the Ridges" (top) and "Cave Point Park", Moku Hanga. (below) Both are woodblock prints; however the "Clearing at the Ridges" used a Western type of water-soluble ink which was applied to the block with a brayer while the "Cave Point Park" print used a traditional Japanese method of moku hanga wherein the ink is made of watercolor and rice paste and is applied with a brush.

Both hand-lifted print editions will be available at Plum Bottom Gallery, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin during the Summer of 2012.

Rockford Art Museum's Exhibition Gallery

2012 Rockford Midwestern
May 18-Sep 23, 2012

The Rockford Midwestern surveys the breadth and depth of contemporary art in the Midwest today. First held as an annual showcase for local artists, this biennial juried exhibition marks its 72nd presentation in 2012. Artists residing in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin were eligible to participate. More than 230 artists submitted 674 works for consideration by 2012 Juror Lisa Stone, curator of the Roger Brown Study Collection at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Dean Alan Olson Purchase Award will be presented May 18 at the preview for museum members and exhibiting artists.

This exhibition is organized by Rockford Art Museum. The museum purchase award is made possible by support from the Dean Alan Olson Foundation. The 2012 Rockford Midwestern is sponsored by Jill and Tom Becker, Fran and Jim Knutson, Amy and Dean Olson, Pat and Jim Olson, Jane Smith; Art in the Garden; and partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

If you are in Rockford, Illinois May 18th, for the reception and awards ceremony, please stop in as my guest. I would love to have you there to celebrate with me.

"Cave Point Park" moku hanga originally uploaded by pejnolan.

"Aurora Borealis"

"Aurora Borealis", originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Detail of the interference ink used to create the look of the Northern Lights.

Title: Aurora Borealis
Edition Size: 24
Print Dimensions: 3.125" w x 5.375" h
Paper Dimensions: 5" w x 7" h
Ink: Graphic Chemical Water Soluble & interference inks
Woodblock: Shina
Paper: Kozoshi
Artist: Erin K. Nolan
Dated: 02.2012

NASA has confidently predicted that this year (2012) the Aurora Borealis, or 'Northern Lights', will be the brightest and most intense in 50 years.

Go to the Alaskan Geological Society's site to see the Aurora Borealis forecast for your area!

www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast

This print will be available soon at Plum Bottom Pottery, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin!

Create, Etch, Print, Share!

It was pretty cool to be mentioned in Etchpop's newest post. I'm so glad I could help Marshall & Chester out. Share the love (of printmaking), pass it on…  Project Update #11: Etchpop has wood!

Posted by Marshall & Chester

Etchpop has wood! How much wood could an Etchpop pop, if an Etchpopcould pop wood? It's a difficult question, but we think we have found the answer! Behold, SHINA plywood! The answer to all of Etchpop's wood questions, wonders and worries! We were first introduced to Shina plywood through Erin Nolan, artist, experienced printmaker and friend of Etchpop.  After many tests in the Etchpop Labs, and at our kickoff printing party, we are extremely happy with the results of this incredible and rather rare plywood. Here are just a few reasons we have chosen Shina plywood to be the first material Etchpop will use to make all of your wonderful woodblocks:  Friendly to people and the planet.  Provides a perfect surface for even printing. Maintains sharp edges and details after multiple printings. Resistant to swelling and warping.    Looks, smells, and feels like a summer's dream. Here are more fun facts about Shina Plywood straight from our source: Shina Plywood Tilia japonica, a member of the Linden family This fine-grained plywood from Hokkaido, the northern-most island of Japan, is made specifically for block-printing and is a favorite among Japanese printmakers. Shina is harvested selectively and sustainably. The plywood is very high quality, free of voids, knots or blemishes. It is sanded smooth and ready for immediate printing. Basswood and Shina are both members of the Linden family. However, unlike basswood, Shina is dense enough to hold sharp edges and details through multiple printings. The glue holding the plies together is so thin that it is barely perceptible.  Japan has very strict environmental laws about the amount of formaldehyde added to the glue used to make plywood.  Most plywood made in the U.S. contains 5mg of formaldehyde per liter of glue, while in Japan the amount of formaldehyde averages only 0.3mg/liter, with 0.4mg/liter the maximum amount allowed.  So Shina plywood is much safer for you and for the environment! There is significantly less swelling, shrinking or warping with this plywood compared to solid planks and will keep its shape after multiple printings and cleanings.  Stay tuned for more updates on the progress of our website and an update introducing you to the wonderful crew that is building it for us. Thanks for everyone's continued support while we're building Etchpop ! -Marshall & Chester

Cardamon apricot bread

Cardamon apricot bread, originally uploaded by pejnolan.

Cardamon apricot bread

Here's the recipe!

Please accept this holiday blessing to you:

"May you and your loved ones find peace, love, and joy this Christmas day.

May your new year bring prosperity and be filled with treasured moments."

with love,
from the Nolan Family

Sunset through the prairie grasses, Shabbona Lake State Park

Have you ever had a moment in your life that was just right, exactly the way it is supposed to be? The colors are brighter, the air is fresher and the entire world seems awesome in every sense of the word? this past Saturday was one of these days for me.

Osage Oranges (Hedge Apples) racing down the creek waters

Al, Elinor and I walked at Shabbona Lake State Park. We entertained ourselves by having Osage Orange races in the creek. We threw some of the hedge apples into the trees and one stuck in a forked branch. We cracked off some ice from the shore, threw it onto the frozen bay and watched as the ice broke apart into gleaming diamond shards which skated over to the grasses on the other side. The sound was amazing.

Clear ice of Shabbona Lake

I dearly paid for these precious hours of walking, though. It took me about 3 days to start feeling like myself again. I was so tired, my muscles were sore and I was just plain worn out. Was it worth it? Oh, yeah, it was plenty worth it!

This week has been incredibly busy at work. There are quite a few very interesting projects to work on from website design to creating icons for a certification DVD to creating Point of Purchase designs for a national company. The quarterly magazine I design also went out this week. I think I have 17 jobs in progress! Yowza! It keeps me hoppin' but doesn't leave much time for printmaking at night.

I have been working steadily on the large woodblock. I've been working on it for 3 months straight, trying to fit in 5 minutes here and there. I can't wait until it is finished! This is going to be my "showpiece" for 2012.

I friend from high school asked me to design a private wine label for her and her husband. She wasn't sure of the approach she wanted, so I tried going very formal. In the end, it didn't match her vision, but I like it despite this. She has some cool plans that will call for a custom illustration and due to scheduling, I won't be able to get to it until after the holidays. The ideas will be rolling around in my mind, giving me time to digest the concept a bit before starting.

Chateau Fiasco Riesling Concept Label, 2011©

In this first design I created a woodblock print look in Photoshop using layers including a wood board texture, watercolor brushes, and paths for masking off colorblocks. It turned out pretty good! It is a whole lot faster (and cleaner) to create woodblock prints in Photoshop, but I wouldn't be left with anything tangible using that technique.

Another friend requested a custom Christmas card. I've created one for her the last few years and it is always fun, but this year it was EXCEPTIONALLY fun. Her idea was to have a comic book design.

Custom Christmas Card for 2011

Christmas is just around the corner. I'll be doing my shopping tomorrow. At 2pm, they are playing "It's A Wonderful Life" at the Egyptian Theatre. Paul and I are going! I've always wanted to see it in a theater. I've promised I would purchase the popcorn. Plus, if we bring a non-perishable food item, we will receive a $2 discount on tickets!

Sunday I thought it might be nice to make some gingerbread men and have hot cider while we decorate the tree. There hasn't been a real snow yet. Maybe there will be snow for Christmas?!